ATLANTA, Oct. 21 /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 third quarter fiscal 2008 results.
"Our third quarter performance was better than expected, particularly given the challenges of the current retail environment. For the past year, we've made significant investments to strengthen our organization and product offerings, and our results reflect the benefit from these investments," noted Michael D. Casey, Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the strength of our brands and the significant value we are providing to our consumers will enable us to weather this difficult retail and economic period."
Third Quarter of Fiscal 2008 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2007
Consolidated net sales increased 6.2% to $436.4 million. Net sales of the Company's Carter's brands increased 6.6% to $341.0 million. Net sales of the Company's OshKosh brand increased 4.8% to $95.4 million.
Consolidated retail store sales increased 12.0% to $185.1 million. Carter's retail store sales increased 9.8% to $112.5 million, driven by a comparable store sales increase of 6.1%, or $6.2 million, and sales of $4.2 million from Carter's stores opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2007. OshKosh retail store sales increased 15.6% to $72.6 million, driven by a comparable store sales increase of 13.2%, or $8.2 million, and sales of $2.1 million from OshKosh stores opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company opened three Carter's retail stores. As of September 27, 2008, the Company had 234 Carter's and 163 OshKosh stores. The Company plans to open 19 Carter's and three OshKosh stores during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company also plans to close one Carter's store during the fourth 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, increased $9.1 million, or 13.4%, to $76.7 million. Sales of our Child of Mine brand increased $7.6 million, or 17.9%, to $49.9 million due to the timing of product launches. Sales of our Just One Year brand increased $1.5 million, or 6.0%, to $26.8 million.
Carter's wholesale sales increased $1.9 million, or 1.3%, to $151.8 million due to better product performance and higher demand, partially offset by the impact of cancelled orders from high credit risk customers. OshKosh wholesale sales decreased $5.4 million, or 19.1%, to $22.8 million due to a reduction in demand resulting from past product performance. This decrease also reflects changes made to improve product performance, including reducing wholesale prices.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company recorded a $2.6 million charge related to the write-down of the carrying value of the OshKosh distribution facility held for sale. This write-down reflects a reduction in the anticipated selling price of the property due to a deterioration in the commercial real estate market.
Consolidated operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was $57.1 million as compared to $60.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Excluding the $2.6 million charge related to the distribution facility write-down in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and excluding the distribution facility closure costs of $0.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted operating income decreased $0.6 million, or 0.9%. An improvement in earnings from our OshKosh retail segment was offset by provisions for excess inventory and incentive compensation.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company's net income was $33.4 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $34.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Excluding the distribution facility write-down charge in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and excluding the $0.2 million in after-tax distribution facility closure costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted net income increased $0.2 million, or 0.7%, and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 3.4% to $0.60 per diluted share.
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 September 27, 2008 Operating Net Diluted Income Income EPS Income, as reported (GAAP) $57.1 $33.4 $0.58 Facility write-down (a) 2.6 1.6 0.02 Income, as adjusted (b) $59.7 $35.0 $0.60 (a) Charge related to the write-down of the carrying value of the OshKosh distribution facility held for sale. (b) 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 Nine Months of Fiscal 2008 compared to First Nine Months of Fiscal 2007
Consolidated net sales increased 4.8% to $1.1 billion. Net sales of the Company's Carter's brands increased 6.1% to $846.2 million. Net sales of the Company's OshKosh brand increased 0.4% to $221.8 million.
Consolidated retail store sales increased 11.5% to $458.4 million. Carter's retail store sales increased 15.0% to $291.6 million, driven by a comparable store sales increase of 11.3%, or $28.5 million, and sales of $10.4 million from Carter's stores opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2007, partially offset by the impact of store closures of $0.9 million. OshKosh retail store sales increased 5.9% to $166.8 million, due to sales of $5.8 million from OshKosh stores opened since the third quarter of fiscal 2007 and a comparable store sales increase of $4.8 million, or 3.0%, partially offset by the impact of store closures of $1.3 million. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Company opened six Carter's retail stores.
The Company's mass channel sales increased $2.2 million, or 1.1%, to $190.7 million. Sales of our Just One Year brand increased $6.8 million, or 9.9%, to $75.5 million, driven by new door growth. Sales of our Child of Mine brand decreased $4.6 million, or 3.9%, to $115.2 million, due primarily to product performance in certain categories.
Carter's wholesale sales increased $8.1 million, or 2.3%, to $364.0 million due to better product performance and higher demand, partially offset by the impact of cancelled orders from high credit risk customers. OshKosh wholesale sales decreased $8.4 million, or 13.3%, to $55.0 million due to a reduction in demand resulting from past product performance. This decrease also reflects changes made to improve product performance, including reducing wholesale prices.
In connection with the retirement of an executive officer, the Company recorded charges during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 of $5.3 million, $3.1 million of which related to severance and benefit obligations and $2.2 million of which related to the vesting of certain stock options.
Consolidated operating income in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $86.9 million compared to an operating loss of $56.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Excluding the executive retirement charges and the distribution facility write-down in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 and excluding the impairment and distribution facility closure costs in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted operating income decreased $10.7 million, or 10.2%. This decrease reflects the underperformance of certain components of our Child of Mine brand and provisions for incentive compensation and excess inventory.
Net income in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $47.7 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $99.2 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Excluding the executive retirement charges and the distribution facility write-down in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 and excluding the impairment and distribution facility closure costs in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, the Company's adjusted net income decreased $3.2 million, or 5.7%, and adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased 2.2% to $0.90 per diluted share.
(dollars in millions, except EPS) Nine-month period ended September 27, 2008 Operating Net Diluted Income Income EPS Income, as reported (GAAP) $86.9 $47.7 $0.82 Executive retirement charges 5.3 3.4 0.06 Facility write-down (a) 2.6 1.6 0.02 Income, as adjusted (b) $94.8 $52.7 $0.90 (a) Charge related to the write-down of the carrying value of the OshKosh distribution facility held for sale. (b) 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) Nine-month period ended September 29, 2007 Operating Net (Loss) (Loss) Diluted Income Income EPS Loss, as reported (GAAP) ($56.7) ($99.2) ($1.71) Intangible asset impairment (a) 154.9 150.5 2.59 Distribution facility closure costs (b) 5.2 3.3 0.06 Accelerated depreciation (c) 2.1 1.3 0.02 Diluted share count impact (d) -- -- (0.04) Income, as adjusted (e) $105.5 $55.9 $0.92 (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) When reporting a loss in accordance with GAAP, the number of diluted weighted average shares is equal to the number of basic weighted average shares. This adjustment reflects the impact of the difference between the number of diluted shares used for calculating GAAP EPS (58.0 million shares) and the number of diluted shares used for calculating adjusted EPS (60.5 million shares). (e) 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 nine months of fiscal 2008 was $57.4 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $38.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. The improvement in cash flow was driven largely by favorable changes in working capital, primarily with respect to inventory.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased 1,898,183 shares of its common stock for approximately $30 million at an average price of $15.69 per share.
Quarterly Conference Call
The Company will broadcast its quarterly conference call on October 22, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial 1-913-312-6698. 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 "Third Quarter Conference Call." The conference call will be simultaneously broadcast on the Company's website 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 October 31, 2008, at 1-719-457-0820, passcode 7243510. 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.
CARTER'S, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (dollars in thousands, except for share data) (unaudited) Three-month periods ended Nine-month periods ended Sept. 27, Sept. 29, Sept. 27, Sept. 29, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Net sales: Carter's Wholesale $151,848 $149,918 $ 364,002 $ 355,865 OshKosh Wholesale 22,801 28,197 55,010 63,417 Carter's Retail 112,508 102,429 291,566 253,530 OshKosh Retail 72,568 62,800 166,816 157,533 Mass Channel 76,694 67,605 190,672 188,507 Total net sales 436,419 410,949 1,068,066 1,018,852 Cost of goods sold 281,752 265,093 708,903 671,198 Gross profit 154,667 145,856 359,163 347,654 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 104,536 94,241 289,019 267,122 Executive retirement charges -- -- 5,325 -- Intangible asset impairment -- -- -- 154,886 Facility write-down and closure costs 2,609 256 2,609 5,233 Royalty income (9,576) (8,649) (24,693) (22,894) Operating income (loss) 57,098 60,008 86,903 (56,693) Interest expense, net 4,048 6,021 13,357 17,453 Income (loss) before income taxes 53,050 53,987 73,546 (74,146) Provision for income taxes 19,675 19,369 25,833 25,074 Net income (loss) $ 33,375 $34,618 $47,713 ($99,220) Basic net income (loss) per common share $0.60 $0.60 $0.85 ($1.71) Diluted net income (loss) per common share $0.58 $0.58 $0.82 ($1.71) Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 56,015,725 57,745,717 56,462,515 58,010,633 Diluted weighted- average number of shares outstanding 57,963,941 59,975,130 58,490,406 58,010,633 CARTER'S, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands, except for share data) (unaudited) September 27, December 29, September 29, 2008 2007 2007 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $59,660 $49,012 $9,254 Accounts receivable, net 160,094 119,707 160,069 Finished good inventories, net 214,359 225,494 246,529 Assets held for sale 3,500 6,109 6,109 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12,667 9,093 13,385 Deferred income taxes 24,921 24,234 20,729 Total current assets 475,201 433,649 456,075 Property, plant, and equipment, net 76,377 75,053 72,829 Tradenames 305,733 308,233 308,233 Cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired 136,570 136,570 136,570 Deferred debt issuance costs, net 3,892 4,743 5,031 Licensing agreements, net 6,174 8,915 9,829 Other assets 8,310 7,505 9,035 Total assets $1,012,257 $974,668 997,602 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt $4,379 $3,503 $2,627 Accounts payable 58,624 56,589 69,403 Other current liabilities 58,174 46,666 52,022 Total current liabilities 121,177 106,758 124,052 Revolving loan facility -- -- 21,600 Long-term debt 335,399 338,026 339,778 Deferred income taxes 112,873 113,706 114,481 Other long-term liabilities 32,134 34,049 32,443 Total liabilities 601,583 592,539 632,354 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock; par value $.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at September 27, 2008, December 29, 2007, and September 29, 2007 -- -- -- Common stock, voting; par value $.01 per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 56,533,319, 57,663,315, and 57,926,790 shares issued and outstanding at September 27, 2008, December 29, 2007, and September 29, 2007, respectively 565 576 579 Additional paid-in capital 213,546 232,356 242,780 Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,324 2,671 3,965 Retained earnings 194,239 146,526 117,924 Total stockholders' equity 410,674 382,129 365,248 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,012,257 $974,668 $997,602 CARTER'S, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (dollars in thousands) (unaudited) Nine-month periods ended September 27, September 29, 2008 2007 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) $47,713 ($99,220) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 20,576 22,526 Amortization of debt issuance costs 851 872 Non-cash intangible asset impairment charges -- 154,886 Non-cash stock-based compensation expense 6,756 4,653 Income tax benefit from exercised stock options (3,457) (7,797) Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment 383 620 Deferred income taxes (1,399) (8,890) Non-cash facility write-down and closure costs 2,609 2,450 Effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (40,387) (49,454) Inventories 11,135 (52,941) Prepaid expenses and other assets (4,722) (5,302) Accounts payable and other liabilities 17,295 (1,020) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 57,353 (38,617) Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (19,197) (13,228) Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment -- 53 Net cash used in investing activities (19,197) (13,175) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments on term loan (1,751) (2,627) Share repurchase (29,774) (47,406) Borrowings from revolving loan facility -- 117,600 Payments on revolving loan facility -- (96,000) Income tax benefit from exercised stock options 3,457 7,797 Proceeds from exercise of stock options 560 2,576 Other -- 10,561 Net cash used in financing activities (27,508) (7,499) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 10,648 (59,291) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 49,012 68,545 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $59,660 $9,254
Contact: Eric Martin Vice President, Investor Relations (404) 745-2889
SOURCE Carter's, Inc.