EX-99.1 2 exhibit_99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1
Caesarstone Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results

·
Q4 record revenue, up 9.8% to $148.1 million; up 7.0% on a constant currency basis
·
$17 million legal settlement and loss contingency expenses, mainly related to arbitration result drives Q4 controlling interest net loss of $6.4 million
·
Diluted and basic loss per share of $0.19; adjusted diluted EPS of $0.22
·
FY17 revenue up 9.2% to record $588.1 million; up 7.4% on a constant currency basis
·
FY17 Diluted EPS of $0.73; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.45
·
Provides 2018 guidance for revenues and adjusted EBITDA
·
Declares special dividend of $0.29 per share and initiates recurring dividend policy
 
MP MENASHE, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Caesarstone Ltd. (NASDAQ:CSTE), a manufacturer of high quality engineered quartz surfaces, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017.

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased by 9.8% to a fourth quarter record level of $148.1 million as compared to $135.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year; on a constant currency basis, fourth quarter revenue growth was 7.0%.  Increase in revenue was driven primarily by continued strong performance in the United States and Canada, which grew 10.3% and 15.0%, respectively.

Raanan Zilberman, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “This has been a challenging year, however we were pleased with our top line increase, especially our 10% growth in the U.S. We are also pleased with our first year of direct distribution in the U.K., which yielded significant double digit revenue growth and we believe represents a solid growth opportunity going forward. At the same time, the growing quartz category has continued to evolve with increased competition from manufacturers in low cost countries. Our intention is to accelerate the innovation stream of new products and colors and to continue leading the global market with our premium brand and strong position. In addition, we have accelerated our efforts to diversify our production sourcing to improve our competitive position.”

Gross margin in the fourth quarter was 31.3% compared to 38.1% in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in margin was attributable to lower production throughput in Israel, increased polyester prices, lower average selling prices in some regions and a higher portion of fabrication and installation revenue, which comes with lower margins.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter were $51.3 million, or 34.6% of revenue, as compared to $32.3 million, or 23.9% of revenue, in the same quarter last year. This increase in expenses was primarily due to legal settlements and loss contingency expenses which totaled $17.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $3.1 million in the same quarter last year.  This growth was primarily attributable to the result of the arbitration with Kfar Giladi, an action which commenced in 2011.  Excluding legal settlements and loss contingency expenses, operating expenses would have been 23.1% of revenue in this year’s fourth quarter compared to 21.6% in the same quarter last year, reflecting increased sales and marketing investments in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The arbitration result described above drove an operating loss in the fourth quarter of $4.9 million, compared to a profit of $19.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes expenses for share-based compensation as well as legal settlements and loss contingencies, was $21.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, a margin of 14.2%. This compares to adjusted EBITDA of $30.0 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter, a margin of 22.2%.  This year-over-year margin comparison reflects the gross margin and operating expenses factors mentioned above.


Finance expenses in the fourth quarter were $1.1 million compared to $1.0 million during the same period in the prior year. Increased expenses related to exchange rate fluctuations were offset by higher interest income from bank deposits and reduced bank fees.

The Company reported a net loss attributable to controlling interest for the fourth quarter of 2017 of $6.4 million compared to income of $15.1 million in the same quarter in the prior year.  Diluted and basic net loss per share for the fourth quarter was $0.19 compared to diluted net income per share of $0.37 in the prior year's fourth quarter. Adjusted diluted net income per share for the fourth quarter was $0.22 compared to last year’s fourth quarter level of $0.53, both calculated on 34.4 million shares.

Full-Year Results

The Company grew revenue for the full year of 2017 by 9.2% to a record of $588.1 million compared to $538.5 million in 2016; on a constant currency basis, growth was 7.4%. Growth was led by the United States and Canada, which grew at rates of 10.2% and 14.1%, respectively.

Gross margin was 33.5% compared to 39.5% in 2016. The year-over-year gross margin difference was driven by lower throughput in Israel, increased polyester prices, an increased portion of total production coming from Richmond-Hill plant which continues to require higher costs, and an increased content of fabrication and installation revenue.

Operating expenses in 2017 were $156.7 million, or 26.6% of revenue, compared to $119.7 million, or 22.2% of revenue, in the prior year. Legal settlements and loss contingency expenses were $24.8 million in 2017 compared with $5.9 million last year.  Excluding legal settlements and loss contingency expenses, operating expenses would have been 22.4% of revenue compared to 21.1% in 2016. This increase in expenses as a percent of sales mainly reflects planned investments in marketing and sales capabilities to support current and future growth in the United States and the shift to a direct distribution in the United Kingdom in early 2017.

Operating income in 2017 was $40.5 million, a margin of 6.9%, compared to $92.8 million in 2016, a margin of 17.2%.

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, legal settlements and loss contingencies expenses and other non-recurring items, was $100.4 million in 2017, a margin of 17.1%. This compares to adjusted EBITDA of $130.3 million in the prior year, a margin of 24.2%.  This year-over-year margin difference reflects the gross margin factors and the increased investment in marketing and sales described above.

Finance expenses in 2017 were $5.6 million compared to $3.3 million during the prior year. Expenses related to exchange rate fluctuations were up $2.9 million, partially offset by increased interest income from our bank deposits.

Net income attributable to controlling interest was $26.2 million for the full year of 2017 compared to $74.6 million in 2016. Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest was $49.8 million compared to $81.2 million in 2016. Adjusted diluted income per share was $1.45 on 34.4 million shares in 2017, compared to $2.33 on 34.8 million shares in the prior year.

The Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 including cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits was $138.7 million, an increase of $36.8 million net of bank loans, relative to 2016 year-end.

Dividend

The Company declared a special cash dividend of $0.29 per ordinary share to be paid to shareholders of record as of February 21, 2018, payable on March 14, 2018. The dividend payment is subject to withholding tax of 20%.


The Company also adopted a dividend policy pursuant to which it intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend in the range of $0.10-$0.15 per share up to the lesser of 50% of the reported net income attributable to controlling interest (i) on a quarterly basis or (ii) on a year-to-date basis, subject in each case to approval by its board of directors.

The Company believes that the special dividend and its new dividend policy will not affect its ability to fund its growth strategy, including anticipated capital expenditures and working capital needs for the foreseeable future.

Guidance

The Company today issued guidance for the full-year of 2018.  It expects its 2018 revenue to be in the range of $612 million to $632 million, and adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $102 million to $110 million.

Conference Call Details

Raanan Zilberman, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Yair Averbuch, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results, followed by a question and answer session for the investment community. A live webcast of the call can be accessed at ir.caesarstone.com. To access the call, dial toll-free 1-877-407-4018 or +1-201-689-8471 (international). The toll-free Israeli number is 1 80 940 6247. Upon dialing in, please request to join the Caesarstone Fourth Quarter Earnings Call.
 
To listen to a telephonic replay of the conference call, dial toll-free 1-844-512-2921 or +1-412-317-6671 (international) and enter pass code 13675687. The replay will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 and will last through 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.
 
About Caesarstone

Caesarstone manufactures high quality engineered quartz surfaces, which are used in both residential and commercial buildings as countertops, vanities, wall cladding, floors and other interior surfaces. The wide variety of colors, styles, designs and textures of Caesarstone® products, along with Caesarstone's inherent characteristics such as hardness, non-porous, scratch and stain resistance and durability, provide consumers with excellent surfaces for their internal spaces which are highly competitive to granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate, as well as to other engineered quartz surfaces. Caesarstone's four collections of products — Classico, Supernatural, Motivo, and Concetto — are available in over 50 countries around the world. For more information about the Company, please visit our website www.caesarstone.com. (CSTE-E)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP measures presented by the Company should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, comparable GAAP measures. A reconciliation of GAAP net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest and net income to Adjusted EBITDA are provided in the schedules within this release. The Company provides these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes that they present a better measure of the Company's core business and management uses the non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate the Company's ongoing performance. Accordingly, the Company believes that they are useful to investors in enhancing an understanding of the Company's operating performance.


Forward-Looking Statements

Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to the Company's plans, objectives and expectations for future operations, including its projected results of operations and the expected timing of expanding its manufacturing facilities. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These factors include, but are not limited to: the strength of the home renovation and construction sectors; economic conditions within any of our key existing markets; actions by our competitors; changes in raw material prices, particularly polymer resins and pigments; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; the success of our expansion efforts in the United States; the outcome of silicosis claims and other claims; unpredictability of seasonal fluctuations in revenues; delays in manufacturing and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact
James Palczynski
Partner
ICR, Inc.
+1 (203) 682-8229


Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated balance sheets
 
   
As of
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
December 31, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
ASSETS
           
             
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits
 
$
138,707
   
$
106,270
 
Trade receivables, net
   
73,267
     
63,072
 
Other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
   
33,053
     
39,484
 
Inventories
   
132,940
     
101,474
 
                 
Total current assets
   
377,967
     
310,300
 
                 
LONG-TERM ASSETS:
               
Severance pay fund
   
3,887
     
3,403
 
Other receivables long-term
   
15,210
     
7,977
 
                 
Total long-term assets
   
19,097
     
11,380
 
                 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
   
216,653
     
222,818
 
                 
OTHER ASSETS
   
2,241
     
4,546
 
                 
GOODWILL
   
37,029
     
35,656
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
652,987
   
$
584,700
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
                 
Short-term bank credit
 
$
4,191
   
$
8,540
 
Trade payables
   
64,021
     
48,633
 
Related party and other loan
   
3,463
     
3,099
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
55,782
     
33,065
 
                 
Total current liabilities
   
127,457
     
93,337
 
                 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
               
                 
Long-term loan and financing leaseback from a related party
   
8,336
     
8,070
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies long-term
   
23,454
     
12,527
 
Accrued severance pay
   
5,556
     
4,265
 
Long-term warranty provision
   
1,151
     
988
 
Deferred tax liabilities, net
   
657
     
14,921
 
                 
Total long-term liabilities
   
39,154
     
40,771
 
                 
REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
   
16,481
     
12,939
 
                 
EQUITY:
               
Ordinary shares
   
371
     
371
 
Treasury shares - at cost
   
(39,430
)
   
(39,430
)
Additional paid-in capital
   
151,880
     
146,536
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
683
     
(1,150
)
Retained earnings
   
356,391
     
331,326
 
                 
Total equity
   
469,895
     
437,653
 
                 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
652,987
   
$
584,700
 
 
 

Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of income (loss)
 
   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands (except per share data)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
                         
Revenues
 
$
148,140
   
$
134,975
   
$
588,147
   
$
538,543
 
Cost of revenues
   
101,797
     
83,543
     
390,924
     
326,057
 
                                 
Gross profit
   
46,343
     
51,432
     
197,223
     
212,486
 
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
   
1,251
     
713
     
4,164
     
3,290
 
Marketing and selling
   
20,415
     
18,568
     
81,789
     
70,343
 
General and administrative
   
12,610
     
9,930
     
45,930
     
40,181
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies, net
   
16,979
     
3,115
     
24,797
     
5,868
 
                                 
Total operating expenses
   
51,255
     
32,326
     
156,680
     
119,682
 
                                 
Operating income (loss)
   
(4,912
)
   
19,106
     
40,543
     
92,804
 
Finance expenses, net
   
1,074
     
1,000
     
5,583
     
3,318
 
                                 
Income (loss) before taxes on income
   
(5,986
)
   
18,106
     
34,960
     
89,486
 
Taxes on income
   
35
     
2,790
     
7,402
     
13,003
 
                                 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(6,021
)
 
$
15,316
   
$
27,558
   
$
76,483
 
                                 
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
   
(364
)
   
(248
)
   
(1,356
)
   
(1,887
)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest
 
$
(6,385
)
 
$
15,068
   
$
26,202
   
$
74,596
 
Basic net income (loss) per ordinary share (*)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
0.37
   
$
0.73
   
$
2.08
 
Diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share (*)
 
$
(0.19
)
 
$
0.37
   
$
0.73
   
$
2.08
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic income (loss) per
ordinary share
   
34,338,960
     
34,321,573
     
34,334,197
     
34,706,303
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing diluted income (loss) per
ordinary share
   
34,338,960
     
34,356,672
     
34,385,870
     
34,763,920
 
 
(*) The numerator for the calculation of net income (loss) per share for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 has been reduced by approximately $0.1 and $1.1 million respectively, to reflect the adjustment to redemption value associated with the redeemable non-controlling interest.

 
Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Selected Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows
 
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
             
Net income
 
$
27,558
   
$
76,483
 
Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
29,926
     
28,254
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
5,277
     
3,068
 
Accrued severance pay, net
   
788
     
(150
)
Changes in deferred tax, net
   
(4,857
)
   
(963
)
Capital loss (income)
   
(7
)
   
32
 
Legal settlemnets and loss contingencies, net
   
24,797
     
5,868
 
Compensation paid by a shareholder
   
-
     
266
 
Increase in trade receivables
   
(7,573
)
   
(4,184
)
Increase in other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
   
(6,955
)
   
(5,617
)
Increase in inventories
   
(27,833
)
   
(5,376
)
Increase in trade payables
   
13,853
     
1,424
 
Increase in warranty provision
   
234
     
100
 
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities including related party
   
5,809
     
2,314
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
61,017
     
101,519
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
                 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
   
(22,675
)
   
(22,943
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
   
11
     
22
 
Increase in long term deposits
   
(102
)
   
(452
)
                 
Net cash used in investing activities (*)
   
(22,766
)
   
(23,373
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
                 
Dividend paid by subsidiary to non-controlling interest
   
-
     
(243
)
Changes in short-term bank credit and loans, net
   
(5,095
)
   
5,157
 
Repayment of a financing leaseback related to Bar-Lev transaction
   
(1,172
)
   
(1,100
)
Purchase of treasury shares at cost
   
-
     
(39,430
)
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(6,267
)
   
(35,616
)
                 
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents
   
453
     
933
 
                 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits
   
32,437
     
43,463
 
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits at beginning of the period
   
106,270
     
62,807
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits at end of the period
 
$
138,707
   
$
106,270
 
                 
Non - cash investing:
               
Changes in trade payables balances related to purchase of fixed assets
   
(1,552
)
   
(403
)
 
(*) Cash used in investing activities does not include changes in bank deposits as such balance is included in the “cash and cash equivalents and short term bank deposits” line at the beginning and end of the period.
 

Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
 
   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Reconciliation of Net Income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:
                       
Net income (loss)
 
$
(6,021
)
 
$
15,316
   
$
27,558
   
$
76,483
 
Finance expenses, net
   
1,074
     
1,000
     
5,583
     
3,318
 
Taxes on income
   
35
     
2,790
     
7,402
     
13,003
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
7,509
     
7,211
     
29,926
     
28,254
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies, net (a)
   
16,979
     
3,115
     
24,797
     
5,868
 
Compensation paid by a shareholder (b)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
266
 
Share-based compensation expense (c)
   
1,388
     
535
     
5,277
     
3,068
 
Provision for employees fringe benefits (d)
   
-
     
-
     
(114
)
   
-
 
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)
 
$
20,964
   
$
29,967
   
$
100,429
   
$
130,260
 
 
(a)
Consists of legal settlements expenses and loss contingencies, net, related primarily to Kfar Giladi arbitration, as well as to product liability claims and other adjustments to on-going legal claims.
(b)
One time bonus paid by a shareholder to Company's employees.
                 
(c)
Share-based compensation includes expenses related to stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees and directors of the Company.
 
In addition, includes expenses for phantom awards granted and related payroll expenses as a result of exercises.
     
(d)
Relates to an adjustment of provision for taxable employee fringe benefits as a result of a settlement with the Israeli Tax Authority and with the National Insurance Intitute of Israel.
 
Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
 
   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands (except per share data)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest:
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest
 
$
(6,385
)
 
$
15,068
   
$
26,202
   
$
74,596
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies, net (a)
   
16,979
     
3,115
     
24,797
     
5,868
 
Compensation paid by a shareholder (b)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
266
 
Share-based compensation expense (c)
   
1,388
     
535
     
5,277
     
3,068
 
Provision for employees fringe benefits (d)
   
-
     
-
     
(114
)
   
-
 
Tax adjustment (e)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,158
)
Total adjustments
   
18,367
     
3,650
     
29,960
     
8,044
 
Less tax on non-tax adjustments (f)
   
4,258
     
572
     
6,343
     
1,456
 
Total adjustments after tax
   
14,109
     
3,078
     
23,617
     
6,588
 
                                 
Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest (Non-GAAP)
 
$
7,724
   
$
18,146
   
$
49,819
   
$
81,184
 
Adjusted diluted EPS (g)
 
$
0.22
   
$
0.53
   
$
1.45
   
$
2.33
 
 
(a)
Consists of legal settlements expenses and loss contingencies, net, related primarily to Kfar Giladi arbitration, as well as to product liability claims and other adjustments to on-going legal claims.
(b)
One time bonus paid by a shareholder to Company's employees.
                 
(c)
Share-based compensation includes expenses related to stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees and directors of the Company. In addition, includes expenses for phantom awards granted and the related payroll expenses as a result of exercises.
(d)
Relates to an adjustment of provision for taxable employee fringe benefits as a result of a settlement with the Israeli Tax Authority and with the National Insurance Intitute of Israel.
(e)
Tax adjustment as a result of tax settlement with the Israeli tax authorities.
             
(f)
Tax adjustments for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were based on the effective tax rates for these periods, respectively.
(g)
In calculating adjusted diluted (Non-GAAP) EPS, the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding excludes the effects of share-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
 

Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Geographic breakdown of revenues by region
 
   
Three months ended December 31,
   
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
                         
USA
 
$
60,632
   
$
54,963
   
$
245,361
   
$
222,597
 
Australia (incl. New Zealand)
   
36,663
     
36,062
     
137,559
     
130,910
 
Canada
   
24,678
     
21,460
     
97,838
     
85,740
 
Israel
   
9,933
     
9,816
     
44,489
     
42,545
 
Europe
   
6,380
     
5,199
     
28,679
     
25,606
 
Rest of World
   
9,854
     
7,475
     
34,221
     
31,145
 
   
$
148,140
   
$
134,975
   
$
588,147
   
$
538,543