- Net sales $746 million, growth of 45%
- Strong growth in all business segments
- Net sales exceeded Q2 2019 pre-pandemic performance
- Significantly improved profitability vs. Q2 2020
- Gross margin 49.4%, 370 basis point expansion
- Operating margin 14.4% vs. 4.1% in Q2 2020; adjusted operating margin 14.8% vs. 8.0% in Q2 2020
- Diluted EPS $1.62 vs. $0.19 in Q2 2020; adjusted diluted EPS $1.67 vs. $0.54 in Q2 2020
- Company raises full year fiscal 2021 outlook
- Net sales growth of approximately 15%
- Adjusted diluted EPS growth of approximately 75%
- Quarterly dividend resumed in Q2 at $0.40 per share
Carter’s, Inc. (NYSE:CRI), the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, today reported its second quarter fiscal 2021 results.
“Carter’s achieved record levels of sales and earnings in the second quarter,” said Michael D. Casey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We continued to see strong demand for our brands, particularly in our stores, reflecting the benefits from store reopenings, progress with vaccinations, and easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
“Our performance meaningfully exceeded our expectations and was driven, we believe, by the strength of our product offerings, more effective marketing, leaner inventories, and improved price realization.
“Given our strong performance in the first half, we are raising our sales and earnings forecasts for the year. Our revised forecasts reflect an increase in second half spending to expedite shipments from Asia to mitigate pandemic-related delays in production.
“In the second half, we are also planning increased investments in eCommerce capabilities, technology, brand marketing, and employee compensation. We believe these investments, together with structural improvements we’ve made in our business over the past year, will enable us to further strengthen our market leadership position and continue to provide the best value and experience in young children’s apparel.”
Adjustments to Reported GAAP Results
In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP financial measurements, as presented below. These adjusted, non-GAAP financial measurements are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future condition or results of operations. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Results” section of this release for additional disclosures and reconciliations regarding these non-GAAP financial measures.
Consolidated Results
The discussion of results below is presented on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis where noted.
Second Quarter of Fiscal 2021 compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2020
Net sales increased $231.5 million, or 45.0%, to $746.4 million, reflecting strong growth in all business segments. The Company’s U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segments grew 34%, 53%, and 93%, respectively. Second quarter fiscal 2020 results were adversely affected by store closures in North America, particularly in the months of April and May, and reduced wholesale customer shipments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates improved consolidated net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 by $8.0 million.
Operating income increased $86.6 million to $107.6 million, compared to $21.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Operating margin improved to 14.4%, compared to 4.1% in the prior year period. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) increased $69.3 million to $110.4 million, compared to $41.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating margin increased to 14.8%, compared to 8.0% in the prior year period, reflecting strong product demand, higher gross margin driven by improved price realization, and expense leverage.
Net income was $71.6 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, compared to $8.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $73.7 million, compared to $23.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) was $1.67, compared to $0.54 in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.
First Half of Fiscal 2021 compared to First Half of Fiscal 2020
Net sales increased $364.4 million, or 31.2%, to $1,533.8 million. U.S. Retail, U.S. Wholesale, and International segment net sales grew 31%, 28%, and 46%, respectively. First half fiscal 2020 results were adversely affected by store closures in North America, particularly during the months of March, April and May, and reduced wholesale customer shipments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Favorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates improved consolidated net sales in the first half of fiscal 2021 by $11.2 million.
Operating income was $235.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $57.5 million in the first half of fiscal 2020. The Company recorded incremental inventory-related charges of $41.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2020, primarily due to disruptions related to COVID-19. Operating margin improved to 15.3%, compared to (4.9)% in the prior year period. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) increased $224.2 million to $239.0 million, compared to $14.8 million in the first half of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating margin increased to 15.6%, compared to 1.3% in the prior year period, reflecting strong product demand, including improved price realization, the absence of COVID-related inventory provisions, and expense leverage.
Net income was $157.8 million, or $3.58 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $70.5 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, in the first half of fiscal 2020. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $160.7 million, compared to an adjusted net loss of $11.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2020. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) was $3.64, compared to adjusted loss per diluted share of $0.26 in the first half of fiscal 2020.
Cash flow from operations in the first half of fiscal 2021 was $49.5 million compared to $237.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2020. The decline primarily reflected changes in vendor payment terms, partially offset by meaningfully higher net income.
See the “Business Segment Results” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Results” sections of this release for additional disclosures regarding business segment performance and non-GAAP measures.
Liquidity and Financial Position
The Company’s total liquidity at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $1.87 billion, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $1.12 billion and $746 million in unused borrowing capacity on the Company’s $750 million secured revolving credit facility.
Return of Capital
In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.40 per share totaling $17.6 million. The Company’s Board of Directors will evaluate future distributions of capital, including dividends and share repurchases, based on a number of factors, including restrictions under the Company’s revolving credit facility, business conditions, the Company’s financial performance, and other considerations.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Update
Today the Company issued its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. This inaugural report outlines the Company’s long-term commitments and initiatives associated with each of its three CSR strategic pillars: people, product, and planet. The report may be accessed at ir.carters.com.
2021 Business Outlook
The Company’s revised outlook for fiscal year 2021 reflects stronger than expected performance in the first half, and improved second half sales and adjusted earnings compared to those contemplated in its previous guidance. Factors expected to benefit the Company’s performance in the second half of fiscal 2021 include its market-leading product assortments, structural changes made during the pandemic, such as improved assortment productivity, inventory management and marketing effectiveness, and the benefit of government stimulus. Marketplace risks that could adversely affect financial results in the second half of 2021 include supply chain disruptions, higher transportation costs, COVID-19 case trends, consumer traffic, international consumer demand, and pandemic-related birth count declines.
Factors forecasted to adversely affect the comparability of second half 2021 results to the prior year period include: changes in the timing of wholesale shipments, permanent retail store closures, higher transportation costs, investments in marketing, increased compensation provisions, and a 53 week fiscal year in 2020.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company projects net sales will be approximately $960 million, adjusted operating income will be approximately $110 million (compared to adjusted operating income of $119.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020), and adjusted diluted earnings per share will be approximately $1.60 (compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.96 in the third quarter of fiscal 2020). Relative to the third quarter of fiscal 2020, this outlook contemplates higher transportation costs, the absence of the release of inventory reserves in the prior year period, investments in marketing and omnichannel capabilities, and higher compensation provisions. The forecast for adjusted operating income and adjusted diluted earnings per share excludes approximately $1 million of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including costs associated with additional protective equipment and cleaning supplies, and a benefit of approximately $0.5 million related to a gain on modifications of previously-impaired leases.
For fiscal 2021 (a 52 week fiscal year), the Company projects net sales will increase approximately 15%, adjusted operating income will be approximately $475 million (compared to adjusted operating income of $279.8 million in fiscal 2020), and adjusted diluted earnings per share will increase approximately 75% (compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $4.16 in fiscal 2020). The forecast for adjusted operating income and adjusted diluted earnings per share excludes: 1) approximately $5 million of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including costs associated with additional protective equipment and cleaning supplies, 2) approximately $3 million of restructuring costs, and 3) a benefit of approximately $3 million related to a gain on modifications of previously-impaired leases.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call with investors to discuss second quarter fiscal 2021 results and its business outlook on July 30, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. To listen to a live broadcast via the internet and view the accompanying presentation materials, please visit ir.carters.com and select links for “News & Events” followed by “Webcasts & Presentations.” To participate in the call, please dial 334-777-6978. A replay of the call will be available shortly after the broadcast through August 29, 2021, at 888-203-1112 (U.S. / Canada) or +1 719-457-0820 (international), passcode 9188494. The replay will also be archived online on the “Webcasts & Presentations” page noted above.
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