LFL, Canada's Largest Home Retailer, Releases Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2024; Same Store Sales Increase of 3.6%; Dividend Increase of 11.1%

August 08, 2024 1:13 PM EDT | Source: Leon's Furniture Limited

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 8, 2024) - Leon's Furniture Limited (TSX: LNF) ("LFL" or the "Company"), today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Financial Highlights - Q2-2024

These comparisons are with the 2023 second quarter unless stated otherwise.

  • System-wide sales for the second quarter 2024 were $742.1 million, an increase of 3.4%.
  • Revenue for the second quarter 2024 was $617.7 million, an increase of 4.0%.
  • Same store sales increase(1) of 3.6%.
  • Successfully maintained gross profit margin levels at 43.9% in a challenging macro and consumer environment.
  • Adjusted net income(1) for the quarter totaled $29.9 million, an increase of 6.8%.
  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share(1) of $0.44, an increase of 7.3%.
  • On June 30, 2024, unrestricted liquidity was $346.0 million, comprised of cash, cash equivalents, debt and equity instruments and the undrawn revolving credit facility.

Second Quarter - 6 Year Financial Performance of LFL

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(1) For a full explanation of the Company's use of non-IFRS and supplementary financial measures, please refer to the sections of this press release with the headings "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Supplementary Financial Measures".

Mike Walsh, President and CEO of LFL commented, "LFL continued to deliver strong top and bottom-line results during the second quarter, with system-wide sales up 3.4% and adjusted diluted EPS up 7.3%. I am exceptionally proud of our team's ability to drive volume while maintaining margins in a highly promotional consumer environment with continued macro headwinds related to supply chain and foreign exchange. We expect many of these headwinds to persist in the second half of the year, impacting all players in our industry. We will continue to anchor on our strategic inventory management, targeted promotional activities and comprehensive omnichannel approach to deliver the consistent value that customers are seeking in this environment."

Summary financial highlights for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023

For the  Three months ended 
(C$ in millions except %, share and per share amounts)June 30, 2024June 30, 2023$ Increase (Decrease)% Increase (Decrease)
             
Total system-wide sales (1)742.1717.624.53.4%
Franchise sales (1)124.4123.80.60.5%
Revenue617.7593.823.94.0%
Cost of sales346.5332.913.64.1%
Gross profit271.2260.910.33.9%
Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue43.90%43.94%  
             
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2)228.0219.58.53.9%
SG&A as a percentage of revenue36.91%36.97%  
             
Income before net finance costs and income tax expense43.141.51.63.9%
Net finance costs(3.1)(5.2)(2.1)(40.4%)
Income before income taxes40.036.33.710.2%
Income tax expense10.18.31.821.7%
Adjusted net income (1)29.928.01.96.8%
Adjusted net income as a percentage of revenue (1)4.84%4.72%  
After-tax mark-to-market (gain) loss on financial derivative instruments (1)(0.3)0.6(0.9)(150.0%)
Net income30.227.42.810.2%
             
Basic weighted average number of common shares68,144,45667,908,619  
Basic earnings per share$0.44$0.40$0.0410.0%
Adjusted basic earnings per share (1)$0.44$0.41$0.037.3%
             
Diluted weighted average number of common shares68,646,87068,646,167  
Diluted earnings per share$0.44$0.40$0.0410.0%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (1)$0.44$0.41$0.037.3%
             
Common share dividends declared$0.18$0.16$0.0212.5%

 

Same Store Sales (1)

For the   Three months ended  
(C$ in millions, except %)June 30, 2024June 30, 2023$ Increase% Increase
Same store sales (1)600.8580.020.83.6%

 

Historical Same Store Sales (1) as previously reported based on comparable quarters

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(1) Please refer to the sections of this press release with the headings "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Supplementary Financial Measures".

(2) Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A").

Revenue

For the three months ended June 30, 2024, revenue was $617.7 million compared to $593.8 million in the second quarter of 2023 an increase of $23.9 million or 4.0%. Sales in both retail and commercial channels increased driven by continued momentum in the furniture and appliance categories.

Same Store Sales (1)

Same store sales in the quarter increased by 3.6% compared to the prior year's second quarter driven by factors discussed in the revenue section.

Gross Profit

The gross profit margin for the second quarter of 2024 was steady at 43.90% compared to 43.94% for the second quarter of 2023 despite a challenging macro and consumer environment.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A")

The Company's SG&A as a percentage of revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was 36.91%, a decrease of 6 basis points over the second quarter of 2023. During the quarter, the Company effectively managed continued inflationary pressures through process improvement and productivity initiatives.

Adjusted Net Income (1) and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (1)

Adjusted net income for the quarter totaled $29.9 million, which represents an increase of $1.9 million over the prior year's quarter. The improvement is driven by strong sales as outlined above and a decrease in net finance costs.

The adjusted diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2024 was $0.44 per share, an increase of 7.3% over the prior year's quarter.

Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Net income for the second quarter of 2024 was $30.2 million (net income of $27.4 million in the second quarter of 2023), or $0.44 per diluted earnings per share as compared to $0.40 per diluted earnings per share recorded in the prior year's quarter, an increase of $0.04 per share or 10.0%

Dividends

As previously announced, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per common share on 8th day of July 2024. Today the Directors have declared an increase in the quarterly dividend of $0.02 to $0.20 per common share payable on the 7th day of October 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on the 9th day of September 2024. As of 2007, dividends paid by Leon's Furniture Limited are "eligible dividends" pursuant to the changes to the Income Tax Act under Bill C-28, Canada.

(1) Please refer to the sections of this press release with the headings "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Supplementary Financial Measures".

Outlook

Given the Company's strong and continuously improving financial position, our principal objective is to increase our market share and profitability. We remain focused on our commitment to effectively manage our costs but to also continuously invest in the business to drive growth initiatives that will drive more customers to both our online eCommerce sites and our 300 store locations across Canada.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company uses financial measures that do not have standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The Company calculates the non-IFRS financial measures by adjusting certain IFRS measures for specific items the Company believes are significant, but not reflective of underlying operations in the period, as detailed below:

Non-IFRS MeasureIFRS Measure
Adjusted net incomeNet income
Adjusted income before income taxesIncome before income taxes
Adjusted earnings per share - basicEarnings per share - basic
Adjusted earnings per share - dilutedEarnings per share - diluted
Adjusted EBITDANet income

 

Adjusted Net Income

The Company calculates comparable measures by excluding the effect of changes in fair value of derivative instruments, related to the net effect of USD-denominated forward contracts. The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its financial risk in accordance with the Company's corporate treasury policy. Management believes excluding from income the effect of these mark-to-market valuations and changes thereto, until settlement, better aligns the intent and financial effect of these contracts with the underlying cash flows.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, mark-to-market adjustment due to the changes in the fair value of the Company's financial derivative instruments and any non-recurring charges to income ("Adjusted EBITDA") is a non-IFRS financial measure used by the Company. The Company considers adjusted EBITDA to be an effective measure of profitability on an operational basis and is commonly regarded as an indirect measure of operating cash flow, a significant indicator of success for many businesses. The Company's Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the Adjusted EBITDA measure of other companies, but in management's view appropriately reflects the Company's specific financial condition. This measure is not intended to replace net income, which, as determined in accordance with IFRS, is an indicator of operating performance.

The following is a reconciliation of reported net income to adjusted EBITDA:

For the  Three months ended    Six months ended  
(C$ in millions)June 30, 2024June 30, 2023June 30, 2024June 30, 2023
Net income30.227.449.040.3
Income tax expense10.28.115.611.5
Net finance costs3.15.27.710.4
Depreciation and amortization26.626.753.953.4
Mark-to-market (gain) loss on financial derivative(0.3)0.7(3.6)0.8
Adjusted EBITDA69.868.1122.6116.4

 

Total System Wide Sales

Total system wide sales refer to the aggregation of revenue recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements plus the franchise sales occurring at franchise stores to their customers which are not included in the revenue figure presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements. Total system wide sales is not a measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, but it is a key indicator used by the Company to measure performance against prior period results. Therefore, total system wide sales as discussed in this MD&A may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We believe that disclosing this measure is meaningful to investors because it serves as an indicator of the strength of the Company's overall store network, which ultimately impacts financial performance.

Franchise Sales

Franchise sales figures refer to sales occurring at franchise stores to their customers which are not included in the revenue figures presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements, or in the same store sales figures in this MD&A. Franchise sales is not a measure recognized by IFRS, and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, but it is a key indicator used by the Company to measure performance against prior period results. Therefore, franchise sales as discussed in this MD&A may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Once again, we believe that disclosing this measure is meaningful to investors because it serves as an indicator of the strength of the Company's brands, which ultimately impacts financial performance.

Supplementary Financial Measures

The Company uses supplementary financial measures to disclose financial measures that are not (a) presented in the financial statements and (b) is, or is intended to be, disclosed periodically to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow, that is not a non-IFRS financial measure as detailed above.

Same Store Sales

Same store sales are defined as sales generated by stores, both in store and through online transactions, that have been open for more than 12 months on a fiscal basis. Same store sales as discussed in this MD&A may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, however this measure is commonly used in the retail industry. We believe that disclosing this measure is meaningful to investors because it enables them to better understand the level of growth of our business.

About Leon's Furniture Limited

Leon's Furniture Limited is the largest retailer of furniture, appliances and electronics in Canada. Our retail banners include: Leon's; The Brick; Brick Outlet; and The Brick Mattress Store. Finally, with The Brick's Midnorthern Appliance banner alongside with Leon's Appliance Canada banner, this makes the Company the country's largest commercial retailer of appliances to builders, developers, hotels and property management companies. The Company has 300 retail stores from coast to coast in Canada under various banners. The Company operates six websites: leons.ca, thebrick.com, furniture.ca, midnorthern.com, transglobalservice.com and appliancecanada.com.

Cautionary Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Leon's Furniture Limited's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Leon's Furniture Limited from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

This News Release may include certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward- looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify beneficial business opportunities, failure to convert the potential in the pursued business opportunities to tangible benefits to the Company or its shareholders, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required shareholder and TSX approvals, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Victor Diab
Chief Financial Officer
Leon's Furniture Limited
Tel: (416) 243-4073
lflgroup.ca

Jonathan Ross
LodeRock Advisors, Leon's Investor Relations 
jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com
Tel: (416) 283-0178

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/219135

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