Attached files

file filename
10-Q - FORM 10-Q DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 - Lifeway Foods, Inc.lw10q_18004.htm
EX-32.2 - 906 CERTIFICATION - Lifeway Foods, Inc.exh32-2_18004.htm
EX-32.1 - 906 CERTIFICATION - Lifeway Foods, Inc.exh32-1_18004.htm
EX-31.2 - 302 CERTIFICATION - Lifeway Foods, Inc.exh31-2_18004.htm
EX-31.1 - 302 CERTIFICATION - Lifeway Foods, Inc.exh31-1_18004.htm
EX-10.1 - EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 5, 2016 WITH DOUGLAS A. HASS - Lifeway Foods, Inc.exh10-1_18004.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1
 


Lifeway Foods, Inc. Announces Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2016

Morton Grove, IL — November 9, 2016 — Lifeway Foods, Inc., (Nasdaq: LWAY), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir cultured dairy products, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

"Our third quarter results reflects our commitment to drive growth and better position Lifeway for future success," said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, Inc. "I am pleased to report that Lifeway's total household penetration is up 28% compared to last year, a strong indication that the strategic marketing and trade investments we have made are attracting a broader consumer base. Today, Lifeway's brand is stronger than ever and we believe there are still tremendous white space opportunities for us to further expand distribution of our diverse portfolio of products across all retail sales channels. Looking forward, we will continue to prioritize our key initiatives to drive sales, improve profitability and create long-term value for our shareholders."

Third Quarter Results

Third quarter of 2016 net sales increased 1.3% to $30.0 million from $29.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 reflecting higher volumes of private label and organic products partially offset by an increased investment in trade programs.

Gross profit as a percent of net sales decreased to 26.6% from 30.2% in the same period last year.  The decrease in gross margin reflects increased trade promotion and unfavorable mix.

Selling expenses increased by $1.6 million to $4.3 million during the third quarter of 2016 from $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2015. The increase in selling expenses reflects an increase in advertising costs associated with a six-week advertising campaign in the third quarter. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased to 14.4% compared to 9.1% in the same period last year.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.7 million or 17.3% to $3.3 million reflecting lower professional fees partially offset by higher compensation levels.

The effective tax rate for third quarter of 2016 exceeded 100% compared to 50.9% in the third quarter of 2015.  The higher tax rate in the third quarter of 2016 reflects the relatively low level of profits in the third quarter of 2016.

Net loss was approximately $64,000, or $0.00 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to net income of $893,000, or $0.05 per diluted share for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.


First Nine Months of Fiscal 2016

Total consolidated net sales increased by $4.6 million, or approximately 5.2%, to $93.7 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 reflecting volume gains in private label and organic products and lower trade spending compared to last year.

Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased to 28.2% from 26.2% in the same period last year. The increase reflects lower input costs, primarily milk, and lower trade spending.

Selling expenses increased approximately 24.4% to $10.7 million during the first nine months of 2016 from $8.6 million in the first nine months of 2015, reflecting additional advertising campaigns in the 2016 period. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses increased to 11.5% compared to 9.7% in the same period last year.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million or 3.2% to $10.3 million reflecting lower professional fees partially offset by higher compensation.

The effective tax benefit for the first nine months of 2016 was 33.0% compared to 50.8% in the same period last year, primarily reflecting the implementation of tax planning strategies in 2016.

Net income was $3.0 million or $0.19 per diluted share for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 compared to $1.6 million or $0.10 per diluted share in the same period in 2015.

Balance Sheet

Cash and cash equivalents were approximately $9.2 million as of September 30, 2016 compared to cash and cash equivalents of $5.6 million as of December 31, 2015.

The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the third quarter of 2016. Approximately 1.2 million shares remain available to repurchase under the company's authorized program as of September 30, 2016.  The stock repurchase program has no expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results with additional comments and details on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the Investor Relations section of Lifeway Foods' website at www.lifewaykefir.com, and will be archived online. In addition, listeners may dial 877-407-3982 in North America, and international listeners may dial 201-493-6780. Participants from the Company will be Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ed Smolyansky, Chief Operating Officer, and John Waldron, Chief Financial Officer.


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 and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at www.lifewaykefir.com.

Find Lifeway Foods, Inc. on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifewaykefir
Follow Lifeway Foods on Twitter: http://twitter.com/lifeway_kefir
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/lifewaykefir

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," or "will." By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any such forward-looking statements may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results encompassed within the forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expectations with regard to any restated amount in our financial statements for the Restated Period or our anticipated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include: the review of the Company's accounting, accounting policies and internal control over financial reporting; the preparation of and review of the Amended Form 10-Q; and the subsequent discovery of additional adjustments to the Company's previously issued financial statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from the Company's expectations. In addition, our financial results and stock price may suffer as a result of this review and any subsequent determinations from this process or any actions taken by governmental or other regulatory bodies as a result of this process.

These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors, forward-looking statements and challenges and uncertainties described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and Lifeway's other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.lifewaykefir.com. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



Contact:
   
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
 
Phone: 877.281.3874
 
Email: info@Lifeway.net
 
 
Investor Relations:
 
   
ICR
 
   
Katie Turner
Hunter Wells
 
646.277.1228
 


LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
(In thousands)
 
 
September 30,
2016
(Unaudited)
   
December 31,
2015
 
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
9,164
   
$
5,646
 
Investments, at fair value
   
     
2,216
 
Certificates of deposits in financial institutions
   
     
513
 
Inventories
   
9,186
     
7,664
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $1,800 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
   
10,426
     
9,604
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
550
     
201
 
Deferred income taxes
   
509
     
556
 
Refundable income taxes
   
521
     
449
 
Total current assets
   
30,356
     
26,849
 
 
               
Property and equipment, net
   
21,603
     
21,375
 
 
               
Intangible assets
               
Goodwill & indefinite-lived intangibles
   
14,068
     
14,068
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
1,815
     
2,344
 
Total intangible assets
   
15,883
     
16,412
 
 
               
Other Assets
   
368
     
282
 
Total assets
 
$
68,210
   
$
64,918
 
 
               
Current liabilities
               
Current maturities of notes payable
 
$
840
   
$
840
 
Accounts payable
   
8,762
     
8,393
 
Accrued expenses
   
2,002
     
1,538
 
Accrued income taxes
   
267
     
52
 
Total current liabilities
   
11,871
     
10,823
 
 
               
Notes payable
   
6,489
     
7,119
 
 
               
Deferred income taxes
   
2,162
     
1,719
 
Total liabilities
   
20,522
     
19,661
 
 
               
Stockholders' equity
               
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized;
               
17,274, shares issued; 16,141 and 16,210 shares
               
outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 respectively
   
6,509
     
6,509
 
Paid-in-capital
   
2,133
     
2,033
 
Treasury stock, at cost
   
(10,468
)
   
(9,730
)
Retained earnings
   
49,514
     
46,516
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
   
     
(71
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
47,688
     
45,257
 
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
68,210
   
$
64,918
 
 

 

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         
(Revised)
         
(Revised)
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
29,990
   
$
29,599
   
$
93,691
   
$
89,042
 
                                 
Cost of goods sold
   
21,478
     
20,049
     
65,480
     
63,916
 
Depreciation expense
   
533
     
614
     
1,797
     
1,809
 
                                 
Total cost of goods sold
   
22,011
     
20,663
     
67,277
     
65,725
 
                                 
Gross profit
   
7,979
     
8,936
     
26,414
     
23,317
 
                                 
Selling expenses
   
4,306
     
2,706
     
10,733
     
8,626
 
General and administrative
   
3,308
     
3,998
     
10,300
     
10,643
 
Amortization expense
   
176
     
179
     
529
     
537
 
                                 
Total operating expenses
   
7,790
     
6,883
     
21,562
     
19,806
 
                                 
Income from operations
   
189
     
2,053
     
4,852
     
3,511
 
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
   
(56
)
   
(55
)
   
(161
)
   
(179
)
Gain / (Loss) on sale of investments, net reclassified from OCI
   
12
     
1
     
(15
)
   
(21
)
Impairment of investments
   
     
(205
)
   
     
(385
)
(Loss) / Gain on sale of property and equipment
   
(156
)
   
     
(307
)
   
243
 
Other income (expense), net
   
28
     
26
     
105
     
173
 
Total other income (expense)
   
(172
)
   
(233
)
   
(378
)
   
(169
)
                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
   
17
     
1,820
     
4,474
     
3,342
 
                                 
Provision for income taxes
   
81
     
927
     
1,476
     
1,697
 
                                 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(64
)
 
$
893
   
$
2,998
   
$
1,645
 
                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
(0.00
)
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.19
   
$
0.10
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
(0.00
)
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.19
   
$
0.10
 
                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Basic
   
16,141
     
16,346
     
16,159
     
16,346
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Diluted
   
16,161
     
16,346
     
16,181
     
16,346
 
                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                               
                                 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(64
)
 
$
893
   
$
2,998
   
$
1,645
 
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes
   
6
     
(183
)
   
62
     
(247
)
 
Reclassifications to earnings:
                               
Other than temporary impairment of investments, net of taxes
                               
Realized (gains) losses on investments, net of taxes
   
(8
)
   
124
     
9
     
247
 
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(66
)
 
$
834
   
$
3,069
   
$
1,645
 


LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
 (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
2016
   
2015
 
Net income
 
$
2,998
   
$
1,645
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:
               
   Depreciation and amortization
   
2,326
     
2,346
 
   Loss on sale of investments, net
   
15
     
21
 
   Impairment of investments
   
     
385
 
   Deferred income taxes
   
444
     
(472
)
   Reserve for inventory obsolescence
   
89
     
 
   Stock based compensation
   
100
     
 
   Loss (Gain) on sale of property and equipment
   
307
     
(243
)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
   Accounts receivable
   
(823
)
   
(540
)
   Inventories
   
(1,611
)
   
(1,118
)
   Refundable income taxes
   
(72
)
   
1,011
 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
(310
)
   
252
 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
               
   Accounts payable
   
370
     
(396
)
   Accrued expenses
   
465
     
1,038
 
   Accrued income taxes
   
215
     
449
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
4,513
     
4,378
 
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of investments
   
(559
)
   
(1,369
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
   
2,751
     
1,230
 
Redemption of certificates of deposits
   
513
     
250
 
Investments in certificates of deposit
   
     
(635
)
Purchases of property and equipment
   
(2,481
)
   
(1,619
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
   
149
     
343
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
373
     
(1,800
)
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(738
)
   
 
Repayment of notes payable
   
(630
)
   
(827
)
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(1,368
)
   
(827
)
 
               
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
3,518
     
1,751
 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
   
5,646
     
3,260
 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
 
$
9,164
   
$
5,011
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
   Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
 
$
886
   
$
795
 
   Cash paid for interest
 
$
162
   
$
178