VONORE, Tenn., May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCFT) today announced financial results for its fiscal 2024 third quarter ended March 31, 2024. The overview, commentary, and results provided herein relate to our continuing operations. Overview: Net sales for the third quarter were $95.7 million, down 42.6% from the prior-year period Net income from continuing operations was $3.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share Diluted Adjusted Net Income per share, a non-GAAP measure, was $0.37, down 72.8% from the prior-year period Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was $9.7 million, down 70.7% from the prior-year period Share repurchases of $1.6 million during the quarter Ended the quarter with cash and investments of $105.7 million, and total debt of $50.4 million Brad Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We delivered results ahead of our expectations in what remains a dynamic and challenging environment for the marine industry. My first six weeks with our team has been energizing, and it is clear to me that our capabilities and opportunities are even greater than I anticipated. Since I joined the Company, I have been on the road meeting with and getting to know our team, our customers, dealers and business partners. The headline takeaways, are highly encouraging - the foundation of the business is strong, MasterCraft is home to iconic and leading brands, customers and dealers love our products, and the long-term outlook for the industry is bright. We are laser focused on and well-positioned to navigate the near-term challenges in our industry as we evolve our long-term growth strategy." Nelson continued, "We recently announced the launch of an all-new luxury pontoon brand, Balise. Balise will further diversify our product offerings, expand our addressable market, and grow our portfolio of strong brands. The Balise product will be built by our experienced team at Crest's manufacturing facility in Owosso, Michigan, which is a capital-efficient use of existing capacity. Balise production has already commenced, and product will be available to consumers for model year 2025. The launch of Balise Pontoon Boats is the latest example of our unwavering commitment to growth and innovation." Third Quarter Results For the third quarter of fiscal 2024, MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. reported consolidated net sales of $95.7 million, down $71.1 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The decrease in net sales was due to lower unit volume and an increase in dealer incentives, partially offset by higher prices and favorable model mix and options. Dealer incentives include measures taken by the Company to assist dealers as the retail environment remains competitive. Gross margin percentage declined 630 basis points during the third quarter of fiscal 2024, when compared to the same prior-year period. Lower margins were the result of lower cost absorption due to planned decreased unit volume and higher dealer incentives, partially offset by higher prices and favorable model mix and options. Operating expenses increased $0.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to the prior-year period. The increase in operating expenses was a result of CEO transition and related share-based compensation costs, which were $1.9 million. Net income from continuing operations was $3.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to $22.8 million in the prior-year period. Diluted net income from continuing operations per share was $0.23, compared to $1.28 for the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted Net Income decreased to $6.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $24.1 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA was $9.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, compared to $33.0 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.1 percent for the third quarter, down from 19.8 percent for the prior-year period. See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Net Income per share to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. Outlook Concluded Nelson, "As we enter the prime retail selling season, macroeconomic uncertainty continues to limit demand visibility. This has been exacerbated by the news that a competitor's largest dealer is in financial distress, which has heightened competitive pressure with the potential for higher-than-normal competitor discounting. Dealer inventories remain higher-than-optimal and inventory carrying costs are elevated. Consequently, dealers are taking a cautious approach to ordering ahead of the annual model year changeover. We continue to focus on balancing dealer inventories with retail demand to prioritize dealer health, therefore, we plan to reduce planned production for the remainder of our fiscal year. We have taken a proactive approach to production planning, inventory management, and dealer incentives to best position our dealers to capitalize on retail demand during the upcoming selling season, and end the fiscal year with improved inventory levels." The Company's outlook is as follows: As a result of the planned decrease in production, we are revising our guidance for the full year. Consolidated net sales is now expected to be between $360 million and $365 million, with Adjusted EBITDA between $28 million and $30 million, and Adjusted Earnings per share between $0.95 and $1.05. We also now expect capital expenditures to be approximately $17 million for the full year. Conference Call and Webcast Information MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. will host a live conference call and webcast to discuss fiscal third quarter 2024 results today, May 8, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Participants may access the conference call live via webcast on the investor section of the Company's website, Investors.MasterCraft.com, by clicking on the webcast icon. To participate via telephone, please register in advance at this link. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique passcode and registrant ID that can be used to access the call. A replay of the conference call and webcast will be archived on the Company's website. About MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. Headquartered in Vonore, Tenn., MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCFT) is a leading innovator, designer, manufacturer and marketer of recreational powerboats through its four brands, MasterCraft, Crest, Aviara and Balise. Through these four brands, MasterCraft Boat Holdings has leading market share positions in two of the fastest growing segments of the powerboat industry – performance sport boats and pontoon boats – while entering the large, growing luxury day boat segment. For more information about MasterCraft Boat Holdings, and its four brands, visit: Investors.MasterCraft.com, www.MasterCraft.com, www.CrestPontoons.com, www.AviaraBoats.com, and www.BalisePontoonBoats.com.  Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Forward-looking statements can often be identified by such words and phrases as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "continue" and similar expressions, comparable terminology or the negative thereof, and include statements in this press release concerning the resilience of our business model; and our intention to drive value and accelerate growth. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the potential effects of supply chain disruptions and production inefficiencies, general economic conditions, demand for our products, inflation, changes in consumer preferences, competition within our industry, our ability to maintain a reliable network of dealers, our ability to manage our manufacturing levels and our fixed cost base, the successful introduction of our new products, geopolitical conflicts, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in the Gaza Strip and general unrest in the Middle East, and financial institution disruptions. These and other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on August 30, 2023, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. The discussion of these risks is specifically incorporated by reference into this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or supplement any forward-looking statements that may become untrue or cause our views to change, whether because of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise. Comparison of results for current and prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in this release. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures used in this release to the most comparable GAAP measures for the respective periods can be found in tables immediately following the consolidated statements of operations. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2024 MASTERCRAFT BOAT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended       March 31,     April 2,     March 31,     April 2,       2024     2023     2024     2023                       Net sales   $ 95,708     $ 166,776     $ 299,406     $ 495,480   Cost of sales     77,360       124,178       240,493       368,682   Gross profit     18,348       42,598       58,913       126,798   Operating expenses:                         Selling and marketing     3,924       3,927       10,538       10,748   General and administrative     9,978       9,156       27,446       26,874   Amortization of other intangible assets     450       489       1,362       1,467   Total operating expenses     14,352       13,572       39,346       39,089   Operating income     3,996       29,026       19,567       87,709   Other income (expense):                         Interest expense     (762 )     (695 )     (2,494 )     (1,923 ) Interest income     1,398       1,195       4,164       1,967   Income before income tax expense     4,632       29,526       21,237       87,753   Income tax expense     806       6,744       4,408       20,353   Net income from continuing operations     3,826       22,782       16,829       67,400   Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax     (71 )     (272 )     (993 )     (21,139 ) Net income   $ 3,755     $ 22,510     $ 15,836     $ 46,261                             Net income (loss) per share                         Basic                         Continuing operations   $ 0.23     $ 1.30     $ 0.99     $ 3.80   Discontinued operations     (0.01 )     (0.02 )     (0.06 )     (1.19 ) Net income   $ 0.22     $ 1.28     $ 0.93     $ 2.61                             Diluted                         Continuing operations   $ 0.23     $ 1.28     $ 0.98     $ 3.78   Discontinued operations     (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.05 )     (1.19 ) Net income   $ 0.22     $ 1.27     $ 0.93     $ 2.59