News Release Details

Boston Beer Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results

July 30, 2015 at 4:16 PM EDT

BOSTON, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) reported second quarter 2015 net revenue of $252.2 million, an increase of $20.6 million or 9%, over the same period last year, mainly due to core shipment growth of 7%.  Net income for the second quarter increased 16% to $29.9 million, or $2.18 per diluted share, an increase of $4.5 million or $0.30 per diluted share, from the second quarter of 2014.  This increase was primarily due to shipment increases, improved gross margins and a slightly lower income tax rate, partially offset by increased investments in advertising, promotional and selling expenses.

Earnings per diluted share for the 26-week period ended June 27, 2015 were $3.18, an increase of $0.69 from the comparable 26-week period in 2014.  Net revenue for the 26-week period ended June 27, 2015 was $451.7 million, an increase of $36.3 million, or 9%, from the comparable 26-week period in 2014.

Highlights of this release include:

  • Depletions grew 6% and 7% from the comparable 13 and 26 week periods in the prior year.
  • Gross margin was 54% for the second quarter and 52% for first half of the year, with the Company maintaining its full year gross margin target of between 51% and 53%.
  • Advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased by $5.4 million or 8% in the quarter, primarily due to planned increased investments behind the Company's brands.
  • Full year 2015 depletions growth is now estimated to be between 6% and 9%, a decrease from the previously communicated estimate of 8% to 12%.
  • Full year 2015 estimated earnings per diluted share remain unchanged at $7.10 to $7.50.
  • Full year 2015 capital spending is now estimated to be between $70 million to $100 million, a decrease from the previously communicated estimated range of $80 million to $110 million.

Jim Koch, Chairman and Founder of the Company, commented, "Our total company depletion trends of 6% in the second quarter of 2015 have slowed in comparison to prior quarters due to some developing weakness in our Samuel Adams brand. While our total growth is testament to our strategy of a diversified brand portfolio, our Samuel Adams trends appear to represent a very competitive category where drinkers are facing greatly increased choices and established brands are being impacted. We believe that quality, freshness, innovation and variety will be the basic requirements for success in this environment.  We believe that craft beer will continue to grow and that we are positioned to share in that growth through the quality of our brands and beers, our innovation and speed to market capability and our sales execution, along with our strong financial position and ability to invest in growing our brands.  We were delighted to learn that, for the seventh year in a row, our distributors ranked us the number one beer supplier in the industry, in the annual poll of beer distributors conducted by Tamarron Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in the alcohol beverage distribution industry.  This is a testament to the efforts of all Boston Beer employees to service and support our distributors' businesses and to the relationships we have built with them."

Martin Roper, the Company's President and CEO stated, "In the second quarter, our depletions growth benefited from strength in our Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea and Traveler brands that offset declines in some of our Samuel Adams styles.  The decline in some of our Samuel Adams styles is due to increased competition, which particularly impacted Boston Lager and some of our seasonal beers. Accordingly, we have decreased our expectations for full-year depletions growth to between 6% and 9% to reflect the most recent trends. We are working hard to improve the Sam Adams brand trends and in the second half of the year we expect to introduce new packaging and advertising to support our planned promotional activity.  The national rollout of our Traveler brand is currently in progress supported by national media and in mid-July we began our national rollout of Coney Island Hard Root Beer.  Both these rollouts are being well-supported by distributors, retailers and drinkers. We are pleased with Traveler's progress this year, but it is too early to tell how successful the Coney Island Hard Root Beer introduction will be.  We are planning continued investments in advertising, promotional and selling expenses, as well as in innovation, commensurate with the opportunities and the increased competition that we see."

Mr. Roper went on to say, "We continue to focus on our supply chain with ongoing investments in improved training, stable scheduling, and operating efficiency and reliability improvements. While we have made progress, we believe we still have capacity and cost improvement opportunities. We also continue to make supply chain improvements intended to further increase the freshness of our beers and enhance our customer service. This includes piloting one wholesaler on a pure replenishment service model within our Freshest Beer Program, which if successful would further reduce wholesaler inventories.  Looking forward, we expect to maintain a high level of brand investment, as we pursue sustainable growth and innovation. We remain prepared to forsake the earnings that may be lost as a result of these investments in the short term, as we pursue long term profitable growth."

2nd Quarter 2015 Summary of Results

Depletions grew 6% from the comparable 13-week period in the prior year, primarily due to depletion increases across our Angry Orchard®, Twisted Tea® and Traveler brands, partially offset by declines in Samuel Adams® brand.

Core shipment volume was approximately 1.1 million barrels, a 7% increase compared to the second quarter of 2014.

The Company believes distributor inventory levels at June 27, 2015 were appropriate. Inventory at distributors participating in the Freshest Beer Program at June 27, 2015 was equal in terms of days of inventory on hand when compared to June 28, 2014. The Company has over 69% of its volume in the Freshest Beer Program and it believes participation in the Program could reach 75% of its volume by the end of 2015.

Gross margin increased to 54% compared to 53% in the second quarter of 2014.  The margin increase was a result of price increases and lower ingredient costs partially offset by product mix effects.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were $5.4 million higher than costs incurred in the second quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily a result of increased investments in media advertising, increased costs for additional sales personnel and commissions, point of sale, and increased freight to distributors due to higher volumes.

General and administrative expenses increased $1.4 million compared to the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to increases in salary and benefit costs and consulting costs.

The Company's effective tax rate decreased to 36.2% from 37.5% in the second quarter of 2014. The 2015 rate was a result of the favorable impact of lower state tax rates.

Year-to-Date 2015 Summary of Results

Depletions grew by 7% from the comparable 26-week period in 2014, primarily due to depletion increases across our Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea and Traveler brands, partially offset by declines in Samuel Adams brand.

Core shipment volume was approximately 2.0 million barrels, a 6% increase from the comparable 26-week period in 2014.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were $4.4 million higher than costs incurred in the comparable 26-week period in 2014. The increase was primarily a result of increased investments in media advertising, increased costs for additional sales personnel and commissions, and increased freight to distributors due to higher volumes.

General and administrative expenses increased by $2.7 million from the comparable 26-week period in 2014, due to increases in salary and benefit costs and consulting costs.

The Company's effective tax rate decreased to 36.4% from 37.4% in the first half of 2014. The 2015 rate was a result of the favorable impact of lower state tax rates.

The Company expects that its June 27, 2015 cash balance of $147.0 million, together with its future operating cash flows and its $150.0 million line of credit, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements.

During the 26-week period ended June 27, 2015 and the period from June 28, 2015 through July 24, 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 170,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $41.4 million.  As of July 24, 2015 the Company had approximately $51.2 million remaining on the $400.0 million share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors. On July 29, 2015 the Board of Directors approved an increase of $75.0 million to the previously approved $400.0 million share buyback expenditure limit, for a new limit of $475.0 million.

Depletion estimates

Year-to-date depletions through the 29-week period ended July 18, 2015 are estimated by the Company to be up approximately 6% from the comparable period in 2014.

Outlook

The Company has left unchanged its projected 2015 earnings per diluted share of between $7.10 and $7.50.  The Company's actual 2015 earnings per share could vary significantly from the current projection.  Underlying the Company's current projection are the following estimates and targets:

  • Depletions and shipments growth of between 6% and 9%.
  • National price increases of between 1% and 2%.
  • Gross margins of between 51% and 53%.
  • Increased investment in advertising, promotional and selling expenses of between $25 million and $35 million.  This does not include any increases in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company's distributors.
  • Increased expenditures of between $10 million to $15 million for continued investment in Traveler and other existing brands developed by Alchemy & Science, which are included in the full year estimated increases in advertising, promotional and selling expenses.  These estimates could change significantly and 2015 volume from these brands is unlikely to cover these and other potential Alchemy & Science brand investments.
  • Effective tax rate of approximately 37%, a decrease from the previously communicated estimate of 38% due to the favorable impact of lower state tax rates.
  • Capital spending of between $70 million and $100 million, which could be significantly higher, dependent on capital required to meet future growth. These estimates include capital investments for existing Alchemy & Science projects of between $3 million and $5 million.

About the Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 and today brews more than 60 styles of Samuel Adams beer.  Our portfolio of brands also includes Angry Orchard Hard Cider and Twisted Tea, as well as several other craft beer brands brewed by Alchemy & Science, our craft beer incubator.  For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to all of our respective brand websites.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company's report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013.  Copies of these documents may be found on the Company's website, www.bostonbeer.com, or obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.

 

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)










Thirteen weeks ended


Twenty-six weeks ended


June 27,


June 28, 


June 27, 


June 28, 


2015


2014


2015


2014









Barrels sold

1,125


1,054


2,014


1,892









Revenue

$        268,721


$         247,365


$         481,555


$         444,735

Less excise taxes

16,517


15,754


29,848


29,279

      Net revenue

252,204


231,611


451,707


415,456

Cost of goods sold

115,979


108,515


215,866


201,841

      Gross profit

136,225


123,096


235,841


213,615

Operating expenses:








   Advertising, promotional and selling expenses

71,370


65,922


131,618


127,179

   General and administrative expenses

18,036


16,681


35,265


32,552

      Total operating expenses

89,406


82,603


166,883


159,731

Operating income

46,819


40,493


68,958


53,884

Other income (expense), net:








Interest income (expense), net

11


(5)


7


(9)

Other income (expense), net

54


201


(271)


65

      Total other income (expense), net

65


196


(264)


56

Income before income tax provision

46,884


40,689


68,694


53,940

Provision for income taxes

16,952


15,261


25,019


20,197

      Net income

$          29,932


$           25,428


$           43,675


$           33,743









Net income per common share - basic

$              2.24


$               1.95


$               3.28


$               2.59

Net income per common share - diluted

$              2.18


$               1.88


$               3.18


$               2.49









Weighted-average number of common shares - Class A basic

9,748


9,196


9,673


9,097

Weighted-average number of common shares - Class B basic

3,532


3,770


3,575


3,837

Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted

13,667


13,486


13,650


13,461

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:








Foreign currency translation adjustment

(5)


-


1


-

      Comprehensive income

$          29,927


$           25,428


$           43,676


$           33,743

 

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)










June 27, 


December 27,




2015


2014







Assets




     Current Assets:






          Cash and cash equivalents



$         146,983


$           76,402

          Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $30 and





               $144 as of June 27, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively



52,575


36,860

          Inventories



57,119


51,307

          Prepaid expenses and other current assets



13,776


12,887

          Income tax receivable



3,517


21,321

          Deferred income taxes



7,288


8,685

               Total current assets



281,258


207,462







     Property, plant and equipment, net



397,853


381,569

     Other assets



9,719


12,447

     Goodwill



3,683


3,683

               Total assets



$         692,513


$         605,161







Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity




     Current Liabilities:






          Accounts payable



$           46,012


$           35,576

          Accrued expenses and other current liabilities



72,356


74,594

               Total current liabilities



118,368


110,170







     Deferred income taxes



51,182


50,717

     Debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion



471


528

     Other liabilities



7,810


7,606

               Total liabilities



177,831


169,021







     Commitments and Contingencies












     Stockholders' Equity:






          Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized;





               9,783,399 and 9,452,375 issued and outstanding as of June 27, 2015





               and December 27, 2014, respectively



98


95

          Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized;





               3,467,355 and 3,617,355 issued and outstanding as of June 27, 2015


35


36

               and December 27, 2014






          Additional paid-in capital



282,554


224,909

          Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax



(1,132)


(1,133)

          Retained earnings



233,127


212,233

               Total stockholders' equity



514,682


436,140

               Total liabilities and stockholders' equity



$         692,513


$         605,161

 

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)




Twenty-six weeks ended




June 27,


June 28, 




2015


2014







Cash flows provided by operating activities:






     Net income



$           43,675


$           33,743

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:





          Depreciation and amortization



20,455


15,391

          Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment



339


71

          Bad debt (recovery) expense



(49)


120

          Stock-based compensation expense



3,632


3,937

          Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements



(12,847)


(8,131)

          Deferred income taxes



1,862


(101)

     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:






          Accounts receivable



(15,666)


(15,881)

          Inventories



(5,812)


(7,935)

          Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable and other assets



33,201


(3,500)

          Accounts payable



11,570


2,724

          Accrued expenses and other current liabilities



(2,430)


17,766

          Other liabilities



424


116

               Net cash provided by operating activities



78,354


38,320







Cash flows used in investing activities:






     Purchases of property, plant and equipment



(38,880)


(88,451)

     Cash paid for other intangible assets



(100)


-

     Decrease in restricted cash



57


55

               Net cash used in investing activities



(38,923)


(88,396)







Cash flows provided by financing activities:






     Repurchase of Class A Common Stock



(22,782)


-

     Proceeds from exercise of stock options



40,332


23,126

     Cash paid on note payable



(54)


(53)

     Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation arrangements



12,847


8,131

     Net proceeds from sale of investment shares



807


630

               Net cash provided by financing activities



31,150


31,834







Change in cash and cash equivalents



70,581


(18,242)







Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year



76,402


49,524







Cash and cash equivalents at end of period



$         146,983


$           31,282







Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:






Income taxes paid



$             9,738


$             7,605

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment


$            (1,134)


$             7,950







Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, including quarterly financial results,

are available on the Internet at www.bostonbeer.com

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boston-beer-reports-second-quarter-2015-results-300121454.html

SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

Investor Relations Contact: Jennifer Larson, (617) 368-5152, Media Contact: Jessica Paar, (617) 368-5060