Billabong International : FY16 Media Release

• Total Group sales were $1.1 billion, up 4.6% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) and down 1.4% on a constant currency (cc) basis.

• The Group's big three brands continued to grow in global wholesale equivalent revenue (including sales to own retail) - up in total by 5.3% for the year. Billabong was up 1.9%, Element 5.3% and RVCA 18.1% on a cc basis.

• Comparable total retail revenues (including comparable Brick & Mortar and ecommerce) were up 1.8% (cc) for the year including an increase of 52% in global ecommerce sales.

• Significant progress was made in reducing excess inventory in the Americas, down

  $20 million in the last six months and now largely back in line with the prior period.

• EBITDA grew in Europe for the third consecutive year, APAC overcame most of a

  $12 million increase in product cost as a result of a lower AUD, and the Americas performed better in the second half compared to the first half.

• Including significant items, Net Loss After Tax for full-year to 30 June 2016 was

  $23.7 million.

• Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) excluding significant items and discontinued operations was $57.5 million, compared to $65.7 million in the pcp.

"Against a backdrop of global uncertainty and industry change, we continue to focus on the levers within our control, including inventories, initiatives to lift margins, cost of doing business (CODB) and quality distribution. Inventories are back in line, we've become more efficient and we are building the global platforms that will help our brands grow and expand operating margins over time.

"Our strategy is to create strong global brands with tight distribution and an Omni platform that integrates wholesale, retail stores, ecommerce and social media. That's the way our consumer wants to shop. In an industry in transition, we believe our strategy is right and positions us well," he said.

The Group's strategy has led the big three brands of Billabong, Element and RVCA to deliver an increase in total sales, including to own retail, of 5.3% on a constant currency basis in 2016.

Underpinning this approach has been an investment in global brand structures and platforms, marketing and design, and new advocates and athletes which have delivered a significant lift in consumer engagement. The rapid growth in social media followers demonstrates the big three brands have tremendous customer loyalty. The Omni platform will put customers, and the way they want to shop, at the heart of the business and in turn drive revenue improvement.

The big three brands combined, including advocates and athletes, have more than 26 million followers on social media.

In the last year brand Billabong increased followers across all major social media platforms by 16%. Including advocates and athletes it now has a social media following in excess of

12.2 million. RVCA's following is up 22% and Element's is up 31% in the last year.

In the core surf specialty channel brand Billabong continues to widen its lead in both the United States and Australia, as independently evaluated by Action Watch.

In 2016 Billabong has one of its largest ever teams on the World Surf League (WSL) Tour with Courtney Conlogue currently ranked number two in the world, and Jack Freestone and Ryan Callinan joining the men's circuit. Emerging talent includes Women's World Junior Champion, Isabella Nichols, and current number two on the WSL Qualifying Series, Ethan Ewing, along with a range of promising juniors coming through the Bloodlines program.

Element lifted sales globally by 5.3%. The brand this month launched a store adjacent to one of the best new skate parks in America in Boise Idaho and athletes such as seven time X Games gold medalist Nyjah Huston continue to drive Element's profile. With skate joining surfing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the brand's appeal is set to spread to an even wider global audience.

RVCA is beginning to show its global potential. In the Americas sales growth remained robust, whilst in Asia Pacific sales (including to owned retail) grew 40% (cc) (up by $5.2 million), with strong growth in both wholesale and retail. In Australia, the brand is now firmly established including a pleasing performance from its recently opened Byron Bay store. In Europe sales growth was 25%. RVCA is performing strongly in the Group's own stores in every region.

Net Loss After Tax, including significant items and discontinued businesses, was $23.7 million compared to a profit of $4.2 million for the pcp. More than two thirds of the decline related to higher tax expense. Tax expense of $7.8 million this year compared to a $12.2 million tax credit in the pcp represents a change of $20 million year on year. This is not representative of the Group's income tax payments which increased less than $1 million to

$3.1 million for the year.

EBITDA excluding significant items and discontinued operations, a key indicator of operating performance, was $57.5 million, down from $65.7 million in the pcp.

For the second six months of the year EBITDA excluding significant items and discontinued operations was $20.3 million, down from $22.9 million in the pcp.

Comparable gross margins declined 2% reflecting, in Asia Pacific and Europe, the increased cost of goods compared to the pcp from the relative higher US dollar and, in the Americas, the requirement for higher markdowns to reduce excess inventory. Importantly, the second half showed improvements in the decline in comparable gross margin, abating from 260 bps in the first half to 160 bps in the second half. It is anticipated that margins will improve over the course of the next financial year.

In the Americas, excess inventory has reduced by $20 million during the last six months, and is now largely back in line with pcp.

The Group achieved a material reduction in CODB of $19 million (cc) or 110 basis points for the year.

The Company completed and announced the sale of Sector 9 in June 2016. Because of its size, Sector 9 did not satisfy the conditions of AASB 5 to be disclosed as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, Sector 9 results up to the time of sale are included in the Group's continuing operations. Sector 9 contributed negative EBITDA of $1.1 million in the year to 30 June 2016, compared to positive EBITDA of $3.4 million (cc) in the pcp.

AUD millions

(as reported)

(constant currency)

1,096.9 1, 063.8

1. Excluding Surfstitch, Swell, and excluding Significant items. Includes Sector 9.

2. Including Surfstitch, Swell, pre disposal; and excluding Significant items. Includes Sector 9.

In the Americas, EBITDA before global allocations was $31.6 million for the year, a decline of $10.1 million on the pcp, or $13.9 million on a constant currency basis. The majority of this decline occurred in the first half of the year. The result includes a $4.4 million reduction in EBITDA from Sector 9 which was sold in June 2016.

Comparable gross margins declined 2.0% for the year due to the effect of clearing excess inventory bought in the first half of the year. At the end of December 2015 the Americas' inventory levels were $25 million higher than the prior year, whereas by the end of the year comparable inventory was just $2 million higher than June 2015 (cc).

Total comparable direct to consumer revenues (comparable Brick & Mortar plus ecommerce) increased slightly with ecommerce growing 24.9% (cc), whilst comparable store sales fell 6% (cc) for the year.

Total external wholesale revenues fell 2.7% for the year, weighed down by Sector 9, although this also includes an increase in low margin sales as excess inventory was cleared.