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Clarus Publish Q1’23 Financial Results, Ended March 31 2023

Clarus Corporation, a global company focused on the outdoor and consumer enthusiast markets, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

First Quarter 2023 Financial Summary vs. Same Year‐Ago Quarter

Sales of $97.4 million compared to $113.3 million.
Gross margin was 37.0% compared to 39.1%.
Net income of $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to $5.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share.
Adjusted net income before non‐cash items of $6.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $14.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA of $9.6 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.9% compared to $19.7 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.4%.

Warren Kanders, Clarus’ Executive Chairman commented:
“Clarus’ consolidated Q1 performance was resilient given the macroeconomic headwinds that carried over from 2022. In Outdoor, strong direct‐to‐consumer and international performance was offset by lower open‐to‐buys at our North American retail accounts as 2022 inventory positions unwind. We are encouraged by our robust order book at Precision Sports, however, our ability to consistently source components constrained ammunition shipments in the quarter. While at Adventure, we experienced sequential stabilization throughout the quarter in our home market of Australia, but continued challenges in North America due to elevated inventory levels in all selling channels.

“Operationally, we enhanced our segment leadership to activate the next phase of our corporate and brand evolution. Our brand leaders are focused on establishing revenue, gross margin and EBITDA baselines, upgrading talent, and further driving shareholder value through cash flow generation and debt paydown.”

First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Sales in the first quarter were $97.4 million compared to $113.3 million in the same year‐ago quarter. Foreign currency exchange was unfavorable to sales by $2.4 million in the first quarter as the U.S. dollar continued to strengthen against the Euro and Australian dollar. Clarus income Q1'23
Sales in the Outdoor segment increased 2% to $52.8 million, or $54.2 million on a constant currency basis, compared to $51.5 million in the year ago quarter. The increase was due to growth in the direct-to-consumer channels, and European and IGD markets, nearly offset by continued weakness at the Company’s key North American retail accounts.

Sales in the Adventure segment were $17.5 million compared to $28.6 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting lower consumer demand given the challenging market conditions and the difficult macro-environment in both Australia and North America.

Gross margin in the first quarter was 37.0% compared to 39.1% in the year‐ago quarter due to changes in channel and product mix and unfavorable foreign currency exchange movement.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter were $32.8 million compared to $34.2 million in the same year‐ago quarter. The decline was driven by expense improvements in the Adventure and Precision Sport segments, as well as lower non-cash stock-based compensation expense for performance awards at corporate. These savings were partially offset by higher investments at Outdoor for employee costs and investments in the direct-to-consumer channel. Clarus Q1'23 balance sheets Net income in the first quarter was $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to $5.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the prior year’s first quarter.

Adjusted net income before non-cash items in the first quarter, which excludes non‐cash items and transaction costs, was $6.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $14.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the same year‐ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter was $9.6 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 9.9%, compared to $19.7 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.4%, in the same year‐ago quarter. The decline in adjusted EBITDA was driven by lower sales volumes in the North American portion of the Company’s Outdoor and Adventure segments and a $2.4 million consolidated headwind due to strength of the U.S. dollar.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $3.2 million compared to $(10.8) million in the prior year quarter. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2023 were $1.5 million compared to $1.9 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2023 was $1.7 million compared to $(12.7) million in the prior year quarter due to reduced inventory levels compared to December 31, 2022.

2023 Outlook
The Company continues to expect fiscal year 2023 sales of approximately $420 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $60 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.3%. In addition, capital expenditures are expected to range between $7 – $8 million and free cash flow is expected to range between $35 – $40 million for the full year 2023.