Bassett Furniture Industries Incorporated

10/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 04:01

Bassett Reports Fiscal Third Quarter Results, Updates Progress on Restructuring Plan and Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend Form 8 K

Bassett Reports Fiscal Third Quarter Results, Updates Progress on Restructuring Plan and Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend

(Bassett, Va.) - October 9, 2024 - Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSET) reported today its results of operations for its third quarter ended August 31, 2024. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock, payable on Nov. 29, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 15, 2024. This dividend represents an 11% increase over the prior year's quarterly dividend.

Q3 Consolidated Business Highlights: [FY 24 vs. FY 23, unless otherwise specified]

Revenues decreased 13%, impacted by a cyber incident that suspended all financial systems and manufacturing for 7 days.

Operating loss of $6.4 million, which included a $1.2 million loss on a logistical services contract the Company abandoned and various costs associated with the cyber incident.

Gross margin of 53.0%, which included $0.6 million of manufacturing wages paid during the cyber shutdown. Excluding the wage charge, gross profit margin would have been 53.8% as compared to adjusted gross margin of 52.7% in 2023 (see Table 5).

Diluted loss per share of $0.52 vs. a loss of $0.30 in 2023.

Limited cash flow deficit for the quarter to $0.4 million despite challenging results and cyber disruption related costs.

Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Overview

(Dollars in millions)

Sales

Operating Income (Loss)

3rd Qtr

Dollar

%

3rd Qtr

% of

3rd Qtr

% of

2024

2023

Change

Change

2024

Sales

2023

Sales

Consolidated (1)

$ 75.6 $ 87.2 $ (11.6 ) -13.3 % $ (6.4 ) -8.5 % $ (3.8 ) -4.4 %

Wholesale

$ 47.8 $ 56.7 $ (8.9 ) -15.7 % $ 4.4 9.2 % $ 6.3 11.1 %

Retail

$ 47.3 $ 52.3 $ (5.0 ) -9.6 % $ (2.8 ) -5.9 % $ (3.0 ) -5.7 %

Corporate & Other (2)

$ 1.0 $ 1.8 $ (0.8 ) -44.4 % $ (7.0 ) N/A $ (7.4 ) N/A

(1)

Our consolidated results for the quarter include certain intercompany eliminations as well as a $1.2 million contract abandonment charge which are not allocated to our segment operating results. See Table 4, "Segment Information" below for an illustration of the effects of these items on our consolidated sales and operating income.

(2)

Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments.

"The third quarter is historically our slowest as we customarily shut down manufacturing for the week of July 4th," said Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Bassett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Although we had additional challenges this year, we delivered strong gross margins. In mid-July, we reported that we detected unauthorized activities in our IT systems, which resulted in us shutting down our IT systems and ceasing manufacturing for 7 days. The industry remained challenged by economic factors in the quarter, including a slow housing market that is forecasted to improve heading into 2025. With our strong balance sheet and our focus on right-sizing our expense structure, our goal is to drive better profitability."

Update on Restructuring Plan

The Company made progress on the restructuring plan announced in July to lower its cost structure and to strengthen operations for topline growth. The comprehensive strategy builds on the strength of Bassett's brand quality, design expertise and service, and focuses on driving revenue growth and profitability long-term. The five-point plan will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter. "We are running a leaner operation, reducing expenses and investing in new products and services," Spilman added. "Through our restructuring plan, we are on target to improve our bottom-line between $5.5 million and $6.5 million on an annual basis. We are committed to returning to profitability."

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on October 10, 2024, at 9:00 am ET. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by webcast, accessible through the Company's investor relations website, https://investors.bassettfurniture.com/. Participants can also listen to the conference call via https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4t38wrd6. A replay and transcript of the conference call will be available on demand on the investor relations site.

About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: BSET) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-quality home furnishings. With 87 company- and licensee-owned stores at the time of this release, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. Bassett's retail strategy includes stylish, custom-built furniture that features the latest on-trend furniture styles, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett also has a traditional wholesale business with more than 700 accounts on the open market, across the United States and internationally. For more information, visit the Company's website at bassettfurniture.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "should," "estimates," or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results or changes in operations for periods beyond the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2024, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information, as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements: the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings and the ability of Bassett's customers and consumers to obtain credit; the success of marketing, logistics, retail and other initiatives; and the economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement that Bassett makes speaks only as of the date of such statement, and Bassett undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indication of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

Table 1

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - unaudited

(In thousands, except for per share data)

Quarter Ended

Nine Months

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

Percent of

Percent of

Percent of

Percent of

Amount

Net Sales

Amount

Net Sales

Amount

Net Sales

Amount

Net Sales

Net sales of furniture and accessories

$ 75,619 100.0 % $ 87,217 100.0 % $ 245,583 100.0 % $ 295,434 100.0 %

Cost of furniture and accessories sold

35,526 47.0 % 42,173 48.4 % 113,863 46.4 % 140,360 47.5 %

Gross profit

40,093 53.0 % 45,044 51.6 % 131,720 53.6 % 155,074 52.5 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

45,210 59.8 % 48,848 56.0 % 142,141 57.9 % 154,709 52.4 %

Loss on contract abandonment

1,240 1.6 % - 0.0 % 1,240 0.5 % - 0.0 %

Asset impairment charges

- 0.0 % - 0.0 % 5,515 2.2 % - 0.0 %

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

- 0.0 % - 0.0 % - 0.0 % 1,013 0.3 %

Income (loss) from operations

(6,357 ) -8.4 % (3,804 ) -4.4 % (17,176 ) -7.0 % 1,378 0.5 %

Interest income

692 0.9 % 923 1.1 % 2,075 0.8 % 1,644 0.6 %

Other loss, net

(109 ) -0.1 % (309 ) -0.4 % (489 ) -0.2 % (1,381 ) -0.5 %

Income (loss) before income taxes

(5,774 ) -7.6 % (3,190 ) -3.7 % (15,590 ) -6.3 % 1,641 0.6 %

Income tax expense (benefit)

(1,269 ) -1.7 % (599 ) -0.7 % (2,691 ) -1.1 % 711 0.2 %

Net income (loss)

(4,505 ) -6.0 % (2,591 ) -3.0 % (12,899 ) -5.3 % 930 0.3 %

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

$ (0.52 ) $ (0.30 ) $ (1.48 ) $ 0.11

Table 2

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Assets

August 31, 2024

November 25, 2023

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 38,329 $ 52,407

Short-term investments

17,834 17,775

Accounts receivable, net

12,974 13,736

Inventories, net

56,138 62,982

Recoverable income taxes

2,846 2,574

Other current assets

9,421 8,480

Total current assets

137,542 157,954

Property and equipment, net

78,564 83,981

Other long-term assets

Deferred income taxes, net

7,410 4,645

Goodwill and other intangible assets

14,199 16,067

Right of use assets under operating leases

90,274 100,888

Other

7,873 6,889

Total long-term assets

119,756 128,489

Total assets

$ 335,862 $ 370,424

Liabilities and Stockholders'Equity

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$ 14,232 $ 16,338

Accrued compensation and benefits

6,595 8,934

Customer deposits

23,700 22,788

Current portion of operating lease obligations

18,504 18,827

Other accrued expenses

10,086 11,003

Total current liabilities

73,117 77,890

Long-term liabilities

Post employment benefit obligations

10,885 10,207

Long-term portion of operating lease obligations

85,310 97,357

Other long-term liabilities

1,514 1,529

Total long-term liabilities

97,709 109,093

Stockholders' equity

Common stock

43,674 43,842

Retained earnings

121,387 139,354

Additional paid-in-capital

- 93

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(25 ) 152

Total stockholders' equity

165,036 183,441

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 335,862 $ 370,424

Table 3

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited

(In thousands)

Nine Months

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

Operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$ (12,899 ) $ 930

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

7,613 7,502

Non-cash asset impairment charges

5,515 -

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

- (1,013 )

Inventory valuation charges

4,954 3,814

Deferred income taxes

(2,765 ) 473

Other, net

937 1,781

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

762 2,499

Inventories

1,890 14,797

Other current and long-term assets

(1,213 ) (289 )

Right of use assets under operating leases

13,029 13,668

Customer deposits

912 (12,337 )

Accounts payable and other liabilities

(5,364 ) (6,586 )

Obligations under operating leases

(15,694 ) (14,990 )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

(2,323 ) 10,249

Investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment

(4,720 ) (14,657 )

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net

- 1,000

Other

(909 ) (1,664 )

Net cash used in investing activities

(5,629 ) (15,321 )

Financing activities:

Cash dividends

(4,909 ) (4,406 )

Other issuance of common stock

275 275

Repurchases of common stock

(1,127 ) (4,056 )

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

(161 ) (109 )

Repayments of finance lease obligations

(210 ) (208 )

Net cash used in financing activities

(6,132 ) (8,504 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

6 (37 )

Change in cash and cash equivalents

(14,078 ) (13,613 )

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

52,407 61,625

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

$ 38,329 $ 48,012

Table 4

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Segment Information - unaudited

(In thousands)

Quarter Ended

Nine Months

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

Sales Revenue

Wholesale sales of furniture and accessories

$ 47,828 $ 56,660 $ 155,138 $ 188,318

Less: Sales to retail segment

(20,453 ) (23,503 ) (64,967 ) (77,932 )

Wholesale sales to external customers

27,375 33,157 90,171 110,386

Retail sales of furniture and accessories

47,256 52,264 151,478 178,004

Corporate & Other - Noa Home (1)

988 1,796 3,934 7,044

Consolidated net sales of furniture and accessories

$ 75,619 $ 87,217 $ 245,583 $ 295,434

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

Income (Loss) from Operations

Wholesale

$ 4,440 $ 6,340 $ 16,886 $ 22,339

Retail

(2,840 ) (3,036 ) (6,674 ) (751 )

Net expenses - Corporate and other (1)

(6,963 ) (7,420 ) (21,500 ) (22,140 )

Inter-company elimination

246 312 867 917

Loss on abandoned warehouse contract

(1,240 ) - (1,240 ) -

Asset impairment charges

- - (5,515 ) -

Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration

- - - 1,013

Consolidated income (loss) from operations

(6,357 ) (3,804 ) (17,176 ) 1,378

Interest income

692 923 2,075 1,644

Other loss, net

(109 ) (309 ) (489 ) (1,381 )

Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes

$ (5,774 ) $ (3,190 ) $ (15,590 ) $ 1,641

(1) Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments.

Table 5

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Adjusted Gross Profit

(In thousands)

Quarter Ended

Nine Months

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

August 31, 2024

August 26, 2023

Percent of

Percent of

Percent of

Percent of

Amount

Net Sales

Amount

Net Sales

Amount

Net Sales

Amount

Net Sales

Gross profit as reported

$ 40,093 53.0 % $ 45,044 51.6 % $ 131,720 52.5 % $ 155,074 52.4 %

Wages paid during cyber shutown

609 0.8 % - - 609 0.2 % - -

Additional inventory valuation charges

- - 893 1.0 % 2,701 1.1 % 1,896 0.6 %

Gross profit as adjusted

$ 40,702 53.8 % $ 45,937 52.7 % $ 135,030 55.0 % $ 156,970 53.1 %