Sales, profits up at Malibu Boats for quarter

Malibu Boats, Inc. on Wednesday announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 ended December 31, 2016.

Highlights for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2017

• Net sales increased 11.8% to $67.7 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
• Unit volume increased 6.6% to 924 boats compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
• Net sales per unit increased 4.9% to $73,226 and net sales per unit in the U.S. increased 4.4% to $75,710 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
• Gross profit increased 12.2% to $17.8 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
• Net income increased 35.3% to $7.7 million, or $0.39 per share compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 22.0% to $13.6 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
  Adjusted fully distributed net income increased 26.5% to $7.4 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
• Adjusted fully distributed net income per share increased 26.7% to $0.38 on a fully distributed weighted average share count of 19.3 million shares of Class A Common Stock as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

CEO Jack Springer stated, “Malibu had a very good quarter with all of our key metrics: units, revenue, gross profit, net income and Adjusted EBITDA performing above expectations and prior year. While we continue to face international demand challenges, our business in the United States continues to be strong and factors here indicate that strength is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

“Malibu’s new product continues to be a critical driver of our success. Our new boats drive the market generating demand while our new features and innovations have made us the market leader. Together, these factors will allow us to further separate ourselves from our competition.”

Mr. Springer continued, “We still believe that international demand will be a challenge due to the strength of the U.S. dollar among other reasons and do not expect to see relief in the near term. We believe demand in international markets will probably be flat for fiscal 2017 when compared to the prior year while domestic markets remain strong and continue to grow. This should be propelled by our strong product, the strength of our distribution network, the effects of continued precipitation in the Western U.S., and a business environment that we see as being better for our customers and dealers.”

Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased $7.2 million, or 11.8%, to $67.7 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015. Included in net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were net sales of $6.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively, attributable to our Australian business. Unit volume for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased 57 units, or 6.6%, to 924 units as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015 driven by demand for our new models such as the Malibu Wakesetter 22 and 24 MXZ. Net sales per unit increased 4.9% to $73,226 per unit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015, primarily driven by a mix shift to Malibu, including our newer models, which carry a higher average selling price than our Axis brand, year over year price increases, and lower discount activity, offset by increased rebate expense associated with our new rebate program for model year 2017.

Cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased $5.2 million, or 11.7%, to $49.8 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in cost of sales was driven primarily by increased volumes and higher material content per unit associated with the mix shift to Malibu. Included in cost of sales were $0.1 million in costs related to our engine vertical integration initiative.

Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased $1.9 million, or 12.2%, to $17.8 million compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in gross profit was due mainly to higher volumes. Gross margin for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased 10 basis points from 26.2% to 26.3% over the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase in gross margin was driven primarily by mix of new models, year over year price increases, less discounting, partially offset by higher rebate expense attributable to our new rebate program and warranty expense related to our expanded warranty period of coverage.

Selling and marketing expenses for the three month period ended December 31, 2016 were $2.2 million, slightly lower than selling and marketing expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2015. As a percentage of sales, selling and marketing expenses decreased 40 basis points to 3.2% over the same period. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 decreased $0.7 million, or 17.6%, to $3.5 million as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2015, largely due to a decrease in the Marine Power litigation judgment following our appeal of the verdict and court ruling amending the judgment from $3.3 million to $1.9 million in December 2016. We had initially taken a charge relating to the original judgment for $3.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016. Excluding the change in the Marine Power litigation judgment, general and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million mainly due to increased legal expenses in connection with our on-going litigation matters as well as product development activities in connection with our engines vertical integration initiative, offset by lower stock compensation expense associated, in part, with share-based equity awards granted in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased to $11.7 million from $9.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 35.3% to $7.7 million while net income margin increased to 11.4% from 9.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased 22.0% to $13.6 million from $11.2 million, while Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 20.1% from 18.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

See the full release here.