Boston Beer Reports Third Quarter Volume, Revenue And Earnings
BOSTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) today reports third quarter 2004 volume, revenue and earnings, as compared to the third quarter 2003.
3rd Quarter Results
For the 13-week period ended September 25, 2004, The Boston Beer Company recorded net revenue of $54.7 million, a 1.5% decrease from the third quarter 2003, which was primarily due to a 3.6% decline in shipment volume of the Company's core brands. Net revenue per barrel increased by 2.2% over the third quarter last year mainly due to price increases, as well as a shift in the package mix from kegs to bottles. As reflected on the following chart, reported sales volume for the period decreased to 320,615 barrels.
(in barrels) Q3-2004 Q3-2003 %Chg
Total Boston Beer Brands 319,280 331,281 (3.6%)
3rd Party Contract Brewing 1,335 1,758 (24.1%)
Total Company 320,615 333,039 (3.7%)
The Company recorded net income of $3.0 million or $0.21 per diluted share for the quarter versus net income of $4.0 million and $0.28 per diluted share for the same period last year. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 58.5% as compared to 58.9% in the prior year third quarter. This decrease is due to an increase in packaging material and utility costs, partially offset by price increases. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the quarter were up 5.2% compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by higher media spending in the third quarter 2004. General and administrative expenses were down by 9.7% during the third quarter 2004 versus the prior year due to expenses incurred in 2003 in connection with the arbitration proceedings with Miller Brewing Company.
Based on the information available to the Company, distributor sales of Boston Beer brands to retail (depletions) during the third quarter 2004 totaled 326,000 barrels, less than a 1% decline from the same period in 2003.
Year to Date Results
For the 39-week period ended September 25, 2004, Boston Beer Company recorded net revenue of $161.4 million, a 2.7% increase from the same period in 2003. This increase was primarily due to a 1.2% higher shipment volume of the Company's core brands coupled with an increase in net revenue per barrel. Net revenue per barrel increased by 1.3% during the nine months 2004 as compared to 2003 due to an increase in pricing, partially offset by a package mix shift from bottles to kegs and an increase in 3rd party contract brewing volume. As reflected on the following chart, reported sales volume for the period increased to 946,498 barrels.
(in barrels) YTD-2004 YTD-2003 %Chg
Total Boston Beer Brands 938,927 927,731 1.2%
3rd Party Contract Brewing 7,571 5,581 35.7%
Total Company 946,498 933,312 1.4%
Based on information currently available to the Company, year to date distributor sales of Boston Beer brands to retail (depletions) exceeded shipments by approximately 32,000 barrels. Shipment volume was higher than depletion volume for the first nine months of 2004 primarily due to a normal distributor inventory build for the peak summer selling season, which began to unwind in the third quarter 2004. Distributor inventory levels as of September 25, 2004 appear reasonable and represent levels similar to those at the end of the same period last year.
The Company recorded $9.7 million in net income or $0.67 per diluted share for the nine months versus net income of $6.9 million and $0.46 per diluted share for the same period last year. Gross margin as a percent of net sales remained at 59.5% for the first nine months of 2004, the same as the first nine months of 2003. Advertising, promotional and selling expenditures decreased by $1.4 million to $70.1 million for the nine month period ended September 25, 2004 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease was primarily driven by more effective purchasing of television advertising in 2004 and lower point-of-sale expenditures in 2004 versus 2003.
Based on the information available to the Company, distributor sales of Boston Beer brands to retail (depletions) totaled 907,000 barrels, approximately a 1% increase over 2003. Shipments and orders in hand suggest that shipments of Boston Beer brands for October and November will be up approximately 5.8% as compared to the same period last year. Actual shipments for the current period may differ, however, and no inferences should be drawn with respect to shipments in future periods.
The Company's effective tax rate of 37.8% for the nine months ended September 25, 2004, remained unchanged from the same period 2003. The Company currently estimates that its effective tax rate for fiscal year 2004 will be approximately 37.8%.
Jim Koch, Chairman of the Company, said, "While shipments in the third quarter were down 3.6%, depletions of Boston Beer Brands declined by less than 1% as compared to the prior year quarter driven by continued tough comparison for Sam Adams Light, and a slight weakness in Samuel Adams Boston Lager trends. We are encouraged by the continued depletion strength of our Samuel Adams Seasonal beers and Brewmaster Collection, which we believe show some opportunities for us. It is unclear whether the small decline in Samuel Adams Boston Lager was a function of industry dynamics or represents brand strength. We hope to see more favorable depletion trends during the fourth quarter 2004 as the decline in Sam Adams Light volume has slowed considerably. Based on our current assessments, we expect total advertising, promotional and selling expenses for the full year 2004 to increase between approximately $1.5 million to $2.5 million as compared to 2003. "
Martin Roper, Boston Beer President and CEO, reported on the Company's financial performance, "Our financial performance remained strong through the third quarter of 2004. Our margins remained stable as compared to the same period in 2003, but we experienced cost pressures related to packaging materials, utility costs and freight costs. We currently expect gross margins for the full year 2004 to be similar to 2003. Based on current information, we still expect earnings per share for the full 2004 fiscal year to be in the range of $0.82 to $0.90, a double-digit earnings growth over 2003. " Martin Roper also reported, "The Company is evaluating an expansion project for its Cincinnati Brewery which contemplates a capital investment of approximately $6.0 million for an additional 200,000 barrels of brewing capacity. A final decision on this project is expected during the fourth quarter."
The Boston Beer Company's balance sheet remains strong with $57.0 million in cash and short-term investments and no debt. The Company's cash flow also remains positive, delivering $15.1 million in operating cash flow during the first nine months of 2004. The Company continually evaluates opportunities for utilizing its cash to increase shareholder value for the long-term. The Company has $5.2 million remaining under the $80.0 million board authorized spending limit related to the Stock Repurchase Program. Through November 2,
2004 the Company has repurchased a total of 7.1 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $74.8 million.
The Boston Beer Company is America's leading brewer of world-class beer. Founded in 1984 by sixth-generation brewer Jim Koch, the Company has won more than 650 international awards for its better-tasting beers. Samuel Adams Boston Lager(R) is the Company's flagship brand, celebrated worldwide for its high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques. The result is a beer renowned by drinkers for its full flavor, balance, complexity, and consistent quality. For more information, visit the web-site at http://www.samueladams.com or visit http://www.bostonbeer.com for financial information.
Statements made in this press release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward- looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2003 and for December 28, 2002. Copies of these documents may be obtained by visiting the Company's website at http://www.bostonbeer.com or contacting the Company or the SEC.
THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC.
Financial Results
(In thousands, except per share data)
Operating Results:
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Quarter Ended 9 Months Ended
Sept 25, Sept 27, Sept 25, Sept 27,
2004 2003 2004 2003
Barrels sold 321 333 947 933
Gross revenue $60,477 $61,584 $178,303 $173,868
Less excise taxes 5,743 6,039 16,898 16,684
Net revenue 54,734 55,545 161,405 157,184
Cost of goods sold 22,738 22,853 65,315 63,590
Gross profit 31,996 32,692 96,090 93,594
Advertising, promotional and
selling expenses 23,391 22,239 70,129 71,555
General and administrative
expenses 3,926 4,348 10,765 11,820
Total operating expenses 27,317 26,587 80,894 83,375
Operating income 4,679 6,105 15,196 10,219
Interest income, net 183 287 570 941
Other (expense) income, net 1 3 (238) (1)
Income before taxes 4,863 6,395 15,528 11,159
Provision for income taxes 1,838 2,407 5,870 4,218
Net income $3,025 $3,988 $9,658 $6,941
Net income per share - basic $0.21 $0.28 $0.68 $0.46
Net income per share - diluted $0.21 $0.28 $0.67 $0.46
Weighted average number of common
shares - basic 14,162 14,183 14,103 15,001
Weighted average number of common
shares - diluted 14,595 14,465 14,479 15,254
Copies of The Boston Beer Company's press releases, including quarterly
financial results,
are available on the Internet at http://www.bostonbeer.com
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(unaudited)
Sept 25, Dec 27,
2004 2003
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $37,013 $27,792
Short-term investments 20,000 15,098
Accounts receivable, net
of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $515 as of September
25, 2004 and $450 as
of December 27, 2003 12,335 10,432
Inventories 10,895 9,890
Prepaid expenses 1,009 1,126
Deferred income taxes 1,066 1,177
Other current assets 697 2,304
Total current assets 83,015 67,819
Property, plant and equipment, net 17,387 17,059
Other assets 1,111 1,099
Goodwill 1,377 1,377
Total assets $102,890 $87,354
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $8,427 $6,395
Accrued expenses 16,545 15,504
Total current liabilities 24,972 21,899
Long-term deferred income taxes 2,176 2,191
Other long-term liabilities 692 740
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Class A Common Stock, $.01
par value; 22,700,000 shares
authorized; 10,059,218 and
16,945,418 issued as of September 25,
2004 and December 27, 2003,
respectively 101 169
Class B Common Stock, $.01
par value; 4,200,000 shares
authorized; 4,107,355 issued and
outstanding 41 41
Additional paid-in capital 65,672 62,517
Unearned compensation (309) (229)
Other comprehensive income (165) 45
Retained earnings 9,710 74,758
Treasury stock, at cost;
7,102,467 shares as
of December 27, 2003 - (74,777)
Total stockholders'
equity 75,050 62,524
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $102,890 $87,354
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
Sept 25, Sept 27,
2004 2003
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net income $9,658 $6,941
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash from
operating activities:
Depreciation and
amortization 3,856 4,232
(Gain) Loss on disposal of
fixed assets (1) 30
Bad debt expense
(recovery) 65 (39)
Realized loss (gain) on
sale of short-term
investments 229 (128)
Stock option compensation
expense 91 65
Changes in assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable (1,968) 3,344
Inventories (1,005) (2,906)
Prepaid expenses 117 268
Other current assets 1,131 (704)
Deferred taxes 29 234
Other assets (119) (1,411)
Accounts payable 2,032 606
Accrued expenses 1,042 1,392
Other long-term
liabilities (47) (29)
Net cash provided by
operating activities 15,110 11,895
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Purchases of property, plant
and equipment (3,530) (1,504)
Proceeds on disposal of fixed
assets 1 32
Purchases of available-for-sale
securities (26,256) (3,685)
Proceeds from the sale of
available-for-sale securities 20,983 20,410
Net cash (used in)
provided by
investing activities (8,802) 15,253
Cash flows from financing
activities:
Purchase of treasury stock - (29,239)
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options 2,724 943
Net proceeds from the sale of
Investment Shares 189 166
Net cash provided by
(used in) financing
activities 2,913 (28,130)
Change in cash and cash equivalents 9,221 (982)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 27,792 20,608
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period $37,013 $19,626
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
information:
Taxes paid $4,100 $3,339
SOURCE The Boston Beer Company
CONTACT: Helen Bornemann,
Shareholder Relations Manager of Boston Beer
Company,
+1-617-368-0561
Web site: http://www.samadams.com
(SAM)