Callaway Golf Company Announces Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results Including A 30% Increase In Net Sales; Callaway Increases Full Year Net Sales And Earnings Guidance

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) announced today its third quarter 2017 financial results and increased its full year 2017 net sales and earnings guidance.

In the third quarter of 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016, the Company's net sales increased $56 million (30%) to $244 million. This increase was led by increases in all operating segments, namely Golf Clubs (+ 21%), Golf Balls (+20%), and Gear, Accessories and Other (+72%) as well as increases in each reporting region, namely the United States (+33%), Europe (+23%), Japan (+28%), Rest of Asia (+28%), and other countries (+23%). The increase in the Golf Clubs and Golf Balls segments reflects the continued success of the Company's EPIC line of products as well as the Chrome Soft golf ball franchise. The increase in Gear, Accessories and Other primarily reflects the successful acquisitions of the OGIO and TravisMathew brands which were completed in 2017. 

As a result of this significant increase in sales, as well as a 110 basis point improvement in gross margins, the Company recognized a significant improvement in profitability during the third quarter of 2017. Due to the seasonality of the Company's business, the Company often reports a loss for the third quarter. However, in the third quarter of 2017, the Company reported an $11 million increase in operating income to $6 million as compared to an operating loss of ($5) million in the third quarter of 2016. Furthermore, the Company's diluted earnings per share increased $0.09 to $0.03 for the third quarter of 2017 compared to a ($0.06) loss per share for the comparable period of 2016.  

"Our third quarter results continue what has been a tremendous year for Callaway," commented Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company. "On a year-to-date basis compared to the same period in 2016, our sales have increased $150 million (21%), our gross margins have increased 130 basis points, and our Adjusted EBITDA has increased 69%. Furthermore, our success over the last couple of years has allowed us to reinvest in our business, including investments in our golf ball plant, and in sales, marketing and research and development, and it has provided us with the wherewithal to acquire the OGIO and TravisMathew brands. We believe these investments and acquisitions will provide benefits for years to come." 

"Looking forward, we are pleased that our year-to-date performance has allowed us to increase our full year sales and earnings guidance," continued Mr. Brewer. "We also continue to be cautiously optimistic about the golf industry overall, thanks to what we believe are improving fundamentals. Lastly, our brand momentum remains strong and we believe we are the #1 club and # 1 hard goods market share brand in every major region around the world." 

GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

In addition to the Company's results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company provided information on a non-GAAP basis. The purpose of this non-GAAP presentation is to provide additional information to investors regarding the underlying performance of the Company's business without certain non-recurring items and on a more comparable tax basis as described below.  

This non-GAAP information presents the Company's financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 excluding the non-recurring deal-related expenses for the OGIO and TravisMathew acquisitions.

Additionally, the first nine months presentation of non-GAAP results excludes from the 2016 results a gain of $18 million from the sale of a small portion of the Company's Topgolf investment. Lastly, because of the Company's prior deferred tax valuation allowance, the Company did not recognize U.S. income tax expense during the first nine months of 2016 and its income tax provision and after-tax income and earnings are therefore not calculated on the same basis as in the first nine months of 2017. In order to make 2016 more comparable to 2017 for evaluation purposes, the Company has also presented 2016 interim period results on a non-GAAP basis by applying an estimated income tax rate of 38.5%. Most of the valuation allowance was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2016. Excluding the reversal, the Company's full year 2016 effective tax rate was 41.1%. The Company also provided information concerning its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, the non-recurring OGIO and TravisMathew deal-related costs and the Topgolf gain ("Adjusted EBITDA").

The manner in which this non-GAAP information is derived is discussed in more detail toward the end of this release, and the Company has provided in the tables to this release a reconciliation of the non-GAAP information to the most directly comparable GAAP information. 

Summary of Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

The Company announced the following GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the third quarter of 2017 (in millions, except gross margin and EPS):

For the third quarter of 2017, the Company's net sales increased $56 million to $244 million compared to $188 million for the same period in 2016. The 30% increase in net sales is attributable to the strength of the Company's 2017 product line, including continued success of the current year EPIC driver and fairway woods, increased golf ball sales, and increased net sales of gear, accessories and other primarily as a result of the Company's recent acquisitions of OGIO and TravisMathew.  For the fourth consecutive quarter, net sales increased in all major regions and reflected market share gains in those regions.

For the third quarter of 2017, the Company's gross margin was 43.1% compared to third quarter 2016 gross margin of 42.0%. The 110 basis point increase was primarily due to a favorable shift in product mix toward the higher margin EPIC woods and irons combined with overall higher average selling prices.

Operating expenses increased $15 million to $99 million in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $84 million for the same period in 2016. This increase is primarily due to the addition in 2017 of operating expenses from the consolidation of the OGIO and TravisMathew businesses, higher variable expense due to the increase in sales and $3 million in TravisMathew and OGIO non-recurring deal-related expenses. 

Third quarter 2017 earnings per share was $0.03, compared to a loss per share of ($0.06) for the third quarter of 2016.  On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the impact of the non-recurring OGIO and TravisMathew deal-related expenses and applies an estimated tax rate of 38.5% to 2016 pre-tax income as discussed above, the Company would have reported earnings per share for the third quarter of 2017 of $0.05, compared to a loss per share of ($0.03) for the third quarter of 2016. 

Summary of First Nine Months 2017 Financial Results

The Company announced the following GAAP and non-GAAP financial results for the first nine months of 2017 (in millions, except gross margin and EPS):

For the first nine months of 2017, the Company's net sales increased $150 million to $857 million compared to $707 million for the same period in 2016. The 21% increase in net sales is attributable to the strength of the Company's 2017 product line, including continued success of the current year EPIC driver and fairway woods, increased golf ball sales, and increased gear, accessories and other primarily as a result of the Company's acquisitions of TravisMathew, OGIO and the Company's apparel joint venture in Japan which was formed in July 2016. In the first nine months of 2017, net sales increased in all major regions and reflected market share gains in those regions.

For the first nine months of 2017, the Company's gross margin increased to 46.8% compared to 45.5% for the same period in 2016. The 130 basis point increase was primarily due to a favorable shift in product mix toward the higher margin EPIC woods and irons combined with overall higher average selling prices, less discounting and lower promotional activity.

Operating expenses increased $40 million to $301 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $261 million for the same period in 2016. This increase is primarily due to the addition in 2017 of operating expenses from the Japan apparel joint venture (which was formed in July 2016), higher variable expense due to the increase in sales and the consolidation of the OGIO and TravisMathew businesses, as well as $10 million in TravisMathew and OGIO non-recurring deal-related expenses. 

The first nine months 2017 earnings per share was $0.62, compared to $0.70 for the first nine months of 2016.  The decrease on a GAAP basis was caused by the $10 million of TravisMathew and OGIO non-recurring deal-related expenses in the first nine months of 2017, the $18 million Topgolf gain in the second quarter of 2016 and the difference in effective tax rates as the Company did not recognize U.S income tax in the first nine months of 2016 due to the Company's prior valuation allowance.  On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the impact of the TravisMathew and OGIO non-recurring expenses, excludes the Topgolf gain and applies an estimated tax rate of 38.5% to 2016 pre-tax income as discussed above, the Company would have reported earnings per share for the first nine months of 2017 of $0.69, compared to earnings per share of $0.34 for the first nine months of 2016.  

Business Outlook for 2017

Basis for 2017 Non-GAAP Estimates. The Company's 2017 non-GAAP estimates exclude non-recurring deal-related expenses for the TravisMathew and OGIO acquisitions, which are estimated to be approximately $12 million for full year 2017. The amount incurred in the first nine months of 2017 was $10 million, which was in line with the Company's expectations.

Basis for 2016 Pro Forma Results.  In order to make the 2017 guidance more comparable to 2016, as discussed above, the Company has presented 2016 results on a pro forma basis by excluding from 2016 the prior $0.11 per share after-tax Topgolf gain. Furthermore, the Company excluded from full year 2016 the $1.63 per share non-recurring benefit from the reversal of most of the deferred tax valuation allowance and applied an actual 41.3% tax rate for 2016. 

Given the Company's strong financial performance during the third quarter of 2017 and the closing of the TravisMathew acquisition, the Company is increasing its full year financial guidance as follows (in millions, except gross margin and EPS):

The Company currently estimates full year 2017 net sales of $1,030 - $1,040 million, which includes approximately $15-$20 million of TravisMathew sales.  This would result in net sales growth of 18% - 19% in 2017 compared to 2016. Incremental sales growth versus previous estimates is expected to be driven primarily by market share gains across all regions related to the Company's 2017 product line, the TravisMathew business and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company currently estimates that changes in foreign currency rates will adversely affect projected 2017 net sales by approximately $10 million as compared to 2016 rates. The Company previously estimated that changes in foreign currency rates would adversely affect projected 2017 net sales by $12 million.  

The Company currently estimates that its 2017 gross margin will be in-line with the prior estimate. The Company estimates that its 2017 non-GAAP operating expenses will be $9 million higher than previous guidance due primarily to the addition of the TravisMathew business and there also will be slightly higher variable expense related to the projected increased sales.

The Company increased its 2017 non-GAAP earnings per share guidance to $0.47 - $0.51 due to the projected increase in net sales. The Company's 2017 earnings per share estimate assumes a tax rate of approximately 34.5% and a base of 96.5 million shares.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will be holding a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PDT today to discuss the Company's financial results, outlook and business. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed at http://ir.callawaygolf.com/. To listen to the call, and to access the Company's presentation materials, please go to the website at least 15 minutes before the call to register and for instructions on how to access the broadcast. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately three hours after the call ends, and will remain available through 9:00 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, November 1, 2017.  The replay may be accessed through the Internet at http://ir.callawaygolf.com/.

Non-GAAP Information

The GAAP results contained in this press release and the financial statement schedules attached to this press release have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").  To supplement the GAAP results, the Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as follows:

Constant Currency Basis. The Company provided certain information regarding the Company's financial results or projected financial results on a "constant currency basis." This information estimates the impact of changes in foreign currency rates on the translation of the Company's current or projected future period financial results as compared to the applicable comparable period.  This impact is derived by taking the current or projected local currency results and translating them into U.S. Dollars based upon the foreign currency exchange rates for the applicable comparable period. It does not include any other effect of changes in foreign currency rates on the Company's results or business.  

Adjusted EBITDA.  The Company provides information about its results excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, as well as non-recurring OGIO and TravisMathew deal-related expenses and the second quarter 2016 gain realized from the sale of a small portion of the Company's Topgolf investment.

Other Adjustments. The Company presents certain of its financial results (i) excluding tax benefits received from the reversal of a significant portion of its deferred tax valuation allowance, (ii) excluding gains from the sale of a small portion of its Topgolf investment, (iii) excluding the non-recurring OGIO and TravisMathew deal-related expenses and (iv) by applying an assumed estimated statutory tax rate of 38.5% to interim period results for 2016.

In addition, the Company has included in the schedules to this release a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP information to the most directly comparable GAAP information.  The non-GAAP information presented in this release and related schedules should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP information may also be inconsistent with the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other companies.  Management uses such non-GAAP information for financial and operational decision-making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-over-period comparisons and in forecasting the Company's business going forward. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP information, when considered in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP information, provides additional useful comparative information for investors in their assessment of the underlying performance of the Company's business without regard to these items. The Company has provided reconciling information in the attached schedules.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance or prospects, including statements relating to the Company's estimated 2017 sales, gross margins, operating expenses, and earnings per share (or related tax rate and share count), future industry or market conditions, and the assumed benefits to be derived from investments in the Company's core business or the OGIO and TravisMathew acquisitions, are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon current information and expectations. Accurately estimating the forward-looking statements is based upon various risks and unknowns, including unanticipated delays, difficulties or increased costs in integrating the acquired OGIO and TravisMathew businesses or implementing the Company's growth strategy generally, any unfavorable changes in U.S. trade, tax or other policies, including restrictions on imports or an increase in import tariffs; consumer acceptance of and demand for the Company's products; the level of promotional activity in the marketplace; unfavorable weather conditions; future consumer discretionary purchasing activity, which can be significantly adversely affected by unfavorable economic or market conditions; future retailer purchasing activity, which can be significantly negatively affected by adverse industry conditions and overall retail inventory levels; and future changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the degree of effectiveness of the Company's hedging programs. Actual results may differ materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these risks and unknowns or other risks and uncertainties, including continued compliance with the terms of the Company's credit facilities; delays, difficulties or increased costs in the supply of components or commodities needed to manufacture the Company's products or in manufacturing the Company's products; the ability to secure professional tour player endorsements at reasonable costs; any rule changes or other actions taken by the USGA or other golf association that could have an adverse impact upon demand or supply of the Company's products; a decrease in participation levels in golf; and the effect of terrorist activity, armed conflict, natural disasters or pandemic diseases on the economy generally, on the level of demand for the Company's products or on the Company's ability to manage its supply and delivery logistics in such an environment. For additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect these statements, the golf industry, and the Company's business, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About Callaway Golf
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) creates products designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells bags, accessories and apparel in the golf and lifestyle categories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, OGIO and TravisMathewbrands worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com, www.odysseygolf.com, www.ogio.com, and  www.travismathew.com.