Monro, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Financial Results

~ Fourth Quarter Diluted EPS of $.52 ~
~ Fiscal 2018 Sales Increase 10% to a Record $1.128 Billion ~
~ Completes Acquisition of 12 Tennessee-based Stores and Four Wholesale Centers, with Expected Annualized Sales of $47 Million ~
~ Increases Quarterly Cash Dividend by 11% to $.20 per share ~

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monro, Inc. (Nasdaq:MNRO), a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and tire services, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.

Fourth Quarter Results

Sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 13.3% to $285.6 million, as compared to $252.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. Fiscal 2018 was a 53-week year with 368 selling days as compared to 361 selling days in fiscal 2017, and therefore included an extra week of sales in the fourth quarter. Comparable store sales increased 10.3% on a reported basis, and 2.4% when adjusted for days. Adjusted for days, comparable store sales increased approximately 5% for tires, 2% for both brakes and front end/shocks, and decreased approximately 2% for both maintenance services and alignments. In addition to the extra week of sales, the total sales increase for the fourth quarter of $33.6 million included an increase in sales from new stores of $13.8 million, including sales from recent acquisitions of $8.7 million.

Gross margin increased 70 basis points to 37.7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 from 37.0% in the prior year period, primarily due to leverage from higher comparable store sales. Total operating expenses increased by $4.2 million to $77.3 million, or 27.1% of sales, as compared to $73.1 million, or 29.0% of sales in the prior year period. The year-over-year dollar increase represents expenses from 32 net new stores, $1.0 million in management transition costs, as well as expenses related to the extra week.

Operating income was $30.4 million, or 10.7% of sales, as compared to $20.1 million, or 8.0% of sales in the prior year period. Interest expense was $6.3 million as compared to $5.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Income tax expense in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $6.8 million compared to $5.1 million in the prior year period. The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017 resulted in an income tax benefit of $1.4 million, or $.04 per share.  This benefit was comprised of $.02 per share related to the reduction of approximately 300 basis points in the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, as well as $.02 per share related to revaluing our net deferred tax assets to reflect the new U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. This resulted in an effective tax rate of 27.9% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared to 34.4% in the prior year period.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $17.5 million, as compared to $9.7 million in the same period of the prior year. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $.52, including $.02 per share in management transition costs, $.04 per share of benefit related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $.10 of contribution from the extra week. This compares to diluted earnings per share of $.29 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company opened 15 and closed three company-operated locations, ending the quarter with 1,150 company-operated stores and 102 franchised locations. 

“We delivered solid fourth quarter results, driven by positive top line trends and strong execution across our business, as we launched a number of foundational tools designed to support our strategy. We exit the quarter with solid industry tailwinds, improving operating performance, a disciplined acquisition strategy and newly implemented initiatives to drive improvement across the organization. We believe we have a clear path for future growth and look forward to carrying this strong momentum through fiscal year 2019 and beyond,” said Brett Ponton, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ponton continued, “As we enter fiscal 2019, we are excited about the significant opportunities that lie ahead of us. I am confident that our renewed focus on the customer and strong commitment to operational excellence will position us well to capitalize on favorable industry trends over the next few years and drive sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”

Fiscal Year Results

Net sales for fiscal 2018 increased 10.4% to a record $1.128 billion as compared to $1.022 billion for fiscal 2017. The total sales increase of $106.3 million for the fiscal year was due to an increase in sales from new stores of $96.2 million, including sales from recent acquisitions of $73.5 million, and a comparable store sales increase of 1.8% on a reported basis. Adjusted for days, comparable store sales decreased 0.1% as compared to a 4.3% decline in the prior year. Comparable store sales, adjusted for days, increased approximately 3% for brakes and 2% for front end/shocks, and decreased approximately 1% for tires and 2% for both maintenance services and alignments.

Gross margin declined 30 basis points to 38.6% for fiscal 2018 from 38.9% in the prior fiscal year, largely due to the impact of the sales mix from recent acquisitions partially offset by lower material costs as a percentage of sales.

Total operating expenses for fiscal 2018 were $308.3 million, or 27.3% of sales, as compared to $280.5 million, or 27.5% of sales, for the prior fiscal year. The dollar increase primarily represents expenses from 32 net new stores as compared to fiscal 2017. Operating income for fiscal 2018 was $127.3 million, or 11.3% of sales, as compared to $116.4 million, or 11.4% of sales in fiscal 2017. Interest expense was $24.3 million in fiscal 2018 as compared to $19.8 million in fiscal 2017.

Net income for fiscal 2018 was $63.9 million or $1.92 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $61.5 million, or $1.85 per diluted share in fiscal 2017. Diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2018 were at the high end of the Company's estimated range of $1.88 to $1.93, and included $.04 per share in litigation settlement costs, $.06 per share in management transition costs, and $.06 per share of expense related to the net impact of newly enacted tax legislation. Diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2018 also included $.10 of contribution from the 53rd week.

Acquisitions Update

The Company announced today that it has acquired 12 retail and commercial locations in Tennessee from Free Service Tire Company, filling in an existing market and expanding its footprint in the South. The Company also acquired four wholesale centers as part of the transaction, located in Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina, significantly increasing its tire purchasing and distribution efficiencies. These locations are expected to add approximately $47 million in annualized sales, representing a sales mix of 15% service and 85% tires. The acquisition is expected to be breakeven to diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2019.

In the fourth quarter, the Company also completed the previously announced acquisitions of seven stores in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. These stores fill in existing markets and are expected to add approximately $7 million in annualized sales, representing a sales mix of 45% service and 55% tires. Acquisitions completed in fiscal 2018 represent a total of $20 million in annualized sales.

Cash Dividend Increased 11%

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a $.02 increase in the Company’s cash dividend for the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 to $.20, which translates to an annual rate of $.80 per share and represents an increase of $.08 per share or 11.1% as compared to the total dividends paid in fiscal 2018.  The Company has increased its cash dividend 13 times during the 13 years since a cash dividend was first issued. The cash dividend is payable quarterly to shareholders of record on the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, including the shares of common stock to which the holders of the Company’s Class C Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled.  The dividend of $.20 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 will be payable on June 14, 2018 to shareholders of record as of June 4, 2018.

Company Outlook and Investor Day Webcast

The Company will provide financial guidance for fiscal 2019 and beyond at its Investor Day, which will begin at 8:00 a.m. EDT today. The live audio webcast, including slide presentations, will be available to the public at the Investor Information section of the Company's website, located at www.monro.com. The event will include a question and answer session, during which onsite and webcast participants may submit questions. An archived copy of the webcast will be available at this website through June 21, 2018.

About Monro, Inc.

Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Monro is a chain of 1,166 company-operated stores, 98 franchised locations, nine wholesale locations and three retread facilities providing automotive undercar repair and tire sales and services. The Company operates in 27 states, serving the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions and portions of the Great Lakes, Midwest and Southeast. The predecessor to the Company was founded by Charles J. August in 1957 as a Midas Muffler franchise. In 1966, Monro began to diversify into a full line of undercar repair services. The Company has experienced significant growth in recent years through acquisitions and, to a lesser extent, the opening of newly constructed stores. The Company went public in 1991 and trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol MNRO.

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words and phrases as “expected,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “anticipate,” “project,” “believe,” “could,” “may,” “intend,” “plan” and other similar words or phrases.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, product demand, dependence on and competition within the primary markets in which the Company's stores are located, the need for and costs associated with store renovations and other capital expenditures, the effect of economic conditions, seasonality, the impact of competitive services and pricing, product development, parts supply restraints or difficulties, the impact of weather trends and natural disasters, industry regulation, risks relating to leverage and debt service (including sensitivity to fluctuations in interest rates),continued availability of capital resources and financing, risks relating to protection of customer and employee personal data, risks relating to litigation, risks related to the accuracy of the estimates and assumptions we used to reevaluate our net deferred tax assets or our estimate of the fourth quarter impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, risks relating to integration of acquired businesses and other factors set forth elsewhere herein and in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 25, 2017 and Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, which the Company expects to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission this month.  Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

MONRO, INC.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and share counts in thousands)
	Quarter Ended Fiscal March
	2018				2017				% Change
Sales	$	285,578			$	252,011			13.3	%
Cost of sales, including
distribution and occupancy costs		177,815				158,787			12.0	%
Gross profit		107,763				93,224			15.6	%
Operating, selling, general and
administrative expenses		77,334				73,133			5.7	%
Operating income		30,429				20,091			51.5	%
Interest expense, net		6,299				5,535			13.8	%
Other (income) expense, net		(117	)			(183	)		(36.1	)%
Income before provision for
income taxes		24,247				14,739			64.5	%
Provision for income taxes		6,765				5,078			33.2	%
Net income	$	17,482			$	9,661			80.9	%
Diluted earnings per share	$	.52			$	.29			79.3	%
Weighted average number of
diluted shares outstanding		33,417				33,289
Number of stores open
(at end of quarter)		1,150				1,118

MONRO, INC.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and share counts in thousands)
	Year Ended Fiscal March
	2018				2017				% Change
Sales	$	1,127,815			$	1,021,511			10.4	%
Cost of sales, including
distribution and occupancy costs		692,241				624,622			10.8	%
Gross profit		435,574				396,889			9.7	%
Operating, selling, general and
administrative expenses		308,278				280,505			9.9	%
Operating income		127,296				116,384			9.4	%
Interest expense, net		24,296				19,768			22.9	%
Other income, net		(454	)			(628	)		(27.8	)%
Income before provision for
income taxes		103,454				97,244			6.4	%
Provision for income taxes		39,519				35,718			10.6	%
Net income	$	63,935			$	61,526			3.9	%
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.92			$	1.85			3.8	%
Weighted average number of
diluted shares outstanding		33,341				33,301

MONRO, INC.
Financial Highlights
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
	March 31,			March 25,
	2018			2017
Assets
Cash	$	1,909		$	8,995
Inventories		152,367			142,604
Other current assets		52,980			47,631
Total current assets		207,256			199,230
Property, plant and equipment, net		416,669			394,634
Other non-current assets		594,507			591,400
Total assets	$	1,218,432		$	1,185,264
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities	$	194,005		$	185,893
Capital leases and financing obligations		227,220			213,166
Other long-term debt		148,068			182,337
Other long-term liabilities		20,663			22,614
Total liabilities		589,956			604,010
Total shareholders’ equity		628,476			581,254
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,218,432		$	1,185,264

CONTACT:

Brett Ponton
Chief Executive Officer
(585) 647-6400

Brian D’Ambrosia
Senior Vice President – Finance
Chief Financial Officer
(585) 647-6400

Investors and Media: Effie Veres
FTI Consulting
(212) 850-5600