Iconix Reports Financial Results For The Second Quarter 2018

NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

• Second quarter results in line with Company's expectations 
• Projecting stable cash position and debt covenant compliance
• Progress continues on repositioning of iconic brands

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) ("Iconix" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Peter Cuneo, Interim CEO and Chairman of the Board commented, "Iconix delivered financial results in line with our expectations for the second quarter and we do not anticipate any major changes to our full year projections. The highlight of the quarter was the announcement that our Iconic Brand, Starter, is returning to the Football Field through a collaboration with the Alliance of American Football Association, which is set to commence play in February 2019. Starter will become the official on-field outfitter of all uniforms and sideline apparel for all Alliance teams. We are also exploring additional opportunities to expand marketing and merchandising beyond the field. In other news, we announced that a Cooperation Agreement has been reached with Sports Direct International pursuant to which Iconix has appointed Justin Barnes to our Board of Directors. We are pleased to move into the future with a stable Board and look forward to Justin's unique business perspective."

David Jones, Chief Financial Officer of Iconix commented, "With a stable balance sheet, we continue to focus on the business and have seen our licensing activity pick up year-over-year. We were pleased to register organic growth in both our Men's and International segments for both the second quarter of 2018 and the first half of 2018.  Our brands in transition continue to draw a lot of interest and we are working through several promising opportunities. Globally, during the first six months of 2018, we have signed 43 new and replacement license agreements, a 30% increase over the prior year. We have also renewed 51 license agreements, a 60% increase over the first half of 2017.  We enter the second half of 2018 with a continued focus on generating new business, while supporting our existing partners to drive future growth."

2018 Guidance:

• Anticipating lower end of full year revenue guidance of $190 million to $220 million.
• GAAP net income guidance now a loss of approximately $94.4 million to $104.4 million, principally due to a Q2 trademark and goodwill impairment
• Anticipating low end of full year non-GAAP net income guidance of $20 million to $30 million
• Reiterating full year free cash flow guidance of $50 million to $70 million 

It should be noted that GAAP net income will be affected by non-cash adjustments to fair value from the Company's 5.75% Convertible Notes as discussed below. Such periodic adjustments to fair value cannot be estimated in advance and thus are not taken into account in guidance.

Non-GAAP net income and free cash flow are non-GAAP metrics, and reconciliation tables for each are included in this press release.

Unless otherwise noted, the following represents financial results for continuing operations only.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted a new revenue recognition accounting standard (ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Topic 606). Adoption of the standard increased Q2 2018 revenue by approximately $0.1 million and decreased revenue by $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, but is expected to increase full-year 2018 revenue by approximately $2.5 to $3.0 million.

For the second quarter of 2018, total adjusted revenue was $50.2 million, a 17% decline as compared to $60.7 million in the prior year quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, total adjusted revenue was $98.8 million, a 17% decrease as compared to $118.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Such decline was expected principally as a result of the transition of our Danskin, OP and Mossimo DTR's in our Women's segment, as previously announced.

Our Men's segment provided organic growth in the second quarter of 2018 and through the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily from the Umbro and Buffalo brands.  Our International segment also provided organic growth primarily from the Umbro and Lee Cooper brands.

The Home segment declined 11% for the second quarter of 2018 and six months ended June 30, 2018. However, as previously discussed, a portion of this decrease was due to a shift in Charisma timing which we still anticipate recovering during the balance of the year. In addition, also as previously discussed, revenue in the home segment year-over-year is partially down due to the terms of a renewal of the Waverly inspirations contract with Walmart. Finally, the new revenue recognition standard has a negative effect on the Royal Velvet license agreement as we will record less revenue in 2018 than the current guaranteed minimum royalty.

SG&A Expenses:

Total SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2018 were $28.6 million, a 7% increase compared to $26.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. However, 2018 includes $2.7 million of special charges primarily consisting of severance charges for our previous chief executive officer and $2.9 million of costs associated with recent debt financings. Adjusting for these items in 2018 and special charges of $2.5 million in 2017, SG&A decreased approximately $1.2 million or 5%. Stock based compensation was $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Total SG&A expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $62.2 million, a 19% increase compared to $52.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  However, 2018 includes $5.4 million of special charges,  $8.3 million of costs associated with recent debt financings, $2.6 million of restructuring costs and a $1.1 million non-cash purchase accounting adjustment.  Adjusting for these items in 2018 and special charges of $4.7 million in 2017, SG&A decreased $2.7 million or 6%.  Stock based compensation was $1.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to $4.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Loss on termination of licenses:

Loss on termination of licenses in the second quarter of 2018 was $5.7 million versus $23.2 million in the second quarter of 2017.  The charge in the second quarter of 2018 was related to a litigation settlement with a previous licensee for the Rocawear brand while the charge in the second quarter of 2017 was related to the transition of a license for the Umbro brand.

Gain on sale of trademarks and gain on deconsolidation of joint venture:

Gain on sale of trademarks in the second quarter of 2018 were $0.1 million.  The gain on sale of trademarks for the current quarter was related to the completion of the sale of the Sharper Image trademarks from the Company's Iconix Australia joint venture.

Gain on deconsolidation of joint venture was $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 for which there was no comparable amount in the second quarter of 2018.  The gain on deconsolidation of joint venture was related to our deconsolidation of our Iconix Southeast Asia joint venture.

Trademark and Goodwill Impairment:

In the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash trademark charge of $73.3 million in the women's segment related to a write-down in the Mossimo trademark.  The Company also recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $37.8 million in the women's segment as a result of the impairment of the Mossimo trademark.

Operating Income:

Operating loss for the second quarter of 2018 was $94.6 million, as compared to operating income of $15.9 million in the second quarter of 2017.  Operating loss in the second quarter of 2018 included goodwill and trademark impairments of $111.1 million, special charges of $2.7 million, costs associated with recent debt financings of $2.9 million, a loss on termination of licenses of $5.7 million and gain on sale of trademarks of $0.1 million.  Operating income in the second quarter of 2017 included special charges of $2.5 million, loss on termination of licenses of $23.2 million and a gain on deconsolidation of joint venture of $3.8 million.  When excluding these items, adjusted operating income was $27.7 million and $37.9 million in the second quarter of 2018 and the second quarter of 2017, respectively, and adjusted operating margin was 55% and 62% in the second quarter of 2018 and the second quarter of 2017, respectively.  The decline in adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin is primarily due to the decline in licensing revenue from the transition of our Danskin, OP and Mossimo DTR's.

Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $79.1 million, as compared to operating income of $49.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Operating loss in the six months ended June 30, 2018 included goodwill and trademark impairments of $111.1 million, special charges of $5.4 million, costs associated with recent debt financings of $8.3 million, restructuring costs of $2.6 million, a $1.1 million non-cash purchase accounting adjustment, a loss on termination of licenses of $5.7 million and gain on sale of trademarks of $1.3 million.  Operating income in the six months ended June 30, 2017 included special charges of $4.7 million, loss on termination of licenses of $23.2 million and a gain on deconsolidation of joint venture of $3.8 million.  When excluding these items, adjusted operating income was $50.2 million and $73.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and adjusted operating margin was 51% and 62% respectively.  The decline in adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin is primarily due to the decline in licensing revenue from the transition of our Danskin, OP and Mossimo DTR's.

Interest Expense, Other Income and Loss on extinguishment of debt:

Interest expense in the second quarter of 2018 was $14.8 million, as compared to interest expense of $14.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.

In the second quarter of 2018, the Company recognized a $32.1 million gain resulting from the Company's accounting for the 5.75% Convertible Notes which requires recording the fair value of this debt at the end of each period with any change from the prior period accounted for as other income or loss in the current period's income statement.  There is no comparable amount in the second quarter of 2017.  The Company has excluded these amounts from its non-GAAP results.

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company recognized a $13.9 million expense related to the early extinguishment of a portion of the Company's 2016 Senior Secured Term Loan of which there was no comparable amount for the second quarter of 2018.

Provision for Income Taxes:

The effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2018 is approximately 3.6% which resulted in a $2.8 million income tax benefit, as compared to an effective income tax rate of 35.6% in the prior year quarter which resulted in a $5.5 million income tax benefit.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for the second quarter is primarily as a result of the benefit associated with the impairment charge of trademark and goodwill which was significantly reduced due to a valuation allowance against the asset. This valuation allowance charge had the effect of reducing the benefit on the loss which reduces the effective tax rate in the current quarter.  Excluding any mark-to-market adjustments from the Company's 5.75% Convertible Notes, we expect the full year 2018 tax rate to be approximately (8)% and approximately 28% on a GAAP basis and non-GAAP basis, respectively.

GAAP Net Income and GAAP Diluted EPS:

GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to Iconix for the second quarter of 2018 reflects a loss of $79.4 million as compared to a loss of $13.9 million for the second quarter of 2017. GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2018 reflects loss of $1.26 as compared to loss of $0.26 for the second quarter of 2017.

GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to Iconix for the six months ended June 30, 2018 reflects loss of $51.7 million as compared to loss of $9.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.  GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 reflects loss of $0.91 as compared to loss of $0.19 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS:

Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2018 was $7.7 million as compared to $15.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2018 was $0.12 as compared to $0.26 for the second quarter of 2017.

Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $13.8 million as compared to $27.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $0.22 as compared to $0.48 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity:

Free Cash Flow:

The Company generated $14.5 million of free cash flow in the second quarter of 2018, a 37% increase as compared to $10.6 million in the second quarter of 2017.

The Company generated $31.4 million of free cash flow in the six months ended June 30, 2018, a 33% increase as compared to $23.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 AM ET. The call can be accessed on the Company's website at www.iconixbrand.com or by telephone at 844-286-1555 or 270-823-1180 (conference ID: 3794894). A written transcript will be posted online as soon as available.

About Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a portfolio of consumer brands including: CANDIE'S ®, BONGO ®, JOE BOXER ®, RAMPAGE ®, MUDD ®, MOSSIMO ®, LONDON FOG ®, OCEAN PACIFIC ®, DANSKIN ®, ROCAWEAR ®, CANNON ®, ROYAL VELVET ®, FIELDCREST ®, CHARISMA ®, STARTER ®, WAVERLY ®, ZOO YORK ®, UMBRO ®, LEE COOPER ®, ECKO UNLTD. ®, MARC ECKO ®, ARTFUL DODGER ®, and HYDRAULIC®. In addition, Iconix owns interests in the MATERIAL GIRL ®, ED HARDY ®, TRUTH OR DARE ®, MODERN AMUSEMENT ®, BUFFALO ® and PONY ® brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of retailers and manufacturers. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include projections regarding the Company's beliefs and expectations about future performance and, in some cases, may be identified by words like "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future," "will," "seek" and similar terms or phrases. These statements are based on the Company's beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on information available as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement and could harm the Company's business, prospects, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition and cause its stock price to decline significantly. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: the ability of the Company's licensees to maintain their license agreements or to produce and market products bearing the Company's brand names, the Company's ability to retain and negotiate favorable licenses, the Company's ability to meet its outstanding debt obligations and the events and risks referenced in the sections titled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q and in other documents filed or furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, business development transactions, joint ventures or investments we may enter into or make in the future. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Media contact:
David K. Jones  
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  
Iconix Brand Group, Inc.  
[email protected]   
212-730-0030

Footnotes

(1) Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents operating income excluding non-cash impairment charges, non-recurring gains and charges, and charges related to professional fees incurred as a result of the correspondence with the Staff of the SEC, the SEC investigation, internal investigations, the previously disclosed class action and derivative litigations, and costs related to the transition of Iconix management. The Company believes these are useful financial measures in evaluating its financial condition because they are more reflective of the Company's business purpose, operations and cash expenses.

(2) Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted EPS (along with non-GAAP weighted average diluted shares) are non-GAAP financial measures which represent net income excluding any non-cash interest related to ASC Topic 470, non-cash, non-recurring gains and charges, foreign currency translation gains and losses, and charges related to professional fees incurred as a result of the correspondence with the Staff of the SEC, the SEC investigation, internal investigations, the previously disclosed class action and derivative litigations, and costs related to the transition of Iconix management, all net of tax. The Company believes these are useful financial measures in evaluating its financial condition because they are more reflective of the Company's business purpose, operations and cash expenses.

(3) Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, represents net cash provided by operating activities, plus cash received from the sale of trademarks and formation of joint ventures, less distributions to non-controlling interests and capital expenditures.  Free Cash Flow excludes notes receivable from sale of trademarks and the formation of joint ventures, cash used to acquire the membership interests of our joint venture partners, mandatory debt service requirements, and other non-discretionary expenditures. Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation, as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes, or as an alternative to operating results presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes Free Cash Flow is useful because it provides information regarding actual cash received in a specific period from the Company's comprehensive business strategy of maximizing the value of its brands through traditional licensing, international joint ventures and other arrangements. We have excluded the cash used to buy back our joint venture membership interests from the above definition because we believe that, like other acquisitions, such actions are capital transactions. It also provides supplemental information to assist investors in evaluating the Company's financial condition and ability to pursue opportunities that enhance shareholder value.

SOURCE Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.iconixbrand.com