Diluted EPS Increased More Than 125 Percent Year-Over-Year

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., May 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Raven Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:RAVN) today reported financial results for the first quarter that ended April 30, 2017.

Noteworthy Items:

• Net sales increased more than 35 percent, with all divisions achieving greater than 20 percent growth year-over-year;
• Operating income increased more than $10 million year-over-year, driven primarily by volume leverage in Applied Technology and Engineered Films;
• Engineered Films sales increased 50 percent on particular strength in the Geomembrane and Industrial markets;
• Applied Technology sales increased nearly 30 percent, driven by sales of Hawkeye^TM Nozzle Control Systems, Rate Control Modules and Injection Systems;
• Net working capital percentage¹ improved 530 basis points year-over-year, from 28.7 percent to 23.4 percent.

First Quarter Results:
Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $93.5 million, up 36.8 percent versus the first quarter of fiscal 2017. All three divisions achieved significant growth year-over-year in the first quarter.

Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $18.2 million versus operating income of $8.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, increasing more than $10 million year-over-year. Operating margin increased 770 basis points year-over-year, from 11.8 percent of net sales to 19.5 percent of net sales. The significant improvement in profitability continues to be driven by strong operating leverage on higher sales volume.  

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $12.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, versus net income of $5.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in last year's first quarter. The substantial growth in diluted earnings per share was driven primarily by the improved operating performance in both Applied Technology and Engineered Films, but also benefited from improved profitability in Aerostar.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow:
At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2018, cash and cash equivalents totaled $50.5 million, essentially flat versus the prior quarter.

Net working capital as a percentage of annualized net sales¹ improved 530 basis points year-over-year, from 28.7 percent in the first quarter of last year to 23.4 percent in this year’s first quarter. The decrease in net working capital percentage was the result of higher payables, as well as managing inventory and receivables efficiently with the substantial increase in sales versus the prior year.

Cash flow from operations was $7.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 versus $11.1 million in the previous year’s first quarter. The decrease in cash flow was primarily due to net working capital¹ requirements to support the substantial increase in sales.

Capital expenditures were $2.8 million in this year’s first quarter, up $2.0 million versus $0.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. For fiscal year 2018, the Company expects total capital expenditures to be approximately $10 to $12 million.

Applied Technology Division:
Net sales for Applied Technology in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $40.5 million, up 28.7 percent versus the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Consistent with the second half of fiscal 2017, sales growth for the division was driven by new product sales, expanded OEM relationships and higher sales of direct injection systems.

Division operating income was $13.5 million, up 54.8 percent versus the first quarter of fiscal 2017, driven primarily by higher sales volume and improved operating leverage. The division continues to see strong incremental margins on improved sales volume as operating margin increased from 27.6 percent in the first quarter of last year to 33.2 percent in this year’s first quarter.

Engineered Films Division:
Net sales for Engineered Films were $43.6 million, up 49.7 percent year-over-year. Volume, measured in pounds sold, increased 46.2 percent versus the prior year. The increase in sales was driven by markedly higher sales into the Geomembrane market, with the Industrial and Construction markets also significantly contributing to growth versus the prior year. 

Operating income in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $8.7 million, up $4.8 million or 125 percent versus the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The year-over-year increase in operating income was driven principally by higher sales volume and strong operating leverage. Division operating margin increased 670 basis points year-over-year, from 13.3 percent to 20.0 percent, driven by improved capacity utilization and continued spending discipline.

Aerostar Division:
Net sales for Aerostar during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $9.6 million, up $1.7 million or 21.7 percent versus the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The year-over-year increase in sales was driven by the commencement of a newly-awarded stratospheric balloon contract, increased sales to Google for Project Loon, and timing of research balloon deliveries.

Operating income in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $1.4 million, versus an operating loss of $0.2 million in the previous year’s first quarter. Cost reductions implemented over the prior year as well as higher sales to stratospheric balloon programs drove the improved financial performance.

Fiscal 2018 Outlook:
“We are very pleased with our overall performance in the first quarter,” said Dan Rykhus, President and CEO. “Both Applied Technology and Engineered Films drove significantly higher sales volume, resulting in operating leverage which led to strong incremental margins. Aerostar also achieved an improved financial performance.

“For Applied Technology, end-market conditions remain subdued, but stable, versus the prior year, but our continued focus on new products and expanding OEM relationships is successfully driving additional market share gains and enabling the division to outperform the market.

“With respect to Engineered Films, sales volume in the Geomembrane market continued to accelerate from market-bottom conditions reached last year, while sales growth in the Industrial, Construction, and Agriculture markets was also notable. As a result, capacity utilization is expanding and generating significant growth in profitability. We have continued to invest in Engineered Films and in February purchased a fabrication facility in Pleasanton, Texas to expand our geographic footprint in the Geomembrane market.

“Regarding Aerostar, the focus on its stratospheric balloon platform, combined with expense reductions, is leading to improved financial performance. Sales to Google for Project Loon continued to grow, and the division successfully executed a new stratospheric contract — both positive indicators of the strength of our technology and the growing interest in the stratospheric balloon market.

“We are off to a strong start to the year,” concluded Rykhus. “While we expect year-over-year comparisons to get progressively more challenging through the end of the year, we believe we are on track to deliver meaningful growth in revenues and operating profit in fiscal year 2018. At the same time, we are continuing to invest for the intermediate and long term. We are increasing our investment in research and development activities to continue our new product momentum, and we continue to look for additional strategic acquisitions.”

Conference Call Information:
The Company will host an investor conference call to discuss first quarter fiscal 2018 results tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time). The conference call audio will be available to all interested parties via a simultaneous webcast that can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://investors.ravenind.com. Analysts and investors are invited to join the conference call by dialing: +1 (866) 393-0676. The event is scheduled to last one hour. For those unable to listen live, an audio replay of the event will be archived on the Company's website.

About Raven Industries, Inc.:
Raven Industries (NASDAQ:RAVN) is dedicated to providing innovative, high-value products and solutions that solve great challenges throughout the world. Raven is a leader in precision agriculture, high-performance specialty films, and lighter-than-air technologies. Since 1956, Raven has designed, produced, and delivered exceptional solutions, earning the company a reputation for innovation, product quality, high performance, and unmatched service. For more information, visit http://ravenind.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "may," "will," "plan," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "potential," “should,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” and similar expressions, which are generally not historical in nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to our future operating or financial performance or events, our strategy, goals, plans and projections regarding our financial position, our liquidity and capital resources, and our product development — are forward-looking statements.

Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, because such statements speak only as of the date when made. Our Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain known risks, as described in the Company’s 10K under Item 1A, and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from our Company’s historical experience and our present expectations or projections.

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except earnings per share) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended April 30,
										Fav (Un)
			2017				2016			Change
Net sales		$	93,535			$	68,360			36.8	%
Cost of goods sold			61,579				48,243
Gross profit			31,956				20,117			58.9	%
Gross profit percentage			34.2%				29.4%
Research and development expenses			3,980				4,409
Selling, general and administrative expenses			9,498				7,658
Long-lived asset impairment loss			259				-
Operating income			18,219				8,050			126.3	%
Operating income percentage			19.5%				11.8%
Other income (expense), net			(230	)			(97	)
Income before income taxes			17,989				7,953			126.2	%
Income tax expense			5,641				2,434
Net income			12,348				5,519			123.7	%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			-				2
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.		$	12,348			$	5,517			123.8	%
Net income per common share:
-basic		$0.34				$0.15				126.7	%
-diluted		$0.34				$0.15				126.7	%
Weighted average common shares:
-basic			36,179				36,414
-diluted			36,539				36,466

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
	April 30				January 31				April 30
		2017				2017				2016
ASSETS
Cash, and cash equivalents	$	50,477			$	50,648			$	32,790
Accounts receivable, net		51,617				43,143				41,013
Inventories		49,867				42,336				46,901
Other current assets		3,256				2,689				4,889
Total current assets		155,217				138,816				125,593
Property, plant and equipment, net		106,194				106,324				113,374
Goodwill and amortizable intangibles, net		52,141				52,697				53,958
Other assets, net		3,442				3,672				4,245
Total Assets	$	316,994			$	301,509			$	297,170
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	13,909			$	8,467			$	9,356
Accrued and other liabilities		22,615				19,915				13,512
Total current liabilities		36,524				28,382				22,868
Other liabilities		12,726				13,696				14,439
Shareholders' equity		267,744				259,431				259,863
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	316,994			$	301,509			$	297,170
Net Working Capital and Net Working Capital Percentage1
Accounts receivable, net	$	51,617			$	43,143			$	41,013
Plus:  Inventories		49,867				42,336				46,901
Less: Accounts payable		13,909				8,467				9,356
Net working capital1	$	87,575			$	77,012			$	78,558
Annualized net sales	$	374,140			$	275,662			$	273,440
Net working capital percentage1		23.4%				27.9%				28.7%

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended April 30,
				2017				2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income			$	12,348			$	5,519
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization				3,614				3,762
Long-lived asset impairment loss				259				-
Other operating activities, net				(8,519	)			1,823
Net cash provided by operating activities				7,702				11,104
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures				(2,790	)			(791	)
Proceeds from sale of assets				14				50
Purchases of investments				-				(500	)
Other investing activities, net				(60	)			(194	)
Net cash used in investing activities				(2,836	)			(1,435	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid				(4,691	)			(4,701	)
Payments for common shares repurchased				-				(5,702	)
Payment of acquisition-related contingent liabilities				(161	)			(138	)
Other financing activities, net				(141	)			(256	)
Net cash used in financing activities				(4,993	)			(10,797	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash				(44	)			136
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents				(171	)			(992	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				50,648				33,782
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			$	50,477			$	32,790

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
SALES AND OPERATING INCOME BY SEGMENT
(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended April 30,
										Fav (Un)
			2017				2016			Change
Net sales
Applied Technology		$	40,490			$	31,456			28.7	%
Engineered Films			43,555				29,100			49.7	%
Aerostar			9,606				7,895			21.7	%
Intersegment eliminations			(116	)			(91	)
Total Company		$	93,535			$	68,360			36.8	%
Operating income (loss)
Applied Technology		$	13,453			$	8,693			54.8	%
Engineered Films			8,720				3,878			124.9	%
Aerostar			1,418				(178	)		896.6	%
Intersegment eliminations			(2	)			(5	)
Total segment income		$	23,589			$	12,388			90.4	%
Corporate expenses			(5,370	)			(4,338	)		(23.8	)%
Total Company		$	18,219			$	8,050			126.3	%
Operating income (loss) percentages
Applied Technology			33.2%				27.6%			560bps
Engineered Films			20.0%				13.3%			670bps
Aerostar			14.8%				(2.3)%			1,710bps
Total Company			19.5%				11.8%			770bps

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
EBITDA REGULATION G RECONCILIATION2
(Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended April 30,
										Fav (Un)
Segments			2017				2016			Change
Applied Technology
Reported operating income		$	13,453			$	8,693			54.8	%
Plus: Depreciation and amortization			830				952			(12.8	)%
ATD EBITDA		$	14,283			$	9,645			48.1	%
ATD EBITDA % of Net Sales			35.3%				30.7%
Engineered Films
Reported operating income		$	8,720			$	3,878			124.9	%
Plus: Depreciation and amortization			2,066				2,057			0.4	%
EFD EBITDA		$	10,786			$	5,935			81.7	%
EFD EBITDA % of Net Sales			24.8%				20.4%
Aerostar
Reported operating income (loss)		$	1,418			$	(178	)		896.6	%
Plus: Depreciation and amortization			417				419			(0.5	)%
Aerostar EBITDA		$	1,835			$	241			661.4	%
Aerostar EBITDA % of Net Sales			19.1%				3.1%
Consolidated Raven
Net income		$	12,348			$	5,517			123.8	%
Interest expense (income), net			68				72
Income tax expense			5,641				2,434
Depreciation and amortization			3,614				3,762
EBITDA		$	21,671			$	11,785			83.9	%
EBITDA % of Net Sales			23.2%				17.2%

_____________________________

1. Net working capital is defined as accounts receivable (net) plus inventories less accounts payable. Net working capital percentage is defined as net working capital divided by four times quarterly sales.
2. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined on a consolidated basis as net income/(loss) attributable to Raven Industries, Inc., plus income taxes, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus interest expense (net). On a segment basis, it is defined as operating income plus depreciation expense and amortization expense. EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by net sales.

 

Contact Information:
Bo Larsen
Investor Relations Manager
Raven Industries, Inc.
+1 (605) 336-2750