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Boston Beer (SAM) Rises on Q3 Earnings Beat, Updated View
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Shares of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM - Free Report) rose about 10% in the after-hours trading session on Oct 22, following the upbeat third-quarter 2020 earnings performance. Meanwhile, the top line lagged estimates. Nonetheless, both earnings and sales improved year over year, backed by strong shipment and depletions trends.
However, the company has been witnessing a significant reduction in keg demand from the on-premise channel, and higher labor and safety-related costs at its breweries as a result of the ongoing pandemic. In third-quarter 2020, it recorded $0.1 million of coronavirus-related pre-tax reductions in net revenues and increases in other costs. Year to date, pre-tax reductions in net revenues and escalation in other costs were $14.2 million, of which $10.0 million was recorded in the first quarter and $4.1 million in the second quarter. This included $3.4 million related to reduced revenues due to keg returns from distributors and retailers, and $10.8 million of other COVID-19-related direct costs, of which $7.4 million was for cost of goods sold and $3.4 million in operating expenses.
Further, COVID-19-related safety measures led to the reduction in brewery productivity, leading to the shifting of more volumes to third-party breweries. This resulted in higher production costs and negatively impacted the gross margin.
Encouragingly, the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock has gained 10.8% in the past three months against the industry’s 0.7% decline.
Q3 Details
Boston Beer’s third-quarter adjusted earnings of $6.51 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.24. Further, the bottom line grew 78.4% from $2.86 earned in the year-ago period, mainly driven by an increase in revenues on the back of shipment growth. This was partly offset by soft gross margins and a rise in operating expenses.
Net revenues advanced 30.2% year over year to $492.8 million but lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $521.4 million. Excluding excise taxes, the top line rose 30.4% year over year from $525.2 million.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The increase in the top line can primarily be attributed to a 30.5% improvement in shipments to 2.1 million barrels. Depletions grew 36%, marking the tenth successive quarter of double-digit growth in depletions. Depletions growth was driven by key innovations, quality and strong brands as well as sales execution and support from distributors. Further, growth was backed by strength in Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea brands. This was somewhat offset by sluggishness in Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head brands, which were most impacted by the pandemic and the related on-premise closures. However, the company notes that these brands closed September on a strong note, reflecting strong growth in off-premise channels compared with September 2019.
Depletions for the year-to-date period through the 42 weeks ended Oct 17, 2020 have grown nearly 39% from that witnessed in the year-ago period. Excluding the Dogfish Head brewery, depletions grew 37%.
Costs & Margins
Gross profit improved 28.1% year over year to $240.6 million. However, gross margin contracted 280 basis points to 46.9% due to elevated processing costs, stemming from higher production at third-party breweries. This was partly negated by price increases and cost-saving initiatives at company-owned breweries.
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses rose 11.8% in the quarter to $108 million. The increase was driven by higher investments in media and production; elevated salaries and benefits costs; and increased freight to distributors, owing to higher volumes.
General and administrative expenses totaled $30.3 million, down 3.5% from the year-ago quarter. The decline was mainly due to one-time costs of $3.6 million related to the Dogfish Head transaction, which was incurred in the third quarter of 2019. This was somewhat offset by higher salaries and benefits costs.
Financials
As of Sep 26, 2020, Boston Beer had cash and cash equivalents of $157.1 million, and total stockholders’ equity of $318.5 million. The company currently has $150 million in its line of credit for use to enhance the cash position and liquidity amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During the third quarter and the period between Sep 27 and Oct 16, Boston Beer did not repurchase any shares. As a result, the company has $90.3 million remaining under the $931-million share buyback authorization.
Outlook
Boston Beer revised its depletions growth and earnings guidance for 2020 based on the trends witnessed in the first nine months and expectations for the remainder of the year. This was mainly driven by strong performance for the company’s Truly brand so far this year.
Furthermore, the company expects the Truly brand to continue to lead business growth in 2021. In early 2021, it plans to launch Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer, Truly Extra — a higher ABV version of Truly, and other new Truly flavors and package sizes, as part of its continued innovation in the Hard Seltzer category.
For 2020, management envisions earnings per share of $14-$15. Depletions and shipments are likely to grow 37-42%, wherein the addition of the Dogfish Head brand is expected to contribute 1-2%. The company expects national price increases of 1-2% for 2020.
Moreover, gross margin is anticipated to be 46-47%. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses are forecast to be $55-$65 million compared with $70-$80 million mentioned earlier. The expected decline in advertising, promotional and selling expenses is attributed to lower selling expenses, excluding freight costs for the shipment of products to its distributors. Capital expenditure is likely to be $160-$190 million compared with $180-$200 million stated earlier.
Additionally, the company expects all of its brands to witness growth in 2021. Consequently, it expects volume growth of 35-45% for 2021. The company also outlined its depletion and cost view for 2021.
For 2021, its initial guidance predicts depletion and shipment growth of 35-45%, national price increases of 1-2%, and gross margin of 46-48%. Moreover, it expects advertising, promotional and selling expenses of $130-$150 million, excluding freight costs for the shipment of products to its distributors. Capital spending for 2021 is anticipated to be $300-$400 million.
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NUS - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 6.8%. The company presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Brown-Forman Corporation (BF.B - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. It delivered an earnings surprise of 8.2%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
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A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
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Boston Beer (SAM) Rises on Q3 Earnings Beat, Updated View
Shares of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (SAM - Free Report) rose about 10% in the after-hours trading session on Oct 22, following the upbeat third-quarter 2020 earnings performance. Meanwhile, the top line lagged estimates. Nonetheless, both earnings and sales improved year over year, backed by strong shipment and depletions trends.
However, the company has been witnessing a significant reduction in keg demand from the on-premise channel, and higher labor and safety-related costs at its breweries as a result of the ongoing pandemic. In third-quarter 2020, it recorded $0.1 million of coronavirus-related pre-tax reductions in net revenues and increases in other costs. Year to date, pre-tax reductions in net revenues and escalation in other costs were $14.2 million, of which $10.0 million was recorded in the first quarter and $4.1 million in the second quarter. This included $3.4 million related to reduced revenues due to keg returns from distributors and retailers, and $10.8 million of other COVID-19-related direct costs, of which $7.4 million was for cost of goods sold and $3.4 million in operating expenses.
Further, COVID-19-related safety measures led to the reduction in brewery productivity, leading to the shifting of more volumes to third-party breweries. This resulted in higher production costs and negatively impacted the gross margin.
Encouragingly, the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock has gained 10.8% in the past three months against the industry’s 0.7% decline.
Q3 Details
Boston Beer’s third-quarter adjusted earnings of $6.51 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.24. Further, the bottom line grew 78.4% from $2.86 earned in the year-ago period, mainly driven by an increase in revenues on the back of shipment growth. This was partly offset by soft gross margins and a rise in operating expenses.
Net revenues advanced 30.2% year over year to $492.8 million but lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $521.4 million. Excluding excise taxes, the top line rose 30.4% year over year from $525.2 million.
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Quote
The increase in the top line can primarily be attributed to a 30.5% improvement in shipments to 2.1 million barrels. Depletions grew 36%, marking the tenth successive quarter of double-digit growth in depletions. Depletions growth was driven by key innovations, quality and strong brands as well as sales execution and support from distributors. Further, growth was backed by strength in Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea brands. This was somewhat offset by sluggishness in Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head brands, which were most impacted by the pandemic and the related on-premise closures. However, the company notes that these brands closed September on a strong note, reflecting strong growth in off-premise channels compared with September 2019.
Depletions for the year-to-date period through the 42 weeks ended Oct 17, 2020 have grown nearly 39% from that witnessed in the year-ago period. Excluding the Dogfish Head brewery, depletions grew 37%.
Costs & Margins
Gross profit improved 28.1% year over year to $240.6 million. However, gross margin contracted 280 basis points to 46.9% due to elevated processing costs, stemming from higher production at third-party breweries. This was partly negated by price increases and cost-saving initiatives at company-owned breweries.
Advertising, promotional and selling expenses rose 11.8% in the quarter to $108 million. The increase was driven by higher investments in media and production; elevated salaries and benefits costs; and increased freight to distributors, owing to higher volumes.
General and administrative expenses totaled $30.3 million, down 3.5% from the year-ago quarter. The decline was mainly due to one-time costs of $3.6 million related to the Dogfish Head transaction, which was incurred in the third quarter of 2019. This was somewhat offset by higher salaries and benefits costs.
Financials
As of Sep 26, 2020, Boston Beer had cash and cash equivalents of $157.1 million, and total stockholders’ equity of $318.5 million. The company currently has $150 million in its line of credit for use to enhance the cash position and liquidity amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During the third quarter and the period between Sep 27 and Oct 16, Boston Beer did not repurchase any shares. As a result, the company has $90.3 million remaining under the $931-million share buyback authorization.
Outlook
Boston Beer revised its depletions growth and earnings guidance for 2020 based on the trends witnessed in the first nine months and expectations for the remainder of the year. This was mainly driven by strong performance for the company’s Truly brand so far this year.
Furthermore, the company expects the Truly brand to continue to lead business growth in 2021. In early 2021, it plans to launch Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer, Truly Extra — a higher ABV version of Truly, and other new Truly flavors and package sizes, as part of its continued innovation in the Hard Seltzer category.
For 2020, management envisions earnings per share of $14-$15. Depletions and shipments are likely to grow 37-42%, wherein the addition of the Dogfish Head brand is expected to contribute 1-2%. The company expects national price increases of 1-2% for 2020.
Moreover, gross margin is anticipated to be 46-47%. Advertising, promotional and selling expenses are forecast to be $55-$65 million compared with $70-$80 million mentioned earlier. The expected decline in advertising, promotional and selling expenses is attributed to lower selling expenses, excluding freight costs for the shipment of products to its distributors. Capital expenditure is likely to be $160-$190 million compared with $180-$200 million stated earlier.
Additionally, the company expects all of its brands to witness growth in 2021. Consequently, it expects volume growth of 35-45% for 2021. The company also outlined its depletion and cost view for 2021.
For 2021, its initial guidance predicts depletion and shipment growth of 35-45%, national price increases of 1-2%, and gross margin of 46-48%. Moreover, it expects advertising, promotional and selling expenses of $130-$150 million, excluding freight costs for the shipment of products to its distributors. Capital spending for 2021 is anticipated to be $300-$400 million.
Other Stocks to Consider
National Beverage Corp. (FIZZ - Free Report) delivered an earnings surprise of 26.6%, on average, in the trailing four quarters. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NUS - Free Report) has a long-term earnings growth rate of 6.8%. The company presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Brown-Forman Corporation (BF.B - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. It delivered an earnings surprise of 8.2%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>