Michael Kors net sale skyrockets in FY'12 (Hong Kong)

Michael Kors Holdings Limited announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. TheCompany is a global luxury lifestyle brand with a multi-channel strategy, unique design and strong infrastructure that provides a platform for continued global growth.

John Idol, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with our results for the quarter and the year, as we experienced strong growth in both total revenue and net income. This year we continued executing our key growth strategies, resulting in a 58.3% and 62.1% increase in total revenues for the quarter and year, respectively.”

For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2012:

• Total revenue for the fourth quarter increased 58.3% to $380.0 million from $240.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

• Retail net sales increased 80.3% to $172.2 million driven by 71 new store openings since the end of last year and a 36.1% increase in comparable store sales. Wholesale net sales increased 45.5% to $190.7 million and royalty revenue increased 26.9% to $17.1 million.
• Gross profit for the fourth quarter increased 63.4% to $219.1 million, and as a percentage of total revenue increased to 57.7% compared to 55.9% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

• Income from operations for the fourth quarter increased 84.9% to $78.8 million, and as a percentage of total revenue was 20.7%. Excluding a $2.0 million reimbursement of professional fees associated with the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) in December 2011, income from operations for the fourth quarter was $76.8 million, or 20.2% as a percentage of total revenue.

• This compares to income from operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 of $42.6 million, or 17.8% as a percentage of total revenue.
• Net income for the fourth quarter was $43.6 million, or $0.22 per diluted share based on 196.9 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding.
• Excluding the aforementioned credit, net income was $41.6 million, or $0.21 per diluted share. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 was $17.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share based on 179.2 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Mr. Idol continued, “Our results for the quarter were driven by strong performance across each of our retail, wholesale and licensing segments. Our North American comparable store sales increase was 37.2%, reflecting the strong demand for the Michael Kors luxury brand, our exciting assortment of fashion merchandise and our exceptional jet-set in-store experience.

“We also delivered significant growth in our wholesale segment, reflecting the strength of our brand and the favorable results from our transitin to shop-in-shops in department stores. In Europe, total revenue increased 122.6% for the quarter as a result of a 13.6% comparable store sales increase, in addition to strong performance in our wholesale operations.

“In Japan, we are cautiously encouraged by our results for this business, which is in the start-up phase. Total licensing revenue grew 26.% in the quarter due to strong sales of our licensed products led by the Michael Kors watch and eyewear lines.

We are uniquely positioned to continue to build the Michael Kors global luxury lifestyle brand, and are pleased that our momentum has continued into the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company has proven retail and wholesale formats that are performing throughout the world. Michael Kors unique fashion designs continue to resonate with customers globally and we believe that our Company has tremendous opportunity for future growth.”

For the year ended March 31, 2012:

• Total revenue for the year increased 62.1% to $1.3 billion from $803.3 million in fiscal 2011.
• Retail net sales increased 82.1% to $626.9 million driven by 71 new store openings since the end of last year and a 39.2% increase in comparable store sales. Wholesale net sales increased 47.5% to $610.2 million and royalty revenue increased 43.1% to $65.2 million.
• Gross profit for the year increased 68.8% to $753.1 million, and as a percentage of total revenue was 57.8% for the year as compared to 55.5% in fiscal 2011.
• Income from operations for the year increased 81.0% to $247.7 million, or 19.0% as a percentage of total revenue, and included a $10.6 million equity compensation charge associated with equity grants for periods prior to fiscal 2012, $3.2 million in expenses associated with the Company’s IPO in December 2011 and a $10.7 million charge related to the employee share option redemption associated with our private placement.
• Excluding these charges, income from operations for fiscal 2012 was $272.1 million, or 20.9% as a percentage of total revenue. This compares to operating income of $136.9 million in fiscal 2011, or 17.0% as a percentage of total revenue.
• Net income was $147.4 million, or $0.78 per diluted share based on 189.3 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding. Excluding the aforementioned equity compensation charge, IPO-related expenses and share option charge, net income was $163.1 million, or $0.86 per diluted share. This compares to $72.5 million, or $0.40 per diluted share based on 179.2 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding in fiscal 2011.
• At March 31, 2012, the Company operated 237 retail stores, including concessions, compared to 166 retail stores, including concessions, at the end of the same prior-year period. The Company has 64 additional retail stores, including concessions, operated through licensing partners. There are 301 Michael Kors stores worldwide.

Outlook

For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company expects total revenue to be in the range of $360 million to $70 million. This assumes a comparable store sales increase of approximately 35%. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.18 to $0.20 for the quarter. This assumes 199.0 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding and a 38% tax rate.

For fiscal 2013, the Company expects total revenue to be in the range of $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion. This assumes a comparable store sales increase of approximately 20%. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.08 to $1.12 for the year. This assumes 201.2 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding and a 38% tax rate.

Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready to wear.