RONA Announces Its 2014 Second Quarter Results

BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Aug. 12, 2014) - RONA Inc. (TSX:RON)(TSX:RON.PR.A) ("RONA" or the "Corporation") announces the results for its continuing operations for the 13- and 26-week periods ended June 29, 2014. All figures in this Press Release are in Canadian dollars.

SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
	•	Net income attributable to participating shares of $42.0 million ($0.35 per share) compared to a net loss of $144.7 million (-$1.19 per share) in 2013. Adjusted net income up 25% or $8.3 million over $33.6 million in 2013.
	•	Adjusted EBITDA of $89.1 million, up 16% versus $76.6 million in 2013. Free cash flow of $135.7 million compared to -$21.1 million in 2013.
	•	Adjusted EBITDA margin up 140 basis points, to 7.5% from 6.1%. Adjusted EBITDA margin of the retail segment up to 9.0%, a 170 basis points increase.
	•	Improving trend in retail segment. Same-store sales of -0.7% versus -3.4% in the first quarter. Positive same-store sales of corporate stores for the first quarter since 2010, coming from the strong growth in Western Canada and the repositioning of TOTEM and Réno-Dépôt stores.
	•	Continued strengthening of the financial position with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 0.9x, versus 2.5x last year, following a $307 million reduction in total net debt during the past year.

"The second quarter results show encouraging signs in sales. Same-store sales of the corporate stores in the retail segment have grown for the first time since 2010 compared to last year, despite the very challenging environment in the first half of the quarter. The net cost savings achieved by RONA's recovery plan added $10.5 million to EBITDA in the quarter and $27.9 million year-to-date. These savings directly contributed to a 25% increase in adjusted net income in the second quarter and 80% increase year-to-date," said Robert Sawyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of RONA.

"The progress achieved to date, under our business plan, shows that we have rolled out the right initiatives to improve efficiency and turnaround underperforming business units. Given the slowdown in some areas of the country, particularly in Quebec, and the highly competitive environment, we must remain focused on improving our efficiency and increasing our market share through a better banner positioning. The repositioning of the TOTEM and Réno-Dépôt stores and the recent agreement announced with Ace Hardware are excellent examples of the steps we have taken to improve our value proposition. RONA will thus have a leaner infrastructure and clearer positioning to improve sales and profitability," added Mr. Sawyer.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	Quarters ended			Six months ended
(in millions of dollars, except per share data)	June 29, 2014	June 30, 2013		June 29, 2014	June 30, 2013
Revenues	1,193.5	1,249.0		1,957.8	2,081.9
EBITDA	88.2	0.2		96.1	(21.5	)
Adjusted EBITDA (1)	89.1	76.6		99.1	78.3
Net income (loss) attributable to participating shares	42.0	(38.7	)	25.4	(74.8	)
Per share - basic and diluted ($)	0.35	(0.32	)	0.21	(0.61	)
Adjusted net income attributable to participating shares (1)	42.0	33.6		27.6	15.3
Per share - basic and diluted ($)	0.35	0.28		0.23	0.13
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in millions)	119.5	121.9		120.0	121.7

(1) See non-IFRS performance measures below.

2014 second quarter results

Consolidated revenues from continuing operations amounted to $1,193.5 million, down 4.4% from $1,249.0 million for the second quarter of 2013. This decrease primarily reflects the closure of underperforming stores, a late spring in Quebec and Ontario which had an adverse impact on sales of building materials and seasonal goods in the first half of the quarter coupled to a decline in housing starts in Quebec, RONA's biggest market. Same-store sales in the retail segment were down 0.7%. However, the strength of the economy in Western Canada and successful repositioning of the TOTEM stores in this region, combined with the positive impacts of the redeployment of the Réno-Dépôt stores in Quebec, have generated positive same-store sales for corporate stores in the retail segment.

Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations totalled $89.1 million, or 7.5% of revenues, up 16.3% compared to $76.6 million, or 6.1% of revenues in the second quarter of 2013. The increase reflects the realization of $10.5 million in net cost savings as a direct outcome of the RONA recovery plan, by reducing selling, general and administrative expenses, and the net impact on operating profits of the closure of underperforming stores.

Net income from continuing operations attributable to participating shares in the second quarter of 2014 was $42.0 million, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share, up $80.7 million compared to loss of $38.7 million or ($0.32) per basic and diluted share in the second quarter of 2013. On an adjusted basis, net income from continuing operations attributable to participating shares in the second quarter of 2014 was $42.0 million, or $0.35 per basic and diluted share, up $8.4 million compared to $33.6 million, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share in 2013.

2014 first half results

HIGHLIGHTS
	•	Adjusted net income attributable to participating shares of $27.6 million, up 80% versus $15.3 million in 2013.
	•	Adjusted basic and diluted net income per share increased from $0.13 in 2013 to $0.23 in 2014.
	•	Adjusted EBITDA of $99.1 million, up 27% versus 78.3 million in 2013.
	•	Adjusted EBITDA margin up 130 basis points to 5.1% from 3.8%. Adjusted EBITDA margin of the retail segment up to 5.5%, a 140 basis points increase.

In the first six months of 2014, consolidated revenues from continuing operations amounted to $1,957.8 million, compared to $2,081.9 million in the first half of 2013. On a same-store basis, sales were down in the retail segment by 1.7%.

Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations rose to $99.1 million, or 5.1% of revenues, up 26.6% versus $78.3 million, or 3.8% of revenues, in the prior period. The increase reflects the cost savings of $27.9 million achieved under the RONA recovery plan.

Net income from continuing operations attributable to participating shares for the first half of 2014 amounted to $25.4 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, up $100.2 million compared to a loss of $74.8 million, or ($0.61) per basic and diluted share, in the first half of 2013. On an adjusted basis, net income from continuing operations attributable to participating shares for the first half of 2014 amounted to $27.6 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share, up 79.8% compared to $15.3 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share.

SOLID FINANCIAL SITUATION

At June 29, 2014, RONA was in a healthy financial position with cash of $26.5 million and usage of $87.1 million on its authorized credit facility of $700.0 million. On that date, net debt stood at $185.6 million, down from $492.6 million at the close of the second quarter of fiscal 2013. During the second quarter, RONA generated free cash flow of $135.7 million, compared to -$21.1 million for the same period last year. The improvement is mainly due to the Corporation's operational performance and better management of working capital.

Reflecting this decreased debt, the ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA for the past 12 months was 0.9x at the close of the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to 2.5x for the same period of fiscal 2013. The ratio of net debt to total capital was 10% at June 29, 2014, compared to 23% at June 30, 2013.

In the second quarter, RONA bought back 1,673,200 common shares for a total consideration of $18.3 million under its normal course issuer bid put in plan on November 18, 2013. Since the bid took effect, the Corporation has purchased 3,492,800 common shares for a total of $41.6 million. The arrangement authorizes RONA to purchase a maximum of 8,578,384 common shares until November 17, 2014.

Recent event

On July 29, 2014, RONA signed a long-term agreement for master licensing of the Ace Hardware brand with Ace Hardware International. Under this agreement, RONA has specific rights and privileges with respect to Ace Hardware brands, retail operating systems and web portals in Canada. The parties also signed a long-term distribution agreement giving RONA access to products available through Ace Hardware's various distribution channels.

This agreement will allow RONA to improve its offering to small dealers across the country while leveraging its existing distribution infrastructure. Furthermore, the reputation of Ace Hardware in North America will strengthen RONA's banner portfolio.

Dividend on preferred shares

At its meeting on August 12, 2014, RONA's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3281 per share on cumulative 5-year rate reset Class A preferred shares, series 6. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2014 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2014.

Dividend on common shares

At its meeting on August 12, 2014, RONA's Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.07 per share on the Corporation's common shares. The dividend will be paid on September 25, 2014 to shareholders of record on September 10, 2014.

Additional information

The Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), interim consolidated financial statements and notes for second quarter 2014 can be found on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and in the "Investor Relations" section of the Corporation's website at www.rona.ca. The Corporation's Annual Information Form, along with other information about RONA, can also be found on the RONA and SEDAR websites.

Conference call with the financial community

On Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) RONA will hold a conference call for the financial community. To join the conference, please call 416-340-2216 or 1 866-223-7781. To listen to the call online, please go to: http://webcasts.pqm.net/client/rona/event/1122/en/.

A replay will be available from 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 until August 19, 2014. It can be heard by dialing 905 694-9451 or 1 800-408-3053 and entering the password 7914063 on the telephone keypad.

Non-IFRS performance measures

RONA uses performance measures which are not prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Management's view is that these measures are useful in the analysis of the Corporation's operational performance. These measures must not be considered separately or as a substitute for other performance measures calculated in compliance with IFRS, but rather as additional information.

EBITDA, as defined by the Corporation, represents operating profit before finance costs, income tax expense and depreciation, amortization and impairment of non-financial assets. This measure is widely used in financial circles to measure the profitability of operations.

Same-store sales is a metric used by management and is common throughout our industry. This metric identifies sales growth generated by the existing store network and is adjusted to reflect the effect of acquisitions, store closures and openings.

Management also uses the following non-IFRS performance measures: adjusted EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA margin; adjusted gross margin; adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses; adjusted depreciation, amortization and impairment of non-financial assets; adjusted finance costs; adjusted net income attributable to participating shares and adjusted diluted net income per share attributable to owners of RONA inc. These measures reflect the inclusion or exclusion of certain amounts that are viewed as not representative of the Corporation's sustainable financial performance. For more details on these measures, please see the MD&A for the second quarter of 2014.

Forward-looking statements

This Press Release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Press Release, including statements regarding the prospects of the industry and prospects, plans, financial position and business strategy of the Corporation may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Canadian securities legislation and regulations. Investors and others are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements.

For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that would cause the Corporation's actual results to differ from current expectations please refer to the Corporation's public filings available at sites www.sedar.com and www.rona.ca. In particular, further details and descriptions of these and other factors are disclosed in the MD&A under the "Risks and uncertainties" section and in the "Risk factors" section of the Corporation's current Annual Information Form.

The forward-looking statements in this Press Release reflect the Corporation's expectations as at August 12, 2014, and are subject to change after this date. The Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by the applicable securities laws.

About RONA

RONA inc. is a major distributor and retailer of hardware, building materials and home renovation products in Canada. The Corporation operates a network of over 500 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores under several different banners, and in a number of complementary formats. With its 8 distribution centers and its specialized TruServ Canada wholesaler, RONA serves its network as well as many independent dealers operating under other banners. With some 24,000 employees, the Corporation generates annual consolidated sales of $4.2 billion. For more information, visit www.rona.ca.