- Second Quarter Revenue Increased 14% Versus Last Year -
- Second Quarter Operating Income Increased 28% and EBITDA Increased
24% Versus Last Year -
- Begins Renting New Farm Worker Housing Units In May 2015-
SANTA PAULA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Limoneira Company (the "Company" or "Limoneira") (NASDAQ: LMNR), a
leading agribusiness with prime agricultural land and operations, real
estate and water rights in California and Arizona, today reported
financial results for the second quarter and six months ended April 30,
2015.
Fiscal Year 2015 Second Quarter Results
For the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, revenue was $28.3 million,
compared to revenue of $24.8 million in the second quarter of the
previous fiscal year. Agribusiness revenue was $26.9 million, compared
to $23.6 million in the second quarter last year, reflecting higher
lemon, avocado, and specialty citrus and other crop revenue partially
offset by lower orange revenue. Rental operations revenue was $1.3
million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, compared to $1.2
million in the second quarter of last year. Real estate development
revenue was $18,000, compared to $31,000 in the second quarter last year.
Agribusiness revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 includes
$18.8 million in lemon sales, compared to $18.1 million of lemon sales
during the same period of fiscal year 2014, primarily reflecting higher
lemon by-product and other lemon sales. Avocado revenue for the second
quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $4.1 million, compared to $1.2 million
in the same period last year, primarily reflecting increased volume and
higher prices. In addition, second quarter of fiscal year 2015 avocado
sales benefitted from the Company's decision to accelerate its harvest
plan due to early maturing of the California crop and the expected
arrival of Peruvian avocados in the US market in June 2015. The Company
recognized $2.6 million of orange revenue in the second quarter of
fiscal year 2015, on lower prices partially offset by higher sales
volume, compared to $3.4 million of orange revenue in the same period of
fiscal year 2014. Specialty citrus and other crop revenues were $1.4
million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, on increased sales
volume partially offset by lower prices, compared to $0.9 million in the
second quarter of fiscal year 2014. The higher prices in the second
quarter of fiscal year 2014 were primarily due to decreased market
supply resulting from a period of freezing temperatures in California's
San Joaquin Valley during December 2013.
Costs and expenses for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 were $24.1
million, compared to $21.6 million in the second quarter of last fiscal
year. The year-over-year increase in operating expenses primarily
reflects additional agribusiness costs mainly associated with higher
harvest costs due to increased volume of avocados, oranges, and
specialty citrus harvested, as well as higher packing and growing costs.
Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $4.1
million, compared to $3.2 million in the second quarter of the previous
fiscal year. Net income applicable to common stock, after preferred
dividends, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $2.4 million,
compared to $2.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.
Earnings per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015
were $0.17 on approximately 14.1 million weighted average diluted common
shares outstanding, compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.15 on
approximately 14.1 million weighted average diluted common shares
outstanding in the same period of the prior year.
EBITDA was $5.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015,
compared to $4.1 million in the same period of fiscal year 2014. A
reconciliation of EBITDA to the GAAP measure net income is provided at
the end of this release.
Fiscal Year 2015 First Six Months Results
For the six months ended April 30, 2015, revenue was $56.3 million,
compared to $50.7 million in the same period last year. Operating income
for the first six months of fiscal year 2015 was $1.6 million, compared
to $1.0 million in the same period last year. Net income applicable to
common stock, after preferred dividends, was $0.8 million for the first
six months of fiscal years 2015 and 2014. Earnings per diluted share for
the first six months of fiscal year 2015 was $0.06 on approximately 14.1
million weighted average diluted common shares outstanding, compared to
earnings per diluted share of $0.05 on approximately 14.0 million
weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.
EBITDA for the first six months of fiscal year 2015 was $3.8 million,
compared to EBITDA of $2.9 million in the same period last year.
Management Comments
Harold Edwards, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are
pleased to report solid top line revenue growth of 14% in the second
quarter, which reflects increased sales for lemons, avocados, and
specialty crops. We also successfully leveraged our operating costs
across higher sales volume, enabling us to increase our operating income
by 28% and EBITDA by 24% in the second quarter."
Mr. Edwards added, "We remain focused on growing our agribusiness. In
the second quarter, we increased our total lemon tree acreage in
California by expanding our agricultural lease agreement with Cadiz. We
are on-track to complete the expansion of our Santa Paula packing house
this year, which is expected to increase efficiency, enhance operating
margins, and double our total annual capacity. We currently have
approximately 1,000 acres of non-bearing lemon orchards in development
that are expected to become productive over the next few years, which
will utilize some of the new capacity."
Mr. Edwards concluded, "Regarding our real estate development business,
we have the requisite approvals to break ground on the Santa Paula
Gateway project. We are in discussions with potential development
partners and are focused on entering into an agreement that will
maximize the success and profitability of the project and is in-line
with our commitment to the Santa Paula community. We anticipate
announcing a deal in the coming months. As the project progresses, we
believe we are well positioned to benefit from expected additional cash
flow."
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
During the first six months of fiscal year 2015, net cash used in
operating activities was $1.5 million, compared to net cash provided by
operating activities of $2.7 million in the same period of the prior
year. Net cash used in investing activities was $16.4 million in the
first six months of fiscal year 2015, compared to $9.4 million in the
same period of the prior year, primarily related to the Company's
investments in the expansion of its lemon packing facilities and
additional farm worker housing units, as well as investments in real
estate development projects. Net cash provided by financing activities
was approximately $17.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal year
2015, compared to $6.7 million in the same period of the prior year.
Long-term debt as of April 30, 2015 was $87.5 million, compared to $67.8
million at the end of fiscal year 2014.
Real Estate Development
During the first six months of fiscal year 2015, the Company executed
its on-going real estate development strategy by capitalizing real
estate development costs of $2.8 million. In the first six months of
fiscal year 2014, the Company capitalized real estate development costs
of $2.3 million.
On February 17, 2015, the City of Santa Paula unanimously approved
Limoneira's updated East Area 1 Master Tentative Tract Map, Supplemental
Environmental Report, and updated Development Agreement. Following the
vote, the property is now fully entitled and Limoneira has the requisite
approvals to break ground on the Santa Paula Gateway project. Rock
remediation activities at the property are currently underway. Following
the execution of a development transaction in the coming months; final
tract mapping, development phasing, permitting and other planning steps
will occur with land development expected to begin in 2016.
Recent Business Highlights
The Company continues to benefit from the success of its direct lemon
sales and marketing strategy. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2015,
lemon sales were comprised of approximately 76% to U.S. and Canada-based
customers, 20% to domestic exporters, and 4% to international customers.
Alex Teague, Senior Vice President, stated, "Limoneira is well
positioned to deliver long-term agribusiness growth. We continue to
evaluate strategic acquisition opportunities to expand our agribusiness
portfolio and we are focused on innovation to help drive organic growth.
Recently, we introduced Lemon Misfits™, which is a tongue-in-cheek
reference to lemons that have a little scarring from wind in the
orchards but are still are packed with juice and perfect to increase our
grocery retail partners' sales with a customer-friendly price point."
On February 3, 2015, Limoneira and Cadiz Inc. (NASDAQ: CDZI) ("Cadiz")
announced that they expanded their existing agricultural lease agreement
to include an additional 200 acres. Limoneira acquired a total of 200
acres of lemon trees and associated irrigation lines from Cadiz and one
of its leasing tenants for approximately $1.2 million. Under the amended
lease agreement with Cadiz, Limoneira now has the right to plant up to
1,480 acres of lemons over the next three years at the Cadiz Ranch
operations in the Cadiz Valley. Including the 200 acres of lemons
purchased in February, we currently have 360 acres of lemon trees
growing on the property leased from CADIZ.
In April 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to sell
its Wilson Ranch, which is comprised of 52 acres of land with 33 acres
of avocado orchards located near the City of Fillmore, in Ventura
County, California. The sales price is approximately $2.8 million and
the gain on the sale is expected to be approximately $1.0 million, which
the Company expects to defer for tax purposes utilizing a like-kind 1031
exchange. The sales price represents approximately $53,000 and $83,000
per acre for total acres and productive avocado acres, respectively. The
property is currently in escrow and is expected to close in July 2015.
The Company has substantially completed its farm worker housing project
and began renting units in May 2015, which is expected to add
approximately $0.9 million of rental revenue on an annual basis. The
Company anticipates the additional farm worker housing will help
maintain a consistent supply of labor for its agribusiness operations.
Fiscal Year 2015 Outlook
Due to a decrease in the estimated 2015 lemon harvest compared to what
was previously anticipated, the Company is decreasing the number of
cartons of fresh lemons that it expects to sell in fiscal year 2015 to
approximately 2.8 million cartons of fresh lemons at an average per
carton price of $25.00 from its previous guidance of 3.0 million cartons
of fresh lemons at an average per carton price of $24.00. Lower expected
production volume is due to continued dry weather, which has hindered
fruit sizing. In addition, the Company is lowering the number of pounds
of avocados it expects to sell to approximately 6.5 to 7.0 million
pounds of avocados at approximately $0.90 per pound, compared to the
Company's previous guidance of 6.5 to 7.5 million pounds at
approximately $1.00 per pound. Estimated avocado production reflects the
effects of freeze damage that occurred on one the Company's orchards.
The Company is also anticipating orange and specialty citrus and other
crop revenue to be less in fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year
2014, mainly due to lower prices.
The Company expects to earn approximately $7.6 million to $8.1 million
in operating income for fiscal year 2015 compared to previous guidance
of $9.4 million to $10.2 million. Fiscal year 2015 income before tax is
expected to be approximately $8.8 million to $9.3 million compared to
previous guidance of $10.4 million to $11.1 million. The Company expects
fiscal year 2015 earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $0.36
to $0.40, compared to previous guidance of $0.42 to $0.46. Fiscal year
2015 income before tax and earnings per share guidance includes the
estimated gain of approximately $1.0 million on the expected third
quarter sale of the Wilson Ranch.
Until the Company has a definitive transaction for its Santa Paula
Gateway project, the potential effect on its financial condition,
results of operations or cash flows that would result from such a
transaction will not be reflected in its outlook.
Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast on June 9,
2015, at 1:30 pm Pacific Time (4:30 pm Eastern Time) to discuss its
financial results. To access the conference call, participants in the
U.S. should dial (888) 264-8931, and international participants should
dial (913) 312-0721. Participants are encouraged to dial in to the
conference call ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The call
will also be broadcast live over the Internet and accessible through the
Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.limoneira.com. Visitors
to the website should select the "Investor" link to access the
webcast. The webcast will be archived and accessible on the same website
for 30 days following the call. A telephone replay will be available
through June 23, 2015, by calling (877) 870-5176 from the U.S. or (858)
384-5517 from international locations to access the playback; passcode
is 9958616.
About Limoneira Company
Limoneira Company, a 120-year-old international agribusiness
headquartered in Santa Paula, California, has grown to become one of the
premier integrated agribusinesses in the world. Limoneira (pronounced lē
mon΄âra) is a dedicated sustainability company with approximately 10,700
acres of rich agricultural lands, real estate properties and water
rights in California and Arizona. The Company is a leading producer of
lemons, avocados, oranges, specialty citrus and other crops that are
enjoyed throughout the world. For more about Limoneira Company, visit www.limoneira.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
earnings guidance for fiscal year 2015, within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These
forward-looking statements are based on Limoneira's current expectations
about future events and can be identified by terms such as "expect,"
"may," "anticipate," "intend," "should be," "will be," "is likely to,"
"strive to," and similar expressions referring to future periods.
Limoneira believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable but cannot guarantee future results, level of
activity, performance or achievements. Actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Therefore, Limoneira cautions you against relying on
any of these forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause future
outcomes to differ materially from those foreseen in forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to: changes in laws,
regulations, rules, quotas, tariffs and import laws; weather conditions
that affect production, transportation, storage, import and export of
fresh product; increased pressure from crop disease, insects and other
pests; disruption of water supplies or changes in water allocations;
pricing and supply of raw materials and products; market responses to
industry volume pressures; pricing and supply of energy; changes in
interest and currency exchange rates; availability of financing for land
development activities; political changes and economic crises;
international conflict; acts of terrorism; labor disruptions, strikes or
work stoppages; loss of important intellectual property rights;
inability to pay debt obligations; inability to engage in certain
transactions due to restrictive covenants in debt instruments;
government restrictions on land use; and market and pricing risks due to
concentrated ownership of stock. Other risks and uncertainties
include those that are described in Limoneira's SEC filings which are
available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
Limoneira undertakes no obligation to subsequently update or revise
the forward-looking statements made in this press release, except as
required by law.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Due to significant depreciable assets associated with the nature of the
Company's operations and interest costs associated with its capital
structure, management believes that earnings before interest, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and adjusted EBITDA,
which excludes impairments on real estate development assets when
applicable, is an important measure to evaluate the Company's results of
operations between periods on a more comparable basis. Such measurements
are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), and should not be construed as an alternative to
reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP
information provided is unique to the Company and may not be consistent
with methodologies used by other companies. Unaudited EBITDA is
summarized and reconciled to net income, which management considers to
be the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and
presented in accordance with GAAP as follows:
|
|
|
Quarter ended April 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended April 30,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
2,563,000
|
|
$
|
2,113,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,115,000
|
|
$
|
894,000
|
|
|
Total interest (income) expense, net
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
(19,000
|
)
|
|
|
57,000
|
|
|
(39,000
|
)
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
1,456,000
|
|
|
1,145,000
|
|
|
|
701,000
|
|
|
428,000
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
980,000
|
|
|
845,000
|
|
|
|
1,969,000
|
|
|
1,662,000
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
5,044,000
|
|
$
|
4,084,000
|
|
|
$
|
3,842,000
|
|
$
|
2,945,000
|
|
|
|
|
Limoneira Company
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30,
|
|
October 31,
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
77,000
|
|
$
|
92,000
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
11,738,000
|
|
|
7,236,000
|
|
Cultural costs
|
|
|
1,565,000
|
|
|
3,691,000
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
4,237,000
|
|
|
3,849,000
|
|
Income taxes receivable
|
|
|
442,000
|
|
|
1,143,000
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
18,059,000
|
|
|
16,011,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
117,867,000
|
|
|
105,433,000
|
|
Real estate development
|
|
|
90,892,000
|
|
|
88,088,000
|
|
Equity in investments
|
|
|
3,139,000
|
|
|
3,638,000
|
|
Investment in Calavo Growers, Inc.
|
|
|
25,325,000
|
|
|
24,270,000
|
|
Note receivable
|
|
|
2,108,000
|
|
|
2,084,000
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
8,182,000
|
|
|
8,114,000
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
265,572,000
|
|
$
|
247,638,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
6,047,000
|
|
$
|
6,363,000
|
|
Growers payable
|
|
|
6,067,000
|
|
|
5,839,000
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
4,619,000
|
|
|
7,539,000
|
|
Fair value of derivative instrument
|
|
|
768,000
|
|
|
809,000
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
583,000
|
|
|
583,000
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
18,084,000
|
|
|
21,133,000
|
|
Long-term liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt, less current portion
|
|
|
87,521,000
|
|
|
67,771,000
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
22,384,000
|
|
|
21,792,000
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
6,024,000
|
|
|
6,282,000
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
134,013,000
|
|
|
116,978,000
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock - $100 par value (50,000
shares authorized: 30,000 shares issued and outstanding at April
30, 2015 and October 31, 2014) (8.75% coupon rate)
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock - $100 par value (10,000
shares authorized: 9,300 shares issued and outstanding at April
30, 2015 and October 31, 2014) (4% dividend rate on liquidation
value of $1,000 per share)
|
|
|
9,331,000
|
|
|
9,331,000
|
|
Stockholders' equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common Stock - $.01 par value (19,900,000 shares authorized:
14,124,332 and 14,078,077 shares issued and outstanding at April
30, 2015 and October 31, 2014, respectively)
|
|
|
141,000
|
|
|
140,000
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
90,212,000
|
|
|
89,770,000
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
22,837,000
|
|
|
23,308,000
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
6,038,000
|
|
|
5,111,000
|
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
119,228,000
|
|
|
118,329,000
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
265,572,000
|
|
$
|
247,638,000
|
|
|
|
Limoneira Company
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
|
|
Six months ended
|
|
|
|
April 30,
|
|
April 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agribusiness
|
|
$
|
26,919,000
|
|
|
$
|
23,604,000
|
|
|
$
|
53,802,000
|
|
|
$
|
48,308,000
|
|
|
Rental operations
|
|
|
1,340,000
|
|
|
|
1,167,000
|
|
|
|
2,458,000
|
|
|
|
2,301,000
|
|
|
Real estate development
|
|
|
18,000
|
|
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
75,000
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
28,277,000
|
|
|
|
24,802,000
|
|
|
|
56,288,000
|
|
|
|
50,684,000
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agribusiness
|
|
|
20,023,000
|
|
|
|
17,463,000
|
|
|
|
45,837,000
|
|
|
|
40,925,000
|
|
|
Rental operations
|
|
|
759,000
|
|
|
|
707,000
|
|
|
|
1,564,000
|
|
|
|
1,435,000
|
|
|
Real estate development
|
|
|
239,000
|
|
|
|
257,000
|
|
|
|
481,000
|
|
|
|
601,000
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
3,116,000
|
|
|
|
3,145,000
|
|
|
|
6,783,000
|
|
|
|
6,686,000
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
24,137,000
|
|
|
|
21,572,000
|
|
|
|
54,665,000
|
|
|
|
49,647,000
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
4,140,000
|
|
|
|
3,230,000
|
|
|
|
1,623,000
|
|
|
|
1,037,000
|
|
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(45,000
|
)
|
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
|
(57,000
|
)
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
|
Equity in (losses) earnings of investments
|
|
|
(97,000
|
)
|
|
|
(53,000
|
)
|
|
|
(12,000
|
)
|
|
|
31,000
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
21,000
|
|
|
|
62,000
|
|
|
|
262,000
|
|
|
|
215,000
|
|
|
Total other income (expense)
|
|
|
(121,000
|
)
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
193,000
|
|
|
|
285,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax provision
|
|
|
4,019,000
|
|
|
|
3,258,000
|
|
|
|
1,816,000
|
|
|
|
1,322,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax provision
|
|
|
(1,456,000
|
)
|
|
|
(1,145,000
|
)
|
|
|
(701,000
|
)
|
|
|
(428,000
|
)
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
2,563,000
|
|
|
|
2,113,000
|
|
|
|
1,115,000
|
|
|
|
894,000
|
|
|
Preferred dividends
|
|
|
(158,000
|
)
|
|
|
(65,000
|
)
|
|
|
(317,000
|
)
|
|
|
(131,000
|
)
|
|
Net income applicable to common stock
|
|
$
|
2,405,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,048,000
|
|
|
$
|
798,000
|
|
|
$
|
763,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per common share
|
|
$
|
0.17
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per common share
|
|
$
|
0.17
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends per common share
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
$
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic
|
|
|
14,124,000
|
|
|
|
14,050,000
|
|
|
|
14,109,000
|
|
|
|
14,039,000
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted
|
|
|
14,124,000
|
|
|
|
14,050,000
|
|
|
|
14,109,000
|
|
|
|
14,039,000
|
|
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150609006422/en/
Investor Contact:
ICR
John Mills
Partner
646-277-1254
Source: Limoneira Company
News Provided by Acquire Media
