Live Ventures Announces First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Live Ventures Incorporated (Nasdaq: LIVE), a diversified holding company, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2023. 

Q1 FY2023 Key Highlights:

  • Revenues of $75.2 million increased 20.3% over the prior year period;
  • Gross profit of $27.6 million increased 24.0% over the prior year period;
  • Operating income of $10.4 million increased 42.7% over the prior year period;
  • Interest Expense of $1.0 million decreased 30.8% over the prior year period;
  • Net income of $6.5 million increased 24.0% over the prior year period;
  • Adjusted EBTIDA1 of $12.1 million increased 21.9% over the prior year period;
  • Q1 2023 Basic and Fully Diluted EPS were $4.14 and $2.04, respectively, increased 20.0% and 25.4%, respectively, over the prior year period;
  • Total assets of $219.0 million; and
  • Approximately $38.8 million of cash and availability under our credit facilities.

“I continue to be pleased with the result of Live Ventures’ efforts, as demonstrated by our strong financial performance for the first fiscal quarter of this year,” Jon Isaac, President and CEO of Live Ventures commented. “Live Ventures has continued to execute upon its strategic plan, deliver meaningful financial results, and demonstrate resiliency in uncertain times.”

Live Ventures reported revenues of $75.2 million, and basic earnings per share (“EPS”) of $4.14, which represents an increase of 20.3% and 20.0%, respectively, over the prior year period. The company also reported operating income of $10.4 million and net income of $6.5 million, representing an increase of 42.7% and 24.0%, respectively, over the same period last year.

Net income for the quarter includes approximately $0.8 million from SW Financial, which is included as part of the company’s Corporate & other segment. As of December 31, 2023, the company reported total assets of $219.0 million, and total cash and cash availability under its various lines of credit of $38.8 million. Stockholders’ equity attributable to Live Ventures’ stockholders was approximately $82.1 million as of December 31, 2023.

Each of the company’s three main reporting segments continued to demonstrate meaningful growth on a topline and operating income basis compared to the prior year period.

“We started our fiscal 2023 in a fantastic position with each of our diverse reporting segments continuing to provide meaningful contribution and providing Live Ventures continued liquidity and availability to invest in both new acquisitions and our existing operations,” Mr. Isaac concluded.

________________________
1 Adjusted EBTIDA is a non-GAAP measure. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure is included below.

Q1 FY2023 Financial Summary (in thousands)

  During the three months ended December 31,
  2021   2020   % Change
Revenues $ 75,158   $ 62,454   20.3 %
Operating Income $ 10,407   $ 7,291   42.7 %
Net income applicable to common stock $ 6,546   $ 5,413   20.9 %
Basic earnings per share $ 4.14   $ 3.45   20.0 %
  During the three months ended December 31,
  2021   2020   % Change
Revenues          
Retail $ 26,211   $ 22,370   17.2 %
Flooring Manufacturing $ 32,872   $ 30,222   8.8 %
Steel Manufacturing $ 12,366   $ 9,735   27.0 %
Corporate & other $ 3,709   $ 127   2820.5 %
Total $ 75,158   $ 62,454   20.3 %
           
  During the three months ended December 31,
   2021    2020    % Change
Operating income (loss)          
Retail $ 4,810     $ 4,493     7.1 %
Flooring Manufacturing $ 4,608     $ 4,150     11.0 %
Steel Manufacturing $ 1,654     $ 144     1048.6 %
Corporate & other $ (665 )   $ (1,496 )   55.5 %
Total $ 10,407     $ 7,291     42.7 %
           
  For the Three Months Ended
December 31, 2023
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Adjusted EBITDA      
Retail business $ 5,202     $ 5,182  
Flooring Manufacturing business   5,255       5,098  
Steel Manufacturing business   1,844       497  
Corporate & Other   (199 )     (847 )
Total Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,102     $ 9,930  
       
Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue      
Retail business   19.8 %     23.2 %
Flooring Manufacturing business   16.0 %     16.9 %
Steel Manufacturing business   14.9 %     5.1 %
Corporate & Other   -5.4 %     -664.0 %
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue   16.1 %     15.9 %
       

Retail

Retail Segment Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by approximately $4.0 million or 17.2%, over the prior year period, primarily due to increased retail pricing and additional locations added at Vintage Stock, offset by decreasing sales by ApplianceSmart primarily due to decreases in sales resulting from increased competition. Retail price increases were primarily due to higher product costs relating to inflationary pressures that were passed on to customers. Cost of revenue increased proportionately with the increase in revenue. Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $4.8 million, as compared to operating income of approximately $4.5 million for the prior year period.

Flooring Manufacturing

Flooring Manufacturing Segment Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by approximately $2.7 million, or 8.8%, over the prior year period, primarily due to greater demand for various grades of flooring, as well increases in sales prices. The shift in demand in flooring grades was generally toward higher priced product. Sales price increases were primarily due to higher product costs relating to inflationary pressures that were passed on to customers. Cost of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased proportionately with revenue, as compared to the prior year period. Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $4.6 million, as compared to operating income of approximately $4.2 million for the prior year period.

Steel Manufacturing

Steel Manufacturing Segment Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 increased by $2.6 million, or 27%, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased sales prices resulting from rising costs. Cost of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023 decreased as a percentage of sales due to improved manufacturing efficiencies and increased revenue due to price increases, over the prior year period. Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was approximately $1.7 million, as compared to operating income of approximately $0.1 million in the prior year period. The increase in operating income is primarily due to an increase in gross profit.

Corporate and Other

The increase in Corporate and Other Revenue is primarily attributable to the consolidation of Salomon Whitney in June 2023. Operating loss for the three months ended December 31, 2023 decreased by approximately $0.8 million as compared to the prior year period.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

Adjusted EBTIDA

We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and “Adjusted EBITDA.” Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or nonrecurring charges. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of the business, including the business’ ability to fund acquisitions and other capital expenditures, and to service its debt. Additionally, this measure is used by management to evaluate operating results and perform analytical comparisons and identify strategies to improve performance. Adjusted EBITDA is also a measure that is customarily used by financial analysts to evaluate a company’s financial performance, subject to certain adjustments. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flows from operations, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss and is indicative neither of our results of operations, nor of cash flows available to fund all of our cash needs. It is, however, a measurement that the Company believes is useful to investors in analyzing its operating performance. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities, and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. As companies often define non-GAAP financial measures differently, Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated by Live Ventures, Incorporated, should not be compared to any similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

About Live Ventures

Live Ventures Incorporated (Nasdaq: LIVE) (“Live Ventures” or the “Company”) is a rapidly growing, diversified holding company with a strategic focus on value-oriented acquisitions of domestic middle-market companies. Live Venture’s acquisition strategy is sector agnostic, and focuses on well-run, closely held businesses with a demonstrated track record of earnings growth and cash flow generation. The Company looks for opportunities to partner with management to build increased shareholder value through a disciplined buy-build-hold long-term focused strategy. Live Ventures was founded in 1968 and refocused in 2011 under our CEO and strategic investor, Jon Isaac. The Company’s current portfolio of diversified operating subsidiaries includes companies in the textile, flooring, tools, steel, entertainment, and financial services industries.

About Our Main Operating Subsidiaries

Marquis Industries

Based in Chatsworth, GA, and acquired by Live Ventures in 2015, Marquis Industries (“Marquis”) is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial carpets sold primarily in North America and focused on residential, niche commercial, and hospitality end-markets. In addition to a diverse offering of carpeting products, Marquis Industries also designs, sources, and sells hard-surface flooring products.

Vintage Stock

Based in Joplin, MO and acquired by Live Ventures in 2016, Vintage Stock Inc. (“Vintage Stock”) is an award-winning entertainment retailer that sells new and pre-owned movies, classic and current generation video games and systems, music on CD & LP, collectible comics, books, toys, and more through a unique buy-sell-trade model. Vintage Stock sells through its 60+ retail stores and its website, allowing the company to ship product worldwide directly to the customer’s doorstep.

ApplianceSmart

ApplianceSmart® (“ApplianceSmart”) is based in Columbus, Ohio and was acquired by Live Ventures in 2017. ApplianceSmart sells new major household appliances in the United States through its retail store. ApplianceSmart is the first independent retailer in the nation to become a voluntary member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program.   On December 9, 2019, ApplianceSmart filed a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code.

Precision Marshall

Based in Washington, PA and acquired by Live Ventures in 2020, Precision Industries, Inc. (“Precision Marshall”) is a leading manufacturer of premium steel tools and specialty alloys. Precision Marshall manufactures pre-finished decarb-free tool and die steel. For over 70 years, Precision Marshall has been known by steel distributors for its quick and accurate service and has led the industry with exemplary availability and value-added processing.

Salomon Whitney

Based in Melville, NY, Salomon Whitney LLC (“Salomon Whitney”) is a licensed broker-dealer and investment bank offering clients a broad range of products and services, including broker retailing of corporate equity and debt securities, private placement of securities, corporate finance consulting regarding mergers and acquisitions, broker selling of variable life insurance or annuities, and broker retailing of U.S. government and municipal securities. Salomon Whitney has over 70 registered representatives and is licensed to operate in all 50 states. As of December 31, 2023, Live Ventures owns a 24.9% interest in Salomon Whitney. However, Salomon Whitney is consolidated into Live Ventures financial statements as a variable interest entity.  

Contact:
Live Ventures Incorporated
Tim Matula, Investor Relations
(425) 836-9035
[email protected]
http://liveventures.com
Source:  Live Ventures Incorporated

 
LIVE VENTURES INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
 
    December 31, 2023   September 30, 2023
    (Unaudited)    
Assets        
Cash   $ 10,031     $ 4,664  
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $61 at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023     19,117       21,559  
Inventories, net of reserves of approximately $1.9 million at December 31, 2023, and approximately $1.8 million at
September 30, 2023
    73,898       70,747  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,042       1,640  
Debtor in possession assets     143       180  
Total current assets     105,231       98,790  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of approximately $21.8 million at December 31, 2023,
and approximately $20.6 million at September 30, 2023
    37,440       35,632  
Right of use asset – operating leases     29,090       30,466  
Deposits and other assets     1,345       682  
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of approximately $2.5 million at December 31, 2023 and
approximately $2.2 million at September 30, 2023
    4,410       4,697  
Goodwill     41,471       41,471  
Total assets   $ 218,987     $ 211,738  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity        
Liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 9,713     $ 10,644  
Accrued liabilities     14,304       17,048  
Income taxes payable     734       876  
Current portion of lease obligations – operating leases     7,196       7,202  
Current portion of long-term debt     17,553       16,055  
Current portion of notes payable related parties     2,000       2,000  
Debtor-in-possession liabilities     11,184       11,135  
Total current liabilities     62,684       64,960  
Long-term debt, net of current portion     40,305       37,559  
Lease obligation long term – operating leases     28,008       29,343  
Notes payable related parties, net of current portion     2,000       2,000  
Deferred taxes     4,346       2,796  
Total liabilities     137,343       136,658  
Commitments and contingencies        
Stockholders’ equity:        
Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 315,790 shares
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively
           
Series E convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 47,840 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively, with a liquidation preference of $0.30 per share outstanding
           
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 1,582,334 and 1,582,334 shares issued
and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively
    2       2  
Paid in capital     65,302       65,284  
Treasury stock common 534,520 shares as of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023, respectively     (4,519 )     (4,519 )
Treasury stock Series E preferred 50,000 shares as of December 31, 2023 and of September 30, 2023, respectively     (7 )     (7 )
Retained earnings     21,314       14,768  
Equity attributable to Live stockholders     82,092       75,528  
Non-controlling interest     (448 )     (448 )
Total stockholders’ equity     81,644       75,080  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 218,987     $ 211,738  
         

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
LIVE VENTURES, INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share)
 
      For the Three Months Ended December 31,
      2021   2020
Revenues     $ 75,158     $ 62,454  
Cost of revenues       47,542       40,185  
Gross profit       27,616       22,269  
           
Operating expenses:          
General and administrative expenses       14,157       12,279  
Sales and marketing expenses       3,052       2,699  
Total operating expenses       17,209       14,978  
Operating income       10,407       7,291  
Other (expense) income:          
Interest expense, net       (1,017 )     (1,470 )
Gain on disposal of fixed assets             129  
Loss on bankruptcy settlement       (10 )      
Other income (expense)       126       779  
Total other (expense) income, net       (901 )     (562 )
Income before provision for income taxes       9,506       6,729  
Provision for income taxes       2,960       1,450  
Net income       6,546       5,279  
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest             134  
Net income attributable to Live stockholders     $ 6,546     $ 5,413  
           
Income per share:          
Basic     $ 4.14     $ 3.45  
Diluted     $ 2.04     $ 1.63  
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding:          
Basic       1,582,334       1,568,213  
Diluted       3,202,057       3,319,088  
           
Dividends declared – series B convertible preferred stock     $     $  
Dividends declared – series E convertible preferred stock     $     $  
Dividends declared – common stock     $     $  
           

LIVE VENTURES INCORPORATED
NON-GAAP MEASURES RECONCILIATION
(dollars in thousands, except per share)

Adjusted EBITDA

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net (loss) income to total Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):

  For the Three Months Ended
  December 31, 2023   December 31, 2020
Net income $ 6,546   $ 5,279
Depreciation and amortization   1,549     1,714
Stock-based compensation   18     17
Interest expense, net   1,017     1,470
Income tax expense (benefit)   2,960     1,450
Other   12    
Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,102   $ 9,930
       

Live Ventures Incorporated