Adidas Group Confirms FY Guidance After Weak Q3

Adidas lowered its full-year guidance in September, citing the depreciation of several currencies versus the euro.

From a regional perspective, currency-neutral revenues in Western Europe decreased 6 percent. This was mainly due to high prior year comparisons related to the sell-in of event-related products for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as the ongoing macroeconomic challenges in the region. In European Emerging Markets, currency-neutral sales increased 2 percent with growth in most of the region’s markets.

Group sales in North America were down 5 percent on a currency-neutral basis. This development was mainly due to sales declines at TaylorMade-Adidas Golf owing to a more challenging golf market as a consequence of the late seasonal start and lower rounds played. In Greater China, Group sales were up 9 percent on a currency-neutral basis, due to continued momentum across all channels. Currency-neutral revenues in Other Asian Markets increased 4 percent, driven by sales increases in most of the region’s major markets. In Latin America, currency-neutral sales grew 12 percent, with strong growth in all key markets.

From a brand perspective, third quarter sales at Adidas remained stable on a currency-neutral basis. Currency-neutral sales at Reebok grew 5 percent. Revenues in the TaylorMade-Adidas Golf segment declined 16 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Reebok-CCM Hockey sales grew 4 percent currency-neutral, while revenues at Rockport decreased 4 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Currency translation effects had a negative impact on sales in euro terms. Group revenues declined 7 percent to €3.879 billion in the third quarter of 2013 from €4.173 billion in 2012.

Third quarter gross margin increases 1.9 percentage points

The Group’s gross margin increased 1.9 percentage points to 49.3 percent (2012: 47.4 percent) in the third quarter. A more favourable pricing, product and regional sales mix as well as a larger share of higher-margin Retail sales more than offset the negative effect of a less favourable hedging rate. Group gross profit declined 3 percent to €1.913 billion (2012: €1.978 billion). Other operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased 2.6 percentage points to 39.6 percent compared to 37.0 percent in the prior year, mainly related to the further expansion of the Group’s own-retail network. The Group’s operating margin increased to 11.9 percent from 11.8 percent in 2012, as a result of the gross margin increase. Operating profit declined 6 percent to €463 million compared to €494 million in 2012. The Group’s net income attributable to shareholders declined 8 percent to €316 million (2012: €344 million). Basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter decreased 8 percent to €1.51 (2012: €1.64).

“Our third quarter performance was negatively impacted by severe currency headwinds, unexpected short-term distribution constraints in Russia/CIS as well as our actions to rebalance our inventories in the global golf market,” said Herbert Hainer, CEO of the Adidas Group. “Despite these challenges, we delivered stable earnings per share in the first nine months. Our industry-leading innovations and strong partnership activations clearly enhance our position as the premium multi-sports company in the industry, which in turn is driving new record gross margins for the Group.”

Adidas Group currency-neutral sales remain stable in the first nine months of 2013

In the first nine months of 2013, Group revenues remained stable on a currency-neutral basis due to growth in Retail, offsetting sales declines in Wholesale and Other Businesses. Currency translation effects had a negative impact on sales in euro terms. Group revenues decreased 4 percent to €11.013 billion in the first nine months of 2013 from €11.514 billion in 2012.

Nine months Group sales supported by growth in Retail

In the first nine months of 2013, currency-neutral Wholesale revenues decreased 2 percent, due to sales declines at both Adidas and Reebok. Currency-neutral Retail sales increased 6 percent versus the prior year as a result of sales growth at both Adidas and Reebok. Revenues in Other Businesses decreased 1 percent on a currency-neutral basis, mainly due to a sales decline at TaylorMade-Adidas Golf. Currency translation effects had a negative impact on segmental sales in euro terms.

In the first nine months of 2013, currency-neutral Adidas Group sales grew in all regions except Western Europe and North America. Revenues in Western Europe decreased 8 percent on a currency-neutral basis, mainly due to sales declines in the UK, Italy and Spain. In European Emerging Markets, Group sales increased 1 percent on a currency-neutral basis as a result of sales growth in most markets. Sales for the Adidas Group in North America were down 1 percent on a currency-neutral basis as a result of declines in the USA. Sales in Greater China increased 7 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Currency-neutral revenues in Other Asian Markets grew 2 percent, driven by sales increases in India, South Korea and Australia. In Latin America, sales grew 15 percent on a currency-neutral basis, with double-digit increases in most of the region’s major markets. Currency translation effects had a negative impact on regional sales in euro terms.

The gross margin of the Adidas Group increased 2.1 percentage points to 49.8 percent in the first nine months of 2013 (2012: 47.8 percent). This development was due to a more favourable pricing, product and regional sales mix as well as a larger share of higher-margin Retail sales, which more than offset the negative effect from a less favourable hedging rate. Gross profit for the Adidas Group remained stable at €5.488 billion in the first nine months of 2013 (2012: €5.500 billion).

Operating margin improves 0.4 percentage points

Group operating profit remained stable at €1.157 billion in the first nine months of 2013 (2012: €1.159 billion). As a result, the operating margin of the Adidas Group improved 0.4 percentage points to 10.5 percent (2012: 10.1 percent). This was primarily due to the positive effects from the increase in gross margin, which more than offset higher other operating expenses as a percentage of sales. Other operating expenses as a percentage of sales rose 1.9 percentage points to 41.0 percent in the first nine months of 2013 from 39.1 percent in 2012. In euro terms, other operating expenses remained stable at €4.515 billion (2012: €4.500 billion), as the decrease in marketing expenses was offset by higher expenditure related to the expansion of the Group’s own-retail activities. Thereof, sales and marketing working budget expenditures amounted to €1.336 billion, which represents a decrease of 1 percent versus the prior year level (2012: €1.346 billion).

Financial income down 49 percent

Financial income decreased 49 percent to €15 million in the first nine months of 2013 from €29 million in the prior year, mainly due to a decrease in interest income.

Financial expenses decrease 21 percent

Financial expenses declined 21 percent to €67 million in the first nine months of 2013 (2012: €84 million). The decrease in interest expenses was the main contributor to the decline.

Income before taxes as a percentage of sales increases 0.5 percentage points

Income before taxes (IBT) for the Adidas Group remained stable at €1.105 billion (2012: €1.104 billion). IBT as a percentage of sales improved 0.5 percentage points to 10.0 percent in the first nine months of 2013 from 9.6 percent in 2012. This was a result of the Group’s operating margin increase and lower net financial expenses.
Net income attributable to shareholders remains virtually unchanged

The Group’s net income attributable to shareholders remained virtually unchanged at €796 million in the first nine months of 2013 (2012: €798 million). The Group’s tax rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 27.7 percent in the first nine months of 2013 (2012: 27.8 percent).

Basic and diluted earnings per share stable at €3.81

In the first nine months of 2013, basic and diluted earnings per share remained stable at €3.81 (2012: €3.82). The weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share was 209,216,186 (2012 average: 209,216,186) as there were no potential dilutive shares in the first nine months.

Group inventories increase 6 percent

Group inventories increased 6 percent to €2.513 billion at the end of September 2013 versus €2.367 billion in 2012. On a currency-neutral basis, inventories were up 12 percent, as a result of the Group’s expectations for growth in the coming quarters and distribution centre issues in Russia/CIS during the third quarter.

Accounts receivable increase 2 percent currency-neutral

At the end of September 2013, Group receivables decreased 4 percent to €2.156 billion (2012: €2.257 billion). On a currency-neutral basis, receivables were up 2 percent.

Net borrowings decrease €157 million

Net borrowings at September 30, 2013 amounted to €180 million, which represents a decrease of €157 million, or 47 percent, versus €337 million at the end of September 2012. The decrease was driven by the strong operating cash flow development over the past 12 months. Currency translation effects had a positive impact of €3 million.

Adidas Group confirms guidance for full year 2013

Following its announcement in September, Management confirms that top-line momentum is set to clearly improve in the fourth quarter. As a result, 2013 Group sales are expected to grow at a low-single-digit rate on a currency-neutral basis.

In 2013, the Adidas Group gross margin is forecasted to increase to a level between 48.5 percent and 49.0 percent, representing a strong improvement compared to the prior year level of 47.7 percent. The Group’s gross margin will benefit from positive regional and channel mix effects, as growth rates in high-margin emerging markets and Retail are projected to be above growth rates in more mature markets and Wholesale. In addition, improvements in the Retail segment as well as at the Reebok brand will positively influence Group gross margin development. However, these positive effects will be partly offset by less favourable hedging rates compared to the prior year as well as increasing labour costs, which negatively impact the Group’s cost of sales.

In 2013, the Group’s other operating expenses as a percentage of sales are expected to increase compared to the prior year level of 41.3 percent. Sales and marketing working budget expenses as a percentage of sales are projected to be above the prior year level. The non-recurrence of expenses in relation to the UEFA EURO 2012™ as well as the London 2012 Olympic Games will be more than offset by marketing expenditure to support new product launches at all brands, as well as the expansion of Reebok’s activities in the fitness category. Operating overhead expenditure as a percentage of sales is forecasted to grow in 2013. Higher administrative and personnel expenses in the Retail segment due to the continued expansion of the Group’s store base will more than offset the leverage in the Group’s non-allocated central costs.

In 2013, the Group expects the operating margin for the Adidas Group to increase to a level of around 8.5 percent (2012 excluding goodwill impairment losses: 8.0 percent). As a result, earnings per share are expected to increase at a rate of 4 percent to 7 percent to a level between €3.92 and €4.06 compared to the 2012 basic and diluted earnings per share of €3.78 excluding goodwill impairment losses. This represents net income attributable to shareholders of €820 million to €850 million.

Said Hainer, “We have dealt swiftly and decisively with our challenges in the third quarter, to ensure we return to growth. With strong demand for our highlight concepts and innovations, upcoming initiatives around the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ and positive customer feedback to our spring/summer 2014 collections from all of our brands, momentum will clearly return to our business in the fourth quarter and beyond.”