Columbia Sportswear Company Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results; Updates Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

First Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Net sales increased 8 percent to $820.6 million, compared to first quarter 2022.
  • Operating income decreased 33 percent to $56.4 million, or 6.9 percent of net sales, compared to first quarter 2022 operating income of $83.7 million, or 11.0 percent of net sales.
  • Diluted earnings per share decreased 28 percent to $0.74, compared to first quarter 2022 diluted earnings per share of $1.03.
  • Exited the quarter with $461.0 million of cash and short-term investments and no borrowings.

Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of April 27, 2023 and are subject to significant risks and business uncertainties, including those factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” below. Additional disclosures and financial outlook details can be found in the Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook section below and the CFO Commentary and Financial Review presentation.

  • Net sales of $3.57 to $3.67 billion (unchanged) representing net sales growth of 3 to 6 percent (unchanged) compared to 2022.
  • Operating income of $413 to $431 million (prior $413 to $448 million), representing operating margin of 11.6 to 11.8 percent (prior 11.6 to 12.2 percent).
  • Diluted earnings per share of $5.15 to $5.40 (prior $5.15 to $5.55).

 

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM, the "Company"), a multi-brand global leading innovator in outdoor, active and lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment, today announced first quarter 2023 financial results for the period ended March 31, 2023.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle commented, “First quarter results highlight the importance and value of our diversified global business model. We were able to generate healthy net sales growth, up 8 percent year-over-year, as consumer demand remained strong in many areas of our business. After three years of pandemic related supply chain constraints, it’s gratifying to see that our wholesale on-time delivery rates have returned to pre-pandemic service levels. As we look towards the summer, Columbia’s differentiated portfolio of sun protection and cooling technologies has never been stronger, including our latest innovation, Omni-Shade Broad Spectrum. We are also making targeted marketing investments across footwear and apparel, including our largest PFG campaign to date, Protect What You Love.

“2023 is off to a solid start and we are reiterating our full year net sales outlook, while narrowing our diluted EPS range. We are executing on our plan to reduce inventory levels, while focusing on profitability.

“In periods of economic uncertainty, our strong financial position is a strategic advantage. We exited the first quarter with over $460 million in cash and short-term investments, and no bank borrowings. I am confident we have the right strategies in place to drive profitable growth, and we are committed to investing in our strategic priorities to:

  • accelerate profitable growth;
  • create iconic products that are differentiated, functional and innovative;
  • drive brand engagement through increased, focused demand creation investments;
  • enhance consumer experiences by investing in capabilities to delight and retain consumers;
  • amplify marketplace excellence, with digitally-led, omni-channel, global distribution; and
  • empower talent that is driven by our core values, through a diverse and inclusive workforce."

CFO's Commentary and Financial Review Presentation Available Online

For a detailed review of the Company's first quarter 2023 financial results, please refer to the CFO Commentary and Financial Review presentation furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on a Current Report on Form 8-K and published on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com/results.cfm at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET today. Analysts and investors are encouraged to review this commentary prior to participating in our conference call.

First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

(All comparisons are between first quarter 2023 and first quarter 2022, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 8 percent (10 percent constant-currency) to $820.6 million from $761.5 million for the comparable period in 2022. The increase in net sales primarily reflects earlier shipment of Spring 2023 wholesale orders and direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth.

Gross margin contracted 100 basis points to 48.7 percent of net sales from 49.7 percent of net sales for the comparable period in 2022. The primary driver of gross margin contraction was increased promotional activity, compared to exceptionally low promotions in first quarter 2022, partially offset by favorable inbound ocean freight costs.

SG&A expenses increased 16 percent to $347.4 million, or 42.3 percent of net sales, from $299.1 million, or 39.3 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2022. SG&A expense growth primarily reflected higher supply chain costs related to elevated inventory levels and third-party logistics transition costs, higher DTC expenses to support growth, and investments to support our strategies.

Operating income decreased 33 percent to $56.4 million, or 6.9 percent of net sales, compared to operating income of $83.7 million, or 11.0 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2022.

Income tax expense of $14.4 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 23.7 percent, compared to income tax expense of $17.3 million, or an effective income tax rate of 20.5 percent, for the comparable period in 2022.

Net income decreased 31 percent to $46.2 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared to net income of $66.8 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2022.

Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2023

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $460.6 million, compared to $610.3 million as of March 31, 2022.

The Company had no borrowings as of March 31, 2023 or 2022.

Inventories increased 34 percent to $959.2 million, compared to $714.4 million as of March 31, 2022. Elevated carryover inventory, earlier receipt of current season inventory, and to a lesser extent, increased older season inventory resulted in higher inventory levels. Older season inventories represent a manageable portion of our total inventory mix.

Cash Flow for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Net cash provided by operating activities was $78.0 million, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $33.8 million for the same period in 2022.

Capital expenditures totaled $14.0 million, compared to $12.9 million for the same period in 2022.

Share Repurchases for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

The Company repurchased 179,421 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $15.8 million, or an average price per share of $87.80.

At March 31, 2023, $513.6 million remained available under our stock repurchase authorization, which does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares or to acquire shares over any specified period of time.

Quarterly Cash Dividend

The Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on June 1, 2023 to shareholders of record on May 18, 2023.

Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

(Additional financial outlook details can be found in the CFO Commentary and Financial Review presentation.)

The Company's first half and full year 2023 Financial Outlook is forward-looking in nature, and the following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of April 27, 2023 and are subject to significant risks and business uncertainties, including those factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” below. These risks and uncertainties limit our ability to accurately forecast results. This outlook reflects our estimates as of April 27, 2023 regarding the impact of economic conditions, including inflationary pressures; supply chain constraints and expenses; elevated marketplace inventories; changes in consumer behavior and confidence; as well as geopolitical tensions. This outlook and commentary assume macro-economic conditions, particularly in the United States, do not materially deteriorate. Projections are predicated on normal seasonal weather globally.

Net sales are expected to increase 3 to 6 percent (unchanged) to $3.57 to $3.67 billion (unchanged) from $3.46 billion in 2022.

Gross margin is expected to expand approximately 60 basis points (unchanged) to approximately 50 percent of net sales (unchanged) from 49.4 percent of net sales in 2022.

SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales, is expected to be 39.0 to 39.2 percent (prior 38.3 to 39.0 percent), compared to SG&A expense as a percent of net sales of 37.7 percent in 2022. The increase in the Company’s SG&A expense outlook is primarily related to incremental distribution and third-party logistics costs being incurred to support elevated inventory levels which are expected to normalize late in 2023.

Operating income is expected to be $413 to $432 million (prior $413 to $448 million), resulting in operating margin of 11.6 to 11.8 percent (prior 11.6 to 12.2 percent), compared to operating margin of 11.3 percent in 2022.

Effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 24.5 percent (unchanged).

Net income is expected to be $322 to $336 million (prior $322 to $347 million), resulting in diluted earnings per share of $5.15 to $5.40 (prior $5.15 to $5.55). This diluted earnings per share range is based on estimated weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 62.4 million (prior 62.5 million).

Foreign Currency

  • Foreign currency translation is anticipated to reduce 2023 net sales growth by approximately 20 basis points (prior 30 basis points) reflecting expected unfavorable foreign currency translation impacts through the first half of the year largely offset by expected favorable impacts in the latter part of the year.
  • Foreign currency is expected to have an approximately $0.03 negative impact (prior $0.05 negative impact) on diluted earnings per share due primarily to unfavorable foreign currency transactional effects from hedging of inventory production.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

Operating cash flow is expected to be over $600 million (prior over $500 million).

Capital expenditures are planned to be in the range of $70 to $80 million (prior $70 to $90 million).

First Half 2023 Financial Outlook

  • Net sales growth of mid-single-digit percent (unchanged), compared to first half 2022.
  • Diluted earnings per share is expected to be at the low end of our prior range of $0.75 to $0.90. The second quarter is typically the Company's lowest volume sales quarter and small changes in the timing of product shipments and expenses can have a material impact on reported results.
  • Inventory growth is anticipated to remain elevated in second quarter, due to expected earlier receipt of Fall ‘23 inventory. The second quarter year-over-year inventory growth rate is anticipated to slow, relative to first quarter inventory growth, before turning to a year-over-year decline starting in third quarter.

Conference Call

The Company will hold its first quarter 2023 conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today. Dial (888) 506-0062 to participate. The call will also be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com.

Second Quarter 2023 Reporting Date

Columbia Sportswear Company plans to report second quarter 2023 financial results on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.

Supplemental Financial Information

Since Columbia Sportswear Company is a global company, the comparability of its operating results reported in United States dollars is affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations because the underlying currencies in which it transacts change in value over time compared to the United States dollar. To supplement financial information reported in accordance with GAAP, the Company discloses constant-currency net sales information, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to provide a framework to assess how the business performed excluding the effects of changes in the exchange rates used to translate net sales generated in foreign currencies into United States dollars. The Company calculates constant-currency net sales by translating net sales in foreign currencies for the current period into United States dollars at the average exchange rates that were in effect during the comparable period of the prior year. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure reflects an additional and useful way of viewing an aspect of our operations that, when viewed in conjunction with our GAAP results, provides a more comprehensive understanding of our business and operations. In particular, investors may find the non-GAAP financial measure useful by reviewing our net sales results without the volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. This non-GAAP financial measure also facilitates management's internal comparisons to our historical net sales results and comparisons to competitors' net sales results.

The non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, our financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" table included herein. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the Company’s expectations, anticipations or beliefs about the Company's ability to realize growth opportunities, financial position, inventory, full year 2023 net sales, gross margin, SG&A expenses, operating income, effective income tax rate, net income, diluted earnings per share, weighted average diluted shares outstanding, foreign currency translation, cash flows, and capital expenditures, and first half 2023 net sales, diluted earnings per share, and inventory growth rate. Forward-looking statements often use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "should," "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or reference future dates. 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 document, those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors," and those that have been or may be described in other reports filed by the Company, including reports on Form 8-K. Potential risks and uncertainties include those relating to economic conditions, including inflationary pressures; supply chain disruptions, constraints and expenses; elevated marketplace inventories; changes in consumer behavior and confidence; as well as geopolitical tensions. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this document to conform them to actual results or to reflect changes in events, circumstances or its expectations. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the effects of all such factors 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.

About Columbia Sportswear Company

Columbia Sportswear Company connects active people with their passions and is a global multi-brand leading innovator in outdoor, active and lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the Company's brands are sold in approximately 90 countries. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns the Mountain Hard Wear®, SOREL® and prAna® brands. To learn more, please visit the Company's websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com, and www.prana.com.

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

March 31,
2023

 

March 31,
2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

361,049

 

$

435,240

Short-term investments

 

 

99,511

 

 

175,024

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

466,690

 

 

408,186

Inventories

 

 

959,234

 

 

714,415

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

100,880

 

 

105,261

Total current assets

 

 

1,987,364

 

 

1,838,126

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

282,921

 

 

290,070

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

318,728

 

 

333,356

Intangible assets, net

 

 

81,146

 

 

101,496

Goodwill

 

 

51,694

 

 

68,594

Deferred income taxes

 

 

96,865

 

 

89,613

Other non-current assets

 

 

70,256

 

 

66,724

Total assets

 

$

2,888,974

 

$

2,787,979

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

220,231

 

$

262,255

Accrued liabilities

 

 

271,625

 

 

234,326

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

69,452

 

 

68,136

Income taxes payable

 

 

7,377

 

 

6,297

Total current liabilities

 

 

568,685

 

 

571,014

Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

 

303,571

 

 

321,250

Income taxes payable

 

 

33,765

 

 

40,299

Deferred income taxes

 

 

146

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

35,022

 

 

36,516

Total liabilities

 

 

941,189

 

 

969,079

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

1,947,785

 

 

1,818,900

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

2,888,974

 

$

2,787,979

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

Net sales

 

$

820,593

 

 

$

761,510

 

Cost of sales

 

 

421,093

 

 

 

383,063

 

Gross profit

 

 

399,500

 

 

 

378,447

 

Gross margin

 

 

48.7

%

 

 

49.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

347,398

 

 

 

299,086

 

Net licensing income

 

 

4,325

 

 

 

4,305

 

Operating income

 

 

56,427

 

 

 

83,666

 

Interest income, net

 

 

3,283

 

 

 

395

 

Other non-operating income, net

 

 

850

 

 

 

44

 

Income before income tax

 

 

60,560

 

 

 

84,105

 

Income tax expense

 

 

14,358

 

 

 

17,268

 

Net income

 

$

46,202

 

 

$

66,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

1.04

 

Diluted

 

$

0.74

 

 

$

1.03

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

62,133

 

 

 

64,273

 

Diluted

 

 

62,417

 

 

 

64,591

 

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net income

$

46,202

 

 

$

66,837

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortization, and non-cash lease expense

 

30,583

 

 

 

30,577

 

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

 

(90

)

 

 

(3,377

)

Loss on disposal or impairment of property, plant and equipment, and right-of-use assets

 

287

 

 

 

1,598

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(85

)

 

 

2,746

 

Stock-based compensation

 

5,808

 

 

 

5,503

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

82,927

 

 

 

81,220

 

Inventories

 

71,503

 

 

 

(71,108

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

23,101

 

 

 

(17,604

)

Other assets

 

(837

)

 

 

(1,443

)

Accounts payable

 

(95,423

)

 

 

(20,823

)

Accrued liabilities

 

(59,538

)

 

 

(81,371

)

Income taxes payable

 

(10,941

)

 

 

(11,004

)

Operating lease assets and liabilities

 

(17,355

)

 

 

(15,979

)

Other liabilities

 

1,860

 

 

 

440

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

78,002

 

 

 

(33,788

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

Purchases of short-term investments

 

(98,203

)

 

 

(44,877

)

Sales and maturities of short-term investments

 

570

 

 

 

984

 

Capital expenditures

 

(14,047

)

 

 

(12,885

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(111,680

)

 

 

(56,778

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock related to stock-based compensation

 

2,678

 

 

 

2,512

 

Tax payments related to stock-based compensation

 

(4,297

)

 

 

(3,959

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

(15,293

)

 

 

(217,317

)

Cash dividends paid

 

(18,649

)

 

 

(19,151

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(35,561

)

 

 

(237,915

)

Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

47

 

 

 

317

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(69,192

)

 

 

(328,164

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

430,241

 

 

 

763,404

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

361,049

 

 

$

435,240

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

$

30,775

 

 

$

18,205

 

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment acquired through increase in liabilities

$

2,899

 

 

$

6,702

 

COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR COMPANY

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net Sales Growth - Constant-currency Basis

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Reported

Net Sales

 

Adjust for Foreign Currency

 

Constant-currency

Net Sales

 

Reported

Net Sales

 

Reported

Net Sales

 

Constant-currency

Net Sales

(In millions, except percentage changes)

 

 

2023

 

Translation

 

 

2023(1)

 

 

 

2022

 

% Change

 

% Change(1)

Geographical Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

517.5

 

$

 

$

517.5

 

 

$

501.9

 

3

%

 

3

%

Latin America and Asia Pacific

 

 

136.4

 

 

11.9

 

 

148.3

 

 

 

121.7

 

12

%

 

22

%

Europe, Middle East and Africa

 

 

108.3

 

 

5.3

 

 

113.6

 

 

 

94.7

 

14

%

 

20

%

Canada

 

 

58.4

 

 

3.4

 

 

61.8

 

 

 

43.2

 

35

%

 

43

%

Total

 

$

820.6

 

$

20.6

 

$

841.2

 

 

$

761.5

 

8

%

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brand Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbia

 

$

702.8

 

$

19.2

 

$

722.0

 

 

$

643.8

 

9

%

 

12

%

SOREL

 

 

60.5

 

 

0.9

 

 

61.4

 

 

 

63.6

 

(5

)%

 

(3

)%

prAna

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

32.7

 

(1

)%

 

(1

)%

Mountain Hardwear

 

 

24.8

 

 

0.5

 

 

25.3

 

 

 

21.4

 

16

%

 

18

%

Total

 

$

820.6

 

$

20.6

 

$

841.2

 

 

$

761.5

 

8

%

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product Category Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparel, Accessories and Equipment

 

$

632.6

 

$

14.9

 

$

647.5

 

 

$

565.9

 

12

%

 

14

%

Footwear

 

 

188.0

 

 

5.7

 

 

193.7

 

 

 

195.6

 

(4

)%

 

(1

)%

Total

 

$

820.6

 

$

20.6

 

$

841.2

 

 

$

761.5

 

8

%

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Channel Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale

 

$

452.5

 

$

11.1

 

$

463.6

 

 

$

408.2

 

11

%

 

14

%

DTC

 

 

368.1

 

 

9.5

 

 

377.6

 

 

 

353.3

 

4

%

 

7

%

Total

 

$

820.6

 

$

20.6

 

$

841.2

 

 

$

761.5

 

8

%

 

10

%

(1) Constant-currency net sales is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Supplemental Financial Information” above for further information.

Andrew Burns, CFA
Vice President of Investor Relations and Strategic Planning
Columbia Sportswear Company
(503) 985-4112
aburns@columbia.com

Source: Columbia Sportswear Company