Rocky Brands Q2 sales surge 33.8%

For the second quarter of 2013, net sales increased 33.8% to $59.4 million versus net sales of $44.4 million for the second quarter of 2012. The Company reported net income of $1.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2013, versus net income of $0.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2012.

For the first six months of 2013, net sales increased 15.8% to $113.1 million versus net sales of $97.7 million in the first half of 2012. The Company reported net income of $2.7 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the first half of 2013, versus net income of $0.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the first half of 2012.

In the second quarter of 2012, severe storms knocked out power to the Company’s distribution center in Logan, OH. As a result, approximately $2.5 million of sales shifted from the second quarter of 2012 into the third quarter of 2012 which had a negative impact of approximately $0.06 per share in the second quarter and in the first half of 2012.

Second Quarter Review

Net sales for the second quarter increased 33.8% to $59.4 million compared to $44.4 million a year ago. Wholesale segment sales for the second quarter increased 32.1% to $45.8 million compared to $34.7 million for the same period in 2012 driven by strong gains in our work, hunting and western categories.

Retail segment sales for the second quarter increased 7.0% to $9.8 million compared to $9.1 million for the same period last year with the increase driven by a significant gain in our business-to-consumer e-commerce sales. Military segment sales for the second quarter increased to $3.8 million compared to $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2012.

Gross margin for the second quarter of 2013 was $20.3 million, or 34.2% of sales, compared to $15.4 million, or 34.6% of sales, for the same period last year. The 40 basis point decrease in our gross margin was driven by increased military segment sales, which carry lower gross margins, partially offset by increased gross margins in our wholesale and retail segments which were up 130 basis points and 20 basis points, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $17.4 million, or 29.4% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2013 compared to $14.9 million, or 33.5% of net sales, a year ago. The 410 basis point improvement in SG&A as a percent of net sales was driven by higher sales. The dollar increase in SG&A was driven by an increase in advertising expenses as well as increases in selling & distribution expenses associated with additional sales.

Income from operations was $2.9 million, or 4.8% of net sales, compared to $0.5 million, or 1.0% of net sales. The 380 basis point improvement in operating margin was driven by SG&A expense leverage on higher sales, partially offset by the decline in gross margin.

The Company’s funded debt increased 5.1% to $31.4 million at June 30, 2013 versus $29.9 million at June 30, 2012. The increase is primarily due to increased working capital to support increased sales.

Inventory increased 9.6% to $81.2 million at June 30, 2013 compared with $74.0 million on the same date a year ago. The increase is primarily attributable to additional inventory to support increased sales.

Rocky Brands