CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) announced today its fourth quarter and full year 2016 financial results and provided financial guidance for 2017.

As a result of the Company's continued brand momentum and market share gains, the Company's 2016 fourth quarter net sales grew by 7%, or 5% on a constant currency basis, resulting in full year net sales growth of 3%, or 2% on a constant currency basis.  The Company's overall market share gains in 2016, together with its new apparel joint venture in Japan, enabled it to achieve this sales growth despite softer than expected market conditions. The Company's overall U.S. hard goods market share increased in 2016 and the Company sustained its #1 position in U.S. golf clubs market share. In addition to this sales growth, the Company also significantly improved its profitability and cash flows for full year 2016, including a 64% increase in income from operations and a 154% increase in cash provided by operations. 

"2016 was an exciting and pivotal year for Callaway Golf," commented Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company. "We demonstrated continued ability to grow market share and top line revenue throughout the year by introducing engaging product with exceptional performance, while at the same time realizing operational efficiencies and judiciously capitalizing on investment opportunities. Specifically, we demonstrated our commitment to strategically investing in the core business through the acquisition of Toulon Design and the hiring of Rock Ishii, a highly respected innovator in the golf ball category. Furthermore, we executed on our strategy of seeking growth in tangential areas with the start of our new joint venture in Japan and the recent acquisition of OGIO International, Inc., which is expected to provide a platform for future growth in the lifestyle category and create shareholder value for years to come. We accomplished this all while driving market share gains in key hard goods categories like golf balls and augmenting Callaway's position as the world's #1 sticks brand."

Mr. Brewer continued, "Looking ahead to 2017, we are encouraged by the early enthusiasm surrounding the EPIC driver with Jailbreak Technology and the newest addition to our Chrome Soft platform, Chrome Soft X. On Tour, we are excited to have signed veteran Michelle Wie just last week and to have added earlier this year other young promising players such as Patrick Rodgers, Mariah Stackhouse and Daniel Berger. We will continue to thoughtfully and strategically invest in professional golfers to represent our brand on the major global golf Tours as we believe that success on Tour translates into success for our shareholders. Beyond the Tour, we will also continue to seek opportunities to invest in our core business during a period where many of our golf equipment competitors either choose to or are forced to cut back. A good example of this will be a significant capital investment at our Chicopee ball manufacturing plant in 2017.  The investments are possible due to our exceptional product performance, continued brand momentum and strong balance sheet. As we move into 2017, we look forward to continuing to execute on our strategy and position ourselves to create long-term shareholder value."

Reversal of Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance

The Company's fourth quarter and full year 2016 financial results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") benefitted significantly from the non-cash reversal of a significant portion of the Company's deferred tax valuation allowance.  The Company first established the deferred tax valuation allowance in 2011 and it continued to increase through 2014.  While this valuation allowance was in place, the Company did not recognize any Federal U.S. income tax in its financial statements.

As a result of the improved profitability in the Company's business in 2015 and 2016, as well as the Company's outlook for 2017, during the fourth quarter of 2016 the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize most of its deferred tax assets and therefore reversed most of the valuation allowance.  As a result of this reversal, the Company recognized a non-cash income tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2016 of $157 million. Also as a result of the reversal, the Company was required to retroactively recognize Federal U.S. income taxes for all of 2016.  The Company's income tax provision therefore increased by $16.0 million for 2016 for a net benefit of $141 million related to the reversal of the valuation allowance.            

GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

In addition to the Company's results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company provided information concerning its results on a non-GAAP basis. This non-GAAP information presents the Company's financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2016 excluding the $141 million net benefit discussed above resulting from the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance. The purpose of this non-GAAP presentation is to provide additional information to investors regarding the underlying performance of the Company's business as compared to 2015, which did not include this non-recurring item. The Company also provides certain information on a constant currency basis. 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 Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Results

The Company announced the following GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the fourth quarter of 2016 (in millions, except eps):

The Company's 2016 fourth quarter net sales were $164 million, which represents a 7% increase compared to 2015 fourth quarter net sales of $153 million.  On a constant currency basis, net sales increased 5% for the same period. The increased sales reflect increased sales in both the golf club and golf ball operating segments.  Through continued market share gains, strong momentum, particularly in the U.S. green grass channel, and the Company's new joint venture in Japan, the Company was able to grow its sales despite overall industry headwinds and softer than expected market conditions in Asia.

In addition to this sales growth, the Company's gross margin also significantly improved. For the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company's gross margin improved 530 basis points to 38.6% as compared to 33.3% for the comparable period in 2015. The improved gross margin is primarily due to higher average selling prices in the woods, irons and golf ball categories and a decrease in promotional activity driven by longer product lifecycles and lower inventory levels, as well as improved operational efficiencies resulting from the many initiatives the Company has implemented over the last several years.

Fourth quarter 2016 earnings per share were $1.28, which includes the $141 million ($1.46 per share) net impact from the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance discussed above.  Due to the seasonality of the Company's business, the Company usually reports a loss in the fourth quarter.  On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the net impact of the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance, the Company reported a loss per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 of $0.18, compared to a loss per share of $0.33 for the fourth quarter of 2015. This 45% improvement in loss per share was due to increased sales and improved gross margin. 

Summary of Full Year 2016 Financial Results

The Company announced the following GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for full year 2016 (in millions, except eps):

The Company's 2016 full year net sales were $871 million, which represents a 3% increase compared to 2015 net sales of $844 million.  On a constant currency basis, net sales increased 2% for the same period. This increase represents growth in both the golf club and golf ball operating segments, driven primarily by increased sales in the irons, golf balls and accessories and other categories, including sales from the Company's new joint venture in Japan. Overall, net sales were favorably impacted by an increase in average selling prices and market share gains, which offset the industry headwinds and softer than expected market conditions in Asia. 

For full year 2016, the Company significantly improved its gross margin by 180 basis points due to higher average selling prices in all major hard goods categories and improved operational efficiencies resulting from the many initiatives the Company has implemented over the last several years.

The Company's earnings per share for full year 2016 were $1.98, which includes the $141 million ($1.47 per share) net impact from the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance discussed above.  Excluding this item, the Company's non-GAAP earnings per share were $0.51 compared to $0.17 for 2015. This increase included the $17.7 million ($0.18 per share) gain from the 2016 second quarter sale of a small portion of the Company's Topgolf investment.  If both the reversal of the valuation allowance and the Topgolf gain were excluded, the Company's non-GAAP earnings per share would have been $0.33, compared to $0.17 for full year 2015. This 94% increase was due to the increased full year sales and gross margin, which more than offset the 3% increase in operating expenses. As a result of this performance, the Company's net cash provided by operating activities increased $47 million (154%) to $78 million for full year 2016 as compared to $31 million in 2015.

Business Outlook for 2017

OGIO acquisition.  The acquisition of OGIO International, Inc., which was completed in January 2017, is expected to contribute to the Company approximately $45 million in revenue for full year 2017. After absorbing non-recurring transaction and transition expenses of approximately $7 million, OGIO is expected to be dilutive by approximately $0.02 to Callaway's 2017 earnings per share, but is expected to be accretive thereafter.

Basis for 2017 Pro Forma Estimates. The Company's 2017 pro forma estimates exclude non-recurring transaction and transition expenses related to the OGIO acquisition, which are estimated to be approximately $7 million for full year 2017.  The amount incurred in the first quarter will be affected by the timing of the various transition initiatives planned for OGIO which is still in the process of being finalized. The pro forma estimates are generally based upon a blend of current foreign currency exchange rates and the exchange rates at which the Company entered into hedging transactions. The manner in which the constant currency information is derived is discussed in more detail toward the end of this release. Future changes in the applicable foreign currency exchange rates will affect these pro forma estimates.   

Basis for 2017 Pro Forma Constant Currency Estimates.  Given the significant effect that changes in foreign currencies are expected to have on the Company's financial results in 2017, the Company has provided guidance on a constant currency pro forma basis for 2017 in addition to the pro forma estimates described above (which excludes the OGIO transaction and transition expenses).  The 2017 pro forma constant currency estimates are derived by taking the 2017 pro forma estimates and restating them based upon applicable 2016 foreign currency exchange rates. 

Basis for 2016 Pro Forma Results.  In order to make the 2017 guidance more comparable to 2016 with regard to the underlying performance of the Company's business, the Company has recast the 2016 results on a pro forma basis.  The 2016 pro forma results exclude (i) the $157 million ($1.63 per share) benefit from the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance and (ii) the $10 million ($0.11 per share) after-tax Topgolf gain. It should be noted that the manner in which this pro forma information is derived differs from the manner in which the 2016 non-GAAP information provided above is derived. The purpose of this presentation is to make 2016 more comparable to 2017. 

Full Year 2017

The Company currently estimates the following full year results for 2017:

The pro forma constant currency net sales growth of 8% - 11% is expected to be driven by the strength of the Company's 2017 product line, growth from the OGIO acquisition and the full year impact of the Japan apparel joint venture.  

The Company estimates that its 2017 pro-forma gross margin will improve approximately 120 basis points from last year on a constant currency basis. This increase is expected to be driven by higher pricing, a lower mix of closeout products as well as continued operational improvements.

The Company estimates that its 2017 pro forma constant currency operating expenses will increase compared to 2016 due to investment related to the OGIO acquisition, the full year impact of the Japan joint venture, and continued opportunistic investment in the core business and other new strategic investment activities, as well as cost of living and inflationary increases.

The Company estimates that its fully diluted pro forma constant currency earnings per share will increase $0.07 - $0.13 from 2016. The Company's 2017 earnings per share estimates assume a base of 96 million shares, which is consistent with 2016.

First Quarter 2017

The Company currently estimates the following results for the first quarter of 2017:

The anticipated pro forma constant currency sales growth compared to 2016 is expected to be due to continued market share gains and incremental sales resulting from the OGIO acquisition and the Japan joint venture. This sales growth is expected to be partially offset by a reduction in sell-in launch quantities at the beginning of the new golf season resulting from a decrease in retail doors and retailer inventory rationalization.  The Company anticipates that this reduction in initial sell-in quantities will not significantly impact the Company's full year results.

The Company's pro forma constant currency earnings per share is estimated to decrease compared to the first quarter of 2016 due to the seasonality of OGIO and the Japan joint venture as well as the reduction in sell-in launch quantities discussed above. The Company's 2017 first quarter earnings per share estimates assume approximately 96 million shares as compared to 95 million shares in 2016. 

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will be holding a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PST 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. PST on Thursday, February 9, 2017.  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.  

EBITDA.  The Company provides information about its results excluding interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization expenses.

Certain Exclusions. The Company presents certain of its financial results excluding (i) tax benefits received from the reversal of a significant portion of its deferred tax valuation allowance and (ii) gains from the sale of a small portion of its Topgolf investment.

In addition, the Company has included in the schedules to this release a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP information to the most directly correlated 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 2017 sales, gross margins, operating expenses, and earnings per share (or related share count), the creation of shareholder value, the expected timing and expenses related to the integration of the OGIO acquisition, and the related impact on earnings and revenues, growth opportunities and the future business and prospects of Callaway and OGIO, including future corporate development opportunities or investments, the expected impact on sales and operating expenses as a result of the joint venture in Japan, as well as the Company's momentum, success of future products, market share gains, and ability to maximize current conditions or to leverage and capitalize on improved industry or macroeconomic conditions, 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 any unfavorable changes in U.S. trade, tax or other policies, including restrictions on imports or an increase in import tariffs; delays, difficulties, or increased costs in integrating the acquired OGIO business or implementing the Company's growth strategy generally; 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; changes in the assessment of whether a deferred tax valuation allowance is necessary; 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, 2015 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®, and OGIO brands worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com, www.odysseygolf.com and www.ogio.com

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SOURCE Callaway Golf Company