MGP Ingredients Reports Second Quarter Results

Operating Income Declines 4% Reflecting Soft Performance in Ingredients Solutions

ATCHISON, Kan., Aug. 03, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

2016 second quarter results compared to 2015 second quarter

  • Consolidated net sales decreased 5.8% to $80.4 million as increases in net sales of premium beverage alcohol were more than offset by a sales decline in lower margin products.
  • Consolidated gross profit decreased 11.4% to $15.5 million, primarily reflecting lower profit performance in the Ingredients Solutions segment.
  • Consolidated gross margin decreased 1.2 percentage points to 19.3%. 
  • Operating income decreased 4.0% to $9.1 million.
  • Equity in joint venture earnings decreased 65.1% to $1.1 million. 
  • Net income decreased 19.9% to $6.3 million.  
  • Earnings per share decreased 15.9% to $0.37.

“While our second quarter results were disappointing, we are pleased with our continued progress against our strategic plan, with our year to date operating income up 21.0% over the prior year," said Gus Griffin, president and CEO of MGP.  "Although a decrease in volumes in our lower-margin distillery product lines affected our second quarter results in that segment, we continued to grow sales of higher-margin premium beverage alcohol products.  Our Ingredient Solutions segment continued to experience a competitive global pricing environment and difficult export conditions.”

Distillery Products Segment - Ongoing Mix Shift Supports Gross Margin Gain

For the second quarter of 2016, net sales for the Distillery Products segment decreased 3.2% to $66.7 million.  Gross profit improved to $13.7 million, or 20.5% of net segment sales, compared with $13.6 million, or 19.8% of net segment sales in the second quarter 2015.  The improvement in gross profit was due to the continuing product sales mix shift to higher margin premium beverage alcohol products, a higher average selling price and lower input costs.

Griffin said, “Strong demand for our bourbon and rye whiskeys continued through the quarter, reflecting the continued growth of the category.  Softness in net sales for the segment was primarily driven by a second quarter of decline in our industrial alcohol business in a very competitive marketplace.  As these trends evolve, we expect some volatility to continue in our product mix in the second half of 2016.”

Ingredient Solutions - Increased Competition Leads to Net Sales Decline

For the 2016 second quarter, net sales for the Ingredient Solutions segment decreased 16.7% to $13.7 million.  Gross profit decreased to $1.9 million, or 13.7% of net segment sales, compared with $3.9 million, or 23.7% of net segment sales in the second quarter 2015.

Griffin said, “Our Ingredient Solutions segment results reflect a challenging competitive environment.  We expect most product categories to return to historical low growth trends in the second half, as we continue to work to proactively position this segment to benefit from long term consumer trends.”

Other
Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were $6.4 million for the second quarter 2016 compared to $8.0 million in the second quarter 2015, primarily due to decreases in incentive compensation and severance, partially offset by increases in personnel and other costs.

MGP received joint venture equity method investment earnings of $1.1 million in the second quarter 2016 from its ICP joint venture, which produces high quality food grade alcohol, chemical intermediates and fuel.  ICP joint venture income was $2.0 million below the prior year as unfavorable ethanol market conditions persist.

Earnings per share were $0.37 for the second quarter 2016, compared with $0.44 for the second quarter 2015, primarily due to the decline in joint venture investment earnings. The corporate effective tax rate was 36.1% for the quarter versus 36.9% in the prior year quarter.

2016 and Long Term Guidance
MGP is providing revised guidance for 2016 and beyond.  The 2016 net sales percentage growth projection has been revised downward to reflect first half sales declines.  The anticipated effective tax rate has improved.  Other elements of the guidance, including operating income growth, are unchanged.  Consistent with the subsequent event reported in the company's most recent Form 10-Q filing, operating income in the third quarter of 2016 will include the recording of a favorable litigation settlement, which will increase results for the quarter and year to date.  Operating income guidance as contained in this release does not include this item.

  • Operating income is expected to increase by a compound annual growth rate in the ten to fifteen percent range over the next three years.
  • 2016 net sales percentage growth is expected to be in the low-single digits.
  • 2016 gross margin gains are expected to be moderate following strong 2015 improvement.
  • 2016 effective tax rate is forecast to be 34% and shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 16.7 million, reflecting the benefit of the 2015 share repurchase.
  • Due to challenging and volatile conditions in the fuel ethanol market, ICP's 2015 level of profitability may not be sustainable in 2016.

Conclusion
“Despite market-driven pressures on overall net sales in the first half of 2016, MGP continues on the path of long term growth,” concluded Griffin.  “Our strategy of maximizing the value of our production is clearly buffering us from near term volume declines in lower-margin products.  We remain focused on implementing our long term strategy in both operating segments.

"We continue to be pleased with results for Till American Wheat Vodka in our initial markets and plan to expand in additional markets soon to support our strategy to capture value share," Griffin continued.  "During the second quarter, we added $6.5 million to build our inventory of aging whiskey, which is both consistent with our long term strategy to invest for future growth and supported by continuing trends in the spirits industry.”

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
MGP is a leading producer and supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches.  Distilled spirits include premium bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science and backed by over 150 years of experience.  The company’s proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products.  MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications.  The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced.  Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the company facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as well as historical information.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position, business strategy, guidance on growth in operating income, revenue, gross margin, and future effective tax rate may constitute forward-looking statements.  In addition, forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "hopeful," "should," "may," "will," "could," "encouraged," "opportunities," "potential" and/or the negatives or variations of these terms or similar terminology.  They reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance, and company financial results and are not guarantees of future performance.  All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others: (i) disruptions in operations at our Atchison facility, Indiana facility, or at the Illinois Corn Processing, LLC ("ICP") facility, (ii) the availability and cost of grain, flour, and barrels, and fluctuations in energy costs, (iii) the effectiveness of our corn purchasing program to mitigate our exposure to commodity price fluctuations, (iv) the effectiveness or execution of our five-year strategic plan, (v) potential adverse effects to operations and our system of internal controls related to the loss of key management personnel, (vi) the competitive environment and related market conditions, (vii) the ability to effectively pass raw material price increases on to customers, (viii) the positive or adverse impact to our earnings as a result of the ownership of our equity method investment in ICP and the volatility of its operating results, (ix) ICP's access to capital, (x) our limited influence over the ICP joint venture operating decisions, strategies, financial or other decisions (including investments, capital spending and distributions), (xi) our ability to source product from the ICP joint venture or unaffiliated third parties, (xii) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (xiii) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (xiv) actions of governments, (xv) consumer tastes and preferences, and (xvi) the volatility in our earnings resulting from the timing differences between a business interruption and a potential insurance recovery.  For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, including risks specific to our Distillery Products and Ingredient Solutions segments, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2015.

MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
EARNINGS PER SHARE ROLLFORWARD

Change in basic and diluted earnings per share quarter-versus-quarter

    Basic and
Diluted
EPS
  Change  
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2015   $ 0.44        
Change in operations(a)   (0.02 )   (4.5 ) pp(b)
Change in equity method investments(a)   (0.07 )   (15.9 ) pp
Change in interest expense(a)   (0.01 )   (2.3 ) pp
Change in weighted average shares outstanding(c)   0.02     4.5   pp
Change in effective tax rate   0.01     2.3   pp
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2016   $ 0.37     (15.9 )%  

(a) Changes are net of tax based on the effective tax rate for each base year.
(b) Percentage points ("pp").
(c) Weighted average shares outstanding change primarily due to the vesting of employee restricted stock units, the granting of common stock to directors, the purchase of vested stock by the company from employees to pay withholding taxes, and repurchases by the company of common stock.

Change in basic and diluted earnings per share year to date-versus-year to date

    Basic and
Diluted EPS
  Change  
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2015   $ 0.72        
Change in operations(a)   0.12     16.7   pp(b)
Change in equity method investments(a)   (0.10 )   (13.9 ) pp
Change in interest expense(a)   (0.01 )   (1.4 ) pp
Change in weighted average shares outstanding(c)   0.03     4.2   pp
Change in effective tax rate   0.01     1.4   pp
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2016   $ 0.77     7.0 %  

(a) Changes are net of tax based on the effective tax rate for each base year.
(b) Percentage points ("pp").
(c) Weighted average shares outstanding change primarily due to the vesting of employee restricted stock units, the granting of common stock to directors, the purchase of vested stock by the company from employees to pay withholding taxes, and repurchases by the company of common stock.

MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

    Quarter Ended   Year to Date Ended
    June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015
Sales   $ 82,174     $ 92,071     $ 159,365     $ 176,935  
Less: excise taxes   1,782     6,717     2,138     11,168  
Net sales   80,392     85,354     157,227     165,767  
Cost of sales   64,861     67,826     124,650     134,851  
Gross profit   15,531     17,528     32,577     30,916  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   6,404     8,025     12,725     14,505  
Operating income   9,127     9,503     19,852     16,411  
Equity method investment earnings   1,079     3,096     1,596     4,448  
Interest expense, net   (328 )   (129 )   (639 )   (260 )
Income before income taxes   9,878     12,470     20,809     20,599  
Income tax expense   3,570     4,599     7,442     7,658  
Net income   6,308     7,871     13,367     12,941  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   (21 )   330     (38 )   258  
Comprehensive income   $ 6,287     $ 8,201     $ 13,329     $ 13,199  
                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share(a)   $ 0.37     $ 0.44     $ 0.77     $ 0.72  
Dividends and dividend equivalents per common share   $     $     $ 0.08     $ 0.06  


(a) Share information:   Quarter Ended   Year to Date Ended
      June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015   June 30, 2016   June 30, 2015
  Basic weighted average common shares   16,617,857     17,400,359     16,612,416     17,398,022  
  Incremental shares from potential dilutive securities       795         755  
  Diluted weighted average common shares   16,617,857     17,401,154     16,612,416     17,398,777  



MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands) June 30,
 2016
  December 31,
 2015
  (Dollars in thousands) June 30,
 2016
  December 31,
 2015
ASSETS         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Current Assets:         Current Liabilities:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,554     $ 747     Current maturities of long-term debt $ 4,352     $ 3,345  
Receivables 33,998     30,670     Accounts payable 20,982     20,940  
Inventory 71,595     58,701     Accounts payable to affiliate, net 2,487     2,291  
Prepaid expenses 792     1,062     Accrued expenses 7,101     10,400  
          Income taxes payable 742     685  
Total Current Assets 107,939     91,180     Total Current Liabilities 35,664     37,661  
          Other Liabilities:      
          Long-term debt, less current maturities 18,399     7,579  
          Revolving credit facility 18,618     22,536  
Property and equipment 238,150     229,914     Deferred credit 3,054     3,402  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (152,180 )   (146,360 )   Accrued retirement, health and life insurance benefits 4,045     4,136  
Net Property, Plant         Deferred income taxes 2,008     2,757  
and Equipment 85,970     83,554     Other non current liabilities 81     79  
Equity method investments 16,856     18,563     Total Liabilities 81,869     78,150  
Other assets 934     1,013     Stockholders’ equity 129,830     116,160  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 211,699     $ 194,310     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 211,699     $ 194,310  

 

For More Information
Investors & Analysts:
Bob Burton
616-233-0500 or Investor.Relations@mgpingredients.com

Media:
Gregg Hibbeler
913-367-1480 or gregg.hibbeler@mgpingredients.com

Primary Logo

Source: MGP Ingredients Inc.