News Details

LOUDON, Tenn., Sept. 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Malibu Boats, Inc. (Nasdaq:MBUU) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2015

• Net sales increased 13.7% to $60.7 million compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
• Unit volume increased 13.1% to 904 boats, including 85 units from Australia.
• Net sales per unit increased 0.5% to $67,164 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and net sales per unit in the U.S. increased 4.3% over the same period in fiscal 2014.
• Gross profit increased 10.9% to $16.3 million compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 14.8% to $11.9 million from the same period in fiscal 2014.
• Adjusted fully distributed net income increased 17.3% to $6.5 million, or $0.32 per share, on a fully distributed weighted average share count of 19.9 million shares of Class A Common Stock.

Highlights for the Fiscal Year 2015

• Net sales increased 19.7% to $228.6 million compared to fiscal year 2014.
• Unit volume increased 17.0% to 3,404 boats, including 225 units from Australia.
• Net sales per unit increased 2.4% to $67,162 compared to fiscal year 2014 and net sales per unit in the U.S. increased 5.1% over the same period in fiscal 2014.
• Gross profit increased 19.0% to $60.4 million compared to fiscal year 2014.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 17.1% to $43.6 million from the same period in fiscal 2014.
• Adjusted fully distributed net income increased 38.4% to $24.4 million, or $1.11 per share, on a fully distributed weighted average share count of 21.9 million shares of Class A Common Stock.

Jack Springer, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Fourth quarter results were solid with both our Malibu and Axis brands performing well. In fact, our fourth quarter was the best 4th quarter in company history. We exceeded our internal goals and projections for the year and remain pleased with the overall trends in the business. Demand for our product continues to be strong in the U.S. and Australia, despite the currency headwinds, as net sales for the quarter increased 13.7% and unit volume increased 13.1%. As expected, the 23 LSV, 22 MXZ, and 22 VLX have all been strong on the Malibu side while the A22, T22 and T23 have been the top selling boats for Axis. Our dealers continued to sell through existing inventory in the quarter and we were very pleased with the overall channel inventories and business trends at the end of the fiscal year."

Mr. Springer continued, "We introduced more new products and features than any time in the company's history in fiscal 2015, and we continue to build momentum in the marketplace with our 2016 model year offerings. We have already launched three completely new boats for model year 2016 with plans to fully unveil our fourth new boat before the start of the boat show season. We introduced several new or upgraded products and features including our game changing Surf Gate system with hydraulic actuators, our patented rider controlled Surf Band technology, new windshields, interiors and backup cameras. We are very excited about our model year 2016 offerings and the performance and quality these offerings will bring to our consumers."

"As discussed previously, the strength of the U.S. dollar has created some headwind in our international sales, but demand in the domestic market has remained strong and our presence in the Australian market has benefited Malibu versus imported competition."

Comparison of the Fourth Quarter Ended June 30, 2015 to the Fourth Quarter Ended June 30, 2014

Net sales for three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $7.3 million, or 13.7%, to $60.7 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. Included in net sales for three months ended June 30, 2015 were net sales of $5.3 million attributable to our Australian operations that we acquired on October 23, 2014. Unit volume for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased 105 units, or 13.1%, to 904 units compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. Of the 105 units added, 85 were added as a result of our Australian operations and the remainder of the increase was primarily due to a demand-driven increase in our daily production rate over the same period in prior year, bolstered by the introduction of our new models. Net sales per unit increased approximately 0.5% to $67,164 per unit for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014, primarily driven by higher prices in our U.S. operations and increased selection of optional features, partially offset by the elimination of parts sales between our segments since the acquisition of our Australian licensee in October 2014. Net sales per unit for our U.S. operations increased approximately 4.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014.

Cost of sales for three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $5.7 million, or 14.8% to $44.4 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in cost of sales resulted primarily from the 13.1% increase in unit volume and higher material cost per unit, driven primarily by higher material content per unit associated with the addition of new features such as our new Malibu dash for model year 2015 and increased optional feature selections such as the G4 tower.

Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $1.6 million, or 10.9%, to $16.3 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in gross profit resulted primarily from higher volumes. Gross margin for the three months ended June 30, 2015 decreased 70 basis points to 26.8% from 27.5% in the three months ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in gross margin is primarily due to sales from our Australian operations yielding a lower margin than those generated from our U.S. operations due in part to the impact of currency fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated purchases from U.S. based suppliers. Gross margin for our U.S. operations increased 28 basis points to 27.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

Selling and marketing expense for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased 2.2%, to $1.7 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2014 primarily due to incremental selling and marketing related expenses of $0.1 million in Australia. General and administrative expense decreased $21.9 million, or 89%, to $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to three months ended June 30, 2014. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is largely attributable to a one-time charge of $20.0 million related to the settlement of litigation with Pacific Coast Marine Windshields Ltd. ("PCMW") and $1.3 million in legal expenses related to the settled litigation which took place in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. There were no such legal matters in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, offering related expenses attributable to the Company's offerings decreased $0.9 million due in part to lower legal and professional costs incurred in connection with two equity offerings, including our IPO transaction on February 5, 2014 and an equity offering which closed on July 15, 2014, as compared to one equity offering which closed on May 27, 2015. Direct costs related to our tender offer in the fourth quarter of 2015 were considered costs to reacquire shares and therefore did not impact general and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses attributable to our Australian operations acquired in fiscal 2015 excluding amortization were $0.3 million. Amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2015 decreased $2.7 million, or 57.4%, to $0.6 million primarily due to the full amortization in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of our dealer relationship intangible acquired in 2006, offset by amortization attributable to intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of our Australian licensee in October 2014.

Operating income for the three month period ended June 30, 2015 increased to $11.3 million from operating loss of $12.9 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2014. Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 increased 14.8% to $11.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 19.6% from 19.4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Comparison of the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 to the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2014

Net sales for the fiscal year 2015 increased $37.7 million, or 19.7% to $228.6 million, compared to fiscal year 2014. Included in net sales for fiscal year 2015 were net sales of $14.9 million attributable to our Australian operations that we acquired in October 2014. Unit volume for fiscal year 2015 increased 494 units, or 17.0%, to 3,404 units compared to fiscal year 2014. Of the 494 units added, 225 were added as a result of our Australian operations and the remainder of the increase was primarily due to a demand-driven increase in our daily production rate over the prior year, bolstered by the introduction of four new models; two each for Malibu and Axis, and our innovative features. Net sales per unit increased approximately 2.4% to $67,162 for fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014, primarily driven by higher prices in our U.S. operations and increased selection of optional features, partially offset by the elimination of parts sales between our segments since the acquisition of our Australian licensee in October 2014 and increased sales of our Axis brand. Net sales per unit for our U.S. operations increased approximately 5.1% for fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014.

Cost of sales for fiscal year 2015 increased $28.1 million, or 20.0% to $168.2 million compared to fiscal year 2014. Included in cost of sales was $0.9 million of integration related expenses attributable to the acquisition of our Australian licensee. The increase in cost of sales resulted primarily from the 17.0% increase in unit volume and higher material cost per unit, driven primarily by higher material content per unit associated with the addition of new features such as our new Malibu dash for model year 2015 and increased optional feature selections such as the G4 tower in addition to integration related expenses for our Australian acquisition.

Gross profit for fiscal year 2015 increased $9.6 million, or 19.0%, to $60.4 million compared to the same period during 2014. The increase in gross profit resulted primarily from higher volumes. Gross margin decreased 0.2% to 26.4% for fiscal year 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from $0.9 million of integration related expenses attributable to the acquisition of our Australian licensee. Excluding these integration related expenses, gross margin increased to 26.8%, or 20 basis points, for fiscal year 2015 and was driven by a year over year increase of 48 basis points in our U.S. operations.

Selling and marketing expense increased $0.9 million, or 14.9%, to $7.0 million for fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 primarily due to increased volumes, as well as incremental selling and marketing related expenses in Australia. General and administrative expense decreased $20.2 million, or 50.4%, to $19.8 million for fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is largely attributable to fiscal year 2014 one-time charge of $20.0 million related to the settlement of litigation with PCMW. General and administrative expenses, excluding the impact of the settlement, decreased 0.8% or $0.2 million primarily driven by a $4.6 million decrease in expenses related to Malibu Boats Holdings, LLC's (the "LLC") former management agreement terminated in connection with our IPO on February 5, 2014, a $1.1 million decrease in stock compensation expense which included a $1.8 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2014 for the modification of awards granted in 2012, and a decrease of $1.4 million in offering related expenses attributed to our equity offerings in fiscal 2014 and 2015. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was offset by an increase in litigation related professional fees of $2.1 million, $0.8 million in transaction expenses related to our Australia acquisition, $0.8 million of expenses related to our Australia operations, as well as increased expenses related to being a public company for a full year and modest traditional expense growth. Amortization expense for fiscal year 2015 decreased $2.7 million, or 52.4%, to $2.5 million primarily due to the full amortization in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of our dealer relationship intangible acquired in 2006, offset by amortization attributable to intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of our Australian licensee in October 2014.

Operating income for fiscal year 2015 increased to $31.2 million from operating loss of $0.5 million for fiscal year 2014. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2015 increased 17.1% to $43.6 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 19.1% from 19.5% in the fiscal 2014.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

The Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss fourth quarter fiscal 2015 results today, September 9, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts can participate on the conference call by dialing (855) 433-0928 or (484) 756-4263 and using Conference ID #62058943. Alternatively, interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the conference call by logging on to the Investor Relations section on the Company's website at http://investors.malibuboats.com. A replay of the webcast will also be archived on the company's website for twelve months.

About Malibu Boats, Inc.

Malibu Boats is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of performance sport boats, with the #1 market share position in the United States since 2010. The Company has two brands of performance sport boats, Malibu and Axis Wake Research (Axis). Since inception in 1982, the Company has been a consistent innovator in the powerboat industry, designing products that appeal to an expanding range of recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts whose passion for boating and water sports is a key aspect of their lifestyle.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words and phrases as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "continue" and similar expressions, comparable terminology or the negative thereof, and includes the statement in this press release concerning the performance and quality our model year 2016 offerings will bring to our consumers.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: general industry, economic and business conditions, demand for our products, changes in consumer preferences, competition within our industry, our reliance on our network of independent dealers, our ability to manage our manufacturing levels and our large fixed cost base, the successful introduction of our new products, and other factors affecting us detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risks and uncertainties are outside our control, and there may be other risks and uncertainties which we do not currently anticipate because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time made, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or supplement any forward-looking statements that may become untrue because of subsequent events, whether because of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise. Comparison of results for current and prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

Use and Definition of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release includes the following financial measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted Fully Distributed Net Income. These measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of our liquidity. Our presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should also not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our computations of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash, non-recurring and non-operating expenses, including management fees and expenses, certain professional fees, Nautique litigation settlement, PCMW litigation settlement, acquisition and integration related expenses, non-cash compensation expense and offering related expenses. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are useful because they allow management to evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations from period to period and against our peers without regard to our financing methods, capital structure and non-recurring and non-operating expenses. We exclude the items listed above from net income (loss) in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures, the methods by which assets were acquired and other factors.

We define Adjusted Fully Distributed Net Income as net income (loss) attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc. (i) excluding income tax expense, (ii) excluding the effect of non-recurring and non-cash items, (iii) assuming the exchange of all Units ("LLC Units") of the LLC into shares of Class A common stock, which results in the elimination of noncontrolling interest in the LLC, and (iv) reflecting an adjustment for income tax expense on fully distributed net income (loss) before income taxes (assuming no income attributable to non-controlling interests) at our estimated effective income tax rate. Adjusted Fully Distributed Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure because it represents net income (loss) attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc, before non-recurring or non-cash items and the effects of noncontrolling interests in the LLC. We use Adjusted Fully Distributed Net Income to facilitate a comparison of our operating performance on a consistent basis from period to period that, when viewed in combination with our results prepared in accordance with GAAP, provides a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business than GAAP measures alone. We believe Adjusted Fully Distributed Net Income assists our board of directors, management and investors in comparing our net income (loss) on a consistent basis from period to period because it removes non-cash and non-recurring items, and eliminates the variability of noncontrolling interest as a result of member owner exchanges of LLC Units into shares of Class A Common Stock.

A reconciliation of our net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and of our net income (loss) attributable to Malibu Boats, Inc. to Adjusted Fully Distributed Net Income is provided under "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures". 

CONTACT: Investor Contacts



         Malibu Boats, Inc.

         Wayne Wilson

         Chief Financial Officer

         (865) 458-5478



         ICR

         John Rouleau/Rachel Schacter

         (203) 682-8200

         John.Rouleau@icrinc.com

         Rachel.Schacter@icrinc.com



         Media Contact



         Malibu Boats, Inc.

         Mike Quinlan

         Director of Marketing

         (865) 458-5478

Source: Malibu Boats