NEW CANAAN, Conn. - Stadium Capital Management, LLC, the largest shareholder of Sleep Number (NASDAQ:SNBR) Corporation (NASDAQ: SNBR), owning approximately 11.7% of the company's outstanding shares, is calling for significant governance changes. Stadium Capital has expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Sleep Number's leadership, particularly under CEO Shelly Ibach. The investment firm is pushing for the addition of new directors to the board, the appointment of an Executive Chairman, and a wholly independent CEO search process.
In a recent letter to shareholders, Stadium Capital criticized the current board for what it perceives as insufficient management and governance changes announced on October 30, 2024. The firm believes that the changes, including Ibach's retirement and a gradual de-classification of the board, are minimal and fail to address the urgency of the situation.
Stadium Capital has highlighted Sleep Number's underperformance relative to its closest peer, Tempur Sealy (NYSE:TPX) International, Inc., citing a stark contrast in shareholder returns over various time periods. According to Stadium Capital, Sleep Number's market capitalization is currently less than $300 million, with stock down 91% from its peak.
The investment firm has proposed a path forward that includes immediate retirement of certain board members, the appointment of new directors, and a reconstitution of the CEO search committee to exclude Ibach from the process. Stadium Capital has stated that it is prepared to nominate exceptionally qualified directors for election at Sleep Number's 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders if the board remains unresponsive to its suggestions.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Stadium Capital Management, LLC.
In other recent news, Sleep Number Corporation reported a 10% year-over-year decline in net sales for the third quarter of 2024, amounting to $427 million. Despite weaker consumer demand, the company's adjusted EBITDA remained steady at $28 million. Concurrently, CEO Shelly Ibach announced her upcoming retirement, scheduled to take place no later than the 2025 annual shareholders meeting.
The company also reported an improved gross margin of 60.8% and a decrease in operating expenses, aiming for a full-year expense reduction target of about $75 million. Sleep Number revised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance downward and introduced the ClimateCool smart bed to its product lineup.
These recent developments are part of Sleep Number's focus on financial resilience and cash flow generation amidst a challenging retail environment. The company is anticipating a full-year net sales decline of approximately 10% and projected capital expenditures of $25 million. However, the company's adjusted EBITDA for Q4 is expected to exceed $25 million, indicating a potential recovery.
InvestingPro Insights
Adding to the concerns raised by Stadium Capital Management, recent data from InvestingPro sheds light on Sleep Number's financial challenges. The company's market capitalization stands at $279.41 million, aligning with Stadium Capital's assessment of a sub-$300 million valuation. This figure underscores the significant decline in shareholder value that Stadium Capital has highlighted.
InvestingPro data reveals that Sleep Number's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q3 2023 was $1.735 billion, with a concerning revenue growth decline of -11.28% over the same period. This negative growth trend supports Stadium Capital's critique of the company's performance under current leadership.
Two relevant InvestingPro Tips further illuminate Sleep Number's situation. Firstly, the company "operates with a significant debt burden," which could be exacerbating its financial struggles. Secondly, "analysts do not anticipate the company will be profitable this year," aligning with the negative sentiment expressed by Stadium Capital.
These insights from InvestingPro provide additional context to Stadium Capital's call for governance changes and underscore the urgency of the situation. Investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis can access 7 additional InvestingPro Tips for Sleep Number, offering a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.