Columbia Sportswear Company Reports Record First Quarter 2019 Financial Results; Raises Full Year 2019 Financial Outlook

Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM):

First Quarter 2019 Highlights

• Net sales increased 8 percent (10 percent constant-currency) to a record $654.6 million.
• Gross margin expanded 210 basis points to a record 51.4 percent of net sales, compared to first quarter 2018 gross margin of 49.3 percent of net sales.
• Operating income increased 48 percent to a record $88.0 million and operating margin expanded 360 basis points to 13.4 percent of net sales, compared to first quarter 2018 operating income of $59.3 million, or 9.8 percent of net sales. Compared to non-GAAP first quarter 2018 operating income of $70.3 million, or 11.6 percent of net sales, operating income increased 25 percent and operating margin expanded 180 basis points.
• Earnings per diluted share increased 67 percent to a record $1.07, compared to first quarter 2018 earnings per diluted share of $0.64. Compared to non-GAAP first quarter 2018 earnings per diluted share of $0.77, earnings per diluted share increased 39 percent.

Full Year 2019 Financial Outlook
(Guidance details can be found in the "Supplemental Financial Information" section and CFO Commentary document).

• Net sales of $2.98 to $3.04 billion (prior $2.97 to $3.03 billion), representing net sales growth of 6.5 to 8.5 percent (prior 6.0 to 8.0 percent). Net sales guidance includes a foreign currency translation impact that is anticipated to reduce net sales growth by approximately 70 basis points.
• Operating income of $378 to $391 million (prior $369 to $382 million), representing operating margin of 12.7 to 12.9 percent (prior 12.4 to 12.6 percent).
• Diluted earnings per share of $4.40 to $4.55 (prior $4.30 to $4.45).

Throughout this press release, amounts stated to be non-GAAP exclude items described in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below. Additionally, constant-currency net sales, a non-GAAP financial measure, is referenced throughout this press release. Please see the "Supplemental Financial Information" section and financial tables included below for a more detailed description of this and other non-GAAP financial measures.

Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM), a leading innovator in active outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment, today announced first quarter 2019 financial results for the period ended March 31, 2019.

President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle commented, "It is encouraging to see the momentum we created in 2018 continue into this year, with record first quarter net sales, gross margin, operating income, net income and earnings per diluted share. During the quarter, we experienced a strong finish to the Fall 2018 sales season as well as excellent early season sell-through of our Spring 2019 assortment. The Columbia brand generated double-digit growth in the U.S. across both direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution channels and the SOREL brand grew an impressive 28 percent globally. We are also delivering on the financial value capture of Project CONNECT, which helped to fuel 210 basis points of gross margin expansion."

"Above plan first quarter 2019 results as well as favorable advance Fall 2019 orders give us confidence to increase our full year financial outlook. It is important to note that we are delivering this profitable growth while at the same time making substantial investments to build on our strengths as a brand-led consumer-focused organization."

"Our profitable growth trajectory and fortress balance sheet, with cash and short-term investments of over $700 million and no long-term debt, provide a foundation of strength and confidence from which we will continue investing in our strategic priorities to:

• drive brand awareness and sales growth through increased, focused demand creation investments;
• enhance consumer experience and digital capabilities in all our channels and geographies;
• expand and improve global direct-to-consumer operations with supporting processes and systems; and
• invest in our people and optimize our organization across our portfolio of brands.

"We are making these investments to enable sustainable long-term profitable growth, make us a more efficient company, and drive market share capture across our brand portfolio and geographic regions."

CFO's Commentary Available Online

For a detailed review of the Company's first quarter 2019 financial results and full year 2019 financial outlook please refer to the CFO Commentary exhibit furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on Form 8-K and published on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com/results.cfm at approximately 4:15 p.m. ET today. Analysts and investors are encouraged to review this commentary prior to participating in the conference call.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Throughout this press release, non-GAAP amounts in first quarter 2018 exclude $11.0 million in Project CONNECT expenses and discrete costs ($8.4 million net of tax) and $1.0 million in incremental income tax expense related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA”). These exclusions were not applicable in first quarter 2019.

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results
(All comparisons are between first quarter 2019 and first quarter 2018, unless otherwise noted.)

Net sales increased 8 percent (10 percent constant-currency) to $654.6 million, from $607.3 million for the comparable period in 2018.

Gross margin expanded 210 basis points to 51.4 percent of net sales, from 49.3 percent for the comparable period in 2018.

SG&A expenses increased $8.4 million, or 3 percent, to $251.8 million, or 38.5 percent of net sales, from $243.4 million, or 40.1 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018. SG&A expenses increased $19.4 million, or 8 percent, from non-GAAP SG&A expenses of $232.4 million for the comparable period in 2018.

Operating income increased 48 percent to $88.0 million, or 13.4 percent of net sales, from $59.3 million, or 9.8 percent of net sales, for the comparable period in 2018. Operating income increased $17.6 million, or 25 percent, from non-GAAP operating income of $70.3 million for the comparable period in 2018.

Net income increased 64 percent to $74.2 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, from $45.1 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2018. Net income increased 36 percent from non-GAAP net income of $54.5 million, or $0.77 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2018. First quarter 2019 net income includes the benefit of full ownership of our China business, which became a wholly owned subsidiary effective January 2019. In the first quarter of 2018 the non-controlling interest share of net income was $3.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.

Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $703.1 million, compared to $808.2 million at March 31, 2018.

Inventories increased 28 percent to $520.6 million, compared to $406.0 million at March 31, 2018.

Share Repurchases for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

The Company repurchased 195,681 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $19.1 million, or $97.47 average price per share.

Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend

At its regular board meeting on April 19, 2019, the board of directors authorized a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share, payable on May 30, 2019 to shareholders of record on May 16, 2019.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET today to review its first quarter 2019 financial results and full year 2019 financial outlook. Dial (877) 407-9205 to participate. The call will also be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com.

Second Quarter 2019 Reporting Schedule

Columbia Sportswear Company plans to report second quarter 2019 financial results on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET. Following issuance of the earnings release, a commentary reviewing the Company's second quarter 2019 financial results will be furnished to the SEC on Form 8-K and published on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.columbia.com/results.cfm. A public webcast of Columbia's earnings conference call will follow at 5:00 p.m. ET at www.investor.columbia.com.

Supplemental Financial Information

Since Columbia Sportswear Company is a global company, the comparability of its operating results reported in U.S. dollars is affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations because the underlying currencies in which it transacts change in value over time compared to the U.S. dollar. To supplement financial information reported in accordance with GAAP, the Company discloses constant-currency net sales information, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, to provide a framework to assess how the business performed excluding the effects of changes in the exchange rates used to translate net sales generated in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. The Company calculates constant-currency net sales by translating net sales in foreign currencies for the current period into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that were in effect during the comparable period of the prior year. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure reflects an additional and useful way of viewing an aspect of our operations that, when viewed in conjunction with our GAAP results, provides a more comprehensive understanding of our business and operations. In particular, investors may find the non-GAAP measures useful by reviewing our net sales results without the volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. This non-GAAP financial measure also facilitates management's internal comparisons to our historical net sales results and comparisons to competitors' net sales results.

Additionally, this document includes references to various other non-GAAP financial measures related to 2018 that may exclude program expenses, discrete costs and associated tax effects related to Project CONNECT, TCJA-related income tax expense, and a recovery in connection with an insurance claim and related tax effects. The related tax effects of program expenses and discrete costs related to Project CONNECT and the insurance claim recovery benefit were calculated using the respective statutory tax rates for applicable jurisdictions. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures enable useful and meaningful comparisons of our operating performance from period to period because they exclude the effects of the aforementioned items above that may not be indicative of our core operating results.

These non-GAAP financial measures, including constant-currency net sales, should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, our financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" table included herein. The non-GAAP financial measures and constant-currency information presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding anticipated results, net sales and net sales growth, gross margin, operating expenses, licensing income, operating income, operating margins, net income, earnings per share, income tax rates and the effects of tax reform (including the TCJA) as well as changes in the Company's geographic mix of pre-tax income and other discrete events that may occur during the year, share count, SG&A expenses, including deleverage, effects of foreign currency exchange rates, inventory growth, capital expenditures, projected growth or decline in specific geographies, channels and brands, continued investment in our strategic priorities, and our ability to adapt our business and realize the anticipated benefits of our investments in our strategic priorities, including Project CONNECT. Forward-looking statements often use words such as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "should", "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or reference future dates. The Company's expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis; however, each forward-looking statement involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in this document, those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors," and those that have been or may be described in other reports filed by the Company, including reports on Form 8-K. Potential risks and uncertainties that may affect our future revenues, earnings and performance and could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this document include: loss of key customer accounts; our ability to effectively execute our business strategies, including initiatives to implement business process enhancements and information technology ("IT”) systems and investments in our DTC businesses; our ability to maintain the strength and security of our IT systems; the effects of unseasonable weather, including global climate change; the seasonality of our business; trends affecting consumer spending, including changes in the level of consumer spending, and retail traffic patterns; unfavorable economic conditions generally, the financial health of our customers and retailer consolidation; higher than expected rates of order cancellations; changes affecting consumer demand and preferences and fashion trends; changes in international, federal or state tax, labor and other laws and regulations that affect our business, including changes in corporate tax rates, unanticipated impacts resulting from additional guidance about and application of the TCJA, tariffs, international trade policy and geopolitical tensions, or increasing wage rates; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks inherent in doing business in foreign markets, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, global credit market conditions and changes in global regulation and economic and political conditions; volatility in global production and transportation costs and capacity; our ability to effectively source and deliver our products to customers and consumers in a timely manner; our dependence on independent manufacturers and suppliers and our ability to source finished products and components at competitive prices from them or at all; the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts; business disruptions and acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks or military activities around the globe; intense competition in the industry; our ability to establish and protect our intellectual property; and our ability to develop innovative products. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are inherently less reliable than historical information. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this document to conform them to actual results or to reflect changes in events, circumstances or its expectations. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the effects of all such factors or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

About Columbia Sportswear Company

Columbia Sportswear Company has assembled a portfolio of brands for active lives, making it a leader in the global active lifestyle apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment industry. Founded in 1938 in Portland, Oregon, the Company's brands are today sold in approximately 90 countries. In addition to the Columbia® brand, Columbia Sportswear Company also owns the Mountain Hardwear®, SOREL® and prAna® brands. To learn more, please visit the Company's websites at www.columbia.com, www.mountainhardwear.com, www.sorel.com, and www.prana.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190425005850/en/