EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED FEBRUARY 8,2007 ANNOUNCING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 2006 PRESS RELEASE DATED FEBRUARY 8,2007 ANNOUNCING RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 2006

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Paul B. Toms Jr.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Phone: (276) 632-2133, or

E. Larry Ryder, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (276) 632-2133, or

Kim D. Shaver

Vice President, Marketing Communications

Phone: (336) 454-7088

Hooker Furniture Reports Record Sales, Improved Profits for 2006

Martinsville, Va., February 8, 2007: Hooker Furniture (NASDAQ-CM:HOFT) today announced record annual net sales of $350.0 million for its year ended November 30, 2006, an $8.3 million or 2.4% increase from 2005 net sales of $341.8 million. Annual net income of $14.1 million, or $1.18 per share, increased $1.6 million, or 12.8%, compared to 2005 net income of approximately $12.5 million, or $1.06 per share.

“2006 was a year of positive momentum for Hooker Furniture as we performed better operationally, achieved record annual net sales and made significant progress toward our long-term strategic goal of transforming into a home furnishings design, marketing and logistics company with world-wide sourcing capabilities,” said Paul B. Toms Jr., chairman, chief executive officer and president. “We were gratified with our operating and net income improvement for the year despite large restructuring and asset impairment charges and higher warehousing and distribution costs, which we expect to decline going forward,” he said.

For the fourth quarter of 2006, net sales of $91.0 million increased 0.9% from net sales of $90.2 million in the same quarter a year ago. Fourth quarter net income of $3.5 million, or $0.29 per share, decreased 13.3% from $4.0 million, or $0.34 per share, in the same quarter last year, primarily due to asset impairment charges related to the closing of Hooker’s Martinsville, Va. wood furniture plant. Hooker announced on January 17, 2007 that it plans to close its last remaining wood furniture facility by the end of March 2007, marking the Company’s exit from domestic wood furniture manufacturing.

Operating income for 2006 increased to $22.8 million, or 6.5% of net sales, compared to $21.2 million, or 6.2% of net sales, in 2005. For the 2006 fourth quarter, operating income declined to $5.6 million, or 6.2% of net sales, versus $6.6 million, or 7.3% of net sales, in the 2005 fourth quarter.

However, excluding the effect of restructuring and asset impairment charges, operating profitability in the 2006 quarterly and annual periods improved significantly year over year compared to the same 2005 periods, principally as a result of increased net sales volume and improving gross profit margins on the Company’s imported wood and upholstered furniture. The following table reconciles operating income as a percentage of net sales (“operating margin”) to operating margin excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges (“restructuring charges”) for each period:

 

    

Three Months

Ended November 30,

   

Twelve Months

Ended November 30,

 
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Operating margin, including restructuring charges

   6.2 %   7.3 %   6.5 %   6.2 %

Restructuring charges as a percentage of net sales

   4.1 %   0.2 %   2.0 %   1.5 %
                        

Operating margin, excluding restructuring charges

   10.3 %   7.5 %   8.5 %   7.7 %
                        

Restructuring and asset impairment charges amounted to $3.7 million ($2.3 million after tax, or $0.19 per share) in the 2006 fourth quarter compared with $211,000 ($131,000 after tax, or $0.01 per share) in the same 2005 three-month period. For the year, restructuring and asset impairment charges amounted to $6.9 million ($4.3 million after tax, or $0.36 per share) compared to $5.3 million ($3.3 million after tax, or $0.28 per share) for 2005.


Hooker also improved its balance sheet during 2006. During the just completed fourth quarter, the Company’s cash position and inventory levels improved significantly. Cash and cash equivalents increased by 203%, to $31.9 million at fiscal year end 2006 from $10.5 million at August 31, 2006 and by 94.7% from $16.4 million as of November 30, 2005. Since August 31, 2006, Hooker has decreased finished goods inventories by $15.6 million, or 18.7%, and approached the targeted inventory level the Company believes it needs to support current business.

“We made good headway in bringing down our inventory item count and finished goods inventory levels during the fourth quarter,” Toms said. “While we struggled with increased warehousing and distribution costs during 2006, going forward, we believe there is good potential to reduce warehousing and distribution costs further as we refine our supply chain management and logistics,” he said.

Announcements

On January 29, 2007, the Company announced it had discontinued its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) effective January 26, 2007, in a move to reduce costs, increase competitiveness and better align employee benefits with its new business model. The termination will result in a $18.4 million, non-cash, non-tax deductible charge to earnings in January, during the Company’s two-month transition period resulting from the change to a January year-end from the Company’s previous November 30 year-end. The first full year under the new fiscal calendar began January 29, 2007, and will end February 3, 2008.

In a separate announcement on February 7, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $20.0 million of the Company’s common stock. These repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise, at prices that the Company deems appropriate.

Also on February 7, 2007, the Board declared an increased quarterly cash dividend, from the previous rate of $0.08 per share to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable February 28, 2007, to shareholders of record February 19, 2007.

“The Board’s actions demonstrate its confidence in the Company’s strategy, growth opportunities and financial strength,” Toms said. “We believe that purchasing Hooker’s shares represents a prudent use of the Company’s cash and enhances shareholder value. Our strong financial condition and improved cash flow will allow us to simultaneously take advantage of opportunities to purchase our stock at attractive prices while continuing our investment in the Company’s future growth.”

Business Outlook

“We think business conditions will remain challenging at least through the first half of 2007 based on industry forecasts for a lower growth rate in furniture shipments and a decline in our own incoming orders during the 2006 fourth quarter, which declined 5% to 6% compared to the 2005 fourth quarter for Hooker and Bradington-Young combined,” Toms said. “While the top line will be challenging, we expect improved financial performance even in the face of flat sales because of the steps we have taken to reduce costs and the progress we are making in our supply chain management and warehousing and distribution functions.”

Conference Call Details

(Please note the following change in the dial in number for the earnings call.)

Hooker Furniture will present its 2006 three and twelve month earnings via teleconference and live internet web cast on Friday morning February 9, 2007 at 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time. The dial in number for domestic callers is (888) 802-2275 and (913) 312-1267 for international callers. The call will be simultaneously web cast and archived for replay on the Company’s web site at www.hookerfurniture.com in the Investor Relations section.

 

2


Ranked among the nation’s top 10 largest publicly traded furniture sources based on 2005 shipments to U.S. retailers, Hooker Furniture is an 82-year old importer and manufacturer of residential wood, metal and upholstered furniture. The Company’s principal customers are home furnishings retailers who are broadly dispersed throughout North America. Major furniture categories include home entertainment and wall units, home office, casual and formal dining, bedroom, bath furnishings, accent, occasional and motion and stationary leather and fabric upholstered furniture. With approximately 1,000 employees, the Company operates three manufacturing plants, two supply plants, several distribution centers, warehouses and showrooms and a corporate office in Virginia and North Carolina. The Company’s stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol HOFT, and closed at $15.65 per share on February 8, 2007. Please visit our websites at www.hookerfurniture.com and www.bradington-young.com.

Statements made in this release, other than those concerning historical financial information, may be considered forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: domestic and international competition in the furniture industry; general economic or business conditions, both domestically and internationally; the cyclical nature of the furniture industry; achieving and managing growth and change and the risks associated with acquisitions, restructurings, strategic alliances and international operations; supply, transportation and distribution disruptions or delays affecting imported and domestically manufactured products; adverse political acts or developments in, or affecting, the international markets from which the Company imports products, including duties or tariffs imposed on products imported by the Company; changes in domestic and international monetary policies and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affecting the price of the Company’s imported products; risks associated with distribution through retailers, such as non-binding dealership arrangements; risks associated with manufacturing operations, such as fluctuations in the price of key raw materials, including lumber and leather, and environmental matters; and capital requirements and costs.

 

3


Table I

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, including share data)

 

    

November 30,

2006

   

November 30,

2005

 

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 31,864     $ 16,365  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,807 and $1,352 on each date

     45,444       43,993  

Inventories

     68,139       68,718  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,789       4,042  

Assets held for sale

       1,656  
                

Total current assets

     149,236       134,774  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     29,215       37,006  

Goodwill

     2,396       2,396  

Intangible assets

     4,415       4,590  

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

     11,458       9,880  

Other assets

     3,156       406  
                

Total assets

   $ 199,876     $ 189,052  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 11,251     $ 13,872  

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits

     6,201       6,272  

Other accrued expenses

     5,195       2,628  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     2,457       2,283  
                

Total current liabilities

     25,104       25,055  

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

     8,555       11,012  

Deferred compensation

     3,924       3,516  

Other long-term liabilities

     508       857  
                

Total liabilities

     38,091       40,440  

Shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock, no par value, 20,000 shares authorized,

    

14,429 and 14,425 shares issued and outstanding on each date

     11,181       9,516  

Unearned ESOP shares, 2,374 and 2,538 shares on each date

     (14,862 )     (15,861 )

Retained earnings

     165,575       155,183  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (109 )     (226 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     161,785       148,612  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 199,876     $ 189,052  
                

 

4


Table II

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

    

Three Months

Ended November 30,

  

Twelve Months

Ended November 30,

     2006(a)    2005(b)    2006(c)    2005(d)

Net Sales

   $ 90,987    $ 90,153    $ 350,026    $ 341,775

Cost of sales

     63,018      64,654      248,812      249,873
                           

Gross profit

     27,969      25,499      101,214      91,902

Selling and administrative expenses

     18,619      18,713      71,549      65,497

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

     3,736      211      6,881      5,250
                           

Operating income

     5,614      6,575      22,784      21,155

Other income, net

     152      138      995      563
                           

Income before interest and income taxes

     5,766      6,713      23,779      21,718

Interest expense

     248      200      908      1,209
                           

Income before income taxes

     5,518      6,513      22,871      20,509

Income taxes

     2,041      2,501      8,792      8,024
                           

Net income

   $ 3,477    $ 4,012    $ 14,079    $ 12,485
                           

Earnings per share:

           

Basic and diluted

   $ 0.29    $ 0.34    $ 1.18    $ 1.06
                           

Weighted average shares outstanding:

           

Basic

     12,014      11,839      11,951      11,795
                           

Diluted

     12,014      11,839      11,953      11,795
                           

(a) During the 2006 fourth quarter, the Company recorded $3.7 million ($2.3 million after tax, or $0.19 per share) in asset impairment charges (net of restructuring credits) principally related to: a) the announced closing of the Company’s Martinsville, Va. Wood furniture manufacturing facility ($4.2 million), net of b) a restructuring credit primarily to reverse previously accrued health care benefits for terminated employees that are not expected to be paid ($448,000).
(b) During the 2005 fourth quarter, the Company recorded $211,000 ($131,000 after tax, or $0.01 per share) in restructuring charges principally related to expenses incurred to prepare real property for sale at its former Pleasant Garden, N.C. manufacturing facility.
(c) During the 2006 twelve-month period, the Company recorded $6.9 million ($4.3 million after tax, or $0.36 per share) in aggregate restructuring and related asset impairment charges principally related to: a) the announced closing of the Martinsville facility ($4.2 million), and b) the July 2006 closing of the Company’s Roanoke, Va. wood furniture manufacturing facility ($2.7 million).
(d) During the 2005 twelve month period, the Company recorded aggregate restructuring and asset impairment charges of $5.3 million ($3.3 million after tax, or $0.28 per share), principally related to the closing of the Pleasant Garden, N.C. wood furniture manufacturing facility.


Table III

HOOKER FURNITURE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Twelve Months Ended  
    

November 30,

2006

   

November 30,

2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Cash received from customers

   $ 349,075     $ 339,041  

Cash paid to suppliers and employees

     (317,895 )     (308,957 )

Income taxes paid

     (8,741 )     (9,614 )

Interest paid, net

     (111 )     (846 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     22,328       19,624  
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

     (4,268 )     (3,590 )

Proceeds received on notes issued for the sale of property

     52       18  

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

     3,357       5,208  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (859 )     1,636  
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Payments on long-term debt

     (2,283 )     (9,871 )

Payment to terminate interest rate swap agreements

       (38 )

Cash dividends paid

     (3,687 )     (3,286 )

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

       (930 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (5,970 )     (14,125 )
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     15,499       7,135  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     16,365       9,230  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 31,864     $ 16,365  
                

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 14,079     $ 12,485  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,645       6,296  

Non-cash ESOP cost and restricted stock awards

     2,664       3,225  

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

     6,881       5,250  

Loss (gain) on disposal of property

     2       (10 )

Provision for doubtful accounts

     1,920       569  

Deferred income tax benefit

     (2,963 )     (1,479 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (3,371 )     (3,602 )

Inventories

     579       992  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (1,224 )     (2,026 )

Trade accounts payable

     (2,621 )     (1,058 )

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits

     (1,328 )     (2,440 )

Accrued income taxes

     2,402    

Other accrued expenses

     137       478  

Other long-term liabilities

     526       944  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 22,328     $ 19,624