• Bassett Announces Fiscal Fourth Quarter Results

    Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 21 Jan 2021 08:00:01   America/Chicago

    BASSETT, Va., Jan. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSET) announced today its results of operations for its fourth quarter ended November 28, 2020.

    Fiscal 2020 Fourth Quarter Highlights
    (Dollars in millions)

     Sales Operating Income (Loss)
     4th Qtr Dollar% 4th Qtr% of 4th Qtr% of
      2020 2019 ChangeChange 2020Sales  2019 Sales
    Consolidated (1)$118.4$113.6 $4.7 4.2% $10.08.5% $(5.6)-5.0%
                
    Wholesale$67.5$62.5 $5.0 8.2% $5.98.8% $1.1 1.7%
                
    Retail$64.8$70.0 $(5.2)-7.4% $2.53.9% $(0.6)-0.8%
                
    Logistical Services$20.7$19.3 $1.4 7.3% $1.25.9% $0.3 1.5%
                
    (1) Our consolidated results include certain intercompany eliminations. See the “Segment Information” table below for an illustration
        of the effects of these intercompany eliminations on our consolidated sales and operating income.   

    Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $6.5 million or $0.65 per diluted share as compared to a loss of $5.1 million or $0.51 per diluted share for the prior year quarter, and operating income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $10.0 million as compared to a loss of $5.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. Excluding certain charges related to asset impairments and other items in 2019, adjusted operating income was $10.0 million and $1.6 million for the fourth quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively. Adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share was $6.5 million and $0.65 for the quarter ended November 28, 2020 and $0.7 million and $0.07 for the quarter ended November 30, 2019. See Table 6 of this press release for reconciliations of adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share to operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share and for more information about these non-GAAP financial measures.

    “The robust sales that we have generated since the late spring began to positively roll through our income statement in the September-November quarter,” observed Rob Spilman, Chairman and CEO. “Consolidated revenue grew by 4.2% and operating profit of $10.0 million represented a significant increase to last year’s performance. Still, we continue to face a number of unprecedented externally induced challenges that make operating the business unusually difficult and currently prevent us from fully realizing the financial benefits that are embedded in our huge backlog of orders. Fourth quarter domestic manufacturing production increased by 19% compared to the third quarter primarily due to across the board extended work schedules in our plants. The increased production was more than offset, however, by a 26% acceleration in wholesale orders for the period as compared to the prior year period, leaving us with a $54.9 million backlog; 47% greater than the amount of unfulfilled wholesale orders at the end of our third quarter.”

    “We began to chip away at the backlog to start fiscal 2021 in the month of December,” continued Spilman. “Unfortunately, the lingering effects of the pandemic are not helping us. Our associates across all of our operating divisions – manufacturing, retail, and logistics, are facing greater occurrences of COVID exposure or outright contraction of the virus themselves. Our suppliers of raw materials are experiencing similar situations in their daily operations, exacerbating the long lead times that they are already quoting. On our domestic manufacturing front, this dynamic is particularly problematic in our upholstery operations where service from our decorative fabrics suppliers is causing daily disruption to our production schedule. Moving to our import programs, the worldwide shipping container shortage and our inability to reliably procure space on inbound vessels is pushing the receipt of badly needed sold merchandise out further than we have ever seen. Furthermore, the limited supply of shipping containers has created a bidding war for vessel space, making our established container rates contractual in name only. As a result, we believe that the backlog will gradually decrease over the course of 2021 to a more manageable level as we do not believe the current pace of business is sustainable. Finally, inflation has reared its head over the past 60 days to a pace reminiscent of the 1970s, both on the imported and domestic front. Our price increase instituted in mid-December is only a partial remedy to the fluid dynamics that characterize the pricing marketplace today and we are currently discussing further steps as a result.”

    “Despite the unsettled business environment, we performed very well in the fourth quarter,” furthered Spilman. “All sales channels and all product categories grew revenue in the period. Particularly strong sales growth came from our Bench Made casegoods assortment, our Club Level motion line, and the Lane Venture division. Corporate retail was profitable in spite of delivered sales once again lagging behind written orders. Our fleet of 34 licensed retail stores turned in a very strong performance. And our traditional account base outside of the retail network, led by our 100 Bassett Design Centers, generated impressive 69% written sales growth in the period. Both of our upholstery and wood operations ran full schedules throughout the quarter, and the resulting efficiencies produced wholesale operating profit of $5.9 million, over five times greater than last year. We navigated the ups and downs of 2020 by instituting a number of structural changes to our business model that will serve us well in the future. Foremost was the adjustment to our overall cost structure, led by a 23% reduction in companywide headcount. Most of the reductions came from our corporate retail segment as we architected a new standard to manage the store network and the accompanying support functions. Our digitally centric marketing strategy drove a 51% increase in quarterly web traffic and an 86% gain in web sales. By disdaining traditional television and adopting a leaner operating paradigm, corporate retail drove SG&A expense down by over 600 bps and turned a profit despite a 7.4% drop in delivered sales. Corporate savings were even higher as reduced business travel, brand marketing, and general expense management combined for a 990 bps reduction in SG&A.”

    “The pressure on our balance sheet in March/April 2020 gave way to a startling recovery fueled by the strong business that we saw in the second half of the year,” concluded Spilman. “Strong operating cash flow over the last six months of $42.4 million allowed us to reinstate our November dividend to the pre-COVID level of $0.125 per share plus pay a special $0.25 dividend in late December. Year-end cash and equivalents of $63.5 million is over $40 million more than we had at the low point of the 2020 cash crunch. Looking ahead, we plan to invest in technology and our domestic manufacturing and logistics platforms in 2021 while maintaining a strong balance sheet and returning capital to shareholders when appropriate. The leaner, smarter approach to our business that was borne in the early days of the pandemic are lessons learned in 2020 that will not soon be forgotten.”

    About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:BSET), is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality home furnishings. With 97 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 and a logistics business specializing in home furnishings. For more information, visit the Company’s website at bassettfurniture.com. (BSET-E)

    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 fourth fiscal quarter of 2020, 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 (including, without limitation, the effects on revenue, supply and demand resulting from the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic) 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 Year Ended
     November 28, 2020 November 30, 2019 November 28, 2020 November 30, 2019
      Percent of  Percent of  Percent of  Percent of
     AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales
                
    Sales revenue:           
      Furniture and accessories$105,389   $102,315   $337,672   $403,865  
      Logistics 12,994    11,322    48,191    48,222  
         Total sales revenue 118,383 100.0%  113,637 100.0%  385,863 100.0%  452,087 100.0%
                
    Cost of furniture and accessories sold 50,427 42.6%  45,291 39.9%  163,567 42.4%  179,244 39.6%
                
    Selling, general and administrative expenses excluding           
      new store pre-opening costs 57,907 48.9%  66,785 58.8%  223,314 57.9%  264,280 58.5%
    New store pre-opening costs - 0.0%  - 0.0%  - 0.0%  1,117 0.2%
    Asset impairment charges - 0.0%  4,431 3.9%  12,184 3.2%  4,431 1.0%
    Goodwill impairment charge - 0.0%  1,926 1.7%  1,971 0.5%  1,926 0.4%
    Litigation expense - 0.0%  700 0.6%  1,050 0.3%  700 0.2%
    Lease exit costs - 0.0%  149 0.1%  - 0.0%  149 0.0%
    Early retirement program - 0.0%  - 0.0%  - 0.0%  835 0.2%
       Income (loss) from operations 10,049 8.5%  (5,645)-5.0%  (16,223)-4.2%  (595)-0.1%
                
    Other income (loss), net (133)-0.1%  (579)-0.5%  (563)-0.1%  (1,145)-0.3%
    Income (loss) before income taxes 9,916 8.4%  (6,224)-5.5%  (16,786)-4.4%  (1,740)-0.4%
                
    Income tax provision (benefit) 3,373 2.8%  (1,086)-1.0%  (6,365)-1.6%  188 0.0%
    Net income (loss)$6,543 5.5% $(5,138)-4.5% $(10,421)-2.7% $(1,928)-0.4%
                
    Basic earnings (loss) per share$0.65   $(0.51)  $(1.05)  $(0.19) 
                
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share$0.65   $(0.51)  $(1.05)  $(0.19) 
                
                


    Table 2
    BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands)
      (Unaudited)  
    Assets November 28, 2020 November 30, 2019
    Current assets    
        Cash and cash equivalents $45,799  $19,687 
        Short-term investments  17,715   17,436 
        Accounts receivable, net  22,340   21,378 
        Inventories, net  54,886   66,302 
        Recoverable income taxes  9,666   329 
        Other current assets  10,272   11,654 
    Total current assets  160,678   136,786 
         
    Property and equipment, net  90,917   101,724 
         
    Other long-term assets    
        Deferred income taxes, net  4,587   5,744 
        Goodwill and other intangible assets  23,827   26,176 
    Right of use assets under operating leases  116,903   - 
        Other  5,637   5,336 
    Total long-term assets  150,954   37,256 
    Total assets $402,549  $275,766 
         
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity    
    Current liabilities    
        Accounts payable $23,426  $23,677 
        Accrued compensation and benefits  16,964   11,308 
    Customer deposits  39,762   25,341 
    Current portion of operating lease obligations  27,078   - 
    Other current liabilities and accrued expenses  11,141   11,945 
    Total current liabilities  118,371   72,271 
         
    Long-term liabilities    
        Post employment benefit obligations  12,089   11,830 
        Long-term portion of operating lease obligations  111,972   - 
       Other long-term liabilities  2,087   12,995 
    Total long-term liabilities  126,148   24,825 
         
         
    Stockholders’ equity    
         Common stock  49,714   50,581 
         Retained earnings  109,710   129,130 
         Additional paid-in-capital  -   195 
         Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (1,394)  (1,236)
    Total stockholders' equity  158,030   178,670 
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $402,549  $275,766 
         


    Table 3
    BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited
    (In thousands)
         
      Year Ended
      November 28, 2020 November 30, 2019
    Operating activities:    
    Net income (loss) $(10,421) $(1,928)
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in)    
      operating activities:    
    Depreciation and amortization  13,480   13,500 
    Non-cash asset impairment charges  12,184   4,431 
    Non-cash goodwill impairment charges  1,971   1,926 
    Non-cash portion of lease exit costs  -   149 
    Gain on lease modification  (1,313)  - 
    Net (gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment  (81)  515 
    Inventory valuation charges  4,922   2,254 
    Bad debt valuation charges (recoveries)  492   61 
    Deferred income taxes  2,513   (2,890)
    Other, net  (51)  1,497 
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities    
    Accounts receivable  (1,454)  (2,616)
    Inventories  6,494   (5,196)
    Other current and long-term assets  (9,324)  1,017 
    Right of use assets under operating leases  32,107   - 
    Customer deposits  14,421   (1,816)
    Accounts payable and other liabilities  5,964   (1,095)
    Obligations under operating leases  (35,229)  - 
              Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  36,675   9,809 
         
    Investing activities:    
    Purchases of property and equipment  (6,029)  (17,375)
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment  2,345   1,643 
    Purchase of investments  (295)  - 
    Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments  16   5,207 
    Other  216   (648)
               Net cash used in investing activities  (3,747)  (11,173)
         
    Financing activities:     
    Cash dividends  (4,544)  (5,133)
    Proceeds from the exercise of stock options  -   25 
    Other issuance of common stock  285   328 
    Repurchases of common stock  (2,208)  (7,345)
    Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards  (228)  - 
    Repayments of finance lease obligations  (121)  - 
    Repayments of notes payable  -   (292)
                Net cash used in financing activities  (6,816)  (12,417)
    Change in cash and cash equivalents  26,112   (13,781)
    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period  19,687   33,468 
         
    Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $45,799  $19,687 
         


    Table 4
    BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Segment Information - unaudited
    (In thousands)
             
      Quarter Ended Year Ended
      November 28, 2020 November 30, 2019 November 28, 2020 November 30, 2019
    Net Sales        
    Wholesale $67,487  $62,503  $221,075  $261,105 
    Retail - Company-owned stores  64,783   69,957   211,944   268,693 
    Logistical services  20,736   19,331   75,158   80,074 
    Inter-company eliminations:        
       Furniture and accessories  (26,881)  (30,144)  (95,347)  (125,933)
       Logistical services  (7,742)  (8,010)  (26,967)  (31,852)
    Consolidated $118,383  $113,637  $385,863  $452,087 
             
    Operating Income (Loss)        
    Wholesale $5,932  $1,057  $4,587  $11,456 
    Retail  2,507   (579)  (9,497)  (7,009)
    Logistical services  1,230   281   1,245   1,855 
    Inter-company elimination  380   802   2,647   1,144 
    Asset impairment charges  -   (4,431)  (12,184)  (4,431)
    Goodwill impairment charge  -   (1,926)  (1,971)  (1,926)
    Litigation expense  -   (700)  (1,050)  (700)
    Early retirement program  -   -   -   (835)
    Lease exit costs  -   (149)  -   (149)
    Consolidated $10,049  $(5,645) $(16,223) $(595)
             


    Table 5
    BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
    Rollforward of BHF Store Count 
          
           
      November 30,   November 28,
      2019Opened*Closed*Transfers2020
           
    Company-owned stores 70-(7)-63
    Licensee-owned stores 331- -34
           
             Total 1031(7)-97
           
           
    * Does not include openings and closures due to relocation of existing stores within a market. 
           

    Table 6

    Reconciliation of US GAAP to Adjusted Financial Measures
    (In thousands, except for per share data)

    Financial measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP including operating income (loss), net income (loss), and diluted earnings per share have been adjusted below. Bassett uses these adjusted financial measures, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the business. The Company believes that these adjusted financial measures and the information they provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view the Company’s performance using the same tools that management uses to gauge progress in achieving its goals. Adjusted measures may also facilitate comparisons to Bassett’s historical performance.

             
       Operating income (loss) Net income (loss) 
       4th QTR 20204th QTR 2019 4th QTR 20204th QTR 2019 
             
    As reported $10,049$(5,645) $6,543$(5,138) 
    Adjustments:       
     Asset impairment charges - 4,431   - 3,301  
     Goodwill impairment charge - 1,926   - 1,926  
     Litigation expense - 700   - 522  
     Lease termination charge - 149   - 111  
             
    As adjusted $10,049$1,561  $6,543$722  
             
    Adjusted diluted earnings per share   $0.65$0.07  
             


    J. Michael Daniel
    Senior Vice President and 
    Chief Financial Officer
    (276) 629-6614 – Investors
    mdaniel@bassettfurniture.com

    Peter D. Morrison
    Vice President of Communications
    (276) 629-6450 – Media


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