Reports Record Sales of $381 Million in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2004
DAYVILLE, Conn., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Natural Foods,
Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) today reported net income of $6.8 million for the first
quarter of fiscal 2004, ended October 31, 2003, or $0.34 per share on a
diluted basis, including special items. Net income for the first quarter of
fiscal 2004 was $6.6 million, or $0.33 per share on a diluted basis, excluding
special items.
Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $381.4 million, an
increase of $70.4 million, or 22.6%, from the $311.0 million recorded in the
first quarter of fiscal 2003. This increase included growth in the
independent and the conventional mass market channels of 30% and 19%,
respectively. The supernatural channel grew 9% and was impacted by the loss
of Wild Oats Markets, Inc. (Wild Oats). These increases include a full
quarter of sales in fiscal 2004 from Blooming Prairie, which was acquired on
October 11, 2002, and Northeast Cooperative, which was acquired on
December 31, 2002.
Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, excluding the effect of
special items, increased 23.2% to $6.6 million, or $0.33 per diluted share,
compared to $5.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, excluding special items,
for the quarter ended October 31, 2002. The special items for the first
quarter of fiscal 2004 consisted of a non-cash income item related to the
change in fair value of interest rate swaps and the related option agreements.
A special non-cash charge was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2003
related to the non cash change in fair value of interest rate swaps and the
related option agreements and certain costs relating to the transition of Wild
Oats to a new primary distributor. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal
2004, including the effect of special items, increased 70.1% to $6.8 million,
or $0.34 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to
$4.0 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the quarter ended October 31,
2002.
The following table details the amounts and effects of these items:
Quarter Ended October 31, 2003
(in thousands, except
per share data) Pretax Per diluted
Income Net of Tax share
Income, excluding
special items: $10,806 $6,591 $0.33
Special items -
Income/(Expense)
Interest rate swap
agreement (change in fair
value of financial
instruments) 304 186 0.01
Income, including
special items: $11,110 $6,777 $0.34
Quarter Ended October 31, 2002
(in thousands, except
per share data) Pretax Per diluted
Income Net of Tax share
Income, excluding
special items: $8,921 $5,352 $0.28
Special items -
Income/(Expense)
Interest rate swap
agreements (change in fair
value of financial
instruments) (1,706) (1,023) (0.05)
Costs related to loss of
Wild Oats (included in
operating expenses) (574) (345) (0.02)
Income, including
special items: $6,641 $3,984 $0.20*
* Total reflects rounding
The non-cash items from the change in fair value on interest rate swap
agreements were caused by favorable and unfavorable changes in interest rate
yield curves during the quarters ended October 31, 2003 and 2002,
respectively. The costs related to the transition of Wild Oats to a new
primary distributor consisted primarily of severance and expenses related to
the transfer of their private label inventory.
The Company entered into interest rate swap agreements in October 1998,
August 2001 and April 2003. The October 1998 and August 2001 agreements are
"ineffective" hedges. Applicable accounting treatment requires that the
Company record the changes in fair value of the October 1998 and August 2001
agreements in its consolidated statement of income, rather than within "other
comprehensive income" in its statement of stockholders' equity. The changes
in fair value are dependent upon the forward looking yield curves for each
swap. The April 2003 agreement is an "effective" hedge and therefore does not
require this treatment. The Company's believes that its October 1998 and
August 2001 agreements are special items that are excludable as non-recurring
items. First, the Company only intends to enter into "effective" hedges going
forward. This stated intention began with the April 2003 agreement. Second,
the Company believes that the October 1998 and August 2001 agreements may
distort and confuse investors if the change in fair value cannot be treated as
a special charge because their inclusion directly impacts the Company's
reported earnings per share. A change in fair value, whether positive or
negative, can significantly increase or decrease the Company's reported
earnings per share. For example, the Company recorded a positive change in
fair value for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 that increased its earnings
per share by $0.01. If the Company were prohibited from excluding this item
as a special charge, it would artificially inflate its reported earnings per
share and thereby mislead investors as to its financial condition.
Comments from Management
Commenting on the first quarter results, Steven Townsend, Chief Executive
Officer, said, "This is an excellent start to our new fiscal year as we
continue executing on our business plan and growth objectives. During the
quarter, we achieved a 22.6% year over year growth in sales and a 23.2%
increase in net income, excluding special items. This strong growth continues
across all sales channels where our growth rates to independents, conventional
mass market and supernaturals were 30%, 19% and 9% respectively. With our
focus on Natural and Organic Products, we intend to be the leading source for
these products over the long term."
Mr. Townsend added, "Operationally, we continue to work at building
efficiencies that, over time, will serve to lower operating expenses and
improve our operating margins. Concurrently, we are focused on maintaining
and improving our service levels to all of our customers across all of our
distribution centers."
The Company had previously announced guidance for fiscal 2004, ending
July 31, 2004, with net revenues in the $1.55 to $1.57 billion range and net
income, excluding potential special items, in the range of $1.42 - $1.46 per
diluted share. Subsequent to this guidance, as previously announced by Wild
Oats, Wild Oats and its primary distributor have mutually agreed to terminate
their primary distribution relationship and Wild Oats plans to transition its
primary distribution business to the Company. If this transition occurs, the
Company would anticipate incurring start up costs in the second quarter of
fiscal 2004 related to the Wild Oats transition and, achieving revenue
consistent with a primary distribution relationship during the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2004. The Company will provide revised guidance for fiscal 2004
after the primary distribution agreement with Wild Oats has been executed.
Historically, interest rate swaps, distribution facility expansions and
asset impairment charges (including goodwill) have been classified as special
items. However, at this time we do not know the extent or significance of
these items or whether the Company will in fact incur any of these items in
fiscal 2004. The Company's guidance is based on a number of assumptions,
which are subject to change and many of which are outside the control of the
Company. If any of these assumptions vary, the Company's guidance may change.
There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve these results.
Conference Call
Management will conduct a conference call and audio webcast at
11:00 a.m. ET on December 2, 2003 to review the Company's quarterly results,
market trends and future outlook. The conference call dial-in number is (877)
423-3894. The audio webcast will be available, on a listen only basis, via
the Internet at www.viavid.net or at the Investor Relations section of the
Company's website, www.unfi.com . Please allow extra time to the webcast to
visit the site and download any software required to listen to the Internet
broadcast. The online archive of the webcast will be available for 30 days.
About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. carries and distributes over 32,000 products to
more than 14,000 customers nationwide. The Company serves a wide variety of
retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product
superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. For
more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company's website at
www.unfi.com .
For more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company's
website at www.unfi.com .
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve
risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties,
which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to general business
conditions, the impact of competition and our dependence on principal
customers, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K
filed with the Commission on October 22, 2003, and its other filings under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any forward-looking statements
are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and,
as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to
update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of
its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future
results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee
that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change
and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from
time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not
obligated to do so.
Non-GAAP Results: To supplement its financial statements presented on a
GAAP basis, the Company uses non-GAAP additional measures of operating
results, net earnings and earnings per share adjusted to exclude special
charges. The Company believes that the use of these additional measures is
appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of its past financial
performance and also its prospects for the future as these special charges are
not expected to be part of the Company's ongoing business. The adjustments to
the Company's GAAP results are made with the intent of providing both
management and investors with a more complete understanding of the underlying
operational results and trends and its marketplace performance. For example,
these adjusted non-GAAP results are among the primary indicators management
uses as a basis for its planning and forecasting of future periods. The
presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for net earnings or diluted earnings per share
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States. A comparison and reconciliation from non-GAAP to GAAP results
is included in the tables within this release.
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
QUARTER ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
(In thousands, except per share data) 2003 2002
Net sales $381,382 $310,993
Cost of sales 305,209 247,568
Gross profit 76,173 63,425
Operating expenses 62,932 53,432
Amortization of intangibles 232 38
Total operating expenses 63,164 53,470
Operating income 13,009 9,955
Other expense (income):
Interest expense 2,320 1,847
Change in fair value of financial instruments (304) 1,706
Other, net (117) (238)
Total other expense 1,899 3,315
Income before income taxes 11,110 6,640
Income taxes 4,333 2,656
Net income $6,777 $3,984
Per share data (basic):
Net income $0.35 $0.21
Weighted average basic shares of common stock 19,526 19,106
Per share data (diluted):
Net income $0.34 $0.20
Weighted average diluted shares of common stock 20,182 19,434
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands) OCTOBER 31, JULY 31,
2003 2003
(UNAUDITED) (AUDITED)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $10,149 $3,645
Accounts receivable, net 93,891 90,111
Notes receivable, trade 594 585
Inventories 175,869 158,263
Prepaid expenses 5,593 5,706
Deferred income taxes 6,004 6,455
Refundable income taxes - 704
Total current assets 292,100 265,469
Property & equipment, net 100,900 101,238
Other assets:
Notes receivable, trade, net 1,609 1,261
Goodwill 57,744 57,400
Intangible assets, net 878 1,014
Other, net 3,232 3,717
Total assets $456,463 $430,099
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable - line of credit $95,587 $96,170
Current installments of long-term debt 4,136 4,459
Current installment of obligations under
capital leases 889 903
Accounts payable 89,761 67,187
Accrued expenses 22,207 26,347
Financial instruments 5,800 6,104
Income taxes payable 3,230 -
Total current liabilities 221,610 201,170
Long-term debt, excluding current
installments 37,816 38,507
Obligations under capital leases,
excluding current installments 338 612
Deferred income taxes 2,247 2,247
Total liabilities 262,011 242,536
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 5,000
Shares; none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000
Shares; issued and outstanding 19,545 at
October 31, 2003; issued and outstanding
19,510 at July 31, 2003 195 195
Additional paid-in capital 86,531 86,068
Unallocated shares of ESOP (1,890) (1,931)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 40 432
Retained earnings 109,576 102,799
Total stockholders' equity 194,452 187,563
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $456,463 $430,099
UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED
OCTOBER 31,
(In thousands) 2003 2002
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $6,777 $3,984
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,744 2,370
Change in fair value of financial instruments (304) 1,706
Gain on disposals of property & equipment 2 9
Deferred income tax benefit 451 -
Provision for doubtful accounts 570 1,060
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
acquired companies:
Accounts receivable (4,350) (227)
Inventory (17,606) (4,111)
Prepaid expenses and other assets 951 (588)
Notes receivable, trade (357) 95
Accounts payable 22,574 9,303
Accrued expenses (4,140) 750
Income taxes payable 3,230 1,805
Tax effect of stock option exercises 97 -
Net cash provided by operating activities 10,639 16,156
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of acquired businesses, net of
cash acquired (344) (29,960)
Proceeds from disposals of property
and equipment 57 33
Capital expenditures (2,329) (4,313)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,616) (34,240)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net borrowings under note payable (583) 12,077
Repayments on long-term debt (1,014) (470)
Principal payments of capital lease
obligations (288) (312)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 366 4
Net cash (used in) provided by
financing activities (1,519) 11,299
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 6,504 (6,785)
Cash at beginning of period 3,645 11,184
Cash at end of period $10,149 $4,399
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $2,220 $1,823
Income taxes, net of refunds $388 $819
SOURCE United Natural Foods, Inc.
-0- 12/02/2003
/CONTACT: Rick Puckett, Chief Financial Officer of United Natural Foods,
Inc., +1-860-779-2800; or General Information, Joseph Calabrese,
+1-212-445-8434, or Analyst Information, Susan Garland, +1-212-445-8458, both
of Financial Relations Board/
/Web site: http://www.unfi.com /
(UNFI)
CO: United Natural Foods, Inc.
ST: Connecticut