Kontoor Brands Reports 2024 Second Quarter Results; Raises Full Year Outlook

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Revenue of $607 million decreased 1 percent compared to prior year
• Reported gross margin was 44.7 percent. Adjusted gross margin was 45.2 percent and increased 420 basis points compared to prior year
• Reported EPS was $0.92. Adjusted EPS of $0.98 increased 27 percent compared to prior year
• Inventory decreased 22 percent compared to prior year
• The Company repurchased $25 million of shares and made a $25 million voluntary term loan payment
• The Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share

Updated Full Year 2024 Financial Outlook

• Revenue is expected to be in the range of $2.57 to $2.63 billion, representing a decrease of 1 percent to an increase of 1 percent, consistent with the prior outlook
• Adjusted gross margin is now expected to approximate 44.8 percent (44.6 percent prior), representing an increase of 230 basis points compared to the prior year on an adjusted basis, excluding the out-of-period duty charge in that period
• Adjusted operating income is now expected to be at the higher end of the prior range of $377 to $387 million, representing an increase of 10 to 11 percent compared to the prior year on an adjusted basis, excluding the out-of-period duty charge in that period. Adjusted operating income includes $6 million of incremental demand creation investment in both the Wrangler^® and Lee^® brands compared to the prior outlook
• Adjusted EPS is now expected to approximate $4.80 ($4.70 to $4.80 prior), representing an increase of 8 percent compared to the prior year on an adjusted basis, excluding the out-of-period duty charge in that period. Adjusted EPS includes an $0.08 impact from incremental demand creation investment compared to the prior outlook
• Cash from operations is now expected to exceed $350 million (exceed $335 million prior)

GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE: KTB), a global lifestyle apparel company, with a portfolio led by two of the world’s most iconic consumer brands, Wrangler^® and Lee^®, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 29, 2024.

“We delivered second quarter results that exceeded our expectations driven by higher revenue, stronger gross margin expansion and cash flow generation,” said Scott Baxter, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Kontoor Brands. “Our fundamentals continue to improve, providing us with significant optionality to drive long-term value while returning more than $100 million to shareholders year-to-date. We are carrying great momentum into the second half of the year and are raising our outlook, including the impact of additional demand creation investments that will support profitable growth for the balance of the year and beyond.”

Second Quarter 2024 Income Statement Review

Revenue was $607 million and decreased 1 percent compared to the prior year. The revenue decline was driven by retailer inventory management actions in the U.S., the anticipated decrease in revenue from seasonal product and lower international revenue, partially offset by growth in direct-to-consumer, as well as an approximate 2-point benefit from the earlier timing of shipments in U.S. wholesale from the third quarter into the second quarter.

U.S. revenue was $496 million and decreased 1 percent compared to the prior year. Growth in direct-to-consumer was more than offset by a 1 percent decline in wholesale revenue due to reduced shipments as retailers tightly managed inventory levels.

International revenue was $111 million, a 6 percent decrease (5 percent decrease in constant currency) compared to the prior year. Europe decreased 5 percent, with 3 percent growth in direct-to-consumer (4 percent growth in constant currency) more than offset by an 8 percent decline in wholesale. Asia decreased 13 percent (10 percent decrease in constant currency), with a 26 percent decrease in wholesale (24 percent decrease in constant currency) partially offset by a 4 percent increase in direct-to-consumer (8 percent increase in constant currency). Non-U.S. Americas increased 2 percent (3 percent increase in constant currency) driven by growth in wholesale. International direct-to-consumer increased 3 percent (5 percent increase in constant currency), with 25 percent growth in digital (28 percent growth in constant currency) partially offset by an 11 percent decrease in owned brick-and-mortar stores (9 percent decrease in constant currency).

Wrangler brand global revenue was $429 million, a 1 percent increase compared to the prior year. Wrangler U.S. revenue was flat, with 10 percent growth in direct-to-consumer offset by a 1 percent decline in wholesale. Wrangler international revenue increased 7 percent, driven by 13 percent growth in direct-to-consumer (14 percent growth in constant currency) and 6 percent growth in wholesale.

Lee brand global revenue was $175 million, a 7 percent decrease (6 percent decrease in constant currency) compared to the prior year. Lee U.S. revenue decreased 3 percent driven by reduced shipments to the wholesale channel and a decline in direct-to-consumer. Lee international revenue decreased 13 percent (11 percent decrease in constant currency) driven by a decline in wholesale, partially offset by growth in direct-to-consumer.

Gross margin increased 410 basis points to 44.7 percent on a reported basis and increased 420 basis points to 45.2 percent on an adjusted basis compared to the prior year. Adjusted gross margin expansion was driven by the benefits from lower product costs, improved product mix and proactive supply chain efficiencies, partially offset by lower pricing.

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses were $196 million or 32.3 percent of revenue on a reported basis. On an adjusted basis, SG&A expenses were $195 million, or 32.1 percent of revenue, representing an increase of 8 percent compared to the prior year. Investments in direct-to-consumer and technology were partially offset by lower distribution and freight expense.

Operating income was $75 million on a reported basis. On an adjusted basis, operating income was $80 million and increased 10 percent compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating margin of 13.1 percent increased 140 basis points compared to the prior year.

Earnings per share (EPS) was $0.92 on a reported basis. On an adjusted basis, EPS was $0.98 compared to adjusted EPS of $0.77 in the prior year, representing an increase of 27 percent.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity Review

The Company ended the second quarter with $224 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $750 million in long-term debt.

Inventory at the end of the second quarter was $488 million, down 22 percent compared to the prior year.

As of the end of the second quarter, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and $494 million available for borrowing against this facility. During the second quarter, the Company made a $25 million voluntary payment against its outstanding term loan.

As previously announced, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share, payable on September 20, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2024.

Consistent with a commitment to return cash to shareholders, the Company repurchased $25 million of common stock during the second quarter. When combined with the strong dividend, the Company returned a total of $53 million to shareholders during the second quarter and $101 million year-to-date. The Company has $255 million remaining under its authorized share repurchase program.

Updated 2024 Outlook

“We are raising our full year outlook driven by better-than-expected second quarter results and increased confidence in the balance of the year,” said Scott Baxter, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Kontoor Brands. “To fuel our momentum, we are making incremental investments in both brands starting in the third quarter to support accelerating revenue, expanding distribution and category growth, as well as continued market share gains. While we will continue to manage the business conservatively in light of the uncertain environment, in the second half of the year we expect accelerating revenue growth, double-digit operating earnings growth, and significant cash generation.”

The Company’s updated 2024 outlook includes the following:

• Revenue is expected to be in the range of $2.57 to $2.63 billion, reflecting a decrease of 1 percent to an increase of 1 percent compared to the prior year, consistent with the prior outlook. The Company continues to expect market share gains, growth from channel and category expansion, and expanded distribution to be offset by conservative retailer inventory management and macroeconomic pressures on consumer spending around the globe.
  
  The Company continues to expect second half revenue to increase at a mid-single digit rate compared to the prior year, excluding the approximate 2-point impact from the earlier timing of shipments from the third quarter into the second quarter. In the third quarter, the Company expects revenue of approximately $660 million, reflecting growth of 1 percent. The Company expects mid-single digit revenue growth in the fourth quarter.

• Adjusted gross margin is now expected to approximate 44.8 percent, representing an increase of 230 basis points compared to adjusted gross margin in the prior year, excluding the out-of-period duty expense in that period. This compares to the prior outlook of approximately 44.6 percent. Gross margin expansion is driven by the benefits of favorable mix, lower product costs and proactive supply chain efficiencies.
  
  In the third quarter, the Company expects adjusted gross margin of approximately 44.3 percent, representing an increase of approximately 100 basis points compared to the prior year, excluding the out-of-period duty expense in that period. The Company expects fourth quarter adjusted gross margin to approximate 44.3 percent, representing an increase of approximately 120 basis points compared to prior year adjusted gross margin, excluding the out-of-period duty expense in that period.

• Adjusted SG&A is expected to increase approximately 4 percent compared to adjusted SG&A in the prior year, including an incremental $6 million demand creation investment compared with the prior outlook. The Company will continue to invest in its brands and capabilities in support of long-term profitable growth, including demand creation, direct-to-consumer and international expansion.

• Adjusted operating income is now expected to be at the higher end of the prior range of $377 to $387 million, including an incremental $6 million demand creation investment, reflecting an increase of between 10 and 11 percent compared to adjusted operating income in the prior year, excluding the out-of-period duty expense in that period.
  
  The Company expects adjusted operating income of approximately $210 million in the second half of the year, including an incremental $5 million of demand creation investment, representing a double-digit increase compared to adjusted operating income in the prior year, excluding the out-of-period duty expense in that period.

• Adjusted EPS is now expected to approximate $4.80 compared to the prior outlook of $4.70 to $4.80, including an incremental $0.08 impact from demand creation investment compared with the prior outlook. Excluding the out-of-period duty expense in the prior year, adjusted EPS is now expected to increase 8 percent compared to the prior outlook of a 6 to 8 percent increase.
  
  Full year 2024 adjusted EPS includes an approximate 5-percentage point headwind from a higher tax rate, including a 12-percentage point headwind in the second half of the year.
  
  In the third quarter, the Company expects adjusted EPS of approximately $1.25.

• Capital Expenditures are now expected to be approximately $35 million.

• For the full year, the Company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 20 percent. Interest expense is expected to approximate $35 million. Other Expense is expected to be in the range of $12 million to $14 million. Average shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 57 million, excluding the impact of any future share repurchases.

• The Company now expects cash flow from operations to exceed $350 million driven by the combination of accelerated earnings growth and a continued normalization of inventory. This compares to the prior outlook of cash flow from operations to exceed $335 million.

• The Company’s outlook does not yet reflect the anticipated impact of Project Jeanius.

This release refers to “adjusted” amounts from 2024 and 2023 and “constant currency” amounts, which are further described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below. Unless otherwise noted, “reported” and “constant currency” amounts are the same. As previously disclosed, full year 2023 results included a $14 million duty charge related to prior years. All per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis. Amounts as presented herein may not recalculate due to the use of unrounded numbers.

Webcast Information

Kontoor Brands will host its second quarter 2024 conference call beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today, August 1, 2024. The conference will be broadcast live via the Internet, accessible at https://www.kontoorbrands.com/investors. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archived version will be available at the same location.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Amounts - This release refers to “adjusted” amounts. Adjustments during 2024 represent charges related to business optimization activities and actions to streamline and transfer select production within our internal manufacturing network. Adjustments during 2023 represent charges related to strategic actions taken by the Company to drive efficiencies in our operations, which included reducing our global workforce, streamlining and transferring select production within our internal manufacturing network and globalizing our operating model. Additional information regarding adjusted amounts is provided in notes to the supplemental financial information included with this release.

Constant Currency - This release refers to “reported” amounts in accordance with GAAP, which include translation and transactional impacts from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. This release also refers to “constant currency” amounts, which exclude the translation impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are presented in the supplemental financial information included with this release that identifies and quantifies all reconciling adjustments and provides management's view of why this non-GAAP information is useful to investors. While management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating the business, this information should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternate for, reported results under GAAP. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company in this release may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

For forward-looking non-GAAP measures included in this filing, the Company does not provide a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because the information needed to reconcile these measures is unavailable due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing and/or amount of various items that have not yet occurred and have been excluded from adjusted measures. Additionally, estimating such GAAP measures and providing a meaningful reconciliation consistent with the Company’s accounting policies for future periods requires a level of precision that is unavailable for these future periods and cannot be accomplished without unreasonable effort.

About Kontoor Brands

Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE: KTB) is a global lifestyle apparel company, with a portfolio led by two of the world’s most iconic consumer brands: Wrangler^® and Lee^®. Kontoor designs, manufactures, distributes, and licenses superior high-quality products that look good and fit right, giving people around the world the freedom and confidence to express themselves. Kontoor Brands is a purpose-led organization focused on leveraging its global platform, strategic sourcing model and best-in-class supply chain to drive brand growth and deliver long-term value for its stakeholders. For more information about Kontoor Brands, please visit www.KontoorBrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this release and attachments are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve several risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “should,” “may” and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as required under the U.S. federal securities laws. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to: macroeconomic conditions, including elevated interest rates, inflation, recessionary concerns and fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, as well as continuing global supply chain issues and geopolitical events, continue to adversely impact global economic conditions and have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows (including future uncertain impacts); the level of consumer demand for apparel; reliance on a small number of large customers; supply chain and shipping disruptions, which could continue to result in shipping delays, an increase in transportation costs and increased product costs or lost sales; intense industry competition; the ability to accurately forecast demand for products; the Company’s ability to gauge consumer preferences and product trends, and to respond to constantly changing markets; the Company’s ability to maintain the images of its brands; increasing pressure on margins; e-commerce operations through the Company’s direct-to-consumer business; the financial difficulty experienced by the retail industry; possible goodwill and other asset impairment; the ability to implement the Company’s business strategy; the stability of manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; fluctuations in wage rates and the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products; the reliance on a limited number of suppliers for raw material sourcing and the ability to obtain raw materials on a timely basis or in sufficient quantity or quality; disruption to distribution systems; seasonality; unseasonal or severe weather conditions; the Company's and its vendors’ ability to maintain the strength and security of information technology systems; the risk that facilities and systems and those of third-party service providers may be vulnerable to and unable to anticipate or detect data security breaches and data or financial loss or maintain operational performance; ability to properly collect, use, manage and secure consumer and employee data; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets and its impact on the Company's ability to obtain short-term or long-term financing on favorable terms; legal, regulatory, political and economic risks; changes to trade policy, including tariff and import/export regulations; the impact of climate change and related legislative and regulatory responses; compliance with anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws by the Company and third-party suppliers and manufacturers; changes in tax laws and liabilities; the costs of compliance with or the violation of national, state and local laws and regulations for environmental, consumer protection, employment, privacy, safety and other matters; continuity of members of management; labor relations; the ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; the ability of the Company’s licensees to generate expected sales and maintain the value of the Company’s brands; the Company maintaining satisfactory credit ratings; restrictions on the Company’s business relating to its debt obligations; volatility in the price and trading volume of the Company’s common stock; anti-takeover provisions in the Company’s organizational documents; and fluctuations in the amount and frequency of our share repurchases. Many of the foregoing risks and uncertainties will be exacerbated by any worsening of the global business and economic environment.

More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results are described in detail in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports and statements that the Company files with the SEC.

Basis of presentation for all financial tables within this release: The Company operates and reports using a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31 each year. For presentation purposes herein, all references to periods ended June 2024 and June 2023 correspond to the 13-week and 26-week fiscal periods ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023, respectively. References to June 2024, December 2023 and June 2023 relate to the balance sheets as of June 29, 2024, December 30, 2023 and July 1, 2023, respectively. Amounts herein may not recalculate due to the use of unrounded numbers.

Constant Currency Financial Information

The Company is a global company that reports financial information in U.S. dollars in accordance with GAAP. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations affect the amounts reported by the Company from translating its foreign revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars. These rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on reported operating results. As a supplement to our reported operating results, we present constant currency financial information, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes the impact of translating foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. We use constant currency information to provide a framework to assess how our business performed excluding the effects of changes in the rates used to calculate foreign currency translation. Management believes this information is useful to investors to facilitate comparison of operating results and better identify trends in our businesses.

To calculate foreign currency translation on a constant currency basis, operating results for the current year period for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the comparable period of the prior year (rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the current year period).

These constant currency performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, reported results under GAAP. The constant currency information presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Non-GAAP Financial Information: The financial information above has been presented on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted basis. EBIT, EBITDA and adjusted presentations are non-GAAP measures. See “Notes to Supplemental Financial Information - Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures" at the end of this document. Amounts herein may not recalculate due to the use of unrounded numbers.

Non-GAAP Financial Information: The financial information above has been presented on a GAAP basis and on an adjusted basis. These adjusted presentations are non-GAAP measures. See “Notes to Supplemental Financial Information - Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures" at the end of this document.

Non-GAAP Financial Information: The financial information above has been presented on a GAAP basis and on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Business Segment Information – Constant Currency Basis (Non-GAAP)" for additional information on constant currency financial calculations.

Non-GAAP Financial Information: Adjusted return on invested capital ("ROIC") is a non-GAAP measure. We believe this metric is useful in assessing the effectiveness of our capital allocation over time. ROIC may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies. Amounts herein may not recalculate due to the use of unrounded numbers.

KONTOOR BRANDS, INC.
Supplemental Financial Information
Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures - Notes (Non-GAAP)
(Unaudited)

Notes to Supplemental Financial Information - Reconciliation of Adjusted Financial Measures

Management uses non-GAAP financial measures internally in its budgeting and review process and, in some cases, as a factor in determining compensation. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is a key financial measure for the Company's shareholders and financial leaders, as the Company's debt financing agreements require the measurement of adjusted EBITDA, along with other measures, in connection with the Company's compliance with debt covenants. While management believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating the business, this information should be considered supplemental in nature and should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternate for, reported results under GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP measures may be different from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

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Investors:
Michael Karapetian, (336) 332-4263
Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy, and Investor Relations
Michael.Karapetian@kontoorbrands.com
or
Media:
Julia Burge, (336) 332-5122
Director, External Communications
Julia.Burge@kontoorbrands.com

Source: Kontoor Brands, Inc.