Attached files

file filename
8-K - GUESS INCv177517_8k.htm
GUESS?, INC.
NEWS RELEASE

 
GUESS?, INC. REPORTS RECORD RESULTS

Q4 EPS Reached a Record of $0.93 Compared to $0.51 Last Year

Fiscal Year 2010 EPS Reached a Record of $2.61 Compared to $2.25 Last Year

Provides Q1 Fiscal Year 2011 EPS Guidance in the Range of $0.46 to $0.48
 
Provides Fiscal Year 2011 EPS Guidance in the Range of $2.87 to $2.95
 
Increases Quarterly Dividend 28% to 16 Cents per Share
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2010 Highlights

- Global revenues increased 14% to a record of $642 million

- European revenues increased 24%

- North American retail revenues increased 7%; comp sales increased 5.3%

- Operating margin, excluding impairment charges, improved to 19.5% from 16.2%
 
 
 
Fiscal Year 2010 Highlights

- Global revenues increased 2% to a record of more than $2.1 billion

- Operating margin, excluding impairment charges, improved to 17.1% from 16.9%

- Operating cash flow increased 57% to $358 million

LOS ANGELES, March 17, 2010  Guess?, Inc. (NYSE: GES) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.
 

 
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results
 
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company reported net earnings of $86.6 million, an increase of 80.7% compared to net earnings of $47.9 million for the quarter ended January 31, 2009.  Diluted earnings per share increased 82.4% to $0.93 in the current quarter versus $0.51 in the prior-year quarter.  In the quarter, the Company recorded a $4.3 million non-cash asset impairment charge (compared to $22.3 million in the prior year fourth quarter) related to long-lived assets associated with retail stores, primarily in North America.  Excluding the impairment charges, the Company's adjusted net earnings were $89.3 million in the current fourth quarter, an increase of 44.0% compared to adjusted net earnings of $62.0 million for the quarter ended January 31, 2009.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 45.5% to $0.96 from $0.66 in the comparable period last year.

Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Today, our brands enjoy outstanding momentum worldwide and a very strong competitive position.  We believe our reported results clearly validate the relevance of our brands and our success.  We remain focused on our long-term strategies and we continue to see tremendous opportunities to increase sales productivity and expand further across the globe.  This year, we will reignite our plans for growth and invest in retail expansion, both in North America and Europe.  We will also continue building our infrastructure and resume investing in marketing programs to further increase consumer awareness of our brands."

Mr. Marciano continued, "Our performance in the fourth quarter exceeded our expectations in almost every measure, with each business posting strong top line growth and solid margin improvements.  We delivered great product that resonated well with our customers and drove a double-digit revenue increase.  We managed the business well and controlled our costs and our inventories effectively.  These results set a new record and closed a strong year for Guess?, in spite of the many challenges posed by a difficult economic environment.  This was a year in which we expanded our international business, improved the profitability of our new businesses, fully restored our operating margin structure and generated strong cash flows."

Mr. Marciano concluded, "We are pleased with our record results this past year and we are very excited about our future.  Our strategy remains intact.  We have a strong portfolio of lifestyle brands with significant momentum worldwide.  We have a highly diversified business model that produces outstanding results.  Our capital structure has never been more solid, with more than half a billion dollars in cash and no debt.  And we have a highly motivated and seasoned management team, capable of delivering in both prosperous and challenging times.  This is a powerful combination that positions us well to achieve our objectives for growth and profitability."

Total net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 14.4% to $642.0 million from $561.1 million in the prior fourth quarter period.  During the quarter, the Company's retail stores in North America generated revenue of $309.4 million, a 7.2% increase from $288.6 million in the prior-year quarter.  Comparable store sales for the current fourth quarter increased 5.3% (2.0% in constant dollars) compared to the same period a year ago.  The Company operated 432 retail stores in the United States and Canada at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 versus 425 stores a year earlier.
 
2

 
The Company's wholesale segment, which includes its Asian operations, generated revenue of $84.7 million during the quarter, a 21.1% increase from $69.9 million in the prior-year quarter.

The Company's European segment generated revenue of $222.6 million during the quarter, an increase of 23.7% when compared to $179.9 million in the prior-year quarter.

The Company's licensing segment generated revenue of $25.4 million, a 12.3% increase from $22.6 million in the prior-year period.

Operating earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 increased 76.3% to $120.7 million (including a $7.8 million favorable currency translation benefit) from $68.5 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year.  Operating earnings in the current period included a $4.3 million non-cash asset impairment charge, compared to a $22.3 million charge in the prior-year period.  Operating margin in the fourth quarter increased 660 basis points to 18.8%, compared to the prior year's quarter.  This operating margin improvement was driven by stronger product margins in all segments and lower asset impairment charges, partially offset by higher performance-based compensation expense, primarily due to the reversal of certain compensation accruals in the prior-year period.

The Company's net earnings were impacted by a higher effective tax rate in the current quarter.  For the fourth quarter, the tax rate was 29.9%, compared to 22.9% in the prior year's quarter.  The higher quarterly tax rate resulted from finalization of the annual effective tax rates in both years.

Excluding the non-cash impairment charges, adjusted operating earnings increased 37.7% to $125.0 million from $90.7 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year period.  Adjusted operating margin increased 330 basis points to 19.5% from 16.2% in the prior year period.

Fiscal Year 2010 Results
 
For the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010, the Company reported net earnings of $242.8 million, an increase of 13.7% compared to net earnings of $213.6 million for the year ended January 31, 2009.  Diluted earnings per share increased 16.0% to $2.61 in fiscal year 2010 versus $2.25 in the prior year.  Excluding asset impairment charges of $4.7 million in the current fiscal year and $24.4 million in the prior year, the Company's adjusted net earnings were $245.7 million, an increase of 7.3% compared to adjusted net earnings of $229.0 million for the year ended January 31, 2009.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 9.5% to $2.64 from $2.41 in the prior year.

Total net revenue for fiscal year 2010 increased 1.7% to $2.13 billion from $2.09 billion in the prior year.  The Company's retail stores in North America generated revenue of $983.9 million for fiscal year 2010, an increase of 0.6% from $978.0 million in the prior year.  Comparable store sales for fiscal 2010 decreased 4.5% compared to the same period a year ago.
 
3

 
Net revenue from the Company's wholesale segment, which includes its Asian operations, increased 1.3% in fiscal year 2010 to $300.0 million from $296.2 million in the prior year.

Net revenue from the Company's European segment increased 3.9% to $747.2 million in fiscal year 2010, compared to $719.0 million in the prior year.

Licensing segment net revenue decreased 2.9% to $97.4 million in fiscal year 2010, compared to $100.3 million in the prior year.

Operating earnings for fiscal year 2010 increased 9.1% to $358.8 million (including a negative $7.8 million currency translation impact), from $328.8 million in the prior year.  Operating earnings in the current year included $4.7 million in non-cash asset impairment charges, compared to $24.4 million in the prior-year period.  Operating margin for fiscal year 2010 increased by 120 basis points to 16.9%.  This margin improvement was driven by stronger product margins in North America and Asia and lower impairment charges, partially offset by occupancy cost deleverage due to the negative comparable store sales in North America, along with a higher mix of European owned retail stores.

The Company's net earnings benefited from a lower effective tax rate in fiscal 2010.  For the year, the tax rate was 31.9%, compared to 32.6% in the prior year.  The lower tax rate was due primarily to an increase of profits in lower tax jurisdictions.

Excluding the non-cash impairment charges, fiscal 2010 adjusted operating earnings increased 2.9% to $363.5 million from $353.2 million in fiscal 2009.  Fiscal 2010 adjusted operating margin increased 20 basis points to 17.1% from 16.9% in fiscal 2009.
 
Outlook
 
For the first quarter ending May 1, 2010, the Company’s expectations are as follows:
 
-    
Consolidated net revenues are expected to range from $495 million to $510 million.
-    
Operating margin is expected to be about 12.5%.
-    
Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.46 to $0.48.
 
For the fiscal year ending January 29, 2011, the Company’s expectations are as follows:
 
-    
Consolidated net revenues are expected to range from $2.30 billion to $2.35 billion.
-    
Operating margin is expected to be about 17%.
-    
Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $2.87 to $2.95.
 
Dividend
 
The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved an increase of its quarterly cash dividend to 16 cents per share on the Company's common stock, a 28% increase over its most recent quarterly dividend.  This dividend will be payable on April 16, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2010.
 
4

 
Adjusted Results
 
The adjusted results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2010 discussed herein exclude the impact of non-cash asset impairment charges related to long-lived assets associated with the Company's retail stores located in North America, Asia and Europe.  These adjusted results are provided to enhance the user's overall understanding of the Company's historical operations and financial performance.  Specifically, the Company believes the adjusted results provide investors with relevant period-to-period comparisons that are consistent and more easily understood.  The unaudited adjusted results are provided in addition to, and not as alternatives for, the Company's reported results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A complete reconciliation of actual results to the adjusted results appears below in the table entitled "Reconciliation of Reported Statement of Income to the Adjusted Statement of Income."

The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 pm (ET) on March 17, 2010 to discuss the news announced in this press release.  A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible at www.guessinc.com via the "Investor's Info" 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 January 30, 2010, the Company operated 432 retail stores in the United States and Canada and 778 retail stores outside of the United States and Canada, of which 125 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 www.guessinc.com.
 

Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release, including statements concerning the Company's growth plans and future prospects, including guidance for the first 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.
 
 

Guess?, Inc.
 
Investor Relations
 
(213) 765-5578
   
Source: Guess?, Inc.
 
5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
$
   
%
   
$
   
%
   
$
   
%
   
$
   
%
 
                                                 
                                               
Product sales
  $ 616,625       96.0 %   $ 538,440       96.0 %   $ 2,031,114       95.4 %   $ 1,993,125       95.2 %
Net royalties
    25,405       4.0 %     22,630       4.0 %     97,352       4.6 %     100,265       4.8 %
      642,030       100.0 %     561,070       100.0 %     2,128,466       100.0 %     2,093,390       100.0 %
                                                                 
    346,714       54.0 %     333,648       59.5 %     1,186,979       55.8 %     1,170,762       55.9 %
                                                                 
    295,316       46.0 %     227,422       40.5 %     941,487       44.2 %     922,628       44.1 %
                                                                 
    170,317       26.5 %     136,678       24.3 %     577,963       27.2 %     569,398       27.2 %
    4,305       0.7 %     22,272       4.0 %     4,708       0.2 %     24,443       1.2 %
                                                                 
    120,694       18.8 %     68,472       12.2 %     358,816       16.9 %     328,787       15.7 %
                                                                 
Other income (expense):
                                                               
Interest expense
    (453 )     (0.1 %)     (1,200 )     (0.2 %)     (2,176 )     (0.1 %)     (4,730 )     (0.2 %)
Interest income
    236       0.0 %     1,015       0.2 %     1,697       0.1 %     6,101       0.3 %
Other, net
    5,005       0.8 %     (6,000 )     (1.1 %)     3,592       0.1 %     (11,349 )     (0.6 %)
                                                                 
    125,482       19.5 %     62,287       11.1 %     361,929       17.0 %     318,809       15.2 %
                                                                 
    37,571       5.8 %     14,258       2.5 %     115,599       5.4 %     103,784       4.9 %
                                                                 
    87,911       13.7 %     48,029       8.6 %     246,330       11.6 %     215,025       10.3 %
                                                                 
    1,322       0.2 %     117       0.1 %     3,569       0.2 %     1,463       0.1 %
                                                                 
  $ 86,589       13.5 %   $ 47,912       8.5 %   $ 242,761       11.4 %   $ 213,562       10.2 %
                                                                 
                                                                 
Earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders:
                                                               
                                                                 
Basic
  $ 0.94             $ 0.51             $ 2.63             $ 2.27          
                                                                 
Diluted
  $ 0.93             $ 0.51             $ 2.61             $ 2.25          
                                                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders:
                                                               
                                                                 
Basic
    91,276               91,847               90,893               92,561          
                                                                 
Diluted
    92,254               92,282               91,592               93,258          
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
Adjusted earnings from operations (1)
  $ 124,999       19.5 %   $ 90,744       16.2 %   $ 363,524       17.1 %   $ 353,230       16.9 %
                                                                 
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. (1)
  $ 89,325       13.9 %   $ 61,982       11.0 %   $ 245,749       11.5 %   $ 228,962       10.9 %
                                                                 
Adjusted diluted earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders (1)
  $ 0.96             $ 0.66             $ 2.64             $ 2.41          
 
Reconciliation of Reported Statement of Income to the Adjusted Statement of Income
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
The following table provides reconciliations of reported earnings from operations to adjusted earnings from operations and reported net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. to adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc., in each case to reflect the exclusion of non-cash asset impairment charges.
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
         
% of
         
% of
         
% of
         
% of
 
   
$
   
Revenues
   
$
   
Revenues
   
$
   
Revenues
   
$
   
Revenues
 
                                                 
  $ 4,305           $ 22,272           $ 4,708           $ 24,443        
Less related income taxes
    1,569             8,202             1,720             9,043        
Asset impairment charges net of income taxes
  $ 2,736           $ 14,070           $ 2,988           $ 15,400        
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
  $ 120,694       18.8 %   $ 68,472       12.2 %   $ 358,816       16.9 %   $ 328,787       15.7 %
    4,305               22,272               4,708               24,443          
  $ 124,999       19.5 %   $ 90,744       16.2 %   $ 363,524       17.1 %   $ 353,230       16.9 %
                                                                 
                                                                 
  $ 86,589       13.5 %   $ 47,912       8.5 %   $ 242,761       11.4 %   $ 213,562       10.2 %
    2,736               14,070               2,988               15,400          
  $ 89,325       13.9 %   $ 61,982       11.0 %   $ 245,749       11.5 %   $ 228,962       10.9 %
                                                                 
  $ 0.96             $ 0.66             $ 2.64             $ 2.41          
                                                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders:
                                                               
                                                                 
Basic
    91,276               91,847               90,893               92,561          
                                                                 
Diluted
    92,254               92,282               91,592               93,258          

7

 
Consolidated Segment Data
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
   
%
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
   
%
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
chg
   
2010
   
2009
   
chg
 
                                     
                                   
Retail operations
  $ 309,365     $ 288,609       7 %   $ 983,903     $ 977,980       1 %
Wholesale operations
    84,704       69,924       21 %     299,969       296,181       1 %
European operations
    222,556       179,907       24 %     747,242       718,964       4 %
Licensing operations
    25,405       22,630       12 %     97,352       100,265       -3 %
    $ 642,030     $ 561,070       14 %   $ 2,128,466     $ 2,093,390       2 %
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
Earnings (loss) from operations:
                                               
Retail operations before asset impairment charges
  $ 54,269     $ 33,920       60 %   $ 135,997     $ 116,449       17 %
Retail asset impairment charges
    (3,307 )     (21,122 )             (3,710 )     (23,293 )        
Retail operations including asset impairment charges
  $ 50,962     $ 12,798       298 %   $ 132,287     $ 93,156       42 %
                                                 
Wholesale operations before asset impairment charges
    15,960       9,467       69 %     50,991       46,651       9 %
Wholesale asset impairment charges
          (1,150 )                   (1,150 )        
Wholesale operations including asset impairment charges
  $ 15,960     $ 8,317       92 %   $ 50,991     $ 45,501       12 %
                                                 
European operations before asset impairment charges
    58,000       39,002       49 %     174,233       168,630       3 %
European asset impairment charges
    (998 )                   (998 )              
European operations including asset impairment charges
  $ 57,002     $ 39,002       46 %   $ 173,235     $ 168,630       3 %
                                                 
Licensing operations
    24,777       19,570       27 %     86,640       86,422       0 %
Corporate overhead
    (28,007 )     (11,215 )     150 %     (84,337 )     (64,922 )     30 %
    $ 120,694     $ 68,472       76 %   $ 358,816     $ 328,787       9 %
                                                 
                                                 
Operating margins:
                                               
Retail operations before asset impairment charges
    17.5 %     11.8 %             13.8 %     11.9 %        
Retail operations including asset impairment charges
    16.5 %     4.4 %             13.4 %     9.5 %        
                                                 
Wholesale operations before asset impairment charges
    18.8 %     13.5 %             17.0 %     15.8 %        
Wholesale operations including asset impairment charges
    18.8 %     11.9 %             17.0 %     15.4 %        
                                                 
European operations before asset impairment charges
    26.1 %     21.7 %             23.3 %     23.5 %        
European operations including asset impairment charges
    25.6 %     21.7 %             23.2 %     23.5 %        
                                                 
Licensing operations
    97.5 %     86.5 %             89.0 %     86.2 %        
                                                 
Total Company before asset impairment charges
    19.5 %     16.2 %             17.1 %     16.9 %        
Total Company including asset impairment charges
    18.8 %     12.2 %             16.9 %     15.7 %        
 
8

Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands)
 
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
ASSETS
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 502,063     $ 294,118  
                 
Receivables, net
    289,638       262,349  
                 
Inventories
    246,197       239,675  
                 
Other current assets
    85,191       98,047  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    255,308       221,416  
                 
Other assets
    151,778       130,961  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 1,530,175     $ 1,246,566  
                 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                 
Current portion of borrowings and capital lease obligations
  $ 2,357     $ 24,018  
                 
Other current liabilities
    339,322       311,866  
                 
Capital lease obligations
    14,137       14,586  
                 
Other long-term liabilities
    134,203       110,592  
                 
Redeemable and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
    19,945       12,503  
                 
Guess?, Inc. stockholders' equity
    1,020,211       773,001  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 1,530,175     $ 1,246,566  
 
9

 
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Data
(in thousands)
 
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 358,210     $ 228,625  
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (90,836 )     (102,217 )
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (61,763 )     (99,126 )
                 
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    2,334       (8,759 )
                 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    207,945       18,523  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
    294,118       275,595  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 502,063     $ 294,118  
                 
Supplemental information:
               
                 
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 64,374     $ 61,096  
                 
Rent
    180,488       159,426  

10

 
Retail Store Data
International Store Count
As of January 30, 2010
 
   
Total
   
Directly Operated
 
Region
 
Stores
   
Stores
 
             
United States and Canada
    432       432  
                 
Europe and the Middle East
    388       84  
                 
Asia
    335       28  
                 
Other
    55       13  
                 
      1,210       557  
 
11

 
Retail Store Data
U.S. and Canada
 
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
January 30,
   
January 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
             
Number of stores at the beginning of the year
    425       373  
                 
Store openings
    18       57  
                 
Store closures
    (11 )     (5 )
                 
Number of stores at the end of the period
    432       425  
                 
                 
Total store square footage at the end of the period
    1,992,000       1,953,600  



12