Deckers sees profits lift, increases full-year guidance

Deckers Brands reported on Thursday a single-digit sales increase in the second quarter, on the back of strong sales at sneaker brand Hoka One One, coupled by improved margins, prompting the American footwear retailer to lift its full-year guidance.

For the quarter ending September 30, net sales gained 4% to $501.9 million, or 3.3% on a constant exchange basis, the Goleta, California-based brand said in a statement.

Deckers said its Hoka brand saw revenues surge 28.4% to $52.1 million, while company golden child Ugg remained steady, down 1% to $396.3 million. Sandal brand Teva witnessed consistent growth, up 0.6% to $21.5 million, and Sanuk fell 9.4% to $13.8 million.

By channel, wholesale revenues increased 4.3% to $408 million, and retail sales lifted 2.8% to $93.9 million. Comparable sales were up 4.8%.

Deckers also said that earnings per share increased to $2.48 per share, from $1.54 per share a year earlier. Adjusted for pretax gains, earnings were $2.38 per share.

"The continued profitability gains in the Ugg brand and top-line growth within the Hoka One One brand drove second quarter results, as both sales and earnings per share exceeded expectations," said Dave Powers, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Powers explained that the company's profitability for the three months was aided by a 350-basis point gain in gross margins.

"While a portion of the increase in gross margin came from one-time savings in the quarter, the company continues to execute well on our long-term plan of improving levels of profitability," said Powers, adding that "our confidence in our strategy, the momentum we see in the business and the strength of the brand portfolio has led us to raise our fiscal year 2019 guidance."

Deckers now expects full-year revenues to fall between $1.94 billion and $1.96 billion, while earnings are predicted to range from $6.65 to $6.85 per share.

Deckers sees profits lift, increases full-year guidance

See also