GlobeNewswire Inc | Mar 10, 2021 07:00AM EST

March 10, 2021

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., March 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifetime Brands, Inc. (NasdaqGS: LCUT), a leading global designer, developer and marketer of a broad range of branded consumer products used in the home, today reported its financial results for the quarter and full year ended December31, 2020.

Robert Kay, Lifetimes Chief Executive Officer, commented, We are pleased with our performance in the fourth quarter, which represents another quarter driving significant value for shareholders. Our core U.S. business delivered its sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth driven by increased demand in our kitchenware products. We outperformed in the majority of our categories in both pure play and omnichannel e-commerce, where there was strong demand, and we continue to gain market share across most of our channels. We also achieved meaningful progress in our international business during the fourth quarter, which demonstrated the benefits from the turnaround plan for this business unit that we began executing against in 2019. On a consolidated basis, Lifetime grew sales by nearly 10% in the quarter, which favorably compares to a strong quarter a year ago.

Mr. Kay continued, Our strong fourth quarter results capped a truly transformative year for Lifetime Brands, and Im incredibly proud of what our team accomplished in 2020. Despite the external challenges presented by the global pandemic, net income for the quarter was $15.2million compared with a net loss of $(14.5)million for the prior period. Correspondingly, we generated $77.3 million in Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in 2020, an increase of approximately 21% over 2019, by demonstrating strong top line growth and remaining focused on disciplined cost control, which has contributed to making our company a leaner organization. The combination of substantially higher cash flow from operations and a more disciplined approach to managing the balance sheet has allowed us to de-leverage Lifetime to our target levels, notwithstanding meaningful investments in higher inventory levels that we have made over the past six months in order to drive competitive advantage. We have now substantially achieved our Lifetime 2.0 objectives and look forward to driving continued growth and profitability as we enter the next phase of our strategic plan."

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights:

Consolidated net sales for the three months ended December31, 2020, were $249.2million, representing an increase of $22.3million or 9.8% as compared to $226.9million for the corresponding period in 2019, led by 10.7% growth in our core U.S. business. In constant currency, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, consolidated net sales increased $21.5million or 9.4% in the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to consolidated net sales in the corresponding period in 2019.

Gross margin was $88.1million, or 35.4%, in 2020 as compared to $83.9million, or 37.0%, for the corresponding period in 2019.

Income from operations was $24.4million, as compared to loss from operations of $(15.5)million in the prior year's quarter. Excluding a $33.2 million non-cash charge for goodwill impairment, income from operations would have been approximately $17.8 million, in 2019.

Net income was $15.2million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the quarter ended December31, 2020, as compared to net loss of $(14.5)million, or $(0.70) per diluted share, for the corresponding period in 2019.

Adjusted net income was $15.2million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the quarter ended December31, 2020, as compared to adjusted net income of $11.3 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the corresponding period in 2019. A table which reconciles thisnon-GAAPfinancial measure to net income (loss), as reported, is included below.

Full Year Financial Highlights:

Consolidated net sales for the year ended December31, 2020, were $769.2 million, an increase of $34.3 million, or 4.7%, as compared to consolidated net sales of $734.9 million for the corresponding period in 2019. In constant currency, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, consolidated net sales increased $33.6 million, or 4.6%, as compared to consolidated net sales in the corresponding period in 2019.

Gross margin for 2020 was $274.0 million, or 35.6%, compared to $255.2 million, or 34.7%, for the corresponding period in 2019. Excluding the SKU Rationalization of $8.5 million, the gross margin in the 2019 period would have been 35.9%.

Income from operations was $25.0million in 2020, as compared to loss from operations of $(23.4)million for the corresponding period in 2019. Income from operations, excluding the impact of certain non-cash charges, was $47.9million, as compared to $28.1million for the corresponding period in 2019. A table which reconciles thisnon-GAAPfinancial measure to income (loss) from operations, as reported, is included below.

Net loss was $(3.0) million, or $(0.14) per diluted share, in the year ended December31, 2020, as compared to net loss of $(44.4) million, or $(2.16) per diluted share, in the corresponding period in 2019.

Adjusted net income was $20.2 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, as compared to $9.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the corresponding period in 2019.

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA, after giving effect to certain adjustments as permitted and defined under our debt agreements, was $77.3 million in the year ended December31, 2020. A table which reconciles thisnon-GAAPfinancial measure to net loss, as reported, is included below.

Dividend

On March9, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0425 per share payable on May17, 2021 to shareholders of record on May3, 2021.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. The dial-in number for the conference call is (866) 610-1072 (U.S.) or (973) 935-2840 (International), Conference ID: 3185706.

A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible through: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3043690/F9E6F0057DE8E9600AAF23880AC539ED

For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the webcast will be available.

Non-GAAPFinancial Measures

This earnings release containsnon-GAAPfinancial measures, including consolidated net sales in constant currency, income from operations excluding certain non-cash charges, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted income per common share, gross margin (excludingnon-recurringcharges) and consolidated adjusted EBITDA. Anon-GAAPfinancial measure is a numerical measure of a companys historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of income, balance sheets, or statements of cash flows of a company; or, includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. As required by SEC rules, the Company has provided reconciliations of thenon-GAAPfinancial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Thesenon-GAAPfinancial measures are provided because management of the Company uses these financial measures in evaluating the Companyson-goingfinancial results and trends, and management believes that exclusion of certain items allows for more accurate comparison of the Companys operating performance by investors and analysts. Management uses thesenon-GAAPfinancial measures as indicators of business performance.Thesenon-GAAPfinancial measures should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, GAAP financial measures of performance.

Forward-Looking StatementsIn this press release, the use of the words believe, could, expect, may, positioned, project, projected, should, will, would or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include all statements regarding the growth of the Company, our financial outlook, our initiatives to create value, our efforts to mitigate geopolitical factors and tariffs, our efforts to stabilize our international business, our current and projected financial and operating performance, results, and profitability and all guidance related thereto, including forecasted exchange rates and effective tax rates, as well as our future plans and intentions regarding the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Such statements represent the Companys current judgments, estimates, and assumptions about possible future events. The Company believes these judgments, estimates, and assumptions are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial or operational results, and actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Such factors might include, among others, the Companys ability to comply with the requirements of its credit agreements; the availability of funding under such credit agreements; the Companys ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; the possibility of impairments to the Companys goodwill; the possibility of impairments to the Companys intangible assets; changes in U.S. or foreign trade or tax law and policy; the impact of tariffs on imported goods and materials; changes in general economic conditions which could affect customer payment practices or consumer spending; the impact of changes in general economic conditions on the Companys customers; customer ordering behavior; the performance of our newer products; the impact of our SKU rationalization initiative, expenses and other challenges relating to the integration of the Filament Brands business and future acquisitions; warehouse consolidation efforts performed by the business; the ongoing reorganization of our U.K. operations; changes in demand for the Companys products; changes in the Companys management team; the significant influence of the Companys largest stockholder; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; changes in U.S. trade policy or the trade policies of nations in which we or our suppliers do business; uncertainty regarding the long-term ramifications of the U.K.s exit from the European Union; shortages of and price volatility for certain commodities; global health epidemics, such as the coronavirus outbreak; our expectations regarding the future level of demand for our products; and significant changes in the competitive environment and the effect of competition on the Companys markets, including on the Companys pricing policies, financing sources and ability to maintain an appropriate level of debt. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law.

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Lifetime Brands is a leading global designer, developer and marketer of a broad range of branded consumer products used in the home. The Company markets its products under well-known kitchenware brands, including Farberware, KitchenAid, Sabatier, Amco Houseworks, ChefnChicagoMetallic, Copco, Fred& Friends, Houdini, KitchenCraft, Kamenstein, Kizmos, La Cafetire, MasterClass, Misto,Swing-A-Way, TaylorKitchen and Rabbit; respected tableware and giftware brands, including Mikasa, Pfaltzgraff, Fitz and Floyd, Creative Tops, Empire Silver, Gorham, InternationalSilver, Kirk Stieff, TowleSilversmiths, Wallace, Wilton Armetale, V&Aand Royal Botanic Gardens Kew; and valued home solutions brands, including BUILT NY, TaylorBath, Taylor Weather and Planet Box. The Company also provides exclusive private label products to leading retailers worldwide.

The Companys corporate website iswww.lifetimebrands.com.

Contacts:

Lifetime Brands, Inc.Laurence Winoker, Chief Financial Officer516-203-3590investor.relations@lifetimebrands.com

or

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer KatcherEd Trissel / Andrew Squire / Sophie Throsby212-355-4449

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(in thousands - except per share data)

Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019Net sales $ 249,209 $ 226,938 $ 769,169 $ 734,902 Cost of sales 161,105 143,028 495,171 479,711 Gross margin 88,104 83,910 273,998 255,191 Distribution expenses 22,135 22,605 72,845 72,543 Selling, general and 41,598 43,239 155,872 161,618 administrative expensesGoodwill and other ? 33,242 20,100 42,990 impairmentsRestructuring expenses (42 ) 316 211 1,435 (benefit)Income (loss) from 24,413 (15,492 ) 24,970 (23,395 )operationsInterest expense (4,183 ) (5,275 ) (17,277 ) (20,780 )Mark to market gain(loss) on interest rate 172 (315 ) (2,144 ) 402 derivativesIncome (loss) beforeincome taxes and equity 20,402 (21,082 ) 5,549 (43,773 )in earningsIncome tax (provision) (6,853 ) 5,704 (9,866 ) (1,109 )benefitEquity in earnings, net 1,672 862 1,310 467 of taxesNET INCOME (LOSS) $ 15,221 $ (14,516 ) $ (3,007 ) $ (44,415 )Weighted-averageshares 20,936 20,660 20,860 20,597 outstanding?basicBASIC INCOME (LOSS) PER 0.73 $ (0.70 ) (0.14 ) $ (2.16 )COMMON SHAREWeighted-average shares 21,673 20,660 20,860 20,597 outstanding?dilutedDILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER 0.70 $ (0.70 ) (0.14 ) $ (2.16 )COMMON SHARE

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(in thousands - except share data)

December31, 2020 2019ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,963 $ 11,370 Accounts receivable, less allowances of $17,013 at 170,037 128,639 December31, 2020 and $9,681 at December31, 2019Inventory 203,164 173,427 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12,129 14,140 Income taxes receivable ? 1,577 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 421,293 329,153 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 23,120 28,168 OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS 96,543 106,871 INVESTMENTS 20,032 21,289 INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 244,025 280,471 OTHER ASSETS 2,468 4,071 TOTAL ASSETS $ 807,481 $ 770,023 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturity of term loan $ 17,657 $ 8,413 Accounts payable 66,095 36,173 Accrued expenses 80,050 52,060 Income taxes payable 4,788 ? Current portion of operating lease liabilities 11,480 10,661 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 180,070 107,307 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 16,483 12,214 INCOME TAXES PAYABLE, LONG-TERM 1,444 1,217 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 102,355 112,180 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 10,714 13,685 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY 27,302 32,822 TERM LOAN 238,977 254,281 STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, shares authorized:100 shares of Series A and 2,000,000 shares of Series ? ? B; none issued and outstandingCommon stock, $0.01 par value, shares authorized:50,000,000 at December31, 2020 and 2019; shares 218 213 issued and outstanding: 21,755,195 at December31,2020 and 21,255,660 at December31, 2019Paid-in capital 268,666 263,386 Retained earnings 424 7,173 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (39,172 ) (34,455 )TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY 230,136 236,317 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS? EQUITY $ 807,481 $ 770,023

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(in thousands)

Year ended December31, 2020 2019OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss $ (3,007 ) $ (44,415 )Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:Depreciation and amortization 24,664 25,115 Goodwill and other impairments 20,100 42,990 Amortization of financing costs 1,774 1,748 Mark to market loss (gain) on interest rate 2,144 (402 )derivativesNon-cash lease expense 2,379 1,047 Provision for doubtful accounts, net of (recoveries) 3,291 (163 )Deferred income taxes (1,861 ) (1,073 )Stock compensation expense 5,951 5,041 Undistributed equity (earnings), net of taxes (1,258 ) (343 )SKU Rationalization ? 8,500 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of business acquisitions)Accounts receivable (43,760 ) (2,096 )Inventory (28,979 ) (7,455 )Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other 1,088 (3,855 )assetsAccounts payable, accrued expenses and other 55,721 5,108 liabilitiesIncome taxes receivable 1,577 (135 )Income taxes payable 4,989 260 NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 44,813 29,872 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property and equipment (2,082 ) (9,169 )NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (2,082 ) (9,169 )FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from revolving credit facility 129,244 345,494 Repayments of revolving credit facility (135,463 ) (355,730 )Repayments of Term Loan (7,583 ) (2,750 )Cash dividends paid (3,651 ) (3,571 )Payment of finance lease obligations (152 ) (92 )Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 27 132 Payments of tax withholding for stock based (658 ) (399 )compensationNET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (18,236 ) (16,916 )Effect of foreign exchange on cash 98 (64 )INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 24,593 3,723 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 11,370 7,647 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 35,963 $ 11,370

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.Supplemental Information(in thousands)

Reconciliation of GAAP toNon-GAAPOperating Results

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December31, 2020:

Three Months Ended Year Ended March 31, June 30, September December31, December31, 2020 2020 30, 2020 2020 2020 (in thousands)Net (loss)income as $ (28,164 ) $ (3,977 ) 13,913 $ 15,221 $ (3,007 )reportedSubtract out: Undistributedequity (339 ) 848 (147 ) (1,620 ) (1,258 )(earnings)losses, netAdd back: Income tax(benefit) (3,729 ) 3,031 3,711 6,853 9,866 provisionInterest 4,736 4,230 4,128 4,183 17,277 expenseDepreciationand 6,234 6,061 6,090 6,279 24,664 amortizationMark tomarket loss(gain) on 2,251 164 (99 ) (172 ) 2,144 interest ratederivativesGoodwill andother 20,100 ? ? ? 20,100 impairmentsStockcompensation 1,326 1,420 1,575 1,630 5,951 expenseAcquisitionrelated 47 55 57 126 285 expensesRestructuringexpenses ? 253 ? (42 ) 211 (benefit)Warehouserelocation 790 303 ? ? 1,093 expensesConsolidatedadjusted $ 3,252 $ 12,388 $ 29,228 $ 32,458 $ 77,326 EBITDA

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is anon-GAAPfinancial measure which is defined in the Companys debt agreements. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), adjusted to exclude undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, income tax (benefit) provision, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, mark to market loss (gain) on interest rate derivatives, goodwill and other impairments, stock compensation expense, and other items detailed in the table above that are consistent with exclusions permitted by our debt agreements.

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.Supplemental Information(in thousands - except per share data)

Reconciliation of GAAP toNon-GAAPOperating Results (continued)

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted income per common share (in thousands - except per share data):

Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019Net income (loss) as $ 15,221 $ (14,516 ) $ (3,007 ) $ (44,415 )reportedAdjustments: Acquisition related 126 55 285 206 expensesRestructuring expenses (42 ) 316 211 1,435 (benefit)Integration charges ? 159 ? 1,263 Warehouse relocation ? 1,689 1,093 2,785 expensesMark to market (gain) losson interest rate (172 ) 315 2,144 (402 )derivativesGoodwill and other ? 33,242 20,100 42,990 impairmentsSKU Rationalization ? ? ? 8,500 Foreign currencytranslation lossreclassified from ? ? 235 ? Accumulated OtherComprehensive LossIncome tax effect on 20 (156 ) (858 ) (3,183 )adjustmentsIncome tax provision ? (9,790 ) ? ? adjustment^(1)Adjusted net income $ 15,153 $ 11,314 $ 20,203 $ 9,179 Adjusted diluted income per $ 0.70 $ 0.54 $ 0.95 $ 0.44 share ^(2)

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted income per common share in the three months ended and year ended December31, 2020 excludes acquisition expenses, restructuring expenses (benefit), warehouse relocation expenses, mark to market (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives, goodwill and other impairments and foreign currency translation losses. The income tax effect on adjustments reflects the statutory tax rates applied on the adjustments.

Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted income per common share in the three months ended and year ended December31, 2019 excludes acquisition expenses, restructuring expenses, integration charges, warehouse relocation expenses, mark to market (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives, goodwill and other impairments and SKU rationalization expenses. The income tax effect on adjustments reflects the statutory tax rates applied on the adjustments.

(1) The income tax provision adjustment is calculated as the difference between the tax benefit of $5.7 million, recorded in net loss for the three month period ended December 31, 2019, and an adjusted tax provision of $(4.1)million for the three month period ended December 31, 2019. The adjusted tax provision was calculated using an effective tax rate of 33.6% on Income before income taxes and equity in earnings excluding certain non-cash charges, for the three month period ended December 31, 2019. The effective tax rate of 33.6% is the effective rate for the three month period ended December 31, 2020 on Income before taxes and equity in earnings excluding certain non-cash charges for the three month period ended December 31, 2020. The income tax provision adjustment for the three month period ended December 31, 2019 provides important comparative analysis because the prior year effective tax method was unusual due to the timing of certain non deductible expenses, including goodwill impairment.

(2)Adjusted diluted income per common share is calculated based on diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of 21,673 and 20,799 for the three month period ended December31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 21,179 and 20,695 for the year ended December31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended and year ended December31, 2020 include the effect of dilutive securities of 737 and 319 shares, respectively. The diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended and year ended December31, 2019 include the effect of dilutive securities of 139 and 98 shares, respectively.

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.Supplemental Information(in thousands)

Reconciliation of GAAP toNon-GAAPOperating Results (continued)

Constant Currency:

As Reported Constant Currency^ (1) Year-Over-Year Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Increase (Decrease) December 31, December 31,Net sales 2020 2019 Increase 2020 2019 Increase Currency Excluding Including Currency (Decrease) (Decrease) Impact Currency Currency ImpactU.S. $ 220,201 $ 198,845 $ 21,356 $ 220,201 $ 198,957 $ 21,244 $ (112 ) 10.7 % 10.7 % 0.0 %International $ 29,008 $ 28,093 $ 915 $ 29,008 $ 28,774 $ 234 $ (681 ) 0.8 % 3.3 % 2.5 %Total net $ 249,209 $ 226,938 $ 22,271 $ 249,209 $ 227,731 $ 21,478 $ (793 ) 9.4 % 9.8 % 0.4 %sales

As Reported Constant Currency ^(1) Year-Over-Year Year Ended Year Ended Increase (Decrease) December 31, December 31,Net sales 2020 2019 Increase 2020 2019 Increase Currency Excluding Including Currency (Decrease) (Decrease) Impact Currency Currency ImpactU.S. $ 683,539 $ 644,171 $ 39,368 $ 683,539 $ 644,183 $ 39,356 $ (12 ) 6.1 % 6.1 % 0.0 %International $ 85,630 $ 90,731 $ (5,101 ) $ 85,630 $ 91,403 $ (5,773 ) $ (672 ) (6.3 )% (5.6 )% 0.7 %Total net $ 769,169 $ 734,902 $ 34,267 $ 769,169 $ 735,586 $ 33,583 $ (684 ) 4.6 % 4.7 % 0.1 %sales

(1) Constant Currency is determined by applying the 2020 average exchange rates to the prior year local currency sales amounts, with the difference between the change in As Reported net sales and Constant Currency net sales, reported in the table as Currency Impact. Constant currency sales growth is intended to exclude the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.Supplemental Information(in thousands)

Reconciliation of GAAP toNon-GAAPOperating Results (continued)

Income from operations excluding certain non-cash charges (in thousands):

Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) (in thousands)Income (loss) from $ 24,413 $ (15,492 ) $ 24,970 $ (23,395 )operationsExcluded non-cash charges: Goodwill and other ? 33,242 20,100 42,990 impairmentsSKU Rationalization ? ? ? 8,500 Bad debt reserve related to ? ? 2,844 ? COVID-19 pandemic ^(1)Total excluded non-cash $ ? $ 33,242 $ 22,944 $ 51,490 chargesIncome from operationsexcluding certain non-cash $ 24,413 $ 17,750 $ 47,914 $ 28,095 chargesInterest expense (4,183 ) (5,275 ) (17,277 ) (20,780 )Mark to market gain (loss)on interest rate 172 (315 ) (2,144 ) 402 derivativesIncome before income taxesand equity in earnings $ 20,402 $ 12,160 $ 28,493 $ 7,717 excluding certain non-cashcharges

(1) Bad debt reserve recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 to establish a provision against potential credit problems from certain retail customers who may have financial difficulty that has been caused or increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This reflects the Company's assessment of risk of not being able to collect such receivables from certain customers in the U.S. that are at risk of seeking or have already obtained bankruptcy protection and our international customer base which has a higher proportion of small and independent brick-and-mortar retailers. This charge was taken in response to the Company's assessment on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these accounts