Q2 Reported EPS of $0.40; Adjusted EPS of $0.70
Q2 Reported Revenue of $491 million increased 41 percent compared to the prior year
Q2 Reported Gross Margin of 46.1 percent increased 760 basis points compared to the prior year
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a $200 million share repurchase program
Fiscal 2021 guidance raised; Adjusted EPS is now expected to be $3.90 to $4.00, up from the prior range of $3.70 to $3.80
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 July 3, 2021.
“Kontoor’s strong second quarter results, which came in above our expectations, and our improving fundamentals give us confidence to raise full year guidance. As discussed at our recent Investor Day, we expect to catalyze sustained, profitable growth across channels, categories and geographies, fueled by investments in key enablers within talent, demand creation, digital and sustainability,” said Scott Baxter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kontoor Brands.
“Additionally, we are well positioned to take advantage of increasing optionality in our capital allocation strategy. Today’s announcement of a $200 million share repurchase program exemplifies this enhanced optionality, and reflects the strong cash flow generation of our business.”
“I want to thank all of our Kontoor colleagues around the globe for their continued focus on operational execution. Our incredible people, dedicated to excellence and taking care of one another, will drive Kontoor’s bright future ahead,” added Baxter.
This release refers to “adjusted” amounts and “constant currency” amounts, which are further described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below. All per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.
In addition, due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on prior-year figures, this release will also include periodic comparisons to 2019 for additional context.
Second Quarter 2021 Income Statement Review
Revenue increased to $491 million, a 41 percent increase on a reported basis and 37 percent in constant currency over the same period in the prior year.
Revenue increases compared to the prior year were primarily driven by strength in Digital, including own.com and digital wholesale, as well as improved performance across the U.S. wholesale business and accelerating trends in international markets. As expected and discussed on the first quarter 2021 earnings call, second quarter revenue was negatively impacted by a shift in the timing of shipments from the second quarter to the first quarter ahead of the Company’s North American ERP implementation. Additionally, gains in the quarter were somewhat offset by the impacts of the previously announced strategic actions related to VF Outlet store closures, discontinuing the sale of third-party branded merchandise in all stores, and the transition to a new licensed business model in India. Finally, in select markets and channels, COVID-19 also negatively impacted the Company’s second quarter 2021 results. Compared to adjusted revenue in the second quarter of 2019, reported revenue decreased 19 percent due to the aforementioned factors.
U.S. revenue was $365 million, increasing 27 percent over the same period in the prior year driven by growth in U.S. wholesale, new business development wins and strength in Digital, with own.com increasing 28 percent and digital wholesale increasing 49 percent.
International revenue was $126 million, a 106 percent increase over the same period in the prior year on a reported basis and 87 percent in constant currency. China increased 10 percent over the same period in the prior year in constant currency. Despite ongoing headwinds from COVID-19, the European business increased 254 percent over the same period in the prior year in constant currency. Second quarter revenue in the region benefited from a shift in the timing of shipments from the third quarter to the second quarter ahead of the Company’s European ERP implementation.
Wrangler brand global revenue increased to $311 million, a 24 percent increase over the same period in the prior year on a reported basis and 22 percent in constant currency. Wrangler U.S. revenue increased 14 percent compared to the same period last year, driven by increases in Digital, Western and new product categories.
Lee brand global revenue increased to $176 million, a 105 percent increase over the same period in the prior year on a reported basis and 96 percent in constant currency. Lee U.S. revenue increased 118 percent compared to the same quarter last year with strength from improving sell through of new programs, retailer re-openings and increases in Digital.
Other global revenue declined 70 percent on a reported basis compared to the same period in the prior year to $3 million driven by impacts from the strategic actions related to VF Outlet stores.
Gross margin increased 760 basis points to 46.1 percent of revenue, compared to the same period in the prior year. Favorable channel, customer and product mix were the primary drivers of gross margin gains in the quarter. In addition, the current period benefited from COVID-19 impacts associated with downtime in owned manufacturing in 2020, as well as lower distressed sales. Compared to the second quarter of 2019, gross margin increased 750 basis points.
Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses were $191 million on a reported basis. Adjusted SG&A was $168 million, or 34.1 percent of revenue, down 270 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year. Adjustments primarily relate to costs associated with the global ERP implementation and information technology infrastructure build-out. Higher demand creation and digital investments in support of 2021 and future revenue offset, in part, better fixed cost leverage on improving revenues and restructuring benefits.
Operating income on a reported basis was $35 million. Adjusted operating income was $59 million, increasing 957 percent compared to the same period in the prior year. Adjusted operating margin increased 1,040 basis points to 12.0 percent of revenue, reflecting the benefits of gross margin improvements and fixed cost leverage on better revenues.
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) on a reported basis was $44 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $67 million, increasing 433 percent compared to the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 1,010 basis points to 13.7 percent of revenue.
Earnings per share was $0.40 on a reported basis compared to a loss per share of ($0.58) in the same period in the prior year. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.70 compared to a loss of ($0.22) in the same period in the prior year.
July 3, 2021, Balance Sheet and Liquidity Review
The Company ended the second quarter of 2021 with $176 million in cash and equivalents, and approximately $0.8 billion in long-term debt.
Due to strong cash generation during the first half of 2021, the Company made debt payments totaling $25 million during the second quarter. As of July 3, 2021, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and $488 million available for borrowing against this facility.
As previously announced, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share payable on September 20, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2021.
Inventory at the end of the second quarter of 2021 was $403 million, down $30 million or 7 percent compared to the prior-year period. Excluding balances related to VF Outlet and India, inventory at the end of the second quarter of 2021 increased 4 percent compared to the prior-year period, well positioned to support accelerating demand.
Authorization of $200 Million Share Repurchase Program
The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program. The program authorizes the repurchase of up to $200 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock through open market or privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, legal requirements and other factors. The program does not have an expiration date but may be suspended, modified or terminated at any time without prior notice. The Company expects to fund repurchases through cash flow generated from operations.
2021 Fiscal Outlook
The Company is raising its fiscal 2021 Outlook. While the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and macroeconomic factors remain uncertain, the Company is updating its fiscal 2021 guidance as follows:
Revenue is now expected to increase in the mid-teens range over 2020, to $2.39 billion to $2.42 billion, as compared to a low-teens range in the prior guidance, including a mid-single digit impact from the VF Outlet actions and India business model change.
Gross margin is now expected to increase by 330 to 380 basis points above the adjusted gross margin of 41.2 percent achieved in 2020 to 44.5 percent to 45.0 percent of revenue. This compares to prior guidance of a 230 to 270 basis points increase. The increase reflects higher anticipated growth in more accretive channels such as Digital and International.
SG&A investments will continue to be made in brands and capabilities. Due to the strengthening revenue and gross margin outlook, the Company expects to amplify SG&A investments in demand creation, Digital and International expansion to support second half 2021 revenue and accelerate momentum for 2022. These increases will be partially mitigated by ongoing tight expense controls and sustained, structural post-pandemic cost containment initiatives.
Adjusted EPS is now expected to be in the range of $3.90 to $4.00 as compared to $3.70 to $3.80 in the prior guidance. This EPS guidance does not assume the benefit of any share repurchases.
Capital Expenditures are expected to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million, including $25 million to $30 million associated with the implementation of the Company’s new global ERP system.
For 2021, an effective tax rate of approximately 22 percent is expected, while interest expense is expected to be approximately $40 million to $45 million.
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