Caesarstone Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

- Fourth Quarter Revenue of $97.9 Million and Full Year Revenue of $443.2 Million -

- Full Year Gross Margin Improved 550 Basis Points to 21.8% -

- Full Year Cash Flow from Operations of $31.9 Million -

- Strong Balance Sheet with Net Cash Position of $101.8 Million -

Caesarstone Ltd. (NASDAQ:CSTE), a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality engineered surfaces, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

Yos Shiran, Caesarstone's Chief Executive Officer commented, "Caesarstone delivered resilient adjusted EBITDA performance for the full year, even as our revenue reflects the persistent global market headwinds affecting our industry. Throughout 2024, we made meaningful progress on our transformation strategy, focusing on strengthening our R&D capabilities, expanding our zero crystalline silica and porcelain product offerings globally, and optimizing our operational framework. The operational enhancements implemented across our business have significantly improved our cash flow generation and working capital efficiency, while positioning us to achieve substantially higher profitability as revenues recover. We have successfully executed upon our strategic restructuring plan exemplified by our improved gross margin. While market conditions remain challenging, we are confident that our strategic initiatives and disciplined execution have created a more agile and efficient organization ready to capitalize on market opportunities in 2025."

Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $97.9 million compared to $128.5 million in the prior year quarter. On a constant currency basis, fourth quarter revenue was down 23.8% year-over-year primarily due to lower volumes. Volumes were primarily impacted by global economic headwinds across the Company's main regions resulting in lower demand accompanied by greater competitive pressures.

Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2024 improved to 19.4% compared to 18.1% in the prior year quarter. Adjusted gross margin in the fourth quarter improved to 19.7%, compared to 18.9% in the prior year quarter. The improvement in gross margin was mainly due to the benefits of an improved production footprint, partially offset by unfavorable product mix and lower production, which resulted in lower fixed costs absorption.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $41.9 million, or 42.9% of revenue, compared to $56.5 million, or 43.9% of revenue in the prior year quarter. During the quarter, the Company recorded a $7.8 million non-cash pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges related to intangible assets and the Sdot Yam and Richmond Hill manufacturing facility closures. Excluding legal settlements and loss contingencies, restructuring and impairment expenses, operating expenses were 33.3% of revenue compared to 24.3% in the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower revenues.

Operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $23.0 million compared to $33.2 million in the prior year quarter, with the difference primarily reflecting lower impairment charges recorded partially offset by lower gross profit.

Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2024, which excludes expenses for non-cash share-based compensation, legal settlements and loss contingencies, impairment and restructuring charges and other non-recurring items, was a loss of $8.0 million, compared to a gain of $1.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Finance (income) expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $2.9 million compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter. The difference primarily reflects foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Net loss attributable to controlling interest for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $24.3 million compared to a net loss of $50.5 million in the prior year quarter. Net loss per share for the fourth quarter was $0.60 compared to a net loss per share of $1.47 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted diluted net loss per share for the fourth quarter was $0.35 on 34.7 million shares, compared to Adjusted diluted net loss per share of $0.28 in the prior year quarter on 34.5 million shares.

Full Year 2024 Results

Revenue in the full year 2024 was $443.2 million compared to $565.2 million in the prior year. On a constant currency basis, 2024 revenue was lower by 21.5% year-over-year, primarily due to lower volume.

Gross margin in 2024 improved to 21.8% compared to 16.3% in the prior year. Adjusted gross margin in 2024 was 22.1% compared to 17.0% in the prior year. The improvement in gross margin was primarily attributable to the benefits of an improved production footprint, partially offset by unfavorable product mix and lower production, which resulted in lower fixed cost absorption.

Operating expenses in 2024 were $138.6 million compared to $180.0 million in the prior year. During 2024, the Company recorded a $1.0 million restructuring and impairment charge related to intangible assets and to the Sdot Yam and Richmond Hill manufacturing facility closures. Excluding legal settlements, loss contingencies, impairment and restructuring charges, adjusted operating expenses were 29.4% of revenue, compared to 24.2% in the prior year, with the difference primarily attributable to lower revenues.

Operating loss in 2024 was $41.9 million compared to an operating loss of $88.0 million in the prior year. The year-over-year difference mainly reflects lower restructuring and impairment expenses recorded during 2024.

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes non-cash impairment and restructuring charges, expenses for share-based compensation, legal settlements and loss contingencies and non-recurring items, was a loss of $11.5 million in 2024 compared to a loss of $9.4 million in the prior year.

Finance (income) expense in 2024 was breakeven compared to finance income of $1.1 million in the prior year. The difference was primarily a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Net loss attributable to controlling interest in 2024 was $42.8 million compared to net loss of $107.7 million in the prior year. Net loss per share for 2024 was $1.13 compared to a diluted net loss per share of $3.13 in the prior year. Adjusted diluted net loss per share for 2024 was $0.86 on 34.7 million shares compared to adjusted diluted net loss per share of $1.34 in the prior year on 34.6 million shares.

Balance Sheet & Liquidity

As of December 31, 2024, the Company's balance sheet included cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits of $106.3 million and total debt to financial institutions of $4.5 million. The Company's net cash position as of December 31, 2024, was $101.8 million compared to $83.5 million as of December 31, 2023.

US Legal Proceedings Update

As of December 31, 2024, the Company was subject to lawsuits with respect to 296 injured persons alleging injuries associated with exposure of fabricators and their employees to respirable crystalline silica dust. Of these, 52 were in Israel, 122 in Australia and 122 in the United States. In the U.S. Company was subject to an adverse jury decision in August 2024 which it is appealing and it settled another claim recently. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has recorded a provision of $50.0 million representing its assessment of exposure that is probable and estimable with respect to pending claims in Israel, the United States and Australia. As of December 31, 2024, the Company's insurance receivables for silicosis-related claims totaled $32.2 million. The Company has assessed the remaining 120 claims in the U.S. and determined that a loss is only reasonably possible or that the claims are still in an early stage. As a result, no accrual has been recorded in its financial results as of December 31, 2024.

If there is a change in the assessment for the outcome of the claims or the insurance coverage through the course of the trial processes, such changes could lead to a material and adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

For more information, please reference the full disclosure provided in the Company's 2024 annual report on Form 20-F.

Outlook

"Looking ahead, while market conditions remain dynamic, we expect to see modest improvement in full year 2025 adjusted EBITDA compared to full year 2024 as we realize the full benefits of our cost optimization initiatives and strategic investments. We remain focused on the disciplined execution of our transformation while continuing to invest strategically in innovation and marketing to drive long-term profitable growth," concluded Nahum Trost, Caesarstone's Chief Financial Officer.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

The Company will host a webcast and conference call today, March 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results, followed by a question and answer session for the investment community. The live webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at ir.caesarstone.com. For those unable to access the webcast, the conference call will be accessible domestically or internationally, by dialing 1-833-816-1463 and 1-412-542-4167, respectively. The toll-free Israeli number is 1 80 921 3284. Upon dialing in, please request to join the Caesarstone Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference 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 10196433. The replay will be available beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 and will last through 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

About Caesarstone

Caesarstone is a global leader of premium surfaces, specializing in countertops that create dynamic spaces of inspiration in the heart of the home. Established in 1987, its multi-material portfolio of over 100 colors combines the company's innovative technology with its powerful design passion. Spearheading high-quality, sustainable surfaces, Caesarstone delivers functional resilience with timeless beauty, for a vast range of applications, including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and more, for indoor and outdoor spaces.

Since it pioneered quartz countertops over thirty years ago, the brand has expanded into porcelain and natural stone and is on the ground in more than 50 countries worldwide while enhancing customer experience through the expansion of groundbreaking digital platforms & services. More information on Caesarstone: caesarstoneus.com, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

The Company has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the U.S. securities and exchange commission ("SEC") and can be accessed on its website.

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. Reconciliations of GAAP gross profit to Adjusted gross profit, GAAP net income (loss) to Adjusted net income (loss) and net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA are provided in the schedules to this release. To calculate revenues growth rates that exclude the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company converts actual reported results from local currency to U.S. dollars using constant foreign currency exchange rates in the current and comparable period. 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" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "goals," "intend," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "expect," "estimate," "may," "plan," "outlook," "future" and "project" and other similar expressions that predict, project or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's goals and plans, intentions, expectations, assumptions, goals and beliefs regarding the Company's business. Actual results may differ materially from those projections and estimates due to various risks and uncertainties, both known or unknown. These factors include, but are not limited to: the effects of global and regional economy and geo-politics on the Company's business and operations including the length, duration and impact of the war in Israel, the Houthi's disruption to the movement of goods in the Red Sea and trade disruptions such as Turkey's decision not to trade with Israel; the outcome of silicosis and other bodily injury claims, and the availability relevant insurance; regulatory changes and requirements relating to the manufacturing and fabrication of our products; the outcome of our restructuring efforts, of the closure of the Sdot Yam and Richmond Hill Facilities, the estimated closure costs and the estimated potential savings relating to said closures, the ability to sell or sublease all or part of these facilities; our ability to effectively collaborate with production business partners; our R&D and product introduction efforts, managing constraints in the global supply chain and effectively procuring raw materials and goods as well as fluctuations in their price; our ability to protect our brand, technology and intellectual property, as well as our freedom to operate; competitive pressures; disruptions to our information technology systems, fluctuations in currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar; our ability to successfully integrate our acquisitions; our ability to meet ESG goals and targets; and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the sections "Risk Factors" and "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factor Summary" in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 6, 2024, and in other documents filed by Caesarstone with the SEC, which are available free of charge at www.sec.gov. 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.

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Investor Relations:

ICR, Inc. - Rodny Nacier

[email protected]

+1 (646) 200-8870