NEW YORK, April 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate Spade & Company (NYSE: KATE) today announced results for the first quarter ended April 1, 2017.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2017 were $271 million, a decrease of $3 million, or 1.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2016. For the first quarter of 2017 on a GAAP basis, the Company recorded income from continuing operations of $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, including $7 million of pretax store impairment charges and $2 million of pretax fees and expenses related to the Company's ongoing review of strategic alternatives. Income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2016 was $11 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2017 were $0.01 using a normalized tax rate and including $0.04 of after tax impact from the previously noted charges, fees and expenses, compared to $0.05 for the first quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA was $30 million for the first quarter of 2017, including the previously mentioned fees and expenses of $2 million related to the Company's ongoing review of strategic alternatives, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $35 million for the first quarter of 2016.

Craig A. Leavitt, Chief Executive Officer of Kate Spade & Company, said: "Despite a challenging retail environment and the later Easter holiday, we achieved yet another quarter of double-digit eCommerce comparable sales growth, which helped offset softness in bricks and mortar stores. Against this backdrop, we delivered strong gross margin expansion while working to drive profitable growth across our categories and channels. At the same time, our Board of Directors, together with management, continue to evaluate strategic alternatives to further maximize value for our shareholders."

George Carrara, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kate Spade & Company, added: "We delivered over 140 basis points of gross margin expansion in the first quarter driven by operational efficiencies and our continued focus on quality of sale amidst a highly promotional environment. In addition, we continued to generate robust cash flow over the past twelve months and ended the quarter with $422 million in cash. We delivered these solid results despite the factors that negatively impacted our first quarter performance."

REVIEW OF STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES

On February 16, 2017, Kate Spade & Company announced that its Board of Directors, together with management and in consultation with Perella Weinberg Partners as its financial advisor and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as its legal counsel, is conducting a process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives to further enhance shareholder value. The Board is proceeding in a timely manner, but has not set a definitive timetable for completion of this process. There can be no assurance that this review process will result in a transaction or other strategic alternative of any kind. The Company does not intend to disclose developments or provide updates on the progress or status of this process or discuss with investors the Company's results of operations until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or required. No forward-looking guidance will be provided at this time. Due to the ongoing review process, the Company will not host an earnings call or webcast for its first quarter results.

FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Overall Results

Net sales for the first quarter of 2017 were $271 million, a decrease of $3 million, or 1.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2016. First quarter 2017 direct-to-consumer comparable sales declined (2.4)%, or (8.1)% excluding eCommerce. Comparable sales per square foot for kate spade new york stores were $1,516 for the latest twelve months, compared to $1,557 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2016.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 63.2% for the first quarter of 2017, compared to 61.8% for the first quarter of 2016.

Selling, general & administrative expenses were $165 million in the first quarter of 2017 and $152 million in the first quarter of 2016, or 60.7% and 55.3% of net sales, respectively, including $7 million of store impairment charges and $2 million of fees and expenses related to the Company's ongoing review of strategic alternatives.

Income from continuing operations was $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $11 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2016. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2017 using a normalized tax rate were $0.01, compared to $0.05 in the first quarter of 2016.

Segment Highlights


    --  Kate Spade North America net sales for the first quarter of 2017 were
        $217 million, a decrease of $1 million, or 0.6%, compared to the first
        quarter of 2016. Kate Spade North America Segment Adjusted EBITDA was
        $23 million (10.5% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2017, compared
        to $25 million (11.2% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2016.
    --  Kate Spade International net sales for the first quarter of 2017 were
        $49 million, flat compared to the first quarter of 2016. Kate Spade
        International Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $8 million (15.9% of net
        sales) for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $9 million (17.5% of
        net sales) for the first quarter of 2016.
    --  Adelington Design Group net sales for the first quarter of 2017 were $5
        million, a decrease of $2 million, or 29.3%, compared to the first
        quarter of 2016. Adelington Design Group Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $1
        million (10.5% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2017, compared to
        $2 million (31.8% of net sales) for the first quarter of 2016.

Store Count Information




                                             Q1 2017

                            Q4 2016     Net Store Openings     Q1 2017
                            -------     ------------------     -------

    North America Owned
     Stores
    -------------------

    Specialty                       108                      1          109
    ---------                       ---                    ---          ---

    Outlet                           68                      -          68
    ------                          ---                    ---         ---

    Total North America
     Owned Stores                   176                      1          177
    -------------------             ---                    ---          ---

    Average Square Feet (in
     '000s)                         409                                411
    -----------------------         ---                                ---


    International Owned
     Stores
    -------------------

    Specialty                        25                      2           27
    ---------                       ---                    ---          ---

    Outlet                           14                      -          14
    ------                          ---                    ---         ---

    Concessions                      54                    (1)          53
    -----------                     ---                    ---          ---

    Total International
     Owned Stores                    93                      1           94
    -------------------             ---                    ---          ---

    Average Square Feet (in
     '000s)                          87                                 88
    -----------------------         ---                                ---


    Total Owned Store Count         269                      2          271
    -----------------------         ---                    ---          ---

    Average Owned Square
     Feet (in '000s)                496                                499
    --------------------            ---                                ---


    Partner Operated Stores         105                      -         105
    -----------------------         ---                    ---         ---

    Greater China Joint
     Venture Stores                  45                      2           47
    -------------------             ---                    ---          ---

    Total Partnered Store
     Count                          150                      2          152
    ---------------------           ---                    ---          ---


    Total Store Count               419                      4          423
    -----------------               ---                    ---          ---


    Total Licensee Operated
     Partnered Stores                29                      -          29
    -----------------------         ---                    ---         ---


    Total Store Footprint           448                      4          452
    ---------------------           ---                    ---          ---

PRESENTATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND KEY OPERATING METRICS

The income from continuing operations for 2017 and 2016 is presented on a GAAP basis and also adjusted by multiplying pretax income by a normalized tax rate. The Company presents the below-described Adjusted EBITDA measure and the 2017 and 2016 results using a normalized tax rate because it considers them important supplemental measures of its performance and believes they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in its industry.

The attached table, captioned "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information," provides a full reconciliation of actual results to the adjusted results. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA, which it defines as income from continuing operations, adjusted to exclude income tax provision, interest expense, net, depreciation and amortization, net, non-cash impairment charges, losses on asset disposals, non-cash share-based compensation expense and unrealized and certain realized foreign currency transaction adjustments, net. The Company presents non-GAAP financial measures because it uses such measures to monitor the performance of its business on a comparable basis and to determine certain levels of compensation. The Company believes the presentation of these measures enhances the ability of its investors to analyze trends in its business and provides them with a means to compare periods that may be affected by various items that might obscure trends or developments in its business.

The Company evaluates comparable sales productivity based on comparable net sales per average square foot, which is defined as net sales divided by the average of beginning and end of period gross square feet and excludes e-commerce net sales. The Company's policy regarding its calculation of comparable direct-to-consumer net sales is discussed in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017. The Company presents the above described key operating metrics because it considers them important supplemental measures of its performance and believes they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in its industry.

ABOUT KATE SPADE & COMPANY

Kate Spade & Company (NYSE: KATE) operates principally under two global, multichannel lifestyle brands: kate spade new york and Jack Spade New York(TM). The Company's four category pillars - women's, men's, children's and home - span demographics, genders and geographies. Known for crisp color, graphic prints and playful sophistication, kate spade new york aims to inspire a more interesting life. The kate spade new york collection includes the Madison Avenue, Broome Street and on purpose labels. Jack Spade New York offers a timeless and versatile assortment of bags, sportswear and tailored clothing founded on the aesthetic of simple, purposeful design. The Company also owns Adelington Design Group, a private brand jewelry design and development group. Visit www.katespadeandcompany.com for more information.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this press release, future filings by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and oral statements made by, or with the approval of, our authorized personnel, that relate to our plans and expectations for future periods are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "intend," "expect," "contemplate," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "forecast," "target," "aim," "project," "on track," "are positioned to," "estimate," "may," "will," "should" and variations of such words and similar expressions and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, as they are not guarantees of performance or results. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations may not prove to be correct or we may not achieve the financial results, savings or other benefits anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are simply estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve, and are subject to, a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These risks are more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the matters addressed herein and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are qualified by these cautionary statements. We may change our intentions, beliefs or expectations at any time and without notice, based upon any change in our assumptions or otherwise. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward?looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


                                                                                    KATE SPADE & COMPANY

                                                                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                                  (All amounts in thousands, except per common share data)



                                                 Three Months Ended                                                                     Three Months Ended

                                                    April 1, 2017                                                % of              April 2, 2016           % of

                                                      (13 Weeks)                                                Sales                (13 Weeks)            Sales
                                                      ---------                                                 -----                ---------             -----


    Net Sales                                                                                       $271,225                100.0%                               $274,422   100.0%

    Cost of goods sold                                                                                99,763                 36.8%                                104,941    38.2%
                                                                                                      ------                                                      -------

    Gross Profit                                                                                     171,462                 63.2%                                169,481    61.8%

    Selling, general & administrative expenses                                                       164,580                 60.7%                                151,768    55.3%
                                                                                                     -------                                                      -------

    Operating Income                                                                                   6,882                  2.5%                                 17,713     6.5%

    Other income (expense), net                                                                          607                  0.2%                                  (247)  (0.1)%

    Interest expense, net                                                                            (4,545)               (1.7)%                                (4,996)  (1.8)%
                                                                                                      ------                                                       ------

    Income Before Provision for Income Taxes                                                           2,944                  1.1%                                 12,470     4.5%

    Provision for income taxes                                                                         1,750                  0.6%                                  1,554     0.6%
                                                                                                       -----                                                        -----

    Income from Continuing Operations                                                                  1,194                  0.4%                                 10,916     4.0%

    Discontinued operations, net of income taxes                                                         165                                                          720
                                                                                                         ---                                                          ---

    Net Income                                                                                        $1,359                                                      $11,636
                                                                                                      ======                                                      =======


    Earnings per Share:

    Basic

    Income from Continuing Operations                                                                  $0.01                                                        $0.09
                                                                                                       =====                                                        =====

    Net Income                                                                                         $0.01                                                        $0.09
                                                                                                       =====                                                        =====


    Diluted

    Income from Continuing Operations                                                                  $0.01                                                        $0.08
                                                                                                       =====                                                        =====

    Net Income                                                                                         $0.01                                                        $0.09
                                                                                                       =====                                                        =====


    Weighted Average Shares, Basic                                                                   128,387                                                      127,931

    Weighted Average Shares, Diluted                                                                 128,954                                                      128,636



                                                   KATE SPADE & COMPANY

                                               CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                (All amounts in thousands)



                                         April 1, 2017                                April 2, 2016
                                         -------------                                -------------

    Assets

    Current Assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                $422,332               $260,647

    Accounts receivable - trade, net                                           64,336                 68,626

    Inventories, net                                                          215,097                220,666

    Other current assets                                                       36,871                 33,793
                                                                               ------                 ------

    Total current assets                                                      738,636                583,732
                                                                              -------                -------


    Property and Equipment, Net                                               159,395                175,290

    Goodwill                                                                   52,173                 52,315

    Intangibles, Net                                                           85,881                 87,285

    Other Assets                                                               56,020                 53,279
                                                                               ------                 ------

    Total Assets                                                           $1,092,105               $951,901
                                                                           ==========               ========


    Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

    Current Liabilities:

    Short-term borrowings                                                      $3,701                 $3,638

    Other current liabilities                                                 198,204                218,566
                                                                              -------                -------

    Total current liabilities                                                 201,905                222,204
                                                                              -------                -------


    Long-Term Debt                                                            388,878                391,317

    Other Non-Current Liabilities                                              65,005                 70,839

    Stockholders' Equity                                                      436,317                267,541
                                                                              -------                -------

    Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
     Equity                                                                $1,092,105               $951,901
                                                                           ==========               ========



                                                              KATE SPADE & COMPANY

                                                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                           (All amounts in thousands)



                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                       ------------------

                                                          April 1, 2017                             April 2, 2016

                                                           (13 Weeks)                                 (13 Weeks)
                                                           ---------                                  ---------

    Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    Net income                                                                               $1,359                 $11,636

    Adjustments to arrive at income from continuing
     operations                                                                               (165)                  (720)
                                                                                               ----                    ----

    Income from continuing operations                                                         1,194                  10,916


    Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing
     operations to net cash used in operating
     activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                                                            12,459                  11,539

    Loss on asset disposals and impairments,
     including streamlining initiatives, net                                                  6,767                     206

    Share-based compensation                                                                  6,199                   7,910

    Foreign currency transaction gains, net                                                 (3,924)                (4,325)

    Equity losses of equity investees                                                           260                   1,241

    Other, net                                                                                    5                      31

    Changes in assets and liabilities:

    Decrease in accounts receivable - trade, net                                             13,752                  29,279

    Increase in inventories, net                                                           (46,261)               (26,306)

    Increase in other current and non-current assets                                        (9,727)                  (448)

    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable                                                     800                 (9,589)

    Decrease in accrued expenses and other non-
     current liabilities                                                                   (21,517)               (33,368)

    Net change in income tax assets and liabilities                                           (226)                    462

    Net cash used in operating activities of
     discontinued operations                                                                   (71)                  (119)
                                                                                                ---                    ----

    Net cash used in operating activities                                                  (40,290)               (12,571)
                                                                                            -------                 -------


    Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    Purchases of property and equipment                                                     (9,903)               (11,822)

    Proceeds from sales of joint venture interests,
     net                                                                                          -                (2,350)

    Investments in and advances to equity investees                                               -                (6,500)

    Payments for in-store merchandise shops                                                 (1,664)                  (660)

    Purchase of trademarks                                                                        -                (1,200)

    Other, net                                                                                 (11)                     45
                                                                                                ---                     ---

    Net cash used in investing activities                                                  (11,578)               (22,487)
                                                                                            -------                 -------


    Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    Repayment of Term Loan                                                                  (1,000)                (2,000)

    Principal payments under capital lease
     obligations                                                                              (138)                  (123)

    Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                     810                      65

    Payment of deferred financing fees                                                        (171)                  (315)

    Withholding taxes on share-based compensation                                           (5,344)                  (761)
                                                                                             ------                    ----

    Net cash used in financing activities                                                   (5,843)                (3,134)
                                                                                             ------                  ------


    Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash
     Equivalents                                                                              1,507                     988


    Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                (56,204)               (37,204)

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period                                        478,536                 297,851
                                                                                            -------                 -------

    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period                                             $422,332                $260,647
                                                                                           ========                ========



                                                                                                              KATE SPADE & COMPANY

                                                                                                RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                                                                            (All amounts in thousands, except per common share data)



                                                                                                                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                                                                                                                     ------------------

                                                                                                                                                        April 1, 2017            April 2, 2016

                                                                                                                                                         (13 Weeks)                (13 Weeks)
                                                                                                                                                         ---------                 ---------


    Total Net Sales                                                                                                                                                     $271,225               $274,422

    KATE SPADE North America                                                                                                                                             217,398                218,677

    KATE SPADE International                                                                                                                                              48,976                 48,883

    Adelington Design Group                                                                                                                                                4,851                  6,862


    Gross Profit                                                                                                                                                         171,462                169,481


    SG&A                                                                                                                                                                 164,580                151,768


    Operating Income                                                                                                                                                      $6,882                $17,713
                                                                                                                                                                          ------                -------


    Other income (expense), net                                                                                                                                              607                  (247)

    Interest expense, net                                                                                                                                                (4,545)               (4,996)

    Provision for income taxes                                                                                                                                             1,750                  1,554
                                                                                                                                                                           -----                  -----

    Income from Continuing Operations                                                                                                                                     $1,194                $10,916
                                                                                                                                                                          ======                =======


    Discontinued operations, net of income taxes                                                                                                                             165                    720


    Net Income                                                                                                                                                            $1,359                $11,636
                                                                                                                                                                          ======                =======


    Basic Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations                                                                                                             $0.01                  $0.09
                                                                                                                                                                           =====                  =====

    Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations                                                                                                           $0.01                  $0.08
                                                                                                                                                                           =====                  =====


    Reconciliation of Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations:

    Net Income, per above                                                                                                                                                 $1,359                $11,636

    Less: discontinued operations, net of income taxes                                                                                                                     (165)                 (720)

    Adjustment to benefit (provision) for income taxes                                                                                                                       372                (4,028)
                                                                                                                                                                             ---                 ------

    Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations (a)                                                                                                                        $1,566                 $6,888
                                                                                                                                                                          ======                 ======


    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations                                                                                                    $0.01                  $0.05
                                                                                                                                                                           =====                  =====

    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing Operations (b)                                                                                              $0.01                  $0.05
                                                                                                                                                                           =====                  =====



    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

    Net Income, per above                                                                                                                                                 $1,359                $11,636

    Adjustments:

    Depreciation and amortization, asset impairments and losses on asset disposals, net (c)                                                                               18,252                 10,927

    Share-based compensation                                                                                                                                               6,199                  7,910

    Foreign currency adjustments, net                                                                                                                                    (1,665)               (1,135)

    Interest expense, net                                                                                                                                                  4,545                  4,996

    Provision for income taxes                                                                                                                                           (1,750)               (1,554)

    Discontinued operations, net of income taxes                                                                                                                           (165)                 (720)
                                                                                                                                                                            ----                   ----

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                                      $30,275                $35,168
                                                                                                                                                                         =======                =======


    Adjusted EBITDA

    Reportable Segments Adjusted EBITDA (d):

    KATE SPADE North America                                                                                                                                             $22,788                $24,587

    KATE SPADE International (e)                                                                                                                                           7,778                  8,537

    Adelington Design Group                                                                                                                                                  507                  2,185

    Other (f)                                                                                                                                                              (798)                 (141)
                                                                                                                                                                            ----                   ----

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                                                                                                                      $30,275                $35,168
                                                                                                                                                                         =======                =======


    Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    KATE SPADE North America                                                                                                                                               10.5%                 11.2%

    KATE SPADE International (e)                                                                                                                                           15.9%                 17.5%

    Adelington Design Group                                                                                                                                                10.5%                 31.8%

    Kate Spade & Company                                                                                                                                                   11.2%                 12.8%
    --------------------                                                                                                                                                    ----                   ----


    ______________________________

    (a)             Adjusted amounts for the three months ended April 1, 2017 and April 2,
                    2016 represent pretax income multiplied by a normalized tax rate of
                    40.0%, plus $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for interest
                    and penalties on uncertain tax positions. The normalized tax rates
                    were derived by reference to statutory tax rates in the regions in
                    which the Company operates, without giving effect to the impact of
                    income tax consequences of share-based compensation, the Company's
                    valuation allowance or potential use of its net operating loss
                    carryforwards.

    (b)             Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the three months ended April
                    1, 2017 and April 2, 2016 are based on 128,954 shares outstanding and
                    128,636 shares outstanding, respectively.

    (c)            Excludes amortization included in Interest expense, net.

    (d)             Segment Adjusted EBITDA excludes (i) depreciation and amortization and
                    (ii) losses on asset disposals and impairments. The costs of all
                    corporate departments that serve the respective segment are fully
                    allocated, other than non-cash share-based compensation expense.
                    The Company does not allocate amounts reported below Operating income
                    to its reportable segments, other than equity loss in its equity
                    method investees. The Company's definition of Segment Adjusted EBITDA
                    may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other
                    companies.

    (e)             Amounts include equity in the losses of equity method investees for
                    the three months ended April 1, 2017 and April 2, 2016 of $260 and
                    $1,241, respectively.

    (f)             Amounts represent Other expense, net as shown above, net of foreign
                    currency transaction adjustment of $(1,665) and equity in the losses
                    of equity method investees of $260 for the three months ended April
                    1, 2017 and Other expense, net as shown above, net of foreign
                    currency transaction adjustment of $(1,135) and equity in the losses
                    of equity method investees of $1,241 for the three months ended April
                    2, 2016.

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