Sturm Ruger & Co Inc (RGR) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Market Challenges ...

In This Article:

  • Net Sales: $122.3 million for Q3 2024; $389.9 million for the first nine months of 2024.

  • Diluted Earnings Per Share: $0.28 for Q3 2024; $1.15 for the first nine months of 2024.

  • Cash and Short-term Investments: $96 million as of September 28, 2024.

  • Current Ratio: 4.5:1 as of September 28, 2024.

  • Stockholders' Equity: $314.9 million, equating to a book value of $18.76 per share.

  • Cash from Operations: $35.5 million for the first nine months of 2024.

  • Capital Expenditures: $17.2 million year-to-date, with an expectation of $20 million for 2024.

  • Shareholder Returns: $39.3 million returned through dividends and share repurchases in the first nine months of 2024.

  • Quarterly Dividend: $0.11 per share declared for shareholders of record as of November 13, 2024.

  • New Product Sales: $113 million, representing 31% of firearm sales in the first nine months of 2024.

Release Date: October 31, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Sturm Ruger & Co Inc (NYSE:RGR) reported an increase in net sales for Q3 2024 to $122.3 million, up from $120.9 million in the same period in 2023.

  • The company maintained a strong debt-free balance sheet with a current ratio of 4.5:1 and $96 million in cash and short-term investments.

  • Sturm Ruger & Co Inc (NYSE:RGR) returned $39.3 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the first nine months of 2024.

  • The company experienced a 9% increase in estimated unit sell-through from distributors to retailers, indicating potential market share gains.

  • Sturm Ruger & Co Inc (NYSE:RGR) was recognized with multiple industry awards, including Firearm Manufacturer of the Year and Best New Rifle for the Ruger American Gen II.

Negative Points

  • Diluted earnings per share decreased to $0.28 in Q3 2024 from $0.42 in the same period in 2023.

  • Net sales for the first nine months of 2024 were $389.9 million, down from $413.2 million in the corresponding period in 2023.

  • The company faced a challenging promotional environment with increased competition and rebates from other manufacturers.

  • Gross profit margins were impacted by product mix and pricing strategies, including strategic pricing on 75th anniversary products.

  • The backlog of higher-priced Marlin rifles may extend into 2025, potentially delaying revenue recognition from these sales.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain the difference in average selling price (ASP) between orders and backlog? A: The higher ASP in the backlog is primarily due to the Marlin rifles, which have a higher selling price. The backlog also includes a significant number of American Gen II rifles, but Marlins are the main factor driving the ASP up. - Christopher Killoy, President, CEO