SMITH & WESSON BRANDS, INC. (SWBI) FY 2024 MD&A

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.

This section generally discusses year-to-year comparisons between fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. A discussion of our results of operations, liquidity, and capital resources for fiscal 2023 compared with fiscal 2022 are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and can be found in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023, filed with the SEC on June 22, 2023.

2024 Highlights

Our operating results for fiscal 2024 included the following:

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Net sales of $535.8 million represented an increase of $56.6 million, or 11.8%, over the prior fiscal year.

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Gross profit increased $3.6 million, or 2.3%, over the prior fiscal year, primarily as a result of increased sales volume. Gross margin decreased 2.7% from the prior fiscal year, primarily because of unfavorable fixed-cost absorption, as a result of lower production volume, the impact of an accrued legal settlement, the impact of inflation on raw materials, finished parts, and labor costs, and unfavorable inventory reserves adjustments, partially offset by the impact of decreased relocation spend and favorable mix associated with newly introduced products.

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Net income was $39.6 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared with net income of $36.9 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, for the prior fiscal year.

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During fiscal 2024, we paid $22.0 million in dividends compared with $18.3 million in fiscal 2023.

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On September 30, 2021, we announced the Relocation. In connection with the Relocation, we built a new facility in Maryville, Tennessee and relocated some of our Springfield, Massachusetts operations and all of our Columbia, Missouri distribution operations to Maryville. We are in the process of relocating our corporate headquarters and a portion of our Deep River, Connecticut plastic injection molding operations to Maryville. In total, we expect to incur capital expenditures in connection with the construction and equipping of the new facility in an aggregate amount of approximately $160.0 million to $170.0 million. Through April 30, 2024, we had incurred $157.0 million of capital expenditures and $25.6 million of other restructuring charges related to the Relocation.

Key Performance Indicators

We evaluate the performance of our business based upon operating profit, which includes net sales, cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses, and certain components of other income and expense. We also track our return on invested capital, and we use adjusted EBITDAS (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation expense, excluding certain non-operational items), which is a non-GAAP financial metric, as a supplemental measure of our performance in order to provide investors with an improved understanding of underlying performance trends. We evaluate the performance of our products using measurements such as gross margin per unit produced, units produced per day, revenue by trade channel, and incoming orders per day.

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External Factors that Impact the Firearm Industry

The firearm industry has been subject to many external factors in the past that have significantly increased the volatility of revenue generated for companies within the industry. These factors include, among others, fears surrounding crime and terrorism; significant news events, such as those related to mass shootings; potential restrictions on the sale or makeup of firearms; actual and potential legislative, judicial, and regulatory actions; economic changes; and changes in the social and political environment, including congressional and presidential elections. See Item IA, Risk Factors, for further discussion of external factors that impact the firearm industry. Although these external factors have created demand surges and volatility in the firearm market, and often make it difficult to predict demand, we believe that those external factors have also likely contributed to a long-term increase in consumer interest in firearms. We estimate that the annual domestic non-military firearm market is approximately $2.9 billion for handguns and $1.8 billion for long guns, excluding shotguns, based on the latest data for industry shipments as calculated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, or NSSF, utilizing Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax data for calendar year 2023. According to calendar 2022 reports by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, the U.S. firearm manufacturing industry grew at a 10.0% compound annual growth rate in units from 2017 through 2022, although there has been wide variation among years (e.g., 2019 to 2020 grew 58.0%). We believe that this expanding base of consumers combined with our strong brand reputation and attractive price points lend support to our goal of continuing to increase our market share.

Results of Operations

Net Sales and Gross Profit

The following table sets forth certain information regarding net sales and gross profit for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

The following table sets forth certain information regarding units shipped by trade channel for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (units in thousands):

Sales of our handguns increased $21.2 million, or 5.9%, over fiscal 2023, primarily as a result of increased shipments of revolvers, increased shipments of newly introduced products (defined as any new SKU not shipped in the prior year), which represented 22.8% of handgun sales in the period, the impact of targeted promotions on certain polymer frame pistols, and a 2%-5% price increase on select products that became effective in the third fiscal quarter, partially offset by lower demand for several older handgun products and certain products that were introduced in the

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prior year. Handgun unit shipments into the sporting goods channel increased 5.6% over fiscal 2023, while overall consumer demand decreased 7.7%, (as indicated by adjusted background checks for handguns reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS).

Sales of our long guns increased $42.3 million, or 56.9%, over fiscal 2023, primarily as a result of increased shipments of new products in the fiscal year, which represented 52.2% of sales in the period. Unit shipments into the sporting goods channel increased 53.3% over fiscal 2023, while overall consumer demand for long guns decreased 3.0%, as indicated by NICS.

Other products and services sales decreased $6.9 million, or 15.6%, from fiscal 2023, primarily because of decreased sales of component parts, decreased business-to-business sales, and decreased licensing revenue, partially offset by increased sales of handcuffs.

New products represented 27.6% of net sales for the 12 months ended April 30, 2024 and included one new pistol, three new long guns, and many new product line extensions.

Gross margin for fiscal 2024 decreased by 2.7% from the prior fiscal year, primarily because of a combination of unfavorable fixed-cost absorption (as a result of lower production volumes), the impact of an accrued legal settlement for $3.2 million, the impact of inflation on raw materials and finished parts, which increased approximately 5.6% over the prior fiscal year, the impact of inflation on labor costs (particularly as it relates to entry level positions), and unfavorable inventory reserve adjustments, including capitalized variances, partially offset by the impact of decreased Relocation spend and favorable mix associated with new products.

Our inventory levels decreased $16.6 million during fiscal 2024. While inventory levels, both internally and in the distribution channel, in excess of demand may negatively impact future operating results, it is difficult to forecast the potential impact of distributor inventories on future revenue and income as demand is impacted by many factors, including seasonality, new product introductions, news events, political events, and consumer tastes. We expect our inventories to increase in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 due to seasonal factors.

Operating Expenses

The following table sets forth certain information regarding operating expenses for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

Operating expenses increased $7.2 million over the prior fiscal year. Research and development expenses decreased $284,000, primarily because of decreased sample and testing costs associated with new product development. Selling, marketing, and distribution expenses increased $3.6 million, primarily as a result of a $1.9 million impairment of distribution equipment related to the Relocation, one-time costs related to the grand opening event at our new Maryville facility, increased compensation costs, increased spend on targeted promotions, and increased freight costs because of higher shipments, partially offset by decreased compensation-related Relocation costs and decreased digital advertising costs. General and administrative expenses increased $3.9 million, primarily as a result of increased compensation expenses, legal expenses, and profit-related compensation costs, partially offset by decreased Relocation costs.

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Operating Income

The following table sets forth certain information regarding operating income for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

Operating income for fiscal 2024 decreased $3.6 million, or 7.5%, from the prior fiscal year, primarily because of the impact of an accrued legal settlement for $3.2 million, unfavorable inventory reserve adjustments, one-time costs associated with the grand opening of our new Maryville facility, increased spend on targeted promotions, and increased freight costs because of higher shipments, partially offset by increased sales volumes and decreased Relocation spend.

Other Income

The following table sets forth certain information regarding other income for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

Other income for fiscal 2024 increased $6.5 million primarily is a result of the sale of certain intangible assets.

Interest (Expense)

The following table sets forth certain information regarding interest expense for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

Interest expense increased by $1.7 million over the prior fiscal year, primarily as a result of higher average outstanding debt balances during fiscal 2024.

Income Tax Expense

The following table sets forth certain information regarding income tax expense for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

We recorded income tax expense of $9.8 million for fiscal 2024, $1.6 million lower than the prior fiscal year, in spite of increased profitability, primarily as a result of an amendment of prior year returns for the foreign derived income deduction that favorably reduced current year income tax expense by $1.4 million, or 2.9%. Our effective tax rates were 19.8% and 23.5% for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Adjusting for the foreign derived income deduction for each year, the effective tax rates would have been 22.7% and 23.0% for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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Net Income

The following table sets forth certain information regarding net income and the related per share data for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

Net income increased $2.7 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, from the prior fiscal year for reasons outlined above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal cash requirements are to finance the growth of our operations, including working capital and capital expenditures, and return capital to our stockholders. Capital expenditures for new product development and repair and replacement of equipment represent important cash needs.

The following table sets forth certain cash flow information for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (dollars in thousands):

Operating Activities

Operating activities represent the principal source of our cash flow.

Cash provided by operating activities was $106.7 million in fiscal 2024, or $90.0 million higher than the prior fiscal year. Cash from operating activities was favorably impacted by a $16.6 million decrease in inventory in fiscal 2024 compared with a $40.5 million increase in inventory in fiscal 2023, an $18.2 million increase in accounts payable in fiscal 2024 compared with an $8.6 million decrease in fiscal 2023, and a $6.3 million increase in accrued expenses and deferred revenue in fiscal 2024 compared with a $3.6 million decrease in fiscal 2023. Partially offsetting this favorable activity was a $3.9 million increase in accounts receivable in fiscal 2024 compared with a $7.6 million decrease in accounts receivable in fiscal 2023 due to increased sales volume.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2024 was $8.3 million lower than fiscal 2023, primarily as a result of $6.5 million received for the sale of certain intangible assets and the sale of assets related to the Relocation.

We currently expect to spend $25.0 to $30.0 million on capital expenditures in fiscal 2025.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $18.0 million in fiscal 2024 compared with cash provided by financing activities of $5.9 million in fiscal 2023. Cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2024 primarily included $22.0 million in dividend distributions and $10.2 million of share repurchases, partially offset by a net $15.0 million borrowing under our revolving line of credit.

Finance Lease – We are a party to a material finance lease, the Missouri Lease, which is a $46.2 million lease for our Missouri distribution center that has an effective interest rate of approximately 5.0% and is payable in 240 monthly installments through fiscal 2039. The building is pledged to secure the amounts outstanding. During fiscal

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2024, we paid approximately $1.3 million in principal payments relating to the Missouri Lease. With the completion of the Separation, we entered into the Missouri Sublease. On July 16, 2022, we entered into an amendment to the Missouri Sublease, increasing the subleased space to 64.7% of the facility under the same terms as the Missouri Lease. As part of the Relocation, on January 31, 2023, we entered into the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the Amended and Restated Guaranty. We terminated the Missouri Sublease as of January 1, 2024. For fiscal 2024, income related to the Missouri Sublease was $2.7 million, of which $1.3 million was recorded in general and administrative expenses and $1.4 million was recorded in interest expense, net, in our consolidated statements of income.

Credit Facilities – We maintain an unsecured revolving line of credit with TD Bank, N.A. and other lenders, or the Lenders, which includes availability up to $100.0 million at any one time, or the Revolving Line. The Revolving Line provides for availability for general corporate purposes, with borrowings to bear interest at either the Base Rate or SOFR rate, plus an applicable margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio, as of April 30, 2024. The credit agreement also provides a swingline facility in the maximum amount of $5.0 million at any one time (subject to availability under the Revolving Line). Each Swingline Loan bears interest at the Base Rate, plus an applicable margin based on our consolidated leverage ratio. In response to a Springing Lien Triggering Event (as defined in the credit agreement), we would be required to enter into certain documents that create in favor of TD Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party to such documents as legal, valid, and enforceable first priority lien on the collateral described therein. Subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions described in the credit agreement, we have an option to increase the Revolving Line by an aggregate amount not exceeding $50.0 million. The Revolving Line matures on the earlier of August 24, 2025, or the date that is six months in advance of the earliest maturity of any permitted notes under the credit agreement. On April 28, 2023, we amended our existing credit agreement to, among other things, replace LIBOR with SOFR as the interest rate benchmark and amend the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” to exclude unfinanced capital expenditures in connection with the Relocation.

As of April 30, 2024, we had $40.0 million of borrowings outstanding on the Revolving Line, bearing interest at an average rate of 7.18%, which was equal to SOFR rate plus an applicable margin.

The credit agreement for our credit facility contains financial covenants relating to maintaining a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum debt service coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of April 30, 2024.

Share Repurchase Programs – On September 19, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $50.0 million of our common stock, subject to certain conditions, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions through September 19, 2024. During fiscal 2024, we purchased 793,551 shares of our common stock for $10.2 million under this authorization. We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during fiscal 2023, and we did not have an authorized repurchase program as of April 30, 2023.

At April 30, 2024, we had $60.8 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand.

Based upon our current working capital position, current operating plans, and expected business conditions, we believe that our existing capital resources and credit facilities will be adequate to fund our operations for the next 12 months.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including net sales, the timing and extent of spending to support product development efforts, the expansion of sales and marketing activities, the timing of introductions of new products and enhancements to existing products, and the costs to ensure access to adequate manufacturing capacity.

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Inflation

During fiscal 2024 and 2023, inflationary pressures resulted in increases in the cost of certain of the components, parts, raw materials, and other supplies necessary for the production of our products, as well as labor costs. We do not believe that inflation had a material impact on us during fiscal 2022. We expect that inflation will continue to have an impact during fiscal 2025.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires that we make accounting estimates, judgments, and assumptions that can have a meaningful effect on the reporting of consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those reflective of significant judgments, estimates, and uncertainties, which may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe the following are our critical accounting estimates:

Revenue Recognition

Description: We recognize revenue in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which became effective for us on May 1, 2018. Generally, all performance obligations are satisfied and revenue is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, which is generally upon shipment but could be delayed until the receipt of customer acceptance.

Judgments and Uncertainties: In some instances, sales include multiple performance obligations. These may include sales promotion programs that entitle customers to receive rebates or free goods based upon their purchase of our products. The fulfillment of these free goods is our responsibility. We recognize revenue proportionally as each performance obligation is satisfied, based on the relative transaction price of each product. The net change in contract liabilities for a given period is reported as an increase or decrease to sales.

Our product sales are generally sold free on board, or FOB, shipping point and provide payment terms to most commercial customers ranging from 20 to 60 days of product shipment with a discount available in certain cases for early payment. In some instances, we may provide longer payment terms. We do not consider these extended terms to be a significant financing component of the contract because the payment terms are always less than one year. In all cases, we consider our costs related to shipping and handling to be a cost of fulfilling the contract with the customer.

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The liability relating to performance obligations is based on the estimated level of participation in the sales promotional program and the timing of the shipment of all products included in the promotional program. For contracts with discounted terms, we determine the transaction price upon establishment of the contract that contains the final terms of the sale, including the description, quantity, and price of each product purchased. We estimate variable consideration relative to the amount of cash discounts to which customers are likely to be entitled.

Valuation of Goodwill, Long-lived Tangible, and Intangible Assets

Description: We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, or asset groups, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. When such evaluations indicate that the related future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying values of the assets, such carrying values are reduced to fair value and this adjusted carrying value becomes the asset’s new cost basis. We determine fair value primarily using future anticipated cash flows that are directly associated with and are expected to arise as a direct result of the use and eventual disposition of the asset, or asset group, discounted using an interest rate commensurate with the risk involved.

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Judgments and Uncertainties: Determining whether impairment indicators exist and estimating the fair value of our goodwill, tangible and intangible assets requires significant judgment. Estimating the fair value of goodwill requires management to make assumptions and projections of future cash flows, revenues, earnings, discount rates, long term growth rates, and other factors.

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The assumptions used to assess impairment consider historical trends, macroeconomic conditions, and projections consistent with our operating strategy. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of fair value which could result in material impairment losses.

Inventories

Description: We value inventories at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out, or FIFO, method, or net realizable value.

Judgments and Uncertainties: An allowance for potential non-saleable inventory as a result of excess stock or obsolescence is based upon a detailed review of inventory, past history, and expected future usage.

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The assumptions used to assess inventory valuation consider historical activity. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of excess and obsolete inventory, which could result in material losses.

Warranty

Description: We generally provide a limited one-year warranty and a lifetime service policy to the original purchaser of our new firearm products. We will also repair or replace certain products or parts found to be defective under normal use and service with an item of equivalent value, at our option, without charge during the warranty period. We provide for estimated warranty obligations in the period in which we recognize the related revenue.

Judgments and Uncertainties: We quantify and record an estimate for warranty-related costs based on our actual historical claims experience and current repair costs. We adjust accruals as warranty claims data and historical experience warrant. Should we experience actual claims and repair costs that are higher than the estimated claims and repair costs used to calculate the provision, our operating results for the period or periods in which such returns or additional costs materialize could be adversely impacted.

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The assumptions used to assess warranty consider historical trends. Changes in these estimates can have a significant impact on the assessment of warranty, which could result in material losses.

Relocation

Description: As part of the Relocation, we offered a severance and relocation package to every affected employee. The severance was, in part, based on the employee's service term, job function, and classification status, and required the employee to remain active and in good standing through their relocation date.

Judgments and Uncertainties: In accounting for severance and relocation costs, we must make a variety of assumptions and estimates, including the number of employees that will meet all of the requirements to receive the severance and relocation package, the number of those employees that will be electing to relocate versus opt for severance, and the potential cost of self-insured benefits that may be incurred during any potential severance period. We consider current facts when determining these estimates.

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The liabilities relating to severance and relocation obligations is based on the number of employees affected by the Relocation, the number of employees that have decided to relocate, the estimated cost of benefits during the severance period, and the employees' terms of service and rates of pay as of the fiscal year end. Changes in these assumptions can have a significant impact on the estimate of these liabilities.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The nature and impact of recent accounting pronouncements is discussed in Note 2 — Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any transactions, arrangements, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that are reasonably likely to affect our liquidity or capital resources. We have no special purpose or limited purpose entities that provide off-balance sheet financing, liquidity, or market or credit risk support or that engage in leasing, hedging, research and development services, or other relationships that expose us to liability that is not reflected in our financial statements.