Press Release:
First Quarter Highlights:
First quarter 2013 consolidated net sales increased 5 percent to a first-quarter record $348.3 million, compared with first quarter 2012 net sales of $333.1 million.
First quarter 2013 net income totaled $10.1 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, including restructuring charges of approximately $2.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, net of tax. First quarter 2012 net income was $3.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which included restructuring charges of approximately $2.8 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, net of tax.
The board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share, payable on May 30, 2013 to shareholders of record on May 16, 2013.
Revised Full Year 2013 Outlook:
Net sales expected to decline slightly.
Operating margin is expected to be approximately 6.6 percent, including restructuring charges and the effects of certain costs and deferral of income related to the previously announced plan to transition to a joint venture in China commencing January 1, 2014. Operating margin is expected to be approximately 7.5 percent excluding the effects of those items.
PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM), a leading innovator in the active outdoor apparel and footwear industries, today announced a 5 percent increase in net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, to a first-quarter record $348.3 million, compared with net sales of $333.1 million for the same period of 2012. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates negatively affected first quarter consolidated net sales comparisons by less than one percent.
First quarter net income increased 159 percent to $10.1 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, including restructuring charges of approximately $2.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, net of tax, compared with net income of $3.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the same period of 2012, which also included restructuring charges of approximately $2.8 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, net of tax. The effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2013 was 17.4 percent, compared to 30.4 percent in the comparable quarter of 2012.
Tim Boyle, Columbia’s president and chief executive officer, commented, “During the first quarter, cold weather in North America helped us liquidate additional Fall season inventory, primarily through our direct-to-consumer channels, putting our inventory levels in better shape than last year at this time.”
“Cold weather also helped our wholesale customers liquidate more of their Fall 2012 inventory; however, it did not alter their cautious posture in placing advance orders for our Fall 2013 product offering. Accordingly, based on current advance wholesale order levels, our direct-to-consumer expansion plans, the anticipated effects of transitioning to a joint venture in China, and a number of other variables and assumptions, our full year 2013 outlook anticipates slightly lower net sales compared to 2012.”
“We continue to focus on broadening the year-round relevance of our brands by delivering innovations that help keep consumers comfortable whenever and wherever they choose to go outside. In early April, we launched the latest additions to our portfolio of differentiated performance technologies – Omni-Freeze® ZERO under the Columbia brand and Cool.Q® ZERO in our Mountain Hardwear brand – that produce sweat-activated cooling. These products, along with our growing Columbia PFG (Performance Fishing Gear) line and a complementary assortment of sportswear, are perfect for consumers who are increasingly seeking lightweight, sleek versatility that lets them adapt quickly and comfortably to a variety of weather conditions.”
First Quarter 2013 Results
(All comparisons are between first quarter 2013 and first quarter 2012, unless otherwise noted.)
First quarter 2013 U.S. net sales increased 4 percent to $200.5 million. Latin America and Asia Pacific (LAAP) region net sales grew 8 percent to $83.1 million, including a 5 percentage point negative effect from changes in currency exchange rates. Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region net sales increased 7 percent to $40.9 million, including a 1 percentage point benefit from changes in currency exchange rates. Canada net sales decreased 6 percent to $23.8 million, including a 1 percentage point benefit from changes in currency exchange rates.
First quarter apparel, accessories & equipment net sales increased $10.0 million, or 4 percent, to $294.3 million. Footwear net sales increased $5.2 million, or 11 percent, to $54.0 million.
First quarter Columbia brand net sales increased $8.0 million, or 3 percent, to $301.1 million. Sorel brand net sales increased $6.0 million, or 94 percent, to $12.4 million. Mountain Hardwear net sales increased $1.4 million, or 5 percent, to $32.1 million.
Balance Sheet
The company ended the quarter with $374.6 million in cash and short-term investments, compared with $335.4 million at December 31, 2012 and $252.8 million at March 31, 2012.
Consolidated inventories declined 11 percent to $325.2 million at March 31, 2013, compared with $366.6 million at March 31, 2012, reflecting approximately 5 percent fewer units and a reduced mix of Fall season product.
2013 Financial Outlook
The company currently expects a slight net sales decline in 2013 compared to 2012, with a low single-digit net sales increase in constant dollars more than offset by the negative effect of anticipated changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Full year 2013 gross margin is expected to be comparable to 2012, including the effect of deferring approximately $3.0 million of gross profit into 2014 as a result of the previously announced plan to transition to a joint venture in China, effective January 1, 2014, from the current independent distributor arrangement.
Full year 2013 selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to increase approximately 3 percent, including approximately $3.7 million in pre-operating expenses related to the China joint venture and pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $4.1 million, primarily related to employee termination and lease exit costs in our European operation, resulting in approximately 135 basis points of SG&A expense deleverage.
Full year 2013 licensing income is expected to be comparable to 2012, including the effect of deferring approximately $4.0 million of licensing income into 2014 in conjunction with the transition to the China joint venture.
As a result, full year 2013 operating margin is expected to be approximately 6.6 percent. Full year 2013 operating margin is expected to be approximately 7.5 percent if the following items are excluded: the anticipated $4.1 million in restructuring charges, and the deferral of approximately $3.0 million of gross profit and $4.0 million of licensing income into 2014 and pre-operating costs of approximately $3.7 million related to the China joint venture.
The company is modeling a full year effective tax rate of 26 percent; however, the actual rate could differ, perhaps significantly, based on the status of tax uncertainties, the geographic mix of pre-tax income, as well as other discrete events that may occur during the year.
The company’s annual net sales are weighted more heavily toward the fall/winter season, while operating expenses are more equally distributed throughout the year, resulting in a highly seasonal profitability pattern weighted toward the second half of the fiscal year.
Second Quarter 2013 Outlook
The second quarter is the company’s lowest volume quarter, which amplifies the effect on operating results of changes in the timing of shipments and the fixed costs of the company’s operations.
The company expects second quarter 2013 net sales to decline approximately 4 to 6 percent compared with second quarter 2012, primarily reflecting lower wholesale net sales, partially offset by increased direct-to-consumer sales.
The company expects second quarter 2013 operating margin to decline approximately 370 to 540 basis points compared to second quarter 2012, consisting of approximately 430 to 560 basis points of SG&A expense deleverage, including restructuring charges of approximately $1.7 million, approximately $1.2 million in pre-operating costs of the China joint venture, and decreased licensing income, partially offset by approximately 90 to 140 basis points of gross margin expansion.
The company is modeling an effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 29 percent.
All projections related to anticipated future results are forward-looking in nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ, perhaps significantly.
A more detailed version of the company’s financial outlook can be found in the “CFO Commentary on First Quarter Financial Results and 2013 Outlook”, available on the company’s investor relations website at https://investor.columbia.com/results.cfm.
Dividend
The board of directors authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share, payable on May 30, 2013 to shareholders of record on May 16, 2013.
About Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear Company is a leading innovator in the global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industry. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, Columbia products are sold in approximately 100 countries and have earned an international reputation for innovation, quality and performance. Columbia products feature innovative technologies and designs that protect outdoor enthusiasts from the elements, increase comfort, and make outdoor activities more enjoyable. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns outdoor brands Mountain Hardwear®, Sorel®, Montrail® and OutDry®. To learn more, please visit the company’s websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com, www.montrail.com and www.outdry.com.
