Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (FLXS) today reported third quarter and fiscal year-to-date financial results.

Net sales were $120.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to net sales of $125.4 million in the prior year quarter, a decrease of 3.7%. Net sales were $351.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, compared to record net sales of $377.3 million in the prior year period, a decrease of 6.9%. Lower net sales are primarily due to decreased volume, reflecting lower retail demand when compared to the prior period record results.

Gross margin as a percent of net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 was 23.6% compared to 22.9% for the prior year quarter. For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, gross margin as a percent of net sales was 23.3% compared to 22.3% for the prior year period. Gross margin improvement is primarily due to changes in product mix.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were 14.6% of net sales in the current year quarter, compared to 15.5% of net sales in the prior year quarter. The percentage improvement in SG&A expenses is primarily due to the net reimbursement of legal costs described below offset by $0.8 million or 0.7% of net sales incurred designing and developing a new business information system.

For the nine month period ended March 31, 2017, SG&A expenses were 15.6% of net sales compared to 15.2% of net sales in the prior period. The SG&A increase is primarily due to $2.0 million or 0.6% of net sales related to the business information system project.

SG&A expenses for the current and prior year quarters include reimbursements, net of recovery expenses, related to Indiana litigation of $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. SG&A expenses for the current and prior year nine month periods include reimbursements, net of recovery expenses, related to Indiana litigation of $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income as “Litigation settlement reimbursements” is $1.2 million or $0.06 per share and $2.0 million or $0.10 per share during the third quarters ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the reimbursements total $1.2 million or $0.06 per share and $2.3 million or $0.11 per share, respectively. The recovery of litigation settlement and defense costs from insurance carriers is now complete and the Indiana litigation against insurance carriers has been closed.

The above factors resulted in net income of $7.6 million or $0.96 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $6.9 million or $0.89 per share in the prior year quarter. For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, net income was $17.8 million or $2.26 per share compared to $18.1 million or $2.33 per share in the prior year period.

Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) at March 31, 2017 was $155 million compared to $143 million at June 30, 2016. Primary changes in working capital include increases in investments of $10 million, inventory of $7 million and accounts payable of $5 million.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, the Company paid $9.8 million for capital expenditures including $7.7 million invested to upgrade the business information system. Dividend payments increased 10% to $4.5 million from $4.1 million during the nine month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

All earnings per share amounts are on a diluted basis.

The Company believes that demand for furniture products in the United States has improved as consumer confidence has stabilized. Net sales for the fourth fiscal quarter are expected to remain steady with the current quarter, which would result in the second highest fiscal year net sales compared to the prior year record. The Company continues focusing on streamlining product introductions to increase sales and controlling discretionary spending.

Through March 31, 2017, “Property, plant & equipment, net” in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets includes $9.2 million for business information software and development. The Company has completed the design phase of the project and has progressed to the first of three development and testing cycles. Following successful testing, the Company will enter the training and readiness phase of the project for associates, customers and suppliers. When this phase indicates readiness, the business information system will be implemented. The Company anticipates this work can be completed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

For the remainder of fiscal year 2017, the Company expects to have the following expenditures:

$3.7 million for capital expenditures and $1.0 million as SG&A expense for upgrading the business information system to better meet market conditions, customer requirements and increase operating efficiency; and
$1.0 million in operating capital expenditures.

The Company believes it has adequate working capital and borrowing capabilities to meet these requirements.

The Company remains committed to its core strategies, which include providing a wide range of quality product offerings and price points to the residential and contract markets, combined with a conservative approach to business. The Company will maintain its focus on a strong balance sheet through emphasis on cash flow and increasing profitability. The Company believes these core strategies are in the best interest of our shareholders.