American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
Third Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights – versus 2016:
- Net sales were $90.0 million in Q3 2017 compared to $82.4 million in Q3 2016.
- Net income was $4.1 million in Q3 2017 compared to $2.9 million in Q3 2016.
- Earnings per diluted share were $0.14 in Q3 2017 compared to $0.10 in Q3 2016.
Nine Months 2017 Financial Highlights – versus 2016:
- Net sales were $238.6 million in 2017 compared to $224.6 million in 2016.
- Net income was $11.8 million in 2017 compared to $8.9 million in 2016.
- Earnings per diluted share were $0.40 in 2017 compared to $0.30 in 2016.
Note: Further details are available in the financial schedules attached to this press release
Eric Wintemute, Chairman and CEO of American Vanguard, stated: “We are pleased to report revenue increases of 9% for the third quarter and 6% for the first nine months of 2017. Our top line performance was driven by three positive factors: strong demand for our cotton products, extraordinary demand for our mosquito adulticide in the aftermath of domestic hurricanes, and incremental sales of new products acquired in June. These gains were partially offset by weather events in the soil fumigant market and competitive pressure in the Midwest herbicide market.”
Mr. Wintemute continued, “With respect to profitability, a diversified product mix and efficient manufacturing performance allowed us to record improved gross profit margins for both the third quarter (42% versus 40% in the prior year) and year-to-date (43% versus 41% in the prior year). Further, we achieved a significant increase in net income, despite higher operating expenses in both the three and nine month periods. These expenses relate largely to maintaining, acquiring and developing product lines and commercializing technology. While we remain committed to exercising financial discipline, we believe that part of this discipline involves planning for the future. Consequently, during the third quarter, we incurred legal and due diligence costs in connection with acquisitions, funded increased regulatory costs for the re-registration of several important organophosphate products, expanded field trials for our product pipeline, and invested in further development of SIMPAS. We believe that these near-term expenses for portfolio extension, geographic expansion and technology innovation provide significant growth potential for American Vanguard.”
Mr. Wintemute concluded: “Our outlook for the final quarter of 2017 remains positive, as we integrate recent acquisitions and position our business for the upcoming spring planting season. During 2018, we expect that, with the addition of the AgriCenter companies, our International business will double. Further, our non-crop business should increase by about 50% with the addition of OHP’s horticulture business. This is an exciting time for American Vanguard, and we look forward to giving further comments during our earnings conference call.”
Conference Call
Eric Wintemute, Chairman & CEO, Bob Trogele, EVP & COO and David T. Johnson, VP & CFO, will conduct a conference call focusing on the financial results and strategic themes at 4:30pm Eastern / 1:30pm Pacific on Thursday, November 2, 2017. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (201) 493-6744. Please call in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin, and ask for the American Vanguard call. The conference call will also be webcast live via the News and Media section of the Company’s web site at www.american-vanguard.com. To listen to the live webcast, go to the web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived on the Company’s web site.
About American Vanguard
American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company that develops and markets products for crop protection and management, turf and ornamentals management and public and animal health. American Vanguard is included on the Russell 2000® and Russell 3000® Indexes and the Standard & Poor’s Small Cap 600 Index. To learn more about American Vanguard, please reference the Company’s web site at www.american-vanguard.com.
The Company, from time to time, may discuss forward-looking information. Except for the historical information contained in this release, all forward-looking statements are estimates by the Company’s management and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ from management’s current expectations. Such factors include weather conditions, changes in regulatory policy and other risks as detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s SEC reports and filings. All forward-looking statements, if any, in this release represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release.
Contact Information
William A. Kuser, Director of Investor Relations
(949) 260-1200
williamk@amvac-chemical.com
The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
(212) 836-9611
Lcati@equityny.com