Lumber Liquidators Big Loss Tied to Laminate Flooring Concern

Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LL) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 earnings before markets opened Monday. For the quarter, the flooring products company posted a net loss per share of $0.73 on revenues of $234.8 million. In the same period a year ago, the company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.64 on revenues of $271.98 million. Fourth-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for a net loss per share of $0.20 and $254.46 million in revenues.

Same-store sales fell 17.2% in the quarter due to a 15.6% decrease in the number of customers invoiced and a 1.6% decrease in the average sale. Non-comparable store net sales rose by $9.6 million year over year. The company attributes the decline in same-store sales to the negative impact of “certain unfavorable allegations surrounding the product quality of its laminates sourced from China.”

For the full year, Lumber Liquidators reported a net loss per share of $2.08 and revenues of $978.8 million, compared with earnings per share of $2.31 and revenues of $1.05 billion in 2014. Same-store sales fell by 11.1% ($116.2 million) while net store sale rose by $47.6 million. Analysts were looking for a net loss per share of $1.54 and revenues of $1 billion.

In early February a U.S. District Court judge approved a plea agreement under which Lumber Liquidators agreed to pay $10 million fine for its illegal importation of flooring made of Mongolian oak.
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That was the good news. The bad news arrived last week when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reversed its earlier report that the company’s China-sourced laminate flooring posed a low risk of cancer. The new report raised the potential risk by a factor of three.

The company did not provide guidance, but analysts estimate a first-quarter net loss per share of $0.18 and revenues of $256.14. For the full 2016 fiscal year, estimates call for a net loss of $0.22 per share and revenues of $1.06 billion.

CEO John Presley said:

As we begin 2016, we are focused on four main areas that we believe will provide a strong foundation for Lumber Liquidators. First, we will concentrate on store performance and execution. Second, we will strengthen our value proposition to customers. Third, we will continue to enhance our vigilance surrounding responsible and compliant sourcing. Finally, we will opportunistically expand our business to better serve our customers.

Shares closed down about 1.2% on Friday, at $11.11 in a 52-week range of $10.53 to $44.16. Shares have dropped about 22% in the past five trading days. The consensus price target on the stock is $15.63.