The Board of Directors of Safilo Group S.p.A. approves the results of the first half of 2013

01/08/2013
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SAFILO GROUP S.P.A.
APPROVES THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2013

Padua, August 1, 2013 – The Board of Directors of Safilo Group S.p.A. today reviewed and approved the results of the second quarter and first half of 2013.

In the first six months of the year Safilo reported net sales of Euro 598.4 million, slightly down compared to the first half of 2012, partly due to a strengthening of the euro against the main international currencies (-1.2% at constant exchange rates).
During the period the significant negative impact of the termination of brands phased out in 2012 was almost entirely offset by the increase of organic sales (1) in the core sunglasses and prescription frames segments, up by over 8% in the semester.
In the second quarter net revenues reached Euro 301.4 million, down compared to the second quarter of 2012 (-5.7% at constant exchange rates), whilst the organic business (1) saw a progression in sales of 6.0% thanks, above all, to the good performances recorded in a number of countries in continental Europe, in key accounts and the travel retail business.

The recurring operating performance (adjusted) (2) marked a continuation and extension of the recovery reported by the Group in the first quarter of the year.
In the first half of 2013, the adjusted2 EBITDA was up 2.5% on the same period of 2012, whilst the EBITDA margin increased to 12.1% from 11.5%.
The improvement equaled 70 basis points in the second quarter, with the adjusted (2) EBITDA reaching Euro 37.7 million and an EBITDA margin of 12.5%.

Thanks to careful management of working capital, net debt fell further at the end of June, amounting to Euro 200.8 million and reducing the adjusted (2) financial leverage to 1.7x.

Roberto Vedovotto, CEO of Safilo Group, commented: 

“I am very proud of Safilo’s performance during one of the most challenging semesters in the Company’s history in light of the full impact of the Armani licenses termination.

Our results are in fact very significant both from an economic and a financial standpoint, and also as far as strategic achievements are concerned.

The organic growth (1) of our go-forward brands exceeded 8% in the semester thanks to the continuous success of all our main licensed brands, but also to the expansion of the Safilo brands, including the development of the Polaroid brand in the American and Asian markets.

Efficiency improvement activities relating to production and supply chain management and cost control measures allowed us to advance our economic performance.

The key performance indicators confirm the progression recorded in the more recent quarters on working capital, cash flow generation and net debt reduction with the further decline in financial leverage reaching a record level in Safilo’s most recent history.

This was also a period in which, by following our core strategy, we were able to sign a new and very important multiyear license agreement with Fendi, one of the most prestigious Made in Italy brands and part of the LVMH Group.

At the same time, we secured our licensed portfolio through the early and long-term renewal of our strategic partnerships with Marc Jacobs and Fossil.

In terms of new license agreements, we signed a contract with Bobbi Brown and, as far as new partnerships are concerned, we finalized an initiative for new Polaroid branded polarized ophthalmic lenses with Essilor, a Carrera by Jimmy Choo capsule collection and, to further strengthen the Safilo brand, we entered into an agreement with Marc Newson for a limited edition of Safilo branded products.

All of the above testify once again the reinforced credibility of our Company and its brand portfolio in the international marketplace.

We are convinced that these results are a direct product of the actions undertaken over recent years and, more importantly, that we have succeeded in placing Safilo in a solid position from which to reach its objectives of further future growth.”

Key economic and financial performance

Group net sales totaled Euro 301.4 million in the second quarter of 2013, down 7.2% compared to Euro 324.6 million recorded in the same period of 2012, reflecting the negative impact of exchange rate movements and termination of the Armani brands not renewed at the end of 2012.
Turnover in the wholesale business equaled Euro 277.9 million from Euro 301.2 million in the second quarter of 2012 (-7.7% at current exchange rates and -6.3% at constant exchange rates), whilst organic sales (1) in the core sunglasses and prescription frames segments were up 6%.

The analysis in terms of geographical areas shows that Group turnover continued to perform best in Europe, thanks to the strong performance of its organic business in its core continental European markets, such as France and Germany, in the UK and in new markets in this area, above all Russia.
In the Mediterranean area, the Spanish and Portuguese markets showed signs of recovery, whilst sales through independent opticians further declined in Italy.
In terms of distribution channel, the travel retail and key account channels continued to drive the growth of Safilo products in the stores. Highly satisfactory progressions achieved by the portfolio of the principal licensed brands like Dior, Boss and Celine in the high-end segment and Tommy Hilfiger, Boss Orange and Marc by Marc Jacobs in the fashion segment. Carrera recorded a particularly strong performance in Europe in the prescription frames business, whilst sunglasses continued to contract.
In the quarter, Group European revenues stood at Euro 126.7 million compared to Euro 132.5 million in the second quarter of 2012 (-4.4% at current exchange rates and -4.0% at constant exchange rates).
Turnover for the first six months amounted to Euro 254.9 million from Euro 250.9 million in the first half of 2012 (+1.6% at current exchange rates and +1.7% at constant exchange rates).


In the second quarter of 2013, organic growth in the American market slowed with respect to previous quarters, primarily due to a slowdown in the US and in certain Latin American markets during the month of June. The factor weighing more on the North American market was a sluggish retail market, whilst Brazil was in part affected by the civil unrest that broke out in a number of areas of the country towards the end of the quarter.

In contrast, the period was positively influenced by the launch in the market of the Polaroid brand, with the new Polaroid Plus collections, as well as its more traditional products, and by general growth in the prescription frames segment.
In the second quarter, wholesale turnover amounted to Euro 97.7 million compared to Euro 107.2 million in the same period of 2012 (-8.8% at current exchange rates and -7.1% at constant exchange rates), whilst Solstice directly operated stores in the US recorded sales of Euro 23.5 million, up 1.9% at constant exchange rates.
In the first half of 2013, American wholesale sales reached 199.0 million from Euro 207.4 million in the first semester of 2012 (-4.1% at current exchange rates and -2.4% at constant exchange rates). In the same period, Solstice stores recorded sales of Euro 40.8 million, up 1.8% at constant exchange rates.

Safilo continues to be committed to expanding its brand offering in Asia, today still mainly focused on the high-end segment, and above all on the key Gucci and Dior brands.
Increasing importance is given to the development of niche luxury brands, such as Celine, Bottega Veneta and Jimmy Choo, as well as to contemporary brands in the fashion segment and to Safilo brands.

After adjusting for the impact of the termination of the Armani brands, organic growth in the Asian market was on average above 5%, with double-digit increases in countries such as China and Japan and in the travel retail channel, whilst sales in Korea and in other smaller markets of the area registered more or less significant reductions.

Group Asian sales amounted to Euro 50.3 million in the quarter compared to Euro 57.2 million in the second quarter of 2012 (-12.1% at current exchange rates and -9.4% at constant exchange rates), taking revenues for the area in the first six months of the year to Euro 96.3 million from Euro 106.1 million in the same period of 2012 (-9.2% at current exchange rates and -7.0% at constant exchange rates).

From an operating and financial standpoint, the second quarter of 2013 has seen the Group continue the process of improvement in all the main key performance indicators and further strengthen its financial position.

Efficiency improvements benefitting gross profit margin were particularly significant during the period, above all thanks to the reduced level of obsolescence of finished and semi-finished products achieved thanks to the actions the Group has taken in forecasting, planning and stock management.

In the second quarter of 2013, Gross profit has risen to Euro 192.4 million, slightly up from Euro 191.1 million of the same period of 2012 but marking a substantial improvement in terms of gross profit margin, to 63.8% from 58.9%.
The Group thus ended the first half of the year with a gross profit of Euro 372.1 million, up 1.8% compared to Euro 365.3 million in the same period of 2012. In the first six months, the gross profit margin increased to 62.2% from 59.6%, marking an improvement of 260 basis points.

In the second quarter of 2013 the Group economic results were hit by non-recurring expenses of Euro 7.4 million,
related for around Euro 6.0 million to the CEO succession plan announced by the Group on June 19 and for Euro 1.4 million to some restructuring expenses in the European market. Net of the fiscal effect, the total impact was equal to Euro 5.5 million.
After adjusting for these costs, the operating profit was characterized by an overall reduction in selling, marketing, general and administrative costs, which, however, remained high due to continuing investment in key brands in the licensed and proprietary portfolio, including activities linked to the launch of the new Polaroid brand in markets outside Europe.

Adjusted (2) EBITDA amounted to Euro 37.7 million, substantially in line with Euro 38.4 million recorded in the second quarter of 2012, with a 70 basis point improvement in the EBITDA margin, to 12.5% from 11.8%.
In the first half, adjusted (2) EBITDA equaled Euro 72.4 million, registering an increase of 2.5% compared to Euro 70.7 million of the same period of 2012. The EBITDA margin was up to 12.1% from the 11.5% of the first half of 2012.

In the second quarter of 2013, adjusted (2) EBIT was up 2.9% to Euro 29.0 million, compared to Euro 28.1 million of the second quarter of 2012. The EBIT margin improved by 90 basis points to 9.6% from 8.7%.
Adjusted2 EBIT for the first half of the year was up 6.7% to Euro 54.7 million compared to Euro 51.2 million of the first half of 2012. The EBIT margin increased to 9.1% from 8.3%.


Below the EBIT line, net interest expenses for the quarter declined by 35.2% to Euro 3.2 million from Euro 4.9 million of the second quarter of 2012, due to a halving of costs on the High Yield bonds repaid by the Group on May 15 of this year.
Net interest expenses for the first six months of the year were thus down 21.2% to Euro 7.7 million from Euro 9.8 million of the first half of 2012, whilst the negative impact of exchange rate differences amounts to Euro 2.6 million, compared with Euro 1 million in the same period of 2012.
At the end of the first half, the adjusted (2) Group tax rate stood at 34.8%, compared to 37.9% in the same period of 2012.

The second quarter of 2013 ended with an adjusted2 Group net profit showing a 27.3% increase to Euro 12.2 million compared to Euro 9.6 million of the same quarter of 2012.
In the first half of 2013 adjusted (2) Group net profit thus rose to Euro 25.6 million, recording an increase of 18.9% compared to the first half of 2012.


Key Cash Flow data

Free Cash Flow amounted to an inflow of Euro 11.5 million in the first half of 2013, thanks to a Free Cash Flow of Euro 16.9 million in the second quarter of 2013.

Cash flows from operating activities for the quarter were positively impacted by net profit for the period and the cash generated by working capital, which again benefitted from progressive improvements in stock management.
Investing activities in the quarter reflected further increases in the Group’s shareholdings in its subsidiaries in China (up from 90.0% to 97.0%) and Hong Kong (up from 70.0% to 80.0%), amounting to a total outflow of Euro 3.8 million.

Net debt at the end of June stood at Euro 200.8 million, down by approximately 20 million compared to Euro 220.4 million recorded at the end of March 2013 (Euro 215.3 million at the end of December 2012 and Euro 231.0 million at the end of June 2012).



Notes:

(1)  Excluding the sales of the Armani brands not renewed at the end of 2012 and the Polaroid business recorded in the first quarter of 2013. The organic performance is expressed at constant exchange rates.

(2) Adjusted economic results do not include non-recurring costs recorded in the second quarter of 2013, amounting to Euro 7.4 million and related for around Euro 6.0 million to the CEO succession plan announced by the Group on June 19 and for Euro 1.4 million to some restructuring expenses in the European market.
Net of the fiscal effect, the total impact was equal to Euro 5.5 million.

About Safilo Group
The Safilo Group is worldwide leader in the premium eyewear sector for sunglasses, optical frames and sports eyewear. With an international presence through 30 owned subsidiaries in primary markets – in America, Europe and Asia – and exclusive distributors, Safilo produces and distributes its house brands – Safilo, Carrera, Polaroid, Smith Optics, Oxydo – and the licensed brands Alexander McQueen, Banana Republic, Bobbi Brown (starting from 2014), BOSS, BOSS Orange, Bottega Veneta, Céline, Dior, Fendi (starting from 2014), Fossil, Gucci, HUGO, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Pierre Cardin, Saint Laurent, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tommy Hilfiger. For further information www.safilo.com


Contacts:

Safilo Group Investor Relations
Barbara Ferrante
ph. +39 049 6985766
www.safilo.com/en/investors.html

Safilo Group Press office
Milan – ph. +39 02 77807607
Padua – ph. +39 049 6985322






Last update: 22/08/2013, 14:43