New Look Vision Group Inc. Announces Record Second Quarter Revenues for 2017 and its Quarterly Dividend

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC–(Marketwired – Aug. 10, 2017) – New Look Vision Group Inc. (TSX:BCI) (“New Look Vision”), announced today its financial results for the second quarter ended July 1, 2017 and its quarterly dividend.

Second quarter results

New Look Vision reported record revenues of $55.4 million and adjusted EBITDA(1) of $10.9 million for the second quarter ended July 1, 2017, representing increases of 9.7% and 5.2% respectively over last year. The increases were mainly due to the net addition of 15 stores in the last twelve months as well as same store sales growth of 4.6% over last year.

Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders(1), defined as net earnings adjusted to remove the impact of acquisition-related costs, equity-based compensation, and other non-comparable costs, for the second quarter were flat at $4.6 million compared to last year. Adjusted net earnings per share for the quarter compared to the second quarter of 2016 were also flat at $0.33 per share(2). Net earnings attributed to shareholders were $2.6 million, compared to $4.1 million last year, the decrease being mainly due to higher acquisition costs, equity-based compensation, and other non-comparable costs.

Cash flow from operating activities before income taxes paid and changes in working capital items(1) was $9.1 million or $0.66 per share(2) in the second quarter of 2017, down from $9.8 million or $0.71 per share last year. However, when adjusted for acquisition-related costs and other non-comparable costs, adjusted cash flows from operating activities(1) are $10.8 million or $0.78 per share(2), an increase of $499 thousand, or 4.9% over last year. Income tax instalments paid in the second quarter of 2017 were $0.7 million compared to $1.5 million for 2016.

More details on the financial performance of the second quarter ended July 1, 2017 are available in the attachments.

Year-to-date results

Year-to-date revenues and adjusted EBITDA reached a record of $106.4 million and $18.8 million respectively, which represent increases of 11.9% and 6.5% respectively over last year. Net earnings attributed to shareholders were $3.9 million ($0.28 per share)(2) compared to $5.9 million last year ($0.43 per share). Net earnings adjusted to remove the impact of acquisition-related costs, equity-based compensation, and other non-comparable costs were $7.0 million, or $143 thousand over last year. Adjusted net earnings per share (diluted) remained flat at $0.50 in comparison to last year, despite additional depreciation and amortization and additional shares issued since the beginning of the second quarter of 2016. Comparable store sales year-to-date were up 3.3% over last year.

Cash flow from operating activities before income taxes paid and changes in working capital were $16.2 million or $1.17 per share (2) in the year-to-date period compared to $16.5 million or $1.19 per share last year, the decrease being mainly attributable to increased acquisition-related costs and other non-comparable costs. Whereas, adjusted cash flows from operating activities were $18.6 million or $1.34 per share(2), an increase of $1.2 million, or 7.1% over last year. In the first six months of 2017, New Look Vision made total tax payments of $2.4 million compared to $4.2 million in 2016, including prior period adjustments and current year instalments.

President’s comments

Antoine Amiel, the President of New Look Vision, stated that: “Building on the momentum created in Q1, the Company achieved a strong operating and financial performance in Q2 driven by high same store sales growth of 4.6%. The Adjusted EBITDA percentage is impacted by extra operating expenses as the Company continues to build its infrastructure necessary to support future growth. Subsequent to quarter’s end, we announced that we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Iris The Visual Group, consolidating our leadership position across Canada and particularly in the West and British Columbia, and adding a strong platform for the consolidation of the optometry based retail segment of the Canadian optical industry. We expect the transaction to close on or about October 1st.”

Dividend approval

Following the approval of the results of the second quarter of 2017, the Board of Directors of New Look Vision approved the payment of a dividend of $0.15 per Class A common shares payable on September 30, 2017 to the shareholders of record as of September 23, 2017. The dividend has been designated as an “eligible dividend”, that is a dividend entitling shareholders who are Canadian resident individuals to a higher dividend tax credit.

Through the dividend reinvestment plan, shareholders residing in Canada may elect to re-invest their cash dividends into New Look Vision shares, without incurring brokerage commissions, fees and transaction costs. Until any further announcement, shares will be issued from treasury at 95% of the weighted average trading price for the five days preceding the dividend payment date. Any shareholder wishing to benefit from this opportunity may do so through his or her broker.

Attachments

  • Table A – Highlights
  • Table B – Consolidated Statement of Earnings
  • Table C – Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA
  • Table D – Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted Net Earnings
  • Table E – Reconciliation of Cash Flows from Operating Activities, Before Income Taxes Paid and Changes in Working Capital Items and Adjusted Cash Flows from Operating Activities
1) EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net earnings, Cash flows from operating activities before income taxes paid and changes in working capital items, and Adjusted cash flows from operating activities are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. See Table C and Table D attached for a reconciliation of net earnings to these measures. See Table E for reconciliation of cash flows.
2) Per share amounts are expressed on a diluted basis.

As of July 30, 2017, New Look Vision had 13,624,123 Class A common shares issued and outstanding. New Look Vision is a leader in the eye care industry in Eastern Canada having a network of 227 corporate stores mainly under the New Look Eyewear, Vogue Optical and Greiche & Scaff banners and laboratory facilities using state-of-the-art technologies. Tax information regarding payments to shareholders is available at www.newlookvision.ca in the Investors section.

All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future financial position, business strategy, projected costs and plans and objectives of, or involving New Look Vision. Readers can identify many of these statements by looking for words such as “believe”, “expects”, “will”, “intends”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “plans”, “may”, “would” or similar words or the negative thereof. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-looking statements are based will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although management of New Look Vision believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Some of the factors which could affect future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained herein include: pending and proposed legislative or regulatory developments, competition from established competitors and new market entrants, technological change, interest rate fluctuations, general economic conditions, acceptance and demand for new products and services, and fluctuations in operating results, as well as other risks included in New Look Vision’s current Annual Information Form (AIF) which can be found at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and New Look Vision undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as provided by law.

For additional information please see our Web site www.newlookvision.ca

TABLE A

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Highlights
for the periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

13 weeks 26 weeks
July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016 July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016
Revenues $ 55,389 $ 50,506 $ 106,432 $ 95,096
Variance 9.7 % 11.9 %
Variance in comparable store sales orders(a) 4.6 % 3.3 %
Adjusted EBITDA(b) $ 10,913 $ 10,372 $ 18,785 $ 17,642
Variance 5.2 % 6.5 %
% of revenues 19.7 % 20.5 % 17.6 % 18.6 %
Per share (basic) $ 0.80 $ 0.77 $ 1.38 $ 1.31
Variance 3.9 % 5.3 %
Per share (diluted) $ 0.79 $ 0.75 $ 1.35 $ 1.28
Variance 5.3 % 5.5 %
Net earnings attributed to shareholders $ 2,625 $ 4,093 $ 3,909 $ 5,933
Variance (35.9 %) (34.1 %)
Net earnings per share
Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.30 $ 0.29 $ 0.44
Variance (36.7 %) (34.1 %)
Diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.30 $ 0.28 $ 0.43
Variance (36.7 %) (34.9 %)
Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders(b) $ 4,575 $ 4,610 $ 6,998 $ 6,855
Variance (0.8 %) 2.1 %
Per share (basic) $ 0.34 $ 0.34 $ 0.51 $ 0.51
Variance % %
Per share (diluted) $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.50 $ 0.50
Variance % %
Cash flows from operating activities, before income taxes paid and changes in working capital items(b) $ 9,111 $ 9,779 $ 16,205 $ 16,504
Per share (basic) $ 0.67 $ 0.72 $ 1.19 $ 1.22
Variance (6.9 %) (2.5 %)
Per share (diluted) $ 0.66 $ 0.71 $ 1.17 $ 1.19
Variance (7.0 %) (1.7 %)
Adjusted cash flows from operating activities(b) $ 10,781 $ 10,282 $ 18,568 $ 17,344
Per share (basic) $ 0.79 $ 0.76 $ 1.37 $ 1.28
Variance 3.9 % 7.0 %
Per share (diluted) $ 0.78 $ 0.74 $ 1.34 $ 1.25
Variance 5.4 % 7.2 %
Capital expenditures(c) $ 4,373 $ 7,635 $ 14,498 $ 26,530
Net debt increase in the period(d) $ 468 $ 2,606 $ 8,567 $ 20,099
Cash dividend per share(e) $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.30 $ 0.30
Total dividends(e) $ 2,042 $ 2,048 $ 4,079 $ 4,076
At end of period
Number of stores(f) 227 212
a) Comparable stores are stores which have been operating for at least 12 months. Revenues are recognized at time of delivery of goods to customers, but management measures the comparable store performance on the basis of sales orders, regardless of delivery.
b) EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings, cash flows from operating activities before income taxes paid and changes in working capital items, and adjusted cash flows from operating activities are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. Refer to Table C and Table D for a reconciliation of these measures to net earnings. Also, refer to Table E for reconciliation of cash flows.
c) Capital expenditures include amounts financed through debt assumptions, balances of purchase price, issuance of shares and non-controlling interests.
d) Net debt refers to the total of the long-term debt, including the short-term portion and borrowings under the revolving facility, and dividends payable, in excess of cash.
e) The amounts of dividends shown in the table above refer to amounts declared in the periods.
f) The increase in the number of stores in the last twelve months reflects the acquisition of 17 stores, described in Note 7 to the financial statements, as well as five scheduled closures and three store openings.

TABLE B

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Consolidated Statement of Earnings
for the periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

13 weeks 26 weeks
July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016 July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016
$ $ $ $
Revenues 55,389 50,506 106,432 95,096
Materials consumed 12,536 11,129 23,800 20,820
Employee remuneration expenses 18,193 16,204 36,433 31,539
Other operating expenses 15,861 13,443 30,780 26,324
Earnings before depreciation, amortization, loss on disposal and financial expenses 8,799 9,730 15,419 16,413
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal 3,374 2,873 6,413 5,672
Financial expenses, net of interest revenues 909 983 2,288 1,930
Earnings before income taxes 4,516 5,874 6,718 8,811
Income taxes
Current 2,137 1,739 3,226 2,867
Deferred (265 ) 19 (464 ) (37 )
Total income taxes 1,872 1,758 2,762 2,830
Net earnings and comprehensive income 2,644 4,116 3,956 5,981
Net earnings and comprehensive income attributed to:
Non-controlling interest 19 23 47 48
Shareholders of New Look Vision 2,625 4,093 3,909 5,933
2,644 4,116 3,956 5,981
Net earnings per share
Basic 0.19 0.30 0.29 0.44
Diluted 0.19 0.30 0.28 0.43

TABLE C

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA
for the periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

13 weeks 26 weeks
July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016 July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016
$ $ $ $
Net earnings 2,644 4,116 3,956 5,981
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal 3,374 2,873 6,413 5,672
Financial expenses, net of interest revenues 909 983 2,288 1,930
Income taxes 1,872 1,758 2,762 2,830
EBITDA(a) 8,799 9,730 15,419 16,413
Equity-based compensation 337 149 877 309
Net loss from changes in fair value of foreign exchange contracts 107 (10 ) 126 80
Acquisition-related costs 1,365 503 2,058 840
Other non-comparable costs(b) 305 305
Adjusted EBITDA(a) 10,913 10,372 18,785 17,642
Variance in $ 541 1,143
Variance in % 5.2 % 6.5 %
% of revenues 19.7 % 20.5 % 17.6 % 18.6 %
Per share (basic) 0.80 0.77 1.38 1.31
Per share (diluted) 0.79 0.75 1.35 1.28
a) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are not recognized measures under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are useful financial metrics as they assist in determining the ability to generate cash from operations. Investors should be cautioned that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or cash flows as determined under IFRS.
b) Other non-comparable costs include one-time expenses connected with personnel transition costs and related matters.

TABLE D

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted Net Earnings
for the periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

13 weeks 26 weeks
July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016 July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016
$ $ $ $
Net earnings attributed to shareholders 2,625 4,093 3,909 5,933
Acquisition-related costs 1,365 503 2,058 840
Equity-based compensation 337 149 877 309
Other non-comparable costs 305 305
Related income taxes (57 ) (135 ) (150 ) (226 )
Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders(a) 4,575 4,610 6,998 6,855
Variance in $ (35 ) 143
Variance in % (0.8 %) 2.1 %
% of revenues 8.3 % 9.1 % 6.6 % 7.2 %
Per share amount
Basic 0.34 0.34 0.51 0.51
Diluted 0.33 0.33 0.50 0.50
a) Adjusted net earnings attributed to shareholders are not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that this disclosure provides useful information as it allows the comparison of net results excluding acquisition-related costs, equity-based compensation, and other non-comparable costs which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Investors should be cautioned that adjusted net earnings should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings as determined under IFRS.

TABLE E

NEW LOOK VISION GROUP INC.
Reconciliation of Cash Flows from Operating Activities, Before Income Taxes Paid and Changes in Working Capital Items and Adjusted Cash Flows from Operating Activities
for the periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016

In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts

13 weeks 26 weeks
July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016 July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016
$ $ $ $
Earnings before income taxes 4,516 5,874 6,718 8,811
Adjustments:
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal 3,374 2,873 6,413 5,672
Amortization of deferred lease inducements and variation of deferred rent (37 ) (113 ) (103 ) (230 )
Equity-based compensation expense 337 149 877 309
Other 12 13 12 12
Financial expenses 922 992 2,307 1,949
Interest revenue (13 ) (9 ) (19 ) (19 )
Cash flows from operating activities, before income taxes paid and changes in working capital items 9,111 9,779 16,205 16,504
Income taxes paid (663 ) (1,522 ) (2,381 ) (4,240 )
Cash flows from operating activities, before changes in working capital items 8,448 8,257 13,824 12,264
Changes in working capital items (1,085 ) (578 ) (1,132 ) (1,593 )
Cash flows from operating activities 7,363 7,679 12,692 10,671
13 weeks 26 weeks
July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016 July 1, 2017 June 25, 2016
$ $ $ $
Cash flows from operating activities 7,363 7,679 12,692 10,671
Income taxes paid 663 1,522 2,381 4,240
Changes in working capital items 1,085 578 1,132 1,593
Acquisition-related costs 1,365 503 2,058 840
Other non-comparable costs 305 305
Adjusted cash flows from operating activities(a) 10,781 10,282 18,568 17,344
a) Adjusted cash flows from operating activities are not a recognized measure under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. New Look Vision believes that this disclosure provides useful information as it allows the comparison of net operating cash flows excluding acquisition-related costs and other non-comparable costs, which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Investors should be cautioned that adjusted cash flows from operating activities should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as determined under IFRS.
New Look Vision Group Inc.
Lise Melanson
(514) 877-4299, ext. 2234
www.newlookvision.ca