Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Reports 2023 Diluted Earnings of $2.71 Per Share and Declares Dividend of 23¢ Per Share
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (RGR) reported a decrease in net sales and diluted earnings for 2023 compared to 2022. The company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of 23¢ per share for the fourth quarter. CEO Christopher J. Killoy highlighted challenges faced due to soft consumer demand but expressed optimism for 2024 with new product launches and reduced inventories. The company celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2024 with special commemorative firearms. Despite a decline in profitability in 2023, the company maintained a debt-free balance sheet and strong cash position.
Positive
Net sales and diluted earnings decreased in 2023 compared to 2022.
Board of Directors declared a dividend of 23¢ per share for the fourth quarter.
CEO highlighted challenges due to soft consumer demand but expressed optimism for 2024.
Company celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2024 with special commemorative firearms.
Company maintained a debt-free balance sheet and strong cash position.
Negative
9% reduction in sales from the prior year due to soft consumer demand.
Profitability declined in 2023 as gross margin decreased from 30% to 25%.
Unfavorable deleveraging of fixed costs and inflationary cost increases impacted profitability.
Finished goods inventory increased while distributor inventories decreased in 2023.
Lower margin driven by various factors including increased promotional costs.
The reported decrease in net sales and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. reflects a challenging economic environment marked by inflationary pressures and rising interest rates. The 9% reduction in annual sales and the decline in gross margin from 30% to 25% suggest the company is facing increased costs and potentially a shift in consumer spending. The reduction in production and sales, coupled with inflationary costs in materials and services, has led to unfavorable deleveraging of fixed costs. However, the company's strategy to manage promotions prudently and focus on long-term growth rather than short-term gains is noteworthy. The increase in cash and short-term investments to $117.7 million and the maintenance of a debt-free balance sheet provides financial stability, which is significant in weathering economic downturns. The return of $122.6 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks indicates a strong commitment to shareholder value, despite the challenging year.
Sturm, Ruger & Company's product mix and introduction of new firearms are strategic moves to stimulate market interest and counteract soft consumer demand. The launch of commemorative firearms for their 75th Anniversary and the introduction of new products like the Ruger American Rifle Generation II and the LC Carbine demonstrate the company's continued innovation and adaptation to market trends. The increase in new product sales to 23% of firearm sales in 2023, up from 14% in 2022, is a positive indicator of successful product launches and market acceptance. However, the greater reduction in sell-through compared to the adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks suggests competitive pressures, as competitors' aggressive promotions could be impacting Ruger's market share. Monitoring consumer response to new product lines and competitive actions will be critical for Ruger's market positioning and sales performance in the upcoming year.
The financial results of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. are reflective of broader economic trends, including inflation and interest rate hikes, which typically lead to reduced consumer spending on discretionary items such as firearms. The company's acknowledgment of these macroeconomic challenges and their impact on consumer demand provides insight into the sector's sensitivity to economic cycles. Despite these headwinds, Sturm, Ruger & Company's disciplined approach to inventory management, as evidenced by the reduction of distributor inventories, positions them well to respond to changes in demand without the burden of excess supply. Additionally, the company's strong liquidity ratio, with a current ratio of 4.3 to 1, suggests a robust capacity to meet short-term obligations, which is particularly advantageous in uncertain economic conditions.
02/21/2024 - 05:05 PM
SOUTHPORT, Conn. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) announced today that for 2023 the Company reported net sales of $543.8 million and diluted earnings of $2.71 per share, compared with net sales of $595.8 million and diluted earnings of $4.96 per share in 2022.
For the fourth quarter of 2023, net sales were $130.6 million and diluted earnings were 58¢ per share. For the corresponding period in 2022, net sales were $149.2 million and diluted earnings were $1.06 per share.
The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of 23¢ per share for the fourth quarter for stockholders of record as of March 15, 2024, payable on March 28, 2024. This dividend varies every quarter because the Company pays a percentage of earnings rather than a fixed amount per share. This dividend is approximately 40% of net income.
Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Killoy commented on the financial results for the year, “Consumer demand remained soft in 2023, likely dampened by inflationary pressures and rising interest rates, leading to a 9% reduction in sales from the prior year. Nevertheless, we remained disciplined and continued to focus on the long-term – reducing production levels where appropriate and offering only modest promotions on select product families, resisting the temptation to enhance short-term results at the expense of our long-term strategy. Encouraged by our increased quarterly sales and profitability in the fourth quarter, we enter 2024 with a strong, debt-free balance sheet, reduced inventories at our independent distributors, and a full pipeline of new products recently launched into the market and others still under development.”
Mr. Killoy continued, “We are celebrating Ruger’s 75th Anniversary in 2024. To honor our proud heritage, we are offering commemorative firearms that will only be available this year, all of which are engraved with our 75th Anniversary logo:
A special tribute to Bill Ruger’s first pistol, which launched the Company in 1949, a Mark IV target pistol, featuring a fully adjustable rear sight, an undercut Patridge front sight, and a heavy, tapered barrel,
A pair of 10/22 Sporter rimfire carbines, each featuring a stainless steel barrel, silver-finished receiver, polished bolt, and match-sanded butt pad, and
An LCP MAX double-stack, ten-round pistol, featuring a stainless steel slide and a silver-anodized aluminum trigger.
Also, several special, limited production, editions of other products will be released throughout the year. The first of these is the Diamond Anniversary Limited Edition 1911 Pistol, which features an attractive, finely detailed, laser-engraved slide.”
Mr. Killoy remarked, “In addition to these 75th Anniversary models, we have recently introduced several new products that have been met with strong demand and excitement:
Ruger American Rifle Generation II, our first update to the American Rifle, which has been tremendously popular since its introduction in 2012. The Generation II models feature a three-position tang safety, a more ergonomic stock, and a spiral fluted barrel.
The 60th Anniversary 10/22 Carbine, the Sixth Edition of the Ruger Collector's Series, features a stainless steel barrel and silver-finished receiver paired with a Gray Magpul Hunter X-22 stock, a blackened bolt laser engraved with a unique 60th Anniversary marking, and a red bolt handle and trigger,
The Mini-14 with side-folding stock, reminiscent of classic side-folding Mini-14 rifles originally produced in the late-1970s, and
The LC Carbine chambered in .45 Auto featuring a threaded barrel, adjustable folding stock, Ruger Rapid Deploy folding sights, and ambidextrous controls.”
Mr. Killoy made the following observations related to the Company’s 2023 performance:
The estimated unit sell-through of the Company’s products from the independent distributors to retailers decreased 7% in 2023 compared to the prior year period. For the same period, NICS background checks, as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, decreased 4% . The greater reduction in the sell-through of the Company’s products relative to adjusted NICS background checks may be attributable to aggressive promotions, discounts, rebates, and the extension of payment terms offered by our competitors.
Sales of new products, including the MAX-9 pistol, Security-380 pistol, Super Wrangler revolver, LCP MAX pistol, Marlin lever-action rifles, LC Carbine, Small-Frame Autoloading Rifle, and American Centerfire Rifle Generation II represented $121.7 million or 23% of firearm sales in 2023, an increase from $78.4 million or 14% of sales in 2022. New product sales include only major new products that were introduced in the past two years.
Our profitability declined in 2023 from 2022 as our gross margin decreased from 30% to 25% . The lower margin was driven by unfavorable deleveraging of fixed costs resulting from decreased production and sales, inflationary cost increases in materials, commodities, services, wages, energy, fuel, and transportation, a product mix shift toward products with relatively lower margins that remain in stronger demand, and increased promotional costs, which were partially offset by increased pricing.
In 2023, the Company’s finished goods inventory increased 30,700 units and distributor inventories of the Company’s products decreased 39,100 units.
Cash provided by operations during 2023 was $33.9 million . At December 31, 2023, our cash and short-term investments totaled $117.7 million . Our current ratio is 4.3 to 1 and we have no debt.
In 2023, capital expenditures totaled $15.8 million related to new product introductions and upgrades to our manufacturing equipment and facilities. In 2024, the Company expects capital expenditures to approximate $15 million .
In 2023, the Company returned $122.6 million to its shareholders through:
the payment of $110.8 million of dividends, including a $5.00 per share special dividend paid in January 2023, and
the repurchase of 264,062 shares of its common stock in the open market at an average price of $44.71 per share, for a total of $11.8 million .
At December 31, 2023, stockholders’ equity was $331.7 million , which equates to a book value of $19.00 per share, of which $6.74 per share was cash and short-term investments.
Today, the Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023. The financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are attached to this press release.
On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Sturm, Ruger will host a webcast at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss the fourth quarter and year-end 2023 operating results. Interested parties can listen to the webcast via this link or by visiting Ruger.com/corporate . Those who wish to ask questions during the webcast will need to pre-register prior to the meeting.
The Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2023 is available on the SEC website at SEC.gov and the Ruger website at Ruger.com/corporate . Investors are urged to read the complete Annual Report on Form 10-K to ensure that they have adequate information to make informed investment judgments.
About Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. With products made in America, Ruger offers consumers almost 800 variations of more than 40 product lines, across both the Ruger and Marlin brands. For 75 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. Our motto, “Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens® ,” echoes our commitment to these principles as we work hard to deliver quality and innovative firearms.
The Company may, from time to time, make forward-looking statements and projections concerning future expectations. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to certain qualifying risks and uncertainties, such as market demand, sales levels of firearms, anticipated castings sales and earnings, the need for external financing for operations or capital expenditures, the results of pending litigation against the Company, the impact of future firearms control and environmental legislation, and accounting estimates, any one or more of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such forward-looking statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent unanticipated events.
STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
December 31,
2023
2022
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
15,174
$
65,173
Short-term investments
102,485
159,132
Trade receivables, net
59,864
65,449
Gross inventories
150,192
129,294
Less LIFO reserve
(64,262
)
(59,489
)
Less excess and obsolescence reserve
(6,120
)
(4,812
)
Net inventories
79,810
64,993
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
14,062
7,091
Total Current Assets
271,395
361,838
Property, plant and equipment
462,397
447,126
Less allowances for depreciation
(390,863
)
(370,273
)
Net property, plant and equipment
71,534
76,853
Deferred income taxes
11,976
6,109
Other assets
43,912
39,963
Total Assets
$
398,817
$
484,763
STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
December 31,
2023
2022
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
31,708
$
35,658
Dividends payable
-
88,343
Contract liabilities with customers
149
1,031
Product liability
634
235
Employee compensation and benefits
24,660
30,160
Workers’ compensation
6,044
6,469
Income taxes payable
-
1,171
Total Current Liabilities
63,195
163,067
Lease liability
2,170
3,039
Employee compensation
1,685
1,846
Product liability accrual
46
73
Contingent liabilities
-
-
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, non-voting, par value $1 :
Authorized shares – 50,000; none issued
Common stock, par value $1 :
Authorized shares – 40,000,000
2023 – 24,437,020 issued,
17,458,620 outstanding
2022 – 24,378,568 issued,
17,664,230 outstanding
24,437
24,378
Additional paid-in capital
46,849
45,075
Retained earnings
418,058
393,097
Less: Treasury stock – at cost
2023 – 6,978,400 shares
2022 – 6,714,338 shares
(157,623
)
(145,812
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
331,721
316,738
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
398,817
$
484,763
STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
Net firearms sales
$
540,746
$
593,289
$
728,141
Net castings sales
3,021
2,553
2,595
Total net sales
543,767
595,842
730,736
Cost of products sold
410,148
415,757
451,179
Gross profit
133,619
180,085
279,557
Operating Expenses (Incomes):
Selling
38,788
36,114
33,259
General and administrative
42,752
40,551
43,289
Other operating income, net
(5
)
(36
)
(127
)
Total operating expenses
81,535
76,629
76,421
Operating income
52,084
103,456
203,136
Other income:
Royalty income
658
837
1,975
Interest income
5,465
2,552
49
Interest expense
(205
)
(256
)
(164
)
Other income, net
822
1,690
1,598
Total other income, net
6,740
4,823
3,458
Income before income taxes
58,824
108,279
206,594
Income taxes
10,609
19,947
50,695
Net income and comprehensive income
$
48,215
$
88,332
$
155,899
Basic Earnings Per Share
$
2.73
$
5.00
$
8.87
Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
2.71
$
4.96
$
8.78
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic
17,676,955
17,648,850
17,585,604
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Diluted
17,811,218
17,793,348
17,757,834
Cash Dividends Per Share
$
6.27
$
2.42
$
3.36
STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2023
2022
2021
Operating Activities
Net income
$
48,215
$
88,332
$
155,899
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities, net of effects of acquisition:
Depreciation and amortization
22,383
25,789
26,152
Stock-based compensation
3,989
1,671
8,280
Excess and obsolescence inventory reserve
1,308
501
953
Gain on sale of assets
(5
)
(36
)
(127
)
Deferred income taxes
(5,867
)
(5,573
)
994
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables
5,585
(8,413
)
840
Inventories
(16,125
)
(21,644
)
(15,726
)
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses
(4,406
)
(640
)
(392
)
Contract liability with customers
(882
)
1,031
(84
)
Employee compensation and benefits
(6,469
)
(3,420
)
(5,433
)
Product liability
372
(584
)
(234
)
Prepaid expenses, other assets and other liabilities
(13,026
)
(954
)
1,217
Income taxes receivable/payable
(1,171
)
1,171
-
Cash provided by operating activities
33,901
77,231
172,339
Investing Activities
Property, plant and equipment additions
(15,796
)
(27,730
)
(28,776
)
Purchases of short-term investments
(192,627
)
(365,480
)
(681,940
)
Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments
249,274
406,319
602,976
Net proceeds from sale of assets
5
100
203
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities
40,856
13,209
(107,537
)
Financing Activities
Dividends paid
(110,789
)
(42,718
)
(59,104
)
Repurchase of common stock
(11,811
)
(222
)
-
Payment of employee withholding tax related to share-based compensation
(2,156
)
(3,371
)
(4,801
)
Cash used for financing activities
(124,756
)
(46,311
)
(63,905
)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(49,999
)
44,129
897
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
65,173
21,044
20,147
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
15,174
$
65,173
$
21,044
Non-GAAP Financial Measure
In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding its results, the Company refers to various United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures and two non-GAAP financial measures, EBITDA and EBITDA margin, which management believes provides useful information to investors. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures being disclosed by other companies. In addition, the Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that EBITDA and EBITDA margin are useful to understanding its operating results and the ongoing performance of its underlying business, as EBITDA provides information on the Company’s ability to meet its capital expenditure and working capital requirements, and is also an indicator of profitability. The Company believes that this reporting provides better transparency and comparability to its operating results. The Company uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate its financial performance.
Non-GAAP Reconciliation – EBITDA
EBITDA
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
2023
2022
Net income
$
48,215
$
88,332
Income tax expense
10,609
19,947
Depreciation and amortization expense
22,383
25,789
Interest expense
205
256
Interest income
(5,465
)
(2,552
)
EBITDA
$
75,947
$
131,772
EBITDA margin
14.0
%
22.1
%
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. The Company calculates this by adding the amount of interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization expenses that have been deducted from net income back into net income, and subtracting the amount of interest income that was included in net income from net income to arrive at EBITDA. The Company’s EBITDA calculation also excludes any one-time non-cash, non-operating expense.
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Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
One Lacey Place
Southport, CT 06890
www.ruger.com
203-259-7843
Source: Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.
What were Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.'s net sales and diluted earnings for 2023?
The company reported net sales of $543.8 million and diluted earnings of $2.71 per share for 2023.
What was the dividend declared by the Board of Directors for the fourth quarter?
The Board declared a dividend of 23¢ per share for the fourth quarter.
How did the company's profitability change in 2023 compared to 2022?
The company's profitability declined in 2023 from 2022 as the gross margin decreased from 30% to 25%.