Callaway Golf Announces First Quarter 2008 Results

May 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM EDT

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2008--Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, reporting significant improvements in sales and earnings over the same period a year ago. Highlights for the quarter include:

 

  •  
  • Record net sales of $366.5 million, a 10% increase as compared to $334.6 million for the same period in 2007.
  •  
  • Fully diluted earnings per share of $0.61 on 64.8 million shares as compared to $0.48 on 68.3 million shares in 2007. This represents a 27% increase in diluted earnings per share.
  •  
  • Fully diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2008 and 2007 include $0.01 of after-tax charges for gross margin improvement initiatives announced in November, 2006.

 

"We are pleased with our results for the first quarter," commented George Fellows, President and CEO. "The improvements made in our product development process and supply chain have positively contributed to our ability to achieve record first quarter sales."

"While cautiously optimistic given our first quarter results," continued Mr. Fellows, "it is important to remember that the second quarter is generally when the consumer purchase cycle begins and it is a critical quarter for us in achieving our targets. We remain optimistic that we can achieve our full year guidance range, although given current macroeconomic and market conditions, we believe our results will most likely be at the lower end of our original range."

Details of First Quarter Results

Sales

The increase in sales for the first quarter is primarily attributable to:

 

  •  
  • increased fairway wood sales associated with our FT and FT-i product launches
  •  
  • increased sales of Odyssey putters driven by our Black Series, Divine Line, and sell-in of our new products
  •  
  • increased sales of golf balls driven by HX Hot Bite and HX Tour ix products
  •  
  • increased accessories sales associated with packaged club sets and headwear
  •  
  • foreign currency exchange rates

 

Gross Margins

Gross margins as a percentage of net sales were 48% for the first quarter, the same as for the first quarter of 2007. Charges related to the Company's gross margin improvement initiatives did not have a significant effect on gross margins in either period.

The Company continues to benefit from the gross margin initiatives implemented in 2007 which had a positive impact of 130 basis points during the quarter. This benefit was primarily offset by i) an unfavorable shift in product mix due to expected lower second year sales of premium drivers and X-series irons which generally have higher margins than the 2008 new products and ii) higher fixed cost absorption charges related to lower golf ball production volumes during the fourth quarter of 2007. The lower production volumes were consistent with the Company's inventory reduction initiatives and the recent improvements in inventory management and planning, which enables the Company to operate its golf ball business with less inventory on hand. The effect of the fourth quarter production volumes on first quarter results was consistent with the Company's expectations and should not affect the balance of the year. The Company estimates full year gross margins to improve at least 200 basis points compared to 2007.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the quarter were $111 million, an increase of $6 million when compared to 2007. The increase is primarily due to higher advertising and promotion expense to support the new products launched during the quarter, an increase in costs due to the effect of foreign exchange rates on non-U.S. expense, and general inflation. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses declined to 30% compared to 31% in 2007.

Business Outlook

The Company originally estimated in January that its full year 2008 net sales would be in the range of $1.145 to $1.165 billion and that its full year pro forma fully diluted earnings per share would be in the range of $1.08 to $1.18 on an estimated 67 million shares. Pro forma earnings exclude charges related to the Company's gross margin improvement initiatives, currently estimated at $0.08 per share for 2008. While the Company still estimates its financial results will fall within this range, given uncertainties surrounding the economy, second quarter sell-through, and competitive actions, these results are projected at this time to be at the lower end of this range on a base of 66 million shares.

For more details, including pro forma reconciliations to assist in year-over-year comparison, please see the attached "Supplemental Financial Information."

The Company will be holding a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PDT today. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed at www.callawaygolf.com. To listen to the call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes before the call to register and for instructions on how to access the broadcast. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call ends, and will remain available through 9:00 p.m. PDT on Thursday, May 8, 2008. The replay may be accessed through the Internet at www.callawaygolf.com or by telephone by calling 1-800-475-6701 toll free for calls originating within the United States or 320-365-3844 for International calls. The replay pass code is 920536.

Disclaimer: Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance or prospects, including statements relating to estimated sales, gross margins, and earnings for 2008, and the estimated charges for the Company's gross margin initiatives, are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These estimates and statements are based upon current information and expectations. Accurately estimating the Company's future financial performance is based upon various unknowns including consumer acceptance and demand for the Company's products as well as future consumer discretionary purchasing activity, which can be significantly adversely affected by unfavorable economic or market conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these unknowns or other risks and uncertainties, including delays, difficulties or increased costs in the supply of components needed to manufacture the Company's products, in manufacturing the Company's products, or in connection with the implementation of the Company's planned gross margin initiatives or the implementation of future initiatives; adverse weather conditions and seasonality; any rule changes or other actions taken by the USGA or other golf association that could have an adverse impact upon demand or supply of the Company's products; a decrease in participation levels in golf; and the effect of terrorist activity, armed conflict, natural disasters or pandemic diseases on the economy generally, on the level of demand for the Company's products or on the Company's ability to manage its supply and delivery logistics in such an environment. For additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect these statements and the Company's business, see Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About Callaway Golf

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Odyssey(R), Top-Flite(R), and Ben Hogan(R) brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or Shop.CallawayGolf.com.

                        Callaway Golf Company
                Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)


                                               March 31,  December 31,
                                                 2008       2007(1)
                                              ----------- ------------


ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                   $   39,385   $   49,875
   Accounts receivable, net                       300,495      112,064
   Inventories, net                               264,319      253,001
   Deferred taxes                                  42,512       42,219
   Income taxes receivable                              -        9,232
   Other current assets                            33,377       30,190
                                              ----------- ------------
     Total current assets                         680,088      496,581

Property, plant and equipment, net                131,584      128,036
Intangible assets, net                            172,735      173,045
Deferred taxes                                     19,094       18,885
Other assets                                       39,799       40,416
                                              ----------- ------------
                                               $1,043,300   $  856,963
                                              =========== ============

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses       $  159,124   $  130,410
   Accrued employee compensation and benefits      30,204       44,245
   Accrued warranty expense                        12,990       12,386
   Credit facilities                              155,570       36,507
   Income taxes payable                            10,549            -
                                              ----------- ------------
     Total current liabilities                    368,437      223,548

Long-term liabilities                              63,512       63,207

Minority interest                                   1,526        1,978

Shareholders' equity                              609,825      568,230
                                              ----------- ------------
                                               $1,043,300   $  856,963
                                              =========== ============



(1)Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
 current period classification.
                        Callaway Golf Company
                       Statements of Operations
                (In thousands, except per share data)
                             (Unaudited)


                                              Quarter Ended

                                                March 31,
                                       ---------------------------
                                           2008            2007
                                       -----------      ----------

Net sales                               $  366,452 100%  $334,607 100%
Cost of sales                              190,918  52%   173,886  52%
                                       -----------      ----------
Gross profit                               175,534  48%   160,721  48%
Operating expenses:
  Selling expenses                          80,161  22%    75,291  23%
  General and administrative expenses       22,488   6%    21,558   6%
  Research and development expenses          7,924   2%     8,016   2%
                                       -----------      ----------
Total operating expenses                   110,573  30%   104,865  31%
Income from operations                      64,961  18%    55,856  17%
Other income (expense), net                    695         (1,338)
                                       -----------      ----------
Income before income taxes                  65,656  18%    54,518  16%
Income tax provision                        25,990         21,682
                                       -----------      ----------
Net income                              $   39,666  11%  $ 32,836  10%
                                       ===========      ==========

Earnings per common share:
  Basic                                 $     0.62       $   0.49
  Diluted                               $     0.61       $   0.48
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
  Basic                                     63,895         67,272
  Diluted                                   64,843         68,318
                        Callaway Golf Company
           Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)


                                                     Quarter Ended
                                                       March 31,
                                                 ---------------------
                                                    2008      2007(1)
                                                 ---------- ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                    $  39,666  $  32,836
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
    cash used in operating activities:

      Depreciation and amortization                  8,794      9,009
      Deferred taxes                                 8,521       (538)
      Non-cash compensation                          1,468      3,127
      (Gain)/loss on disposal of assets               (230)         3
      Changes in assets and liabilities           (179,600)  (122,057)
                                                 ---------- ----------
   Net cash used in operating activities          (121,381)   (77,620)
                                                 ---------- ----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Capital expenditures                            (11,732)    (7,987)
                                                 ---------- ----------
   Net cash used in investing activities           (11,732)    (7,987)
                                                 ---------- ----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Issuance of Common Stock                          2,767     12,833
   Acquisition of Treasury Stock                       (72)   (15,155)
   Net proceeds from line of credit                119,063     75,000
   Other financing activities                         (254)       951
                                                 ---------- ----------
   Net cash provided by financing activities       121,504     73,629
                                                 ---------- ----------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
 equivalents                                         1,119        210
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents          (10,490)   (11,768)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    49,875     46,362
                                                 ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period       $  39,385  $  34,594
                                                 ========== ==========


(1)Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
 current period classification.
                        Callaway Golf Company
       Consolidated Net Sales and Operating Segment Information
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)


                                     Net Sales by Product Category
                                  ------------------------------------
                                     Quarter Ended
                                       March 31,      Growth/(Decline)
                                  ------------------- ----------------
                                    2008     2007(1)  Dollars  Percent
                                  --------- --------- -------- -------
Net sales:
 Woods                            $116,552  $103,065  $13,487      13%
 Irons                              96,496   100,100   (3,604)     -4%
 Putters                            34,554    29,083    5,471      19%
 Golf balls                         58,433    53,548    4,885       9%
 Accessories and other              60,417    48,811   11,606      24%
                                  --------- --------- --------
                                  $366,452  $334,607  $31,845      10%
                                  ========= ========= ========

(1)Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
 current period classification.

                                          Net Sales by Region
                                  ------------------------------------
                                     Quarter Ended
                                       March 31,      Growth/(Decline)
                                  ------------------- ----------------
                                    2008     2007(1)  Dollars  Percent
                                  --------- --------- -------- -------
Net sales:
 United States                    $184,380  $183,804  $   576       0%
 Europe                             66,090    56,023   10,067      18%
 Japan                              53,339    37,940   15,399      41%
 Rest of Asia                       26,461    22,821    3,640      16%
 Other foreign countries            36,182    34,019    2,163       6%
                                  --------- ---------  ------
                                  $366,452  $334,607  $31,845      10%
                                  ========= ========= ========



                                     Operating Segment Information
                                  ------------------------------------
                                     Quarter Ended
                                       March 31,      Growth/(Decline)
                                  ------------------- ----------------
                                    2008     2007(1)  Dollars  Percent
                                  --------- --------- -------- -------
Net sales:
 Golf clubs                       $308,019  $281,059  $26,960      10%
 Golf balls                         58,433    53,548    4,885       9%
                                  --------- --------- --------
                                  $366,452  $334,607  $31,845      10%
                                  ========= ========= ========
Income before provision
 for income taxes:
 Golf clubs                       $ 76,199  $ 65,343  $10,856      17%
 Golf balls                          4,445     5,728   (1,283)    -22%
 Reconciling items (1)             (14,988)  (16,553)   1,565       9%
                                  --------- --------- --------
                                  $ 65,656  $ 54,518  $11,138      20%
                                  ========= ========= ========

(1) Represents corporate general and administrative expenses and other
 income (expense) not utilized by management in determining segment
 profitability.
                         Callaway Golf Company
                  Supplemental Financial Information
                 (In thousands, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)


                                     Quarter Ended March 31,
                            ------------------------------------------
                                               2008
                            ------------------------------------------

                                            Gross Margin
                               Pro Forma     Improvement   Total as
                             Callaway Golf   Initiatives    Reported
                            --------------- ------------- ------------
Net sales                     $   366,452    $       -     $366,452
Gross profit                      176,629       (1,095)     175,534
% of sales                             48%         n/a           48%
Operating expenses                110,573            -      110,573
                            --------------- ------------- ----------
Income from operations             66,056       (1,095)      64,961
Other income (expense), net           695            -          695
                            --------------- ------------- ----------
Income (loss) before income
 taxes                             66,751       (1,095)      65,656
Income tax provision               26,412         (422)      25,990
                            -------------   -----------   ----------
Net income                    $    40,339    $    (673)    $ 39,666
                            ==============- ===========-- ==========

Diluted earnings (loss) per
 share:                       $      0.62    $   (0.01)    $   0.61
Weighted-average shares
 outstanding:                      64,843       64,843       64,843

                                      Quarter Ended March 31,
                             -----------------------------------------
                                               2007
                             -----------------------------------------

                                            Gross Margin
                               Pro Forma     Improvement   Total as
                             Callaway Golf   Initiatives    Reported
                             -------------- ------------- ------------
Net sales                     $  334,607      $       -    $  334,607
Gross profit                     162,126         (1,405)      160,721
% of sales                            48%           n/a            48%
Operating expenses               104,865              -       104,865
                             -------------  ------------  ------------
Income from operations            57,261         (1,405)       55,856
Other income (expense), net       (1,338)             -        (1,338)
                             -------------  ------------  ------------
Income (loss) before income
 taxes                            55,923         (1,405)       54,518
Income tax provision              22,236           (554)       21,682
                             -------------  ------------  ------------
Net income                    $   33,687      $    (851)   $   32,836
                             =============  ============  ============

Diluted earnings (loss) per
 share:                       $     0.49      $   (0.01)   $     0.48
Weighted-average shares
 outstanding:                     68,318         68,318        68,318
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
 (EBITDA):


                         2008 Trailing Twelve Months EBITDA
               -------------------------------------------------------
                                    Quarter Ended
               -------------------------------------------------------
               June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31,
                 2007       2007         2007        2008     Total
               -------- ------------- -----------  --------- --------
Net income
 (loss)         $36,639      $ 1,269    $(16,157)   $39,666  $ 61,417
Interest
 expense
 (income), net    1,672           29        (216)       591     2,076
Income tax
 provision
 (benefit)       23,591          830     (12,415)    25,990    37,996
Depreciation
 and
 amortization
 expense          8,591        9,864       7,862      8,794    35,111
               -------- ------------  -----------  --------  --------
EBITDA          $70,493      $11,992    $(20,926)   $75,041  $136,600
               ======== ============  ===========  ========  ========

                          2007 Trailing Twelve Months EBITDA
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                                     Quarter Ended
                 -----------------------------------------------------
                 June 30, September 30, December 31, March 31,
                   2006       2006          2006       2007     Total
                 -------- ------------- ------------ --------- -------
Net income
 (loss)           $22,539    $(11,916)    $(10,194)   $32,836  $33,265
Interest
 expense
 (income), net      1,522       1,132          905      1,677    5,236
Income tax
 provision
 (benefit)         14,934      (6,075)     (10,948)    21,682   19,593
Depreciation
 and
 amortization
 expense            7,935       8,736        8,313      9,009   33,993
                 -------- ------------  -----------  --------  -------
EBITDA            $46,930    $ (8,123)    $(11,924)   $65,204  $92,087
                 ======== ============  ===========  ========  =======

CONTACT:
Callaway Golf Company
Brad Holiday
Patrick Burke
Michele Szynal
760-931-1771

SOURCE: Callaway Golf Company