PUMA remains firm in a difficult market environment

25 Feb '10

2 min read

Jochen Zeitz, CEO: “Despite the global financial crisis and only a few major sports events, PUMA remained firm in a difficult market environment, posting an only moderate decline in annual sales along with the second best cashflow development in the history of the company. The comprehensive restructuring and reengineering program that we implemented during the year enabled us to become an even more efficient and focused company that is aligned to today's economic realities. PUMA had an excellent and successful start into the football year by winning the African Cup of Nations with Egypt. We will turn the Football World Cup in South Africa into a home game and are determined to make use of and invest in all opportunities that offer further growth to strengthen the brand's and company's desirability in the long run.”

Highlights Fourth Quarter:

• Consolidated sales down 10.1% currency-adjusted
• Gross profit margin at 51.0%, up 430 basis points versus last year
• Operating result up 21.3% to € 45 million
• Special items of € 18 million impact net earnings
• EPS up 80% at € 1.08 after € 0.60 last year

Highlights January - December:

• Consolidated sales decreased 3.7% currency-adjusted
• Gross profit margin at 51.3% versus 51.8% last year
• Operating result at € 320 million or 13.0% of sales
• EBIT including special items at € 192 million
• EPS at € 8.50 versus € 15.15 last year
• Free cashflow before acquisitions at €256 million up 130% and 2nd best result in history

Outlook 2010:

• Despite a continuously tense global economy the currency-adjusted sales volume in 2010 is expected to at least reach last year's level.
• A comparable gross profit margin will be targeted in spite of a lower currency hedging position and higher proportion of team sport product sales.
• Increased marketing expenses are to be expected during the World Cup year, whereas the 2009 cost reduction program should provide for cost savings and increases in efficiency, which should at least compensate the one-off expenses…

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PUMA AG

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