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BOSTON, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) reported first quarter 2021 net revenue of $545.1 million, an increase of $214.5 million or 64.9% from the same period last year, mainly due to an increase in shipments of 60.1%. Net income for the first quarter was $65.6 million, an increase of $47.3 million or 259.6% from the same period last year. Earnings per diluted share were $5.26, an increase of $3.77 per diluted share, or 253.0% from the first quarter of 2020.  This increase was primarily due to increased net revenue, partially offset by increases in operating expenses. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded pre-tax COVID-19 related reductions in net revenue and increases in costs that totaled $10.0 million or $0.60 per diluted share. 

In the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.69 per diluted share and $0.17 per diluted share, respectively, resulting from the Accounting Standard “Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”).

Highlights of this release include:

• Depletions increased 48% from the 13-week comparable period in the prior year.
• Full-year depletion and shipment growth is now estimated at between 40% and 50%, an increase from the previously communicated range of between 35% and 45%.
• First quarter gross margin of 45.8% was 1.0 percentage point above the 2020 first quarter margin of 44.8%. Excluding the 2020 impact of COVID-19 returns and other related direct costs, first quarter 2021 gross margin of 45.8% was 1.0 percentage point below the COVID adjusted 2020 first quarter margin of 46.8%.
• Advertising, promotional and selling expenses in the first quarter increased $43.0 million or 43.9%.
• Based on current spending and investment plans, full-year 2021 Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share¹, which excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09, is now estimated at between $22.00 and $26.00, an increase from the previously communicated range of between $20.00 and $24.00.

Jim Koch, Chairman and Founder of the Company, commented, “As the world slowly reopens and the COVID-19 pandemic winds down, our primary focus continues to be on operating our breweries and our business safely and working hard to continue to innovate and meet customer demand.  Before I turn to our key first quarter operational achievements, I want to note that, working with the Greg Hill Foundation, our Samuel Adams Restaurant Strong Fund has raised $7.5 million thus far to support bar and restaurant workers who are experiencing hardships in the wake of COVID-19 and is committed to distributing 100% of its proceeds through grants to bar and restaurant workers across the country.  We are thankful to our outstanding coworkers, distributors and retailers for their continued focus and diligence to continue to operate and help grow our business.  The Company’s depletions increased 48 percent in the first quarter and we achieved double digit volume growth for the twelfth consecutive quarter.  Early in 2021, we launched Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer and during the second quarter we plan to launch Truly Punch Hard Seltzer.  Both combine refreshing hard seltzer with bold flavors and we believe these new launches continue to demonstrate our innovation leadership within the Hard Seltzer category.  We are making steady progress in improving our brand support and messaging for our beer and cider brands to position them for long-term sustainable growth in the face of the difficult on-premise environment.  We are optimistic that our on-premise business will significantly improve in 2021 as restrictions are slowly lifted.  We are excited about the response to the introduction in early 2021 of several new Samuel Adams beers, including Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy, Samuel Adams Wicked Easy and Samuel Adams Just the Haze, our first non-alcoholic beer, as well as the positive reaction to our Samuel Adams ‘Your Cousin from Boston‘ advertising campaign.  We are confident in our ability to innovate and build strong brands that complement our current portfolio and help support our mission of long-term profitable growth.”

Dave Burwick, the Company’s President and CEO stated, “We are happy with our strong start to the year and our record first quarter shipment and depletion volumes.  First quarter shipments growth was significantly higher than depletions growth as we took active steps to ensure that our distributor inventory levels are adequate to support drinker demand during the peak summer months.  Our depletions growth in the first quarter was the result of increases in our Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea brands, partly offset by decreases in our Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head brands.  The recently launched Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer has accelerated Truly brand growth, which has more than doubled since last year.  In the first quarter in measured off-premise channels, the Truly brand outgrew the hard seltzer category by nearly 2X or 50 percentage points, resulting in a share increase of 6.5 percentage points. The Truly brand has now reached a market share of over 28 percent, accounting for approximately 40 percent of all growth cases in the hard seltzer category, which is two times greater than the next largest growth brand.  Truly Iced Tea Hard Seltzer has achieved a 4.3 percentage point market share in measured off-premise channels, well ahead of all other new entrants to the entire beer category.  We expect the launch of Truly Punch Hard Seltzer during the second quarter to continue this positive momentum.  We will invest heavily in the launch of Truly Punch Hard Seltzer and the Truly brand, evolve our brand communications, and further improve our position in the hard seltzer category as more competitors enter.  Twisted Tea continues to generate double-digit volume growth rates that are significantly above full year 2020 trends.  In the first quarter in measured off-premise channels, case growth in Twisted Tea brand products was almost three times higher than its closest competitor and we believe Twisted Tea is on its way to becoming the number one flavored malt beverage (FMB) by year’s end. We see significant distribution and volume growth opportunities for our Truly and Twisted Tea brands and are looking to continue to expand distribution of our Dogfish Head brand.  Pursuing these opportunities in 2021 remains a top priority. Our Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head brands were hit the most by COVID-19 and the related on-premise closures.  We continue to work hard on returning these brands to growth and are optimistic that they will return to growth in 2021. Overall, given the trends for the first three months and our current view of the remainder of the year, we’ve adjusted our expectations for higher 2021 full-year volume and earnings growth, which is primarily driven by the strong performance of our Truly and Twisted Tea brands.”  

Mr. Burwick went on to say, “During the quarter, we have taken various steps to ensure we have capacity to support this accelerating growth. We continue to work hard on our comprehensive program to transform our supply chain with the goal of making our integrated supply chain more efficient, reduce costs, increase our flexibility to better react to mix changes, and allow us to scale up more efficiently. We expect to complete this transformation over the next two to three years. We will continue to invest in capacity to take advantage of the fast-growing hard seltzer category and deliver against the increased demand through a combination of internal capacity increases and higher usage of third-party breweries, although meeting these higher volumes through increased usage of third-party breweries has a negative impact on our gross margins.  While we anticipate delivering margin improvements in 2021, our gross margins and gross margin expectations will continue to be impacted negatively until our volume growth stabilizes. While we are in a very competitive business, we are optimistic for continued growth of our current brand portfolio and innovations and we remain prepared to forsake short-term earnings as we invest to sustain long-term profitable growth, in line with the opportunities that we see.” 

COVID-19

The Company began seeing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business in early March 2020.  The direct financial impact of the pandemic primarily included significantly reduced keg demand from the on-premise channel and higher labor and safety-related costs at the Company’s breweries. In addition to these direct financial impacts, COVID-19 related safety measures resulted in a reduction of brewery productivity, which has shifted more volume to third-party breweries, and negatively impacted gross margins.  In the 13-week period ended March 28, 2020, the Company recorded COVID-19 pre-tax related reductions in net revenue and increases in other costs of $10.0 million.  This amount consists of a $5.8 million reduction in net revenue for estimated keg returns from distributors and retailers and $4.2 million of other COVID-19 related direct costs, of which $3.6 million are recorded in cost of goods sold and $0.6 million are recorded in operating expenses. In 2021 and going forward, the Company has chosen not to report COVID-19 related direct costs separately as they are viewed to be a normal part of operations.  The Company will continue to assess and manage this situation and will provide a further update in each quarterly earnings release, to the extent that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are then known more clearly.

1st Quarter 2021 Summary of Results

Depletions increased 48% from the comparable 13-week period in the prior year. Shipment volume was approximately 2.3 million barrels, a 60.1% increase from the comparable 13-week period in the prior year.

Shipment volume for the quarter was significantly higher than depletions volume and resulted in significantly higher distributor inventory as of March 27, 2021 when compared to March 28, 2020.  The Company believes distributor inventory as of March 27, 2021 averaged approximately 7 weeks on hand and was at an appropriate level based on the supply chain capacity constraints and inventory requirements to support the forecasted growth of Truly and Twisted Tea brands over the summer.

Gross margin at 45.8% increased from the 44.8% margin realized in the first quarter of 2020, primarily as a result of price increases, the absence of the COVID-19 related direct costs incurred in 2020 and cost saving initiatives at Company-owned breweries partially offset by higher processing costs due to increased production at third party breweries.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased $43.0 million compared to the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to increased brand investments of $21.0 million, primarily driven by higher media and production costs, higher salaries and benefits costs and increased freight to distributors of $21.9 million that was primarily due to higher volumes and rates.

General and administrative expenses increased by $4.9 million from the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits costs.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter increased to 14.4% from 14.1% in the first quarter of 2020. The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09, increased to 25.6% from 23.6% in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to one-time state tax benefits related to capital investments in 2020. 

The Company expects that its March 27, 2021 cash balance of $144.7 million, together with its future operating cash flows and the $150.0 million available under its line of credit, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements.

Depletion estimates

Year-to-date depletions through the fifteen weeks ended April 10, 2021 are estimated by the Company to have increased approximately 49% from the comparable period in 2020.

2021 Outlook

The Company currently projects full year 2021 Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of between $22.00 and $26.00.  This Non-GAAP projection excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09.  The Company’s actual 2021 earnings per share could vary significantly from the current projection.  Underlying the Company’s current 2021 projection are the following full-year estimates and targets:

• Depletions and shipments percentage increase between 40% and 50%.
• National price increases of between 1% and 3%, an increase from the previously communicated range of between 1% and 2%.
• Gross margin of between 45% and 47%.
• Increased investments in advertising, promotional and selling expenses of between $130 million and $150 million, an increase from the previously communicated range of between $120 million and $140 million.  This does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company’s distributors.
• Non-GAAP effective tax rate of approximately 26.5%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09. This effective tax rate also excludes any potential future changes to current federal income tax rates and regulations. 
• Estimated capital spending of between $250 million and $350 million, a decrease from the previously communicated range of between $300 million and $400 million.

Non-GAAP effective tax rate and Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share are not defined terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for diluted earnings per share and effective tax rate data prepared in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies. The Company’s projection for its Non-GAAP effective tax rate and Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share exclude the impact of ASU 2016-09, which could be significant and will depend largely upon unpredictable future events outside the Company’s control, including the timing and value realized upon exercise of stock options versus the fair value of those options when granted. Therefore, because of the uncertainty and variability of the impact of ASU 2016-09, the Company is unable to provide, without unreasonable effort, a reconciliation of these Non-GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis.

About the Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands.  Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider and Dogfish Head Brewery as well as other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to all of our respective brand websites.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019.  Copies of these documents may be found on the Company’s website, www.bostonbeer.com, or obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.

Thursday, April 22, 2021

 

 

¹ See “Outlook” below for additional information regarding non-GAAP forward-looking measures used in this press release.

 

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SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

CANTON, Ohio, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — TimkenSteel Corp. (NYSE: TMST) will release its 2021 first-quarter financial results on Thursday, May 6, after the market closes on the New York Stock Exchange.

The company will provide live Internet listening access to its conference call with the financial community scheduled for Friday, May 7, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The live conference call will be broadcast at investors.timkensteel.com. A replay of the conference call will also be available at investors.timkensteel.com.

About TimkenSteel Corporation
TimkenSteel (NYSE: TMST) manufactures high-performance carbon and alloy steel products in Canton, OH serving demanding applications in automotive, energy and a variety of industrial end markets. The company is a premier U.S. producer of alloy steel bars (up to 16 inches in diameter), seamless mechanical tubing and precision components. In the business of making high-quality steel primarily from recycled materials for more than 100 years, TimkenSteel’s proven expertise contributes to the performance of our customers’ products. The company employs approximately 2,000 people and had sales of $831 million in 2020. For more information, please visit us at www.timkensteel.com.

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SOURCE TimkenSteel Corp.

C$ unless otherwise stated                                                     TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC     SEHK: 945

TORONTO, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – Manulife Financial Corporation (“Manulife”) today announced that it does not intend to exercise its right to redeem all or any of its currently outstanding 6,335,831 Non-cumulative Rate Reset Class 1 Shares Series 3 (the “Series 3 Preferred Shares”) (TSX: MFC.PR.F) or 1,664,169 Non-cumulative Floating Rate Class 1 Shares Series 4 (the “Series 4 Preferred Shares”) (TSX: MFC.PR.P) on June 19, 2021.

As a result, subject to certain conditions described in the prospectus supplement dated March 7, 2011 relating to the issuance of the Series 3 Preferred Shares and Series 4 Preferred Shares (the “Prospectus”), the holders of the Series 3 Preferred Shares have the right, at their option, to convert all or part of their Series 3 Preferred Shares on a one-for-one basis into Series 4 Preferred Shares on June 19, 2021. As well, subject to certain conditions, the holders of Series 4 Preferred Shares have the right to convert all or part of their Series 4 Preferred Shares on a one-for-one basis into Series 3 Preferred Shares on June 19, 2021. Holders who do not exercise their right to convert their Series 3 Preferred Shares into Series 4 Preferred Shares will retain their Series 3 Preferred Shares. Holders who do not exercise their right to convert their Series 4 Preferred Shares into Series 3 Preferred Shares will retain their Series 4 Preferred Shares.

Beneficial owners of Series 3 Preferred Shares and Series 4 Preferred Shares who wish to exercise their right of conversion should instruct their broker or other nominee to exercise such right before 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 4, 2021.

The foregoing conversions are subject to the conditions that: (i) if, after June 4, 2021, Manulife determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series 3 Preferred Shares outstanding on June 19, 2021, then all remaining Series 3 Preferred Shares will automatically be converted into an equal number of Series 4 Preferred Shares on June 19, 2021, and (ii) if, after June 4, 2021, Manulife determines that there would be less than 1,000,000 Series 4 Preferred Shares outstanding on June 19, 2021, then all remaining Series 4 Preferred Shares will automatically be converted into an equal number of Series 3 Preferred Shares. In either case, Manulife shall give written notice to that effect to any registered holders of Series 3 and Series 4 Preferred Shares on or before June 7, 2021.

The dividend rate applicable to the Series 3 Preferred Shares for the 5-year period commencing on June 20, 2021, and ending on June 19, 2026, and the dividend rate applicable to the Series 4 Preferred Shares for the 3-month period commencing on June 20, 2021, and ending on September 19, 2021, will be determined and announced by way of a news release on May 21, 2021. Manulife will also give written notice of these dividend rates to the registered holders of Series 3 Preferred Shares and Series 4 Preferred Shares.

Conversion inquiries should be directed to Manulife’s Registrar and Transfer Agent, AST Trust Company (Canada), at 1-800-783-9495.

The Series 3 Preferred Shares and the Series 4 Preferred Shares have not been and will not be registered in the United States under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a “U.S. person” (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities in the United States and any public offering of the securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus.

About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2020, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 118,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 30 million customers. As of December 31, 2020, we had $1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $31.6 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.

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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

PHILADELPHIA, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Lannett Company, Inc. (NYSE: LCI) today announced the closing of the $350 million aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior secured notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and outside the United States to persons other than U.S. persons in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Company also closed on a $190 million second lien senior secured loan facility due 2026 (the “Second Lien Facility”) and amended its asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Amended ABL Credit Facility”), increasing the size to $45 million from $30 million and extending the maturity to 2026 from 2022. Interest on the Second Lien Facility is 10% paid in kind (PIK) in year one, and 5% cash coupon and 5% PIK thereafter. In connection with the Second Lien Facility, the Company issued to the participating lenders warrants to purchase up to 8,280,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Warrants”) at an exercise price of $6.88 per share. The Warrants will have a term of eight years from issuance and the participating lenders will receive registration rights with respect to the shares of common stock of the Company to be received upon exercise of the Warrants.

The Company used the net proceeds of the Notes and the Second Lien Facility and cash on hand, to retire its Term Loan B (that had a maturity date of November 2022), eliminating the associated interest and amortization payments.

“With the successful completion of this transaction and retirement of our Term Loan B, we have significantly extended the maturity of our debt and enhanced our capital structure; moreover, our new debt does not have leverage covenants,” said Tim Crew, chief executive officer of Lannett. “In addition, the reduction in cash interest and loan amortization significantly improves our free cash flow, estimated to be more than $40 million in year one alone, a portion of which we plan to use to invest in additional growth opportunities. We are very pleased with the transaction and thank our advisors and investors for their support.”

The Notes will pay interest only semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2021, at a rate of 7.750% per annum in cash, and will mature on April 15, 2026, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The Notes will be secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors, other than working capital assets pledged to secure the Company’s Amended ABL Credit Facility, as to which the Notes will be secured on a second lien basis.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About Lannett Company, Inc.:
Lannett Company, founded in 1942, develops, manufactures, packages, markets and distributes generic pharmaceutical products for a wide range of medical indications. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.lannett.com.

This news release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or future business performance.  Any such statements, including, but not limited to, the enhanced capital structure and improved and planned uses of the free cash flow, whether expressed or implied, are subject to risks and uncertainties which can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to, the difficulty in predicting the timing or outcome of FDA or regulatory approvals or actions, the ability to successfully manufacture and commercialize products upon approval, including acquired products, and the Company’s estimated or anticipated future financial results, future inventory levels, future competition or pricing, future levels of operating expenses, product development efforts or performance, and other risk factors discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.  These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this news release.  The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Lannett Company, Inc.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Höegh LNG Partners LP (the “Partnership”) (NYSE: HMLP) announced today that its board of directors (the “Board”) has declared a quarterly cash distribution with respect to the quarter ended March 31, 2021 of $0.44 per unit for the common units. The distribution corresponds to an annualized distribution of $1.76 per unit.

The cash distribution for the common units will be paid on May 14, 2021 to all common unitholders of record as of the close of the business on May 6, 2021.

The Partnership also announced that the Board declared a cash distribution of $0.546875 per 8.75% Series A preferred unit. The cash distribution for the 8.75% Series A preferred units will be paid on May 17, 2021 to all 8.75% Series A preferred unitholders of record as of the close of the business on May 10, 2021.

Höegh LNG Partners LP is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd. (Oslo Børs ticker: HLNG), a leading floating LNG service provider. HMLP’s strategy is to own, operate and acquire floating storage and regasification units (“FSRUs”) and associated LNG infrastructure assets under long-term charters. It has interests in five FSRUs that have an industry leading average remaining firm contract duration of 8.3 years plus options as of March 31, 2021.

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. Factors that can affect future results are discussed in the registration statement filed by Höegh LNG Partners LP with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is available via the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Höegh LNG Partners LP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.

Contact:

The IGB Group, Bryan Degnan, +1 (646) 673-9701 / Leon Berman, +1 (212) 477-8438
Knut Johan Arnholdt, VP IR and Strategy, +47 922 59 131 

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SOURCE Hoegh LNG Partners LP

WHEELING, W.Va., April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — WesBanco, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSBC), a diversified, multi-state bank holding company, announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on the outstanding shares of its 6.75% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) (Nasdaq: WSBCP).  The declared cash dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock is for the period from February 15, 2021, up to, but excluding May 15, 2021.  The declared cash dividend equates to $0.421875 per depositary share, or $16.875 per share of the Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.  The cash dividend is payable on May 17, 2021 to shareholders of record on May 3, 2021.

About WesBanco, Inc.
Founded in 1870, WesBanco, Inc. (www.wesbanco.com) is a diversified and balanced financial services company that delivers large bank capabilities with a community bank feel.  Our distinct long-term growth strategies are built upon unique sustainable advantages permitting us to span six states with meaningful market share.  Built upon our ‘Better Banking Pledge’, our customer-centric service culture is focused on growing long-term relationships by pledging to serve all personal and business customer needs efficiently and effectively.  In addition to a full range of online and mobile banking options and a full-suite of commercial products and services, WesBanco provides trust, wealth management, securities brokerage, and private banking services through our century-old Trust and Investment Services department, with approximately $5.0 billion of assets under management (as of  December 31, 2020).  WesBanco’s banking subsidiary, WesBanco Bank, Inc., operates 212 financial centers in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  Additionally, WesBanco operates an insurance agency, WesBanco Insurance Services, Inc., and a full service broker/dealer, WesBanco Securities, Inc.

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SOURCE WesBanco, Inc.

CINCINNATI, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — 

• Earnings per diluted share of $0.48; $0.50 on an adjusted
  
  ⁽¹⁾
  
  basis
• Return on average assets of 1.20%; 1.24% as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Net interest margin FTE⁽¹⁾ of 3.40%
• Provision for credit losses of $4.0 million; $7.5 million decline from linked quarter
• Repurchased 840,115 shares during the quarter

First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021. 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $47.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted common share.  These results compare to net income of $48.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $28.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2020.

Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2021 was 1.20% while return on average tangible common equity was 15.24%.  These compare to returns on average assets of 1.20% and 0.79%, and returns on average tangible common equity of 15.50% and 9.71%, in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2020, respectively.

First quarter 2021 highlights include:

• After adjustments⁽¹⁾ for certain nonrecurring items:
• Net income of $0.50 per diluted common share
• 1.24% return on average assets
• 15.80% return on average tangible common equity
• Net interest margin of 3.40% on a fully tax-equivalent basis⁽¹⁾ in line with expectations
• 9 basis point reduction from linked quarter driven by fewer fees related to loan prepayments, and lower volume of PPP forgiveness
• Noninterest income of $40.3 million, or $40.2 million as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Foreign exchange income of $10.8 million remains strong despite decline from record fourth quarter
• Mortgage income of $9.5 million in line with expectations given expected seasonal declines and lower premiums
• Noninterest expenses of $92.5 million, or $90.0 million as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Adjustments⁽¹⁾ include:
• $1.3 million of severance related costs
• $1.3 million of other nonrecurring costs such as branch consolidation costs
• Efficiency ratio of 60.0%; 58.4% as adjusted⁽¹⁾
• Excluding PPP growth, loan balances declined slightly during the quarter driven primarily by a decline in consumer and mortgage loans
• Average transactional deposit balances grew $523.7 million compared to the linked quarter; 21.1% on an annualized basis

 

 

• Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $183.0 million; Total quarterly provision for credit losses of $4.0 million
• Loans and leases – ACL of $169.9 million, 1.71% of total loans; 1.84% of loans excluding PPP
• Unfunded Commitments – ACL of $13.0 million
• First quarter provision expense driven by net charge-offs, partially offset by improvements in economic conditions
• Strong capital ratios
• Total capital of 15.41%
• Tier 1 common equity of 11.81%
• Tangible common equity of 8.22%; 8.62% excluding PPP loans
• Tangible book value per share of $12.78; $0.15 decrease compared to linked quarter
• Repurchased 840,115 shares during first quarter

Archie Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, remarked, “While uncertainty remains due to the ongoing pandemic, the accelerated COVID-19 vaccine distribution, unprecedented fiscal stimulus, and an accommodative Federal Reserve have led to widespread optimism for our economy, which is in stark contrast to our sentiment at this time last year.  Our first quarter operating performance reflects this change in sentiment and we have renewed optimism as a result of the improved business climate, despite an operating environment that presents challenges due to very low interest rates and muted loan demand.”

Mr. Brown continued, “Our first quarter financial results once again reflect our earnings power and our consistent ability to deliver value to our shareholders.  Our core quarterly financial metrics remained strong with adjusted⁽¹⁾ earnings per share of $0.50, adjusted⁽¹⁾ return on assets of 1.24%, and an adjusted⁽¹⁾ efficiency ratio of 58.4%.  Net income was bolstered by  lower expenses and significantly lower credit costs.  Despite expected seasonal declines, noninterest income was strong due to healthy mortgage demand, robust foreign exchange activity and higher wealth management fees.  In addition, adjusted⁽¹⁾ noninterest expenses declined $4.6 million from the linked quarter and resulted in a sub-60% efficiency ratio.  As I mentioned, credit costs were low with $4.0 million of provision expense during the quarter, and resulted in an allowance for credit losses of 1.84% of total loans, excluding PPP.  Classified assets increased during the quarter, however our overall credit outlook has improved significantly and our borrowers are seeing benefits from the various stimulus actions.  While first quarter net charge-offs increased slightly from previous quarters, this was driven by a single customer relationship.  Given our overall credit outlook, we expect the allowance for credit losses to continue to decline over the course of 2021.” 

Mr. Brown commented on balance sheet trends and capital utilization, “Excluding PPP activity, loan balances declined slightly for the quarter due to accelerated mortgage and HELOC payoffs, increased borrower liquidity, and muted business loan demand.  As a result of these trends, we anticipate slower growth in the near-term, with some acceleration in the second half of the year.  As of March 31, consumers and businesses were holding record levels of deposits, with average balances increasing during the quarter as a result of the stimulus package approved by Congress last December.  We anticipate further deposit balance growth in the second quarter after the passage of the most recent stimulus bill.  This anticipated growth will likely suppress loan demand and service charge income in the near-term.  From a capital standpoint, our ratios remained strong through the first quarter.  The combination of our current capital levels and our improved credit outlook, prompted us to repurchase 840,115 shares during the quarter.  Absent higher priority capital deployment alternatives, we anticipate additional buyback activity in the second quarter.”

Mr. Brown concluded, “We are pleased with our improved performance and outlook from this time last year.  We have started to transition associates back into their physical office locations, and we look forward to implementing the lessons learned over the past year to create an efficient, safe, and collaborative workplace.  As our local and national economies continue to improve, we believe we are well positioned to deliver industry leading services to our clients and returns to our shareholders.”

Full detail of the Company’s first quarter 2021 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial’s executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.  Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (877) 506-6873 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9657 (Canada toll free) or +1 (412) 380-2003 (International) (no passcode required).  The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call.  The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.bankatfirst.com.  A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call at (877) 344-7529 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9658 (Canada toll free) and +1 (412) 317-0088 (International); conference number 10154329.  The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website for 12 months.

Press Release and Additional Information on Website

This press release as well as supplemental information are available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial’s website at www.bankatfirst.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP financial measures where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position.  Where Non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the section titled “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as ”believes,” ”anticipates,” “likely,” “expected,” “estimated,” ”intends” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements.

As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management’s beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management’s control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation:

• economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company’s business;
• future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses
• the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry;
• Management’s ability to effectively execute its business plans;
• mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies;
• the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company’s acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;
• the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;
• changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment;
• changes in customers’ performance and creditworthiness;
• the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation;
• current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing prices, high unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth;
• the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), global pandemic, and the impact of a slowing U.S. economy and increased unemployment on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products;
• our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;
• financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services;
• the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale;
• the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses;
• a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks;
• the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and
• our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.

Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. 

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing.  Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company.  As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $16.2 billion in assets, $9.9 billion in loans, $12.6 billion in deposits and $2.3 billion in shareholders’ equity.  The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management.  These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients.  Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.1 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021.  The Company operated 143 full service banking centers as of March 31, 2021, primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis.  Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE First Financial Bancorp.