Prestige Brands Holdings reports fiscal Q4 net earnings of US$19.3M, compared with year-ago loss of US$15,000, as revenue rises 15.3% to record US$154.5M

Nevin Barich

TARRYTOWN, New York , May 16, 2013 (press release) – Investor Day Slated for May 22nd

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE-PBH) today announced record results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, driven by strong growth in both the legacy and acquired core brands in the Company's Over-the-Counter Healthcare (OTC) segment.

Revenues for the fourth fiscal quarter were $154.5 million, an increase of $20.5 million, or 15.3%, above the prior year comparable quarter's revenues of $134.0 million. The revenue increase was primarily due to the growth of the Company's 14 core OTC brands which increased 9.3% over the prior year comparable period. The prior year comparable period results include revenues from two months of ownership of 15 of the 17 brands acquired from GSK on January 31, 2012. The remaining two brands closed on March 30, 2012.

In addition to financial results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we have provided certain non-GAAP financial information in this release to aid investors in understanding the Company's performance. Each non-GAAP financial measure is defined and reconciled to its most closely related GAAP financial measure in the “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section at the end of this earnings release.

Operating income for the fourth fiscal quarter was $50.2 million, an increase of $27.6 million, or 122%, over the prior year comparable quarter's operating income of $22.6 million. The prior year comparable period was impacted by $15.3 million of costs associated primarily with the GSK brands acquisition and an unsolicited proposal. Excluding these charges, operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 would have increased 33%.

In the fourth fiscal quarter, the Company's diluted earnings per share were $0.37 compared to $0.00 in the prior year comparable period. The fiscal fourth quarter includes a deferred tax benefit and other items of $0.01 per share. Excluding this, fourth quarter earnings per share would have been $0.36, an increase of 38.5% over the prior year adjusted fourth quarter earnings per share of $0.26. The prior year fourth quarter was impacted by the costs noted above.

Reported gross profit for the fourth fiscal quarter was $88.1 million, 29% higher than the comparable quarter's gross profit of $68.5 million. The prior year's fourth quarter results included GSK brand acquisition and transition-related costs of $1.8 million. Excluding these costs, gross profit would have increased 25%. Gross margin was 57.0% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to 51.1% in the prior year comparable period, or adjusted gross margin of 52.5% excluding the charges noted above. The year-over-year improvement in gross margin is primarily a result of the higher proportion of revenue derived from the higher margin OTC segment.

Revenues for the OTC Healthcare segment were $133.8 million, 22% higher than the prior year's fourth quarter revenues of $109.7 million. The increase in revenue in this segment continues to be driven by consumption gains in the Company's core OTC brands, resulting from increased investment in advertising and promotion (“A&P”) support behind them. Revenues for the Household Cleaning segment, which represents less than 15% of overall Company revenues, were $20.7 million, a decrease of 14.5% over the prior year's fourth quarter results of $24.3 million

Fiscal Year 2013

Revenues for fiscal 2013 were $623.6 million, an increase of $182.5 million or 41.4% over the prior year's revenues of $441.1 million. The increase is due primarily to the growth of revenues of the Company's core OTC brands, which grew 5.9% year-over-year, and a full year of ownership of the acquired GSK brands. In the prior year, the GSK brands contributed revenues for only the final two months of the fiscal year.

Reported diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2013 were $1.27, or 74.0% higher than $0.73 reported in the prior fiscal year. Adjusted earnings per share for the fiscal year were $1.50, a 52% increase over adjusted earnings per share of $0.99 in the prior year. Adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 exclude acquisition and transition-related costs, unsolicited proposal costs, and other adjustments, net of applicable taxes.

The Company continued its investment in Advertising and Promotion (“A&P”) during fiscal 2013 in support of its core OTC brands. A&P for the fiscal year was $90.6 million, 59% higher than the prior year spend of $57.1 million. A&P as a percent of revenue was 14.5% for fiscal 2013 compared to 13.0% in the prior year.

Commentary

“We are very pleased with the excellent growth shown in revenue and earnings per share for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. These results reflect the successful integration of the acquired GSK brands and meaningful growth in our core OTC brands,” said Matthew M. Mannelly, CEO. “Revenues for our core OTC brands grew 9.3% in the fourth quarter and approximately 6% for the fiscal year, significantly ahead of category growth for both periods. Our increased investment in brand-building A&P was a key stimulus for these record results,” he said.

“Our industry-leading and consistent cash flow from operations combined with a strengthened balance sheet helped us de-lever substantially in both the fourth quarter and for the fiscal year,” Mr. Mannelly continued. “Our net debt was reduced by approximately $154 million in the fiscal year, and our leverage ratio fell by one full point since the acquisition of the GSK brands a year ago. Rapid pay-down of debt enables us to continue to be active and disciplined in M&A. This approach has resulted in our successful track record of integrating, innovating and growing acquired brands.”

“Our strategies are in place and we are fully prepared to build on the success of fiscal 2013. As the largest independent OTC products company in the U.S., we are confident in our ability to continue to build brands, innovate within our portfolio, and invest appropriately for future value creation,” he said.

Free Cash Flow and Debt Reduction

The Company's record free cash flow (“FCF”) for the fourth fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 was $35.4 million, an increase of $16.2 million over the prior year comparable period's free cash flow of $19.2 million. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, free cash flow totaled $127.3 million compared to $66.8 million in the prior year. FCF for the prior year comparable period was impacted by $15.1 million of working capital investments associated with the acquisition of the GSK brands, and other costs, net of related tax effects. On a per share basis, free cash flow for the fiscal fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 translates to $0.68 per share and $2.48 per share, respectively, compared to $0.38 per share and $1.32 per share for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, respectively.

The Company's net debt at March 31, 2013 was $962.3 million, reflecting a reduction of a total of $34.7 million during the fourth quarter. At March 31, 2013, the Company's covenant-defined leverage ratio was approximately 4.25x, down from approximately 5.25x at the time of the closing on the acquisition of the GSK brands on January 31, 2012.

Q4 Conference Call & Accompanying Slide Presentation

The Company will host a conference call to review its fourth quarter results on May 16, 2013 at 8:30 am EDT. The toll-free dial-in numbers are 866-318-8613 within North America and 617-399-5132 outside of North America. The conference pass code is "prestige". The Company will provide a live Internet webcast, a slide presentation to accompany the call, as well as an archived replay, all of which can be accessed from the Investors page of the Company's website at http://prestigebrands.com. The slide presentation can be accessed just before the call from the Investors page of the website by clicking on Events and Presentations. Telephonic replays will be available for two weeks following the completion of the call and can be accessed at 888-286-8010 within North America and at 617-801-6888 from outside North America. The pass code is 69473606.

Investor Day is Wednesday, May 22nd

The Company will host its first Investor Day on Wednesday, May 22nd beginning at 10:30am EST. CEO Matthew Mannelly and other members of senior management will present an overview of the Company's operational and financial strategy and highlight new advertising and marketing initiatives. The Company will provide a live Internet webcast, which can be accessed from the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at http://prestigebrands.com. Choose the “Click here for webcast” hyperlink and register for access. A replay of the full event will be available via the same URL three hours after the event. Visit the “News and Events” section of the Company's website for details of the events.

About Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.

The Company markets and distributes brand name over-the-counter and household cleaning products throughout the U.S. and Canada, and in certain international markets. Core brands include Chloraseptic® sore throat treatments, Clear Eyes® eye care products, Compound W® wart treatments, The Doctor's® NightGuard® dental protector, the Little Remedies® and PediaCare® lines of pediatric over-the-counter products, Efferdent® denture care products, Luden's® throat drops, Dramamine® motion sickness treatment, BC® and Goody's® pain relievers, Beano® gas prevention, Debrox® earwax remover, and Gaviscon® antacid in Canada. Visit the Company's website at www.prestigebrands.com.

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