ESCALADE INC

Previous wording

This report contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, capital actions or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “will likely result,” “may,” “are expected to,” “is anticipated,” “potential,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “projected,” “intends to,” or may include other similar words or phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” or similar verbs. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to: Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives; Escalade’s plans and expectations surrounding the transition to its new Chief Executive Officer and all potential related effects and consequences; Escalade’s ability to successfully implement actions to lessen the potential impacts of tariffs, a potential trade war with China and other trade restrictions applicable to our products and raw materials, including impacts on the costs of producing our goods, importing products and materials into our markets for sale, and on the pricing of our products; our international operations, including any related to political uncertainty and geopolitical tensions; Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and businesses and of divestitures or discontinuances of certain operations, assets, brands, and products; the continuation and development of key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships; Escalade’s ability to protect its intellectual property; Escalade’s ability to develop and implement our own direct to consumer e-commerce distribution channel; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and market acceptance; new product development; Escalade’s ability to successfully negotiate the shifting retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits; the financial health of our customers; disruptions or delays in our business operations, including without limitation disruptions or delays in our supply chain, arising from political unrest, war, terrorist attacks, labor strikes, natural disasters, public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and other events and circumstances beyond our control; the evaluation and implementation of remediation efforts designed and impleme…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Current wording

This report contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, capital actions or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “will likely result,” “may,” “are expected to,” “is anticipated,” “potential,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “projected,” “intends to,” or may include other similar words or phrases such as “believes,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” “remain,” or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” or similar verbs. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to: Escalade’s ability to achieve its business objectives; Escalade’s plans and expectations surrounding the transition to its new Chief Executive Officer and all potential related effects and consequences; Escalade’s ability to successfully implement actions to lessen the potential impacts of tariffs, a potential trade war with China and other trade restrictions applicable to our products and raw materials, including impacts on the costs of producing our goods, importing products and materials into our markets for sale, and on the pricing of our products; our international operations, including any related to political uncertainty and geopolitical tensions; Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and businesses and of divestitures or discontinuances of certain operations, assets, brands, and products; the continuation and development of key customer, supplier, licensing and other business relationships; Escalade’s ability to protect its intellectual property; Escalade’s ability to develop and implement our own direct to consumer e-commerce distribution channel; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and market acceptance; new product development; Escalade’s ability to successfully negotiate the shifting retail environment and changes in consumer buying habits; the financial health of our customers; disruptions or delays in our business operations, including without limitation disruptions or delays in our supply chain, arising from political unrest, war, terrorist attacks, labor strikes, natural disasters, public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and other events and circumstances beyond our control; the evaluation and implementation of remediation efforts…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Previous wording

The United States Government has continued making new announcements concerning tariffs enacted and/or proposed to be enacted on the importation of goods into the United States as well as negotiations of trade agreements to potentially replace such tariffs. Although the United States has begun to negotiate reciprocal trade agreements with several nations, few agreements have been finalized to date and the administration has paused or modified many of its announced tariffs leading to uncertainty with respect to which tariffs may apply and the size and scope of such tariffs. However, recent announcements from China and the US have reignited concerns over a potential trade war. Although the Company has engaged in actions to mitigate the potential impacts from tariffs and other economic pressures such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, it may not be able to effectively protect itself from these risks. Tariffs, a potential trade war with China and other restrictions on trade could result in increased costs and/or the unavailability of goods purchased by the Company, which in turn may result in lower profitability and/or a decline in sales as well as the loss of goodwill among customers. General economic conditions, inflation, recessionary fears, rising interest rates, changes in the housing market and declining consumer confidence also may impact the Company adversely. Management cannot predict the full impact of these factors on the Company. Due to the above circumstances and as described generally in this Form 10-Q, the Company’s results of operations for the period ended September 30, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for fiscal year 2025.

Current wording

The United States Government has made a series of announcements concerning tariffs enacted and/or proposed to be enacted on the importation of goods into the United States including a baseline tariff rate and individualized higher rates on many countries including countries that supply goods to the Company, including China from which the Company imports a substantial amount of goods. Although the United States Supreme Court ruled that many of these tariffs were invalid, the availability of any refunds of such tariffs remains uncertain and the Government has initiated new tariffs and may impose other tariffs as well. Additionally, hostilities in the Middle East have adversely affected shipping routes and oil prices and may have effects on the economy in general. Tariffs, restrictions on trade, rising energy costs and disrupted shipping routes could result in increased costs and/or the unavailability of goods purchased by the Company, which in turn may result in lower profitability and/or a decline in sales as well as the loss of goodwill among customers. General economic conditions, inflation, recessionary fears, rising energy costs, rising interest rates, changes in the housing market and declining consumer confidence also may impact the Company adversely. Management cannot predict the full impact of these factors on the Company. Due to the above circumstances and as described generally in this Form 10-Q, the Company’s results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2026 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for fiscal year 2026.

Previous wording

Gross margin increased 334 basis points to 28.1% for the third quarter of 2025 compared to 24.8% for the same period in 2024 primarily driven by lower fixed costs and decreased inventory storage and handling costs, partially offset by tariff-related costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, gross margin increased to 26.6% compared to 24.7% for the same period in 2024 driven by the favorable impact of lower fixed costs, partially offset by tariff-related costs and an unfavorable product mix.

Current wording

Gross margin increased to 30.7% for the first quarter of 2026 compared to 26.7% for the same period in 2025 primarily driven by lower fixed costs and favorable sales mix.

Previous wording

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2025 compared to $11.7 million for the same period in the prior year, a decrease of $0.5 million or 4.1%. SG&A as a percent of sales is 16.5% for the third quarter of 2025 compared with 17.2% for the same period in the prior year.

Current wording

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $10.7 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to $10.6 million for the same period in the prior year, an increase of $0.1 million or 1.5%. SG&A as a percent of sales is 19.2% for the first quarter of 2026 compared with 19.1% for the same period in the prior year.

Previous wording

Total debt as of September 30, 2025 was $20.2 million, a decrease of $5.4 million from December 31, 2024. The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:

Current wording

Total debt at the end of the first three months of 2026 was $16.7 million, a decrease of $1.8 million from December 31, 2025. The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:

Previous wording

As a percentage of stockholders’ equity, total debt was 11.7%, 15.1% and 17.3% at September 30, 2025, December 31, 2024, and September 30, 2024 respectively.

Current wording

As a percentage of stockholders’ equity, total debt was 9.5%, 10.7% and 14.1% at March 31, 2026, December 31, 2025, and March 31, 2025 respectively.

Previous wording

As of September 30, 2025, the outstanding principal amount of the term loan was $20.2 million and total amount drawn under the Revolving Facility was zero.

Current wording

As of March 31, 2026, the outstanding principal amount of the term loan was $16.7 million and total amount drawn under the revolving facility was zero. The term loan and revolving facility have a maturity date of January 21, 2027.

Previous wording

The Company funds working capital requirements and shareholder dividends through operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its Lenders. The Company expects that cash generated from its 2025 operations and its access to adequate levels of revolving credit will provide it with sufficient cash flows for its operations and to meet growth needs.

Current wording

The Company funds working capital requirements and shareholder dividends through operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its Lenders. The Company expects that cash generated from its 2026 and Q1 2027 operations will be sufficient to pay the remaining term loan balance of $11.3 million due on January 21, 2027.