Petco Health + Wellness Company, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Results

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Sep 10, 2024, 16:05 ET

Q2 2024 Overview

Net revenue of $1.52 billion decreased 0.5 percent year over year
Comparable sales increased 0.3 percent year over year and increased 3.5 percent on a two-year basis
GAAP net loss of $24.8 million, or $(0.09) per share, compared to GAAP net loss of $14.6 million, or $(0.05) per share in the prior year
Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $83.5 million compared to $112.6 million in the prior year
Operating Cash Flow of $69.4 million compared to $96.6 million in the prior year
Free Cash Flow ¹of $42.0 million compared to $44.6 million in the prior year

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: WOOF), a complete partner in pet health and wellness, today announced its second quarter 2024 financial results.

In the second quarter of 2024, Petco delivered net revenue of $1.52 billion, down 0.5 percent versus prior year. On an as-reported basis, the company's consumables business was up 1.5 percent versus prior year, and services and other business was up 3.1 percent versus prior year. Growth in the company's consumables and services and other business was offset by the company's supplies and companion animal business, down 4.7 percent versus prior year. GAAP net loss in the second quarter of 2024 was $24.8 million or $(0.09) per share, compared to GAAP net loss of $14.6 million or $(0.05) per share in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $(5.9) million or $(0.02) per share, compared to $16.3 million or $0.06 per share in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $83.5 million compared to $112.6 million in the prior year.

"Our second quarter results demonstrate the ongoing work of our teams to strengthen our retail fundamentals and accelerate the path to improved profitability," said Joel Anderson, Petco's Chief Executive Officer. "I could not be more excited to lead Petco at this pivotal time. Looking ahead, I see tremendous opportunities for us to significantly improve our operating and financial performance and better leverage Petco's strengths to capture greater share, deliver sustained profitability, and create value for shareholders."

(1)	Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings Per Share ("Adjusted EPS"), and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measures.

Fiscal Q3 2024 Outlook

The company is providing Q3 guidance for revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS, in addition to reaffirming full year interest expense and capital expenditure expectations.

For Fiscal Q3 2024, the company expects:

Metric*	FQ3 2024 Guidance
Net Revenue	~ $1.5 billion
Adjusted EBITDA	$76 million to $80 million
Adjusted EPS	$(0.03) to $(0.04)

For Fiscal 2024 (a 52-week year), the company expects the following, both of which are unchanged:

Metric*

2024

Guidance, YoY

Net interest expense

~$145 million

Capital Expenditures

~$140 million

*Assumptions in the guidance include that economic conditions, currency rates and the tax and regulatory landscape remain generally consistent. For fiscal 2024, our guidance anticipates a 26 percent tax rate, and 272 million weighted average diluted share count. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures and have not been reconciled to the most comparable GAAP outlook because it is not possible to do so without unreasonable efforts due to the uncertainty and potential variability of reconciling items, which are dependent on future events and often outside of management's control and which could be significant. Because such items cannot be reasonably predicted with the level of precision required, we are unable to provide outlook for the comparable GAAP measures. Forward-looking estimates of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast Information:

Management will host an earnings conference call on September 10, 2024 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time to discuss the company's financial results. The conference call will be accessible through a live webcast. Interested investors and other individuals can access the webcast, earnings release, and earnings presentation via the company's investor relations page at ir.petco.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company's investor relations page through September 24, 2024 until approximately 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

About Petco, The Health + Wellness Co.:

Founded in 1965, Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and our own Petco partners. We've consistently set new standards in pet care while delivering comprehensive pet wellness products, services and solutions, and creating communities that deepen the pet-pet parent bond. We operate more than 1,500 pet care centers across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, which offer merchandise, companion animals, grooming, training and a growing network of on-site veterinary hospitals and mobile veterinary clinics. Our complete pet health and wellness ecosystem is accessible through our pet care centers and digitally at petco.com and on the Petco app. In tandem with Petco Love, a life-changing independent nonprofit organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, we've helped find homes for nearly 7 million animals.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our Q3 and full year 2024 guidance, operational reset of our business, our competitive positioning, profitability, cost action plans and associated cost-savings. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believes," "expects," "may," "intends," "will," "shall," "should," "anticipates," "opportunity," "illustrative," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Although Petco believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct or that any forward-looking results will occur or be realized. Nothing contained in this earnings release is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation or warranty as to any future matter, including any matter in respect of the operations or business or financial condition of Petco. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions about future events that may or may not be correct or necessarily take place and that are by their nature subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are outside the control of Petco. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the potential results or events discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those identified in this earnings release as well as the following: (i) increased competition (including from multi-channel retailers, mass and grocery retailers, and e-Commerce providers); (ii) reduced consumer demand for our products and/or services; (iii) our reliance on key vendors; (iv) our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; (v) risks arising from statutory, regulatory and/or legal developments; (vi) macroeconomic pressures in the markets in which we operate, including inflation and prevailing interest rates; (vii) failure to effectively manage our costs; (viii) our reliance on our information technology systems; (ix) our ability to prevent or effectively respond to a data privacy or security breach; (x) our ability to effectively manage or integrate strategic ventures, alliances or acquisitions and realize the anticipated benefits of such transactions; (xi) economic or regulatory developments that might affect our ability to provide attractive promotional financing; (xii) business interruptions and other supply chain issues; (xiii) catastrophic events, political tensions, conflicts and wars (such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), health crises, and pandemics; (xiv) our ability to maintain positive brand perception and recognition; (xv) product safety and quality concerns; (xvi) changes to labor or employment laws or regulations; (xvii) our ability to effectively manage our real estate portfolio; (xviii) constraints in the capital markets or our vendor credit terms; (xix) changes in our credit ratings; (xx) impairments of the carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets; (xxi) our ability to successfully implement our operational adjustments, achieve the expected benefits of our cost action plans and drive improved profitability; and (xxii) the other risks, uncertainties and other factors identified under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Petco's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The occurrence of any such factors could significantly alter the results set forth in these statements.

Petco cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not complete, and forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Petco undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority.

PETCO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited and subject to reclassification)

	13 Weeks Ended
	August 3, 2024	July 29, 2023	Percent Change
Net sales:
Products	$ 1,263,749	$ 1,278,598	(1 %)
Services and other	260,006	252,136	3 %
Total net sales	1,523,755	1,530,734	(0 %)
Cost of sales:
Products	787,103	789,091	(0 %)
Services and other	155,927	148,639	5 %
Total cost of sales	943,030	937,730	1 %
Gross profit	580,725	593,004	(2 %)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	578,257	568,967	2 %
Operating income (loss)	2,468	24,037	(90 %)
Interest income	(672)	(764)	(12 %)
Interest expense	36,805	37,493	(2 %)
Loss on partial extinguishment of debt	—	305	(100 %)
Other non-operating (income) loss	—	(1,795)	(100 %)
Loss before income taxes and income from equity method investees	(33,665)	(11,202)	201 %
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4,651)	6,732	N/M
Income from equity method investees	(4,191)	(3,328)	26 %
Net loss attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders	$ (24,823)	$ (14,606)	70 %

Net loss per Class A and B-1 common share:
Basic	$ (0.09)	$ (0.05)	66 %
Diluted	$ (0.09)	$ (0.05)	66 %

Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per Class A and B-1 common share:
Basic	273,074	267,163	2 %
Diluted	273,074	267,163	2 %

PETCO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited and subject to reclassification)

	August 3, 2024	February 3, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 127,620	$ 125,428
Receivables, less allowance for credit losses¹	47,035	44,369
Merchandise inventories, net	672,328	684,502
Prepaid expenses	59,758	58,615
Other current assets	35,152	38,830
Total current assets	941,893	951,744
Fixed assets	2,206,885	2,173,015
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,447,180)	(1,356,648)
Fixed assets, net	759,705	816,367
Operating lease right-of-use assets	1,368,740	1,384,050
Goodwill	980,064	980,297
Trade name	1,025,000	1,025,000
Other long-term assets	201,245	205,694
Total assets	$ 5,276,647	$ 5,363,152
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and book overdrafts	$ 474,496	$ 485,131
Accrued salaries and employee benefits	135,235	101,265
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	196,518	200,278
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	306,507	310,507
Current portion of long-term debt and other lease liabilities	5,095	15,962
Total current liabilities	1,117,851	1,113,143
Senior secured credit facilities, net, excluding current portion	1,575,630	1,576,223
Operating lease liabilities, excluding current portion	1,104,709	1,116,615
Deferred taxes, net	219,574	251,629
Other long-term liabilities	127,400	121,113
Total liabilities	4,145,164	4,178,723
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock²	236	231
Class B-1 common stock³	38	38
Class B-2 common stock⁴	—	—
Preferred stock⁵	—	—
Additional paid-in-capital	2,260,381	2,229,582
Accumulated deficit	(1,118,549)	(1,047,243)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(10,623)	1,821
Total stockholders' equity	1,131,483	1,184,429
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 5,276,647	$ 5,363,152


(1)	Allowances for credit losses are $1,859 and $1,806, respectively
(2)	Class A common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized - 1.0 billion shares; Issued and outstanding - 235.8 million and 231.2 million shares, respectively
(3)	Class B-1 common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized - 75.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - 37.8 million shares
(4)	Class B-2 common stock, $0.000001 par value: Authorized - 75.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - 37.8 million shares
(5)	Preferred stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized - 25.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - none

PETCO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited and subject to reclassification)

	26 Weeks Ended
	August 3, 2024	July 29, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (71,306)	$ (16,498)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	99,305	97,919
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	2,435	2,446
Provision for deferred taxes	(27,782)	(11,002)
Equity-based compensation	29,348	46,248
Impairments, write-offs and losses on sale of fixed and other assets	7,069	1,035
Loss on partial extinguishment of debt	—	746
Income from equity method investees	(9,077)	(6,458)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,274)	1,055
Non-cash operating lease costs	207,605	211,576
Other non-operating (income) loss	2,665	(4,614)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(2,083)	(16,679)
Merchandise inventories	11,769	(23,011)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,166)	(14,237)
Accounts payable and book overdrafts	(9,644)	97,062
Accrued salaries and employee benefits	34,591	1,221
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,015	(1,238)
Operating lease liabilities	(209,738)	(232,518)
Other long-term liabilities	2,224	1,212
Net cash provided by operating activities	60,956	134,265
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for fixed assets	(60,029)	(114,023)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(259)	(2,040)
Proceeds from investment	998	10,248
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,019	—
Cash received from partial surrender of officers' life insurance	206	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(58,065)	(105,815)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under long-term debt agreements	201,000	—
Repayments of long-term debt	(201,000)	(60,000)
Debt refinancing costs	(3,028)	—
Payments for finance lease liabilities	(3,528)	(3,349)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and stock option exercises	1,630	2,454
Tax withholdings on stock-based awards	(3,468)	(4,873)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,500	—
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,894)	(65,768)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3,003)	(37,318)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	136,649	213,727
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 133,646	$ 176,409

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company has provided this non-GAAP financial information, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this earnings release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release. The non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The tables below reflect the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS, as applicable, for the thirteen weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2023, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA and Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, including Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) rules because it excludes certain amounts included in net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure to share with investors because it facilitates comparison of the current period performance with that of the comparable prior period. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA affords investors a view of what management considers to be Petco's core operating performance as well as the ability to make a more informed assessment of such operating performance as compared with that of the prior period. Please see the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 filed with the SEC on April 3, 2024 for additional information on Adjusted EBITDA.

(dollars in thousands)	13 Weeks Ended
Reconciliation of Net Loss Attributable to Class A and B-1 Common Stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA	August 3, 2024	July 29, 2023
Net loss attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders	$ (24,823)	$ (14,606)
Add (deduct):
Interest expense, net	36,133	36,729
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4,651)	6,732
Depreciation and amortization	49,718	48,664
Income from equity method investees	(4,191)	(3,328)
Loss on partial extinguishment of debt	—	305
Goodwill impairment	—	—
Asset impairments and write offs	3,561	1,031
Equity-based compensation	11,914	24,119
Other non-operating (income) loss	—	(1,795)
Mexico joint venture EBITDA (1)	9,902	8,544
Acquisition and divestiture-related costs (2)	—	—
Other costs (3)	5,960	6,183
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 83,523	$ 112,578
Net sales	$ 1,523,755	$ 1,530,734
Net margin (4)	(1.6 %)	(1.0 %)
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	5.5 %	7.4 %

(dollars in thousands)	Trailing Twelve Months
Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Class A and B-1 Common Stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA	August 3, 2024	February 3, 2024	July 29, 2023
Net (loss) income attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders	$ (1,335,018)	$ (1,280,210)	$ 36,154
Add (deduct):
Interest expense, net	147,282	147,504	132,068
Income tax (benefit) expense	(42,465)	(27,613)	24,433
Depreciation and amortization	202,168	200,782	196,177
Income from equity method investees	(18,807)	(16,188)	(14,240)
Loss on partial extinguishment of debt	174	920	746
Goodwill impairment	1,222,524	1,222,524	—
Asset impairments and write offs	8,867	2,833	1,658
Equity-based compensation	64,959	81,859	81,915
Other non-operating loss (income)	2,552	(4,727)	(1,892)
Mexico joint venture EBITDA (1)	41,346	38,226	33,583
Acquisition and divestiture-related costs (2)	3,719	—	2,219
Other costs (3)	39,365	35,193	8,860
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 336,666	$ 401,103	$ 501,681
Net sales	$ 6,221,537	$ 6,255,284	$ 6,165,821
Net margin (4)	(21.5 %)	(20.5 %)	0.6 %
Adjusted EBITDA Margin	5.4 %	6.4 %	8.1 %

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted diluted Earnings Per Share attributable to Petco common stockholders (Adjusted EPS) are considered non-GAAP financial measures under the SEC's rules because they exclude certain amounts included in the net income attributable to Petco common stockholders and diluted earnings per share attributable to Petco common stockholders calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are meaningful measures to share with investors because they facilitate comparison of the current period performance with that of the comparable prior period. In addition, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS afford investors a view of what management considers to be Petco's core earnings performance as well as the ability to make a more informed assessment of such earnings performance with that of the prior period.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)	13 Weeks Ended
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Adjusted EPS	August 3, 2024		July 29, 2023
	Amount	Per share	Amount	Per share
Net loss attributable to common stockholders / diluted EPS	$ (24,823)	$ (0.09)	$ (14,606)	$ (0.05)
Add (deduct):
Income tax (benefit) expense	(4,651)	(0.01)	6,732	0.02
Loss on partial extinguishment of debt	—	—	305	0.00
Goodwill impairment	—	—	—	—
Asset impairments and write offs	3,561	0.01	1,031	0.01
Equity-based compensation	11,914	0.04	24,119	0.09
Other non-operating income	—	—	(1,795)	(0.01)
Other costs (3)	5,960	0.02	6,183	0.02
Adjusted pre-tax (loss) income / diluted (loss) earnings per share	$ (8,039)	$ (0.03)	$ 21,969	$ 0.08
Income tax (benefit) expense at 26% normalized tax rate	(2,090)	(0.01)	5,712	0.02
Adjusted Net (Loss) Income / Adjusted EPS	$ (5,949)	$ (0.02)	$ 16,257	$ 0.06

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for fixed assets. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures the ability to generate additional cash from business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the company's financial performance.

The table below reflects the calculation of Free Cash Flow for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2024 compared to the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2023, respectively.

(in thousands)	13 Weeks Ended		26 Weeks Ended
	August 3, 2024	July 29, 2023	August 3, 2024	July 29, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 69,370	$ 96,614	$ 60,956	$ 134,265
Cash paid for fixed assets	(27,388)	(51,973)	(60,029)	(114,023)
Free Cash Flow	$ 41,982	$ 44,641	$ 927	$ 20,242

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Footnotes

(1)

Mexico Joint Venture EBITDA represents 50 percent of the entity's operating results for all periods, as adjusted to reflect the results on a basis comparable to Adjusted EBITDA. In the financial statements, this joint venture is accounted for as an equity method investment and reported net of depreciation and income taxes because such a presentation would not reflect the adjustments made in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, we include the 50 percent interest in the company's Mexico joint venture on an Adjusted EBITDA basis to ensure consistency. The table below presents a reconciliation of Mexico joint venture net income to Mexico joint venture EBITDA.

	13 Weeks Ended
(in thousands)	August 3, 2024	July 29, 2023
Net income	$ 8,822	$ 6,656
Depreciation	6,996	6,443
Income tax expense	3,903	2,364
Foreign currency (gain) loss	(380)	395
Interest expense, net	463	1,230
EBITDA	$ 19,804	$ 17,088
50% of EBITDA	$ 9,902	$ 8,544


(2)	Acquisition and divestiture-related costs include direct costs resulting from acquiring, integrating, or divesting businesses. These include third-party professional and legal fees, losses on sales of divestitures, and other integration-related costs that would not have otherwise been incurred as part of the company's operations.
(3)	Other costs include, as incurred: restructuring costs and restructuring-related severance costs; legal reserves associated with significant, non-ordinary course legal or regulatory matters; and costs related to certain significant strategic transactions.
(4)	We define net margin as net income attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders divided by net sales and Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.