SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
______________________
 
FORM 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of May 2018
 
Commission File Number: 001-35464
 
Caesarstone Ltd.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
Kibbutz Sdot-Yam
MP Menashe
Israel 3780400
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F ☒          Form 40-F ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   __ 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):   __ 

 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
On May 9, 2018, Caesarstone Ltd. (the “Company”) issued a press release titled “Caesarstone Reports First Quarter 2018 Results”, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 herewith.
 
The GAAP financial information included in consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of income and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows contained in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into (i) the Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Files No. 333- 180313 and No. 333-210444) and (ii) the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-196335).

 
SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CAESARSTONE LTD.
 
 
 
 
 
Date: May 9, 2018
By:
/s/ Michal Baumwald Oron
 
 
 
Name:  Michal Baumwald Oron
 
 
 
Title:    Vice President Business
 
 
 
             Development & General Counsel
 
 

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
The following exhibits are furnished as part of this Form 6-K:

Exhibit
Description
   
 
 



Exhibit 99.1
Caesarstone Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

·
Quarterly Revenue of $136.1 million, similar to prior year
·
First Quarter Diluted EPS of $0.05; Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.10
·
Reduces Full Year 2018 Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance
·
Revitalized leadership team focused on improved execution and strategy
 
MP MENASHE, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Caesarstone Ltd. (NASDAQ:CSTE), a manufacturer of high quality engineered quartz surfaces, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was $136.1 million, approximately flat to the prior year’s first quarter result of $136.4 million; on a constant currency basis, first quarter revenue decreased by 3.7%.

Yair Averbuch, Interim Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our first quarter results fell short of our expectations. We are working with urgency and purpose to improve execution and resume growth. We plan to enhance our execution, particularly in the U.S. market, with a focus on growth and margins. We believe that we have significant opportunities to leverage our global operating platform, powerful global brand, innovative and leading products and our considerable financial strength to return to compelling levels of value creation for our shareholders.”

Gross margin in the first quarter was 25.2% compared to 36.1% in the same period in the prior year. The decrease in margin primarily reflects: increased product complexity and related manufacturing challenges in Israel; inventory and logistical inefficiencies primarily related to the U.S. distribution operation, the majority of which the company does not expect will continue in the remainder of the year; and higher raw material prices.

Operating expenses in the first quarter were $32.8 million, or 24.1% of revenue, as compared to $34.1 million, or 25.0% of revenue, in the same quarter last year. Excluding legal settlements and loss contingency expenses, operating expenses would have been 22.3% of revenue as compared to 24.5% in the same quarter last year.

Operating income in the first quarter was $1.4 million, a margin of 1.0% compared to $15.1 million, a margin of 11.1%, in the first quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes expenses for share-based compensation as well as legal settlements and loss contingencies, was $11.2 million in the first quarter of 2018, a margin of 8.2%. This compares to adjusted EBITDA of $24.3 million in the prior year’s first quarter, a margin of 17.8%.  This year-over-year margin comparison primarily reflects the decline in gross margin, as described above.

Finance income in the first quarter was $0.5 million compared to finance expense of $1.5 million during the same period in the prior year. The change primarily reflects the benefit of currency in certain financial instruments.

The Company reported net income attributable to controlling interest for the first quarter of 2018 of $1.5 million compared to income of $11.1 million in the same quarter in the prior year.  Diluted net income per share for the first quarter was $0.05 compared to $0.31 in the prior year's first quarter, both on 34.4 million shares.  Adjusted diluted net income per share for the first quarter was $0.10 compared to the prior year’s first quarter level of $0.36.

The Company's balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 remained strong, including cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits of $112.1 million as compared to a total of $138.7 million on December 31, 2017 and to $121.0 million on March 31, 2017.  The Company noted that during the quarter, it used approximately $14.2 million in cash, as previously announced, to conclude long-standing arbitration as well as $10.5 million in cash for the payment of a previously authorized dividend paid during the first quarter.

With regard to the previously announced dividend policy - the Company noted that considering the quarter’s results, it will not pay dividend in the second quarter.


Guidance

The Company today reduced its full-year 2018 guidance to reflect the first quarter results reported today as well as its outlook for the remainder of 2018.  The Company now expects full year 2018 revenues in a range of $590 million to $610 million and expects full year 2018 adjusted EBITDA in the range of $74 million to $82 million.

Conference Call Details

Yair Averbuch, the Company’s interim chief executive officer, and Ophir Yakovian, the Company’s chief financial officer, will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results, followed by a question and answer session for the investment community. A live webcast of the call can be accessed at ir.caesarstone.com. To access the call, dial toll-free 1-877-407-4018 or +1-201-689-8471 (international). The toll-free Israeli number is 1 80 940 6247. Upon dialing in, please request to join the Caesarstone First Quarter Earnings Call.
 
To listen to a telephonic replay of the conference call, dial toll-free 1-844-512-2921 or +1-412-317-6671 (international) and enter pass code 13678742. The replay will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 and will last through 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.
 
About Caesarstone

Caesarstone manufactures high quality engineered quartz surfaces, which are used in both residential and commercial buildings as countertops, vanities, wall cladding, floors and other interior surfaces. The wide variety of colors, styles, designs and textures of Caesarstone® products, along with Caesarstone's inherent characteristics such as hardness, non-porous, scratch and stain resistance and durability, provide consumers with excellent surfaces for their internal spaces which are highly competitive to granite, manufactured solid surfaces and laminate, as well as to other engineered quartz surfaces. Caesarstone's three collections of products — Classico, Supernatural and Concetto — are available in over 50 countries around the world. For more information about the Company, please visit our website www.caesarstone.com. (CSTE-E)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP measures presented by the Company should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, comparable GAAP measures. A reconciliation of GAAP net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest and net income to Adjusted EBITDA are provided in the schedules within this release. The Company provides these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes that they present a better measure of the Company's core business and management uses the non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate the Company's ongoing performance. Accordingly, the Company believes that they are useful to investors in enhancing an understanding of the Company's operating performance.


Forward-Looking Statements

Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to the Company's plans, objectives and expectations for future operations, including its projected results of operations and the expected timing of expanding its manufacturing facilities. These forward-looking statements are based upon management's current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These factors include, but are not limited to: the strength of the home renovation and construction sectors; economic conditions within any of our key existing markets; actions by our competitors; changes in raw material prices, particularly polymer resins and pigments; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; the success of our expansion efforts in the United States; the outcome of silicosis claims and other claims; unpredictability of seasonal fluctuations in revenues; delays in manufacturing and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact
James Palczynski
Partner
ICR, Inc.
+1 (203) 682-8229


Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
 Condensed consolidated balance sheets
 
   
As of
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
March 31,
2018
   
December 31,
2017
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
ASSETS
           
             
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
             
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits
 
$
112,111
   
$
138,707
 
Trade receivables, net
   
74,631
     
73,267
 
Other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
   
39,671
     
33,053
 
Inventories
   
142,357
     
132,940
 
                 
Total current assets
   
368,770
     
377,967
 
                 
LONG-TERM ASSETS:
               
                 
Severance pay fund
   
3,866
     
3,887
 
Other long-term receivables
   
6,722
     
8,502
 
Deferred tax assets, net
   
6,102
     
3,965
 
Long-term deposits and prepaid expenses
   
2,802
     
2,743
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
214,428
     
216,653
 
Other intangibles assets
   
1,666
     
2,241
 
Goodwill
   
36,721
     
37,029
 
                 
Total long-term assets
   
272,307
     
275,020
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
641,077
   
$
652,987
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
                 
Short-term bank credit
 
$
13,158
   
$
4,191
 
Trade payables
   
63,755
     
64,021
 
Related party and other loan
   
3,268
     
3,463
 
Short term legal settlements and loss contingencies
   
13,455
     
25,782
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
30,897
     
30,000
 
                 
Total current liabilities
   
124,533
     
127,457
 
                 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
               
                 
Long-term loan and financing leaseback from a related party
   
8,063
     
8,336
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies long-term
   
25,572
     
23,454
 
Accrued severance pay
   
5,020
     
5,556
 
Long-term warranty provision
   
1,173
     
1,151
 
Deferred tax liabilities, net
   
-
     
657
 
                 
Total long-term liabilities
   
39,828
     
39,154
 
                 
REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
   
15,326
     
16,481
 
                 
EQUITY:
               
                 
Ordinary shares
   
371
     
371
 
Treasury shares - at cost
   
(39,430
)
   
(39,430
)
Additional paid-in capital
   
151,910
     
151,880
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
522
     
683
 
Retained earnings
   
348,017
     
356,391
 
                 
Total equity
   
461,390
     
469,895
 
                 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
641,077
   
$
652,987
 




Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Condensed consolidated statements of income

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands (except per share data)
 
2018
   
2017
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
Revenues
 
$
136,058
   
$
136,411
 
Cost of revenues
   
101,814
     
87,170
 
                 
Gross profit
   
34,244
     
49,241
 
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Research and development
   
756
     
948
 
Marketing and selling
   
18,360
     
21,159
 
General and administrative
   
11,204
     
11,326
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies, net
   
2,497
     
671
 
                 
Total operating expenses
   
32,817
     
34,104
 
                 
Operating income
   
1,427
     
15,137
 
Finance expenses (income), net
   
(540
)
   
1,524
 
                 
Income before taxes on income
   
1,967
     
13,613
 
Taxes on income
   
511
     
2,348
 
                 
Net income
 
$
1,456
   
$
11,265
 
                 
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest
   
37
     
(169
)
Net income attributable to controlling interest
 
$
1,493
   
$
11,096
 
Basic net income per ordinary share (*)
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.31
 
Diluted net income per ordinary share (*)
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.31
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic income per ordinary share
   
34,343,749
     
34,321,573
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing diluted income per ordinary share
   
34,383,006
     
34,364,084
 
 
(*) The numerator for the calculation of net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 has been increased by approximately $0.1 million and reduced by approximately $0.3 million, respectively, to reflect the adjustment to redemption value associated with the redeemable non-controlling interest.


Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Selected Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2018
   
2017
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
             
Net income
 
$
1,456
   
$
11,265
 
Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
7,250
     
7,429
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
30
     
1,154
 
Accrued severance pay, net
   
(513
)
   
469
 
Changes in deferred tax, net
   
(2,829
)
   
131
 
Legal settlemnets and loss contingencies, net
   
2,497
     
671
 
Increase in trade receivables
   
(173
)
   
(5,782
)
Increase in other accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
   
(3,924
)
   
(1,627
)
Increase in inventories
   
(9,863
)
   
(4,374
)
Increase (decrease) in trade payables
   
(1,334
)
   
3,426
 
Increase (decrease) in warranty provision
   
53
     
(20
)
Decrease (increase) in accrued expenses and other liabilities including related party
   
(13,616
)
   
4,969
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
(20,966
)
   
17,711
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
                 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
   
(4,112
)
   
(4,708
)
Increase in long term deposits
   
(42
)
   
(4
)
                 
Net cash used in investing activities (*)
   
(4,154
)
   
(4,712
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
                 
Dividend paid
   
(9,960
)
   
-
 
Dividend paid by subsidiary to non-controlling interest
   
(559
)
   
-
 
Changes in short-term bank credit and loans, net
   
9,294
     
1,830
 
Repayment of a financing leaseback related to Bar-Lev transaction
   
(294
)
   
(284
)
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(1,519
)
   
1,546
 
                 
Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents
   
43
     
194
 
                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits
   
(26,596
)
   
14,739
 
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits at beginning of the period
   
138,707
     
106,270
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits at end of the period
 
$
112,111
   
$
121,009
 
                 
Non - cash investing:
               
Changes in trade payables balances related to purchase of fixed assets
   
366
     
131
 
 
(*) Cash used in investing activities does not include changes in bank deposits as such balance is included in the “cash and cash equivalents and short term bank deposits” line at the beginning and end of the period.

Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2018
   
2017
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:
           
Net income
 
$
1,456
   
$
11,265
 
Finance expenses (income), net
   
(540
)
   
1,524
 
Taxes on income
   
511
     
2,348
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
7,250
     
7,429
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies, net (a)
   
2,497
     
671
 
Share-based compensation expense (b)
   
30
     
1,154
 
Provision for employees fringe benefits (c)
   
-
     
(114
)
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)
 
$
11,204
   
$
24,277
 
 
(a)
Consists of legal settlements expenses and loss contingencies, net, related to product liability claims and other adjustments to on-going legal claims.
(b)
Share-based compensation includes expenses related to stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees and directors of the Company.
 
In addition, includes expenses for phantom awards granted and related payroll expenses as a result of exercises.
(c)
Relates to an adjustment of provision for taxable employee fringe benefits as a result of a settlement with the Israeli Tax Authority and with the National Insurance Intitute of Israel.
 
Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands (except per share data)
 
2018
   
2017
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
Reconciliation of net income attributable to controlling interest to adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest:
           
Net income attributable to controlling interest
 
$
1,493
   
$
11,096
 
Legal settlements and loss contingencies, net (a)
   
2,497
     
671
 
Share-based compensation expense (b)
   
30
     
1,154
 
Provision for employees fringe benefits (c)
   
-
     
(114
)
Total adjustments
   
2,527
     
1,711
 
Less tax on non-tax adjustments (d)
   
656
     
295
 
Total adjustments after tax
   
1,871
     
1,416
 
                 
Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest (Non-GAAP)
 
$
3,364
   
$
12,512
 
Adjusted diluted EPS (e)
 
$
0.10
   
$
0.36
 
 
(a)
Consists of legal settlements expenses and loss contingencies, net, related to product liability claims and other adjustments to on-going legal claims.
(b)
Share-based compensation includes expenses related to stock options and restricted stock units granted to employees and directors of the Company.
 
In addition, includes expenses for phantom awards granted and the related payroll expenses as a result of exercises.
(c)
Relates to an adjustment of provision for taxable employee fringe benefits as a result of a settlement with the Israeli Tax Authority and with the National Insurance Intitute of Israel.
(d)
Tax adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were based on the effective tax rates for these periods, respectively.
(e)
In calculating adjusted diluted (Non-GAAP) EPS, the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding excludes the effects of share-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC 718.
 
 

Caesarstone Ltd. and its subsidiaries
Geographic breakdown of revenues by region
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
2018
   
2017
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
             
USA
 
$
56,750
   
$
58,024
 
Australia (incl. New Zealand)
   
28,903
     
29,521
 
Canada
   
23,355
     
22,304
 
Israel
   
11,790
     
11,699
 
Europe
   
7,433
     
6,377
 
Rest of World
   
7,827
     
8,486
 
   
$
136,058
   
$
136,411