Calavo Growers, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results, Dividend Increase

SANTA PAULA, Calif., Sept. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW), a global leader in the processing and distribution of avocados, tomatoes, papayas, and guacamole, today reported its financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended July 31, 2024.

Third Quarter Financial Overview
Introductory Note: In the first quarter of 2024, we concluded that the Fresh Cut (formerly RFG) business meets the requirements to be classified as held for sale and discontinued operations. As a result, the financial results of that business are reported as discontinued operations in this press release. The divestiture of the Fresh Cut business occurred on August 15, 2024. Prior to the decision to divest our Fresh Cut business, the Company’s Prepared reporting segment included the Fresh Cut business unit and our guacamole business. The Fresh Cut business unit is no longer included in our Prepared business segment in this press release. Retrospective reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements and commentary in this press release to present the Fresh Cut business unit as a discontinued operation. Unless otherwise noted, amounts and commentary included in this press release relate to our continuing operations.

• Total net sales increased 11.7% to $179.6 million from the prior year quarter
  • Grown segment net sales increased 13.3% to $163.2 million
  • Prepared segment net sales decreased 2.4% to $16.4 million
• Total gross profit decreased 8.7% to $20.1 million from the prior year quarter
  • Grown segment gross profit decreased $1.2 million to $18.2 million
  • Prepared segment gross profit decreased $0.8 million to $1.9 million
• Net income of $5.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.7 million, or $0.48 per diluted share for the prior year quarter
• Adjusted net income of $10.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $7.7 million, or $0.43 per diluted share for the prior year quarter
• Adjusted EBITDA of $13.5 million compared to $13.0 million for the prior year quarter
  

Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Third Quarter Highlights

• Third consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement in adjusted EBITDA
• Grown gross profit performance is attributed to strong avocado margins despite temporary supply disruptions from Mexico
• Results include $4.2 million of foreign currency remeasurement loss compared to a $2.0 million gain in the prior year quarter
• Reduced net debt position by $9.5 million during the third quarter; subsequently retired remaining debt balance using Fresh Cut sale proceeds
• The Board of Directors increased the cash dividend by $0.10 per share to $0.20 per share to be paid on October 30, 2024, to shareholders of record on October 2, 2024
  

Management Commentary
“Our third quarter results reflect continued momentum in our flagship avocado business,” said Lee Cole, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calavo Growers, Inc. “Despite temporary industry supply disruptions from Mexico during the quarter, we generated strong financial results due to our operational flexibility and our resilient team. Although our guacamole business experienced headwinds from higher fruit input costs compared to the third quarter last year, our volume increased 7% due to our focus on growing the business. I am also pleased to share that we will be launching some exciting, innovative guacamole products during the fourth quarter.”

“Our momentum has carried into the fourth quarter, and we look forward to delivering solid financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year. We intend to deploy the cash that we generated from the sale of our Fresh Cut business by investing in our core avocado and guacamole businesses and by returning cash to shareholders over time. Given the renewed focus on our core operations, improvements in our financial performance, and our confidence in our operational execution going forward, I am pleased to share that we have doubled the quarterly dividend to $0.20 per share.”

Third Quarter 2024 Consolidated Financial Review for Continuing Operations
Total net sales for the third quarter were $179.6 million, compared to $160.9 million for the same period last year, an increase of 11.7%. Grown segment sales increased 13.3%, and Prepared segment sales decreased 2.4%. The average selling price of avocados in the Grown segment increased by 25% compared to the prior year.

Gross profit for the third quarter was $20.1 million, or 11.2% of net sales, compared to $22.0 million and 13.7%, respectively, for the same period last year. Foreign currency remeasurement gain and loss impacts have been reclassified from cost of sales to a separate financial statement line item on the consolidated statements of operations and have been included as an adjustment to non-GAAP earnings measures for the current quarter and for prior period results. We have begun adjusting our non-GAAP earnings to exclude foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses given volatility in foreign currency. See non-GAAP financial measures below.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter totaled $10.5 million, or 5.9% of net sales, compared to $13.0 million and 8.1% of net sales for the same period last year. The decrease versus the prior year was driven primarily by lower compensation expenses, including a variable compensation accrual in the prior year, while non-recurring professional fees associated with our internal investigation increased expenses by $1.4 million. SG&A expenses in the third quarter last year included $1.2 million related to severance and restructuring.

Net income for the third quarter was $5.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $8.7 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the same period last year. The change in net income compared to the prior year is primarily driven by the change in foreign currency remeasurement from gain to loss and the income tax benefit.

Adjusted net income was $10.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $7.7 million, or $0.43 per diluted share last year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $13.5 million compared to $13.0 million for the same period last year.

On August 15, 2024, the Company closed the sale of its Fresh Cut business for $83.0 million, subject to various closing adjustments. Due to the sale, we evaluated whether it was more likely than not that the carrying value of the Fresh Cut business exceeded its fair value. We determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value was less than the carrying amount of net assets as of July 31, 2024. Based on the results of the impairment analysis, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $9.3 million during the quarter ended July 31, 2024, which is included in discontinued operations. In conjunction with the sale, we incurred transaction costs and settled certain retained liabilities, which were primarily labor related, namely for accumulated paid-time-off for transferring employees. The sale is also expected to generate a tax gain driven by book to tax timing differences. Inclusive of the projected impacts of transaction costs, certain retained liabilities, and taxes, we estimate after-tax net cash proceeds from the sale to approximate $75.0 million.

As previously disclosed, the company voluntarily disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) an internal investigation into potential issues under the FCPA. The company currently is cooperating with, and responding to requests from, the SEC and the DOJ.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity
The Company ended the quarter with $39.0 million of net debt, which included $33.5 million of borrowings under its credit facility and $6.6 million of other long-term obligations and finance leases, less cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 million. The Company reduced its net debt by $9.5 million and had approximately $57.3 million of liquidity as of July 31, 2024. Subsequent to quarter end, we retired the remaining debt balance with proceeds from the sale of the Fresh Cut business.

Segment Performance
Grown
Grown segment gross profit was $18.2 million, a decrease of $1.2 million from the prior year quarter. Avocado prices increased by 25% compared to the third quarter last year while avocado margins improved, which helped to offset an avocado volume decline of 4.5%. The volume decline was partly attributed to the impact of supply disruptions from Mexico during the quarter, which have since been resolved. Our skilled team harnessed our operational flexibility to mitigate the impact of the disruptions for our customers and investors. Gross profit attributed to tomatoes declined versus the prior year on lower volume.

Prepared
Prepared segment gross profit was $1.9 million, a decrease of $0.8 million from the third quarter last year. Gross margin declined to 12% from 16%, primarily driven by higher fruit input costs compared to the third quarter last year. Our efforts earlier in the year to build inventory using lower cost fruit helped to mitigate the impact of higher fruit costs during the quarter. We expect margins in the guacamole business to improve in the fourth quarter as input costs recede. In addition, we plan to launch some innovative new guacamole products during the fiscal fourth quarter that we expect will support growth in fiscal 2025. Overall, we expect sequential improvement in our Prepared business in the fiscal fourth quarter as compared to the third quarter.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes non-GAAP measures EBITDA from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations and adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share, which are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or “GAAP.” EBITDA from continuing operations is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Calavo Growers, Inc. excluding (1) interest income and expense, (2) income tax (benefit) provision, (3) depreciation and amortization and (4) stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA with further adjustments for (1) non-cash net losses (income) recognized from unconsolidated entities, (2) goodwill impairment, (3) write-off of long-lived assets, (4) acquisition-related costs, (5) restructuring-related costs, including certain severance costs, (6) certain litigation and other related costs, (7) foreign currency gain (loss) and (8) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is a primary metric by which management evaluates the operating performance of the business, on which certain operating expenditures and internal budgets are based. Additionally, the Company’s senior management is compensated in part on the basis of Adjusted EBITDA. The adjustments to calculate EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations are items recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded.

Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Calavo Growers, Inc. excluding (1) non-cash net losses recognized from unconsolidated entities, (2) goodwill impairment, (3) write-off of long-lived assets, (4) acquisition-related costs, (5) restructuring-related costs, including certain severance costs, (6) certain litigation and other related costs, (7) foreign currency loss (gain) and (8) one-time items. Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations and the related measure of adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share exclude certain items that are recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded. We believe adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations affords investors a different view of the overall financial performance of the Company than adjusted EBITDA and the GAAP measure of net income (loss) attributable from continuing operations to Calavo Growers, Inc.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided in the financial tables below. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. Non-GAAP information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for, or superior to, any measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. None of these metrics are presented as measures of liquidity. The way the Company measures EBITDA from continuing operations, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies and may not be identical to corresponding measures used in Company agreements.

About Calavo Growers, Inc.
Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVGW) is a global leader in the processing and distribution of avocados, tomatoes, papayas and guacamole. Calavo products are sold under the trusted Calavo brand name, proprietary sub-brands, private label and store brands. Founded in 1924, Calavo has a rich culture of innovation, sustainable practices and market growth. The company serves retail grocery, foodservice, club stores, mass merchandisers, food distributors and wholesalers worldwide. Calavo is headquartered in Santa Paula, California, with facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Learn more about The Family of Fresh™ at calavo.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements relating to future events and results of Calavo (including financial projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. These statements are based on our current expectations and are not promises or guarantees. If any of the risks or uncertainties materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Calavo may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of our management team to work together successfully; the impact of operational and restructuring initiatives on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, including uncertainty as to whether the desired effects will be achieved; the impact of weather on market prices and operational costs; seasonality of our business; sensitivity of our business to changes in market prices of avocados and other agricultural products and other raw materials including fuel, packaging and paper; potential disruptions to our supply chain; risks associated with potential future acquisitions, including integration; potential exposure to data breaches and other cyber-attacks on our systems or those of our suppliers or customers; dependence on large customers; dependence on key personnel and access to labor necessary for us to render services; susceptibility to wage inflation; potential for labor disputes; reliance on co-packers for a portion of our production needs; competitive pressures, including from foreign growers; risks of recalls and food-related injuries to our customers; changing consumer preferences; the impact of environmental regulations, including those related to climate change; risks associated with the environment and climate change, especially as they may affect our sources of supply; our ability to develop and transition new products and services and enhance existing products and services to meet customer needs, including but not limited to the new guacamole products referenced in this press release; risks associated with doing business internationally (including possible restrictive U.S. and foreign governmental actions, such as restrictions on transfers of funds and trade protection measures such as import/export/customs duties, tariffs and/or quotas and currency fluctuations); risks associated with receivables from, loans to and/or equity investments in unconsolidated entities; volatility in the value of our common stock; the impact of macroeconomic trends and events; the effects of increased interest rates on our cost of borrowing and consumer purchasing behavior; the resolution of pending investigations, legal claims and tax disputes, including an assessment imposed by the Mexican Tax Administrative Service (the “SAT”) and our defenses against collection activities commenced by the SAT; the impact of other pending and potential internal and external investigations and legal claims; and our ability to realize the expected expense savings from the sale of the Fresh Cut business.

For a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other risks and uncertainties that we face, please see the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent updates that may be contained in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC. 
NET SALES AND GROSS PROFIT BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (UNAUDITED) 
(in thousands) 

Prior to the decision to divest our Fresh Cut business (formerly RFG), the Company’s Prepared reporting segment included the Fresh Cut business unit and our guacamole business. As a result, the Fresh Cut business unit is no longer included in our Prepared business segment and is not included in the tables below. All segment information included herein reflects these changes.

For the three months ended July 31, 2023, intercompany sales and cost of sales of $0.5 million between Grown products and Prepared products were eliminated. For the nine months ended July 31 2024 and 2023, intercompany sales and cost of sales of $0.6 million and $1.2 million between Grown products and Prepared products were eliminated, respectively.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC. 
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
AND EPS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) 
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 

The following table presents adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations, each a non-GAAP measure, and reconciles them to net income (loss) from continuing operations., and Diluted EPS from continuing operations, which are the most directly comparable GAAP measures. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” earlier in this release. 

 CALAVO GROWERS, INC. 
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND ADJUSTED EBITDA FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) 
(in thousands) 

The following table presents EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, each a non-GAAP measure, and reconciles them to net income (loss) from continuing operations, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” earlier in this release. 

See prior page for footnote references