PUMA SE: Strong Sales and EBIT Growth continues in the third Quarter

QUARTERLY STATEMENT Q3 2017

Strong Sales and EBIT growth continues in the Third Quarter
Upgrade of the Full-Year Guidance for 2017
 

Herzogenaurach, October 24, 2017
 

2017 Third Quarter Facts

- Sales increase by 17% currency adjusted to EUR 1,122 million (+13% reported) with double-digit growth in all regions

- Gross profit margin up by 230 basis points to 48.1%

- Operating expenses (OPEX) increases by 11% driven by higher marketing, selling and retail expenses

- Operating result (EBIT) rises to EUR 101 million (last year: EUR 60 million)

- PUMA partners with singer, actress and social media icon Selena Gomez

- The new PUMA ONE collection drives improved Football sell-through

2017 Nine Month Facts

- Sales up by 16% currency adjusted to EUR 3,096 million (+16% reported), with all regions showing double-digit growth and footwear being the main growth driver

- Gross profit margin up 120 basis points at 47.3%

- Operating leverage with operating expenses (OPEX) increasing by only 12%

- Operating result (EBIT) improves to EUR 215 million (last year: EUR 114 million)

- Net earnings almost doubled from EUR 67 million last year to EUR 134 million and earnings per share increase from EUR 4.48 last year to EUR 8.94 respectively

- PUMA footwear styles "BASKET HEART" and "IGNITE Limitless" continued to be popular with customers

- Women's business further strengthened through second Rihanna collection this year, launched in September

Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer of PUMA SE:
"The third quarter was another good quarter for us with double-digit growth in all regions and strong growth in all product segments. With gross profit margin exceeding our expectations and a continued focus on operating expenses, we were able to deliver a very positive and better than expected operating result (EBIT). This development in the third quarter combined with a good orderbook for the fourth quarter made us raise the outlook for the full year. We now expect currency adjusted sales to increase between 14% and 16% and the operating result (EBIT) to come in between
EUR 235 million and EUR 245 million."

Third Quarter 2017

PUMA's sales growth continued in the third quarter of 2017. Sales rose by 17.4% currency-adjusted to EUR 1,121.8 million (+13.3% reported), compared to EUR 990.2 million in the previous year. All regions supported the sales growth showing a double-digit increase. Footwear continued to be the main growth driver and Accessories also increased double-digit, while Apparel grew at a more modest rate.

The gross profit margin improved by 230 basis points from 45.8% to 48.1% in the third quarter. Further improvements in sourcing, higher sales of new products with a higher margin and selective price adjustments helped to improve the gross profit margin despite negative currency impacts.

Operating expenses (OPEX) grew by 11.4% to EUR 442.6 million in the third quarter. The increase was driven by higher marketing, selling and retail expenses, while costs for other operating functions grew only moderately.

The operating result (EBIT) increased from EUR 60.3 million last year to EUR 101.2 million due to strong sales growth combined with an improved gross profit margin.

Net earnings rose from EUR 39.5 million to EUR 62.1 million and earnings per share increased correspondingly from EUR 2.64 to EUR 4.16 in the third quarter.
 

Nine Months 2017

Sales for the nine-month period increased by 16.4% currency adjusted to EUR 3,095.6 million (+16.0% reported) and were above expectations. All regions showed double-digit growth with Footwear being the main growth driver. Major gains were achieved by the Running and Training and Sportstyle categories, with Platform, Suede, BASKET HEART, FIERCE and IGNITE Limitless footwear styles performing well.

Including eCommerce, PUMA's own and operated retail sales rose by 22.0% currency adjusted to EUR 673.0 million. This represents a share of 21.7% of total sales for the nine-month period (20.6% in the previous year). The performance was achieved by positive like-for-like growth in our existing retail stores, opening of new stores and strong growth in our eCommerce business.

The gross profit margin improved by 120 basis points from 46.1% to 47.3% in the first nine months of 2017. The increase of the gross profit margin, despite the negative currency impacts, was driven by further improvements in sourcing, higher sales of new products with a higher margin and selective price adjustments.

Operating expenses (OPEX) rose by 11.7% and amounted to EUR 1,260.3 million. The increase was due to higher sales-related variable costs, intensified marketing activities and investments in own retail stores. Costs for other operating functions grew only moderately.

The operating result (EBIT) improved from EUR 113.5 million last year to EUR 214.8 million in the first nine months of 2017. This development underlines the improved operating performance, with strong sales growth, a higher gross profit margin and an improved operating leverage.

Net earnings in the first nine months almost doubled and came in at EUR 133.6 million (last year: EUR 67.0 million). This result translates into earnings per share of EUR 8.94 compared to EUR 4.48 last year.
 

Working Capital

Despite the double-digit sales growth and a higher number of owned and operated retail stores, PUMA's working capital increased only modestly to EUR 762.8 million, an increase of 4.3%. Inventories were up 11.3% at EUR 795.8 million in order to ensure product availability, to support further growth and to meet the increased need for products due to our additional retail stores. Trade receivables rose by 16.0% to EUR 677.4 million and trade payables were up 20.6% to EUR 580.5 million.
 

Outlook 2017

In light of the strong third-quarter increase in sales and profitability as well as the positive business outlook for the fourth quarter of 2017, PUMA raises the full-year guidance for its consolidated sales, gross profit margin, operating expenses and operating result (EBIT).
The Management now expects that currency adjusted sales will increase between 14% and 16% (previous guidance: currency adjusted increase between 12% and 14%). The gross profit margin is now anticipated to improve to approx. 46.5% (previous guidance: approx. 46.0%). Due to the expected increase in sales, the Management now foresees operating expenses (OPEX) to increase at a low double-digit percentage rate (previous guidance: increase at a high single-digit percentage rate). As a consequence, the operating result (EBIT) is now anticipated to come in between
EUR 235 million and EUR 245 million (previous guidance: between EUR 205 million and EUR 215 million). In line with the previous guidance, the Management still expects that net earnings will improve significantly in 2017.

February 9, 2017 Financial Results FY 2016

April 12, 2017 Annual General Meeting

April 25, 2017 Quarterly Statement Q1 2017

July 26, 2017 Interim Report Q2 2017

October 24, 2017 Quarterly Statement Q3 2017

The financial releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at "about.puma.com".

Media Relations:

Kerstin Neuber - Corporate Communications - PUMA SE - +49 9132 81 2984 - kerstin.neuber@puma.com

Investor Relations:

Johan-Philip Kuhlo - Head of Investor Relations - PUMA SE - +49 9132 81 2589 - investor-relations@puma.com

Notes to the editors:

- The financial reports are posted on www.about.puma.com.

- PUMA SE stock symbol:

Reuters: PUMG.DE, Bloomberg: PUM GY,
Börse Frankfurt: ISIN: DE0006969603- WKN: 696960

Notes relating to forward-looking statements:
This document contains forward-looking statements about the Company's future financial status and strategic initiatives. The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the management team. These are subject to a certain level of risk and uncertainty including, but not limited to those described above or in other disclosures, in particular in the chapter Risk and Opportunity Management in the Group Management Report. In the event that the expectations and the assumptions do not materialize or unforeseen risks arise, the Company's actual results can differ significantly from expectations. Therefore, we cannot assume responsibility for the correctness of these statements.

PUMA is one of the world's leading Sports Brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For over 65 years, PUMA has established a history of making fast product designs for the fastest athletes on the planet. PUMA offers performance and sport-­inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Golf, and Motorsports. It engages in exciting collaborations with renowned design brands to bring innovative and fast designs to the sports world. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and Dobotex. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 10,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com