The adidas-Salomon Group reported fourth quarter and full year 2002 results for the period ending December 31, 2002.
In the fourth quarter of 2002, adidas-Salomon net sales grew 8% to euro 1.5 billion (2001: euro 1.4 billion). On a currency-neutral basis, this is an increase of 17%. Gross margin was up 0.9 percentage points versus the prior year to 42.5% (2001: 41.6%). Q4 operating profit improved by 21% to euro 66 million in 2002 (2001: euro 55 million). Net income reached euro 29 million. This equates to basic earnings per share of euro 0.64 and represents an increase of 21% versus the prior year (2001: euro 24 million, or euro 0.53 per share).
Consolidated net sales for the adidas-Salomon Group grew 7% to reach euro 6.5 billion in 2002 (2001: euro 6.1 billion). On a currency-neutral basis, sales were up 11%.
adidas-Salomon Chairman and CEO Herbert Hainer stated: “2002 was another great year for adidas-Salomon. All of our strategic efforts have paid off in superior financial performance. Despite challenging market conditions, we achieved a currency-neutral sales increase of 11% for the Group. We further strengthened our gross margin and, most importantly, our bottom-line earnings grew 10%.”
TaylorMade-adidas Golf again posted the most substantial gains, with sales up 30% (+37% currency-neutral) to euro 707 million in 2002 (2001: euro 545 million). This increase reflects the strength of new product introductions, in particular the R500 Series drivers, as well as the first-time inclusion of Maxfli and Slazenger Golf revenues. adidas sales grew 6% (+10% currency-neutral) to euro 5.1 billion (2001: euro 4.8 billion). Contributors to this growth were new Sport Performance footwear technologies ClimaCool(R) and a3(R), basketball category sales which grew nearly 50% year-over-year as well as continued double-digit growth in the Sport Heritage division. Salomon sales declined 4% (-1% currency-neutral) to euro 684 million in 2002 (2001: euro 714 million) mainly as a result of poor winter conditions and weak inline skate sales.
Asia was again the fastest growing region for the Group in 2002. Sales increased 16% to reach euro 1.2 billion (2001: euro 1.0 billion). On a currency-neutral basis, this increase was +23%.
adidas sales were up 20%, helped by vigorous growth in Japan resulting from the 2002 FIFA World Cup(TM). TaylorMade-adidas Golf again grew strongly (+24%) with substantial sales increases coming from South Korea.
In North America, sales for the Group grew 8% to euro 2.0 billion (2001: euro 1.8 billion). On a currency-neutral basis, this represents a 14% increase. Sales at TaylorMade-adidas Golf increased most significantly, up 32%. At brand adidas, sales grew 4% (+10% currency- neutral). This confirms the turnaround of adidas America, where sales growth was positive for the first time in four years.
Sales for adidas-Salomon in Europe grew 4% (+5% currency-neutral) to euro 3.2 billion in 2002 (2001: euro 3.1 billion), with all brands contributing to this positive development.
In Latin America, where revenues are generated predominately by brand adidas, sales declined 9% in 2002 to euro 163 million (2001: euro 178 million). However, this was due to the negative currency developments in the region. On a currency-neutral basis, sales actually grew 31% as a result of higher sales in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. Salomon and TaylorMade-adidas Golf, while only minor components in overall sales, continued to grow rapidly on a currency-neutral basis.
Net sales of footwear within the adidas-Salomon Group grew 8% year-over-year to reach euro 2.9 billion (2001: euro 2.7 billion). The strongest increases came from the adidas Sport Performance basketball and football categories as well as the Sport Heritage division, where sales were up 36%, 15% and 22% respectively. Hardware sales, which primarily come from the TaylorMade and Salomon brands, again recorded the strongest growth among product categories in 2002, up 11% to euro 1.4 billion (2001: euro 1.3 billion). Increases in this area came primarily from positive growth rates at TaylorMade-adidas Golf as a result of the strong introduction of the R500 Series drivers as well as the first-time inclusion of Maxfli and Slazenger Golf sales. Apparel sales grew 3% to euro 2.3 billion in 2002 (2001: euro 2.2 billion). This represents 35% of total Group sales. Apparel growth drivers were the adidas Sport Performance football and basketball categories, where sales improved 35% and 101% respectively.
The adidas-Salomon gross margin grew 0.7 percentage points from 42.6% in 2001 to 43.2% in 2002. This was above the 41 to 43% target range communicated by Management at the beginning of 2002. As a result, gross profit rose 8% to euro 2.8 billion (2001: euro 2.6 billion).
Operating expenses, including selling, general and administrative expenses
(SG&A) and depreciation and amortization (without goodwill), grew 10% to
euro 2.3 billion (2001: euro 2.1 billion). As a percentage of net sales this
equates to 35.9%, which is 1.1 percentage points higher than the previous
year’s level. The increase was expected and communicated, and it reflects the
incremental expenses related to key strategic initiatives, including marketing
expenses for the 2002 FIFA World Cup(TM), the expansion of adidas own-retail
activities and start-up costs associated with the purchase of the remaining
shares of adidas Italy.
Net income for the Group increased 10% from euro 208 million in 2001 to euro 229 million in 2002. This result is at the top end of the Group’s targeted earnings range. Earnings per share were euro 5.04 versus euro 4.60 in 2001.
adidas order backlogs at the end of 2002 grew 6% versus the prior year. On a currency-neutral basis, this increase was 14%. This represents the highest year-end order backlog growth rate in four years. Orders in Europe were up 10% (+12% currency-neutral), representing the highest year-end backlog growth since 1997. In North America, backlogs were down 3% in euro terms versus the prior year, but up 15% on a currency-neutral basis, highlighting the strong devaluation of the US dollar over the last year. In Asia, orders were up 11% in euro terms, or 22% on a currency-neutral basis.
Net borrowings at December 31, 2002 were euro 1.5 billion, down 11% or euro 181 million versus euro 1.7 billion in the prior year. This represents the Group’s lowest debt level in five years. Positive currency effects influenced Group borrowing levels, contributing roughly half of the improvement. Excluding these effects, net borrowings were reduced in line with Management targets despite the Group’s strategic participation in Bayern Munich as well as the purchase of ArcTeryx, the buyout of the remaining shares of adidas Italy and the acquisition of Salomon Danmark ApS.
As a result of the focused working capital reduction initiatives undertaken throughout 2002, inventories were reduced by 7% from euro 1.3 billion in 2001 to euro 1.2 billion in 2002. On a currency-neutral basis, inventories increased 1%, which is significantly lower than year-end backlog growth. Receivables were up 3% to euro 1.3 billion versus euro 1.3 billion in the prior year. On a currency-neutral basis, receivables increased by 14%. This growth is well below the currency-neutral fourth quarter sales growth and reflects strict discipline in the Group’s trade terms management.
After paying a dividend of euro 0.92 per share in each of the last three years, the adidas-Salomon Executive and Supervisory Boards will recommend a dividend of euro 1.00 per share for the 2002 fiscal year at the Annual General Meeting on May 8, 2003. With a total payout of approximately euro 45 million the proposal represents a payout ratio of 20%. This is at the top end of the Group’s dividend policy, which recommends a payout ratio of between 15 and 20% of consolidated net income.
In 2003, adidas-Salomon aims to deliver healthy top-line growth of around 5% on a currency-neutral basis. Growth is expected to come from all regions. In particular, double-digit currency-neutral sales increases in North America and Asia will be major contributors. Gross margin is expected to be between 42 and 43%. This represents a tighter range than in the last two years and reflects Management’s confidence in the Group’s ability to continue to improve its product mix and increase its proportion of adidas own-retail sales going forward. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales are expected to decline in 2003. As a result, operating margin is expected to improve. Based on these positive developments, adidas-Salomon is targeting 10 to 15% earnings growth for 2003.
Herbert Hainer continued: “While we have done many things right in 2002, it’s now time to go even further. In 2003, we expect to grow sales and profitability in all regions. We have a passion for sport and a clear mission: to be the global leader in the sporting goods industry.”
adidas - Salomon
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (IFRS)
4th QUARTER 2002
Change
(EUROS IN MILLIONS) 2002 2001 2002/2001
NET SALES 1,511 1,395 8.3%
COST OF SALES 869 815 6.7%
GROSS PROFIT 642 581 10.6%
(% OF NET SALES) 42.5% 41.6% 0.9PP
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 548 497 10.3%
(% OF NET SALES) 36.3% 35.6% 0.7PP
DEPRECIATION AND
AMORTIZATION
(EXCL. GOODWILL) 28 29 (4.6)%
OPERATING PROFIT 66 55 21.2%
(% OF NET SALES) 4.4% 3.9% 0.5PP
GOODWILL AMORTIZATION 11 10 12.8%
ROYALTY AND COMMISSION INCOME 12 14 (13.9)%
FINANCIAL EXPENSES, NET 18 13 41.1%
INCOME BEFORE TAXES
AND MINORITY INTERESTS 49 46 5.8%
(% OF NET SALES) 3.2% 3.3% (0.1)PP
INCOME TAXES 17 18 (4.3)%
(% OF INOCME BEFORE TAXES
AND MINORITY INTERESTS) 35.6% 39.4% (3.8)PP
MINORITY INTERESTS 2 4 (39.1)%
NET INCOME 29 24 21.0%
(% OF NET SALES) 1.9% 1.7% 0.2PP
NET SALES
Change
(EUROS IN MILLIONS) 2002 2001 2002/2001
adidas 1,055 993 6.2%
Salomon 260 288 (9.5)%
TaylorMade-adidas Golf 191 107 79.2%
EUROPE 660 620 6.4%
NORTH AMERICA 477 398 19.8%
ASIA 325 316 2.8%
LATIN AMERICA 42 49 (14.3)%
adidas - Salomon
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (IFRS)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002
(EUROS IN MILLIONS) 2002 2001 Change
2002/2001
NET SALES 6,523 6,112 6.7%
COST OF SALES 3,704 3,511 5.5%
GROSS PROFIT 2,819 2,601 8.4%
(% OF NET SALES) 43.2% 42.6% 0.7 PP
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,245 2,036 10.3%
(% OF NET SALES) 34.4% 33.3% 1.1PP
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
(EXCL. GOODWILL) 97 90 8.0%
OPERATING PROFIT 477 475 0.4%
(% OF NET SALES) 7.3% 7.8% (0.5)PP
GOODWILL AMORTIZATION 45 40 12.4%
ROYALTY AND COMMISSION INCOME 46 42 9.3%
FINANCIAL EXPENSES, NET 87 102 (14.5)%
EXTRAORDINARY INCOME (SEE NOTE) 0 2 (100.0)%
INCOME BEFORE TAXES AND MINORITY INTERESTS 390 376 3.7%
(% OF NET SALES) 6.0% 6.2% (0.2)PP
INCOME TAXES 148 147 0.6%
(% OF INCOME BEFORE TAXES AND
MINORITY INTERESTS) 37.9% 39.0% (1.1)PP
MINORITY INTERESTS 14 21 (34.6)%
NET INCOME 229 208 9.6%
(% OF NET SALES) 3.5% 3.4% 0.1 PP
(EUROS IN MILLIONS) 2002 2001 CHANGE
2002/2001
adidas 5,105 4,825 5.8%
Salomon 684 714 (4.2)%
TaylorMade-adidas Golf 707 545 29.8%
EUROPE 3,200 3,066 4.4%
NORTH AMERICA 1,960 1,818 7.8%
ASIA 1,166 1,010 15.5%
LATIN AMERICA 163 178 (8.8)%
