Petco Health + Wellness Company, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings

Q3 2023 Operating Results

, /PRNewswire/ -- Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: WOOF), a complete partner in pet health and wellness, today announced its third quarter 2023 financial results.

In the third quarter of 2023, Petco delivered net revenue of $1.49 billion, down 0.5 percent versus prior year. The company's consumables business was up 1.8 percent versus prior year, and services and other business was up 15.0 percent versus prior year. Growth in the company's consumables and services and other business was partially offset by the company's supplies and companion animal business, down 8.8 percent versus prior year. 

During the third quarter, Petco recorded a $1.2 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge associated with goodwill originally recorded in fiscal 2015, and due to decline in the company's stock price. This drove a GAAP net loss of $1.2 billion or $(4.63) per share compared to GAAP net income of $19.9 million or $0.07 per share in the prior year. Included in Q3 EPS is $0.03 of incremental interest expense year-over-year.

"Our third quarter results were below our expectations as we continue to navigate a challenging consumer environment and we are taking swift and decisive action to improve the performance of our business by broadening our appeal with customers and tightly managing costs and capital. This includes the introduction of the category's largest national cat and dog food value brands to meet the needs of all pet parents and deliver incremental profits over time," said Petco CEO Ron Coughlin. "We're confident these actions, combined with continued growth in services, omni-channel capabilities, an industry-leading premium assortment, and dedicated Petco partners will better position us to capture the long-term growth trends in the category and deepen our connection with all pet parents."

As previously disclosed, in the third quarter of 2023, Petco paid down $15 million in principal on its term loan for a total of $75 million in principal payments year-to-date.

On the earnings conference call, management will also outline an operational reset of the business, focusing on increasing profitability and competitive positioning. This will include an update on the cost action plan outlined in Q2, as part of targeting annualized gross run rate cost savings of $150 million by the end of fiscal 2025, from merchandise, supply chain, and general G&A categories. The company continues to expect to achieve $40 million in savings in year one.

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings Per Share ("Adjusted EPS"), and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information on non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measures.

Fiscal 2023 Guidance

The company is updating its fiscal 2023 guidance for Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS and now expects:

Metric*

2023 Guidance

Net Revenue

$6.150 billion to $6.275 billion

Adjusted EBITDA

approximately $400 million 

Adjusted EPS

approximately $0.08

Capital Expenditures

$215 million to $225 million

*Assumptions in the guidance include that economic conditions, currency rates and the tax and regulatory landscape remain generally consistent. Adjusted EPS guidance assumes approximately $145 to $155 million of interest expense, an estimated $43 to $53 million increase in interest expense year-over-year, a 26 percent tax rate, and a 268 million weighted average diluted share count (prior guidance assumed a 269 million weighted average diluted share count). The Company estimates that the increase in interest expense will impact Adjusted EPS by approximately $0.12 to $0.15 per share.  Furthermore, Fiscal 2023 will be a 53-week year, leading to an incremental week of operations.  Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures and have not been reconciled to the most comparable GAAP outlook because it is not possible to do so without unreasonable efforts due to the uncertainty and potential variability of reconciling items, which are dependent on future events and often outside of management's control and which could be significant. Because such items cannot be reasonably predicted with the level of precision required, we are unable to provide outlook for the comparable GAAP measures. Forward-looking estimates of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast Information:

Management will host an earnings conference call on November 29, 2023 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time to discuss the company's financial results.  The conference call will be accessible through a live webcast. Interested investors and other individuals can access the webcast, earnings release, earnings presentation, and infographic via the company's investor relations page at ir.petco.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company's investor relations page through December 13, 2023 until approximately 5:00PM Eastern Time.

About Petco, The Health + Wellness Co.:

Founded in 1965, Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and our own Petco partners. We've consistently set new standards in pet care while delivering comprehensive pet wellness products, services and solutions, and creating communities that deepen the pet-pet parent bond. We operate more than 1,500 pet care centers across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, which offer merchandise, companion animals, grooming, training and a growing network of on-site veterinary hospitals and mobile veterinary clinics. Our complete pet health and wellness ecosystem is accessible through our pet care centers and digitally at petco.com and on the Petco app. In tandem with Petco Love, a life-changing organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, we've helped find homes for nearly 7 million animals.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our fiscal year 2023 guidance, operational reset of our business, our competitive positioning, profitability, cost action plans and associated cost-savings. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believes," "expects," "may," "intends," "will," "shall," "should," "anticipates," "opportunity," "illustrative," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Although Petco believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct or that any forward-looking results will occur or be realized. Nothing contained in this earnings release is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation or warranty as to any future matter, including any matter in respect of the operations or business or financial condition of Petco. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions about future events that may or may not be correct or necessarily take place and that are by their nature subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are outside the control of Petco. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the potential results or events discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those identified in this earnings release as well as the following: (i) increased competition (including from multi-channel retailers and e-Commerce providers); (ii) reduced consumer demand for our products and/or services; (iii) our reliance on key vendors; (iv) our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; (v) risks arising from statutory, regulatory and/or legal developments; (vi) macroeconomic pressures in the markets in which we operate, including inflation and prevailing interest rates; (vii) failure to effectively manage our costs; (viii) our reliance on our information technology systems; (ix) our ability to prevent or effectively respond to a data privacy or security breach; (x) our ability to effectively manage or integrate strategic ventures, alliances or acquisitions and realize the anticipated benefits of such transactions; (xi) economic or regulatory developments that might affect our ability to provide attractive promotional financing; (xii) business interruptions and other supply chain issues; (xiii) catastrophic events, political tensions, conflicts and wars (such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine), health crises, and pandemics; (xiv) our ability to maintain positive brand perception and recognition; (xv) product safety and quality concerns; (xvi) changes to labor or employment laws or regulations; (xvii) our ability to effectively manage our real estate portfolio; (xviii) constraints in the capital markets or our vendor credit terms; (xix) changes in our credit ratings; (xx) impairments of the carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets; (xxi) our ability to successfully implement our operational adjustments, achieve the expected benefits of our cost action plans and drive improved profitability; and (xxii) the other risks, uncertainties and other factors identified under "Risk Factors"  and elsewhere in Petco's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The occurrence of any such factors could significantly alter the results set forth in these statements.

Petco cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not complete, and forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Petco undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority.

PETCO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited and subject to reclassification)

13 Weeks Ended

October 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

Percent
Change

Net sales:

Products

$   1,257,803

$ 1,295,771

(3 %)

Services and other

236,363

205,449

15 %

Total net sales

1,494,166

1,501,220

(0 %)

Cost of sales:

Products

787,994

759,303

4 %

Services and other

156,171

144,240

8 %

Total cost of sales

944,165

903,543

4 %

Gross profit

550,001

597,677

(8 %)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

559,611

549,622

2 %

Goodwill impairment

1,222,524

—

N/M

Operating (loss) income

(1,232,134)

48,055

N/M

Interest income

(1,139)

(130)

776 %

Interest expense

36,557

27,307

34 %

Loss on partial extinguishment of debt

174

—

N/M

Other non-operating (income) loss

(113)

(576)

(80 %)

(Loss) income before income taxes and income from
   equity method investees

(1,267,613)

21,454

N/M

Income tax (benefit) expense

(22,902)

4,161

N/M

Income from equity method investees

(3,574)

(2,627)

36 %

Net (loss) income

(1,241,137)

19,920

N/M

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

—

—

N/M

Net (loss) income attributable to Class A and B-1 common
   stockholders

$  (1,241,137)

$     19,920

N/M

Net (loss) income per Class A and B-1 common share:

Basic

$           (4.63)

$        0.07

N/M

Diluted

$           (4.63)

$        0.07

N/M

Weighted average shares used in computing net (loss) income per Class A
   and B-1 common share:

Basic

267,852

265,689

1 %

Diluted

267,852

265,935

1 %

PETCO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited and subject to reclassification)

 October 28,
2023 

 January 28,
2023 

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$    139,782

$   201,901

Receivables, less allowance for credit losses1

50,180

49,580

Merchandise inventories, net

730,148

652,430

Prepaid expenses

46,856

51,274

Other current assets

40,562

60,809

Total current assets

1,007,528

1,015,994

Fixed assets

2,142,520

1,987,560

Less accumulated depreciation

(1,314,721)

(1,184,233)

Fixed assets, net

827,799

803,327

Operating lease right-of-use assets

1,390,671

1,397,761

Goodwill

976,247

2,193,941

Trade name

1,025,000

1,025,000

Other long-term assets

199,316

176,806

Total assets

$ 5,426,561

$ 6,612,829

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and book overdrafts

$    486,634

$   381,213

Accrued salaries and employee benefits

100,997

89,929

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

215,875

217,556

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

305,975

309,766

Current portion of long-term debt and other lease liabilities

5,082

22,794

Total current liabilities

1,114,563

1,021,258

Senior secured credit facilities, net, excluding current portion

1,574,909

1,628,331

Operating lease liabilities, excluding current portion

1,148,958

1,148,155

Deferred taxes, net

270,841

303,121

Other long-term liabilities

124,436

130,487

Total liabilities

4,233,707

4,231,352

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:

Class A common stock2

230

228

Class B-1 common stock3

38

38

Class B-2 common stock4

—

—

Preferred stock5

—

—

Additional paid-in-capital

2,212,713

2,152,342

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

(1,024,667)

232,967

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

4,540

(4,098)

Total stockholders' equity

1,192,854

2,381,477

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 5,426,561

$ 6,612,829

(1)

Allowances for credit losses are $1,897 and $952, respectively

(2)

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized - 1.0 billion shares; Issued and outstanding - 230.3 million and 228.3 million shares, respectively

(3)

Class B-1 common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized - 75.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - 37.8 million shares

(4)

Class B-2 common stock, $0.000001 par value: Authorized - 75.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - 37.8 million shares

(5)

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized - 25.0 million shares; Issued and outstanding - none

PETCO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited and subject to reclassification)

39 Weeks Ended

October 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net (loss) income

$(1,257,635)

$     57,178

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by
  operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

148,593

143,599

Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs

3,658

3,694

Provision for deferred taxes

(35,164)

(6,413)

Equity-based compensation

64,431

40,892

Impairments, write-offs and losses on sale of fixed and other assets

2,202

2,299

Loss on partial extinguishment of debt

920

—

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

674

—

Income from equity method investees

(10,032)

(7,821)

Goodwill impairment

1,222,524

—

Non-cash operating lease costs

316,355

316,492

Other non-operating (income) loss

(4,727)

9,369

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Receivables

(600)

9,171

Merchandise inventories

(77,718)

(48,314)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(6,004)

(2,536)

Accounts payable and book overdrafts

105,421

(19,381)

Accrued salaries and employee benefits

11,586

(16,160)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

(1,098)

12,110

Operating lease liabilities

(312,935)

(282,954)

Other long-term liabilities

(1,755)

(1,762)

    Net cash provided by operating activities

168,696

209,463

Cash flows from investing activities:

Cash paid for fixed assets

(176,532)

(212,074)

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(4,495)

(7,750)

Cash paid for interest in veterinary joint venture

—

(35,000)

Proceeds from investment

24,878

—

Proceeds from sale of assets

—

2,127

    Net cash used in investing activities

(156,149)

(252,697)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Borrowings under long-term debt agreements

—

123,000

Repayments of long-term debt

(75,000)

(135,750)

Payments for finance lease liabilities

(4,627)

(4,174)

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and stock option exercises

3,324

3,472

Tax withholdings on stock-based awards

(7,737)

(13,581)

    Net cash used in financing activities

(84,040)

(27,033)

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(71,493)

(70,267)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

213,727

221,890

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$    142,234

$    151,623

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company has provided this non-GAAP financial information, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this earnings release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release. The non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The tables below reflect the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (include Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA), Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS, and Free Cash Flow, for the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2023, compared to the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2022 as well as the twelve-month period ended January 28, 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA and Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, including Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) rules because it excludes certain amounts included in net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure to share with investors because it facilitates comparison of the current period performance with that of the comparable prior period. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA affords investors a view of what management considers to be Petco's core operating performance as well as the ability to make a more informed assessment of such operating performance as compared with that of the prior period. Please see the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023 for additional information on Adjusted EBITDA.

(dollars in thousands)

13 Weeks Ended

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Class A and B-1
   Common Stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA

October 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

Net (loss) income attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders

$  (1,241,137)

$       19,920

Add (deduct):

Interest expense, net

35,418

27,177

Income tax (benefit) expense

(22,902)

4,161

Depreciation and amortization

50,674

48,029

Income from equity method investees

(3,574)

(2,627)

Loss on partial extinguishment of debt

174

—

Goodwill impairment

1,222,524

—

Asset impairments and write offs

1,167

930

Equity-based compensation

18,183

15,775

Other non-operating (income) loss

(113)

(576)

Mexico joint venture EBITDA (1)

9,189

7,040

Acquisition-related integration costs (2)

—

1,592

Other costs (3)

2,556

(1,233)

Adjusted EBITDA

$        72,159

$    120,188

Net sales

$   1,494,166

$ 1,501,220

Net margin (4)

(83.1 %)

1.3 %

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

4.8 %

8.0 %

(dollars in thousands)

Trailing Twelve Months

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Class A and B-1
   Common Stockholders to Adjusted EBITDA

October 28,
2023

January 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

Net (loss) income attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders

$ (1,224,903)

$      90,801

$       87,063

Add (deduct):

Interest expense, net

140,309

100,611

87,358

Income tax expense

(2,630)

35,347

30,488

Depreciation and amortization

198,822

193,828

190,393

Income from equity method investees

(15,187)

(12,976)

(11,214)

Loss on partial extinguishment of debt

920

—

—

Goodwill impairment

1,222,524

—

—

Asset impairments and write offs

1,895

1,992

7,299

Equity-based compensation

84,323

60,784

53,666

Other non-operating (income) loss 

(1,429)

12,667

39,806

Mexico joint venture EBITDA (1)

35,732

29,584

28,633

Acquisition-related integration costs (2)

627

15,314

14,687

Other costs (3)

12,649

2,817

2,198

Adjusted EBITDA

$      453,652

$    530,769

$    530,377

Net sales

$   6,158,767

$ 6,035,967

$ 5,972,365

Net margin (4)

(19.9 %)

1.5 %

1.5 %

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

7.4 %

8.8 %

8.9 %

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted diluted Earnings Per Share attributable to Petco common stockholders (Adjusted EPS) are considered non-GAAP financial measures under the SEC's rules because they exclude certain amounts included in the net income attributable to Petco common stockholders and diluted earnings per share attributable to Petco common stockholders calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are meaningful measures to share with investors because they facilitate comparison of the current period performance with that of the comparable prior period. In addition, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS afford investors a view of what management considers to be Petco's core earnings performance as well as the ability to make a more informed assessment of such earnings performance with that of the prior period.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

13 Weeks Ended

Reconciliation of Diluted EPS to Adjusted EPS

October 28, 2023

October 29, 2022

Amount

Per share

Amount

Per share

Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders / diluted EPS

$ (1,241,137)

$     (4.63)

$   19,920

$       0.07

Add (deduct):

Income tax (benefit) expense

(22,902)

(0.09)

4,161

0.02

Loss on partial extinguishment of debt

174

0.00

—

—

Goodwill impairment

1,222,524

4.57

—

—

Asset impairments and write offs

1,167

0.00

930

0.00

Equity-based compensation

18,183

0.07

15,775

0.06

Other non-operating income

(113)

(0.00)

(576)

(0.00)

Acquisition-related integration costs (2)

—

—

1,592

0.01

Other costs (3)

2,556

0.01

(1,233)

(0.01)

Adjusted pre-tax (loss) income / diluted (loss) earnings per share

$     (19,548)

$    (0.07)

$  40,569

$     0.15

Income tax (benefit) expense at 26% normalized tax rate

(5,082)

(0.02)

10,548

0.04

Adjusted Net (Loss) Income / Adjusted EPS

$      (14,466)

$    (0.05)

$  30,021

$     0.11

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for fixed assets. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures the ability to generate additional cash from business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the company's financial performance.

The table below reflects the calculation of Free Cash Flow for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2023 and October 29, 2022, respectively. 

(in thousands)

13 Weeks Ended

39 Weeks Ended

October 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

October 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

Net cash provided by operating activities

$   34,431

$  109,375

$  168,696

$  209,463

Cash paid for fixed assets

(62,509)

(75,884)

(176,532)

(212,074)

Free Cash Flow

$  (28,078)

$    33,491

$     (7,836)

$     (2,611)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Footnotes

(1)

Mexico Joint Venture EBITDA represents 50 percent of the entity's operating results for all periods, as adjusted to reflect the results on a basis comparable to Adjusted EBITDA. In the financial statements, this joint venture is accounted for as an equity method investment and reported net of depreciation and income taxes because such a presentation would not reflect the adjustments made in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, we include the 50 percent interest in the company's Mexico joint venture on an Adjusted EBITDA basis to ensure consistency. The table below presents a reconciliation of Mexico joint venture net income to Mexico joint venture EBITDA.

13 Weeks Ended

(in thousands)

October 28,
2023

October 29,
2022

Net income

$      7,149

$      5,251

Depreciation

6,920

4,861

Income tax expense

2,470

2,957

Foreign currency loss (gain)

441

(395)

Interest expense, net

1,397

1,406

EBITDA

$     18,377

$     14,080

50% of EBITDA

$       9,189

$       7,040

(2)

Acquisition-related integration costs include direct costs resulting from acquiring and integrating businesses. These include third-party professional and legal fees and other integration-related costs that would not have otherwise been incurred as part of the company's operations.

(3)

Other costs include, as incurred: restructuring costs and restructuring-related severance costs; legal reserves associated with significant, non-ordinary course legal or regulatory matters; and costs related to certain significant strategic transactions.

(4)

We define net margin as net income attributable to Class A and B-1 common stockholders divided by net sales and Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.

SOURCE Petco - Investor Relations

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