Guess?, Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter Results
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Guess?, Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter Results

Second Quarter Revenue Increased 10% to a Record of $577 Million
Second Quarter EPS Grew 13% to a Record of $0.72
Provides Third Quarter EPS Guidance in the Range of $0.55 to $0.58
Maintains Full Year EPS Guidance

LOS ANGELES, Aug 25, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Second Quarter Fiscal 2011 Highlights

  • European revenues increased 6% in US dollars and 18% in local currency
  • North American retail revenues increased 6%; comp sales up 3.5%
  • Asian revenues increased 43%
  • Operating margin declined 70 basis points to 16.7% from 17.4%
  • Net earnings increased 12% to $66.8 million

Guess?, Inc. (NYSE: GES) today reported financial results for the second quarter of its 2011 fiscal year, which ended July 31, 2010.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2011 Results

For the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company reported record net earnings of $66.8 million, a 12.1% increase compared to net earnings of $59.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Diluted earnings per share increased 12.5%, reaching $0.72, compared to $0.64 for the prior-year quarter.

Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with our second quarter financial results, which exceeded our expectations for both top line and bottom line growth. Each one of our business segments increased revenues and we made excellent progress in our efforts to grow our international businesses. Our European and Asian expansion efforts continue to pay off, as these two regions represented nearly half of our revenue growth in the period, despite the headwind caused by the stronger US dollar. We executed well and delivered record earnings for the period, even as the US retail environment became increasingly promotional. Today's strong results confirm the benefit of our diversified earnings, the capability of our management team and the vitality of our brand as we continue to expand worldwide."

Mr. Marciano continued, "Economic conditions remain uncertain in many markets around the world and consumer behavior remains cautious. We continue to manage our business carefully, focusing on what we can control, but always with an eye toward the future. Our brand has tremendous momentum around the world and there are many markets where Guess? is well known but under-penetrated. We remain fully committed to expanding our business internationally and developing Europe and Asia remain our top priorities. We are making excellent progress in these regions as we add the necessary infrastructure to gain share in these markets. We remain confident about our future and believe that our solid capital structure and the strength of the Guess? brand will serve us well as we expand our business around the world."

Total net revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 10.5% to $577.1 million from $522.4 million in the prior-year quarter. In constant dollars, total net revenue increased 13.9%. The Company's retail stores in North America generated revenue of $241.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, a 6.3% increase from $227.5 million in the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales increased 1.7% in local currency and 3.5% in US dollars for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. The Company operated 448 retail stores in the United States and Canada at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2011 versus 431 stores a year earlier.

Net revenue from the Company's North American wholesale segment increased 33.3% to $44.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, from $33.2 million in the prior-year period.

Net revenue from the Company's Europe segment increased 5.8% to $222.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to $210.2 million in the prior-year period. In local currency, net revenue increased 17.7%.

Net revenue from the Company's Asia segment increased 42.8% to $42.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, from $29.5 million in the prior-year period.

Licensing segment net revenue increased 20.4% to $26.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, from $22.1 million in the prior-year period.

Operating earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 5.7% to $96.3 million (including a $4.0 million unfavorable currency translation impact) from $91.1 million in the prior-year period. Operating margin in the second quarter decreased 70 basis points to 16.7%, compared to the prior-year's quarter. The decline in operating margin primarily reflects the impact of lower North American product margins and higher occupancy costs, given the Company's global retail expansion.

The Company's effective tax rate declined to 30.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, from 33.0% for the second quarter of the prior year.

Six-Month Period Results

For the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company reported net earnings of $117.1 million, an increase of 27.1% compared to net earnings of $92.1 million for the six months ended August 1, 2009. Diluted earnings per share increased 26.3% to $1.25 per share in the first six months of the 2011 fiscal year versus $0.99 per share in the comparable six-month period last year.

Total net revenue for the first six months of fiscal 2011 increased 15.9% to $1,116.5 million from $963.6 million in the prior-year period. In constant dollars, total net revenue increased 15.0%. The Company's retail stores in North America generated revenue of $477.6 million in the first six months of fiscal 2011, a 9.8% increase from $435.0 million in the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales increased 3.7% in local currency and 6.5% in US dollars for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to the six months ended August 1, 2009. Net revenue from the Company's North America wholesale segment increased 30.3% to $87.0 million in the first six months of fiscal 2011, from $66.8 million in the prior-year period. Net revenue from the Company's Europe segment increased 15.0% to $409.3 million in the first six months of fiscal 2011, compared to $355.9 million in the prior-year period. In local currency, Europe segment revenues increased 19.6%. Net revenue from the Company's Asia segment increased 46.8% to $90.8 million in the first six months of fiscal 2011, compared to $61.8 million in the prior-year period. Licensing segment net revenue increased 17.5% to $51.8 million in the first six months of fiscal 2011, from $44.1 million in the prior-year period.

Operating earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2011 increased 20.5% to $167.6 million (including a $1.0 million favorable currency translation impact) from $139.1 million in the prior-year period. Operating margin in the first six months of fiscal 2011 increased 60 basis points to 15.0%, compared to the prior-year period. This operating margin improvement was the result of higher overall product margins, partially offset by the pension curtailment expense recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

Share Repurchase

During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased 1.5 million shares of its common stock at an average purchase price of $32.88, totaling $49.3 million. As of July 31, 2010, the Company had remaining approval under its existing repurchase program to purchase $84.9 million of its common stock.

Outlook

The Company's expectations for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 ending October 30, 2010, are as follows:

  • Consolidated net revenues are expected to range from $565 million to $580 million.
  • Operating margin is expected to be around 13.5%.
  • Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.55 to $0.58.

The Company updated its outlook for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2011, which is now as follows:

  • Consolidated net revenues are expected to range from $2.35 billion to $2.40 billion.
  • Operating margin is expected to be about 16.0%.
  • Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $2.80 to $2.85.

Dividend

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be payable on September 24, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2010.

The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 pm (ET) on August 25, 2010 to discuss the news announced in this press release. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible at www.guess.com via the "Investor Relations" link. The webcast will be archived on the website for 30 days.

Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, footwear and other related consumer products. As of July 31, 2010, the Company owned and operated 448 retail stores in the United States and Canada and operated 844 retail stores outside of North America, of which 153 were directly owned. The Company also distributes its products through better department and specialty stores around the world. For more information about the Company, please visit http://www.guess.com/.

Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release, including statements concerning the Company's international growth plans, future prospects and guidance for the third quarter and full year of fiscal 2011, are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are only expectations, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from what is currently anticipated. Factors which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, domestic and international economic conditions, including economic and other events that could negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary consumer spending; our ability to, among other things, anticipate consumer preferences, effectively operate our various retail concepts, effectively manage inventories and successfully execute our strategies, including our supply chain and international growth strategies; and risks associated with changes in economic, political, social and other conditions affecting our foreign operations, including currency fluctuations. In addition to these factors, the economic, litigation-related and other risks identified in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors discussed therein, could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

    Contact:      Guess?, Inc.
                  Maili Bergman
                  VP Investor Relations
                  (213) 765-5578


                                      Guess?, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                              (amounts in thousands, except per share data)


                                             Three Months Ended
                                             ------------------
                                       July 31,                August 1,
                                              2010                   2009
                                        $     %                $     %
                                      ---    ---             ---    ---

    Net revenue
      Product sales              $550,576     95.4%     $500,364     95.8%
      Net royalties                26,559      4.6%       22,059      4.2%
                                   ------      ---        ------      ---
                                  577,135    100.0%      522,423    100.0%

    Cost of product sales         324,899     56.3%      290,646     55.6%
                                  -------     ----       -------     ----

    Gross profit                  252,236     43.7%      231,777     44.4%

    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses      155,935     27.0%      140,663     27.0%
    Accelerated pension cost
     amortization                       -      0.0%            -      0.0%
                                      ---      ---           ---      ---

    Earnings from operations       96,301     16.7%       91,114     17.4%

    Other income (expense):
      Interest expense               (283)   (0.0%)         (339)   (0.1%)
      Interest income                 647      0.1%          447      0.1%
      Other, net                     (256)   (0.1%)       (1,339)   (0.2%)
                                     ----   ------        ------   ------

    Earnings before income
     taxes                         96,409     16.7%       89,883     17.2%

    Income taxes                   29,030      5.0%       29,662      5.7%
                                   ------      ---        ------      ---

    Net earnings                   67,379     11.7%       60,221     11.5%

    Net earnings attributable
     to noncontrolling
     interests in subsidiaries        621      0.1%          661      0.1%
                                      ---      ---           ---      ---

    Net earnings attributable
     to Guess?, Inc.              $66,758     11.6%      $59,560     11.4%
                                  =======     ====       =======     ====

    Earnings per common share
     attributable to common
     stockholders:
      Basic                         $0.72                  $0.65

      Diluted                       $0.72                  $0.64

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
     attributable to common
     stockholders:
      Basic                        91,610                 90,724

      Diluted                      92,153                 91,381


                                               Six Months Ended
                                               ----------------
                                       July 31,                 August 1,
                                                2010                   2009
                                          $     %                $     %
                                        ---    ---             ---    ---

    Net revenue
      Product sales              $1,064,631     95.4%     $919,491     95.4%
      Net royalties                  51,845      4.6%       44,133      4.6%
                                     ------      ---        ------      ---
                                  1,116,476    100.0%      963,624    100.0%

    Cost of product sales           628,989     56.3%      554,344     57.5%
                                    -------     ----       -------     ----

    Gross profit                    487,487     43.7%      409,280     42.5%

    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses        314,040     28.1%      270,132     28.1%
    Accelerated pension cost
     amortization                     5,819      0.6%            -      0.0%
                                      -----      ---           ---      ---

    Earnings from operations        167,628     15.0%      139,148     14.4%

    Other income (expense):
      Interest expense                 (513)   (0.0%)         (945)   (0.1%)
      Interest income                   983      0.1%        1,184      0.2%
      Other, net                      3,172      0.2%          (73)   (0.0%)
                                      -----      ---           ---   ------

    Earnings before income
     taxes                          171,270     15.3%      139,314     14.5%

    Income taxes                     52,237      4.6%       45,974      4.8%
                                     ------      ---        ------      ---

    Net earnings                    119,033     10.7%       93,340      9.7%

    Net earnings attributable
     to noncontrolling
     interests in subsidiaries        1,940      0.2%        1,238      0.1%
                                      -----      ---         -----      ---

    Net earnings attributable
     to Guess?, Inc.               $117,093     10.5%      $92,102      9.6%
                                   ========     ====       =======      ===

    Earnings per common share
     attributable to common
     stockholders:
      Basic                           $1.26                  $1.00

      Diluted                         $1.25                  $0.99

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding
     attributable to common
     stockholders:
      Basic                          91,756                 90,678

      Diluted                        92,471                 91,253


                             Guess?, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                               Consolidated Segment Data
                                (dollars in thousands)


                                     Three Months Ended
                                     ------------------
                                           August
                             July 31,         1,         %
                                 2010         2009      chg
                                 ----         ----      ---

    Net revenue:
      North American retail  $241,802     $227,460         6%
      North American
       wholesale               44,270       33,213        33%
      Europe                  222,331      210,159         6%
      Asia                     42,173       29,532        43%
      Licensing                26,559       22,059        20%
                             $577,135     $522,423        10%
                             ========     ========

    Earnings (loss) from
     operations:
      North American retail   $26,310      $30,208       -13%
      North American
       wholesale               10,711        8,328        29%
      Europe                   50,349       52,293        -4%
      Asia                      5,701        1,564       265%
      Licensing                23,690       18,672        27%
      Corporate overhead     (20,460)     (19,951)         3%
      Accelerated pension
       cost amortization            -            -
                                  ---          ---
                              $96,301      $91,114         6%
                              =======      =======

    Operating margins:
      North American retail      10.9%        13.3%
      North American
       wholesale                 24.2%        25.1%
      Europe                     22.6%        24.9%
      Asia                       13.5%         5.3%
      Licensing                  89.2%        84.6%

      Total Company              16.7%        17.4%


                                      Six Months Ended
                                      ----------------
                                              August
                              July 31,           1,         %
                                    2010         2009      chg
                                    ----         ----      ---

    Net revenue:
      North American retail     $477,575     $435,020        10%
      North American
       wholesale                  86,998       66,786        30%
      Europe                     409,299      355,857        15%
      Asia                        90,759       61,828        47%
      Licensing                   51,845       44,133        17%
                              $1,116,476     $963,624        16%
                              ==========     ========

    Earnings (loss) from
     operations:
      North American retail      $50,682      $48,215         5%
      North American
       wholesale                  20,922       13,254        58%
      Europe                      84,831       75,432        12%
      Asia                        12,838        4,060       216%
      Licensing                   45,550       37,687        21%
      Corporate overhead         (41,376)    (39,500)         5%
      Accelerated pension
       cost amortization          (5,819)           -
                                                  ---
                                $167,628     $139,148        20%
                                ========     ========

    Operating margins:
      North American retail         10.6%        11.1%
      North American
       wholesale                    24.0%        19.8%
      Europe                        20.7%        21.2%
      Asia                          14.1%         6.6%
      Licensing                     87.9%        85.4%

      Total Company                 15.0%        14.4%


                   Guess?, Inc. and Subsidiaries
        Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
                          (in thousands)


                                                 January
                                July 31,            30,         August 1,
                                      2010            2010            2009
                                      ----            ----            ----

                           ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents     $478,625        $502,063        $329,707

    Receivables, net               301,522         283,747         290,870

    Inventories                    307,056         253,162         265,545

    Other current assets            87,779          85,191          82,528

    Property and equipment,
     net                           272,938         255,308         249,147

    Other assets                   179,613         151,778         145,781

      Total Assets              $1,627,533      $1,531,249      $1,363,578
                                ==========      ==========      ==========


            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current portion of
     borrowings and capital
     lease obligations              $2,123          $2,357          $2,968

    Other current liabilities      379,450         340,396         329,929

    Capital lease obligations       12,519          14,137          15,394

    Other long-term
     liabilities                   143,922         134,203         118,557

    Redeemable and
     nonredeemable
     noncontrolling interests       21,386          19,945          17,426

    Guess?, Inc.
     stockholders' equity        1,068,133       1,020,211         879,304

      Total Liabilities and
       Stockholders' Equity     $1,627,533      $1,531,249      $1,363,578
                                ==========      ==========      ==========


                 Guess?, Inc. and Subsidiaries
             Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Data
                        (in thousands)


                                             Six Months Ended
                                             ----------------
                                                       August
                                         July 31,         1,
                                             2010         2009
                                             ----         ----


    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                          $103,876     $123,845

    Net cash used in investing
     activities                          (52,238)     (43,331)

    Net cash used in financing
     activities                          (69,593)     (49,161)

    Effect of exchange rates on cash       (5,483)       4,236
                                           ------        -----

    Net increase (decrease) in cash and
     cash equivalents                    (23,438)       35,589

    Cash and cash equivalents at the
     beginning of the year                502,063      294,118

    Cash and cash equivalents at the
     end of the period                   $478,625     $329,707
                                         ========     ========

    Supplemental information:

    Depreciation and amortization         $31,488      $30,535

    Rent                                 $101,903      $84,506


           Guess?, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                 Retail Store Data
             International Store Count
                As of July 31, 2010


                                            Directly
                              Total         Operated
    Region                    Stores         Stores
                              ------         ------

      United States and
       Canada                    448               448

      Europe and the Middle
       East                      441               109

      Asia                       347                30

      Other                       56                14

                               1,292               601
                               =====               ===


               Guess?, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                     Retail Store Data
                      U.S. and Canada


                                        Six Months Ended
                                        ----------------
                                                     August
                                     July 31,           1,
                                          2010           2009
                                          ----           ----


    Number of stores at the
     beginning of the year                 432            425

      Store openings                        21             11

      Store closures                        (5)            (5)


    Number of stores at the end of
     the period                            448            431
                                           ===            ===




    Total store square footage at
     the end of the period           2,091,000      1,980,000
                                     =========      =========


SOURCE Guess?, Inc.