ELMSFORD, N.Y., Nov. 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Party City Holdco Inc. (NYSE:PRTY) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, as well as total revenue for fiscal October 2018.

James M. Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our third quarter and fiscal October results were softer than expected, impacted in part by temporary operational disruptions, increased inflationary pressures associated with distribution costs and helium shortages and slightly lower sales than expected. Despite the top line challenges, we continued to focus on leveraging our vertical model, driving costs out of the business, effectively deploying capital and strengthening our business model through investment and execution of our growth strategies. Our North American retail Halloween business was down 90bps¹ versus fiscal October 2017 on a like for like basis as our strengthened North American web business and improved temporary store offering only partially offset Party City permanent store comparable sales declines.  Based on our year-to date financial performance we are revising our previously provided fiscal 2018 outlook.”

Mr. Harrison continued, “Looking ahead, we continue to focus on our growth initiatives and we believe these key strategies will help drive improvement given the encouraging early results we’ve seen in many areas. The investments we are making across the business will further strengthen our market position as the leading wholesaler and retailer in the industry and allow us to capitalize on the exciting opportunities that will present themselves in 2019, including a Thursday Halloween and significant new licensed properties.”

Mr. Harrison added, “We are also announcing today that our Board of Directors has approved a new $100 million share repurchase program.  We believe that our strong free cash flow characteristics afford us the opportunity to return value to shareholders via this repurchase program at attractive share price multiples, while we also de-leverage the balance sheet.”

Third Quarter Summary:

• Total revenues decreased 1.3% on a reported basis and 0.7% on a constant currency basis.
• Retail sales increased 3.2% on a reported basis (3.5% on a constant currency basis), driven primarily by square footage growth from store acquisitions.
• Brand comparable sales decreased 1.0% during the third quarter.
• Net third-party wholesale revenues decreased 9.4% on a reported basis or 4.8% after adjusting for the impacts of currency and franchise store acquisitions. 
• Total gross profit margin increased 60 basis points, as higher manufactured share-of-shelf², the benefit of our retail productivity efforts, lower promotional spend and positive sales mix were partially offset by increased freight and distribution costs and increased commodity pressures, including higher helium costs.
• Operating expenses totaled $171.7 million and were $6.5 million higher than the third quarter of 2017 as square footage growth and the impact of inflation were partially offset by further realized savings associated with improved productivity and efficiency in our stores.
• The reported GAAP results include approximately $5 million, or $0.04 per share, of non-recurring charges related to the Company’s previously announced debt refinancing.
• Adjusted EBITDA during the quarter was $59.4 million, compared to $66.1 million during the third quarter of 2017.
• Adjusted net income totaled $7.4 million, compared to $15.2 million during the third quarter of 2017.  Interest expense was approximately $5 million higher than the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share totaled $0.08, compared to $0.13 during the prior year quarter.

For fiscal October 2018 (for the Company’s retail segment, fiscal October 2018 consisted of the five-week period ended November 3, 2018), the Company reported total revenue of $486.8 million, or 2.5% above the same period of last year.  Retail revenue increased approximately 4%, driven by North American web growth of 16.6% and square footage growth. Brand comparable sales, which include Company-owned Party City stores in the U.S. and Canada and North American e-commerce operations, decreased 2.8%.  Halloween City sales per store (excluding Toy City sales at such locations) increased 14.1% over the prior year.

During the Halloween season, the Company operated 249 temporary Halloween City stores, compared to 272 in 2017.

Balance Sheet Highlights as of September 30, 2018:

The Company ended the quarter with $2.0 billion in debt (net of cash), resulting in net debt leverage³ of 4.9 times, and reflects the seasonal inventory build associated with Halloween.

Share Repurchase Program:

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to $100 million of its outstanding common shares from time to time, depending upon a variety of factors, including market and industry conditions, share price, regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations, as determined by the Company from time to time. The authorization expires on November 12, 2019, subject to extension or earlier termination by the Board of Directors. The Company may purchase shares of its common stock in open-market and/or privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and repurchases may be executed pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The authorization may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice.

Fiscal 2018 Outlook:

For 2018, the Company is adjusting its guidance as follows:

• Total revenue of $2.43 to $2.46 billion
• Brand comparable sales flat to slightly down
• Adjusted EBITDA of $400 to $410 million
• Adjusted net income of $157 to $162 million
• Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.60 to $1.65
• Net debt leverage³ of approximately 4.2 times by the end of 2018*
• GAAP net income of $120 to $125 million
• GAAP diluted EPS of $1.22 to $1.27

* Excludes any impact from potential share repurchases made by the Company.

The Company has reconciled Non-GAAP outlook measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures later in this release. See “Non-GAAP Information” and “Reconciliation of 2018 Outlook” for a more detailed explanation, including definitions of the various Non-GAAP terms used in this release.

_____________________

¹  “Like for like” sales are defined as the total impact of brand comparable sales and sales per store at temporary Halloween City locations (excluding Toy City sales at such locations) for fiscal October 
² The percentage of our retail product cost of sales manufactured by our wholesale segment 
³ Defined as debt (net of cash) to adjusted EBITDA

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss the third quarter 2018 financial results and fiscal October 2018 sales is scheduled for today, November 8, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (833) 241-4256 (U.S. domestic) and (647) 689-4207 (international), and enter conference ID# 9947658, approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast at http://investor.partycity.com/. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. The webcast will be accessible for one year after the call.

Website Information

We routinely post important information for investors on the Investor Relations section of our website, http://investor.partycity.com/. We intend to use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Non-GAAP Information

This press release includes non-GAAP measures including Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income/Loss and Adjusted Earnings per Share. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they assist investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by eliminating items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA: (i) as a factor in determining incentive compensation, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and (iii) because our credit facilities use Adjusted EBITDA to measure compliance with certain covenants. The Company has reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in tables accompanying this release. We also evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our prior-period local currency financial results using the current period exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our current period reported results. We also provide free cash flow, defined as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures, and net debt leverage, which is calculated by adding Loans and Notes Payable, Current Portion of Long Term Obligations and Long Term Obligations, Excluding Current Portion, subtracting Cash and Cash Equivalents and dividing by Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve month period. Adjusted Earnings per Share is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by the Weighted Average Number of Common Shares-Diluted. We believe providing these non-GAAP measures provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations and leverage, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. In evaluating these non-GAAP financial measures, investors should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses or be involved in transactions that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. The Company’s presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed to imply that its future results will be unaffected by any such adjustments. The Company has provided this information as a means to evaluate the results of its core operations. Other companies in the Company’s industry may calculate these items differently than it does. Each of these measures is not a measure of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Party City’s expectations regarding revenues, brand comparable sales, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income/loss, adjusted diluted earnings per share, average common shares outstanding and the effective tax rate. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information, and these statements are qualified by important risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forecasted or indicated by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: our ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; fluctuations in commodity prices; our ability to appropriately respond to changing merchandise trends and consumer preferences; successful implementation of our store growth strategy; decreases in our Halloween sales; disruption to the transportation system or increases in transportation costs; product recalls or product liability; economic slowdown affecting consumer spending and general economic conditions; loss or actions of third party vendors and loss of the right to use licensed material; disruptions at our manufacturing facilities; and the additional risks and uncertainties set forth in “Risk Factors” in Party City’s latest Form 10-K and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, outlook, guidance, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. Except as may be required by any applicable laws, Party City assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date hereof or the earlier date specified herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About Party City

Party City Holdco Inc. is the leading party goods company by revenue in North America and, we believe, the largest vertically integrated supplier of decorated party goods globally by revenue. The Company is a popular one-stop shopping destination for party supplies, balloons, and costumes. In addition to being a great retail brand, the Company is a global, world-class organization that combines state-of-the-art manufacturing and sourcing operations, and sophisticated wholesale operations complemented by a multi-channel retailing strategy and e-commerce retail operations. The Company is the leading player in its category, vertically integrated and unique in its breadth and depth. Party City Holdco designs, manufactures, sources and distributes party goods, including paper and plastic tableware, metallic and latex balloons, Halloween and other costumes, accessories, novelties, gifts and stationery throughout the world. The Company’s retail operations include approximately 950 specialty retail party supply stores (including franchise stores) throughout North America operating under the names Party City, Halloween City and Toy City, and e-commerce websites, principally through the domain name PartyCity.com.

Contact

ICR
Farah Soi and Rachel Schacter
203-682-8200
[email protected]

Source: Party City Holdco Inc.

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)

			September 30,				December 31,
			2018				2017
ASSETS			Unaudited
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	48,097			$	54,291
	Accounts receivable, net			171,428				140,980
	Inventories, net			810,782				604,066
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			95,162				77,816
		Total current assets		1,125,469				877,153
	Property, plant and equipment, net			319,220				301,141
	Goodwill			1,661,837				1,619,253
	Trade names			568,326				568,681
	Other intangible assets, net			60,064				75,704
	Other assets, net			12,465				12,824
		Total assets	$	3,747,381			$	3,454,756
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SECURITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Loans and notes payable		$	415,419			$	286,291
	Accounts payable			233,252				160,994
	Accrued expenses			201,509				176,609
	Income taxes payable			–				45,568
	Current portion of long-term obligations			13,231				13,059
		Total current liabilities		863,411				682,521
	Long-term obligations, excluding current portion			1,622,969				1,532,090
	Deferred income tax liabilities			171,134				175,836
	Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities			91,554				91,929
		Total liabilities		2,749,068				2,482,376
	Redeemable securities			3,298				3,590
Stockholders’ equity:
	Common stock (97,147,907 and 96,380,102 shares outstanding and 120,527,474 and 119,759,669 shares issued at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)			1,205				1,198
	Additional paid-in capital			922,197				917,192
	Retained earnings			397,452				372,596
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(39,353	)			(35,818	)
		Total Party City Holdco Inc. stockholders’ equity before common stock held in treasury		1,281,501				1,255,168
	Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost (23,379,567 shares at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)			(286,733	)			(286,733	)
		Total Party City Holdco Inc. stockholders’ equity		994,768				968,435
	Noncontrolling interests			247				355
		Total stockholders’ equity		995,015				968,790
		Total liabilities, redeemable securities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,747,381			$	3,454,756

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME 
(In thousands, except share and per share data, unaudited)

			Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2018				2017			2018				2017
Revenues:
	Net sales		$	550,840			$	557,350		$	1,614,049			$	1,572,966
	Royalties and franchise fees			2,206				2,759			7,832				9,020
		Total revenues		553,046				560,109			1,621,881				1,581,986
Expenses:
	Cost of sales			349,641				357,523			996,084				978,142
	Wholesale selling expenses			17,538				16,274			53,581				47,946
	Retail operating expenses			103,833				100,739			285,019				281,981
	Franchise expenses			862				3,636			8,624				10,666
	General and administrative expenses			42,239				37,971			136,230				125,763
	Art and development costs			5,573				5,898			17,278				17,638
	Development stage expenses			1,622				680			5,620				7,092
		Total expenses		521,308				522,721			1,502,436				1,469,228
		Income from operations		31,738				37,388			119,445				112,758
	Interest expense, net			27,705				23,228			76,481				65,214
	Other expense, net			5,696				593			9,076				860
		(Loss) Income before income taxes		(1,663	)			13,567			33,888				46,684
	Income tax expense			777				3,483			9,443				16,301
		Net (loss) income		(2,440	)			10,084			24,445				30,383
	Add: Net (loss) income attributable to redeemable securities holder			(8	)			–			402				–
	Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			(28	)			–			(87	)			–
		Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders of Party City Holdco Inc.	$	(2,420	)		$	10,084		$	24,934			$	30,383
	Net (loss) income per share attributable to common shareholders of Party City Holdco Inc. – Basic		$	(0.03	)		$	0.08		$	0.26			$	0.25
	Net (loss) income per share attributable to common shareholders of Party City Holdco Inc. – Diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	0.08		$	0.26			$	0.25
	Weighted-average number of common shares-Basic			96,494,565				119,587,339			96,449,011				119,546,451
	Weighted-average number of common shares-Diluted			96,494,565				120,912,849			97,684,290				120,907,979
	Comprehensive (loss) income		$	(2,003	)		$	15,329		$	20,889			$	45,839
	Add: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to redeemable securities holder			(8	)			–			402				–
	Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			(35	)			–			(108	)			–
	Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders of Party City Holdco Inc.		$	(1,976	)		$	15,329		$	21,399			$	45,839

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands, unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Net (loss) income		$	(2,440	)		$	10,084			$	24,445			$	30,383
	Interest expense, net		27,705				23,228				76,481				65,214
	Income taxes		777				3,483				9,443				16,301
	Depreciation and amortization		16,974				20,694				57,786				62,519
EBITDA			43,016				57,489				168,155				174,417
	Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments		2,154				1,500				2,696				6,350
	Restructuring, retention and severance (a)		951				212				3,105				8,839
	Deferred rent (b)		2,468				2,719				3,623				5,634
	Closed store expense (c)		825				1,285				3,430				4,164
	Foreign currency (gains) losses, net		(314	)			36				128				(1,684	)
	Stock option expense (d)		550				630				1,492				3,852
	Restricted stock units expense – time-based (e)		470				–				722				–
	Restricted stock units expense – performance-based (f)		889				–				1,482				–
	Non-employee equity based compensation (g)		(13	)			21				352				3,286
	Undistributed (income) loss in unconsolidated joint ventures		(279	)			134				(580	)			(92	)
	Corporate development (h)		3,057				1,634				8,409				6,078
	Non-recurring consulting charges (i)		624				–				12,243				–
	Refinancing charges (j)		5,091				–				6,237				–
	Other		(44	)			469				(295	)			947
Adjusted EBITDA		$	59,445			$	66,129			$	211,199			$	211,791
Adjusted EBITDA margin			10.7	%			11.8	%			13.0	%			13.4	%
(a) On March 15, 2017, the Company and its then Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gerald Rittenberg, entered into a Transition and Consulting Agreement under which Mr. Rittenberg’s employment as Executive Chairman of the Company terminated effective March 31, 2017.  As a result of the agreement, the Company recorded a $4.3 million severance charge in general and administrative expenses during the first nine months of 2017.  Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a $3.2 million severance charge related to the restructuring of its Retail segment.  See the 2017 Form 10-K for further discussion.  2018 principally relates to additional senior executive severance and costs incurred while moving one of the Company’s domestic manufacturing facilities to a new location.   (b) The deferred rent adjustment reflects the difference between accounting for rent and landlord incentives in accordance with GAAP and the Company’s actual cash outlay for such items.   (c) Principally charges incurred related to closing underperforming stores.   (d) Represents non-cash charges related to stock options. (e) Non-cash charges for restricted stock units that vest based on service conditions. (f) Non-cash charges for restricted stock units that vest based on performance conditions. (g) Principally represents shares of Kazzam awarded to Ampology as compensation for Ampology’s services.  See the 2017 Form 10-K for further discussion.   (h) Primarily represents start-up costs for Kazzam (see the 2017 Form 10-K for further discussion) and third-party costs related to acquisitions (principally legal and diligence expenses). (i) Primarily non-recurring consulting charges related to the Company’s retail operations. (j) During August 2018, the Company executed a refinancing of its debt portfolio and issued $500 million of new senior notes at an interest rate of 6.625%.  The notes will mature in August 2026.  The Company used the proceeds from the notes to: (i) reduce the outstanding balance under its existing ABL Facility by $90 million and (ii) voluntarily prepay $400 million of the outstanding balance under its existing Term Loan Credit Agreement.  Additionally, as part of the refinancing, the Company extended the maturity of the ABL Facility to August 2023.  As the partial prepayment of the Term Loan Credit Agreement was in accordance with the terms of such agreement, at the time of such prepayment the Company wrote-off a pro-rata portion of the existing capitalized deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts, $1.8 million, for investors who did not participate in the new notes.  To the extent that investors in the Term Loan Credit Agreement participated in the new notes, the Company assessed whether the refinancing should be accounted for as an extinguishment on a creditor-by-creditor basis and wrote-off $1.0 million of existing deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts.  Additionally, in conjunction with the issuance of the notes, the Company incurred third-party fees (principally banker fees).  To the extent that such fees related to investors for whom their original debt was not extinguished, the Company expensed the portion of such fees, $2.3 million in aggregate, that related to such investors. Additionally, during February 2018, the Company amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement. In conjunction with the amendment, the Company wrote-off $0.3 million of capitalized deferred financing costs, original issue discounts and call premiums.  Further, in conjunction with the February 2018 amendment, the Company expensed $0.8 million of investment banking and legal fees.

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(In thousands, except share and per share data, unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2018				2017				2018			2017
(Loss) Income before income taxes		$	(1,663	)		$	13,567			$	33,888		$	46,684
	Intangible asset amortization		591				3,879				7,959			11,704
	Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments		1,659				2,241				2,622			8,165
	Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts (a)		6,268				1,240				9,834			3,699
	Executive severance (b)		809				(323	)			809			4,296
	Non-employee equity based compensation (c)		(13	)			21				352			3,286
	Non-recurring consulting charges (d)		624				–				12,243			–
	Restructuring (e)		–				–				–			3,195
	Hurricane-related costs		–				385				–			385
	Stock option expense (f)		550				630				1,492			3,852
	Restricted stock units expense – performance-based (g)		889				–				1,482			–
Adjusted income before income taxes			9,714				21,640				70,681			85,266
	Adjusted income tax expense (h)		2,364				6,467				17,213			30,713
Adjusted net income		$	7,350			$	15,173			$	53,468		$	54,553
Adjusted net income per common share – diluted		$	0.08			$	0.13			$	0.55		$	0.45
Weighted-average number of common shares-diluted			97,714,252				120,912,849				97,684,290			120,907,979
(a) During August 2018, the Company executed a refinancing of its debt portfolio and issued $500 million of new senior notes at an interest rate of 6.625%.  The notes will mature in August 2026.  The Company used the proceeds from the notes to: (i) reduce the outstanding balance under its existing ABL Facility by $90 million and (ii) voluntarily prepay $400 million of the outstanding balance under its existing Term Loan Credit Agreement.  Additionally, as part of the refinancing, the Company extended the maturity of the ABL Facility to August 2023.  As the partial prepayment of the Term Loan Credit Agreement was in accordance with the terms of such agreement, at the time of such prepayment the Company wrote-off a pro-rata portion of the existing capitalized deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts, $1.8 million, for investors who did not participate in the new notes.  To the extent that investors in the Term Loan Credit Agreement participated in the new notes, the Company assessed whether the refinancing should be accounted for as an extinguishment on a creditor-by-creditor basis and wrote-off $1.0 million of existing deferred financing costs and original issuance discounts.  Additionally, in conjunction with the issuance of the notes, the Company incurred third-party fees (principally banker fees).  To the extent that such fees related to investors for whom their original debt was not extinguished, the Company expensed the portion of such fees, $2.3 million in aggregate, that related to such investors.  Such amounts are included in “Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs and Original Issuance Discounts” in the “Adjusted Net Income” table above.  Additionally, during February 2018, the Company amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement. In conjunction with the amendment, the Company wrote-off $0.3 million of capitalized deferred financing costs, original issue discounts and call premiums.  Further, in conjunction with the February 2018 amendment, the Company expensed $0.8 million of investment banking and legal fees.  Such amounts are included in “Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs and Original Issuance Discounts” in the “Adjusted Net Income” table above.
(b) On March 15, 2017, the Company and its then Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gerald Rittenberg, entered into a Transition and Consulting Agreement under which Mr. Rittenberg’s employment as Executive Chairman of the Company terminated effective March 31, 2017.  As a result of the agreement, the Company recorded a $4.3 million severance charge in general and administrative expenses during the first nine months of 2017.  Additionally, during the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $0.8 million of senior executive severance.
(c) Principally represents shares of Kazzam awarded to Ampology as compensation for Ampology’s services.  See the 2017 Form 10-K for further discussion.
(d) Primarily non-recurring consulting charges related to the Company’s retail operations.
(e) During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a $3.2 million severance charge related to a restructuring of its Retail segment.
(f) Represents non-cash charges related to stock options.
(g) Non-cash charges for restricted stock units that vest based on performance conditions.
(h) Represents income tax expense/benefit after excluding the specific tax impacts for each of the pre-tax adjustments.  The tax impacts for each of the adjustments were determined by applying to the pre-tax adjustments the effective income tax rates for the specific legal entities in which the adjustments were recorded.

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
RECONCILIATION OF 2018 OUTLOOK
(In millions, unaudited)

			Full year 2018
			Outlook
Net income:			$120		–	$125
	Non-recurring consulting costs, net of tax:				10
	Intangible asset amortization, net of tax:				9
	Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issuance
	discounts, net of tax:				9
	Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments, net of tax:				4
	Charges for stock options and performance stock units, net of tax:				4
	Executive severance, net of tax:				1
Adjusted net income:			$157		–	$162
Net income:			$120		–	$125
	Income taxes:			41	–	43
	Interest expense, net:				105
	Depreciation and amortization:				79
EBITDA:			$345		–	$352
	Corporate development expenses:				14
	Non-recurring consulting costs:				13
	Refinancing charges:				6
	Equity based compensation:			5		6
	Non-cash purchase accounting adjustments:				5
	Deferred rent:			4	–	5
	Closed store expense:			4	–	5
	Restructuring, retention and severance:				4
Adjusted EBITDA:			$400		–	$410

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(In thousands, except percentages, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
Total Revenues	Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Total Revenues			Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Total Revenues
Net Sales:
Wholesale	$	424,569		76.8	%		$	381,858		68.2	%
Eliminations		(249,409	)	(45.1	%)			(188,565	)	(33.7	%)
Net wholesale		175,160		31.7	%			193,293		34.5	%
Retail		375,680		67.9	%			364,057		65.0	%
Total net sales		550,840		99.6	%			557,350		99.5	%
Royalties and franchise fees		2,206		0.4	%			2,759		0.5	%
Total revenues	$	553,046		100.0	%		$	560,109		100.0	%
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
Total Revenues	Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Total Revenues			Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Total Revenues
Net Sales:
Wholesale	$	988,129		60.9	%		$	929,255		58.7	%
Eliminations		(524,689	)	(32.3	%)			(459,416	)	(29.0	%)
Net wholesale		463,440		28.6	%			469,839		29.7	%
Retail		1,150,609		70.9	%			1,103,127		69.7	%
Total net sales		1,614,049		99.5	%			1,572,966		99.4	%
Royalties and franchise fees		7,832		0.5	%			9,020		0.6	%
Total revenues	$	1,621,881		100.0	%		$	1,581,986		100.0	%
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
Total Gross Profit	Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Net Sales			Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Net Sales
Retail	$	151,860		40.4	%		$	141,334		38.8	%
Wholesale		49,339		28.2	%			58,493		30.3	%
Total	$	201,199		36.5	%		$	199,827		35.9	%
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
Total Gross Profit	Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Net Sales			Dollars in thousands			Percentage of Net Sales
Retail	$	482,609		41.9	%		$	447,787		40.6	%
Wholesale		135,356		29.2	%			147,037		31.3	%
Total	$	617,965		38.3	%		$	594,824		37.8	%

 

PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.
OPERATING METRICS

			Three Months Ended September 30,						LTM
			2018			2017			2018
Store Count
	Corporate Stores:
		Beginning of period	814			789			794
		New stores opened	7			6			14
		Acquired	41			0			65
		Closed	0			(1	)		(11	)
		End of period	862			794			862
	Franchise Stores:
		Beginning of period	134			147			148
		Opened	0			1			2
		Sold to Party City	(37	)		–			(49	)
		Closed	0			–			(4	)
		End of period	97			148			97
	Grand Total		959			942			959
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2018			2017			2018			2017
Wholesale Share of Shelf (a)			77.2	%		78.0	%		77.8	%		78.0	%
Manufacturing Share of Shelf (b)			25.3	%		24.4	%		26.6	%		25.1	%
			Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2018			2017			2018			2017
Brand comparable sales (c)			-1.0	%		-2.6	%		0.5	%		-0.3	%
(a)  Wholesale share of shelf represents the percentage of our retail product cost of sales supplied by our wholesale operations.
(b)  Manufacturing share of shelf represents the percentage of our retail product cost of sales manufactured by the company.
(c)  Party City brand comparable sales include North American e-commerce sales.