Arctic Cat Inc. (NAS: ACAT) today reported that net earnings increased 17 percent to a record $25.0 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, for the fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2012, compared to prior-year net earnings of $21.4 million, or $1.15 per diluted share. Net sales in the quarter rose 12 percent to $229.0 million versus net sales of $204.8 million in the same quarter last year.
"We are very pleased to report record earnings and EPS on double-digit sales gains in the fiscal 2013 second quarter, on top of a strong quarter last year," said Claude Jordan, Arctic Cat’s chairman and chief executive officer. "We are beginning to benefit from our growth strategy to enter new market segments with innovative new products, such as our Wildcat pure sport side-by-side, while focusing on operational excellence and cost control. As a result, we continued to leverage higher sales volumes and a lower cost structure to again deliver profitability gains in the second quarter."
Among the highlights of Arctic Cat’s fiscal 2013 second-quarter financial results versus the prior-year quarter:
Net sales grew 12 percent, chiefly fueled by sales of Wildcat recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs);
The company reported record net earnings and earnings per diluted share, up 17 percent and 57 percent, respectively;
Operating expenses as a percent of sales declined to 11 percent versus 12 percent;
Operating profit rose 18 percent to $38.8 million, up from $32.9 million;
The company had no long-term debt.
For the six months ended September 30, 2012, Arctic Cat’s net earnings rose 41 percent to a record $27.0 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $19.1 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. The company’s year-to-date net sales increased 22 percent to $340.3 million versus net sales of $279.8 million in the first six months last year.
Business Line Results
Sales in Arctic Cat’s all-terrain vehicle (ATV) business rose 19 percent to $69.7 million, up from $58.8 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to strong global demand from dealers and customers for the Wildcat side-by-side.
During the fiscal 2013 second quarter, Arctic Cat began shipping its new 2013 model year ATVs/ROVs. In addition to offering the Wildcat V-Twin 1000i H.O., the company introduced the new Wildcat 1000 Limited side-by-side, which offers upgraded styling features as part of a standard package. Arctic Cat’s new 2013 models also include five value-priced ATVs, such as the new 500 Core ATV. Additionally, the company introduced three new ATV packages – Limited, XT and CORE – to provide more optional features.
Commented Jordan: "Our entry into the growing sport ROV segment has gone exceptionally well with the Wildcat side-by-side. It is being well-received by enthusiasts and Wildcat sales year to date continue to meet our high expectations. We now have two Wildcat offerings in our portfolio and anticipate launching additional innovative products into this market segment."
Jordan added: "In August, we were excited to see the Wildcat 1000 named as the top pure sport ROV by a leading industry magazine, after the editors conducted a head-to-head ‘shootout’ comparison against the only competing pure sport side-by-side in the market."
Arctic Cat’s snowmobile sales in the fiscal 2013 second quarter rose 12 percent to $128.6 million, up from $114.7 million in the prior-year quarter. The company’s new 2013 model year snowmobiles have received numerous industry awards, including: Editor’s Choice for the F1100 Turbo RR (race-replica); Best High Performance for the F800 Sno Pro RR; and Best Crossover for the CrossTour 1100 Turbo.
Arctic Cat is building its 2013 model year snowmobiles on the new ProCross™ performance and ProClimb™ mountain chassis platforms, both of which offer innovative suspension, drive and braking technologies. In addition, during the fiscal 2013 second quarter, the company partnered with world champion snowmobile racer Tucker Hibbert to create a limited edition Tucker Hibbert race-replica model honed to high performance excellence and available to snowmobilers whose passion reflects the same race-winning attitude shared by Tucker Hibbert and Arctic Cat.
Arctic Cat’s new 2013 model year snowmobiles also include:
ProCross F Sno Pro RR (race-replica) sled, which features high-performance trail racing suspension and styling.
ProCross XF CrossTour, a crossover model that combines the best of snowmobile touring, trail and deep-snow capabilities. The CrossTour is available in either the 800 2-stroke, or the 1100 turbo and non-turbo 4-stroke engine. It offers riders trail performance and touring comfort with its wide ski stance, ample storage and a heavy-duty rear bumper that easily accepts accessories, such as an optional passenger seat.
Arctic Cat’s ProClimb M Series mountain snowmobiles also received further enhancements to performance and handling. The turbocharged M1100 four-stroke mountain model has 177 horsepower, making it the industry’s most powerful production engine available.
Arctic Cat remains committed to investing in research and development across its product lines, in order to remain an industry innovation leader and in anticipation of manufacturing its own snowmobile engines in fiscal 2015.
Sales of parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) in the fiscal 2013 second quarter were down 2 percent to $30.8 million versus $31.4 million in the prior-year quarter. While sales of Wildcat accessories and parts grew significantly in the quarter, snowmobile garment sales were down versus the prior-year period. Arctic Cat continues to anticipate increased PG&A sales for the fiscal 2013 full year.
Company Raises Fiscal 2013 Sales and Earnings Outlook
"Our strategies are working and we are on track to deliver the highest net earnings in Arctic Cat’s 50-year history for fiscal 2013," said Jordan. "We expect to continue generating higher revenue and earnings by developing innovative new products and entering new segments. We remain focused on new product development as an important catalyst to achieving our future growth goals."
