Lifeway Foods, Inc. Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2016

MORTON GROVE, Ill., April 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeway Foods, Inc., (Nasdaq:LWAY), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir cultured dairy products, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

“We had another exciting year and are pleased with our 2016 financial results, particularly in light of the challenging food retail environment.  We increased our net income by 76% year-over-year, largely driven by strong gross profit growth,” said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, Inc. “We continue to focus our efforts on strengthening our business through new product innovation and expanded distribution to both new and existing customers. We look forward to an outstanding 2017 and believe we are well-positioned to achieve net sales and earnings growth through the successful execution of our key initiatives.”

Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth quarter of 2016 net sales increased 2.2% to $30.2 million from $29.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2015.  Favorable sales volume and product mix contributed to the net sales increase as well as a lower level of trade promotion as compared to the prior year.

Gross profit increased $2.0 million to $8.6 million from $6.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased 630 basis points to 28.5% from 22.2% in the same period last year, driven by favorable milk costs and lower trade promotion.  Milk costs were more than 10% lower in the fourth of 2016 compared to 2015. 

Selling expenses increased $0.4 million to $3.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2016 from $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, driven by higher marketing costs. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased to 12.4% compared to 11.1% in the same period last year.

General and administrative expenses increased $1.3 million to $3.5 million from $2.2 million.  The increase reflects higher compensation driven by increased incentive compensation, including stock-based compensation and increased headcount.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2016 was 58.6% compared to 49.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015. The higher tax rate in 2016 is driven by certain operating expenses in 2016 that are not fully deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Net income was approximately $0.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to net income of $0.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

Fiscal 2016

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $5.3 million, or 4.5%, to $123.9 million.  Favorable sales volume and product mix contributed to the net sales increase as well as a lower level of trade promotion as compared to the prior year. Net sales by product category were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2016 – Drinkable Kefir products 85.6%, Lifeway cheese products 8.3%, ProBugs Kefir products 5.1%, Frozen Kefir 1.0%.

Gross profit increased $5.1 million to $35.0 million from $29.9 million for 2015. Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased 310 basis points to 28.3% from 25.2% in the prior year driven by lower trade promotion and favorable milk costs. In the prior year, the Company increased its emphasis on trade promotion in an effort to drive sales volumes and in 2016 its trade promotion moderated. Milk costs were approximately 7.0% lower in 2016 compared to 2015. 

Selling expenses increased $2.6 million to $14.5 million in fiscal 2016 from $11.9 million in the prior year reflecting an increase in advertising costs and higher royalty and salaries expense. During 2016, the Company ran two substantial national advertising campaigns compared to one such campaign in 2015, driving the increased advertising costs. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales were 11.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 10.0% for the same period in 2015.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million to $13.8 million from $12.9 million for the same period in 2015. The increase reflects higher compensation driven by increased incentive compensation, including stock-based compensation and increased headcount, partially offset by lower professional fees.

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2016 was 38.3% compared to 50.6% in the same period in 2015.  The lower effective tax rate for 2016 was primarily driven by the favorable settlement of uncertain tax positions and a lower amount of operating expenses in 2016 that were not fully deductible for federal income tax purposes.  

Net income was $3.5 million, or $0.22 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $2.0 million, or $0.12 per share, in fiscal 2015. 

Balance Sheet

Cash and cash equivalents increased $3.2 million to $8.8 million as of December 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding borrowings of approximately $7 million, substantially all of which consists of term loan borrowings. The Company had additional borrowing capacity of approximately $5 million under its line of credit, none of which was outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 69,197 shares of its common stock and it has approximately 1.2 million shares available for future share repurchase under its existing share repurchase program.  The share repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Recent Product Introductions

In March, Lifeway Foods introduced several new products at the 2017 Natural Products Expo West event in Anaheim, CA. This included the debut of the new Lifeway Elixir beverage line, an organic, non-dairy probiotic sparkling beverage. Additionally, Lifeway showcased new individual, on-the-go Kefir and Farmer Cheese cups; reformulated Organic BioKefir probiotic shots; Organic Ceremonial Matcha Green Tea kefir; and Women’s Radiant Health, Traveler’s Defense + Immunity and Balance Gut Health, a range of probiotic dietary supplements for everyday health.

“As the leading company focused on better-for-you products, our team consistently explores opportunities to provide the benefits of probiotics to more consumers,” said Smolyansky. “This year, our team has truly outdone itself with our newly expanded range of innovative dairy and dairy-free products that help support a healthy lifestyle.”

About Lifeway Foods
Lifeway Foods, Inc. (LWAY), recently named one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces frozen kefir, specialty cheeses and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy cultured dairy products are available throughout the United States and on a small, but growing basis in Canada, Latin America, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at www.lifewaykefir.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as “will,” “expect,” “next,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “expand,” and “grow.” Other examples of forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty.  If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway’s expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC.  Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway.  Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law.  Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands)
	December 31,
	2016			2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	8,812			5,646
Investments, at fair value	-			2,091
Certificates of deposits in financial institutions	-			513
Inventories, net	8,042			7,664
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts
and allowances of $1,600 and $1,800 at December 31, 2016 and 2015,
respectively	9,594			9,886
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	785			201
Deferred income taxes	662			556
Refundable income taxes	309			449
Total current assets	28,204			27,006
Property, plant and equipment, net	21,832			21,375
Intangible assets
Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangibles	14,068			14,068
Other intangible assets, net	1,647			2,344
Total intangible assets	15,715			16,412
Other Assets	125			125
Total assets	65,876			64,918
Current liabilities
Current maturities of notes payable	840			840
Accounts payable	5,718			8,393
Accrued expenses	2,169			1,538
Accrued income taxes	654			52
Total current liabilities	9,381			10,823
Notes payable	6,279			7,119
Deferred income taxes	1,854			1,719
Total liabilities	17,514			19,661
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, no par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares
issued; 16,154 and 16,210 shares outstanding at 2016 and 2015	6,509			6,509
Paid-in-capital	2,198			2,033
Treasury stock, at cost	(10,340	)		(9,730	)
Retained earnings	49,995			46,516
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	-			(71	)
Total stockholders' equity	48,362			45,257
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	65,876			64,918

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
December 31, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands, except per share data)
		2016				2015
Net sales	$	123,879			$	118,587
Cost of goods sold		86,524				86,292
Depreciation expense		2,323				2,413
Total cost of goods sold		88,847				88,705
Gross profit		35,032				29,882
Selling expenses		14,467				11,892
General and administrative		13,783				12,871
Amortization expense		697				716
Total operating expenses		28,947				25,479
Income from operations		6,085				4,403
Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(220	)			(236	)
Loss on sale of investments, net reclassified from OCI		(15	)			(72	)
Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment		(284	)			253
Impairment of investments		-				(475	)
Other income		71				119
Total other income (expense)		(448	)			(411	)
Income before provision for income taxes		5,637				3,992
Provision for income taxes		2,158				2,020
Net income	$	3,479			$	1,972
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.22			$	0.12
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.22			$	0.12
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic		16,155				16,331
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted		16,160				16,331
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$	3,479			$	1,972
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of $38 and $30 of taxes		62				(47	)
Reclassifications to earnings:
Other than temporary impairment of investments, net of $84 of taxes		-				130
Realized (gains) losses on investments, net of $6 and ($28) of taxes		9				44
Comprehensive income	$	3,550			$	2,099

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands)
		2016				2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income		3,479				1,972
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:
Depreciation and amortization		3,020				3,129
Loss on sale of investments, net		15				72
Impairment of investments		-				475
Deferred income taxes		(531	)			(585	)
Bad debt expense		-				73
Reserve for inventory obsolescence		200				-
Stock-based compensation		326				-
(Gain) Loss on sale of property and equipment		284				(253	)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable		292				507
Inventories		(579	)			(1,849	)
Refundable income taxes		140				691
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(584	)			184
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable		(2,673	)			2,229
Accrued expenses		599				48
Income taxes payable		1,116				52
Net cash provided by operating activities		5,104				6,745
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments		(559	)			(1,489	)
Proceeds from sale of investments		2,751				1,714
Redemption of certificates of deposits		513				272
Investment in certificates of deposits		-				(635	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(3,237	)			(1,995	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		172				353
Net cash used in investing activities		(360	)			(1,780	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock		(738	)			(1,542	)
Repayment of notes payable		(840	)			(1,037	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,578	)			(2,579	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		3,166				2,386
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year		5,646				3,260
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	$	8,812			$	5,646
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$	1,421			$	1,920
Cash paid for interest		220				235

 

Contact:

Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 877.281.3874
Email: [email protected]