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Helen of Troy (HELE) Stock Up as Q4 Earnings & Sales Rise Y/Y
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Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) released impressive fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein both top and bottom lines increased year over year. Results gained from double-digit growth in all three business segments. Further, continued strength in the flywheel program in fiscal 2020 and the successful completion of the first year of Phase II of Helen of Troy’s Transformation plan contributed to results.
Moreover, the company witnessed a robust trend in sales of key Helen of Troy brands, such as Braun, Vicks, PUR, Honeywell and OXO, after the implementation of lockdown in March. Additionally, an increase in demand for thermometers, humidifiers, air purifiers, water purifiers as well as OXO kitchen, cleaning and storage products have aided sales. Encouragingly, management does not anticipate any adverse impact on first-quarter or fiscal 2021 results. Also, it is looking forward to investing in Phase II of its transformation initiative, once the COVID-19 situation resumes to normalcy.
Following such solid results and an upbeat view, the stock gained 7.8% during the after-market trading session on Apr 28.
Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations improved 3.3% year over year to $1.88 per share. Higher adjusted operating income and the favorable impact of lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding were primary drivers. On the flip side, elevated interest costs remained a drag.
Net sales rose 14.9% year over year to $442.4 million. The upside was driven by 13.4% organic sales growth and 1.6% gains from the acquisition of Drybar Products.
Notably, organic sales growth was supported by improved brick and mortar appliance sales in the Beauty division, solid sales in core channels of the Housewares unit and strong demand in the Health & Home segment owing to increased sales of thermometers due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. These were offset by sluggishness in the personal care business under the Beauty segment.
Consolidated gross margin expanded 260 percentage points to 43.5%, courtesy of a higher mix of Housewares sales, favorable product mix in all three segments and smaller mix of shipments on a direct import basis. This was partly countered by a reduced mix of personal care sales in the Beauty segment.
Adjusted operating income inched up 0.8% to $53.9 million, while adjusted operating margin contracted 170 percentage points to 12.2%. This downside mainly resulted from higher costs related to advertising and new product development along with a rise in royalty expenses and performance-based annual incentive compensation.
Segmental Performance
Net sales in the Housewares segment rose 15% to $144.9 million, courtesy of growth in point-of-sale for brick and mortar customers, higher online sales and gains from new product launches. These positives were somewhat offset by lower international, club channel and closeout channel sales. Adjusted operating income in the unit declined 24.8% and the adjusted operating margin contracted 630 basis points (bps) to 11.8%.
Net sales in the Health & Home segment advanced 10.5% to $185.9 million, driven by new product launches and improved demand in products related to higher pediatric fever and COVID-19. These factors were partially offset by an unfavorable currency movement of nearly 0.3% as well as a decline in sales from distribution changes. Adjusted operating income fell 2.3%, while adjusted operating margin contracted 140 bps to 11.2%.
Sales in the Beauty segment improved 23.1% to $111.6 million, owing to solid organic sales growth and contributions from the buyout of Drybar Products. The upside was countered by softness in the personal care business. Adjusted operating income surged 69.5% and adjusted operating margin expanded 400 bps to 14.4%.
Other Financial Details
The company ended fiscal 2020 with cash and cash equivalents of $24.5 million and total debt of $339.3 million. Net cash from operating activities came in at $271.3 million.
Measures in the Wake of COVID-19
Given the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19, management has decided to withhold its fiscal 2021 guidance. Also, the company has undertaken several efforts, including cutting costs and strengthening cash balance amid the pandemic. Alongside these, some other notable preventive measures have been implemented and will remain valid until retail stores reopen and consumer spending resumes.
Notably, all associates and executive leadership team members will take a salary cut while board members will have to forgo their cash compensation. Further, merit-based hikes, promotions and new recruitments have been suspended until further notice. It is also furloughing associates in specific areas, lowering working hours and reducing external temporary labor. Management is cutting down on marketing expenses and investments in key categories and new product launches to focus on products, which are currently in high demand. Additionally, travel costs have been eliminated for the time being and a significant reduction in the same is expected for the second half of fiscal 2021. The company has also lowered capital expenditure and consulting fees for less critical projects.
Moving on, the company is focused on divesting certain assets within its personal care business by fiscal 2021. From now on, these assets will be referred to as Non-Core while its ongoing operations will be called Core.
Price Performance
We note that shares of this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company have lost 22.6% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 24%.
Church & Dwight (CHD - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has a long-term EPS growth rate of 8.2%.
Prestige Consumer Healthcare (PBH - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has a long-term EPS growth rate of 4%.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2020?
Last year's 2019 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +102.7%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
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Helen of Troy (HELE) Stock Up as Q4 Earnings & Sales Rise Y/Y
Helen of Troy Limited (HELE - Free Report) released impressive fourth-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein both top and bottom lines increased year over year. Results gained from double-digit growth in all three business segments. Further, continued strength in the flywheel program in fiscal 2020 and the successful completion of the first year of Phase II of Helen of Troy’s Transformation plan contributed to results.
Moreover, the company witnessed a robust trend in sales of key Helen of Troy brands, such as Braun, Vicks, PUR, Honeywell and OXO, after the implementation of lockdown in March. Additionally, an increase in demand for thermometers, humidifiers, air purifiers, water purifiers as well as OXO kitchen, cleaning and storage products have aided sales. Encouragingly, management does not anticipate any adverse impact on first-quarter or fiscal 2021 results. Also, it is looking forward to investing in Phase II of its transformation initiative, once the COVID-19 situation resumes to normalcy.
Following such solid results and an upbeat view, the stock gained 7.8% during the after-market trading session on Apr 28.
Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Helen of Troy Limited price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Helen of Troy Limited Quote
Results in Detail
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations improved 3.3% year over year to $1.88 per share. Higher adjusted operating income and the favorable impact of lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding were primary drivers. On the flip side, elevated interest costs remained a drag.
Net sales rose 14.9% year over year to $442.4 million. The upside was driven by 13.4% organic sales growth and 1.6% gains from the acquisition of Drybar Products.
Notably, organic sales growth was supported by improved brick and mortar appliance sales in the Beauty division, solid sales in core channels of the Housewares unit and strong demand in the Health & Home segment owing to increased sales of thermometers due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. These were offset by sluggishness in the personal care business under the Beauty segment.
Consolidated gross margin expanded 260 percentage points to 43.5%, courtesy of a higher mix of Housewares sales, favorable product mix in all three segments and smaller mix of shipments on a direct import basis. This was partly countered by a reduced mix of personal care sales in the Beauty segment.
Adjusted operating income inched up 0.8% to $53.9 million, while adjusted operating margin contracted 170 percentage points to 12.2%. This downside mainly resulted from higher costs related to advertising and new product development along with a rise in royalty expenses and performance-based annual incentive compensation.
Segmental Performance
Net sales in the Housewares segment rose 15% to $144.9 million, courtesy of growth in point-of-sale for brick and mortar customers, higher online sales and gains from new product launches. These positives were somewhat offset by lower international, club channel and closeout channel sales. Adjusted operating income in the unit declined 24.8% and the adjusted operating margin contracted 630 basis points (bps) to 11.8%.
Net sales in the Health & Home segment advanced 10.5% to $185.9 million, driven by new product launches and improved demand in products related to higher pediatric fever and COVID-19. These factors were partially offset by an unfavorable currency movement of nearly 0.3% as well as a decline in sales from distribution changes. Adjusted operating income fell 2.3%, while adjusted operating margin contracted 140 bps to 11.2%.
Sales in the Beauty segment improved 23.1% to $111.6 million, owing to solid organic sales growth and contributions from the buyout of Drybar Products. The upside was countered by softness in the personal care business. Adjusted operating income surged 69.5% and adjusted operating margin expanded 400 bps to 14.4%.
Other Financial Details
The company ended fiscal 2020 with cash and cash equivalents of $24.5 million and total debt of $339.3 million. Net cash from operating activities came in at $271.3 million.
Measures in the Wake of COVID-19
Given the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19, management has decided to withhold its fiscal 2021 guidance. Also, the company has undertaken several efforts, including cutting costs and strengthening cash balance amid the pandemic. Alongside these, some other notable preventive measures have been implemented and will remain valid until retail stores reopen and consumer spending resumes.
Notably, all associates and executive leadership team members will take a salary cut while board members will have to forgo their cash compensation. Further, merit-based hikes, promotions and new recruitments have been suspended until further notice. It is also furloughing associates in specific areas, lowering working hours and reducing external temporary labor. Management is cutting down on marketing expenses and investments in key categories and new product launches to focus on products, which are currently in high demand. Additionally, travel costs have been eliminated for the time being and a significant reduction in the same is expected for the second half of fiscal 2021. The company has also lowered capital expenditure and consulting fees for less critical projects.
Moving on, the company is focused on divesting certain assets within its personal care business by fiscal 2021. From now on, these assets will be referred to as Non-Core while its ongoing operations will be called Core.
Price Performance
We note that shares of this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company have lost 22.6% in the past three months compared with the industry’s decline of 24%.
Key Picks
The Clorox Company (CLX - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has a long-term earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of 5.2%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Church & Dwight (CHD - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has a long-term EPS growth rate of 8.2%.
Prestige Consumer Healthcare (PBH - Free Report) , with a Zacks Rank #2, has a long-term EPS growth rate of 4%.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2020?
Last year's 2019 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +102.7%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020 today >>