Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (FLXS) today reported first quarter financial results.
For the first quarter, net sales were $113.5 million, down 5.3% to prior year quarter. Residential decreased 5.6% within the quarter primarily driven by products sold through ecommerce. The Company experienced higher returns, allowances and promotional costs related to the sales of its ecommerce products as these sales continue to stabilize after the partial implementation of the business information system in the fourth quarter. On a sequential quarter basis, ecommerce product volume improved mid-single digits. Contract net sales decreased 3.3% due to volume declines in commercial office products as we intentionally scaled back our offering in this category to improve profitability offset by strong double-digit growth in our recreational vehicle products.
Gross margin as a percent of net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was 19.2% compared to 21.8% for the prior year quarter. Higher labor costs drove approximately 200 basis points of deterioration in the fiscal first quarter in comparison to the prior year quarter. Pricing initiatives fully offset inflation in steel, plywood and poly foam in the first quarter. The classification of certain rebates as a reduction of sales to be consistent with ASC Topic 606 also impacted the first quarter results compared to prior year quarter.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were 17.8% of net sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to 15.2% of net sales in the prior year quarter. The first quarter SG&A expenses include $1.3 million pre-tax expense for one-time severance and ancillary costs related to the September 9, 2018 retirement of Karel Czanderna, former President and Chief Executive Officer. On an after-tax basis, the expense represents $1.0 million or $0.13 per share. The Company’s SG&A expenses increased 40 basis points to support its strategic digital marketing investment aimed at directly influencing consumers as they dream and plan on-line for future furniture purchases. Quarter results were also impacted by higher costs associated with the new business information system, initial phases of relocating the Dubuque operation to its new facility and lost volume leverage, partially offset by the classification of certain rebates as a reduction of sales to be consistent with ASC Topic 606.
During the prior year quarter, the Company completed a $6.5 million sale of a facility and recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.8 million. On an after-tax basis, the gain represents $1.1 million or $0.14 per share.
The effective tax rate for the current year quarter was 27.0% compared to 37.5% in the prior year quarter. The current fiscal year results were positively impacted by the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For the fiscal year 2019, the Company expects an effective tax rate range of 25% to 27%.
The above factors resulted in net income of $1.3 million or $0.16 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $6.2 million or $0.78 per share in the prior year quarter.
Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) at September 30, 2018 was $140 million compared to $149 million at June 30, 2018. Changes in working capital include decreases of $6 million in inventory, $4 million in cash and cash equivalents and increases of $2 million in accounts payable and $2 million in investments.
All earnings per share amounts are on a diluted basis.
Outlook
The Company expects sequential near-term revenue and earnings growth, subject to the impact of current and impending tariffs. 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. We strive for an agile business model and supply chain to adapt to changing customer requirements in all the markets we serve with the expectations that the Company grows faster than the market. 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 its shareholders.
The management team is focused on making progress in three key areas to improve business results. With the implementation of the new business information system in the fourth quarter, the Company experienced higher than expected disruption to customers which resulted in service level penalties and volume impacts. The management team made progress on stabilizing the system and expects to see improvement in service level during the remainder of fiscal 2019. However, given the disruption, especially in ecommerce products, the Company expects volume to recover at a slower rate over the coming quarters.
Labor in the first quarter improved in comparison to the fourth quarter results as the Company reduced excess labor capacity and annualized the government mandated labor wage increase in our Mexican facility. Labor efficiency and utilization continued to be a challenge in the quarter. The management team is identifying and implementing additional initiatives to further mitigate increased labor costs.
Last, import tariffs were implemented late in the first fiscal quarter. The Company participated in the October High Point Market and is anticipating potential for volume declines if the tariff is escalated to 25%. The Company has reduced acquisition costs and increased prices to mitigate but not eliminate the tariff impact. If new tariffs are levied, additional cost reductions and price increases would be required to mitigate negative impacts on the business. Current and future price increases may have an adverse impact on volume. Inability to reduce acquisition costs or pass through pricing to mitigate the tariffs poses significant risk to current and future earnings.
›