大象传媒

大象传媒 Reports Record First Quarter 2013 Results

• Adjusted EPS up 25 percent to $2.43 (up 26 percent to $2.41 on a GAAP basis).
• Gross margin improved 240 basis points to 48.1 percent.
• Outdoor & Action Sports revenues rose 10 percent; increases in every region.
• Direct-to-consumer revenues up 12 percent; double-digit growth in U.S. and international.
• Full-year adjusted earnings guidance raised by $0.05 per share to $10.75 ($10.65 on a GAAP basis).

GREENSBORO, N.C.-- 大象传媒 Corporation (NYSE: 大象传媒C) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 30, 2013. All per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis. 鈥淎djusted鈥� amounts refer to non-GAAP measures as described in the 鈥淎djusted Amounts鈥� paragraph at the end of this release.

鈥湸笙蟠�媒鈥檚 first quarter performance is a great example of our strong business model, disciplined execution and our ability to leverage all aspects of our portfolio,鈥� said Eric Wiseman, 大象传媒 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 鈥淭he combination of powerful brands and strong operating platforms creates a unique engine capable of delivering consistent, long-term shareholder value. With a strong start to the year, we鈥檙e well positioned to achieve our full year goals.鈥�

First Quarter 2013 Review

Revenues rose 2 percent, as anticipated, to $2.6 billion compared with the same period of 2012, driven by strength in the Outdoor & Action Sports, international and direct-to-consumer businesses. The sale of John Varvatos in April 2012 negatively impacted 大象传媒鈥檚 revenue growth comparison by 1 percentage point in the first quarter.

Gross margin improved 240 basis points to 48.1 percent, an all-time high for any quarter in 大象传媒鈥檚 history. This performance, which includes improvements in nearly every coalition, compares with 45.7 percent in the same period of 2012. The higher gross margin reflects lower year-over-year product costs and the continued shift in our revenue mix towards higher margin businesses.

Operating income on an adjusted basis grew 13 percent to $360 million in the first quarter compared with $319 million in the same period of 2012. On a GAAP basis, first quarter operating income increased 14 percent to $358 million, compared with $314 million in last year鈥檚 same period. Adjusted operating margin was 13.8 percent compared with 12.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012. On a GAAP basis, operating margin rose to 13.7 percent from 12.3 percent in the first quarter of 2012.

Net income on an adjusted basis grew by 25 percent to $273 million from $219 million in the first quarter of 2012. Adjusted earnings per share 鈥� which excludes Timberland acquisition-related items of $0.02 per share in the first quarter 鈥� increased 25 percent, to $2.43 from $1.94 during the same period last year. This increase includes a $0.12 per share discrete tax benefit primarily related to the impact of U.S. tax law changes enacted in 2013, which are retroactive to 2012. On a GAAP basis, first quarter net income was $270 million, with a 26 percent increase in earnings per share to $2.41, including the $0.12 per share discrete tax benefit noted above.

First Quarter Coalition Review

Outdoor & Action Sports revenues were up 10 percent in the quarter to $1.4 billion with balanced growth across both the U.S. and international markets.

Revenues for The North Face^庐 brand rose 6 percent with low single-digit growth in both the Americas and Europe regions, and continued strong double-digit growth in Asia. Helped by colder, more seasonable weather, the brand鈥檚 direct-to-consumer business posted a strong double-digit revenue increase in the quarter.

The Vans^庐 brand momentum continued in the first quarter with a 25 percent increase in revenues including over 20 percent growth in the Americas and Asia regions, and more than a 30 percent increase in Europe. The Vans^庐 brand posted strong double-digit revenue increases in both its wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels.

Timberland^庐 brand revenues were in line with expectations; up 2 percent in the first quarter with mid-teen growth in Asia and a mid single-digit increase in the Americas region. In Europe, where challenging macro-economic conditions continue to impact the business, the brand experienced a mid single-digit decline in revenues. The Timberland^庐 brand鈥檚 direct-to-consumer business, which continues to show good progress, grew at a high-teens rate in the quarter.

First quarter Outdoor & Action Sports operating income rose 12 percent to $227 million and operating margin increased 40 basis points to 16.4 percent compared with 16 percent in the 2012 period.

Jeanswear revenues, as expected, decreased 3 percent to $718 million, including slightly lower sales in the Americas region, which faced difficult comparisons due to earlier shipments of spring seasonal products in the prior year鈥檚 quarter. Additionally, the first quarter of 2013 was impacted by difficult conditions in the mid-tier channel. Jeanswear revenues in Europe declined at a mid single-digit rate. In Asia, as anticipated, Jeanswear revenues declined by a low double-digit rate, as the Lee^庐 brand navigates an industry-wide build up in inventories that began during the latter part of 2012.

Revenues for the Wrangler^庐 brand were down 2 percent with strength in its U.S. Western and Latin American businesses offset by a slight decline in its U.S. Mass business due to the previously mentioned seasonal product pull-forwards in the prior year period. The Lee^庐 brand鈥檚 first quarter revenues were down 6 percent due to continued challenging dynamics in the mid-tier channel in the U.S. and difficult macroeconomic conditions in Europe. And as noted above, the Lee^庐 brand experienced lower sales in Asia as retailers work through elevated inventory levels.

Favorable year-over-year product costs and continued improvements in operating efficiencies led to a 29 percent increase in Jeanswear operating income to $143 million. Operating margin reached 20 percent in the quarter with improvements in both the Wrangler^庐 and Lee^庐 brands across every region of the world.

Imagewear revenues declined 9 percent in the first quarter to $253 million against exceptionally strong growth in the first quarter of 2012. The first quarter comparison was impacted by a program that was shipped in the first quarter of 2012 that is not expected to ship until the second half of 2013. Related to the lower volume, first quarter Imagewear operating margin decreased to 12.5 percent.

Sportswear posted revenue growth of 4 percent to $128 million driven by a low single-digit increase in the Nautica^庐 brand and mid-teen growth in the Kipling^庐 (U.S.) brand. The Nautica^庐 brand revenues in the first quarter were impacted by a shift in timing of shipments that should drive a mid-teen revenue increase in the second quarter. Direct-to-consumer revenues for the Sportswear businesses increased more than 20 percent in the quarter contributing to an 80 basis point improvement in operating margin over the prior year period.

Contemporary Brands revenues were down 18 percent in the quarter to $104 million, with 14 percentage points of the decline due to the absence of John Varvatos, which was sold in April 2012. Excluding John Varvatos from the first quarter of 2012, revenues were down 4 percent. Direct-to-consumer revenues, excluding John Varvatos, increased 9 percent.

Contemporary Brands鈥� operating income in the first quarter decreased 15 percent to $13 million. Operating margin expanded by 40 basis points to 12.1 percent, driven by improved direct-to-consumer performance.

International Review

First quarter international revenues increased 6 percent. Revenues in the Americas (non-U.S.) region increased 10 percent with strong performances from the Vans^庐, Timberland^庐 and Wrangler^庐 brands. In Asia, revenues were up 9 percent, reflecting strong results by all Outdoor & Action Sports brands. Revenues in Europe rose 4 percent driven by double-digit growth in the direct-to-consumer businesses of the Vans^庐, The North Face^庐, Timberland^庐 and Napapijri^庐 brands. International revenues reached 42 percent of total 大象传媒 revenues in the first quarter compared with 40 percent in the same period of 2012.

Direct-to-Consumer Review

Direct-to-consumer revenues increased 12 percent in the first quarter including a 25 percent increase in The North Face^庐 brand, an 18 percent increase in the Timberland^庐 brand and a 15 percent increase in the Vans^庐 brand. Direct-to-consumer revenues for the Nautica^庐, Kipling^庐, Napapijri^庐, Splendid^庐 and Ella Moss^庐 brands also each achieved double-digit growth during the quarter. A total of 20 stores were opened across our brands in the quarter bringing the total number of owned retail stores to 1,132. Direct-to-consumer revenues reached 20 percent of total revenues in the first quarter compared with 19 percent in the 2012 period.

Balance Sheet Review

Inventories were down $107 million, or 7 percent, from March 2012 levels reflecting 大象传媒鈥檚 highly disciplined approach to inventory control. During the first quarter, 大象传媒 repurchased a total of 1.7 million shares for approximately $280 million and made a discretionary contribution of $100 million to its pension plan.

2013 Earnings Guidance Raised

Revenue guidance for 2013 remains unchanged, with revenues expected to rise by 6 percent to $11.5 billion. Also unchanged is an expected improvement of 100 basis points in gross margin and nearly a 100 basis point increase in operating margin for the year. Based on slightly stronger than expected first quarter results, adjusted earnings per share in 2013 are now expected to rise to $10.75 per share, up $0.05 from the $10.70 per share guidance provided on February 15. On a GAAP basis, which includes an estimated $0.10 per share in Timberland acquisition-related expenses, earnings per share in 2013 are now expected to rise to $10.65 per share, up $0.05 from the prior guidance of $10.60 per share.

Looking forward to the second quarter, last year鈥檚 adjusted earnings per share of $1.11 included a non-recurring $0.10 per share discrete tax benefit primarily related to the settlement of prior years鈥� audits. On a reported (GAAP) basis, last year鈥檚 second quarter earnings per share of $1.40 included three non-recurring items: a $0.32 per share benefit related to the sale of John Varvatos, the previously described $0.10 per share discrete tax benefit, and a $0.03 negative impact resulting from Timberland acquisition-related expenses.

Adjusted Amounts

This release refers to adjusted amounts that exclude restructuring and other items related to the acquisition of Timberland, which approximated $3 million ($0.02 per share) in the first quarter of 2013 compared to $5 million ($0.03 per share) in the first quarter of 2012. Adjusted amounts for the full year exclude anticipated Timberland acquisition-related expenses of $14 million ($0.10 per share) in 2013 compared to $31 million ($0.25 per share) in 2012. Additionally, adjusted amounts in 2012 exclude the gain on the sale of John Varvatos of approximately $42 million ($0.32 per share inclusive of a $0.10 per share tax benefit triggered by the sale). Reconciliations of certain GAAP measures to adjusted amounts are presented in the supplemental financial information included with this release, which identify and quantify all excluded items.

Dividend Declared

大象传媒鈥檚 Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per share, payable on June 20, 2013 to shareholders of record on June 10, 2013.

Webcast Information

大象传媒 will hold its first quarter conference call and webcast today at approximately 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties should call 800-946-0708 (domestic) or 719-457-2705 (international) to access the call. The conference call will be broadcast live and accessible at . A replay of the conference call will be available from April 26 through May 3, 2013, via telephone at 877-870-5176 (access code: 7081910) or at .

About 大象传媒

大象传媒 Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel and footwear with more than 30 brands. The company鈥檚 largest five brands are The North Face^庐, Wrangler^庐, Timberland^庐, Vans^庐, and Lee^庐. Other brands include 7 For All Mankind^庐, Bulwark^庐, Eagle Creek^庐, Eastpak^庐, Ella Moss^庐, JanSport^庐, Kipling^庐, lucy^庐, Majestic^庐, Napapijri^庐, Nautica^庐, Red Kap^庐, Reef^庐, Riders^庐, Splendid^庐 and SmartWool^庐. For more information, please visit .

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this release and the attachments are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting 大象传媒 and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as 鈥渨ill,鈥� 鈥渁nticipate,鈥� 鈥渆stimate,鈥� 鈥渆xpect,鈥� 鈥渟hould,鈥� and 鈥渕ay鈥� and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of 大象传媒 to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, the level of consumer confidence and overall level of consumer demand for apparel; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products; disruption to 大象传媒鈥檚 distribution system; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; 大象传媒's reliance on a small number of large customers; the financial strength of 大象传媒's customers; 大象传媒鈥檚 response to changing fashion trends; increasing pressure on margins; 大象传媒's ability to implement its growth strategy; 大象传媒's ability to grow its international and direct-to-consumer businesses; 大象传媒's ability to successfully integrate and grow acquisitions, including the Timberland acquisition; 大象传媒's ability to maintain the strength and security of its information technology systems; adverse unseasonable weather conditions; stability of 大象传媒's manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; continued use by 大象传媒's suppliers of ethical business practices; 大象传媒's ability to accurately forecast demand for products; continuity of members of 大象传媒's management; 大象传媒's ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; maintenance by 大象传媒's licensees and distributors of the value of 大象传媒's brands; foreign currency fluctuations; changes in tax liabilities, and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect 大象传媒's financial results is included from time to time in 大象传媒's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including 大象传媒's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

(Financial Tables Follow)

Basis of presentation: 大象传媒 operates and reports using a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31 of each year. Similarly, the fiscal first quarter ends on the Saturday closest to March 31. For presentation purposes herein, all references to periods ended March 2013, December 2012 and March 2012 relate to the 13 week, 52 week and 13 week fiscal periods ended March 30, 2013, December 29, 2012, and March 31, 2012, respectively.

Constant Currency Financial Information

大象传媒 is a global company that reports financial information in U.S. dollars in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations affect the amounts reported by 大象传媒 from translating its foreign revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars. These rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on reported operating results. As a supplement to our reported operating results, we present constant currency financial information, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We use constant currency information to provide a framework to assess how our business performed excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency translation rates. Management believes this information is useful to investors to facilitate comparison of operating results and better identify trends in our businesses.

To calculate coalition revenues and profits on a constant currency basis, operating results for the current year period for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the comparable period of the prior year (rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the current year period).

These constant currency performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, our operating performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The constant currency information presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

The financial information above has been presented on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted basis which excludes the impact of costs related to the acquisition of The Timberland Company. These adjusted presentations are non-GAAP measures. Management believes these measures provide investors with useful supplemental information regarding 大象传媒's underlying business trends and the performance of 大象传媒's ongoing operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations.

Management uses the above financial measures internally in its budgeting and review process and, in some cases, as a factor in determining compensation. While management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, 大象传媒's operating performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

大象传媒 Corporation
Lance Allega, 336-424-6082
Director, Investor Relations
or
Carole Crosslin, 336-424-7836
Director, Corporate Communications

Source: 大象传媒 Corporation

Released April 26, 2013