Callaway Golf Company Announces 2008 Third Quarter and Nine Month Results

October 30, 2008 at 4:11 PM EDT

Earnings per Share Rise 5% for the First 9 Months vs. 2007

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2008--Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months ended September 30.

"Despite the unprecedented global economic conditions and a strong 2007, we have delivered earnings growth of 5% through the first nine months of 2008," commented George Fellows, President and CEO. "This growth is due in part to our expanding accessories business and increased sales of golf balls, as well as by sales in Japan, which increased 37% for the first nine months of 2008 compared to 2007. In addition, three years ago we started several initiatives focused on improving the fundamentals of our Company, and those initiatives are paying off. Our balance sheet is strong with no long-term debt and a positive net cash balance, which is an enviable position in today's market. Working capital and operating expenses have been and will continue to be tightly managed going forward. Our gross margin improvement initiatives continue to deliver to our expectations of $50 to $60 million in savings over the past two years and are mitigating the negative shift in product mix we are seeing due to the current economic conditions."

Highlights for the first nine months include:

  • Net sales of $946 million, essentially flat versus 2007's record sales of $950 million.
  • Fully diluted earnings per share of $1.08 (on 64.0 million shares outstanding), an increase of 5% compared to $1.03 (on 68.4 million shares outstanding) in 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share for the first nine months include after-tax charges for gross margin improvement initiatives of $0.09 per share in 2008 and $0.07 per share in 2007. Excluding the impact of the gross margin improvement charges, pro forma earnings per share were $1.17 in 2008, an increase of 6% compared to $1.10 in 2007.
  • Gross profit was $426.7 million for 2008 (or 45% of net sales) compared to $429.9 million (or 45% of net sales) in 2007. Excluding the impact of the gross margin improvement charges, pro forma gross profit percentages for both 2008 and 2007 would have been 46%.
  • Operating expenses for 2008 were $313.9 million (or 33% of net sales) compared to $311.0 million (or 33% of net sales in 2007) which included a $3.8 million gain on the sale of a building.
  • Year-to-date, the Company repurchased 1.7 million shares of stock for $23 million at an average price of $13.55 per share.
Highlights for the third quarter include:
  • Net sales of $213.5 million compared to last year's record of $235.5 million.
  • Loss per share of ($0.12) (on 62.5 million shares outstanding), as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.02 (on 67.6 million shares outstanding) in 2007. Third quarter results include after-tax charges for gross margin improvement initiatives of $0.04 per share in both 2008 and 2007. Excluding the impact of the gross margin improvement charges, pro forma loss per share was ($0.08) in 2008 as compared to pro forma diluted earnings per share of $0.06 in 2007.
  • Gross profit for 2008 was $80.1 million (or 38% of net sales) compared to $94.0 million (or 40% of net sales) for 2007. Excluding the impact of the gross margin improvement charges, pro forma gross profit percentages for 2008 would have been 39% compared to 42% in 2007.
  • Operating expenses for 2008 were $92.6 million (or 43% of net sales), compared to $93.1 million (or 40% of net sales) for 2007 which included a $3.8 million gain associated with the sale of a building.
  • The Company repurchased 219,000 shares of stock for $3 million during the quarter at an average price of $13.21 per share.

 

Business Outlook

"Looking forward, the initial feedback on our new 2009 products has been very positive," continued Mr. Fellows, "and we feel the whole product line is stronger than our record 2007 line. We feel that this product line-up, along with strategic and operational progress to date, positions Callaway Golf for solid growth when the global economy begins to recover. In the meantime, we will continue to manage our business in a conservative and prudent manner, protect our balance sheet and allocate capital to those initiatives that will drive longer term growth."

The Company reaffirmed its recent guidance that for the full year 2008 the Company estimates that net sales will be in the range of $1.125 to $1.145 billion and pro forma fully diluted earnings will exceed 2007 and will be in the range of $0.92 to $1.02 per share (or 3% to 15% growth versus 2007). Pro forma earnings exclude after-tax charges related to the gross margin improvement initiatives in the amount of approximately $0.11 per share.

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 three hours after the call ends, and will remain available through 9:00 p.m. PST on Thursday, November 6, 2008. The replay may be accessed through the Internet at www.callawaygolf.com or by telephone by calling 800-475-6701 toll free for calls originating within the United States or 320-365-3844 for International calls. The replay pass code is 966796.

Disclaimer: Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance or prospects, including statements relating to future growth, estimated sales and earnings for 2008, the strength of the 2009 product line-up, and estimated charges for and savings from the gross margin initiatives, as well as statements regarding future working capital and operating expenses, 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 reported future financial performance is based upon various unknowns including, future changes in foreign currency rates and 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.

Regulation G: The financial results reported in this press release have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). In addition to the GAAP results, the Company has also provided additional information concerning its results, which includes certain financial measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release exclude charges associated with the Company's gross margin initiatives. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may also be inconsistent with the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other companies. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, provides additional useful information concerning the Company's operations without these charges. The Company has provided reconciling information in the text of this press release and in the accompanying schedules.

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)

                                            September 30, December 31,
                                                2008          2007
                                            ------------- ------------

ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $ 50,642     $ 49,875
  Accounts receivable, net                        152,654      112,064
  Inventories                                     220,306      253,001
  Deferred taxes                                   39,544       42,219
  Income taxes receivable                               -        9,232
  Other current assets                             27,184       30,190
                                            ------------- ------------
    Total current assets                          490,330      496,581

Property, plant and equipment, net                135,434      128,036
Intangible assets, net                            169,489      173,045
Deferred taxes                                     28,724       18,885
Other assets                                       43,435       40,416
                                            ------------- ------------
                                                 $867,412     $856,963
                                            ============= ============

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses          $115,909     $130,410
  Accrued employee compensation and
   benefits                                        31,437       44,245
  Accrued warranty expense                         11,785       12,386
  Credit facilities                                40,000       36,507
  Income taxes payable                              4,317            -
                                            ------------- ------------
    Total current liabilities                     203,448      223,548

Long-term liabilities                              65,217       63,207

Minority interest                                   2,378        1,978

Shareholders' equity                              596,369      568,230
                                            ------------- ------------
                                                 $867,412     $856,963
                                            ============= ============

                        Callaway Golf Company
                       Statements of Operations
                (In thousands, except per share data)
                             (Unaudited)

                                                Quarter Ended
                                                September 30,
                                           -----------------------
                                             2008          2007
                                           ---------     ---------

Net sales                                  $213,451 100% $235,549 100%
Cost of sales                               133,320  62%  141,543  60%
                                           ---------     ---------
Gross profit                                 80,131  38%   94,006  40%
Operating expenses:
  Selling                                    65,730  31%   65,808  28%
  General and administrative                 20,201   9%   19,394   8%
  Research and development                    6,650   3%    7,928   3%
                                           ---------     ---------
Total operating expenses                     92,581  43%   93,130  40%
Income (loss) from operations               (12,450) -6%      876   0%
Other income (expense), net                  (1,669)        1,223
                                           ---------     ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes           (14,119) -7%    2,099   1%
Income tax provision (benefit)               (6,676)          830
                                           ---------     ---------
Net income (loss)                          $ (7,443) -3% $  1,269   1%
                                           =========     =========

Earnings (loss) per common share:
  Basic                                      ($0.12)     $   0.02
  Diluted                                    ($0.12)     $   0.02
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
  Basic                                      62,494        66,516
  Diluted                                    62,494        67,639


                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                September 30,
                                           -----------------------
                                             2008          2007
                                           ---------     ---------

Net sales                                  $945,932 100% $950,173 100%
Cost of sales                               519,187  55%  520,321  55%
                                           ---------     ---------
Gross profit                                426,745  45%  429,852  45%
Operating expenses:
  Selling                                   226,352  24%  222,009  23%
  General and administrative                 65,480   7%   65,139   7%
  Research and development                   22,112   2%   23,851   3%
                                           ---------     ---------
Total operating expenses                    313,944  33%  310,999  33%
Income from operations                      112,801  12%  118,853  13%
Other expense, net                           (3,574)       (2,006)
                                           ---------     ---------
Income before income taxes                  109,227  12%  116,847  12%
Income tax provision                         39,897        46,103
                                           ---------     ---------
Net income                                 $ 69,330   7% $ 70,744   7%
                                           =========     =========

Earnings per common share:
  Basic                                    $   1.10      $   1.05
  Diluted                                  $   1.08      $   1.03
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
  Basic                                      63,187        67,250
  Diluted                                    64,029        68,407

                        Callaway Golf Company
           Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                                                   Nine Months Ended
                                                     September 30,
                                                  --------------------
                                                    2008       2007
                                                  --------- ----------
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                      $ 69,330  $  70,744
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                   28,747     27,464
    Non-cash compensation                            5,044      8,207
    Deferred taxes                                   2,117      1,444
    Gain on disposal of assets                        (435)    (3,425)
    Changes in assets and liabilities              (44,461)    41,408
                                                  --------- ----------
  Net cash provided by operating activities         60,342    145,842
                                                  --------- ----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Capital expenditures                             (33,506)   (24,130)
  Proceeds from sale of capital assets                  42      5,491
  Investment in golf related ventures                    -     (1,310)
                                                  --------- ----------
  Net cash used in investing activities            (33,464)   (19,949)
                                                  --------- ----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Issuance of Common Stock                           4,708     47,672
  Dividends paid, net                               (8,951)   (14,241)
  Acquisition of Treasury Stock                    (22,970)  (101,387)
  Net proceeds from (payments on) line of credit     3,493    (79,068)
  Other financing activities                          (223)     4,415
                                                  --------- ----------
  Net cash used in financing activities            (23,943)  (142,609)
                                                  --------- ----------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
 equivalents                                        (2,168)     1,994
                                                  --------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents                                           767    (14,722)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    49,875     46,362
                                                  --------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period        $ 50,642  $  31,640
                                                  ========= ==========


Supplemental disclosures:
  Cash paid for income taxes                      $ 26,624  $  27,670
  Cash paid for interest and fees                 $  3,616  $   5,250
  Dividends payable                               $  4,422  $       -
  Payable for the acquisition of treasury stock   $      -  $   2,327

                        Callaway Golf Company
       Consolidated Net Sales and Operating Segment Information
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                                     Net Sales by Product Category
                                 -------------------------------------

                                   Quarter Ended
                                   September 30,    Growth/(Decline)
                                 ------------------ -----------------
                                   2008    2007(1)   Dollars  Percent
                                 -------- --------- --------- -------
Net sales:
   Woods                         $ 34,499 $ 57,328  $(22,829)   -40%
   Irons                           63,768   66,647    (2,879)    -4%
   Putters                         21,305   21,783      (478)    -2%
   Golf balls                      48,413   49,377      (964)    -2%
   Accessories and other           45,466   40,414     5,052     13%
                                 -------- --------- ---------
                                 $213,451 $235,549  $(22,098)    -9%
                                 ======== ========= =========


                                  Nine Months Ended
                                    September 30,    Growth/(Decline)
                                  ------------------ -----------------
                                    2008    2007(1)   Dollars  Percent
                                  -------- --------- --------- -------
Net sales:
   Woods                          $237,043 $273,589  $(36,546)    -13%
   Irons                           260,311  263,783    (3,472)     -1%
   Putters                          88,793   88,526       267       0%
   Golf balls                      181,081  175,340     5,741       3%
   Accessories and other           178,704  148,935    29,769      20%
                                  -------- --------- ---------
                                  $945,932 $950,173  $ (4,241)      0%
                                  ======== ========= =========


(1) Prior periods have been restated to reflect the current period presentation.


                                       Net Sales by Region
                            ------------------------------------------

                                     Quarter Ended
                                     September 30,   Growth/(Decline)
                                   ----------------- -----------------
                                     2008     2007    Dollars  Percent
                                   -------- -------- --------- -------
Net sales:
   United States                   $104,595 $124,321 $(19,726)   -16%
   Europe                            33,371   40,983   (7,612)   -19%
   Japan                             32,825   25,154    7,671     30%
   Rest of Asia                      18,497   20,540   (2,043)   -10%
   Other foreign countries           24,163   24,551     (388)    -2%
                                   -------- -------- ---------
                                   $213,451 $235,549 $(22,098)    -9%
                                   ======== ======== =========

                                   Nine Months Ended
                                     September 30,   Growth/(Decline)
                                   ----------------- -----------------
                                     2008     2007    Dollars  Percent
                                   -------- -------- --------- -------
Net sales:
   United States                   $465,053 $512,516 $(47,463)     -9%
   Europe                           171,285  167,290    3,995       2%
   Japan                            132,723   96,941   35,782      37%
   Rest of Asia                      67,029   69,006   (1,977)     -3%
   Other foreign countries          109,842  104,420    5,422       5%
                                   -------- -------- ---------
                                   $945,932 $950,173 $ (4,241)      0%
                                   ======== ======== =========

                                     Operating Segment Information
                                  ------------------------------------

                                    Quarter Ended
                                    September 30,    Growth/(Decline)
                                 ------------------- -----------------
                                   2008     2007(1)   Dollars  Percent
                                 --------- --------- --------- -------
Net sales:
   Golf clubs                    $165,038  $186,172  $(21,134)    -11%
   Golf balls                      48,413    49,377      (964)     -2%
                                 --------- --------- ---------
                                 $213,451  $235,549  $(22,098)     -9%
                                 ========= ========= =========

Income (loss) before provision
 for income taxes:
   Golf clubs                    $  2,825  $ 16,750  $(13,925)    -83%
   Golf balls                      (2,654)   (2,818)      164       6%
   Reconciling items (2)          (14,290)  (11,833)   (2,457)    -21%
                                 --------- --------- ---------
                                 $(14,119) $  2,099  $(16,218)   -773%
                                 ========= ========= =========


                                   Nine Months Ended
                                     September 30,    Growth/(Decline)
                                  ------------------- ----------------
                                    2008     2007(1)  Dollars  Percent
                                  --------- --------- -------- -------
Net sales:
   Golf clubs                     $764,851  $774,833  $(9,982)     -1%
   Golf balls                      181,081   175,340    5,741       3%
                                  --------- --------- --------
                                  $945,932  $950,173  $(4,241)      0%
                                  ========= ========= ========

Income (loss) before provision
 for income taxes:
   Golf clubs                     $146,192  $155,795  $(9,603)     -6%
   Golf balls                       10,048     8,661    1,387      16%
   Reconciling items (2)           (47,013)  (47,609)     596       1%
                                  --------- --------- --------
                                  $109,227  $116,847  $(7,620)     -7%
                                  ========= ========= ========


(1)Prior periods have been restated to reflect the current period presentation.

(2) 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 September 30,
                                     --------------------------------
                                                   2008
                                     --------------------------------

                                     Pro Forma Gross Margin
                                      Callaway  Improvement Total as
                                        Golf    Initiatives  Reported
                                     --------- ------------ ---------
Net sales                            $213,451      $     -  $213,451
Gross profit                           83,764       (3,633)   80,131
% of sales                                 39%         n/a        38%
Operating expenses                     92,607          (26)   92,581
                                     --------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) from operations          (8,843)      (3,607)  (12,450)
Other income (expense), net            (1,669)           -    (1,669)
                                     --------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes     (10,512)      (3,607)  (14,119)
Income tax provision (benefit)         (5,288)      (1,388)   (6,676)
                                     --------- ------------ ---------
Net income (loss)                    $ (5,224)     $(2,219) $ (7,443)
                                     ========= ============ =========

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:   $  (0.08)     $ (0.04) $  (0.12)
Weighted-average shares outstanding:   62,494       62,494    62,494

                                        Quarter Ended September 30,
                                      --------------------------------
                                                    2007
                                      --------------------------------

                                      Pro Forma Gross Margin
                                       Callaway  Improvement Total as
                                         Golf    Initiatives  Reported
                                      --------- ------------ ---------
Net sales                             $235,549      $     -  $235,549
Gross profit                            98,125       (4,119)   94,006
% of sales                                  42%         n/a        40%
Operating expenses                      93,130            -    93,130
                                      --------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) from operations            4,995       (4,119)      876
Other income (expense), net              1,223            -     1,223
                                      --------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes        6,218       (4,119)    2,099
Income tax provision (benefit)           2,429       (1,599)      830
                                      --------- ------------ ---------
Net income (loss)                     $  3,789      $(2,520) $  1,269
                                      ========= ============ =========

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:    $   0.06      $ (0.04) $   0.02
Weighted-average shares outstanding:    67,639       67,639    67,639

                                    Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                    --------------------------------
                                                  2008
                                    --------------------------------

                                    Pro Forma Gross Margin
                                     Callaway  Improvement Total as
                                       Golf    Initiatives  Reported
                                    --------- ------------ ---------
Net sales                           $945,932      $     -  $945,932
Gross profit                         436,166       (9,421)  426,745
% of sales                                46%         n/a        45%
Operating expenses                   313,850           94   313,944
                                    --------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) from operations        122,316       (9,515)  112,801
Other expense, net                    (3,574)           -    (3,574)
                                    --------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes    118,742       (9,515)  109,227
Income tax provision (benefit)        43,560       (3,663)   39,897
                                    --------- ------------ ---------
Net income (loss)                   $ 75,182      $(5,852) $ 69,330
                                    ========= ============ =========

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:  $   1.17      $ (0.09) $   1.08
Weighted-average shares
 outstanding:                         64,029       64,029    64,029


                                      Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                     ---------------------------------
                                                    2007
                                     ---------------------------------

                                      Pro Forma Gross Margin
                                       Callaway  Improvement Total as
                                         Golf    Initiatives  Reported
                                     ---------- ------------ ---------
Net sales                             $950,173      $     -  $950,173
Gross profit                           437,327       (7,475)  429,852
% of sales                                  46%         n/a        45%
Operating expenses                     310,999            -   310,999
                                     ---------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) from operations          126,328       (7,475)  118,853
Other expense, net                      (2,006)           -    (2,006)
                                     ---------- ------------ ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes      124,322       (7,475)  116,847
Income tax provision (benefit)          49,015       (2,912)   46,103
                                     ---------- ------------ ---------
Net income (loss)                     $ 75,307      $(4,563) $ 70,744
                                     ========== ============ =========

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:    $   1.10      $ (0.07) $   1.03
Weighted-average shares outstanding:    68,407       68,407    68,407

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
 (EBITDA):


                              2008 Trailing Twelve Months EBITDA
                         --------------------------------------------
                                    Quarter Ended
                         -----------------------------------
                         December  March    June   September
                            31,      31,     30,      30,
                           2007     2008    2008     2008     Total
                         --------- ------- ------- --------- --------
Net income (loss)        $(16,157) $39,666 $37,107  $(7,443) $ 53,173
Interest expense
 (income), net               (216)     591     994      497     1,866
Income tax provision
 (benefit)                (12,415)  25,990  20,583   (6,676)   27,482
Depreciation and
 amortization expense       7,862    8,794  10,490    9,463    36,609
                         --------- ------- ------- --------- --------
EBITDA                   $(20,926) $75,041 $69,174  $(4,159) $119,130
                         ========= ======= ======= ========= ========

                               2007 Trailing Twelve Months EBITDA
                          --------------------------------------------
                                     Quarter Ended
                          -----------------------------------
                          December  March    June   September
                             31,      31,     30,      30,
                            2006     2007    2007     2007     Total
                          --------- ------- ------- --------- --------
Net income (loss)         $(10,194) $32,836 $36,639   $ 1,269 $ 60,550
Interest expense
 (income), net                 905    1,677   1,672        29    4,283
Income tax provision
 (benefit)                 (10,948)  21,682  23,591       830   35,155
Depreciation and
 amortization expense        8,313    9,009   8,591     9,864   35,777
                          --------- ------- ------- --------- --------
EBITDA                    $(11,924) $65,204 $70,493   $11,992 $135,765
                          ========= ======= ======= ========= ========

CONTACT:
Callaway Golf Company
Brad Holiday
Eric Struik
Michele Szynal
(760) 931-1771

SOURCE: Callaway Golf Company