Second Quarter Sales Increased 23.1% to $162.0 Million

Rocky Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCKY) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Second Quarter 2022 Overview

Net sales increased 23.1% to $162.0 million
- Wholesale segment sales increased 29.7%; Retail segment sales increased 16.4%
Operating income was $5.6 million, or $7.7 million on an adjusted basis
Net income was $0.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share
Adjusted net income was $2.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share

"We continued to experience solid demand for our portfolio of leading brands during the second quarter," said Jason Brooks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our focus on developing innovative, functional footwear at accessible price points is driving share gains across multiple markets led by work, western and outdoor. While we didn't experience any noticeable sales slowdown due to growing inflation and general economic uncertainty during the first half of 2022, our results were negatively impacted by higher than expected costs throughout our supply chain. We took actions early in the year to address certain cost pressures, and recently enacted price increases to help offset additional margin headwinds that emerged over the past couple of months. We are confident these steps will yield improvements in the coming quarters, which along with our previously announced expense synergy savings, positions the Company to deliver sustained, profitable growth over the long-term."

Second Quarter Review

Second quarter net sales increased 23.1% to $162.0 million compared with $131.6 million in the second quarter of 2021. Wholesale sales for the second quarter increased 29.7% to $131.2 million compared to $101.1 million for the same period in 2021. Retail sales for the second quarter increased 16.4% to $26.0 million compared to $22.3 million for the same period last year. Contract Manufacturing segment sales, which include contract military sales and private label programs, were $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $8.1 million in the prior year. The decrease in Contract Manufacturing sales was due to expiring contracts with U.S. Military.

Gross margin in the second quarter of 2022 was $53.8 million, or 33.2% of net sales, compared to $49.2 million, or 37.4% of net sales, for the same period last year. Adjusted gross margin in the second quarter of 2021, which excluded a $2.3 million inventory purchase accounting adjustment, was $51.4 million, or 39.1% of net sales. The decrease in gross margin was mainly attributable to increases in product costs, inbound freight costs and other shipping and logistics costs compared with the year ago period. (See below for a reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures).

Operating expenses were $48.2 million for the second quarter of 2022 compared to $40.7 million for the same period a year ago. Excluding $2.1 million of acquisition related amortization, integration expenses and restructuring costs in the second quarter of 2022 and $2.3 million of acquisition related expenses in the second quarter of 2021, adjusted operating expenses were $46.0 million in the current year period and $38.5 million in the year ago period. The increase in operating expenses was driven primarily by higher outbound freight expense and higher variable expenses associated with the increase in sales. As a percentage of net sales, adjusted operating expense improved 80-basis points to 28.4% in the second quarter 2022 compared with 29.2% in the year ago period.

Income from operations for the second quarter of 2022 was $5.6 million, or 3.5% of net sales compared to $8.4 million, or 6.4% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income for the second quarter of 2022 was $7.7 million, or 4.8% of net sales compared to adjusted operating income of $13.0 million, or 9.9% of net sales a year ago.

Interest expense for the second quarter of 2022 was $4.3 million compared with $3.4 million a year ago.

The Company reported second quarter 2022 net income of $0.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share compared to net income of $3.9 million, or $0.52 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted net income for the second quarter of 2022, was $2.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share compared to adjusted net income of $7.4 million, or $0.99 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2021.

Balance Sheet Review

Cash and cash equivalents were $5.8 million at June 30, 2022 compared to $8.4 million on the same date a year ago.

Total debt at June 30, 2022 was $284.6 million which includes $125.9 million of senior term loan and borrowings under the Company's senior secured asset-backed credit facility.

Inventories at June 30, 2022 were $287.8 million compared to $143.5 million on the same date a year ago and $289.2 million at March 31, 2022. The year-over-year change in inventories was driven by the distribution and fulfillment challenges experienced in the second half of 2021 and overall cost increases and strong sales growth, combined with additional inventory on hand as the result of increased transit times. Compared with March 31, 2022, inventories are down slightly including a $45 million reduction in in-transit inventory, and the Company plans to further realign inventory levels with sales growth and inventory purchasing strategies over the coming quarters.

Conference Call Information

The Company's conference call to review second quarter 2022 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 704-4453 (domestic) or (201) 389-0920 (international). The conference call will also be available to interested parties through a live webcast at www.rockybrands.com. Please visit the website and select the "Investors" link at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software.

About Rocky Brands, Inc.

Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names. Brands in the portfolio include Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, The Original Muck Boot Company®, XTRATUF®, Servus®, NEOS® and Ranger®. More information can be found at RockyBrands.com.

Safe Harbor Language

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management and include statements in this press release regarding the ability of the Company to continue to develop innovative, functional footwear at accessible prices (Paragraph 2), the ability to continue to drive share gains across multiple markets, including work, western, and outdoor (Paragraph 2), yield improvements in coming quarters through recent price increases and actions taken earlier in the year to address certain cost pressures (Paragraph 2), and the Company's position to deliver sustained, profitable growth over the long-term (Paragraph 2). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company's business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (filed March 15, 2022) and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (filed May 3, 2022). One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company's businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share amounts)

	June 30,		December 31,		June 30,
	2022		2021		2021
ASSETS:
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,802	$	5,909	$	8,358
Trade receivables – net		115,794		126,807		79,963
Contract receivables		-		1,062		2,017
Other receivables		224		242		235
Inventories – net		287,817		232,464		143,516
Income tax receivable		6,360		4,294		2,290
Prepaid expenses		5,216		4,507		4,772
Total current assets		421,213		375,285		241,151
LEASED ASSETS		10,376		11,428		2,626
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT – net		61,352		59,989		55,956
GOODWILL		50,246		50,641		48,375
IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES – net		124,740		126,315		127,904
OTHER ASSETS		911		917		879
TOTAL ASSETS	$	668,838	$	624,575	$	476,891

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable		130,246	$	114,632	$	67,224
Contract liabilities		-		1,062		2,017
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt		3,250		3,250		3,250
Accrued expenses:
Salaries and wages		4,869		3,668		4,363
Taxes - other		1,674		849		536
Accrued freight		2,290		1,798		2,670
Commissions		1,428		2,447		1,068
Accrued duty		12,144		5,469		6,534
Accrued interest		2,705		2,133		2,197
Other		5,693		4,828		5,115
Total current liabilities		164,299		140,136		94,974
LONG-TERM DEBT		281,365		266,794		184,121
LONG-TERM TAXES PAYABLE		169		169		169
LONG-TERM LEASE		7,636		8,809		1,867
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		10,293		10,293		8,272
DEFERRED LIABILITIES		609		519		392
TOTAL LIABILITIES		464,371		426,720		289,795
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, no par value;
25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding June 30, 2022 - 7,313,075; December 31, 2021 - 7,302,199; June 30, 2021 - 7,283,434		68,680		68,061		67,210
Retained earnings		135,787		129,794		119,886
Total shareholders' equity		204,467		197,855		187,096
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	668,838	$	624,575	$	476,891

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
NET SALES	$	162,039		$	131,602		$	329,063		$	219,268
COST OF GOODS SOLD		108,288			82,448			212,486			134,976
GROSS MARGIN		53,751			49,154			116,577			84,292


OPERATING EXPENSES		48,155			40,717			97,785			69,275

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		5,596			8,437			18,792			15,017

INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER EXPENSES		(4,323	)		(3,378	)		(8,230	)		(4,125	)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE		1,273			5,059			10,562			10,892

INCOME TAX EXPENSE		353			1,164			2,304			2,506

NET INCOME	$	920		$	3,895		$	8,258		$	8,386

INCOME PER SHARE
Basic	$	0.13		$	0.53		$	1.13		$	1.15
Diluted	$	0.12		$	0.52		$	1.12		$	1.13

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

Basic		7,313			7,283			7,310			7,271
Diluted		7,389			7,439			7,400			7,402

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures
(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
GROSS MARGIN
GROSS MARGIN, AS REPORTED	$	53,751		$	49,154		$	116,577		$	84,292
ADD: INVENTORY FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENT		-			2,292			-			2,623
ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN	$	53,751		$	51,446		$	116,577		$	86,915

OPERATING EXPENSES
OPERATING EXPENSES, AS REPORTED	$	48,155		$	40,717		$	97,785		$	69,275
LESS: ACQUISITION-RELATED INTEGRATION EXPENSES		132			1,348			397			6,541
LESS: ACQUISITION-RELATED AMORTIZATION		782			912			1,564			912
LESS: RESTRUCTURING COSTS		1,201			-			1,201			-
ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES		46,040			38,457			94,623			61,822

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, ADJUSTED	$	7,711		$	12,989		$	21,954		$	25,093


OTHER EXPENSES	$	(4,323	)	$	(3,378	)	$	(8,230	)	$	(4,125	)

NET INCOME
NET INCOME, AS REPORTED	$	920		$	3,895		$	8,258		$	8,386
ADD: TOTAL NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS		2,115			4,552			3,162			10,076
LESS: TAX IMPACT OF ADJUSTMENTS		(487	)		(1,047	)		(690	)		(2,318	)
ADJUSTED NET INCOME	$	2,548		$	7,400		$	10,730		$	16,144

NET INCOME PER SHARE, AS REPORTED
BASIC	$	0.13		$	0.53		$	1.13		$	1.15
DILUTED	$	0.12		$	0.52		$	1.12		$	1.13

ADJUSTED NET INCOME PER SHARE
BASIC	$	0.35		$	1.02		$	1.47		$	2.22
DILUTED	$	0.34		$	0.99		$	1.45		$	2.18

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
BASIC		7,313			7,283			7,310			7,271
DILUTED		7,389			7,439			7,400			7,402

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to GAAP financial measures, we present the following non-GAAP financial measures: "non-GAAP adjusted gross margin," "non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses," "non-GAAP adjusted net income," and "non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share." Adjusted results exclude the impact of items that management believes affect the comparability or underlying business trends in our consolidated financial statements in the periods presented. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to management and investors and other users of our consolidated financial statements as an additional tool for evaluating operating performance. We believe they also provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our operations.

Investors should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. See "Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures" accompanying this press release.

Non-GAAP adjustment or measure	Definition	Usefulness to management and investors
Inventory fair value adjustments	Inventory fair value adjustments are costs related to the fair value markup of inventory purchased with the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc. as required by business combination accounting rules.	We excluded adjustments related to the inventory fair value markup for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because these costs do not reflect the manufactured or sourced cost of the inventory of the acquired business. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost trends.
Acquisition-related integration expenses	Acquisition-related integration expenses are expenses including investment banking fees, legal fees, transaction fees, integration costs and consulting fees tied to the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc.	We excluded acquisition-related integration expenses for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because these costs do not reflect our current operating performance. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate expense trends.
Acquisition-related amortization	Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets consists of amortization of intangible assets such as brands and customer relationships acquired in connection with the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc. Charges related to the amortization of these intangibles are recorded in operating expenses in our GAAP financial statements. Amortization charges are recorded over the estimated useful life of the related acquired intangible asset, and thus are generally recorded over multiple years.	We excluded amortization charges for our acquisition-related intangible assets for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because these charges are inconsistent in size and are significantly impacted by the valuation of our acquisition. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparison to past operating performance and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost and expense trends.
Restructuring Costs	Restructuring costs represent severance expenses associated with headcount reductions following the integration of the acquired performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International Inc.	We excluded restructuring costs for purposes of calculating non-GAAP measures because these costs do not reflect our current operating performance. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operations performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate expense trends.

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Rocky Brands, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2022 Results