~ Global sales of maintenance products grow 8 percent for fiscal year compared to prior year period ~

~ Management provides fiscal year 2023 guidance ~

WD-40 Company (NASDAQ:WDFC), a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

Financial Highlights and Summary

• Total net sales for the fourth quarter were $130.4 million, an increase of 13 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. For the full fiscal year, total net sales were $518.8 million, an increase of 6 percent compared to the prior fiscal year.
• Translation of the Company’s foreign subsidiary results to U.S. dollars had an unfavorable impact on sales for the current quarter and full fiscal year. On a constant currency basis, total net sales would have been $137.1 million for the fourth quarter and $527.1 million for the full fiscal year.
• Net income for the fourth quarter was $14.8 million, an increase of 77 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. For the full fiscal year, net income was $67.3 million, a decrease of 4 percent from the prior fiscal year. On a constant currency basis, total net income would have been $15.5 million for the fourth quarter and $68.1 million for the full fiscal year.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.08 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.61 per share for the prior year fiscal quarter. For the full fiscal year, diluted earnings per share were $4.90 compared to $5.09 in the prior fiscal year.
• Gross margin was 47.4 percent in the fourth quarter compared to 51.2 percent in the prior year fiscal quarter. For the full fiscal year, gross margin was 49.1 percent compared to 54.0 percent in the prior fiscal year.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were down 11 percent in the fourth quarter to $31.8 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the full fiscal year were down 5 percent to $138.7 million compared to the prior fiscal year.
• Advertising and sales promotion expenses were down 2 percent in the fourth quarter to $10.1 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Advertising and sales promotion expenses for the full fiscal year were down 2 percent to $27.3 million compared to the prior fiscal year.

“Fiscal year 2022 was a challenging year dominated by inflation, geopolitical tensions, currency headwinds, and continuing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Steve Brass, WD-40 Company’s president and chief executive officer. “We learned to expect the unexpected this fiscal year and are a better prepared and more agile organization because of the challenges we’ve faced. We are pleased we were able to achieve solid topline growth of our maintenance products in this volatile environment, including 8 percent growth of WD-40 Multi-Use Product and 19 percent growth of WD-40 Specialist.

“Unfortunately, gross margin was the Achilles heel of fiscal year 2022. The current inflationary environment has severely disrupted our ability to achieve our 55 percent gross margin target over the near-term. However, we are beginning to see evidence that the gross margin restoration plan we put into place earlier this fiscal year is working. While it might take some time, we are committed to taking the necessary actions to restore our gross margin to 55 percent over the long-term.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank our tribemates for their relentless commitment during these challenging times. Our tribemates are the secret to our success. They are our competitive advantage and a critical multiplier of our strategic effectiveness. They will enable us to drive progress and sustain success so that we will thrive in the future,” concluded Brass. 

• Net sales by segment as a percent of total net sales for the fourth quarter were as follows: for the Americas, 52 percent; for EMEA, 34 percent; and for Asia-Pacific, 14 percent.
• Net sales in the Americas increased 25 percent in the fourth quarter primarily due to higher sales in the United States and Latin America which increased 16 percent and 79 percent, respectively. In the United States, sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product and WD-40 Specialist were up 12 percent and 73 percent, respectively. The sales increase of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the United States was due to the timing of promotional programs, the impact of price increases, and the continued strength in the industrial channel. The sales increase of WD-40 Specialist in the United States was due primarily to greater product availability as a result of improvements the Company made to its United States supply chain. In Latin America, sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product were up 84 percent due to certain customers purchasing product in advance of planned price increases and the continued momentum in our direct market in Mexico. In Canada, maintenance product sales were up 41 percent due to strong sales of both WD-40 Multi-Use Product and WD-40 Specialist.
• Net sales in EMEA decreased 3 percent in the fourth quarter primarily due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for the EMEA segment from period to period. On a constant currency basis, sales for the fourth quarter would have increased by 10 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter primarily due to higher sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product and WD-40 Specialist within certain of EMEA’s direct and distributor markets. Also negatively impacting our net sales in the fourth quarter were lower sales of homecare and cleaning products compared to the prior year period. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in strong demand for homecare and cleaning products in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 which was not repeated during the current year fiscal quarter.
• Net sales in Asia-Pacific increased 18 percent in the fourth quarter primarily due to a 64 percent increase in sales in the Asia distributor markets which were partially offset by a 21 percent decline in sales in China. Sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the Asia distributor markets, increased 66 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Severe lockdown measures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted on June 1, 2022, which resulted in strong sales in the Asia distributor markets in the fourth quarter. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for the Asia-Pacific segment from period to period. On a constant currency basis, Asia-Pacific sales for the fourth quarter would have increased by 22 percent, compared to the prior year fiscal period.

• Net sales of maintenance products, which are considered the primary growth focus for the Company, increased 17 percent in the fourth quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. This sales growth was primarily attributable to increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product within the Americas and Asia distributor markets and WD-40 Specialist in the Unites States.
• Net sales of homecare and cleaning products decreased 22 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. The homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., are considered harvest brands providing healthy profit returns to the Company and are becoming a smaller part of the business as net sales of multi-purpose maintenance products grow per the execution of the Company’s strategic initiatives.

Dividend and Share Repurchases

As previously announced, the Company’s Board of Directors declared on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, a quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share payable October 31, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on October 21, 2022.

On October 12, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan which became effective on November 1, 2021. Under the plan the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2023. The timing and amount of repurchases will be based on terms and conditions acceptable to the Company and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. During fiscal year 2022, the Company repurchased 138,562 shares at an average price of $210.39 per share, for a total cost of $29.2 million under this $75.0 million plan.

Fiscal Year 2023 Guidance

The Company issued the following guidance for fiscal year 2023:

• Net sales growth is projected to be between 5 and 10 percent with net sales expected to be between $545 million and $570 million.
• Gross margin percentage for the full year is expected to be between 51 and 53 percent.
• Advertising and promotion investments are projected to be between 5.0 and 6.0 percent of net sales.
• The provision for income tax is expected to be around 22 percent.
• Net income is projected to be between $69.0 million and $71.0 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $5.09 and $5.24 based on an estimated 13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This guidance is expressed in good faith and is based on management’s current view of anticipated results. Net sales guidance was calculated using recent foreign currency exchange rates and reflects currency headwinds of approximately 5 percent. This guidance does not include any future acquisitions or divestitures. Unanticipated inflationary headwinds, COVID-19 related disruptions, and other unforeseen events may further impact the Company’s financial results.

Webcast Information

As previously announced, management will host a live webcast at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT today to discuss these results. Other forward-looking and material information may also be discussed during this call. Please visit http://investor.wd40company.com for more information and to view supporting materials.

About WD-40 Company

WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories, and homes around the world. The Company owns a wide range of well-known brands that include maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products: WD-40_® Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist_®, 3-IN-ONE_®, GT85_®, 2000 Flushes_®, no vac_®, 1001_®, Spot Shot_®, Lava_®, Solvol_®, X-14_®, and Carpet Fresh_®.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, USA, WD-40 Company recorded net sales of $518.8 million in fiscal year 2022 and its products are currently available in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide. WD-40 Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “WDFC.” For additional information about WD-40 Company please visit http://www.wd40company.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements reflect the Company’s current expectations with respect to currently available operating, financial and economic information. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate” and similar expressions.

Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results, including: growth expectations for maintenance products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; anticipated input costs for manufacturing and the costs associated with distribution of our products; plans for and success of product innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales; anticipated results from product line extension sales; expected tax rates and the impact of tax legislation and regulatory action; the length and severity of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy and our financial results; changes in the political conditions or relations between the United States and other nations; the impacts from inflationary trends and supply chain constraints; and forecasted foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices.

The Company's expectations, beliefs and forecasts are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the Company's expectations, beliefs or forecasts will be achieved or accomplished. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations as of October 19, 2022. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements.

Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in Part I―Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, which the Company expects to file with the SEC on October 24, 2022.

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