Columbia Sportswear Q3 EPS Tops Wall Street’s Targets

Article From：SGB Media


Columbia Sportswear reported earnings surpassed Wall Street’s consensus target in the third quarter ending September 30 as sales grew 22 percent on a constant-currency basis. The company slightly lowered its operating earnings outlook for the year due to margin pressures but maintained its sales guidance.

Sales of $955.0 million were below Wall Street’s consensus estimate of $966 million. EPS of $1.80 exceeded Wall Street’s consensus estimate of $1.67 per share.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle commented, “Third quarter net sales and earnings growth reflect broad momentum across our business and the power of our collective brand portfolio. Net sales growth was led by the SOREL and Columbia brands, which increased 28 percent and 19 percent respectively. Based on strong third quarter performance, we are reiterating our full year net sales and diluted earnings per share financial outlook.

“I’m excited about the iconic and innovative products we are delivering to consumers this Fall, including Columbia’s expanded Omni-Heat Infinity collection and our new disruptive polyfleece innovation, Omni-Heat Helix.

“Our strong balance sheet, balanced global distribution, and operating discipline position us to successfully navigate this dynamic environment. I’m confident we have the right strategies in place to unlock the significant growth opportunities we see across the business. We are 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, omnichannel, global distribution; and
    empower talent that is driven by our core values, through a diverse and inclusive workforce.”

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results
(All comparisons are between third quarter 2022 and third quarter 2021, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 19 percent (22 percent constant currency) to $955.0 million from $804.7 million for the comparable period in 2021. The increase in net sales primarily reflects earlier shipments of higher Fall 2022 wholesale orders and direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth.

Gross margin contracted 270 basis points to 48.0 percent of net sales from 50.7 percent of net sales for the comparable period in 2021. Gross margin contraction was primarily driven by higher inbound freight costs, unfavorable channel and regional sales mix, increased inventory provisions, and lower DTC product margins, partially offset by higher wholesale product margins.

SG&A expenses increased 14 percent to $319.0 million, or 33.4 percent of net sales, from $280.1 million, or 34.8 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2021. SG&A expense growth primarily reflects expenses to support the growth of the business and investments to drive its brand-led consumer-focused strategies. The increase in SG&A expenses includes higher personnel, demand creation and global retail expenses, partially offset by lower accrued incentive compensation.

Operating income increased 9 percent to $145.3 million, or 15.2 percent of net sales, compared to operating income of $133.5 million, or 16.6 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2021.

Income tax expense of $34.0 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 23.3 percent, compared to an income tax expense of $33.3 million, or an effective income tax rate of 24.9 percent, for the comparable period in 2021.

Net income increased 11 percent to $111.8 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, compared to net income of $100.6 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2021.

First Nine Months 2022 Financial Results
(All comparisons are between first nine months 2022 and first nine months 2021, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 15 percent (18 percent constant-currency) to $2,294.6 million from $1,996.7 million for the comparable period in 2021.

Gross margin contracted 230 basis points to 48.9 percent of net sales from 51.2 percent of net sales for the comparable period in 2021.

SG&A expenses increased 13 percent to $899.3 million, or 39.2 percent of net sales, compared to $796.3 million, or 39.9 percent of net sales, for the same period in 2021.

Operating income decreased 1 percent to $237.7 million, or 10.4 percent of net sales, compared to operating income of $238.9 million, or 12.0 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2021.

Income tax expense of $51.9 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 21.9 percent, compared to income tax expense of $42.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.7 percent, for the comparable period in 2021.

Net income decreased 6 percent to $185.8 million, or $2.94 per diluted share, compared to net income of $197.1 million, or $2.96 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2021.

Balance Sheet As Of September 30, 2022
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $160.2 million, compared to $600.6 million as of September 30, 2021.

The company had $4.4 million in borrowings as of September 30, 2022, compared to no bank borrowings as of September 30, 2021.

Inventories increased 47 percent to $1,056.9 million, compared to $720.9 million as of September 30, 2021. Late inventory receipts and slower consumer demand have resulted in greater than anticipated order cancellations and higher inventory levels. Older season inventories represent a manageable portion of its total inventory mix. To align inventory levels more closely with anticipated demand, Columbia is adjusting inventory purchases and utilizing its outlet stores to sell excess merchandise. Columbia expects inventory to remain elevated for the next several quarters as it balances reducing inventory levels with maintaining profitability.

Cash Flow for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net cash used in operating activities was $328.1 million, compared to $15.6 million for the same period in 2021. Capital expenditures totaled $42.5 million, compared to $20.4 million for the same period in 2021.

Share Repurchases for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
The company repurchased 3,235,327 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $286.9 million, or an average price per share of $88.69. At September 30, 2022, $529.4 million remained available under its 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 December 1, 2022 to shareholders of record on November 17, 2022.

Full Year 2022 Financial Outlook
This outlook reflects its estimates as of October 27, 2022 regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations; economic conditions, including inflationary pressures; supply chain disruptions, constraints and expenses; elevated marketplace inventories; labor shortages; changes in consumer behavior and confidence; as well as geopolitical tensions. This outlook and commentary assume recent deterioration in market conditions and the economic environment, particularly in the U.S., which continue to exert pressure, unfavorably impacting the retail industry and its business. Projections are predicated on normal seasonal weather globally.

Net sales are expected to increase 10 to 12 percent (unchanged) to $3.44 to $3.50 billion (unchanged) from $3.13 billion in 2021.

Gross margin is expected to contract 250 to 220 basis points (prior approximately 210 to 180 basis points of contraction) to 49.1 to 49.4 percent (prior 49.5 to 49.8 percent) of net sales from 51.6 percent of net sales in 2021.

SG&A expenses are expected to increase roughly in line with net sales growth. SG&A expense, as a percent of net sales, is expected to be 37.4 to 37.8 percent (prior 37.6 to 38.0 percent), compared to SG&A expense as a percent of net sales of 37.8 percent in 2021. Demand creation expense as a percent of net sales is anticipated to be approximately 6.0 percent in 2022, compared to 5.9 percent in 2021.

Operating income is expected to be $410 to $443 million (prior $415 to $449 million), resulting in operating margin of 11.9 to 12.7 percent (prior 12.1 to 12.8 percent), compared to operating margin of 14.4 percent in 2021.

Effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 23.5 percent (prior approximately 24.0 to 24.5 percent). The effective income tax rate may be affected by unanticipated impacts from changes in international, federal or state tax policies, changes in the company’s geographic mix of pre-tax income and other discrete events, as well as differences from its estimate of the tax benefits associated with employee equity awards and its estimate of the tax impact of various tax initiatives.

Net income is expected to be $315 to $340 million (unchanged), resulting in diluted earnings per share of $5.00 to $5.40 (unchanged). This diluted earnings per share range is based on estimated weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 63.0 million (unchanged).

Foreign Currency
Foreign currency translation is anticipated to reduce 2022 net sales growth by approximately 350 basis points (prior 300 bps).
Foreign currency is expected to have an approximately $0.25 negative impact on diluted earnings per share due primarily to unfavorable foreign currency translation impacts (prior $0.15 to $0.20 negative impact).

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
Operating cash flow is expected to be approximately breakeven (prior approximately $150 million). The decrease in operating cash flow compared to 2021 reflects higher inventory levels, including earlier production of Spring 2023 inventory. Capital expenditures are planned to be in the range of $80 to $90 million (prior $80 to $100 million).

Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Outlook

    Net sales of $1.14 to $1.21 billion, representing net sales growth of 1 percent to 7 percent from $1.13 billion in the comparable period 2021; QNE
    Diluted earnings per share are expected to be $2.07 to $2.47 compared to $2.39 in the comparable period in 2021.