JAKKS Pacific, Inc [NASDAQ: JAKK] reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022.
JAKKS Pacific Fourth Quarter 2022
· Net sales were $131.9 million compared to $188.0 million last year; a 30% decrease
· Gross margin of 21.7%, negatively impacted by lower capitalization of warehouse costs, higher tooling amortization, obsolete inventory and royalty expense, offset by lower inbound freight expenses
· A valuation allowance release against a deferred tax asset generated a $52.6 million non-cash gain
· Net income attributable to common stockholders of $38.9 million, up from a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.5 million in Q4 2021
· Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders of $14.0 million, down from adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.3 million in Q4 2021
· Adjusted EBITDA of $(12.1) million, down from $5.0 million in Q4 2021.
Full-Year 2022
· Net sales were $796.2 million compared to $621.1 million last year; a 28% increase
· Gross margin of 26.5% compared to 29.5% last year
· Operating income of $61.0 million compared to $38.8 million last year; a 57% increase
· Net income attributable to common stockholders of $91.3 million, up from a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $7.3 million in 2021
· Adjusted EBITDA of $76.4 million up 55% versus $49.2 million in 2021
· Adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $43.4 million ($4.28 per diluted share), up from adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $23.6 million ($2.59 per diluted share) in 2021
· Cash flows provided by operating activities of $86.1 million, compared to cash flows used in operating activities of $5.9 million in 2021
o Cash flow sweep loan provision will reduce debt by $23.1 million in Q1 2023
Management Commentary on JAKKS PAcific’s Fourth Quarter 2022
“2022 exceeded our expectations with a second consecutive year of 20+% sales growth and, more importantly, strong retail sell-through for our customers” said Stephen Berman, JAKKS Pacific’s Chairman and CEO. “In addition to a couple of strong successes, we saw solid results from the majority of our product lines. We shipped an exceptional amount of product in a compressed time-window resulting in higher-than-average costs in our domestic fulfilment operations in the back half of the year, suppressing our full-year margins. In Q4, and in the new year, we focused on resetting our inventory position and warehouse capacity and feel well-positioned for the new year. Our North American business grew 27% on a full-year basis, and our International business grew by 38%.
“We have a great line-up of new introductions in 2023. We’re launching and extending some of our own brands, in addition to introducing new product lines in association with film and TV releases throughout the year. Although we anticipate the business reverting to its more traditional second-half seasonality, our focus on prioritizing FOB sales continues, which results in shipments earlier in the year as compared with other companies. We are also working diligently to capture year-over-year margin improvement opportunities both on product and in the supply-chain.”
Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
JAKKS Pacific’s net sales for the fourth quarter 2022 were $131.9 million, down 30% versus $188.0 million last year. The decrease was anticipated given customers ordering product earlier than the traditional seasonality, in addition to a late shipment in Q3 2021 creating an atypically high Q4 2021 sales level. Net sales in the Toys/Consumer Products segment were down 34% globally, 34% in North America and 35% in International. For the full year, North America Toys/Consumer Products was up 26% and International was up 28%. Net sales in the Costumes segment increased 61% compared to Q4 2021 and were up 38% for the full year. Our Top 10 markets all achieved sales growth year-over-year.
A release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance created a non-cash gain of $52.6 million in the quarter. Net income attributable to common stockholders increased to $38.9 million, or $3.79 per diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2021. Adjusting out the gain on the valuation allowance and other customary adjustments led to an adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders (a non-GAAP measure) of $14.0 million, or $1.44 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.3 million or $0.14 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2021. On a full-year basis, net income attributable to common stockholders improved to $91.3 million versus a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $7.3 million in 2021. Full-year adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders was $43.4 million, or $4.28 per diluted share, compared to a 2021 adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders of $23.6 million, or $2.59 per diluted share. See note below on “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information.”
Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for full-year 2022 grew to $76.4 million (9.6% of net sales), the highest full-year level of Adjusted EBITDA dollars and margin since 2010.
Cash and Cash Equivalents; Debt
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) totaled $85.5 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $45.3 million as of December 31, 2021. The cash flow sweep provision of the Company’s Term Loan triggers a mandatory paydown of $23.1 million based on full-year results. That amount is now reclassified to short-term debt on the 12/31/2022 balance sheet, in addition to this year’s scheduled principal amortization. Separately, in January 2023, the company used a portion of its cash-on-hand to make an optional pay-down of its long-term debt of $15 million, incurring $150K in pre-payment penalties. As we have made the sweep payment upon finalizing our financials, the current payoff balance of our Term Loan is $30.8 million. Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) total $40.2 million as of March 3, 2023. The company currently has no draw on its asset-based loan.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the preliminary results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP included in this release, the Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information including Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA which are non-GAAP metrics that exclude various items that are detailed in the financial tables and accompanying footnotes reconciling GAAP to non-GAAP results contained in this release. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors because the information may allow investors to better evaluate ongoing business performance and certain components of the Company’s results. In addition, the Company believes that the presentation of these financial measures enhances an investor’s ability to make period-to-period comparisons of the Company’s operating results. This information should be considered in addition to the results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for the GAAP results. The Company has reconciled the non-GAAP financial information included in this release to the nearest GAAP measures. See the attached “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information.” “Liquidity” is calculated as cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, plus availability under the Company’s $67.5 million revolving credit facility.