CARLSBAD, Calif., April 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) announced today record sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2018 and significantly increased its full year 2018 sales and earnings guidance.

In the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, the Company's net sales increased $94 million (31%) to $403 million, and earnings per share increased $0.38 to $0.65.  These record financial results were driven by increased sales in all operating segments, all major product categories and all major regions. For the first quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017, net sales increased as follows:

As a result of this better than expected first quarter, the Company increased its full year 2018 sales guidance to $1,170 million - $1,185 million as compared to its prior guidance of $1,115 million - $1,135 million. The Company also increased its full year 2018 GAAP earnings per share guidance to $0.77 - $0.82 compared to prior guidance of $0.64 - $0.70.

"It has been a strong start to 2018," commented Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company. "Sales across our entire product line, including the Rogue line of woods and irons as well as the new Chrome Soft golf balls, are off to a strong start and we also benefitted from improved foreign exchange rates and market conditions. As a result, our EBITDA increased 95% during the first quarter.  Business around the globe remains strong with all major regions reporting significant sales growth and our new businesses are performing at or above plan.  While I am mindful that the first quarter generally represents the initial sell-in for the new golf season, I am pleased overall with how our business is performing and am cautiously optimistic for the balance of the year."   

GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

In addition to the Company's results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company provided information on a non-GAAP basis. The purpose of this non-GAAP presentation is to provide additional information to investors regarding the underlying performance of the Company's business without non-recurring items. This non-GAAP information presents the Company's financial results for the first quarter of 2017 excluding the non-recurring transaction and transition expenses related to the OGIO acquisition. The manner in which this non-GAAP information is derived is discussed in more detail toward the end of this release, and the Company has provided in the tables to this release a reconciliation of the non-GAAP information to the most directly comparable GAAP information. 

Summary of First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

The Company announced the following GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the first quarter of 2018 (in millions, except EPS):

For the first quarter of 2018, the Company's net sales increased $94 million (31%) to $403 million, compared to $309 million for the same period in 2017. Net sales increased in all operating segments, in all regions and across all major product categories. The increase in net sales is attributable to the strength of the Company's 2018 product line and continued brand momentum, to an $11 million favorable impact resulting from changes in foreign currency rates, an increase in product launches during the first quarter of 2018 versus 2017, and improved market conditions. In addition, first quarter net sales of gear and accessories increased significantly as a result of the Company's acquisition of TravisMathew in the third quarter of 2017.    

For the first quarter of 2018, the Company's gross margin increased 190 basis points to 49.7% compared to 47.8% for the first quarter of 2017.  This increase reflects an overall increase in average selling prices, the addition of the TravisMathew business, which is accretive to gross margins, and the net favorable impact of changes in foreign currency rates.

Operating expenses increased $10 million to $114 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $104 million for the same period in 2017. This increase is primarily due to the addition in 2018 of operating expenses from the TravisMathew business as well as some variable expenses associated with higher core business net sales. 

First quarter 2018 earnings per share increased $0.38 (141%) to $0.65, which is a record first quarter for the Company, compared to $0.27 for the first quarter of 2017.  On a non-GAAP basis, 2017 first quarter earnings per share was $0.30, which excludes $0.03 per share related to the impact of the non-recurring OGIO transaction and transition expenses.  The increased earnings in 2018 reflect the increased sales in the core business, the addition of the TravisMathew business, improved gross margins and a lower tax rate due to the tax reform in 2017. 

Business Outlook for 2018

Basis for 2017 Non-GAAP Results.  In order to make the 2018 guidance more comparable to 2017, as discussed above, the Company has presented 2017 results on a non-GAAP basis by excluding from 2017 the non-recurring expenses related to the OGIO and TravisMathew acquisitions ($0.07 per share for the full year and $0.01 for the second quarter). Furthermore, the Company excluded from full year 2017 earnings per share certain non-cash, non-recurring tax adjustments ($0.04 per share).    

Full Year 2018

Given the Company's financial performance during the first quarter of 2018, the Company is increasing its full year 2018 financial guidance as follows:

The Company's revised 2018 net sales estimate of $1,170 million - $1,185 million represents an increase of $50 - 55 million over its prior estimate.  This would result in net sales growth of 12% -13% in 2018 compared to 2017.  The estimated incremental sales growth versus previous estimates is expected to be driven by further increases in the core business (currently estimated at 4-6% full year sales growth compared to 2017, on a currency neutral basis), foreign currency exchange rate impacts and increases in the TravisMathew business.  The increases in core business are expected to be driven by the Rogue line of woods and irons, the new Chrome Soft golf balls, including continued success of the Truvis golf balls, and healthier market conditions. In addition, the Company is currently estimating that year-over-year changes in foreign currency exchange rates will have a more positive impact than originally estimated. As a result of an overall strengthening of foreign currencies during the first quarter, the Company currently estimates that changes in foreign currency rates will positively impact 2018 full year net sales by approximately $19 million.  

The Company currently estimates that its 2018 gross margin will improve 50 basis points from the prior estimate. This increase is expected to be driven by foreign currency exchange and the increase in the core business sales.  

The Company estimates that its 2018 operating expenses will increase $18 million compared to prior estimates. This increase in operating expenses reflects increased variable costs related to higher sales and performance, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as targeted investments in the core business. 

The Company increased its GAAP earnings per share guidance to $0.77 - $0.82 primarily due to the projected increase in net sales, an overall strengthening of foreign currencies, improved gross margins and a lower estimated tax rate. The Company's 2018 earnings per share estimates currently assume a tax rate of approximately 23% and a base of 97 million shares.

The cadence of the Company's golf equipment launches in 2018 is skewed toward the first half of the year compared to 2017. As a result, all of the Company's projected sales and earnings growth for 2018 is expected to occur during the first half of the year. Consistent with the Company's expectations at the start of the year, the second half of the year is planned to decrease compared to the same period in 2017. The Company's full year guidance includes this projected second half decrease.  

Second Quarter 2018

The Company currently estimates the following results for the second quarter of 2018 compared to 2017 non-GAAP results:

The Company expects sales growth of 20% - 23% in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. This projected sales growth reflects anticipated growth in the core business, the addition of the TravisMathew business and an overall strengthening of foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates are estimated to positively impact net sales by approximately $5 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

The Company's GAAP earnings per share for the second quarter of 2018 is estimated to increase to $0.44 - $0.48 compared to $0.34 of non-GAAP earnings per share for the second quarter of 2017. GAAP earnings per share for the second quarter of 2017 was $0.33.  This projected increase is due to higher core business sales, the impact of the TravisMathew business and favorable foreign currency exchange rates. The Company's 2018 second quarter earnings per share estimates assume approximately 97 million shares, which is consistent with the second quarter of 2017. 

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will be holding a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PDT today to discuss the Company's financial results, outlook and business. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed at http://ir.callawaygolf.com/. To listen to the call, and to access the Company's presentation materials, 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. PDT on Thursday, May 10, 2018.  The replay may be accessed through the Internet at http://ir.callawaygolf.com/.

Non-GAAP Information

The GAAP results contained in this press release and the financial statement schedules attached to this press release have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").  To supplement the GAAP results, the Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as follows:

Constant Currency Basis. The Company provided certain information regarding the Company's financial results or projected financial results on a "constant currency basis." This information estimates the impact of changes in foreign currency rates on the translation of the Company's current or projected future period financial results as compared to the applicable comparable period.  This impact is derived by taking the current or projected local currency results and translating them into U.S. Dollars based upon the foreign currency exchange rates for the applicable comparable period. It does not include any other effect of changes in foreign currency rates on the Company's results or business.  

Adjusted EBITDA.  The Company provides information about its results excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, as well as non-recurring OGIO and TravisMathew transaction-related expenses and the second quarter 2016 gain realized from the sale of a small portion of the Company's Topgolf investment.

Other Adjustments. The Company presents certain of its financial results (i) excluding the 2017 non-recurring OGIO and TravisMathew transaction-related expenses and (ii) excluding the 2017 non-cash, non-recurring tax adjustments.

In addition, the Company has included in the schedules to this release a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP information to the most directly comparable GAAP information.  The non-GAAP information presented in this release and related schedules should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP information may also be inconsistent with the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other companies.  Management uses such non-GAAP information for financial and operational decision-making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-over-period comparisons and in forecasting the Company's business going forward. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP information, when considered in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP information, provides additional useful comparative information for investors in their assessment of the underlying performance of the Company's business without regard to these items. The Company has provided reconciling information in the attached schedules.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance or prospects, including statements relating to the Company's estimated 2018 sales, gross margins, operating expenses, and earnings per share (or related tax rate and share count), future industry or market conditions, and the assumed benefits to be derived from investments in the Company's core business or the OGIO and TravisMathew acquisitions, are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon current information and expectations. Accurately estimating the forward-looking statements is based upon various risks and unknowns, including unanticipated delays, difficulties or increased costs in integrating the acquired OGIO and TravisMathew businesses or implementing the Company's growth strategy generally; any changes in U.S. trade, tax or other policies, including impacts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or restrictions on imports or an increase in import tariffs; consumer acceptance of and demand for the Company's products; the level of promotional activity in the marketplace; unfavorable weather conditions; future consumer discretionary purchasing activity, which can be significantly adversely affected by unfavorable economic or market conditions; future retailer purchasing activity, which can be significantly negatively affected by adverse industry conditions and overall retail inventory levels; and future changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the degree of effectiveness of the Company's hedging programs. Actual results may differ materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these risks and unknowns or other risks and uncertainties, including continued compliance with the terms of the Company's credit facilities; delays, difficulties or increased costs in the supply of components or commodities needed to manufacture the Company's products or in manufacturing the Company's products; the ability to secure professional tour player endorsements at reasonable costs; 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, the golf industry, and the Company's business, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed 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 designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells bags, accessories and apparel in the golf and lifestyle categories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, OGIO and TravisMathew brands worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com, www.odysseygolf.com, www.OGIO.com, and www.travismathew.com.

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SOURCE Callaway Golf Company