Camping World Holdings, Inc. Reports Strong 2022 Results

Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWH) (the “Company” or “CWH”), America’s Recreation Dealer, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022.

Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World Holdings, Inc. stated, “The last several years of strong performance has bolstered our confidence in the long-term prospects of our business. In light of the short-term softening of demand and new vehicle margin compression, we recognized the need for aggressive annualized cost reductions, starting in the fall of 2022. This includes reduced headcount, the elimination or reduction of underperforming assets, locations, and business lines, while enhancing the wages and benefits of our employees.”

Full Year-over-Year Operating Highlights

• Revenue was $7.0 billion, an increase of $53.3 million, or 0.8%.
• Used vehicle revenue was a record $1.9 billion, an increase of $191.4 million, or 11.3%, while new vehicle revenue declined $71.4 million, or 2.2%. Used vehicle unit sales were a record 51,325 units, an increase of 2,387 units, or 4.9%, while new vehicle unit sales were 70,429 units, a decrease of 7,348 units, or 9.4%.
• Same store used vehicle unit sales increased slightly by 0.1%, while same store new vehicle unit sales decreased 13.6%.
• Gross profit was $2.3 billion, a decrease of $194.0 million, or 7.9%. Total gross margin was 32.5%, a decrease of 306 basis points driven primarily by the higher cost of new vehicles, which was partially offset by the higher average selling price of new vehicles. Used vehicle gross margin decreased to a lesser extent.
• Floor plan interest expense was $42.0 million, an increase of $27.9 million, or 197.9%, as a result of the rise in interest rates and the increased average principal balance from higher new vehicle costs, higher borrowings on used vehicles, and relief from the new vehicle supply constraints that existed during much of 2021.
• Net income was $351.0 million, a decrease of $291.0 million, or 45.3%.
• Diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock was $3.22 in 2022 versus $6.07 in 2021. Adjusted earnings per share - diluted⁽¹⁾ of Class A common stock was $4.17 in 2022 versus $6.88 in 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ was $653.4 million, a decrease of $288.7 million, or 30.6%.
• New and used vehicle inventories were $1.9 billion, an increase of $360.1 million. This increase was driven primarily by higher new vehicle unit costs, an additional 14 dealership locations, restocking to normalized levels of new vehicles and, to a lesser extent, the strategic growth of our used vehicle business.
• The Company paid an annualized cash dividend of $2.50 per share of Class A common stock, an increase of $1.02 per share of Class A common stock.

Fourth Quarter-over-Quarter Operating Highlights

• Revenue was $1.3 billion, a decrease of $97.3 million, or 7.1%.
• Used vehicle revenue was $392.6 million for the fourth quarter, a decrease of $19.7 million, or 4.8%, and new vehicle revenue declined $72.6 million, or 13.1%. Used vehicle unit sales were 10,334 units for the fourth quarter, a decrease of 335 units, or 3.1%.
• Same store used vehicle unit sales decreased 7.6% for the fourth quarter, and same store new vehicle unit sales decreased 14.1%.
• Gross profit was $391.6 million, a decrease of $93.0 million, or 19.2%. Total gross margin was 30.6%, a decrease of 459 basis points driven primarily by the higher cost of new vehicles and the lower average selling price of new vehicles. Used vehicle and products, service and other gross margins decreased to a lesser extent. The products, service and other gross margins declined primarily from clearance and discounting on certain product categories to reduce our retail inventory levels and supply chain costs.
• Floor plan interest expense was $17.5 million, an increase of $13.3 million, or 315.6%, as a result of the rise in interest rates and the increased average principal balance from higher new vehicle costs, higher borrowings on used vehicles, and relief from the new vehicle supply constraints that existed during much of 2021.
• At or around December 31, 2022, the Company completed the conversion of certain subsidiaries to limited liability companies resulting in income tax expense of $28.4 million, which was primarily for the write-off of deferred tax assets, net of the release of valuation allowance. The Company expects this conversion will reduce its ongoing income tax expense and reduce its ongoing tax distribution requirements.
• Net loss was $57.2 million, a decrease of income of $116.5 million, or 196.5%.
• Diluted loss per share of Class A common stock was $0.79 in 2022 versus diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock of $0.54 in 2021. Adjusted loss per share - diluted⁽¹⁾ of Class A common stock was $0.20 in 2022 versus adjusted earnings per share – diluted⁽¹⁾ of Class A common stock of $0.90 in 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ was $20.2 million, a decrease of $111.3 million, or 84.6%.

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⁽¹⁾ Adjusted (loss) earnings per share – diluted and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, see the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section later in this press release.

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast Information

A conference call to discuss the Company’s fourth quarter and fiscal year 2022 financial results is scheduled for February 22, 2023, at 7:30 am Central Time. Investors and analysts can participate on the conference call by dialing 1-877-407-9039 (international callers please dial 1-201-689-8470) and using conference ID# 13735202. Interested parties can also listen to a live webcast or replay of the conference call by logging on to the Investor Relations section on the Company’s website at http://investor.campingworld.com. The replay of the conference call webcast will be available on the investor relations website for approximately 90 days.

Presentation

This press release presents historical results for the periods presented for the Company and its subsidiaries, which are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), unless noted as a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) and related reorganization transactions (“Reorganization Transactions”) that occurred on October 6, 2016 resulted in the Company as the sole managing member of CWGS Enterprises, LLC (“CWGS, LLC”), with sole voting power in and control of the management of CWGS, LLC. The Company’s position as sole managing member of CWGS, LLC includes periods where the Company has held a minority economic interest in CWGS, LLC. As of December 31, 2022, the Company owned 50.2% of CWGS, LLC. Accordingly, the Company consolidates the financial results of CWGS, LLC and reports a non-controlling interest in its consolidated financial statements.

About Camping World Holdings, Inc.

Camping World Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, (together with its subsidiaries) is America’s largest retailer of RVs and related products and services. Our vision is to build a long-term legacy business that makes RVing fun and easy, and our Camping World and Good Sam brands have been serving RV consumers since 1966. We strive to build long-term value for our customers, employees, and shareholders by combining a unique and comprehensive assortment of RV products and services with a national network of RV dealerships, service centers and customer support centers along with the industry’s most extensive online presence and a highly-trained and knowledgeable team of associates serving our customers, the RV lifestyle, and the communities in which we operate. We also believe that our Good Sam organization and family of programs and services uniquely enables us to connect with our customers as stewards of the RV enthusiast community and the RV lifestyle. With RV sales and service locations in 42 states, Camping World has grown to become the prime destination for everything RV.

For more information, please visit http://www.CampingWorld.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements about macroeconomic trends, expected impact of the subsidiary conversions on our ongoing income tax expense and tax distribution requirements, our business plans and goals, the strength of our business, our long-term plan, the Company’s strategic focuses including growing its used RV business, anticipated cost reduction initiatives, including headcount reductions and the elimination of or reduction of underperforming assets, locations, and business lines, anticipated cost savings from cost reduction initiatives, enhancements of wages and benefits of employees, and future financial results. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations.

These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had, and could have in the future, certain negative impacts on our business; risks related to the cybersecurity incident announced in February 2022; our ability to execute and achieve the expected benefits of our 2019 Strategic Shift; the availability of financing to us and our customers; fuel shortages or high prices for fuel; the success of our manufacturers; general economic conditions in our markets; changes in consumer preferences; competition in our industry; risks related to acquisitions, new store openings and expansion into new markets; our failure to maintain the strength and value of our brands; our ability to manage our inventory; fluctuations in our same store sales; the cyclical and seasonal nature of our business; our dependence on the availability of adequate capital and risks related to our debt; our reliance on our fulfillment and distribution centers; natural disasters, including epidemic outbreaks; risks associated with selling goods manufactured abroad; our dependence on our relationships with third party suppliers and lending institutions; our ability to retain senior executives and attract and retain other qualified employees; risks associated with leasing substantial amounts of space; risks associated with our private brand offerings; we may incur asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets; tax risks; regulatory risks; data privacy and cybersecurity risks; risks related to our intellectual property; the impact of ongoing or future lawsuits against us and certain of our officers and directors; and risks related to our organizational structure.

These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K to be filed for the year ended December 31, 2022 and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change, except as required under applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

In addition, this press release references projected annualized dividend payments. Future declarations of quarterly dividends are subject to the determination and discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors based on its consideration of various factors, including the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, anticipated capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in its debt agreements, restrictions under applicable law, receipt of excess tax distributions from CWGS Enterprises, LLC, its business prospects and other factors that Camping World’s Board of Directors may deem relevant.

We intend to use our official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, each at the handle @CampingWorld, as well as the investor page of our website, investor.campingworld.com, as a distribution channel of material information about the Company and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The information we post through these social media channels and on our investor webpage may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should subscribe to these accounts and our investor alerts, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls and webcasts. These social media channels may be updated from time to time.

Comparison of Certain Trends to Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Periods

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company has experienced sequential decreases in new vehicle gross margin, primarily from the higher cost of new vehicles from the lower industry supply of travel trailers and motorhomes for much of 2021. However, fourth quarter 2022 gross margins were higher than the Company experienced in any of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods of 2016 to 2019, which we believe are more typical demand environments than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the percentage of total unit sales relating to used vehicles was significantly higher in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods of 2016 to 2019. The Company is continuing to execute on its used vehicle strategy, which differentiates it from the competition with proprietary tools, such as the RV Valuator, focus on the development and retention of its service technician team, and investment in its service bay infrastructure.

The following table presents vehicle gross margin and unit sale mix for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and pre-COVID-19 pandemic periods of the three months ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016 (unaudited):

(Loss) Earnings Per Share

Basic (loss) earnings per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to Camping World Holdings, Inc. by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share of Class A common stock is computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to Camping World Holdings, Inc. by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding adjusted to give effect to potentially dilutive securities.

The following table sets forth reconciliations of the numerators and denominators used to compute basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share of Class A common stock (unaudited):

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, TTM Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Camping World Holdings, Inc. – Basic, Adjusted Net (Loss)Income Attributable to Camping World Holdings, Inc. – Diluted, Adjusted (Loss) Earnings Per Share – Basic, and Adjusted (Loss) Earnings Per Share – Diluted (collectively the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures"). We believe that these Non-GAAP Financial Measures, when used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, provide useful information about operating results, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to the key metrics we use in our financial and operational decision making. These Non-GAAP Financial Measures are also frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in the Company’s industry and are used by management to evaluate our operating performance, to evaluate the effectiveness of strategic initiatives and for planning purposes. By providing these Non-GAAP Financial Measures, together with reconciliations, we believe we are enhancing investors’ understanding of our business and our results of operations, as well as assisting investors in evaluating how well we are executing our strategic initiatives. In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Facilities use Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated for our subsidiary CWGS Group, LLC, to measure our compliance with covenants such as the consolidated leverage ratio. The Non-GAAP Financial Measures have limitations as analytical tools, and the presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. They should not be construed as an inference that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by any items adjusted for in these Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In evaluating these Non-GAAP Financial Measures, it is reasonable to expect that certain of these items will occur in future periods. However, we believe these adjustments are appropriate because the amounts recognized can vary significantly from period to period, do not directly relate to the ongoing operations of our business and complicate comparisons of our internal operating results and operating results of other companies over time. Each of the normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments described in this section and in the reconciliation tables below help management with a measure of our core operating performance over time by removing items that are not related to day-to-day operations.

The Non-GAAP Financial Measures that we use are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies due to different methods of calculation.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

We define “EBITDA” as net (loss) income before other interest expense, net (excluding floor plan interest expense), provision for income tax expense and depreciation and amortization. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as EBITDA further adjusted for the impact of certain noncash and other items that we do not consider in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance. These items include, among other things, loss and expense on debt restructure, long-lived asset impairment, lease termination costs, gains and losses on sale or disposal of assets, net, equity-based compensation, Tax Receivable Agreement liability adjustment, restructuring costs related to the 2019 Strategic Shift, and other unusual or one-time items. We define “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by our competitors, because not all companies and analysts calculate EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin in the same manner. We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin because we consider them to be important supplemental measures of our performance and believe they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. Management believes that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these Non-GAAP Financial Measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations.

The following table reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and TTM Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial performance measures (unaudited):