Superior Group of Companies Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Superior Group of Companies (SGC) reported its Q1 2025 financial results with net sales of $137.1 million, slightly down from $138.8 million in Q1 2024. The company posted a net loss of ($0.8) million or ($0.05) per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.9 million or $0.24 per diluted share in the prior year. EBITDA decreased to $3.5 million from $9.6 million.

Due to heightened macro uncertainty, SGC revised its 2025 revenue outlook to $550-575 million, down from previous guidance of $585-595 million, and withdrew its EPS guidance of $0.75-0.82. The company continues its shareholder returns through a $0.14 quarterly dividend and share repurchases, having bought back 294,000 shares for $3.8 million in Q1, with $16.3 million remaining in the authorization.

Positive

• Maintained quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share
• Completed $10 million share repurchase plan with $16.3 million still authorized
• Strong balance sheet position reported by management
• Sales remained relatively stable year-over-year ($137.1M vs $138.8M)

Negative

• Net loss of ($0.8) million vs $3.9 million profit in Q1 2024
• EBITDA declined significantly to $3.5 million from $9.6 million YoY
• Lowered 2025 revenue guidance to $550-575M from $585-595M
• Withdrew full-year 2025 EPS guidance of $0.75-0.82
• Reported elevated client uncertainty since early April

Insights

Financial Analyst

SGC swung to a Q1 loss, withdrew earnings guidance, and faces deteriorating conditions despite maintaining dividends and buybacks.

Superior Group's Q1 2025 results reveal a dramatic shift from profitability to loss. While net sales decreased marginally by 1.2% to $137.1 million, the company swung from $3.9 million net income in Q1 2024 to a $0.8 million loss. Most concerning is the 63.5% collapse in EBITDA from $9.6 million to just $3.5 million, indicating severe margin compression from 6.9% to 2.6%.

The company's decision to withdraw its full-year EPS guidance while simultaneously lowering revenue expectations from $585-595 million to $550-575 million signals significant uncertainty about cost controls and profitability. Management's reference to conditions worsening since early April suggests Q2 might show further deterioration not yet reflected in these results.

Despite operational challenges, SGC has maintained its $0.14 quarterly dividend and accelerated share repurchases, completing a $10 million buyback program with $16.3 million remaining in authorization. This raises questions about capital allocation priorities during a downturn – they're paying dividends despite losing money and buying back shares while operations deteriorate.

Management's assertion of a "strong balance sheet" lacks supporting metrics in this release but suggests some financial flexibility. Their expense reduction initiatives will be critical, as the current trajectory is clearly unsustainable – maintaining shareholder returns while operations swing to losses creates mounting pressure on cash reserves if conditions don't improve quickly.

– Total net sales of $137.1 million versus $138.8 million in prior year first quarter –
– Net (loss) income of ($0.8) million versus $3.9 million in prior year first quarter –
– EBITDA of $3.5 million versus $9.6 million in prior year first quarter –
– Continues to execute on stock repurchase plan –
– Board of Directors approves $0.14 per share quarterly dividend –

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGC) (the “Company”), today announced its first quarter 2025 results.

“We generated sales similar to last year’s levels despite widespread client uncertainty that has become even more elevated since early April,” said Michael Benstock, Chief Executive Officer. “Given the widely noted challenging macro environment, we are leveraging our experience, abilities and resources to proactively reduce expenses without hampering our ability to ramp as conditions improve.  Our balance sheet remains strong and affords us the ability to manage through the current economic headwinds.  We also plan to continue actively repurchasing our shares which we consider a compelling value, and we are pleased that our Board has again approved our quarterly dividend.  While the shorter-term view is unpredictable, we have successfully managed through similar conditions in the past and remain confident in our longer-term opportunities for market share gains and the creation of additional shareholder value.”

First Quarter Results

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, net sales were $137.1 million compared to first quarter 2024 net sales of $138.8 million. Pretax loss of ($0.9) million compares to pretax income of $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. Net loss of ($0.8) million or ($0.05) per diluted share compares to net income of $3.9 million or $0.24 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2024.

First Quarter 2025 Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share, payable May 30, 2025 to shareholders of record as of May 19, 2025.

Share Repurchase Update

The Company repurchased approximately 294,000 shares for $3.8 million during the first quarter, which completed the $10 million repurchase plan approved in August 2024 and results in approximately $16.3 million remaining under its existing repurchase authorization at quarter end.

2025 Full-Year Outlook

Given the heightened macro uncertainty, the Company now expects revenues to be in the range of $550 million to $575 million as compared to its prior outlook range of $585 million to $595 million.  Additionally, the Company is withdrawing its previously issued full-year 2025 outlook earnings per diluted share range of $0.75 to $0.82.

Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a webcast and conference call at 5:00 pm Eastern Time today. The live webcast and archived replay can be accessed in the investor relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.superiorgroupofcompanies.com/Presentations. Interested individuals may also join the teleconference by dialing 1-844-861-5505 for U.S. dialers and 1-412-317-6586 for International dialers. The Canadian Toll-Free number is 1-866-605-3852. Please ask to be joined to the Superior Group of Companies call. A telephone replay of the teleconference will be available through May 15, 2025. To access the replay, dial 1-877-344-7529 in the United States or 1-412-317-0088 from international locations. Canadian dialers can access the replay at 855-669-9658. Please reference conference number 4465888 for replay access.

The Company’s website at https://ir.superiorgroupofcompanies.com/Presentations will also contain an updated investor presentation.

Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “potential,” or “plan” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, without limitation: (1) projections of revenue, income, and other items relating to our financial position and results of operations, including short term and long term plans for cash, (2) statements of our plans, objectives, strategies, goals and intentions, (3) statements regarding the capabilities, capacities, market position and expected development of our business operations and (4) statements of expected industry and general economic trends.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may materially adversely affect the anticipated results. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the impact of competition; the effect of existing and/or new or expanded tariffs, uncertainties related to supply disruptions, inflationary environment (including with respect to the cost of finished goods and raw materials and shipping costs), employment levels (including labor shortages), and general economic and political conditions in the areas of the world in which the Company operates or from which it sources its supplies or the areas of the United States of America (“U.S.” or “United States”) in which the Company’s customers are located; changes in the healthcare, retail chain, food service, transportation and other industries where uniforms and service apparel are worn; our ability to identify suitable acquisition targets, discover liabilities associated with such businesses during the diligence process, successfully integrate any acquired businesses, or successfully manage our expanding operations; the price and availability of raw materials; attracting and retaining senior management and key personnel; the effect of the Company’s previously disclosed material weakness in internal control over financial reporting; the Company may identify a material weakness in internal control in the future, which could result in us not preventing or detecting on a timely basis a material misstatement of the Company’s financial statements and to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; and other factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements made herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this press release and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

About Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (SGC):
Established in 1920, Superior Group of Companies is comprised of three attractive business segments each serving large, fragmented and growing addressable markets. Across Healthcare Apparel, Branded Products and Contact Centers, each segment enables businesses to create extraordinary brand engagement experiences for their customers and employees. SGC’s commitment to service, quality, advanced technology, and omnichannel commerce provides unparalleled competitive advantages. We are committed to enhancing shareholder value by continuing to pursue a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. For more information, visit www.superiorgroupofcompanies.com.

Investor Relations Contact:
Investors@Superiorgroupofcompanies.com

SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares and per share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025				2024
Net sales	$	137,097			$	138,842
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold		86,656				83,525
Selling and administrative expenses		50,102				48,938
Interest expense, net		1,245				1,787
		138,003				134,250
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) expense		(906	)			4,592
Income tax (benefit) expense		(148	)			680
Net (loss) income	$	(758	)		$	3,912
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	$	(0.05	)		$	0.24
Diluted	$	(0.05	)		$	0.24
Weighted average shares outstanding during the period:
Basic		15,599,655				16,028,032
Diluted		15,599,655				16,453,452
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.14			$	0.14

SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except shares and par value data)
	March 31,				December 31,
	2025				2024
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,757			$	18,766
Accounts receivable, net		92,539				95,092
Inventories		98,543				96,675
Contract assets		50,759				51,688
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		10,402				10,831
Total current assets		272,000				273,052
Property, plant and equipment, net		40,730				41,879
Operating lease right-of-use assets		14,667				15,567
Deferred tax asset		13,833				13,835
Intangible assets, net		50,207				51,137
Goodwill		2,304				2,304
Other assets		17,232				17,360
Total assets	$	410,973			$	415,134
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	48,809			$	50,942
Other current liabilities		38,481				44,367
Current portion of long-term debt		5,625				5,625
Current portion of acquisition-related contingent liabilities		940				814
Total current liabilities		93,855				101,748
Long-term debt		90,065				80,410
Long-term pension liability		13,415				13,315
Long-term acquisition-related contingent liabilities		1,096				935
Long-term operating lease liabilities		9,666				10,486
Other long-term liabilities		8,447				9,384
Total liabilities		216,544				216,278
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value - authorized 300,000 shares (none issued)		-				-
Common stock, $.001 par value - authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 16,244,241 and 16,484,921 shares, respectively		15				16
Additional paid-in capital		83,930				84,060
Retained earnings		114,825				120,139
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:		(4,341	)			(5,359	)
Total shareholders’ equity		194,429				198,856
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	410,973			$	415,134

SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (In thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025				2024
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income	$	(758	)		$	3,912
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		3,204				3,252
Inventory write-downs		441				420
Share-based compensation expense		1,283				1,015
Change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent liabilities		287				152
Change in fair value of written put options		-				392
Other, net		217				144
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition of a business:
Accounts receivable		2,607				9,607
Contract assets		1,069				(3,835	)
Inventories		(2,191	)			5,010
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		749				2,252
Other assets		113				(864	)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		(8,362	)			(12,122	)
Long-term pension liability		110				108
Other long-term liabilities		(757	)			4
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(1,988	)			9,447
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(1,131	)			(675	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,131	)			(675	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under revolving lines of credit		19,000				7,000
Payments under revolving lines of credit		(8,000	)			(10,000	)
Payments of term loan		(1,406	)			(937	)
Payment of cash dividends		(2,280	)			(2,330	)
Payment of acquisition-related contingent liabilities		-				(557	)
Proceeds received on exercise of stock options and shares withheld for taxes		87				449
Common shares repurchased and retired		(3,777	)			-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		3,624				(6,375	)
Effect of currency exchange rates on cash		486				(253	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		991				2,144
Cash and cash equivalents balance, beginning of period		18,766				19,896
Cash and cash equivalents balance, end of period	$	19,757			$	22,040

SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited) (In thousands, except shares and per share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025				2024
Net (loss) income	$	(758	)		$	3,912
Interest expense, net		1,245				1,787
Income tax (benefit) expense		(148	)			680
Depreciation and amortization		3,204				3,252
EBITDA(1)	$	3,543			$	9,631
EBITDA margin(1)		2.6	%			6.9	%

(1) EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income excluding interest expense, net, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization expense. EBITDA margin is defined as EBITDA divided by net sales. The Company believes EBITDA is an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors and others to evaluate and compare the Company’s core operating results from period to period by removing (i) the impact of the Company’s capital structure (interest expense from outstanding debt), (ii) tax consequences and (iii) asset base (depreciation and amortization). The Company uses EBITDA internally to monitor operating results and to evaluate the performance of its business. In addition, the compensation committee has used EBITDA in evaluating certain components of executive compensation, including performance-based annual incentive programs. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. The items excluded to calculate EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company’s results of operations. The presentation of the Company’s EBITDA may change from time to time, including as a result of changed business conditions, new accounting pronouncements or otherwise. If the presentation changes, the Company undertakes to disclose any change between periods and the reasons underlying that change. The Company’s EBITDA may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure of another company because other entities may not calculate EBITDA in the same manner.

SUPERIOR GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - REPORTABLE SEGMENTS (Unaudited) (In thousands)
	Branded Products				Healthcare Apparel				Contact Centers				Intersegment Eliminations				Other				Total
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025:
Net sales	$	86,474			$	27,263			$	24,225			$	(865	)		$	-			$	137,097
Cost of goods sold		58,787				17,130				11,244				(505	)			-				86,656
Gross margin		27,687				10,133				12,981				(360	)			-				50,441
Selling and administrative expenses		23,420				9,526				10,921				(360	)			6,595				50,102
Depreciation and amortization		1,480				912				722				-				90				3,204
Segment EBITDA(1)	$	5,747			$	1,519			$	2,782			$	-			$	(6,505	)		$	3,543
	Branded Products				Healthcare Apparel				Contact Centers				Intersegment Eliminations				Other				Total
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024:
Net sales	$	87,068			$	29,237			$	23,552			$	(1,015	)		$	-			$	138,842
Cost of goods sold		55,327				17,727				10,908				(437	)			-				83,525
Gross margin		31,741				11,510				12,644				(578	)			-				55,317
Selling and administrative expenses		23,294				9,812				10,421				(578	)			5,989				48,938
Depreciation and amortization		1,500				937				723				-				92				3,252
Segment EBITDA(1)	$	9,947			$	2,635			$	2,946			$	-			$	(5,897	)		$	9,631

(1) Segment EBITDA is our primary measure of segment profitability under U.S. GAAP ASC 280 “Segment Reporting”. Amounts included in income before income tax expense and excluded from Segment EBITDA include: interest expense, net and depreciation and amortization expense. Total EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see reconciliation of Total EBITDA included in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures table above.

FAQ

What were SGC's Q1 2025 earnings results?

SGC reported Q1 2025 net sales of $137.1M, with a net loss of ($0.8M) or ($0.05) per share, compared to net income of $3.9M or $0.24 per share in Q1 2024.

What is Superior Group of Companies' (SGC) dividend for Q1 2025?

SGC declared a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share, payable May 30, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 19, 2025.

How many shares did SGC repurchase in Q1 2025?

SGC repurchased approximately 294,000 shares for $3.8 million during Q1 2025, completing their $10 million repurchase plan with $16.3 million remaining in authorization.

What is SGC's revenue guidance for 2025?

SGC lowered its 2025 revenue guidance to $550-575 million, down from its previous outlook of $585-595 million, and withdrew its EPS guidance due to macro uncertainty.

How much did SGC's EBITDA decline in Q1 2025?

SGC's EBITDA declined to $3.5 million in Q1 2025 from $9.6 million in Q1 2024.