HF Foods Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

HF Foods Group (NASDAQ: HFFG), a leading distributor of international foodservice solutions to Asian restaurants, reported its Q1 2025 financial results. Net revenue increased 0.9% to $298.4 million, while gross profit rose 1.1% to $51.0 million, maintaining a gross margin of 17.1%. The company reported a net loss of $1.5 million, primarily due to unfavorable fair value changes in interest rate swap contracts, compared to a $0.6 million loss in Q1 2024. Adjusted EBITDA improved 12.3% to $9.8 million. Operating expenses were well-managed, representing 16.7% of net revenue. The company maintained strong liquidity with $16.1 million in cash and access to approximately $60.0 million through its credit line. Growth was achieved despite one fewer operation day and challenges including inflationary pressures and potential tariff-related cost increases.

Positive

• Adjusted EBITDA increased 12.3% to $9.8 million
• Net revenue grew 0.9% to $298.4 million
• Gross profit increased 1.1% to $51.0 million
• Operating expenses decreased by $0.7 million (1.4%) year-over-year
• Professional fees reduced by $1.6 million

Negative

• Net loss increased to $1.5 million from $0.6 million year-over-year
• Operating cash flow decreased to $6.9 million from $11.2 million
• Facing challenges from potential tariff-related cost increases
• Inflationary cost pressures affecting operations

Insights

Financial Analyst

HF Foods posted minimal growth with rising EBITDA but swung to a larger net loss due to non-cash interest rate impacts.

HF Foods' Q1 2025 performance reveals a company maintaining stability in challenging conditions, but with concerning elements beneath the surface. Net revenue grew marginally by 0.9% to $298.4 million, while gross profit rose 1.1% to $51 million with steady margins at 17.1%. Most notably, adjusted EBITDA increased 12.3% to $9.8 million, indicating some operational improvements.

However, the company's net loss widened to $1.5 million from $0.6 million in the prior year period, primarily due to unfavorable changes in interest rate swap contract valuations. This highlights HF Foods' vulnerability to interest rate fluctuations - a significant risk factor given the current monetary policy environment.

The company did reduce distribution, selling and administrative expenses by 1.4%, bringing them down to 16.7% of revenue from 17.1% last year. This was mainly achieved through a $1.6 million reduction in professional fees, partially offset by increases in payroll, insurance, rental and other expenses.

Cash flow dynamics show potential liquidity challenges emerging. Operating cash flow declined to $6.9 million from $11.2 million in the prior year period. Management attributes this to working capital timing, specifically increased accounts receivable from sales growth and strategic inventory builds to counter potential tariff increases. With $16.1 million in cash, $5 million in unpresented checks, and $60 million in additional credit line access, their current liquidity position appears adequate but bears watching.

The company's acknowledgment of "potential tariff-related cost increases" and "challenging external environment" signals caution about future margin pressure. While they've maintained pricing discipline so far, sustained inflationary pressures may eventually force difficult choices between preserving margins or maintaining volume.

Year over year growth in Net Revenue and Gross Profit

LAS VEGAS, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HF Foods Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HFFG) (“HF Foods” or the “Company”), a leading distributor of international foodservice solutions to Asian restaurants and other businesses across the United States, reported its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

• Net revenue increased 0.9% to $298.4 million compared to $295.7 million in the prior year period.

• Gross profit increased 1.1% to $51.0 million compared to $50.4 million in the prior year period. Gross profit margin remained consistent at 17.1% compared to the prior year period.

• Net loss of $1.5 million, mainly due to unfavorable fair value changes in interest rate swap contracts, compared to net loss of $0.6 million in the prior year period.

• Adjusted EBITDA increased 12.3% to $9.8 million compared to $8.7 million in the prior year period.

Management Commentary

Felix Lin, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to report that HF Foods delivered stable top-line growth in the first quarter of 2025, with net revenue increasing 0.9% year-over-year to $298.4 million. This performance reflects strength in our core customer base, continued expansion in wholesale, and pricing discipline, despite one fewer day of operations and inflationary cost pressures in the first quarter of 2025.

“Gross profit increased by $0.5 million year-over-year to $51.0 million, maintaining a 17.1% gross profit margin. We continue to navigate a challenging external environment that includes potential tariff-related cost increases within certain categories of our business.

“Operating expenses were well-managed, down slightly year over year, and represented 16.7% of net revenue. Net loss increased to $1.5 million, primarily driven by non-cash changes in interest rate swap contracts. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $9.8 million, reflecting the combined impact of external factors and the continued efforts of our business transformation initiatives.

“We remain focused on enhancing margins, streamlining operations, and executing strategic technology investments to support long-term profitability. While macroeconomic and trade policy dynamics remain fluid, we believe HF Foods is well positioned to deliver sustained growth through operational discipline, targeted customer growth, and an agile distribution network.”

First Quarter 2025 Results

Net revenue was $298.4 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to $295.7 million in the prior year period, an increase of $2.8 million, or 0.9%. This growth was achieved despite one fewer operation day compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to volume increases and improved pricing in Commodity, Meat & Poultry and Seafood, offset by a decrease in volume within other categories.

Gross profit was $51.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $50.4 million in the prior year period, an increase of $0.5 million, or 1.1%. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in margins in Commodity and Seafood during the quarter. Gross profit margin for the three months ended March 31, 2025, of 17.1% remained consistent compared to 17.1% in the same period in 2024.

Distribution, selling and administrative expenses decreased by $0.7 million, or 1.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to a decrease of $1.6 million in professional fees. Distribution, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 16.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, from 17.1% in the prior year period, primarily due to increased net revenue and lower professional fees, partially offset by increased payroll, insurance, rental and other expenses.

Net loss was $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to net loss of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in net loss was primarily driven by the change related to the fair value of interest rate swap contracts of $3.2 million partially offset by the change in income from operations of $1.2 million.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.1 million to $9.8 million compared to $8.7 million in the prior year, which was due to various items noted in the Adjusted EBITDA table below.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Cash provided by operating activities was $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $11.2 million in the prior year period. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to the timing of working capital outlays such as the increase of accounts receivable due to sales growth and inventory purchases to counter potential tariff increase partially offset by decreases in prepaid expenses. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had cash of $16.1 million, checks issued not presented for payment of $5.0 million and access to approximately $60.0 million in additional funds through the $125.0 million line of credit, subject to a borrowing base calculation. The Company has funded working capital and other capital requirements primarily by cash flow from operations and bank loans. Cash is required to pay purchase costs for inventory, salaries, fuel and trucking expenses, selling expenses, rental expenses, income taxes, other operating expenses and to service debts.

Earnings Call and Webcast

A pre-recorded call and webcast with HF Foods’ management team discussing the Company’s first quarter 2025 financial results is now available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://investors.hffoodsgroup.com/.

About HF Foods Group Inc.

HF Foods Group Inc. is a leading marketer and distributor of fresh produce, frozen and dry food, and non-food products to primarily Asian restaurants and other foodservice customers throughout the United States. HF Foods aims to supply the increasing demand for Asian American restaurant cuisine, leveraging its nationwide network of distribution centers and its strong relations with growers and suppliers of fresh, high-quality specialty restaurant food products and supplies in the US and Asia. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, HF Foods trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “HFFG”. For more information, please visit www.hffoodsgroup.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

ICR

Investors: Anna Kate Heller

Media: Keil Decker

hffoodsgroup@icrinc.com

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this news release other than statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and contain our current expectations about our future results. We have attempted to identify any forward-looking statements by using words such as “aims,” “continues,” “expects,” “plans,” “will,” and other similar expressions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in all of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results, events or financial positions to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to our ability to consummate our operational transformation plan as anticipated, risks relating to the impact of our operational plan on our sales and efficiencies, risks relating to the impact of demographic trends on demand for the products we distribute, risks related to potential increases in tariff-related costs, statements of assumption underlying any of the foregoing, and other factors including those disclosed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Discussion of our financial results includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. and non-GAAP EPS (“earnings per share”), that we believe provides an additional tool for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our financial performance with other companies in the same industry, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. The definitions of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. and non-GAAP EPS may not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies in the industry. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. and non-GAAP EPS are not defined under GAAP and are subject to important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP.

We use non-GAAP financial measures to supplement our GAAP financial results. Management uses EBITDA, defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization to measure operating performance. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA, defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude certain unusual, non-cash, or non-recurring expenses. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is less susceptible to variances in actual performance resulting from non-recurring expenses, and other non-cash charges, provides useful information for our investors and is more reflective of other factors that affect our operating performance.

We believe non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. and non-GAAP EPS are useful measures of operating performance because these measures exclude certain items not reflective of our core operating performance. Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. is defined as net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. adjusted for amortization of intangibles, change in fair value of interest rate swaps, stock based compensation, transaction related costs, transformational project costs and certain unusual, non-cash, or non-recurring expenses. We believe that non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. and non-GAAP EPS facilitates period-over-period comparisons and provides additional clarity for investors to better evaluate our operating results. We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to HF Foods Group Inc. and non-GAAP EPS in order to provide supplemental information that we consider relevant for the readers of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in its reports filed with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and such information is not meant to replace or supersede U.S. GAAP measures. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the schedules attached to this press release.

HF FOODS GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
		March 31, 2025				December 31, 2024
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash		$	16,099			$	14,467
Accounts receivable, net			58,137				54,346
Inventories			106,048				97,783
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			7,842				11,507
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			188,126				178,103
Property and equipment, net			160,412				149,572
Operating lease right-of-use assets			29,266				13,944
Long-term investments			2,327				2,350
Customer relationships, net			133,973				136,615
Trademarks, trade names and other intangibles, net			23,683				24,911
Goodwill			38,815				38,815
Other long-term assets			5,248				5,681
TOTAL ASSETS		$	581,850			$	549,991
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Checks issued not presented for payment		$	4,991			$	5,687
Line of credit			58,594				57,483
Accounts payable			62,634				50,644
Current portion of long-term debt, net			5,410				5,410
Current portion of obligations under finance leases			5,808				3,797
Current portion of obligations under operating leases			4,294				4,177
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			15,883				18,001
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			157,614				145,199
Long-term debt, net of current portion			101,967				103,324
Obligations under finance leases, non-current			26,605				19,929
Obligations under operating leases, non-current			25,637				10,125
Deferred tax liabilities			28,308				29,392
Other long-term liabilities			1,581				728
TOTAL LIABILITIES			341,712				308,697
Commitments and contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock			—				—
Common stock			5				5
Treasury stock			(7,750	)			(7,750	)
Additional paid-in capital			604,609				604,235
Accumulated deficit			(358,844	)			(357,199	)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO HF FOODS GROUP INC.			238,020				239,291
Noncontrolling interests			2,118				2,003
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY			240,138				241,294
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	581,850			$	549,991

HF FOODS GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2025				2024
Net revenue		$	298,428			$	295,654
Cost of revenue			247,469				245,243
Gross profit			50,959				50,411
Distribution, selling and administrative expenses			49,805				50,496
Income (loss) from operations			1,154				(85	)
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense			2,609				2,834
Other income, net			(177	)			(94	)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts			1,184				(1,970	)
Lease guarantee income			—				(115	)
Total other expenses (income), net			3,616				655
Loss before income taxes			(2,462	)			(740	)
Income tax benefit			(932	)			(181	)
Net loss			(1,530	)			(559	)
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests			115				135
Net loss attributable to HF Foods Group Inc.		$	(1,645	)		$	(694	)
Loss per common share - basic		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.01	)
Loss per common share - diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.01	)
Weighted average shares - basic			52,737,650				52,155,968
Weighted average shares - diluted			52,737,650				52,155,968

HF FOODS GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2025				2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(1,530	)		$	(559	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense			6,758				6,676
Provision (credit) for expected credit losses			619				(40	)
Deferred tax benefit			(1,084	)			(471	)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts			1,184				(1,970	)
Stock-based compensation			374				738
Non-cash lease expense			1,220				935
Lease guarantee income			—				(115	)
Other non-cash (income) expense			(129	)			39
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(4,314	)			(2,141	)
Accounts receivable - related parties			(96	)			13
Inventories			(8,265	)			(2,290	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			3,665				782
Other long-term assets			283				368
Checks issued not presented for payment			(696	)			4,169
Accounts payable			11,653				6,074
Accounts payable - related parties			337				(254	)
Operating lease liabilities			(913	)			(897	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			(2,118	)			167
Net cash provided by operating activities			6,948				11,224
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment			(3,574	)			(2,585	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			10				—
Net cash used in investing activities			(3,564	)			(2,585	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit			315,008				345,697
Repayment of line of credit			(313,714	)			(349,082	)
Repayment of long-term debt			(1,366	)			(1,414	)
Payment of debt financing costs			(213	)			—
Repayment of obligations under finance leases			(1,467	)			(857	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(1,752	)			(5,656	)
Net decrease in cash			1,632				2,983
Cash at beginning of the period			14,467				15,232
Cash at end of the period		$	16,099			$	18,215

HF FOODS GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2025				2024			Change
Net loss		$	(1,530	)		$	(559	)		$	(971	)
Interest expense			2,609				2,834				(225	)
Income tax benefit			(932	)			(181	)			(751	)
Depreciation and amortization			6,758				6,676				82
EBITDA			6,905				8,770				(1,865	)
Lease guarantee income			—				(115	)			115
Change in fair value of interest rate swap contracts			1,184				(1,970	)			3,154
Stock-based compensation expense			374				738				(364	)
Business transformation costs (1)			237				973				(736	)
Other non-routine expense (2)			100				306				(206	)
Executive transition and organizational redesign (3)			973				—				973
Adjusted EBITDA		$	9,773			$	8,702			$	1,071
________________
(1) Represents costs associated with the launch of strategic projects including supply chain management improvements and technology infrastructure initiatives.
(2) Includes contested proxy and related legal and consulting costs and facility closure costs.
(3) Includes severance and related expenses for the Company’s transition of executive officers and organizational redesign.

HF FOODS GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HF FOODS GROUP INC.
TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME AND NON-GAAP EPS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HF FOODS GROUP INC.
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
The following tables present our non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS for the three months March 31, 2025 and 2024 respectively, as well as reconciliations of each measure to their nearest GAAP equivalents:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
			2025				2024			Change
Net loss attributable to HF Foods Group Inc.		$	(1,645	)		$	(694	)		$	(951	)
Amortization of intangibles			3,870				4,070				(200	)
Lease guarantee income			—				(115	)			115
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps			1,184				(1,970	)			3,154
Stock-based compensation expense			374				738				(364	)
Business transformation costs (1)			237				973				(736	)
Other non-routine expense (2)			100				306				(206	)
Executive transition and organizational redesign (3)			973				—				973
Aggregate adjustment for income taxes (4)			(1,617	)			(980	)			(637	)
Non-GAAP net income attributable to HF Foods Group Inc.		$	3,476			$	2,328			$	1,148
GAAP diluted loss per common share attributable to HF Foods		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.01	)			(0.02	)
EPS difference (5)			0.10				0.05				0.05
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share attributable to HF Foods (5)		$	0.07			$	0.04				0.03
Non-GAAP diluted weighted average number of shares (in thousands) (5)			52,992				52,746
________________
(1) Represents costs associated with the launch of strategic projects including supply chain management improvements and technology infrastructure initiatives.
(2) Includes contested proxy and related legal and consulting costs and facility closure costs.
(3) Includes severance and related expenses for the Company’s transition of executive officers and organizational redesign.
(4) Represents the adjustments to the tax provision values to a normalized annual effective tax rate on adjusted pretax earnings, excluding permanent items, using 24.0% for the first quarters of 2025 and 2024.
(5) EPS difference and diluted non-GAAP earnings per share are calculated by dividing our non-GAAP net income attributable to HF Foods by our non-GAAP diluted weighted average number of shares.

FAQ

What were HF Foods (HFFG) key financial metrics for Q1 2025?

In Q1 2025, HF Foods reported net revenue of $298.4 million (+0.9% YoY), gross profit of $51.0 million (+1.1% YoY), and Adjusted EBITDA of $9.8 million (+12.3% YoY). The company posted a net loss of $1.5 million.

Why did HF Foods (HFFG) report a larger net loss in Q1 2025?

HF Foods' increased net loss of $1.5 million in Q1 2025 was primarily driven by unfavorable fair value changes in interest rate swap contracts of $3.2 million, partially offset by improved income from operations.

What is HF Foods' (HFFG) current liquidity position as of Q1 2025?

As of March 31, 2025, HF Foods had $16.1 million in cash, $5.0 million in checks issued not presented, and access to approximately $60.0 million in additional funds through a $125.0 million line of credit.

What are the main challenges facing HF Foods (HFFG) in 2025?

HF Foods is facing challenges including inflationary cost pressures, potential tariff-related cost increases in certain business categories, and a challenging external environment affecting operations.

How did HF Foods' (HFFG) operating expenses perform in Q1 2025?

Operating expenses decreased by $0.7 million (1.4%) year-over-year, representing 16.7% of net revenue, down from 17.1% in the prior year, primarily due to reduced professional fees.