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Escalade (ESCA)
:ESCA

Escalade (ESCA) AI Stock Analysis

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Escalade

(NASDAQ:ESCA)

70Outperform
Escalade showcases stability in its financial health, with strong cash flow and effective leverage management. However, the declining revenue growth and mixed technical indicators suggest that growth strategies are needed. The recent appointment of a new CEO is a positive change that could enhance future growth prospects. Overall, the stock presents a fair valuation with a decent dividend yield.

Escalade (ESCA) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Escalade Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionEscalade, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, imports, and sells sporting goods in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company provides various sporting goods brands in basketball goals, archery, indoor and outdoor game recreation, and fitness products. It offers archery products under the Bear Archery, Trophy Ridge, Whisker Biscuit, Cajun Bowfishing, Karnage, Fletcher, SIK, BearX, and Rocket brand names; table tennis products under the STIGA and Ping-Pong brands; basketball goals under the Goalrilla, Goaliath, Silverback, Hoopstar, and Goalsetter brand names; and pickleball under the Onix, DURA, and Pickleball Now brands. The company also provides play systems under the Woodplay, Jack & June, and Childlife brands; fitness products under the STEP, Lifeline, Kettleworx, Natural Fitness, and PER4M brand names; safety products under the USWeight brand; hockey and soccer game tables under the Triumph Sports, Atomic, American Legend, Air Hockey, and HJ Scott brands; and billiard tables and accessories under the American Heritage Billiards, Brunswick Billiards, Gold Crown, Centennial, Cue&Case, Lucasi, Mizerak, PureX, Rage, Players, Minnesota Fats, and Mosconi brand names. In addition, it offers darting products under the Unicorn, Winmau, Arachnid, Accudart, and Nodor brands; water sports products under the RAVE Sports brand; and outdoor game products under the Victory Tailgate, Triumph Sports, Zume Games, and Viva Sol brand names. The company provides its products through sporting goods retailers, specialty dealers, online retailers, traditional department stores, and mass merchants. Escalade, Incorporated was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana.
How the Company Makes MoneyEscalade, Inc. generates revenue primarily through the design, manufacture, and sale of sporting goods and equipment. The company's revenue streams are largely driven by direct sales to retailers and distributors, as well as through e-commerce platforms where products are sold directly to consumers. Key partnerships with major retail chains and sporting goods stores enhance its market presence and distribution capabilities. Escalade's focus on innovation and quality ensures a competitive edge in the sporting goods sector, contributing to consistent sales and profitability.

Escalade Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Escalade maintains a stable financial footing with healthy profit margins and strong cash flow generation. The balance sheet shows effective leverage management, but declining revenue growth presents a challenge that needs addressing. Efforts to boost shareholder returns could enhance overall financial performance.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Escalade shows a consistent revenue base with a slight decline in recent years. The gross profit margin for 2024 is strong at 24.73%, and the net profit margin improves to 5.16%. However, the revenue growth rate has been negative, indicating a need for growth strategies. EBIT and EBITDA margins are stable, reflecting operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a solid equity base with an equity ratio of 74.66% in 2024. The debt-to-equity ratio has improved to 0.16, indicating strong leverage management. ROE for 2024 is at 7.68%, showing reasonable returns to shareholders, though there's room for improvement.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Cash flow statements reflect robust free cash flow generation, with a remarkable increase in free cash flow for 2024. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.78, indicating strong cash generation from operations. The company converts a significant portion of its income into free cash flow, enhancing financial flexibility.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
251.51M263.57M313.76M313.61M273.65M
Gross Profit
62.20M61.77M73.64M77.13M74.83M
EBIT
20.00M17.81M26.32M31.90M33.03M
EBITDA
20.00M23.51M32.38M36.73M37.05M
Net Income Common Stockholders
12.99M9.83M17.99M24.41M25.93M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
4.19M16.00K3.97M4.37M3.50M
Total Assets
226.33M253.00M298.72M251.80M220.71M
Total Debt
26.83M59.83M104.52M59.74M31.69M
Net Debt
22.63M59.82M100.55M55.37M28.18M
Total Liabilities
57.33M88.43M140.24M105.18M81.55M
Stockholders Equity
169.00M164.58M158.47M146.62M139.16M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
34.01M46.24M6.41M-8.76M-2.82M
Operating Cash Flow
36.05M48.33M8.52M939.00K2.63M
Investing Cash Flow
3.93M-1.95M-37.83M-9.65M-21.03M
Financing Cash Flow
-35.80M-50.33M28.90M9.58M16.02M

Escalade Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price15.30
Price Trends
50DMA
15.15
Positive
100DMA
14.95
Positive
200DMA
14.17
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.05
Negative
RSI
52.62
Neutral
STOCH
63.03
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ESCA, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 15.3 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 15.03, above the 50-day MA of 15.15, and above the 200-day MA of 14.17, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.05 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 52.62 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 63.03 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ESCA.

Escalade Risk Analysis

Escalade disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Escalade reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Escalade Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (59)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
70
Outperform
$209.06M16.547.79%3.92%-4.57%31.28%
DBDBI
60
Neutral
$175.11M-3.31%5.60%-2.14%-173.54%
59
Neutral
$12.24B11.04-1.00%3.78%1.30%-19.54%
55
Neutral
$197.11M-31.87%0.69%-254.98%
48
Neutral
$254.67M-9.70%5.30%-9.98%-348.96%
42
Neutral
$182.88M-40.76%-84.75%77.25%
SESES
41
Neutral
$198.12M-31.44%-83.20%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ESCA
Escalade
15.30
2.37
18.33%
CTRN
Citi Trends
22.14
-5.44
-19.72%
DBI
Designer Brands
3.65
-6.81
-65.11%
JOUT
Johnson Outdoors
24.84
-18.88
-43.18%
LOGC
ContextLogic
6.98
1.40
25.09%
SES
SES AI Corporation Class A
0.52
-1.09
-67.70%

Escalade Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 26, 2025 | % Change Since: -2.11% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 17, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed picture with notable achievements in inventory management, debt reduction, and product innovation, counterbalanced by a decline in sales and increased expenses. The operational challenges and cost of rightsizing also impacted profitability. However, the strategic focus on brand partnerships and innovation suggests a positive outlook.
Highlights
Gross Margin Improvement
The company achieved a 60 basis points improvement in gross margin primarily due to lower manufacturing and logistics costs.
Significant Inventory Reduction
Escalade successfully reduced inventory levels by 44% in 2024, improving working capital efficiency and positively impacting cash flow.
Debt Reduction
Escalade paid down $25.3 million in debt during 2024, ending the year with a net leverage ratio of 0.8 times.
New Product Launches
Introduced innovative products like the Onyx Malus pickleball paddles and launched new Adidas branded fitness accessories in the US.
Strategic Brand Partnerships
Strengthened partnerships such as with the American Cornhole League and became the exclusive US distributor of Adidas branded fitness accessories.
Lowlights
Decline in Fourth Quarter Sales
Sales declined by 2% in the fourth quarter compared to the previous year period.
Increased SG&A Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by 5% or $0.5 million compared to the prior year period.
EBITDA Decrease
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization decreased by $0.5 million to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Impact of Operational Rightsizing
The company faced significant one-time costs related to operational rightsizing and facility wind-downs.
Company Guidance
During the Escalade Fourth Quarter 2024 Results Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics illustrating its financial performance and strategic initiatives. Escalade reported a 2% decline in fourth-quarter sales compared to the previous year, yet achieved a 60-basis-point improvement in gross margin, reaching 24.9%. Operating cash flow for the year was $36 million, with $12.3 million generated in the fourth quarter alone. The company successfully reduced inventory levels by 44% compared to their peak in 2022, contributing to a $25.3 million debt reduction in 2024, ending the year with a net leverage ratio of 0.8 times. Additionally, Escalade executed $2.2 million in share repurchases and maintained $25.6 million of fixed-rate debt at an interest rate of 2.97%. The focus on operational discipline, asset optimization, and strategic investments in consumer-driven innovation positions Escalade to capitalize on future growth opportunities despite ongoing challenges in consumer demand for recreational goods.

Escalade Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Escalade Appoints Armin Boehm as New CEO
Positive
Feb 6, 2025

On February 6, 2025, Escalade, Inc. announced the appointment of Armin Boehm as its new Chief Executive Officer and President, effective April 1, 2025. Boehm, with over three decades of leadership experience across global brands like Gibson and Amer Sports, succeeds Walter P. Glazer, Jr., who announced his retirement in August 2024. Boehm’s extensive experience in the sporting goods industry is expected to drive Escalade’s growth and innovation, enhancing its market position and benefiting stakeholders.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.