Columbia Reports Second Quarter & First Half 2023 Financial Results; Updates Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM, the "Company"), a multi-brand global leading innovator in outdoor, active and lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment, today announced second quarter 2023 financial results for the period ended June 30, 2023.

Second Quarter 2023 Highlights

Net sales increased 7 percent (9 percent constant-currency) to $620.9 million, compared to second quarter 2022.
Operating income decreased 29 percent to $6.2 million, or 1.0 percent of net sales, compared to second quarter 2022 operating income of $8.8 million, or 1.5 percent of net sales.
Diluted earnings per share increased 27 percent to $0.14, compared to second quarter 2022 diluted earnings per share of $0.11.
Exited the quarter with $302.8 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and no borrowings.

Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of August 1, 2023 and are subject to significant risks and business uncertainties, including those factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” below. Additional disclosures and financial outlook details can be found in the Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook section below and the CFO Commentary and Financial Review presentation.

Net sales of $3.53 to $3.59 billion (prior $3.57 to $3.67 billion) representing net sales growth of 2.0 to 3.5 percent (prior 3 to 6 percent) compared to 2022.
Operating income of $348 to $368 million (prior $413 to $432 million), representing operating margin of 9.8 to 10.3 percent (prior 11.6 to 11.8 percent).
Diluted earnings per share of $4.40 to $4.65 (prior $5.15 to $5.40).

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle commented, “Second quarter financial results reflect a dynamic environment, with varying trends across our global omni-channel business. During the quarter, we experienced continued strength across many international markets, including China, while the U.S. environment proved more challenging. Our inventory reduction plan is on track, and we are positioned to reduce year-end inventory by over $200 million, compared to last year.

“We are continuing to deliver innovation into the marketplace. This Spring, we enhanced the Columbia brand’s collection of sun-protection and cooling technologies with the launch of Omni-Shade Broad Spectrum. Looking to Fall, we are building on the success of Omni-Heat Infinity, which will be prominently featured in our marketing campaigns.

“Based on year-to-date performance, and the trends we are seeing across the business, we are taking a more conservative approach to planning the balance of the year. As we navigate near-term uncertainty, we are focused on taking actions to manage expenses and seeking opportunities to drive growth. In challenging times, our strong financial position is a strategic advantage, and we exited the second quarter with over $300 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, and no bank borrowings.

“I remain confident in our strategies, and we are focused on achieving the significant long-term growth opportunities we see across the business. We are committed to investing in our strategic priorities to:

accelerate profitable growth;
create iconic products that are differentiated, functional and innovative;
drive brand engagement through increased, focused demand creation investments;
enhance consumer experiences by investing in capabilities to delight and retain consumers;
amplify marketplace excellence, with digitally-led, omni-channel, global distribution; and
empower talent that is driven by our core values, through a diverse and inclusive workforce."

CFO's Commentary and Financial Review Presentation Available Online

For a detailed review of the Company's second quarter 2023 financial results, please refer to the CFO Commentary and Financial Review presentation furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on a Current Report on Form 8-K and published on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://investor.columbia.com/financial-results at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET today. Analysts and investors are encouraged to review this commentary prior to participating in our conference call.

Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

(All comparisons are between second quarter 2023 and second quarter 2022, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 7 percent (9 percent constant-currency) to $620.9 million from $578.1 million for the comparable period in 2022. The increase in net sales reflects growth in the Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") and Latin America Asia Pacific ("LAAP") regions, primarily driven by earlier Fall 2023 distributor shipments and increased China sales, partially offset by declines in Canada and the U.S., which were primarily driven by a lower portion of Spring 2023 orders shipped in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2022.

Gross margin expanded 140 basis points to 50.6 percent of net sales from 49.2 percent of net sales for the comparable period in 2022. Gross margin expansion primarily reflects lower inbound freight costs and, to a lesser degree, changes in inventory provisions, partially offset by increased clearance and promotional activity.

SG&A expenses increased 11 percent to $312.5 million, or 50.3 percent of net sales, from $281.3 million, or 48.7 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2022. SG&A expense growth primarily reflects expense increases across direct-to-consumer ("DTC"), supply chain, and enterprise technology.

Operating income decreased 29 percent to $6.2 million, or 1.0 percent of net sales, compared to $8.8 million, or 1.5 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2022.

Interest income, net of $3.5 million, compared to net interest income of $0.5 million for the comparable period in 2022, reflects higher yields on cash, cash equivalents, and investments.

Income tax expense was $1.2 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 12.6 percent, compared to income tax expense of $0.7 million, or an effective income tax rate of 8.6 percent, for the comparable period in 2022.

Net income increased 17 percent to $8.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2022.

First Half 2023 Financial Results

(All comparisons are between the first six months 2023 and the first six months 2022, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 8 percent (10 percent constant-currency) to $1,441.5 million from $1,339.6 million for the comparable period in 2022.

Gross margin was flat compared to 49.5 percent of net sales for the comparable period in 2022.

SG&A expenses increased 14 percent to $659.9 million, or 45.8 percent of net sales, from $580.3 million, or 43.3 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2022.

Operating income decreased 32 percent to $62.7 million, or 4.3 percent of net sales, compared to operating income of $92.4 million, or 6.9 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2022.

Interest income, net was $6.8 million, compared to net interest income of $0.9 million for the comparable period in 2022.

Income tax expense of $15.6 million resulted in an effective income tax rate of 22.2 percent, compared to income tax expense of $17.9 million, or an effective income tax rate of 19.5 percent, for the comparable period in 2022.

Net income decreased 26 percent to $54.6 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared to net income of $74.0 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2022.

Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2023

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $302.8 million, compared to $414.2 million as of June 30, 2022.

The Company had no borrowings as of June 30, 2023 or 2022.

Inventories increased 21 percent to $1,162.5 million, compared to $962.9 million as of June 30, 2022. Inventory growth was comprised of earlier receipt of current season inventory and, to a lesser extent, higher carryover and older season inventory. We believe older season inventories represent a manageable portion of our total inventory mix.

Cash Flow for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Net cash provided by operating activities was $9.7 million, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $112.7 million for the same period in 2022.

Capital expenditures totaled $22.8 million, compared to $29.0 million for the same period in 2022.

Share Repurchases for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

The Company repurchased 953,269 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $78.7 million, or an average price per share of $82.55.

At June 30, 2023, $450.7 million remained available under our stock repurchase authorization, which does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares or to acquire shares over any specified period of time.

Quarterly Cash Dividend

The Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on September 5, 2023 to shareholders of record on August 22, 2023.

Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

(Additional financial outlook details can be found in the CFO Commentary and Financial Review presentation.)

The Company's third quarter and full year 2023 Financial Outlook is forward-looking in nature, and the following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of August 1, 2023 and are subject to significant risks and business uncertainties, including those factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” below. These risks and uncertainties limit our ability to accurately forecast results. This outlook reflects our estimates as of August 1, 2023 regarding the impact of economic conditions, including inflationary pressures; supply chain expenses; marketplace inventories; changes in consumer behavior and confidence; as well as geopolitical tensions. This outlook and commentary assume macro-economic conditions do not materially deteriorate. Projections are predicated on normal seasonal weather globally.

Net sales are expected to increase 2.0 to 3.5 percent (prior 3 to 6 percent) to $3.53 to $3.59 billion (prior $3.57 to $3.67 billion) from $3.46 billion in 2022.

Gross margin is expected to expand approximately 40 basis points (prior 60 basis points) to approximately 49.8 percent of net sales (prior 50 percent) from 49.4 percent of net sales in 2022.

SG&A expenses, as a percent of net sales, are expected to be 40.1 to 40.5 percent (prior 39.0 to 39.2 percent), compared to SG&A expense as a percent of net sales of 37.7 percent in 2022.

Operating income is expected to be $348 to $368 million (prior $413 to $432 million), resulting in operating margin of 9.8 to 10.3 percent (prior 11.6 to 11.8 percent), compared to operating margin of 11.3 percent in 2022.

Interest income, net is expected to be approximately $13 million.

Effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 24.5 percent (unchanged).

Net income is expected to be $272 to $288 million (prior $322 to $336 million), resulting in diluted earnings per share of $4.40 to $4.65 (prior $5.15 to $5.40). This diluted earnings per share range is based on estimated weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 61.9 million (prior 62.4 million).

Foreign Currency

Foreign currency translation is anticipated to reduce 2023 net sales growth by approximately 30 basis points (prior 20 basis points) reflecting unfavorable foreign currency translation impacts through the first half of the year, largely offset by expected favorable impacts in the latter part of the year.
Foreign currency is expected to have an approximately $0.03 negative impact (unchanged) on diluted earnings per share due primarily to unfavorable foreign currency transactional effects from hedging of inventory production.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

Operating cash flow is expected to be approximately $550 to $600 million (prior over $600 million).

Capital expenditures are planned to be in the range of $60 to $70 million (prior $70 to $80 million).

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Outlook

Net sales are expected to be $995 to $1,010 million, representing growth of 4 to 6 percent from $955.1 million for the comparable period in 2022.
Operating income is expected to be $132 to $138 million, resulting in operating margin of 13.2 to 13.6 percent, compared to operating margin of 15.2 percent in the comparable period in 2022.
Diluted earnings per share is expected to be $1.60 to $1.70 compared to $1.80 for the comparable period in 2022.

Conference Call

The Company will hold its second quarter 2023 conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today. Dial (888) 506-0062 to participate. The call will also be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com.

Third Quarter 2023 Reporting Date

Columbia Sportswear Company plans to report third quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.