Columbia Sportswear Company Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results and Spring 2010 Backlog; Revises Full-Year Outlook Upward; Announces Increase In Quarterly Dividend
Highlights: * Third quarter 2009 consolidated net sales decreased 4 percent to $434.5 million, compared to third quarter 2008 net sales of $452.4 million. * Third quarter 2009 net income was $46.9 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $58.3 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. * The company revised its outlook upward for full year 2009, and now expects net sales to decline 8 to 9 percent and operating income to decline approximately 300 basis points, compared with 2008, which included a $24.7 million impairment charge. * Global spring 2010 product backlog at September 30, 2009 totaled $350.8 million, 5 percent lower than backlog of $370.9 million at September 30, 2008; consolidated backlog, which also includes fall 2009 product orders, was 9 percent lower at $590.0 million. * The board of directors increased the quarterly dividend by $0.02 per share, or 12.5 percent, to $0.18 per share, payable on November 25, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 12, 2009.
PORTLAND, Oct. 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Columbia Sportswear Company (Nasdaq:COLM), a global leader in the active outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories industries, today announced net sales of $434.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of 4 percent compared to net sales of $452.4 million for the same period of 2008, including a 1 percentage point negative effect from changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared with the third quarter of 2008.
Third quarter net income totaled $46.9 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, compared with net income of $58.3 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the same period of 2008.
Tim Boyle, Columbia's president and chief executive officer, commented, "Third quarter results were significantly better than our July outlook, primarily due to greater than expected demand and resulting shipments of Fall 2009 products in the U.S., as well as a greater benefit from stronger international currencies. The gross profit from those incremental shipments dropped to the bottom line as we held spending within our original plan for the quarter."
Spring 2010 Wholesale Backlog
The company reported that as of September 30, 2009, Spring 2010 wholesale backlog was $350.8 million, $20.1 million, or 5 percent, lower than Spring 2009 wholesale backlog of $370.9 million, including a benefit of 2 percentage points from changes in currency exchange rates compared to Spring 2009. The decline in Spring 2010 wholesale backlog was concentrated in the Europe, Middle-East & Africa region (EMEA) where orders declined 22 percent. Spring 2010 wholesale backlog in the U.S., Canada and Latin America & Asia Pacific (LAAP) regions were each essentially equal to Spring 2009 wholesale backlog. Global apparel and footwear wholesale backlog each declined mid-single-digits on a percentage basis.
Mr. Boyle commented, "We are encouraged by our Spring 2010 backlog, which suggests we are gaining market share in the U.S. Our flat Spring 2010 U.S. wholesale backlog compares favorably to the Spring 2009 backlog that included several retail accounts that liquidated or reorganized during 2009. The EMEA backlog decline primarily reflects the very difficult economic conditions in Russia."
Consolidated wholesale backlog, which includes both global fall and spring orders at September 30, 2009, was $590.0 million, a decline of 9 percent compared with consolidated wholesale backlog of $645.1 million at September 30, 2008, including a benefit of 2 percentage points from changes in currency exchange rates.
Wholesale backlog is not necessarily indicative of changes in total sales for subsequent periods due to the mix of advance and "at once" orders, exchange rate fluctuations and order cancellations, which may vary significantly from quarter to quarter, and because the company's expanding retail operations are not included in wholesale backlog.
Review of Third Quarter Results
The 4 percent decrease in third quarter 2009 net sales consisted of a 13 percent decline in the EMEA region to $67.7 million, including a 3 percentage point negative effect from changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared with the third quarter of 2008; a 1 percent decline in U.S. net sales to $267.4 million; a 4 percent decline in the LAAP region to $44.3 million, including a 2 percentage point benefit from foreign currency exchange rates; and a 3 percent decline in Canada to $55.1 million, including a 5 percentage point negative effect from foreign currency exchange rates (See "Geographical Net Sales" table below).
Compared with the third quarter of 2008, third quarter 2009 sportswear net sales decreased 9 percent to $142.9 million, outerwear net sales decreased 5 percent to $199.1 million and accessories & equipment net sales decreased 2 percent to $22.2 million. These decreases were partially offset by an 11 percent increase in footwear net sales to $70.3 million (See "Categorical Net Sales" table below).
Columbia brand net sales totaled $370.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 6 percent compared with the third quarter of 2008. Mountain Hardwear brand net sales were equal to the third quarter of 2008 at $35.2 million. Net sales of Sorel footwear increased 42 percent to $27.0 million. Net sales of Montrail and Pacific Trail brand products were insignificant during the third quarter of both years (See "Brand Net Sales" table below).
The company ended the quarter with $210.5 million in cash and short-term investments, compared with $145.3 million at September 30, 2008. Accounts receivable declined $46.7 million, or 13 percent, to $319.5 million, and days sales outstanding improved to 66 days from 73 days, compared with September 30, 2008.
Consolidated inventories were flat at $301.5 million including 2 percentage points of growth due to changes in currency exchange rates. U.S. inventories declined 11 percent, offset by increases in the company's international subsidiaries.
Raising 2009 Financial Outlook
The company raised its outlook for fiscal year 2009 and now expects net sales to decline 8 to 9 percent compared with 2008. The company previously expected 2009 net sales to decline at a low-double-digit percentage rate. The company's revised outlook anticipates a mid-teens percentage decline in wholesale and distributor net sales compared with 2008, partially offset by incremental sales from the company's direct-to-consumer business.
Full year 2009 gross margins are expected to decline by approximately 100 basis points compared with 2008, primarily due to a higher volume of closeout product sales and the negative effects of foreign currency hedge rates. Full year 2009 operating margin is expected to decline approximately 300 basis points from 2008, which included a $24.7 million impairment charge. This expected operating margin decline is primarily due to fixed cost deleverage caused by lower net sales, coupled with planned investments in direct-to-consumer initiatives. The company currently expects a full-year tax rate of approximately 29 percent.
Boyle concluded, "We are encouraged by our improved outlook for 2009, but global economic conditions continue to be very challenging, particularly in Europe, and we are seeing early signs of economic slowdown in Japan for the first time in several years. These conditions will likely continue to pose challenges well into 2010. We remain committed to our strategy of bringing innovative products to outdoor consumers through our portfolio of outdoor brands."
The dynamic nature of the current global economic environment and its impact on consumers and the financial health of the company's wholesale customers has reduced the predictive quality of the company's wholesale backlog and other factors on which it has historically based estimates of net sales, gross margin and operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, thus limiting the ability to estimate future results. All projections related to anticipated future results are forward-looking in nature and are based, in part, on the economies in key markets continuing to stabilize during the remainder of 2009 and into 2010, as well as on a variety of estimates and assumptions, any of which may change significantly.
Share Repurchase Program
During the third quarter of 2009, the company repurchased approximately 136,000 shares of common stock at an aggregate purchase price of $4.8 million. Through September 30, 2009, the company has repurchased a total of approximately 8.8 million shares at an aggregate purchase price of $404.8 million since the inception of the stock repurchase program in 2004 and approximately $95.2 million remains under the current repurchase authorization. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares or to acquire shares over any specified period of time.
Dividend
The board of directors agreed to increase the quarterly dividend by $0.02 per share, or 12.5 percent, to $0.18 per share, payable on November 25, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 12, 2009.
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2009 results and anticipated future performance on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. To participate, please dial 800-851-3059 in the United States, Conference ID # 35295114. The call will also be webcast live on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.columbia.com, where it will remain available until Thursday, January 28, 2010.
About Columbia Sportswear
Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment. As one of the largest outerwear manufacturers in the world and a leading seller of skiwear in the United States, the company has developed an international reputation for innovation, quality, performance, functionality and value. The company manages a portfolio of outdoor brands including Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel, Montrail and Pacific Trail. To learn more about Columbia, please visit the company's website at www.columbia.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding anticipated results, net sales, gross margins, cash flows, earnings, and strategic initiatives in future periods. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these and other forward-looking statements. The company's expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, however, each forward-looking statement involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this press release, those described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the heading "Risk Factors," and other risks and uncertainties that have been or may be described from time to time in other reports filed by the company, including reports on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. Potential risks and uncertainties that may affect our future revenues, earnings and performance and could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include: unfavorable economic conditions generally and weakness in consumer confidence; international risks, including changes in quotas and tariffs or other duties, political instability in foreign markets, exchange rate fluctuations, and trade disruptions; our ability to attract and retain key employees; the financial health of our customers and their continued ability to access credit markets to fund their ongoing operations; our ability to effectively deliver our products to customers in a timely manner; our reliance on product acceptance by consumers; the effects of unseasonable weather (including, for example, warm weather in the winter and cold weather in the spring, which affects consumer demand for the company's products); our ability to integrate and manage acquired businesses; our dependence on independent manufacturers and suppliers; our ability to source finished products and components at competitive prices from independent manufacturers in foreign countries that may experience unexpected periods of inflation, labor and materials shortages or other manufacturing disruptions; the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts; intense competition in the industry (which we expect to increase); business disruptions and acts of terrorism or military activities around the globe; the effective implementation and expansion of our distribution facilities; our ability to implement our strategic initiatives and retail expansion plans; changes in tax policy and laws; the operations of our computer systems and third party computer systems; and our ability to establish and protect our intellectual property. The company cautions that forward-looking statements are inherently less reliable than historical information. We do not undertake any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform them to actual results or to reflect changes in events, circumstances or our expectations. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the company to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
September 30,
----------------------------
2009 2008
------------- -------------
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 192,879 $ 142,955
Short-term investments 17,637 2,316
Accounts receivable, net 319,548 366,219
Inventories, net 301,477 301,378
Deferred income taxes 31,434 31,851
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 31,483 23,108
------------- -------------
Total current assets 894,458 867,827
Property, plant and equipment, net 237,550 224,901
Intangibles and other non-current assets 52,309 70,031
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 1,184,317 $ 1,162,759
============= =============
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 79,397 $ 84,778
Accrued liabilities 76,438 74,638
Income taxes payable 9,974 20,893
Other current liabilities 8 83
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 165,817 180,392
Other long-term liabilities 33,365 31,010
Deferred income taxes 4,451 5,444
Shareholders' equity 980,684 945,913
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $ 1,184,317 $ 1,162,759
============= =============
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------- --------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net sales $ 434,473 $ 452,415 $ 885,707 $ 962,925
Cost of sales 245,874 250,362 512,306 544,552
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 188,599 202,053 373,401 418,373
43.4% 44.7% 42.2% 43.4%
Selling, general, and
administrative expenses 124,184 120,824 318,439 315,992
Net licensing income 1,322 1,899 5,283 3,903
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income from operations 65,737 83,128 60,245 106,284
Interest income, net 319 1,801 1,799 6,390
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before income tax 66,056 84,929 62,044 112,674
Income tax expense (19,141) (26,600) (18,109) (36,184)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 46,915 $ 58,329 $ 43,935 $ 76,490
========= ========= ========= =========
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 1.39 $ 1.70 $ 1.30 $ 2.19
Diluted 1.38 1.69 1.29 2.19
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 33,850 34,411 33,875 34,856
Diluted 33,993 34,518 33,993 34,963
COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-----------------------
2009 2008
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income $ 43,935 $ 76,490
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 25,901 23,298
Deferred income taxes 4,070 (3,220)
Stock-based compensation 4,899 4,902
Other 136 173
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (15,070) (70,355)
Inventories (39,608) (40,756)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,009) (9,137)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (25,563) 384
Other 2,391 23,710
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities 82 5,489
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net sales of short-term investments 4,935 79,228
Capital expenditures (24,681) (32,860)
Other 9 36
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities (19,737) 46,404
----------- -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repurchase of common stock (5,481) (79,623)
Cash dividends paid (16,259) (16,681)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 369 3,541
Other 16 20
----------- -----------
Net cash used in financing activities (21,355) (92,743)
----------- -----------
NET EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 3,272 (8,145)
----------- -----------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (37,738) (48,995)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 230,617 191,950
----------- -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 192,879 $ 142,955
=========== ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures incurred but not
yet paid $ 5,166 $ 7,539
COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY
(In millions, except percentage changes)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
---------------------------- ----------------------------
2009 2008 % Change 2009 2008 % Change
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Geograph-
ical Net
Sales to
Unrelated
Entities:
United
States $ 267.4 $ 271.3 (1)% $ 521.4 $ 522.7 --
Europe,
Middle
East, &
Africa 67.7 78.2 (13)% 151.2 207.3 (27)%
Latin
America &
Asia
Pacific 44.3 46.1 (4)% 130.3 135.2 (4)%
Canada 55.1 56.8 (3)% 82.8 97.7 (15)%
------------------ ------------------
Total $ 434.5 $ 452.4 (4)% $ 885.7 $ 962.9 (8)%
------------------ ------------------
Categor-
ical Net
Sales to
Unrelated
Entities:
Sports-
wear $ 142.9 $ 157.5 (9)% $ 379.5 $ 434.1 (13)%
Outerwear 199.1 208.6 (5)% 311.0 320.0 (3)%
Footwear 70.3 63.6 11% 143.7 157.4 (9)%
Acces-
sories &
Equipment 22.2 22.7 (2)% 51.5 51.4 --
------------------ ------------------
Total $ 434.5 $ 452.4 (4)% $ 885.7 $ 962.9 (8)%
------------------ ------------------
Brand Net
Sales to
Unrelated
Entities:
Columbia $ 370.3 $ 395.2 (6)% $ 773.9 $ 856.5 (10)%
Mountain
Hard-
wear 35.2 35.2 -- 71.6 70.8 1%
Sorel 27.0 19.0 42% 31.6 25.1 26%
Other 2.0 3.0 (33)% 8.6 10.5 (18)%
------------------ ------------------
Total $ 434.5 $ 452.4 (4)% $ 885.7 $ 962.9 (8)%
------------------ ------------------
CONTACT: Columbia Sportswear Company
Ron Parham, Sr. Director of Investor
Relations & Corporate Communications
(503) 985-4584
Released October 22, 2009