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Carter's, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results

  • CONSOLIDATED NET SALES INCREASED 5%

  • CARTER'S RETAIL STORE SALES INCREASED 21%, COMPS +17%

ATLANTA, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carter's, Inc. (NYSE: CRI), the largest branded marketer in the United States of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, reported its second quarter fiscal 2008 results.

"Our second quarter sales were better than expected due to the strength of our Carter's retail segment," noted Michael D. Casey, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who will become the Company's Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 2008. "Our results reflect the benefit of investments made in our new retail leadership team over the past year, the strengthening of our product offerings, and better inventory management," continued Mr. Casey. "In this difficult economic period, our stores continue to offer significant value to the consumer."

Second Quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2007

Consolidated net sales increased 4.8% to $301.7 million. Net sales of the Company's Carter's brands increased 4.1% to $238.0 million. Net sales of the Company's OshKosh brand increased 7.7% to $63.6 million.

Consolidated retail store sales increased 13.9% to $142.5 million. Carter's retail store sales increased 21.5% to $92.7 million, driven by a comparable store sales increase of 17.3%, or $13.2 million, and sales of $3.5 million from new Carter's stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal 2007. OshKosh retail store sales increased 2.0% to $49.9 million, driven by sales of $1.8 million from new OshKosh stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Comparable OshKosh retail store sales declined 0.9%, or $0.4 million.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company opened two Carter's retail stores. As of June 28, 2008, the Company had 231 Carter's and 163 OshKosh stores. The Company plans to open a total of 25 Carter's and two OshKosh stores during fiscal 2008. The Company also plans to close five Carter's and three OshKosh stores during fiscal 2008.

The Company's wholesale sales increased 4.4% to $108.1 million. Carter's wholesale sales increased $1.0 million, or 1.1%, to $94.3 million. OshKosh wholesale sales increased $3.5 million, or 34.5%, to $13.8 million, due primarily to an increase in off-price shipments in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

The Company's mass channel sales, which are comprised of sales of our Just One Year brand to Target and Child of Mine brand to Wal-Mart, decreased 13.6% to $51.1 million. Sales of our Just One Year brand increased $0.5 million, or 2.3%, to $21.2 million. Child of Mine brand sales decreased $8.5 million, or 22.2%, to $29.9 million, due primarily to product performance.

In connection with the retirement of Frederick J. Rowan, II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Company recorded charges during the second quarter of $5.3 million, $3.1 million of which relates to severance and benefit obligations and $2.2 million relates to the vesting of Mr. Rowan's performance-based stock options.

Consolidated operating income in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $9.3 million as compared to a consolidated operating loss of $137.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Excluding executive retirement charges in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted operating income decreased $3.5 million, or 19.5%. This decrease was due to Child of Mine product performance, higher inventory and bad debt provisions, and provisions for incentive compensation.

Net income was $2.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $143.4 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Excluding executive retirement charges in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted net income decreased $1.6 million, or 20.9%, and adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 23.1%.

"While our second quarter sales were better than expected, we will continue to take a cautious outlook for the year given the uncertainty of the current economic environment. Our business continues to produce very healthy levels of cash flow, which enables us to invest in our business," noted Mr. Casey. "As expected, OshKosh continued to negatively impact our results for the quarter. With the improvement in our product offerings and better inventory management disciplines, however, we expect to achieve improved profitability from our OshKosh retail segment in the second half of this year."

    The reconciliation of income as reported under accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") to adjusted income
is as follows:

                                           (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                        Three-month period ended June 28, 2008

                                             Operating      Net     Diluted
                                             Income        Income      EPS

    Income, as reported (GAAP)                $ 9.3         $2.8      $0.05

      Executive retirement charges              5.3          3.3       0.05

    Income, as adjusted (a)                   $14.6         $6.1      $0.10

    (a) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
        accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
        financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
        net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
        discussed above.  We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
        comparison of the Company's results.  The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
        measurements included in this earnings release should not be
        considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
        of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.  The adjusted, non-
        GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
        only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
        condition or results of operations.



                                           (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                        Three-month period ended June 30, 2007

                                       Operating         Net
                                        (Loss)          (Loss)       Diluted
                                        Income          Income         EPS

    Loss, as reported (GAAP)            ($137.9)       ($143.4)       ($2.48)

      Intangible asset impairment (a)     154.9          150.5          2.60
      Distribution facility closure
       costs (b)                            0.5            0.3          0.00
      Accelerated depreciation (c)          0.6            0.3          0.01

    Income, as adjusted (d)               $18.1           $7.7          0.13

    (a) OshKosh-related intangible asset impairment charges.

    (b) Costs associated with the closure of OshKosh's White House, Tennessee
        distribution facility

    (c) Accelerated depreciation charges (included in selling, general, and
        administrative expenses) related to the closure of the OshKosh
        distribution facility.

    (d) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
        accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
        financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
        net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
        discussed above.  We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
        comparison of the Company's results.  The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
        measurements included in this earnings release should not be
        considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
        of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.  The adjusted, non-
        GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
        only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
        condition or results of operations.



    First Half of Fiscal 2008 compared to First Half of Fiscal 2007

Consolidated net sales increased 3.9% to $631.6 million. Net sales of the Company's Carter's brands increased 5.7% to $505.2 million. Net sales of the Company's OshKosh brand decreased 2.7% to $126.5 million.

Consolidated retail store sales increased 11.2% to $273.3 million. Carter's retail store sales increased 18.5% to $179.1 million, driven by a comparable store sales increase of 14.9%, or $22.3 million, and sales of $6.2 million from Carter's stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal 2007. OshKosh retail store sales decreased 0.5% to $94.2 million, due to a comparable store sales decrease of $3.4 million, or 3.7%, and the impact of store closures of $0.8 million, partially offset by sales of $3.7 million from OshKosh stores opened since the second quarter of fiscal 2007. In the first half of fiscal 2008, the Company opened three Carter's retail stores.

The Company's wholesale sales increased 1.3% to $244.4 million. Carter's wholesale sales increased $6.2 million, or 3.0%, to $212.2 million, due primarily to the timing of shipments in fiscal 2008. OshKosh wholesale sales decreased $3.0 million, or 8.5%, to $32.2 million due to product performance.

The Company's mass channel sales decreased 5.7% to $114.0 million. Sales of our Just One Year brand increased $5.3 million, or 12.1%, to $48.7 million, driven by new door growth. Sales of our Child of Mine brand decreased $12.2 million, or 15.7%, to $65.3 million due primarily to product performance.

Consolidated operating income in the first half of fiscal 2008 was $29.8 million as compared to a consolidated operating loss of $116.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2007. Excluding charges related to the executive retirement in the first half of fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the first half of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted operating income decreased $10.2 million, or 22.4%. This decrease was due to a decline in gross margin in our OshKosh retail stores due to the performance of our 2007 Fall and Holiday product lines, performance of our Child of Mine brand, higher inventory provisions, and provisions for incentive compensation.

Net income was $14.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $133.8 million, or $2.30 per diluted share, in the first half of fiscal 2007. Excluding executive retirement charges in the first half of fiscal 2008 and impairment and closure costs in the first half of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted net income decreased $3.4 million, or 16.2%, and adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 14.3%.



                                      (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                     Six-month period ended June 28, 2008

                                   Operating           Net         Diluted
                                     Income          Income          EPS

    Income, as reported (GAAP)        $29.8           $14.3         $0.24

      Executive retirement charges      5.3             3.3          0.06

    Income, as adjusted (a)           $35.1           $17.6         $0.30

    (a) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
        accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
        financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
        net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
        discussed above.  We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
        comparison of the Company's results.  The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
        measurements included in this earnings release should not be
        considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
        of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.  The adjusted, non-
        GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
        only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
        condition or results of operations.



                                        (dollars in millions, except EPS)
                                      Six-month period ended June 30, 2007

                                   Operating           Net
                                     (Loss)          (Loss)        Diluted
                                     Income          Income          EPS

    Loss, as reported (GAAP)        ($116.7)        ($133.8)       ($2.30)

      Intangible asset impairment (a) 154.9           150.5          2.58
      Distribution facility closure
       costs (b)                        5.0             3.1          0.05
      Accelerated depreciation (c)      2.1             1.3          0.02

    Income, as adjusted (d)           $45.3           $21.1         $0.35

    (a) OshKosh-related intangible asset impairment charges.
    (b) Costs associated with the closure of the OshKosh distribution
        facility.
    (c) Accelerated depreciation charges (included in selling, general, and
        administrative expenses) related to the closure of the OshKosh
        distribution facility.
    (d) In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in
        accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP
        financial measurements that present operating income, net income, and
        net income on a diluted share basis excluding the adjustments
        discussed above.  We believe these adjustments provide a meaningful
        comparison of the Company's results.  The adjusted, non-GAAP financial
        measurements included in this earnings release should not be
        considered as an alternative to net income or as any other measurement
        of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.  The adjusted,
        non-GAAP financial information is presented for informational purposes
        only and is not necessarily indicative of the Company's future
        condition or results of operations.


Net cash provided by operating activities in the first half of fiscal 2008 was $24.1 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $8.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2007, driven largely by favorable changes in working capital.

During the first half of fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased 1,320,085 shares of its common stock for approximately $20 million at an average price of $15.20 per share.

Quarterly Conference Call

The Company will broadcast its quarterly conference call on July 23, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-913-312-1518. To listen to the live broadcast over the internet, please log on to www.carters.com, click on "Investor Relations," and click on the link "Second Quarter Conference Call." The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast over the internet at www.carters.com. Presentation materials for the call can be accessed on the Company's website at www.carters.com by clicking on the "Investor Relations" tab and choosing "conference calls & webcasts" on the left side of the screen. A replay of the call will be available shortly after the broadcast through August 1, 2008, at 1-719-457-0820, passcode 5030435. The replay will be archived on the Company's website at the same location.

    For more information on Carter's, Inc., please visit www.carters.com.

Cautionary Language

Statements contained herein that relate to the Company's future performance, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's anticipated results for fiscal 2008 or any other future period, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. Factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include: a decrease in sales to, or the loss of one or more of, the Company's key customers; increased competition in the baby and young children's apparel market; the acceptance of our products in the marketplace; deflationary pressures on our prices; disruptions in foreign supply sources; negative publicity; our leverage, which increases our exposure to interest rate risk and could require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to repay principal; changes in consumer preference and fashion trends; a decrease in the overall level of consumer spending; the impact of governmental regulations and environmental risks applicable to the Company's business; our ability to adequately forecast demand, which could create significant levels of excess inventory; our ability to identify new retail store locations, and negotiate appropriate lease terms for our retail stores; our ability to improve the performance of our retail and OshKosh wholesale segments; our ability to attract and retain key individuals within the organization; failure to realize the revenue growth, cost savings and other benefits that we expect from our acquisition of OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc., which could impact the carrying value of our intangible assets; and seasonal fluctuations in the children's apparel business. These risks are further described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements." The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Contact:  Eric Martin
              Vice President, Investor Relations
              (404) 745-2889



                                CARTER'S, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (dollars in thousands, except for share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                         Three-month periods ended   Six-month periods ended
                          June 28,     June 30,      June 28,     June 30,
                            2008         2007          2008         2007
    Net sales:
      Wholesale:
       Carter's           $94,322     $ 93,294      $212,154     $205,947
       OshKosh             13,760       10,227        32,209       35,220
        Total Wholesale
         sales            108,082      103,521       244,363      241,167
      Retail:
       Carter's            92,656       76,275       179,058      151,101
       OshKosh             49,883       48,885        94,248       94,733
        Total Retail
         sales            142,539      125,160       273,306      245,834
      Mass Channel         51,054       59,094       113,978      120,902
        Total net sales   301,675      287,775       631,647      607,903
    Cost of goods sold    202,094      192,357       427,151      406,105
    Gross profit           99,581       95,418       204,496      201,798
    Selling, general, and
     administrative
     expenses              92,207       84,635       184,483      172,881
    Executive retirement
     charges                5,325           --         5,325           --
    Intangible asset
     impairment                --      154,886            --      154,886
    Closure costs              --          470            --        4,977
    Royalty income         (7,203)      (6,700)      (15,117)     (14,245)
    Operating income
     (loss)                 9,252     (137,873)       29,805     (116,701)
    Interest expense, net   4,789        5,704         9,309       11,432
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes           4,463     (143,577)       20,496     (128,133)
    Provision for (benefit
     from) income taxes     1,684         (128)        6,158        5,705
    Net income (loss)      $2,779    ($143,449)      $14,338    ($133,838)

    Basic net income (loss)
     per common share       $0.05       ($2.48)        $0.25       ($2.30)

    Diluted net income
     (loss) per common
     share                  $0.05       ($2.48)        $0.24       ($2.30)

    Basic weighted-
     average number
     of shares
     outstanding       56,156,795   57,838,075    56,685,914   58,142,782

    Diluted weighted-
     average number
     of shares
     outstanding       58,163,705   57,838,075    58,741,653   58,142,782



                                CARTER'S, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (dollars in thousands, except for share data)
                                 (unaudited)

                                       June 28,      December 29,    June 30,
                                         2008            2007          2007
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents         $45,223         $49,012       $19,848
      Accounts receivable, net          102,593         119,707       104,534
      Finished good inventories,
       net                              250,817         225,494       231,588
      Assets held for sale                6,109           6,109         6,109
      Prepaid expenses and other
       current assets                    15,464           9,093        15,000
      Deferred income taxes              23,727          24,234        19,087

        Total current assets            443,933         433,649       396,166
    Property, plant, and equipment,
     net                                 70,014          75,053        72,693
    Tradenames                          306,733         308,233       310,233
    Cost in excess of fair value
     of net assets acquired             136,570         136,570       136,570
    Deferred debt issuance costs,
     net                                  4,176           4,743         5,320
    Licensing agreements, net             7,087           8,915        10,767
    Leasehold interests, net                451             684           918
    Other assets                          7,570           6,821         9,568

        Total assets                   $976,534        $974,668      $942,235

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Current maturities of
       long-term debt                    $4,379          $3,503        $2,627
      Accounts payable                   73,822          56,589        85,303
      Other current liabilities          36,803          46,666        29,132

        Total current liabilities       115,004         106,758       117,062

    Long-term debt                      336,275         338,026       340,653
    Deferred income taxes               113,316         113,706       115,150
    Other long-term liabilities          30,979          34,049        32,708

        Total liabilities               595,574         592,539       605,573

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock; par value $.01
       per share; 100,000 shares
       authorized; none issued or
       outstanding at June 28, 2008,
       December 29, 2007, and June 30,
       2007                                  --              --            --
      Common stock, voting; par value
       $.01 per share; 150,000,000
       shares authorized; 56,422,592,
       57,663,315, and 58,185,355
       shares issued and outstanding at
       June 28, 2008, December 29,
       2007, and June 30, 2007,
       respectively                         564             576           582
      Additional paid-in capital        217,741         232,356       247,587
      Accumulated other
       comprehensive income               1,791           2,671         5,187
      Retained earnings                 160,864         146,526        83,306

          Total stockholders'
           equity                       380,960         382,129       336,662

            Total liabilities and
             stockholders' equity      $976,534        $974,668      $942,235

SOURCE Carter's, Inc: 07/22/2008
CONTACT: Eric Martin, Vice President, Investor Relations, of Carter's
Inc., +1-404-745-2889
Web site: http://www.carters.com
(CRI)