Columbia Sportswear Company Reports Record Third Quarter & First Nine Months 2019 Financial Results; Updates Full Year 2019 Financial Outlook

Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM), a leading innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced third quarter 2019 financial results for the period ended September 30, 2019.

Third Quarter 2019 Highlights

• Net sales increased 14 percent (15 percent constant-currency) compared to third quarter 2018, to a record $906.8 million.

• Gross margin expanded 110 basis points to a record 49.3 percent of net sales, compared to third quarter 2018 gross margin of 48.2 percent of net sales.

• Operating income increased 18 percent to a record $152.0 million and operating margin expanded 60 basis points to 16.8 percent of net sales, compared to third quarter 2018 operating income of $129.1 million, or 16.2 percent of net sales. Compared to non-GAAP third quarter 2018 operating income of $126.0 million, or 15.8 percent of net sales, operating income increased 21 percent and operating margin expanded 100 basis points.

• Diluted earnings per share increased 23 percent to a record $1.75, compared to third quarter 2018 diluted earnings per share of $1.42. Compared to non-GAAP third quarter 2018 diluted earnings per share of $1.41, diluted earnings per share increased 24 percent.

• Full Year 2019 Financial Outlook

• (Financial outlook details can be found in the "Supplemental Financial Information" section and CFO Commentary document)

For full year 2019, management currently expects:

• Net sales of $3.01 to $3.04 billion (prior $3.00 to $3.04 billion), representing net sales growth of 7.5 to 8.5 percent (prior 7.0 to 8.5 percent). The net sales outlook includes a foreign currency translation impact that is anticipated to reduce net sales growth by approximately 90 basis points.

• Operating income of $392 to $401 million (prior $388 to $396 million), representing operating margin of 13.0 to 13.2 percent (prior 12.9 to 13.0 percent).

• Diluted earnings per share of $4.70 to $4.80 (prior $4.65 to $4.75).

• Throughout this press release, amounts stated to be non-GAAP exclude items described in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below. Additionally, constant-currency net sales, a non-GAAP financial measure, is referenced throughout this press release. Please see the "Supplemental Financial Information" section and financial tables included below for a more detailed description of this and other non-GAAP financial measures. 

President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle commented, "Record third quarter results exceeded our expectations, with broad based growth across our geographic segments, channels and product categories. During the quarter, we were able to ship a greater portion of our Fall 2019 order book compared to the Fall 2018 season as retailers restocked depleted inventory positions after harsh winter weather and exceptional sell-through in North America last year. Higher advance orders and earlier shipments contributed to 14 percent growth for the Columbia brand and 27 percent growth for the SOREL brand in the quarter. SOREL's impressive growth was led by strong demand for fall fashion styles, further validating the brand's success as a year-round fashion footwear brand. Our net sales growth momentum combined with Project CONNECT margin benefits drove earnings per share growth in excess of 20 percent with continued investment in our strategic priorities.”

"As we enter our peak selling season, I’m confident that our powerful brand portfolio, globally diversified business model and the dedication and focus of our talented global team position us to deliver another year of record sales and profit. 

• “Our profitable growth trajectory and fortress balance sheet provide a foundation of strength and confidence from which we will continue investing in our strategic priorities to:

• drive brand awareness and sales growth through increased, focused demand creation investments;

• enhance consumer experience and digital capabilities in all our channels and geographies;

• expand and improve global direct-to-consumer operations with supporting processes and systems; and

• invest in our people and optimize our organization across our portfolio of brands."

• "We are making these investments to build on our strengths as a brand-led, consumer-focused organization and to enable sustainable long-term profitable growth."

CFO's Commentary Available Online

For a detailed review of the Company's third quarter and first nine months 2019 financial results and full year 2019 financial outlook, please refer to the CFO Commentary exhibit furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Form 8‑K and published on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com/results.cfm at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET today. Analysts and investors are encouraged to review this commentary prior to participating in the conference call.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Throughout this press release, non-GAAP amounts in third quarter 2018 exclude a $4.3 million benefit in connection with an insurance claim ($3.3 million net of tax), $1.5 million in incremental income tax expense related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) and $1.2 million in Project CONNECT expenses and discrete costs ($0.9 million net of tax). References to non-GAAP financial measures in first nine months 2018 exclude $14.1 million in Project CONNECT program expenses and discrete costs ($10.7 million net of tax), a $4.3 million benefit in connection with an insurance claim ($3.3 million net of tax), and $2.7 million in incremental provisional income tax expense related to the TCJA. These excluded items were not applicable to third quarter and first nine months 2019 results.

Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

(All comparisons are between third quarter 2019 and third quarter 2018, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 14 percent (15 percent constant-currency) to $906.8 million, from $795.8 million for the comparable period in 2018.

Gross margin expanded 110 basis points to 49.3 percent of net sales from 48.2 percent for the comparable period in 2018. 

SG&A expenses increased 15 percent to $299.2 million, or 33.0 percent of net sales, from $259.3 million, or 32.6 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018. SG&A expenses increased 14 percent from non-GAAP SG&A expenses of $262.4 million, or 33.0 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018.

Operating income increased 18 percent to $152.0 million, or 16.8 percent of net sales, from $129.1 million, or 16.2 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018. Operating income increased 21 percent from non-GAAP operating income of $126.0 million, or 15.8 percent of sales, for the comparable period in 2018. 

Net income increased 19 percent to $119.3 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, from $100.2 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2018. Net income increased 20 percent from non-GAAP net income of $99.3 million, or $1.41 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2018. Third quarter 2019 net income also includes the benefit of full ownership of our China business, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary effective January 2019. In third quarter 2018, the non-controlling interest share of net income was $2.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. 

First Nine Months 2019 Financial Results

(All comparisons are between first nine months 2019 and first nine months 2018, unless otherwise noted).

• Net sales increased 11 percent (12 percent constant-currency) to $2,087.6 million, compared to $1,884.7 million for the comparable period in 2018.

• Gross margin expanded 130 basis points to 49.7 percent of net sales, from 48.4 percent for the comparable period in 2018.

• SG&A expenses increased 9 percent to $791.8 million, or 37.9 percent of net sales, from $724.8 million, or 38.5 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018. SG&A expenses increased 11 percent from non-GAAP SG&A expenses of $715.1 million, or 37.9 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018.

Operating income increased 29 percent to $256.3 million, or 12.3 percent of net sales, compared to operating income of $198.2 million, or 10.5 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018. Operating income increased 23 percent from non-GAAP operating income of $208.0 million, or 11.0 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018 

Net income increased 40 percent to $216.5 million, or $3.15 per diluted share, compared to $155.0 million, or $2.19 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2018. Net income increased 31 percent from non-GAAP net income of $165.1 million, or $2.34 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2018. First nine months 2019 net income includes the benefit of full ownership of our China business. In the first nine months of 2018, the non-controlling interest share of net income was $6.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share.

Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2019

• Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $240.8 million, compared to $451.5 million at September 30, 2018.

• Inventories increased 16 percent to $717.4 million, compared to $617.2 million at September 30, 2018.

• Share Repurchases for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

• The Company repurchased 1,191,684 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $116.2 million, or an average price per share of $97.50. 

Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend

At its regular board meeting on October 25, 2019, the board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share, payable on December 5, 2019 to shareholders of record on November 21, 2019.