Q.E.P. CO., INC. Reports Fiscal 2017 First Quarter Sales and Earnings

FIRST QUARTER SALES – $80.2 MILLION
FIRST QUARTER NET INCOME – $2.2 MILLION VS $1.3 MILLION LAST YEAR

FIRST QUARTER EPS - $0.68 VS $0.39 LAST YEAR

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q.E.P. CO., INC. (OTC:QEPC.PK) (the “Company”) today reported its consolidated results of operations for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending February 28, 2017.

The Company reported net sales of $80.2 million for the quarter ended May 31, 2016, an increase of $1.9 million or 2.4% from the $78.3 million reported in the same period of fiscal 2016. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 28.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to 27.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

Lewis Gould, Chairman, commented: "I am encouraged by the progress we have made this quarter despite continuing headwinds with the strong US dollar, increases in health care costs and other items. Despite this the Company has worked towards positive results this quarter, developing new and innovative products and sales growth in North America. We are working very hard to continue to flatten our supply chain and lower our costs, while continuing to strengthen our balance sheet with improved working capital and lower debt.”

Net sales for the three month period ended May 31, 2016 as compared to the comparable period in the prior fiscal year reflect growth across multiple product lines in the US and Australia, partially offset by reduced sales in Europe. Foreign exchange rates weakened against the US dollar year over year and continue to affect the translation of the Company’s international operations.

The Company’s gross profit increased $1.4 million or 6.4% to $22.6 million and gross margin improved by 1.1%. Gross margin benefited from cost reductions on certain products as well as favorable product mix.

Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $18.8 million or 23.5% of net sales, compared to $19.0 million or 24.2% of net sales in the comparable fiscal 2016 period. Lower shipping cost was partially offset by the timing of increased marketing expenses associated with the introduction of new flooring products in North America and Australia.

The decrease in interest expense during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 is principally the result of debt payments made under term loan facilities during fiscal 2016.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was 37.5%, compared to 35.0% for the comparable period of fiscal 2016. The effective tax rate in both fiscal years reflects the relative contribution of the Company’s earnings sourced from its international operations.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and 2016 was $2.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, or $0.68 and $0.39, respectively, per diluted share.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2017, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $4.8 million, compared to $3.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

		For the Three Months
		Ended May 31,
			2016		2015
Net income		$	2,185	$	1,268
Add:	Interest expense, net		281		320
	Provision for income taxes		1,311		683
	Depreciation and amortization		1,016		1,070
EBITDA		$	4,793	$	3,341

Cash provided by operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $0.9 million as compared to $3.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, increased earnings were principally used to fund increases in working capital and pay down debt. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, earnings and changes in working capital were used, along with cash balances, to reduce debt. In both periods, the Company’s capital expenditures were funded through cash from operations.

Working capital at the end of the Company’s fiscal 2017 first quarter was $40.8 million compared to $38.7 million at the end of the 2016 fiscal year. Aggregate debt, net of cash balances, at the end of the Company’s fiscal 2017 first quarter was $20.4 million or 28.8% of equity, an increase of $0.3 million compared to $20.1 million or 29.4% of equity at the end of the 2016 fiscal year.

The Company will be hosting a conference call to discuss these results and to answer your questions at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 7, 2016. If you would like to join the conference call, dial 1-888-505-4368 toll free from the US or 1-719-325-2458 internationally approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time and ask for the Q.E.P. Co., Inc. First-Quarter Conference Call / Conference ID 9556342. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight July 14, 2016 by calling 1-877-870-5176 toll free from the US and entering pin number 9556342; internationally, please call 1-858-384-5517 using the same pin number.

Q.E.P. Co., Inc., founded in 1979, is a world class, worldwide provider of innovative, quality and value-driven flooring and industrial solutions. As a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor, QEP delivers a comprehensive line of hardwood and laminate flooring, flooring installation tools, adhesives and flooring related products targeted for the professional installer as well as the do-it-yourselfer. In addition, the Company provides industrial tools with cutting edge technology to the industrial trades. Under brand names including QEP^®, ROBERTS^®, Capitol^®, Harris^®Wood, Fausfloor^®, Vitrex^®, Homelux^®, TileRite^®, PRCI^®, Nupla^®, HISCO^®, Plasplugs^®, Ludell^®, Porta-Nails^®, Tomecanic^®, Bénètiere^® and Elastiment^®, the Company sells its products to home improvement retail centers, specialty distribution outlets, municipalities and industrial solution providers in 50 states and throughout the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding economic conditions, sales growth, product development and marketing, operating expenses, cost savings, cash flow, debt and currency exchange rates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations.

-Financial Information Follows-


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months
	Ended May 31,
		2016			2015

Net sales	$	80,178		$	78,267
Cost of goods sold		57,569			57,025
Gross profit		22,609			21,242

Operating expenses:
Shipping		6,657			7,310
General and administrative		6,418			6,256
Selling and marketing		5,921			5,491
Other income, net		(164	)		(86	)
Total operating expenses		18,832			18,971

Operating income		3,777			2,271

Interest expense, net		(281	)		(320	)

Income before provision for income taxes		3,496			1,951

Provision for income taxes		1,311			683

Net income	$	2,185		$	1,268

Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.68		$	0.39
Diluted	$	0.68		$	0.39

Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding:
Basic		3,195			3,212
Diluted		3,219			3,235


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months
	Ended May 31,
		2016		2015

Net income	$	2,185	$	1,268

Unrealized currency translation adjustments		504		(118	)

Comprehensive income	$	2,689	$	1,150


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except per share values)

	May 31, 2016 (Unaudited)			February 29, 2016

ASSETS
Cash	$	14,053		$	15,923
Restricted Cash		1,724			-
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $419
and $377 as of May 31, 2016 and February 29, 2016, respectively		40,609			39,491
Inventories		43,870			42,797
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,711			2,234
Current assets		102,967			100,445

Property and equipment, net		19,113			19,538
Deferred income taxes, net		5,291			5,288
Intangibles, net		16,118			15,717
Other assets		518			550

Total Assets	$	144,007		$	141,538

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Trade accounts payable	$	20,462		$	18,432
Accrued liabilities		15,614			17,854
Income taxes payable		356			383
Lines of credit		23,701			23,093
Current maturities of notes payable		2,026			2,032
Current liabilities		62,159			61,794

Notes payable		10,435			10,899
Other long term liabilities		589			589
Total Liabilities		73,183			73,282

Preferred stock, 2,500 shares authorized, $1.00 par value; 337 shares
issued and outstanding at May 31, 2016 and February 29, 2016		337			337
Common stock, 20,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value; 3,802 and
3,802 shares issued, and 3,190 and 3,198 shares outstanding at
May 31, 2016 and February 29, 2016, respectively		4			4
Additional paid-in capital		10,752			10,737
Retained earnings		70,133			67,952
Treasury stock, 612 and 604 shares held at cost at May 31, 2016
and February 29, 2016, respectively		(7,016	)		(6,884	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(3,386	)		(3,890	)
Shareholders' Equity		70,824			68,256

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	144,007		$	141,538


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months
	Ended May 31,
		2016			2015

Operating activities:
Net income	$	2,185		$	1,268
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,016			1,070
Other non-cash adjustments		35			70
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Accounts receivable		(907	)		(4,726	)
Inventories		(836	)		(1,234	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(438	)		(235	)
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(140	)		6,763
Net cash provided by operating activities		915			2,976

Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property		-			328
Capital expenditures		(243	)		(536	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(243	)		(208	)

Financing activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) under lines of credit		(463	)		1,457
Net borrowings (repayments) of notes payable		(470	)		(6,096	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(30	)		(30	)
Dividends		(4	)		(3	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(967	)		(4,672	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		149			(2	)

Net (decrease) increase in cash		(146	)		(1,906	)
Cash at beginning of period		15,923			10,576
Cash at end of period	$	15,777		$	8,670

CONTACT: 
Q.E.P. Co., Inc.
Mark S. Walter
Chief Financial Officer 
561-994-5550

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Q.E.P. CO., INC. Reports Fiscal 2017 First Quarter Sales and Earnings

Distribution channels: Banking, Finance & Investment Industry, Building & Construction Industry

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