Bassett Reports Fiscal Third Quarter Results, Updates Progress on Restructuring Plan and Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend


BASSETT, Va., Oct. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSET) reported today its results of operations for its third quarter ended August 31, 2024. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share of common stock, payable on Nov. 29, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 15, 2024. This dividend represents an 11% increase over the prior year’s quarterly dividend.

Q3 Consolidated Business Highlights: [FY 24 vs. FY 23, unless otherwise specified]

  • Revenues decreased 13%, impacted by a cyber incident that suspended all financial systems and manufacturing for 7 days.
  • Operating loss of $6.4 million, which included a $1.2 million loss on a logistical services contract the Company abandoned and various costs associated with the cyber incident.
  • Gross margin of 53.0%, which included $0.6 million of manufacturing wages paid during the cyber shutdown. Excluding the wage charge, gross profit margin would have been 53.8% as compared to adjusted gross margin of 52.7% in 2023 (see Table 5).
  • Diluted loss per share of $0.52 vs. a loss of $0.30 in 2023.
  • Limited cash flow deficit for the quarter to $0.4 million despite challenging results and cyber disruption related costs.

Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Overview
(Dollars in millions)

 Sales Operating Income (Loss)
 3rd Qtr Dollar% 3rd Qtr% of 3rd Qtr% of
  2024 2023 ChangeChange  2024 Sales  2023 Sales
Consolidated (1)$75.6$87.2 $(11.6)-13.3% $(6.4)-8.5% $(3.8)-4.4%
            
Wholesale$47.8$56.7 $(8.9)-15.7% $4.4 9.2% $6.3 11.1%
            
Retail$47.3$52.3 $(5.0)-9.6% $(2.8)-5.9% $(3.0)-5.7%
            
Corporate & Other (2)$1.0$1.8 $(0.8)-44.4% $(7.0)N/A $(7.4)N/A
            
(1) Our consolidated results for the quarter include certain intercompany eliminations as well as a $1.2 million contract abandonment charge which are not allocated to our segment operating results. See Table 4, "Segment Information" below for an illustration of the effects of these items on our consolidated sales and operating income.
            
(2) Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments.
           

“The third quarter is historically our slowest as we customarily shut down manufacturing for the week of July 4th,” said Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Bassett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Although we had additional challenges this year, we delivered strong gross margins. In mid-July, we reported that we detected unauthorized activities in our IT systems, which resulted in us shutting down our IT systems and ceasing manufacturing for 7 days. The industry remained challenged by economic factors in the quarter, including a slow housing market that is forecasted to improve heading into 2025. With our strong balance sheet and our focus on right-sizing our expense structure, our goal is to drive better profitability.”

Update on Restructuring Plan
The Company made progress on the restructuring plan announced in July to lower its cost structure and to strengthen operations for topline growth. The comprehensive strategy builds on the strength of Bassett’s brand quality, design expertise and service, and focuses on driving revenue growth and profitability long-term. The five-point plan will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter. “We are running a leaner operation, reducing expenses and investing in new products and services,” Spilman added. “Through our restructuring plan, we are on target to improve our bottom-line between $5.5 million and $6.5 million on an annual basis. We are committed to returning to profitability.”

Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on October 10, 2024, at 9:00 am ET. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by webcast, accessible through the Company’s investor relations website, https://investors.bassettfurniture.com/. Participants can also listen to the conference call via https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4t38wrd6. A replay and transcript of the conference call will be available on demand on the investor relations site.

About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: BSET) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-quality home furnishings. With 87 company- and licensee-owned stores at the time of this release, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. Bassett’s retail strategy includes stylish, custom-built furniture that features the latest on-trend furniture styles, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett also has a traditional wholesale business with more than 700 accounts on the open market, across the United States and internationally. For more information, visit the Company’s website at bassettfurniture.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “should,” “estimates,” or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results or changes in operations for periods beyond the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2024, constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information, as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements: the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings and the ability of Bassett’s customers and consumers to obtain credit; the success of marketing, logistics, retail and other initiatives; and the economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement that Bassett makes speaks only as of the date of such statement, and Bassett undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indication of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

Contacts:
J. Michael Daniel
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(276) 629-6614 – Investors
mdaniel@bassettfurniture.com

Peter D. Morrison
Vice President of Communications
(276) 629-6450 – Media

Table 1
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - unaudited
(In thousands, except for per share data)
            
            
 Quarter Ended Nine Months
 August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023 August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023
  Percent of  Percent of  Percent of  Percent of
 AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales
            
Net sales of furniture and accessories$75,619 100.0% $87,217 100.0% $245,583 100.0% $295,434 100.0%
Cost of furniture and accessories sold 35,526 47.0%  42,173 48.4%  113,863 46.4%  140,360 47.5%
Gross profit 40,093 53.0%  45,044 51.6%  131,720 53.6%  155,074 52.5%
            
Selling, general and administrative expenses 45,210 59.8%  48,848 56.0%  142,141 57.9%  154,709 52.4%
Loss on contract abandonment 1,240 1.6%  - 0.0%  1,240 0.5%  - 0.0%
Asset impairment charges - 0.0%  - 0.0%  5,515 2.2%  - 0.0%
Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration - 0.0%  - 0.0%  - 0.0%  1,013 0.3%
Income (loss) from operations (6,357)-8.4%  (3,804)-4.4%  (17,176)-7.0%  1,378 0.5%
            
Interest income 692 0.9%  923 1.1%  2,075 0.8%  1,644 0.6%
Other loss, net (109)-0.1%  (309)-0.4%  (489)-0.2%  (1,381)-0.5%
Income (loss) before income taxes (5,774)-7.6%  (3,190)-3.7%  (15,590)-6.3%  1,641 0.6%
            
Income tax expense (benefit) (1,269)-1.7%  (599)-0.7%  (2,691)-1.1%  711 0.2%
Net income (loss) (4,505)-6.0%  (2,591)-3.0%  (12,899)-5.3%  930 0.3%
            
            
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share$(0.52)  $(0.30)  $(1.48)  $0.11  
            


Table 2
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
 (Unaudited)  
AssetsAugust 31, 2024 November 25, 2023
Current assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$38,329  $52,407
Short-term investments 17,834   17,775
Accounts receivable, net 12,974   13,736
Inventories, net 56,138   62,982
Recoverable income taxes 2,846   2,574
Other current assets 9,421   8,480
Total current assets 137,542   157,954
    
Property and equipment, net 78,564   83,981
    
Other long-term assets   
Deferred income taxes, net 7,410   4,645
Goodwill and other intangible assets 14,199   16,067
Right of use assets under operating leases 90,274   100,888
Other 7,873   6,889
Total long-term assets 119,756   128,489
Total assets$335,862  $370,424
    
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
Current liabilities   
Accounts payable$14,232  $16,338
Accrued compensation and benefits 6,595   8,934
Customer deposits 23,700   22,788
Current portion of operating lease obligations 18,504   18,827
Other accrued expenses 10,086   11,003
Total current liabilities 73,117   77,890
    
Long-term liabilities   
Post employment benefit obligations 10,885   10,207
Long-term portion of operating lease obligations 85,310   97,357
Other long-term liabilities 1,514   1,529
Total long-term liabilities 97,709   109,093
    
    
Stockholders’ equity   
Common stock 43,674   43,842
Retained earnings 121,387   139,354
Additional paid-in-capital -   93
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (25)  152
Total stockholders' equity 165,036   183,441
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$335,862  $370,424
    


Table 3
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited
(In thousands)
    
 Nine Months
 August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023
Operating activities:   
Net income (loss)$(12,899) $930 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)  
operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization 7,613   7,502 
Non-cash asset impairment charges 5,515   - 
Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration -   (1,013)
Inventory valuation charges 4,954   3,814 
Deferred income taxes (2,765)  473 
Other, net 937   1,781 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable 762   2,499 
Inventories 1,890   14,797 
Other current and long-term assets (1,213)  (289)
Right of use assets under operating leases 13,029   13,668 
Customer deposits 912   (12,337)
Accounts payable and other liabilities (5,364)  (6,586)
Obligations under operating leases (15,694)  (14,990)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (2,323)  10,249 
    
Investing activities:   
Purchases of property and equipment (4,720)  (14,657)
Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net -   1,000 
Other (909)  (1,664)
Net cash used in investing activities (5,629)  (15,321)
    
Financing activities:   
Cash dividends (4,909)  (4,406)
Other issuance of common stock 275   275 
Repurchases of common stock (1,127)  (4,056)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (161)  (109)
Repayments of finance lease obligations (210)  (208)
Net cash used in financing activities (6,132)  (8,504)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 6   (37)
Change in cash and cash equivalents (14,078)  (13,613)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 52,407   61,625 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period$38,329  $48,012 
    


Table 4
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Information - unaudited
(In thousands)
                
 Quarter Ended Nine Months 
  August 31, 2024   August 26, 2023   August 31, 2024   August 26, 2023 
Sales Revenue               
Wholesale sales of furniture and accessories$47,828  $56,660  $155,138  $188,318 
Less: Sales to retail segment (20,453)  (23,503)  (64,967)  (77,932)
Wholesale sales to external customers 27,375   33,157   90,171   110,386 
Retail sales of furniture and accessories 47,256   52,264   151,478   178,004 
Corporate & Other - Noa Home (1) 988   1,796   3,934   7,044 
Consolidated net sales of furniture and accessories$75,619  $87,217  $245,583  $295,434 
                
                
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes               
Income (Loss) from Operations               
Wholesale$4,440  $6,340  $16,886  $22,339 
Retail (2,840)  (3,036)  (6,674)  (751)
Net expenses - Corporate and other (1) (6,963)  (7,420)  (21,500)  (22,140)
Inter-company elimination 246   312   867   917 
Loss on abandoned warehouse contract (1,240)  -   (1,240)  - 
Asset impairment charges -   -   (5,515)  - 
Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration -   -   -   1,013 
Consolidated income (loss) from operations (6,357)  (3,804)  (17,176)  1,378 
                
Interest income 692   923   2,075   1,644 
Other loss, net (109)  (309)  (489)  (1,381)
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes$(5,774) $(3,190) $(15,590) $1,641 
                
                
(1) Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. along with the shared
Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments.
                


Table 5
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Adjusted Gross Profit
(In thousands)
            
 Quarter Ended Nine Months
 August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023 August 31, 2024 August 26, 2023
  Percent of  Percent of  Percent of  Percent of
 AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales AmountNet Sales
            
Gross profit as reported$40,09353.0% $45,04451.6% $131,72052.5% $155,07452.4%
Wages paid during cyber shutown 6090.8%  --   6090.2%  -- 
Additional inventory valuation charges --   8931.0%  2,7011.1%  1,8960.6%
            
Gross profit as adjusted$40,70253.8% $45,93752.7% $135,03055.0% $156,97053.1%