EQS-News: PUMA SE: PUMA well on track to achieve full-year outlook after Q3

PUMA well on track to achieve full-year outlook after Q3

Herzogenaurach, October 24, 2023

                Third Quarter Facts

• Sales increase by 6.0% currency adjusted (ca) to € 2,311 million
  (Q3 2022: € 2,354 million) with sales growth in all regions
• Gross profit margin increases by 30 basis points to 47.1% (Q3 2022: 46.8%), despite strong currency headwinds
• Operating expenses (OPEX) increase moderately by 1.2% to € 864 million (Q3 2022:
  € 853 million), supported by continued cost discipline
• Operating result (EBIT) amounts to € 236 million (Q3 2022: € 258 million), resulting in an EBIT margin of 10.2% (Q3 2022: 10.9%)
• Net income is at € 132 million (Q3 2022: € 146 million)
• Inventory further normalizes to an appropriate level of € 1,874 million (September 30, 2022: € 2,350 million)
• PUMA is well on track to achieve its full-year outlook

Product, Marketing & Other Highlights

• PUMA and Rihanna see strong demand for the Avanti, the first PUMA x FENTY product of the renewed collaboration with the global icon
• PUMA welcomes A$AP Rocky as Creative Director for PUMA x F1 partnership
• PUMA athlete Neymar Jr. breaks all-time scoring record of Brazil’s national team overtaking PUMA athlete Pelé
• PUMA joins the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL and the Confederation of African Football CAF as an official partner
• PUMA signs long-term partnership with German International & Arsenal star Kai Havertz
• PUMA athletes win 22 medals at World Athletics Championships in Budapest, twice as many as in Eugene last year
• PUMA athlete Armand “Mondo” Duplantis jumps 6.23 meters to break the pole vault world record for the seventh time
• PUMA signs a multi-year extension of its partnership with F1 Team Scuderia Ferrari and enters a long-term partnership with F1 Team Williams Racing
• PUMA athlete Dennis Schröder, captain of the German Basketball National Team, named Most Valuable Player at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and Breanna Stewart wins the 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Award
• PUMA and LaMelo Ball unveil the LaFrancé collection debuting the MB.03, LaMelo Ball’s third signature basketball shoe
• PUMA and Swarovski launch a collection in celebration of PUMA's 75th anniversary
• PUMA brings back low-profile sneaker silhouettes for Paris Fashion Week in collaboration with fashion labels Coperni and Ottolinger
• PUMA appoints Javier Ortega as General Manager Europe

Arne Freundt, Chief Executive Officer of PUMA SE:

“While the market continues to experience significant macroeconomic headwinds and 2023 remains a transition year, we outgrew the market with a currency adjusted sales growth of 6% and delivered an EBIT of € 236 million – both fully in line with expectations. We once again demonstrated our sustained brand momentum and gained market share. We remain fully on track to achieve our full-year guidance.

In the remainder of the year, we will deliver a lot of exciting product newness to the market and celebrate the biggest brand moments of this year. Our strong partnerships with our retailers, athletes and suppliers, supported by the fastest and most agile team in the industry, were again crucial for our success."

Third Quarter 2023

Currency adjusted sales increased by 6.0% to € 2,311.1 million, while currency effects had a negative impact on sales in euro terms (-1.8% reported). The EMEA region recorded a sales growth of 9.9% (ca) to € 1,020.7 million, which was driven by strong performance in EEMEA. The Asia/Pacific region grew by 4.6% (ca) to € 435.9 million, supported by a continued trend of recovery in Greater China following the market reopening, as well as ongoing growth in Japan and India. Sales in the Americas region increased by 2.5% (ca) to € 854.6 million. In line with expectations and the year-to-date trend, North America declined due to macroeconomic headwinds and PUMA’s relative dependency on the off-price Wholesale business, while Latin America continued to show strong growth. The PUMA Group continues to benefit from its geographic diversification of the business. 

PUMA’s Wholesale business increased by 3.1% (ca) to € 1,786.3 million. This is fully in line with the objective of being the best partner for retailers while working with them to manage elevated inventory levels in the marketplace. Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business was up by 17.4% (ca) to € 524.9 million. Sales in owned & operated retail stores increased 21.8% (ca) and e-commerce was up 8.3% (ca). The ongoing strong growth in DTC was supported by continued brand momentum, retail store expansion and improved store productivity. This resulted in an increased DTC share of 22.7% (Q3 2022: 20.8%).

Sales in Footwear were up 11.3% (ca), driven by continued strong demand for our Football, Basketball and Performance Running categories as well as for Sportstyle. Sales in Apparel declined 0.5% (ca), while Accessories grew 4.2% (ca).

The gross profit margin increased by 30 basis points to 47.1% (Q3 2022: 46.8%). In line with expectations, currency effects became a strong headwind year-on-year and further intensified compared to last quarter. However, this was more than offset by tailwinds from sourcing, freight, price adjustments, geographical and distribution channel mix effects. These accomplishments resulted in an improved gross profit margin.

Operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 1.2% to € 863.7 million (Q3 2022: € 853.2 million). The moderate increase was driven by continued growth in the DTC channel and investments in marketing, while continued cost discipline and currency effects were favorable. As a result, the OPEX ratio increased by 120 basis points to 37.4% (Q3 2022: 36.2%).

The operating result (EBIT) decreased by 8.3% to € 236.3 million (Q3 2022: € 257.7 million). While an improved gross profit margin had a positive impact, the overall EBIT decreased due to currency effects. The EBIT margin came in at 10.2% (Q3 2022: 10.9%).

Consequently, net income decreased by 10.0% to € 131.7 million (Q3 2022: € 146.4 million) and earnings per share amounted to € 0.88 (Q3 2022: € 0.98).

Nine Months 2023

Sales increased by 10.3% (ca) to € 6,619.5 million (+5.6% reported).
The EMEA region led the growth with a sales increase of 19.1% (ca), followed by the Asia/Pacific region with a sales increase of 18.0% (ca). Sales in the Americas region declined 1.0% (ca) due to macroeconomic headwinds, high inventory levels in the trade and PUMA’s relative dependency on the off-price Wholesale business in the U.S..

The Wholesale business was up 7.3% (ca) to € 5,113.7 million and the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business increased by 22.0% (ca) to € 1,505.8 million. Sales in owned & operated retail stores increased 23.2% (ca) and e-commerce increased 19.5% (ca). This resulted in an increased DTC share of 22.7% (9M 2022: 20.9%).

Footwear continued to lead the growth with 19.0% (ca), while Apparel and Accessories grew moderately and were up 1.6% (ca) and 1.8% (ca) respectively.

The gross profit margin decreased by 60 basis points to 46.2% (9M 2022: 46.8%). Unfavorable currency effects, industry-wide promotional activity as well as higher sourcing and freight costs had a negative impact on the gross profit margin. However, the negative effects were partially offset by price adjustments and a favorable geographical and distribution channel mix.

Operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 8.4% to € 2,555.5 million (9M 2022: € 2,357.3 million). The increase was driven by sales-related distribution and other variable costs, the growth of our DTC channel and higher investments into marketing. This development was partially offset by operating leverage in other cost areas and favorable currency effects. The OPEX ratio increased by 100 basis points to 38.6% (9M 2022: 37.6%).

The operating result (EBIT) decreased by 12.1% to € 527.2 million (9M 2022: € 600.1 million) due to an unfavorable gross profit margin and higher operating expenses, which resulted in an EBIT margin of 8.0% (9M 2022: 9.6%).

Consequently, net income decreased by 13.6% to € 304.0 million (9M 2022: € 352.1 million) and the earnings per share amounted to € 2.03 (9M 2022: € 2.35).

Working Capital

The working capital increased by 34.0% to € 1,794.9 million (September 30, 2022: € 1,339.0 million). Inventories were down by 20.3% to an appropriate level of € 1,874.1 million (September 30, 2022: € 2,350.2 million). This development is the result of previously taken measures to rightsize inventories and is also supported by last year's high comparative base. Trade receivables increased by 12.9% to € 1,457.3 million (September 30, 2022: € 1,290.3 million). On the liabilities side, trade payables decreased by 32.0% to € 1,230.1 million (September 30, 2022: € 1,810.2 million).

Outlook 2023

In the first nine months of the year, PUMA delivered double digit top-line growth and EBIT in line with expectations, based on continued strong brand momentum, exciting product launches and strong partnerships along the value chain with athletes, retailers and suppliers. Sustained demand for PUMA products, supported by operational agility, led to a further normalization of PUMA inventory levels, in line with expectations.

While remaining fully focused on its controllables, PUMA continues to operate in an increasingly challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic environment. The recent conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, persistent Inflation and the risk of recession are weighing on consumer sentiment, resulting in volatile demand in the retail sector.

In the context of above mentioned environment and taking into consideration PUMA's strong sales growth in the first nine months of the year, the company confirms currency adjusted sales growth in the high single-digit percentage range for the financial year 2023. In line with the previous outlook for 2023, PUMA expects an unchanged operating result (EBIT) in the range of € 590 million to € 670 million and a respective change in net income. PUMA continues to expect a strong improvement in profitability in the fourth quarter, mainly driven by a significant gross margin improvement due to lower sourcing and freight costs as well as fewer promotional activities.

As in previous years, PUMA will continue to focus on overcoming short-term challenges without compromising the brand’s mid- and long-term momentum, prioritizing sales growth and market share gains over short-term profitability.

Financial Calendar:

February 27, 2024 Financial Results FY 2023

May 08, 2024 Quarterly Statement Q1 2024

May 22, 2024 Annual General Meeting

August 07, 2024 Interim Report Q2 2024

November 06, 2024 Quarterly Statement Q3 2024

The financial releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at “about.puma.com“.

Media Relations:

Robert-Jan Bartunek - Teamhead Corporate Communications – PUMA SE - +49 9132 813134 -

robert.bartunek@puma.com

Investor Relations:

Gottfried Hoppe – Head of Investor Relations & Finance Strategy - PUMA SE - +49 9132 81 3157 -

gottfried.hoppe@puma.com

Notes to the editors:

• The financial reports are posted on about.puma.com
• PUMA SE stock symbol:

Reuters: PUMG.DE, Bloomberg: PUM GY,

Börse Frankfurt: ISIN: DE0006969603– WKN: 696960

PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 20,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.

For more information, please visit https://about.puma.com.