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8-K - 8-K - UNITED NATURAL FOODS INCa8-kq42015.htm


IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2015


UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. REPORTS
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR FISCAL 2015 RESULTS


FISCAL 2015 NET SALES INCREASED 20.5% YEAR-OVER-YEAR TO $8.18 BILLION,
FISCAL 2015 DILUTED EPS OF $2.76 INCREASED 9.5% YEAR-OVER-YEAR


Providence, Rhode Island - September 15, 2015 -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) (the "Company") today reported financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended August 1, 2015.


Fiscal Year 2015 Highlights

Net sales increased 20.5%, or $1.39 billion, to $8.18 billion in fiscal 2015 compared to $6.79 billion in fiscal 2014
Operating income increased 14.8% to $242.0 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $210.8 million in fiscal 2014; adjusted to exclude the effect of a $9.3 million non-recurring reduction in net sales recorded in the first half of fiscal 2015, adjusted operating income increased 19.2% to $251.3 million
Diluted EPS increased 9.5% to $2.76 in fiscal 2015 compared to $2.52 in fiscal 2014

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015 Highlights

Net sales increased 16.8% to $2.06 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to $1.76 billion for the same period last fiscal year
Fiscal 2015 fourth quarter net income increased 8.2% to $36.1 million from the same period last fiscal year
Diluted EPS increased 7.5% to $0.72 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $0.67 in the same period last fiscal year












Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015 Summary

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 increased 16.8% to $2.06 billion from $1.76 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 included net sales of approximately $221.7 million from the Company's acquisition of Tony's Fine Foods ("Tony's") as compared to $45.3 million in the same period last fiscal year as the acquisition occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Gross margin was 15.3% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, a 109 basis point decrease from gross margin of 16.4% for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to the dilution from Tony's net sales, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange from the declining value of the Canadian dollar on the Company's business, lower fuel surcharges, and a shift in the mix of sales.

Total operating expenses were 12.2% of net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, a 135 basis point decrease compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Total operating expenses increased $12.4 million, or 5.2%, to $251.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 as compared to $238.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 included start-up costs of approximately $0.7 million associated with our Prescott, Wisconsin facility, the impact of which was offset in part by a $0.2 million energy grant received related to our Hudson Valley, New York facility. Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 included approximately $0.9 million of costs related to the acquisition of Tony's, approximately $0.6 million of non-recurring costs associated with the start-up of the Hudson Valley, New York facility and approximately $0.5 million of non-recurring costs related to the start-up of the Company's Racine, Wisconsin facility.

Operating income increased 26.9%, or $13.8 million, to $65.1 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to $51.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. As a percentage of net sales, operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 increased 25 basis points to 3.2% compared to 2.9% for the same period last fiscal year.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 increased $2.7 million, or 8.2%, to $36.1 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, from $33.4 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 included a gain of $4.8 million associated with a non-cash transfer of land at the Company's Racine, Wisconsin facility.

Fiscal Year 2015 Summary

"During fiscal 2015 we completed the build out of our distribution network, preparing us for a new phase of growth.  With this additional capacity, particularly within perishables, we are poised to capitalize on increasing demand for fresh and distinctive products," said Steven Spinner, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Net sales for fiscal 2015 totaled $8.18 billion, a 20.5% increase compared to fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2015 net sales included approximately $882.8 million from the Company's acquisition of Tony's as compared to $45.3 million in the same period last fiscal year. As previously disclosed, the Company recognized a non-recurring reduction in net sales of $9.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2015 related to an incorrect calculation of amounts owed to a customer.

Gross margin for the period was 15.4%, a 120 basis point decrease versus the prior fiscal year. This decrease was primarily due to the dilution from Tony's net sales, a shift in the mix of sales, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange for the Company's Canadian business, and the reduction in net sales related to the incorrect calculation of amounts owed to a customer as noted above.
  
Total operating expenses for fiscal 2015 were 12.4% of net sales, which was 105 basis points lower than in fiscal 2014. Total operating expenses increased $101.7 million, or 11.1%, to $1.02 billion, compared to $916.9 million for fiscal 2014. Total operating expenses for fiscal 2015 included start-up costs of approximately $3.0 million related to the Company's Hudson Valley, New York, Auburn, California and Prescott, Wisconsin facilities, $0.6 million associated with the write-off of an intangible asset related to the Company's Canadian division, which was acquired in June 2010, a $0.2 million restructuring charge related to the closure of the Company's Aux Mille facility located in Quebec, Canada,





and approximately $0.3 million in costs related to the Company's acquisition of Tony's, offset in part by a $0.8 million energy grant received related to our Hudson Valley, New York facility. Total operating expenses for fiscal 2014 included start-up costs of approximately $2.2 million related to the start-up of the Company's Racine, Wisconsin and Hudson Valley, New York facilities and $1.5 million of costs related to the acquisition of Tony's.

Operating income for fiscal 2015 was $242.0 million, an increase of 14.8% from $210.8 million in fiscal 2014. As a percentage of net sales, operating income was 3.0% and 3.1% for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. Adjusted operating income increased $40.5 million, or 19.2%, to $251.3 million for the fiscal year ended August 1, 2015, excluding the impact of the non-recurring reduction in net sales of $9.3 million related to the incorrect calculation noted above.
 
Net income for fiscal 2015 increased $13.3 million, or 10.6%, to $138.7 million, or $2.76 per diluted share, from $125.5 million, or $2.52 per diluted share, for fiscal 2014. Net income for fiscal 2015 includes a gain of $4.2 million associated with a transfer of land at the Company's Prescott, Wisconsin facility. Net income for fiscal 2014 includes a gain of $4.8 million associated with a non-cash transfer of land at the Company's Racine, Wisconsin facility.

"The UNFI team continues to demonstrate its commitment to growth and resilience as our industry changes. UNFI is well positioned to use its scale and differentiated product offering to add significant value for its customers across North America," concluded Mr. Spinner.

Fiscal 2016 Guidance

UNFI provided its financial outlook for fiscal 2016, ending July 30, 2016, in the release of its preliminary estimated results on August 19, 2015 and is confirming that outlook today. The Company estimates net sales in the range of approximately $8.51 billion to $8.67 billion, an increase of approximately 4.0% to 6.0% over fiscal 2015. The Company estimates GAAP earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2016 in the range of approximately $2.80 to $2.93, compared to fiscal 2015 GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.76. Adjusting for the planned severance and working capital costs of approximately $4.0 million to $5.0 million expected to be incurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 related to the previously disclosed termination of our distribution agreement with a customer, earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2016 are estimated to be in the range of $2.86 to $2.98, an increase of 0.4% to 4.6% over fiscal 2015 adjusted earnings per diluted share of $2.85, adjusting for only the $7.7 million second quarter fiscal 2015 impact of the $9.3 million non-recurring reduction in net sales the Company recognized in fiscal 2015 related to the incorrect calculation noted above. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 are expected to be approximately $49.0 million to $59.0 million, or approximately 0.6% to 0.7% of estimated fiscal 2016 net sales. Finally, the Company expects its fiscal 2016 tax rate to be in the range of 39.4% to 39.8%.






Conference Call & Webcast
The Company's fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2015 conference call and audio webcast will be held today, Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The audio webcast of the conference call will be available to the public, on a listen-only basis, via the Internet at the Investors section of the Company's website at www.unfi.com. The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days.

About United Natural Foods
United Natural Foods, Inc. (http://www.unfi.com) carries and distributes more than 85,000 products to more than 40,000 customer locations throughout the United States and Canada. The Company serves a wide variety of retail formats including conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators and the food service channel. United Natural Foods, Inc. was ranked by Fortune in 2006 - 2010 as one of its "Most Admired Companies" and in 2012 as one of its "Most Admired American Companies", winner of the Supermarket News 2008 Sustainability Excellence Award, recognized by the Nutrition Business Journal for its 2009 Environment and Sustainability Award and chosen by Food Logistics Magazine as one of its 2012 Top 20 Green Providers.


For more information on United Natural Foods, Inc., visit the Company's website at www.unfi.com.

AT THE COMPANY:
Mark Shamber
Chief Financial Officer
(401) 528-8634
 
ICR
Katie Turner
General Information
(646) 277-1228
 
    

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding the Company's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and management estimates; actual results may differ materially. The risks and uncertainties which could impact these statements are described in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 1, 2014 (as amended on March 12, 2015), its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on December 10, 2014 (as amended on March 12, 2015), March 12, 2015 and June 11, 2015 and other filings the Company makes with the SEC, and include, but are not limited to, the Company's dependence on principal customers; the Company's sensitivity to general economic conditions, including the current economic environment; changes in disposable income levels and consumer spending trends; the Company's ability to reduce its expenses in amounts sufficient to offset its increased focus on sales to conventional supermarkets and the shift in the Company's product mix as a result of its acquisition of Tony's Fine Foods (“Tony’s”) and the resulting lower gross margins on those sales; the Company's reliance on the continued growth in sales of natural and organic foods and non-food products in comparison to conventional products; the Company's ability to timely and successfully deploy its warehouse management system throughout its distribution centers and its transportation management system across the Company; volatility in fuel cost; the Company’s ability to successfully consummate its expense reduction efforts in connection with the previously announced termination of a contractual customer relationship within the expected timeframe and cost estimates currently contemplated; the Company's sensitivity to inflationary and deflationary pressures; the relatively low margins and economic sensitivity of the Company's business; the potential for disruptions in the Company's supply chain by circumstances beyond its control; the risk of interruption of supplies due to lack of long-term contracts, severe weather, work stoppages or otherwise; consumer demand for natural and organic products outpacing suppliers’ ability to produce those products; union-organizing activities that could cause labor relations difficulties and increased costs; the ability to identify and successfully complete acquisitions of other natural, organic and specialty food and non-food products distributors; management's allocation of capital and the timing of capital expenditures; and the Company's ability to successfully deploy its operational initiatives to achieve synergies from the acquisition of Tony’s. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. The Company is not undertaking to update any information in the foregoing reports until the effective date of its future reports required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations are based on a number of assumptions, many of which are outside the Company's control and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.





Non-GAAP Financial Measures: To supplement the financial information presented on a generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis, the Company has included in this press release non-GAAP financial measures for adjusted operating income for fiscal 2015 and adjusted diluted earnings per common share for both fiscal year 2015 and projected for fiscal 2016. For fiscal 2015, the non-GAAP measures exclude the second quarter fiscal 2015 and full year fiscal 2015 impact of a reduction in net sales related to an incorrect calculation of amounts owed to a customer. For fiscal 2016, the non-GAAP measure excludes the impact of expenses related to the planned severance and working capital costs related to the termination of our distribution agreement with a customer that the Company announced in July 2015. The reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables appearing below labeled “Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Presentation (unaudited)”, “Reconciliation of 2016 Guidance for Estimated GAAP Diluted Earnings per Common Share to Estimated Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Common Share (unaudited)” and “Reconciliation of 2015 GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Presentation Included in Fiscal 2016 Guidance (unaudited).” The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that presenting its adjusted operating income and adjusted diluted earnings per common share for the fiscal year ended August 1, 2015, excluding the second quarter fiscal 2015 and full year fiscal 2015 impact of the reduction in net sales described above, along with presenting estimated fiscal 2016 adjusted diluted earnings per common share guidance, excluding the impact of the planned severance and working capital costs noted above, aids in making period-to-period comparisons and is a meaningful indication of its estimated operating performance. The Company's management utilizes and plans to utilize this non-GAAP financial information to compare the Company's operating performance during the 2015 fiscal year to the comparable period in the 2014 fiscal year and to compare the Company’s operating performance during the 2016 fiscal year to the comparable period in the 2015 fiscal year and to internally prepared projections.








UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)


 
Three months ended
 
Fiscal year ended
 
August 1,
2015
 
August 2,
2014
 
August 1,
2015
 
August 2,
2014
Net sales
$
2,061,313

 
$
1,764,666

 
$
8,184,978

 
$
6,794,447

Cost of sales
1,744,907

 
1,474,493

 
6,924,463

 
5,666,802

Gross profit
316,406

 
290,173

 
1,260,515

 
1,127,645

Operating expenses
251,317

 
238,871

 
1,017,755

 
916,857

Restructuring and asset impairment expenses

 

 
803

 

Total operating expenses
251,317

 
238,871

 
1,018,558

 
916,857

Operating income
65,089

 
51,302

 
241,957

 
210,788

Other expense (income):
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Interest expense
3,769

 
1,809

 
14,498

 
7,753

Interest income
(71
)
 
(134
)
 
(356
)
 
(508
)
Other, net
1,831

 
(4,269
)
 
(1,954
)
 
(3,865
)
Total other expense (income), net
5,529

 
(2,594
)
 
12,188

 
3,380

Income before income taxes
59,560

 
53,896

 
229,769

 
207,408

Provision for income taxes
23,462

 
20,521

 
91,035

 
81,926

Net income
$
36,098

 
$
33,375

 
$
138,734

 
$
125,482

Basic per share data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.72

 
$
0.67

 
$
2.77

 
$
2.53

Weighted average basic shares of common stock
50,091

 
49,675

 
50,021

 
49,602

Diluted per share data:
 

 


 
 

 
 

Net income
$
0.72

 
$
0.67

 
$
2.76

 
$
2.52

Weighted average diluted shares of common stock
50,330

 
49,972

 
50,267

 
49,888







UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
 
August 1,
2015
 
August 2,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
17,380

 
$
16,116

Accounts receivable, net
 
474,494

 
441,528

Inventories
 
982,559

 
834,722

Deferred income taxes
 
32,333

 
32,518

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
46,976

 
45,064

Total current assets
 
1,553,742

 
1,369,948

Property and equipment, net
 
572,452

 
483,960

Goodwill
 
266,640

 
274,548

Intangible assets, net
 
125,830

 
134,989

Other assets
 
31,526

 
25,446

Total assets
 
$
2,550,190

 
$
2,288,891

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
390,134

 
$
377,548

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
129,113

 
136,959

Current portion of long-term debt
 
11,613

 
990

Total current liabilities
 
530,860

 
515,497

Notes payable
 
362,993

 
415,660

Deferred income taxes
 
65,644

 
50,995

Other long-term liabilities
 
30,380

 
30,865

Long-term debt, excluding current portion
 
174,780

 
32,510

Total liabilities
 
1,164,657

 
1,045,527

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 5,000 shares; none issued or outstanding
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 100,000 shares; 50,096 issued and outstanding shares at August 1, 2015; 49,771 issued and outstanding shares at August 2, 2014
 
501

 
498

Additional paid-in capital
 
420,584

 
402,875

Unallocated shares of Employee Stock Ownership Plan
 

 
(14
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(19,443
)
 
(5,152
)
Retained earnings
 
983,891

 
845,157

Total stockholders' equity
 
1,385,533

 
1,243,364

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
2,550,190

 
$
2,288,891







UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
Fiscal Year Ended
(In thousands)
August 1,
2015
 
August 2,
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
138,734

 
$
125,482

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
63,800

 
48,758

Deferred income tax expense
15,339

 
881

Share-based compensation
13,981

 
14,608

Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements
(2,746
)
 
(2,601
)
(Gain) loss on disposals of property and equipment
(499
)
 
647

Restructuring and asset impairment
803

 

Gain associated with acquisition of land
(2,824
)
 
(4,840
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
5,059

 
3,152

   Non-cash interest expense
389

 
2,012

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired companies:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(42,257
)
 
(71,247
)
Inventories
(153,701
)
 
(97,819
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
4,541

 
2,024

Accounts payable
16,001

 
28,734

Accrued expenses
(7,756
)
 
12,627

Net cash provided by operating activities
48,864

 
62,418

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(129,134
)
 
(147,303
)
Purchases of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired
(8,036
)
 
(211,574
)
Long-term investment
(3,000
)
 

Payment of company owned life insurance premiums
(2,925
)
 

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
1,026

 
6,084

Net cash used in investing activities
(142,069
)
 
(352,793
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit line
728,316

 
853,884

Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit line
(779,461
)
 
(568,338
)
Proceeds from borrowings from long-term debt
150,000

 

Repayments of long-term debt
(11,197
)
 
(1,226
)
Increase in bank overdraft
5,003

 
11,501

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
3,415

 
2,215

Payment of employee restricted stock tax withholdings
(2,430
)
 
(3,757
)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements
2,746

 
2,601

Capitalized debt issuance costs
(1,965
)
 
(1,523
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
94,427

 
295,357

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
42

 
23

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
1,264

 
5,005


 
 


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
16,116

 
11,111

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
17,380

 
$
16,116

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
$
14,632

 
$
6,599

Cash paid for federal and state income taxes, net of refunds
$
72,357

 
$
77,091






UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME WITH ADJUSTMENTS
Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Presentation (unaudited)
(In thousands)

 
 
Fiscal year ended August 1, 2015
 
 
 
GAAP
 
Adjustment (1)
 
 
Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
241,957

 
$
9,326

 
 
$
251,283

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Adjusted for the impact of a $9.3 million reduction in net sales related to an incorrect calculation of amounts owed to a customer.





UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
Reconciliation of 2016 Guidance for Estimated GAAP Diluted Earnings per Common Share to
Estimated Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Common Share (unaudited)


 
Fiscal Year Ending July 30, 2016
 
Low Range
High Range
 
 
 
GAAP diluted earnings per common share
$
2.80

$
2.93

Less impact of planned severance and working capital costs
0.06

0.05

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share
$
2.86

$
2.98





UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC.
Reconciliation of 2015 GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Presentation
Included in Fiscal 2016 Guidance (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)



 
 
Fiscal year ended August 1, 2015
 
 
 
GAAP
 
Adjustments (2)
 
 
Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
 
$
241,957

 
$
7,736

 
 
$
249,693

 
Net income
 
$
138,734

 
$
4,671

 
 
$
143,405

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted per share data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
2.76

 
$
0.09

 
 
$
2.85


Weighted average diluted shares of common stock outstanding
 
50,267

 
 
 
 
50,267

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) Adjusted for the $7.7 million second quarter fiscal 2015 impact of the $9.3 million reduction in net sales the Company recognized in fiscal 2015 related to an incorrect calculation of amounts owed to a customer.