Steve Madden announced sales for the third quarter ended Sept. 30 were $140.1 million compared to $128.1 million reported in the comparable period of 2008.


Net sales from the wholesale business grew 15.0% to $112.0 million compared to $97.3 million in the third quarter of 2008, driven by strength in the Madden Girl, Steven by Steve Madden, Steve Madden Women’s and Steve Madden Men’s wholesale footwear divisions. In addition, the new Elizabeth and James brand and the recently acquired Madden Zone, formerly SML Brands, also contributed to the sales growth.

Retail net sales totaled $28.2 million compared to $30.7 million in the third quarter of the prior year. Same store sales decreased 7.6% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to a 7.8% same store sales increase in the same period of 2008.


Gross margin improved to 44.0% as compared to 41.4% in the third quarter of 2008. For the wholesale business, gross margin was 41.2% as compared to 36.3% in the prior year's third quarter, with the increase driven primarily by reduced markdown allowances as a result of strong sell-through at retail. Retail division gross margin was 55.2% as compared to 57.4% for the comparable period last year. The decrease in retail gross margin was primarily due to increased promotional activity at retail stores as compared to last year’s third quarter.


Operating expenses as a percent of sales for the third quarter of 2009 were 27.9% as compared to 31.0% in the same period of the prior year. The 310 basis point improvement was mainly driven by leverage on higher sales as well as fewer stores and reduced store payroll expense in the Company’s remaining stores.


Net income for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $17.8 million, or $0.97 per diluted share as compared to net income of $11.1 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in the same period of 2008.


The Company closed one retail location and licensed out three stores during the third quarter of 2009, ending the quarter with 88 retail locations, including the Internet store.


Nine-Month 2009 Results


For the first nine months of 2009, consolidated net sales were $364.0 million compared to $337.9 million in the comparable period last year.


Net income totaled $36.6 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $20.8 million or $1.11 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2008. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 included a charge totaling $3.0 million post-tax, or 16 cents per diluted share, related to the resignation of the Company’s former CEO.


As of Sept. 30, 2009, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $125.7 million.


Arvind Dharia, Chief Financial Officer, commented, “Our balance sheet remains very healthy as a result of the continuation of strong growth in our earnings and prudent capital management.”


Company Outlook


For fiscal 2009, the company expects net sales to increase in the range of 7%-8% compared to net sales in 2008.


Diluted EPS for 2009 is expected to be in the range of $2.55 to $2.65





































































































































































































































































































STEVEN MADDEN LTD 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS 
(In thousands, except per share data) 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 
Nine Months Ended 
Consolidated: 
 
Sep 30, 2009 
 
Sep 30, 2008 
 
Sep 30, 2009 
 
Sep 30, 2008 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Net Sales 
 
$ 
140,138 
 
$ 
128,093 
 
$ 
364,039 
 
$ 
337,949 
Cost of Sales 
 
  
78,462 
 
  
75,114 
 
  
209,313 
 
  
199,218 
Gross Profit 
 
 
61,676 
 
 
52,979 
 
 
154,726 
 
 
138,731 
Commission and licensing fee income 
 
 
5,726 
 
 
4,497 
 
 
15,993 
 
 
11,056 
Operating Expenses 
 
  
39,088 
 
  
39,770 
 
  
112,729 
 
  
117,097 
Income from Operations 
 
 
28,314 
 
 
17,706 
 
 
57,990 
 
 
32,690 
Interest and other Income, Net 
 
  
488 
 
  
248 
 
  
1,252 
 
  
1,142 
Income Before provision for Income Taxes 
 
 
28,802 
 
 
17,954 
 
 
59,242 
 
 
33,832 
Provision for Income Tax 
 
  
10,971 
 
  
6,866 
 
  
22,690 
 
  
13,058 
Net Income 
 
$ 
17,831 
 
$ 
11,088 
 
$ 
36,552 
 
$ 
20,774 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Basic income per share 
 
$ 
0.99 
 
$ 
0.62 
 
$ 
2.03 
 
$ 
1.12 
Diluted income per share 
 
$ 
0.97 
 
$ 
0.62 
 
$ 
2.00 
 
$ 
1.11 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Weighted average common shares 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
outstanding – Basic 
 
  
18,101 
 
  
17,763 
  
  
18,002 
 
  
18,478 
Weighted average common shares 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
outstanding – Diluted 
 
  
18,449 
 
  
17,986 
  
  
18,239 
 
  
18,675