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VF Announces Record First Quarter and Declares Dividend

VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, today announced record results for the first quarter of 2007 ended March 31, 2007. All per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis and, unless otherwise noted, reflect continuing operations.

Revenues rose 15% to a record $1,673.6 million, compared with $1,455.6 million in the first quarter of 2006, driven by higher revenues across our Outdoor, Jeanswear and Imagewear businesses. Income from continuing operations in the current quarter increased 13% to a record $134.1 million, compared with $118.1 million in the prior years quarter. Earnings per share from continuing operations also rose 11%, to a record $1.17 from $1.05 last year. The Majestic Athletic acquisition contributed $.03 to earnings per share in the quarter. As previously disclosed, VF completed the sale of its intimate apparel business on April 1, 2007. Reflecting discontinued operations, net income was $138.3 million, or $1.20 per share, compared with $128.2 million, or $1.14 per share.

Were off to a strong start for the year, said Mackey J. McDonald, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We completed the sale of our Intimates business and made two acquisitions. Organic growth was 12% in the quarter better than our initial guidance of 10% while acquisitions added an additional three percentage points of growth to our top line. We are looking forward to continuing the momentum and delivering another record year of revenues and earnings to our shareholders.

First Quarter Business Review

Outdoor

The momentum continues in our Outdoor coalition, with total revenues up 40% to $538.8 million and strong gains across nearly every brand. Domestic revenues grew 31% in the quarter, while international revenues rose 52%. The North Face®, Vans®, Kipling® , Reef®, Napapijri® and Eastpak® brands each posted double-digit revenue gains in the quarter. The acquisition of the Eagle Creek® brand of adventure travel gear added $6 million to revenues in the quarter.

Operating income jumped 66% in the quarter, and operating margins expanded sharply reflecting the strong revenue gain.

Jeanswear

Our Jeanswear coalition, which includes our Wrangler®, Lee® and Riders® brands, posted an 8% gain in revenues during the quarter. Domestic revenues rose 5%, with healthy increases in both our Mass Market and Lee businesses. International revenues grew 14%, with double-digit growth in both our Wrangler® and Lee® brands in Europe. Jeanswear revenues in Asia were up over 30%, and our joint venture in India also contributed to revenues in the quarter. Overall Jeanswear operating income rose 5%.

Sportswear

Total revenues of our Sportswear coalition, which includes our Nautica® and John Varvatos® brands as well as the Kipling® brand in North America, declined 9% in the quarter. Our Kipling® and John Varvatos® businesses each posted double-digit revenue gains. As planned, revenues of our Nautica® brand business declined in the quarter, due primarily to a shift in shipping dates by most of the brands customers, as well as lower sales of distressed inventory. We continue to target a mid-single digit revenue increase for the year for the coalition and expect more positive comparisons in both revenues and profits in the second half of 2007. Reflecting the lower revenues, as well as the sustained investments in our Nautica®womens sportswear initiative, operating income for the coalition declined in the quarter.

Imagewear

Total revenues of our Imagewear coalition rose 10% due to the recent acquisition of the Majestic Athletic business. The leading global provider of authentic sports licensed apparel and branded team uniforms for Major League Baseball, Majestic Athletic contributed $27 million to revenues in the quarter. Imagewear operating income rose slightly in the quarter, largely due to the aforementioned acquisition.

Gross margins and operating margins were essentially flat with prior year levels, at 43.5% and 12.9%, respectively. Foreign currency exchange rates positively impacted earnings per share by $0.05 in the quarter, while a higher tax rate and higher average shares outstanding negatively impacted earnings per share by $.02 and $.03, respectively. During the quarter we repurchased 2 million shares as part of our plan to use the $350 million in proceeds from the sale of our Intimates business to repurchase our shares this year.

Our balance sheet continues to be very healthy. The increase in inventories is consistent with the increase in revenues, after taking into account the impact of our recent acquisitions. Accounts receivable, before the impact of recent acquisitions, were above prior year levels by 15%, due primarily to the strong revenue growth, particularly in our international businesses where payment terms are longer than those of our U.S. businesses. Debt as a percent of total capital was 24% at the end of the quarter, compared with 25% at the end of the comparable period in 2006.

Leveraging our strong brands through a growing base of retail stores continues to be a strategic priority for VF. We ended the quarter with 533 owned retail stores. Our total retail revenues grew 19% in the quarter, with particularly strong growth in our Vans® brand stores.

Outlook

With the positive momentum of the first quarter and the acquisitions of the Majestic® and Eagle Creek® brands, we now believe revenues for the year will approximate $7 billion, an increase of over 12%. We continue to expect healthy organic growth in all our coalitions, and our two acquisitions should contribute $180 million to revenues in 2007. We are also raising our guidance for earnings per share from continuing operations from our prior guidance of a 10% increase to a 12% increase. We continue to expect a very strong year of cash flow from operations of approximately $625 million.

In terms of our second quarter, revenues should be up 14%. Earnings per share from continuing operations should increase 8% reflecting the seasonality of recent acquisitions and the timing of investments and other SG&A spending that will affect the operating margins of this seasonally lowest quarter of the year. We expect operating margin expansion of approximately 40 basis points for the full year, even with the impact of recent acquisitions that have not yet realized their full profit potential.

Dividend Declared

The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $.55 per share, payable on June 18, 2007 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 8, 2007.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements included in this release 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 VF and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. 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 VF to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include VFs reliance on a small number of large customers; the financial strength of VFs customers; changing fashion trends and consumer demand; increasing pressure on margins; VFs ability to implement its growth strategy; VFs ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; VFs ability to maintain information technology systems; stability of VFs manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; continued use by VFs suppliers of ethical business practices; VFs ability to accurately forecast demand for products; continuity of members of VFs management; VFs ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; maintenance by VFs licensees and distributors of the value of VFs brands; the overall level of consumer spending; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials; foreign currency fluctuations; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect VFs financial results is included from time to time in VFs public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including VFs Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

About the Company

VF Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Wrangler®, Lee®, Riders®, Rustler®, The North Face®, Vans®, Reef®, Napapijri®, Kipling®, Nautica®, John Varvatos®, JanSport®, Eastpak®, Eagle Creek®, Red Kap®and Majestic®.

VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.vfc.com.

Webcast Information

VF will hold its first quarter conference call and webcast today at 2:00 p.m. ET. Interested parties should call 1-800-811-8830 domestic, or 1-913-981-4904 international, to access the call. You may also access this call via the Internet at www.vfc.com.A replay will be available through May 8, 2007 and can be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112 domestic, and 1-719-457-0820 international. The pass code is 2942118. A replay also can be accessed at the Companys web site at www.vfc.com.

VF CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended March
20072006
Net Sales $ 1,653,608  $ 1,436,706 
Royalty Income 20,011  18,916 
Total Revenues 1,673,619  1,455,622 
Costs and Operating Expenses
Cost of goods sold 945,883  824,600 
Marketing, administrative and general expenses 512,411  443,709 
1,458,294  1,268,309 
Operating Income 215,325  187,313 
Other Income (Expense)
Interest income 2,444  1,418 
Interest expense (13,923) (12,679)
Miscellaneous, net 266  829 
(11,213) (10,432)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes 204,112  176,881 
Income Taxes 70,034  58,739 
Income from Continuing Operations 134,078  118,142 
Discontinued Operations 4,266  10,043 
Net Income $ 138,344  $ 128,185 
Earnings Per Common Share - Basic
Income from continuing operations $ 1.20  $ 1.07 
Discontinued operations 0.04  0.09 
Net income 1.24  1.16 
Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted
Income from continuing operations $ 1.17  $ 1.05 
Discontinued operations 0.04  0.09 
Net income 1.20  1.14 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Basic 111,893  109,854 
Diluted 114,820  112,339 
Cash Dividends Per Common Share $ 0.55  $ 0.29 
Fiscal Periods: VF 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 2007, December 2006 and March 2006 relate to the fiscal periods ended as of March 31, 2007, December 30, 2006 and April 1, 2006, respectively.
Changes in Accounting Policies:

Defined benefit pension plans In December 2006, VF adopted the balance sheet provisions of FASB Statement No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Statement 158). Accordingly, the December 2006 balance sheet includes the funded status of VF's defined benefit plans, with deferred actuarial gains and losses recorded as components of accumulated other comprehensive income. During the first quarter of 2007, VF elected to early adopt the measurement date provisions of Statement 158 by changing its plans actuarial valuation date from September to December. Based on a December 2006 valuation, VF recorded a $3.8 million charge to Retained Earnings at the beginning of 2007 in accordance with the Statement. In addition, the funded status of the plans and adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income in the March 2007 balance sheet, as well as the 2007 pension expense, were determined using the December 2006 valuation.

Accrued income taxes During the first quarter of 2007, VF adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, and recorded a $4.4 million charge to Retained Earnings at the beginning of 2007.
VF CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
MarchDecemberMarch
200720062006
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and equivalents $ 174,155  $ 343,224  $ 154,014 
Accounts receivable, net 1,002,563  809,594  821,020 
Inventories 1,027,073  958,262  873,550 
Other current assets 209,102  205,004  200,919 
Current assets of discontinued operations 276,202  261,926  302,900 
Total current assets 2,689,095  2,578,010  2,352,403 
Property, Plant and Equipment 1,471,535  1,455,154  1,408,437 
Less accumulated depreciation 879,595  862,096  845,098 
591,940  593,058  563,339 
Intangible Assets 847,125  755,693  740,932 
Goodwill 1,035,589  1,030,925  980,271 
Other Assets 353,897  348,862  384,814 
Noncurrent Assets of Discontinued Operations 155,965  159,145  197,338 
$ 5,673,611  $ 5,465,693  $ 5,219,097 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings $ 317,457  $ 88,467  $ 213,049 
Current portion of long-term debt 69,683  68,876  34,938 
Accounts payable 301,698  385,700  299,419 
Accrued liabilities 489,082  392,815  447,439 
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 73,726  78,990  90,212 
Total current liabilities 1,251,646  1,014,848  1,085,057 
Long-term Debt 635,280  635,359  689,319 
Other Liabilities 530,260  536,728  559,723 
Noncurrent Liabilities of Discontinued Operations 10,535  13,586  11,655 
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable Preferred Stock 22,497 
Common Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock 111,089  112,185  109,277 
Additional paid-in capital 1,526,913  1,469,764  1,302,085 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (97,277) (123,652) (186,975)
Retained earnings 1,705,165  1,806,875  1,626,459 
Total common stockholders' equity 3,245,890  3,265,172  2,850,846 
$ 5,673,611  $ 5,465,693  $ 5,219,097 
VF CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March
20072006
Operating Activities
Net income $ 138,344  $ 128,185 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used by operating activities of continuing operations:
Income from discontinued operations (4,266) (10,043)
Depreciation 23,728  21,190 
Amortization of intangible assets 4,639  4,018 
Other amortization 8,595  4,092 
Stock-based compensation 21,073  17,242 
Pension funding under / (over) expense 2,553  (64,055)
Other, net (23,082) 2,147 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (162,891) (145,342)
Inventories (16,449) 26,825 
Accounts payable (91,039) (93,328)
Accrued compensation (42,418) (66,188)
Accrued income taxes 68,243  10,859 
Accrued liabilities and other 64,201  72,344 
Cash used by operating activities of continuing operations (8,769) (92,054)
Income from discontinued operations 4,266  10,043 
Adjustments to reconcile income from discontinued operations to cash used by discontinued operations
(15,422) (25,016)
Cash used by discontinued operations (11,156) (14,973)
Cash used by operating activities (19,925) (107,027)
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (24,156) (23,010)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (157,111) (1,225)
Software purchases (510) (5,405)
Other, net 2,331  3,647 
Cash used by investing activities of continuing operations (179,446) (25,993)
Discontinued operations, net (371) 764 
Cash used by investing activities (179,817) (25,229)
Financing Activities
Increase in short-term borrowings 228,728  73,461 
Payments on long-term debt (1,174) (488)
Purchase of Common Stock (159,341) (55,365)
Cash dividends paid (61,530) (32,252)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock, net 18,662  3,839 
Tax benefits of stock option exercises 5,072  751 
Cash provided (used) by financing activities 30,417  (10,054)
Effect of Foreign Currency Rate Changes on Cash 256  (233)
Net Change in Cash and Equivalents (169,069) (142,543)
Cash and Equivalents - Beginning of Year 343,224  296,557 
Cash and Equivalents - End of Period $ 174,155  $ 154,014 
VF CORPORATION
Supplemental Financial Information
Business Segment Information
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March
20072006
Coalition Revenues
Jeanswear $ 760,804  $ 703,820 
Outdoor 538,753  385,645 
Imagewear 213,691  193,965 
Sportswear 148,440  163,021 
Other 11,931  9,171 
Total coalition revenues $ 1,673,619  $ 1,455,622 
Coalition Profit
Jeanswear $ 129,453  $ 123,023 
Outdoor 83,745  50,592 
Imagewear 30,454  30,051 
Sportswear 9,974  20,453 
Other (1,212) (1,210)
Total coalition profit 252,414  222,909 
Corporate and Other Expenses (36,823) (34,767)
Interest, net (11,479) (11,261)
Income from Continuing Operations
Before Income Taxes $ 204,112  $ 176,881 
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