EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACTS:

   The Nautilus Group, Inc.    Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
     Ron Arp    John Mills
     (360)418-6169    (310)395-2215 or (203)222-9013

 

NAUTILUS GROUP FOURTH QUARTER NET INCOME GROWS BY 51%

 

Company Completes Turnaround and Returns to Growth

 

VANCOUVER, Wash. – (February 2, 2005) – The Nautilus Group, Inc. (NYSE: NLS), a leading marketer, developer, and manufacturer of branded health and fitness products, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2004, including a net income increase of 51 percent in the fourth quarter.

 

Fourth-quarter net sales were $169.6 million compared to $152.8 million for the corresponding period last year, up 11 percent. Net income during the fourth quarter was $14.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, up from $9.4 million, or $0.28 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2003. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2004 included a gain of $0.01 per diluted share from reducing a tax reserve after the completion of normal federal tax audits.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, net sales were $523.8 million, compared to $498.8 million in 2003, a 5 percent increase. Net income was $30.0 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $34.4 million, or $1.04 in 2003. The Company finished 2004 with cash and cash equivalents of $104.6 million, up 44 percent in 2004 compared to the prior year.

 

“With this quarter’s excellent performance, we have concluded our turnaround as planned and returned our Company to growth,” said Gregg Hammann, chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe our Company is now properly positioned to expand our product offering and grow our market share in all sales channels in 2005. We believe our diversified portfolio of fitness brands offered across multiple channels provides us a venue to reach more consumers and serve their needs better than any other fitness company.”

 

“Now, we are preparing our organization to drive growth and invest in our future. We’re entering the first year of a three-year growth plan with four of the most widely recognized fitness brands that have been repositioned through consumer and customer insights, plus we have a growing pipeline of significant fitness innovations. We expect to accelerate the innovation cycle to launch more new products in 2005 than in any other year in the Company’s history.”

 

For the first quarter of 2005, the Company estimates that net sales would be in the range of $145 to $150 million, and earnings per share will grow by more than 25 percent to approximately $0.24 to $0.26.

 

For the full year of 2005, the Company believes net sales will grow around 15 percent compared to the prior year, and earnings will grow about 25 to 30 percent. The Company’s guidance does not include any impact from FASB statement 123R, which would require all companies to expense stock options for all periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Because of the seasonal nature of fitness equipment sales, the company expects over two-thirds of its earnings to occur in the second half of the year.


The Company announced today that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.10 per common share, payable March 10, 2005, to stockholders of record as of February 20, 2005.

 

The Company also announced it is proceeding with plans to change its name from The Nautilus Group, Inc. to Nautilus, Inc., reflecting that it is managed today as a single company rather than as a holding company.

 

The Company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. EST (2:00 p.m. PST) February 2, 2005 to discuss fourth quarter and year-end 2004 financial results. It will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at http://www.nautilus.com/ir/events.asp under “Investor Relations/Events Calendar” and will be archived online within one hour after completion of the call. In addition, listeners may call (800) 240-6709 from anywhere in North America, and (303) 262-2175 from outside North America. Participants will include: Gregg Hammann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Rod Rice, Chief Financial Officer; and Tim Hawkins, Chief Customer Officer and Chief Marketing Officer. A telephonic playback will be available from 7:00 p.m. PST February 2 through 11:59 p.m. PST, February 16, 2005. North American callers can dial (800) 405-2236 and other international callers can dial (303) 590-3000 to hear the playback. The passcode is 11022318#.

 

About The Nautilus Group, Inc.

 

Headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., The Nautilus Group, Inc. (NYSE:NLS) helps people achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle through proper exercise, rest and nutrition. With a brand portfolio that includes Nautilus®, Bowflex®, Schwinn®Fitness, StairMaster® and Trimline®, The Nautilus Group, Inc. manufactures and markets a complete line of innovative health and fitness products through direct, commercial and retail channels. The Company was formed in 1986 and has nearly 1,100 employees and operations in Washington, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, China, and other locations around the world. More information is at www.nautilus.com.

 

This press release includes forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause The Nautilus Group’s actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include availability of media time and fluctuating advertising rates, a decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions, its ability to effectively develop, market, and sell future products, its ability to get foreign-sourced product through customs in a timely manner, its ability to effectively identify and negotiate any future strategic acquisitions, its ability to protect its intellectual property, introduction of lower-priced competing products, unpredictable events and circumstances relating to international operations including its use of foreign manufacturers, government regulatory action, and general economic conditions. Please refer to our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. We also caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


THE NAUTILUS GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,
2004


   

December 31,

2003


 

ASSETS

                

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 104,585     $ 72,634  

Trade receivables, net

     95,593       75,492  

Inventories

     49,104       53,129  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     9,427       6,049  

Short-term notes receivable

     2,503       2,362  

Current deferred tax assets

     4,661       4,646  
    


 


Total current assets

     265,873       214,312  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net

     46,350       50,602  

GOODWILL

     29,755       29,755  

OTHER ASSETS, net

     17,663       17,266  
    


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 359,641     $ 311,935  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Trade payables

     57,861       34,879  

Accrued liabilities

     24,685       28,648  

Income taxes payable

     10,803       8,488  

Royalty payable to stockholders

     18       2,133  

Customer deposits

     2,957       1,453  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     96,324       75,601  

OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

     200       —    

NONCURRENT DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

     11,081       10,206  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Common stock

     10,682       2,828  

Unearned compensation

     (1,204 )     (1,544 )

Retained earnings

     238,474       221,580  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     4,084       3,264  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     252,036       226,128  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 359,641     $ 311,935  
    


 



THE NAUTILUS GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three months ended

December 31,


        

Twelve months ended

December 31,


      
     2004

    % of
Sales


    2003

   % of
Sales


    2004

    % of
Sales


    2003

   % of
Sales


 

NET SALES

   $ 169,580           $ 152,827          $ 523,837           $ 498,836       

COST OF SALES

     89,599     52.8 %     83,196    54.4 %     279,043     53.3 %     247,020    49.5 %
    


       

        


       

      

Gross profit

     79,981     47.2 %     69,631    45.6 %     244,794     46.7 %     251,816    50.5 %

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                                      

Selling and marketing

     46,185     27.2 %     39,557    25.9 %     156,577     29.9 %     149,245    29.9 %

General and administrative

     9,938     5.9 %     12,207    8.0 %     31,033     5.9 %     37,098    7.4 %

Research and development

     1,970     1.2 %     1,350    0.9 %     6,754     1.3 %     5,670    1.1 %

Related-party royalties

     —       0.0 %     1,718    1.1 %     1,843     0.4 %     6,556    1.3 %

Third-party royalties

     1,275     0.8 %     462    0.3 %     4,125     0.8 %     1,431    0.3 %
    


       

        


       

      

Total operating expenses

     59,368     35.0 %     55,294    36.2 %     200,332     38.3 %     200,000    40.1 %
    


       

        


       

      

OPERATING INCOME

     20,613     12.2 %     14,337    9.4 %     44,462     8.5 %     51,816    10.4 %

OTHER INCOME:

                                                      

Interest income

     444     0.3 %     246    0.2 %     1,357     0.3 %     839    0.2 %

Other - net

     (139 )   -0.1 %     61    0.0 %     (172 )   0.0 %     1,098    0.2 %
    


       

        


       

      

Total other income, net

     305     0.2 %     307    0.2 %     1,185     0.2 %     1,937    0.4 %
    


       

        


       

      

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     20,918     12.3 %     14,644    9.6 %     45,647     8.7 %     53,753    10.8 %

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     6,760     4.0 %     5,272    3.4 %     15,662     3.0 %     19,351    3.9 %
    


       

        


       

      

NET INCOME

   $ 14,158     8.3 %   $ 9,372    6.1 %   $ 29,985     5.7 %   $ 34,402    6.9 %
    


       

        


       

      

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

   $ 0.43           $ 0.29          $ 0.92           $ 1.06       

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

   $ 0.42           $ 0.28          $ 0.90           $ 1.04       

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                                                      

Basic shares outstanding

     32,989,860             32,602,362            32,756,766             32,579,533       

Diluted shares outstanding

     33,861,635             33,159,067            33,394,160             33,018,694       

 

 


THE NAUTILUS GROUP, INC.

Selected Financial Information

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Quarter Ended December 31,

 
     Net Sales

   Gross Profit

   Operating Income

   

Gross

Profit Margin


    Operating
Margin


 
     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Direct

   $ 83,969    $ 59,082    $ 58,311    $ 40,577    $ 16,482     $ 5,032     69.4 %   68.7 %   19.6 %   8.5 %

Commercial/Retail

     85,611      93,745      21,670      29,054      8,253       15,640     25.3 %   31.0 %   9.6 %   16.7 %

Corporate

     —        —        —        —        (4,122 )     (6,335 )   —       —       —       —    
    

  

  

  

  


 


 

 

 

 

Total

   $ 169,580    $ 152,827    $ 79,981    $ 69,631    $ 20,613     $ 14,337     47.2 %   45.6 %   12.2 %   9.4 %
    

  

  

  

  


 


 

 

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     Net Sales

   Gross Profit

   Operating Income

   

Gross

Profit Margin


    Operating
Margin


 
     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Direct

   $ 262,077    $ 246,902    $ 172,776    $ 172,986    $ 29,439     $ 31,476     65.9 %   70.1 %   11.2 %   12.7 %

Commercial/Retail

     261,760      251,934      72,018      78,830      26,021       34,657     27.5 %   31.3 %   9.9 %   13.8 %

Corporate

     —        —        —        —        (10,998 )     (14,317 )   —       —       —       —    
    

  

  

  

  


 


 

 

 

 

Total

   $ 523,837    $ 498,836    $ 244,794    $ 251,816    $ 44,462     $ 51,816     46.7 %   50.5 %   8.5 %   10.4 %
    

  

  

  

  


 


 

 

 

 

 

 


THE NAUTILUS GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
December 31,


    Twelve months ended
December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Net income

   $ 14,158     $ 9,372     $ 29,985     $ 34,402  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                                

Depreciation and amortization

     3,200       3,313       12,445       12,274  

Allowance for note receivable

     (594 )     594       (594 )     594  

Amortization of unearned compensation

     85       85       340       156  

Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

     560       (12 )     (1,214 )     119  

Tax benefit of exercise of nonqualified options

     970       1       1,285       541  

Deferred income taxes

     215       (832 )     963       (663 )

Changes in current assets and liabilities

     (9,610 )     638       4,269       (3,702 )
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     8,984       13,159       47,479       43,721  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Additions to property, plant and equipment

     (5,002 )     (1,415 )     (9,051 )     (7,017 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     —         38       649       54  

Net increase in other assets

     (1,249 )     (67 )     (1,069 )     (640 )

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments

     —         —         —         17,578  

Net decrease in notes receivable

     315       38       453       474  
    


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (5,936 )     (1,406 )     (9,018 )     10,449  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Cash dividends paid on common stock

     (3,289 )     (3,261 )     (13,091 )     (13,030 )

Funds used for stock repurchase

     —         —         —         (1,422 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     4,742       37       6,569       979  
    


 


 


 


Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     1,453       (3,224 )     (6,522 )     (13,473 )

Effect of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes

     151       280       12       218  
    


 


 


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     4,652       8,809       31,951       40,915  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     99,933       63,825       72,634       31,719  
    


 


 


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 104,585     $ 72,634     $ 104,585     $ 72,634