VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, today announced record results for the third quarter of 2008. All per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis and, unless otherwise noted, reflect continuing operations.
Third quarter revenues rose over 6% to a record $2,206.6 million, compared with $2,073.2 million in the third quarter of 2007. Due primarily to the continued deterioration in market conditions, as well as the impact of the strengthening dollar on foreign currency translations, this increase was below our prior expectation for 9% growth in revenues. Income from continuing operations in the current quarter was $233.9 million, compared with $209.3 million in the prior year's quarter. Earnings per share from continuing operations reached $2.10 in the third quarter, compared with $1.86 last year. Current period results included a net benefit of $.07 per share from unusual items. Net favorable income tax adjustments benefited earnings by $.14 per share, while charges for cost reduction initiatives and for costs for a duty and tax issue related to a recent acquisition negatively impacted earnings by $.07 per share.
For the first nine months of 2008, revenues were up 9% to a record $5,730.5 million from $5,264.2 million. Income from continuing operations increased 8% to $486.9 million, compared with $449.2 million in the prior year period. Earnings per share from continuing operations were up 10% to $4.37.
"The achievement of another quarter of record revenues and earnings is a tremendous accomplishment by our brands and businesses given the challenging market conditions," said Eric Wiseman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain confident in our business model, which is built on a strong foundation of diversity across geographies, products and channels of distribution and supported by some of the best-known and most powerful apparel brands in the world."
He continued, "However, global market conditions have continued to deteriorate beyond what we could have anticipated, with a marked change particularly during the last several weeks. While our brand portfolio is healthy, general economic conditions are not, necessitating that we take a much more conservative stance toward our fourth quarter guidance. Despite this additional caution, we continue to look forward to record revenues and earnings in the fourth quarter, and to delivering our sixth consecutive year of record performance in 2008."
Third Quarter Coalition Performance
Outdoor
Our Outdoor coalition continued its positive momentum, with revenues up 12% in the quarter and strong growth in both our domestic and international businesses. On a global basis, revenues of The North Face(R), Vans(R), Kipling(R), Reef(R), Eastpak(R) and Napapijri(R) brands each grew at double-digit rates. Our two largest Outdoor brands, The North Face(R) and Vans(R), grew revenues 15% and 11% in the quarter, respectively. We opened a total of 14 stores during the quarter, with new stores added for our Vans(R), The North Face(R), Napapijri(R) and Kipling(R) brands.
Outdoor operating income rose 17% while operating margins expanded by nearly a full percentage point to 20.8%.
We continue to anticipate a strong, mid-teen revenue gain in the fourth quarter and healthy increases in operating income and margins for our Outdoor coalition.
Jeanswear
Total Jeanswear revenues declined 2% in the current quarter, with a slight gain in our international business offset by lower revenues in our domestic jeans business. Our Mass business in the U.S. continued to perform well in the current environment, with revenues flat in the quarter. Our businesses in Asia and Latin America continued to exhibit healthy growth, while our European business declined slightly reflecting increasingly difficult market conditions.
Jeanswear operating margins remained healthy at 16.5% in the quarter, but were down from prior year levels reflecting, in part, $2.4 million in expenses related to cost reduction initiatives.
New programs in our Wrangler(R), Lee(R) and Riders(R) brands in the U.S. in the fourth quarter have shown positive early results and we're continuing our focus on driving product innovation across all brands and channels of distribution; however, given current economic conditions, we expect that our global Jeanswear revenues will show a low single digit percentage decline in the fourth quarter. We also expect a decline in operating margins due to investments in advertising, a fashion-forward new product mix and heightened promotional activity designed to support retail sales.
Sportswear
Revenues of our Sportswear coalition dipped 5% in the quarter. Nautica(R) brand revenues declined in the quarter reflecting in part the exit of our women's wholesale sportswear business, in addition to challenging overall conditions in department stores. The momentum in our Kipling(R) U.S. and John Varvatos(R) businesses continued in the quarter, with both achieving double-digit revenue gains.
Sportswear operating margins improved in the quarter, reaching double-digit levels despite the inclusion of $1.5 million in expenses related to recent cost reduction actions.
Looking forward, Sportswear revenues should be flat to up slightly in the fourth quarter, with continued improvement in operating margins over both prior year levels and those achieved in the third quarter.
Contemporary Brands
Revenues of our Contemporary Brands coalition, which consists of the 7 For All Mankind(R) and lucy(R) brands acquired in August 2007, exceeded $100 million in the quarter. On a comparable basis reflecting a full quarter, revenues rose 12%, driven by continued growth in both our 7 For All Mankind(R) and lucy(R) brands.
Operating income in the quarter included a $6 million charge related to the aforementioned tax and duty matters, which arose prior to our acquisition of the 7 For All Mankind(R) brand.
For the fourth quarter, we expect mid-single digit revenue growth, with comparisons impacted by the exit of a low margin, customer-specific program that had been included in our Seven For All Mankind business. Operating income and margins are both expected to be above prior year levels. Full year revenues should approximate $400 million in 2008.
Imagewear
Imagewear revenues declined 3%, with low single digit declines in both our Image and Activewear businesses. Imagewear operating margins rose in the quarter with operating income essentially flat with the 2007 period.
Our Imagewear business is also not immune to current economic pressures; accordingly, fourth quarter revenues and operating income are both expected to post slight declines from prior year levels.
We continued to experience strong top line performance in both our international and direct-to-consumer businesses in the third quarter. Our international revenues increased 22% in the quarter and represented 34% of total revenues. For the first nine months of 2008, international revenues increased 21%. Retail revenues increased 12% in the quarter and represented 14% of total VF revenues. Retail revenues of our Vans(R), The North Face(R), Kipling(R), John Varvatos(R), Napapijri(R), lucy(R) and Lee(R) brands each grew at double-digit rates. Retail revenues in the first nine months of 2008 have grown by 16%. At the end of the quarter, we had 662 owned retail stores, and we are on track to open approximately 90 stores this year.
Our focus on controlling costs and inventories clearly benefited our results this quarter. Gross margins rose 50 basis points, reflecting healthy growth in many of our lifestyle brands and continued expansion in our retail and international businesses. Operating margins were 15.9% and were relatively flat with those in the prior year's quarter; however, margins in the current period included a 50 basis point impact from the aforementioned cost reduction initiatives and charge for taxes and duties.
Our financial liquidity remains solid. Cash and equivalents were $226 million at the end of the quarter and we expect solid cash flow from operations of $650 to $700 million in 2008. Considering the strong seasonal cash flow of our fourth quarter, we anticipate that all of our outstanding commercial paper, which represents most of our short-term borrowing obligations, will be repaid by year-end. In addition, we have $1.3 billion available in domestic and international lines of credit through a strong, diversified group of domestic and international lenders. Our balance sheet is in excellent condition and we have no long-term debt repayments due until October 2010. Our debt to total capital ratio was 28.8% at the end of September and should approximate 23% by year-end. Reflecting our focus on tight inventory control, inventories were up only 4% from the prior year's third quarter.
Outlook
We continue to anticipate record fourth quarter revenues and earnings per share. However, the month of September -- particularly the second half -- marked a turning point in market conditions, with a significant deepening of the global financial crisis and worsening economic conditions taking a heavy toll on consumer confidence and spending in many markets around the world. Accordingly, we have reduced our expectations for the quarter and now anticipate a 3 to 4% rise in revenues and a 1 to 5% increase in earnings per share. Our previous guidance was for revenue and earnings per share increases of 8% and 20%, respectively.
"While admittedly difficult, today's environment is creating opportunities for strong companies with strong brands," said Mr. Wiseman. "In fact, we're planning higher spending in both advertising and product development in the fourth quarter, as we believe this is the right time to invest behind our brands to support their continued long-term growth."
We are pleased by the fact that we continue to expect record revenues and earnings this year, considering all the challenges of 2008 and our more conservative outlook for the fourth quarter. Full year revenues are now expected to rise 7 to 8% while earnings per share should rise approximately 8 to 9%.
"Clearly, there remains a great deal of uncertainty about where markets are headed, in both the short and long-term," said Mr. Wiseman. "We will continue to plan our business cautiously, manage both costs and inventories aggressively, and focus our efforts on superior short-term execution while we invest and build for the future."
Dividend Increased
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.59 per share, an increase of $.01. The dividend is payable on December 19, 2008 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 9, 2008. This will mark the 36th consecutive year of higher dividend payments to shareholders.
Webcast Information
VF will hold its third quarter conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET. Interested parties should call 1-800-432-7890 domestic, or 1-913-312-0827 international, to access the call. You may also access this call via the Internet at www.vfc.com. A replay will be available through October 31 and can be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112 domestic, and 1-719-457-0820 international. The pass code is 4672357. A replay also can be accessed at the Company's web site at www.vfc.com.
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 VF's reliance on a small number of large customers; the financial strength of VF's customers; changing fashion trends and consumer demand; increasing pressure on margins; VF's ability to implement its growth strategy; VF's ability to grow its international and direct-to-consumer businesses; VF's ability to successfully integrate and grow acquisitions; VF's ability to maintain the strength and security of its information technology systems; stability of VF's manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; continued use by VF's suppliers of ethical business practices; VF's ability to accurately forecast demand for products; continuity of members of VF's management; VF's ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; maintenance by VF's licensees and distributors of the value of VF's brands; the overall level of consumer spending; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products; foreign currency fluctuations; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect VF's financial results is included from time to time in VF's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including VF's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
About VF
VF Corporation is a global leader in lifestyle apparel with a diverse portfolio of jeanswear, outdoor, imagewear, sportswear and contemporary apparel brands. Its principal brands include Wrangler(R), Lee(R), Riders(R), The North Face(R), Vans(R), Reef(R), Eagle Creek(R), Eastpak(R), JanSport(R), Napapijri(R), Nautica(R), Kipling(R), John Varvatos(R), 7 For All Mankind(R), lucy(R), Majestic(R) and Red Kap(R).
VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.vfc.com.
VF CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September September
----------------------- -----------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Sales $2,185,825 $2,053,136 $5,669,503 $5,207,175
Royalty Income 20,802 20,023 60,947 56,996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total Revenues 2,206,627 2,073,159 5,730,450 5,264,171
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Costs and Operating
Expenses
Cost of goods sold 1,227,577 1,163,399 3,184,470 2,975,009
Marketing,
administrative and
general expenses 627,839 578,721 1,786,788 1,574,336
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
1,855,416 1,742,120 4,971,258 4,549,345
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating Income 351,211 331,039 759,192 714,826
Other Income (Expense)
Interest income 1,435 2,202 4,696 7,494
Interest expense (24,310) (19,349) (69,516) (46,373)
Miscellaneous, net (1,950) 1,834 950 3,583
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(24,825) (15,313) (63,870) (35,296)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income from Continuing
Operations Before
Income Taxes 326,386 315,726 695,322 679,530
Income Taxes 92,511 106,409 208,437 230,330
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income from Continuing
Operations 233,875 209,317 486,885 449,200
Discontinued
Operations - (2,110) - (21,987)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Income $ 233,875 $ 207,207 $ 486,885 $ 427,213
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Earnings Per Common
Share - Basic
Income from
continuing
operations $ 2.14 $ 1.91 $ 4.46 4.06
Discontinued
operations - (0.02) - (0.20)
Net income 2.14 1.89 4.46 3.86
Earnings Per Common
Share - Diluted
Income from
continuing
operations $ 2.10 $ 1.86 $ 4.37 $ 3.96
Discontinued
operations - (0.02) - (0.20)
Net income 2.10 1.84 4.37 3.76
Weighted Average
Shares Outstanding
Basic 109,106 109,671 109,059 110,689
Diluted 111,258 112,424 111,369 113,568
Cash Dividends Per
Common Share $ 0.58 $ 0.55 $ 1.74 $ 1.65
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 third quarter ends on the Saturday closest to
September 30. For presentation purposes herein, all references to
periods ended September 2008, December 2007 and September 2007
relate to the fiscal periods ended as of September 27, 2008,
December 29, 2007 and September 29, 2007, respectively.
VF CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
September December September
2008 2007 2007
---------- ---------- -----------
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and equivalents $ 225,957 $ 321,863 $ 193,855
Accounts receivable, net 1,313,919 970,951 1,266,490
Inventories 1,341,842 1,138,752 1,295,994
Other current assets 222,669 213,563 209,422
Current assets of discontinued
operations - - 14,861
---------- ---------- -----------
Total current assets 3,104,387 2,645,129 2,980,622
Property, Plant and Equipment 1,582,337 1,529,015 1,524,030
Less accumulated depreciation 920,760 877,157 883,304
---------- ---------- -----------
661,577 651,858 640,726
Intangible Assets 1,390,402 1,435,269 1,434,904
Goodwill 1,323,808 1,278,163 1,265,878
Other Assets 504,091 436,266 373,854
---------- ---------- -----------
$6,984,265 $6,446,685 $6,695,984
========== ========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings $ 413,469 $ 131,545 $ 461,043
Current portion of long-term debt 3,427 3,803 67,403
Accounts payable 418,712 509,879 413,814
Accrued liabilities 577,647 488,089 606,348
Current liabilities of discontinued
operations 69 1,071 267
---------- ---------- -----------
Total current liabilities 1,413,324 1,134,387 1,548,875
Long-term Debt 1,142,170 1,144,810 1,186,792
Other Liabilities 567,769 590,659 592,524
Commitments and Contingencies
Common Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock 109,827 109,798 109,737
Additional paid-in capital 1,747,775 1,619,320 1,601,708
Accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) 78,268 61,495 (29,634)
Retained earnings 1,925,132 1,786,216 1,685,982
---------- ---------- -----------
Total common stockholders' equity 3,861,002 3,576,829 3,367,793
---------- ---------- -----------
$6,984,265 $6,446,685 $6,695,984
========== ========== ===========
VF CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended
September
-----------------------
2008 2007
---------- ------------
Operating Activities
Net income $ 486,885 $ 427,213
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
provided by operating activities of
continuing operations:
Loss from discontinued operations - 21,987
Depreciation 77,482 69,081
Amortization of intangible assets 29,781 17,655
Other amortization 9,862 11,352
Stock-based compensation 33,824 48,449
Other, net 4,911 22,327
Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (363,767) (353,469)
Inventories (193,485) (196,290)
Accounts payable (93,990) (9,694)
Accrued compensation (24,259) (11,907)
Accrued income taxes 36,373 60,792
Accrued liabilities 52,588 86,522
Other assets and liabilities 3,598 (28,225)
---------- ------------
Cash provided by operating activities of
continuing operations 59,803 165,793
Loss from discontinued operations - (21,987)
Adjustments to reconcile loss from
discontinued operations to cash used by
discontinued operations (1,002) 8,816
---------- ------------
Cash used by discontinued operations (1,002) (13,171)
---------- ------------
Cash provided by operating activities 58,801 152,622
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (88,319) (79,085)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (93,377) (1,054,501)
Software purchases (7,349) (1,885)
Sale of property, plant and equipment 5,851 11,745
Sale of intimate apparel business - 348,714
Other, net 1,020 597
---------- ------------
Cash used by investing activities of
continuing operations (182,174) (774,415)
Discontinued operations, net - (243)
---------- ------------
Cash used by investing activities (182,174) (774,658)
Financing Activities
Increase in short-term borrowings 281,340 963,713
Payments on long-term debt (2,945) (57,971)
Purchase of Common Stock (149,729) (350,000)
Cash dividends paid (190,347) (182,831)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock, net 63,450 77,594
Tax benefits of stock option excercises 22,246 15,119
Other, net (305) -
---------- ------------
Cash provided by financing activities 23,710 465,624
Effect of Foreign Currency Rate Changes on Cash 3,757 7,043
---------- ------------
Net Change in Cash and Equivalents (95,906) (149,369)
Cash and Equivalents - Beginning of Year 321,863 343,224
---------- ------------
Cash and Equivalents - End of Period $ 225,957 $ 193,855
========== ============
VF CORPORATION
Supplemental Financial Information
Business Segment Information
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September September
----------------------- -----------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Coalition Revenues
Jeanswear $ 743,180 $ 758,485 $2,101,635 $2,174,691
Outdoor 906,608 806,113 2,066,351 1,791,611
Imagewear 260,099 267,470 748,384 711,046
Sportswear 163,733 172,964 444,238 475,055
Contemporary Brands 100,489 32,667 284,009 32,667
Other 32,518 35,460 85,833 79,101
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total coalition
revenues $2,206,627 $2,073,159 $5,730,450 $5,264,171
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Coalition Profit
Jeanswear $ 122,868 $ 135,727 $ 323,499 $ 366,617
Outdoor 188,621 161,305 352,762 298,012
Imagewear 40,757 41,553 104,529 98,059
Sportswear 16,512 17,110 31,472 45,918
Contemporary Brands 11,674 4,854 40,617 4,854
Other (994) 530 (3,008) 2,988
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total coalition profit 379,438 361,079 849,871 816,448
Corporate and Other
Expenses (30,177) (28,206) (89,729) (98,039)
Interest, net (22,875) (17,147) (64,820) (38,879)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income from Continuing
Operations Before
Income Taxes $ 326,386 $ 315,726 $ 695,322 $ 679,530
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Contacts:
Cindy Knoebel, CFA VP, Financial & Corporate
Communications
212-841-7141/336-424-6189
