Elizabeth Arden, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results




                       Net Sales of $370 Million

           Reiterates Outlook for Second Half of Fiscal 2009

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (Nasdaq:RDEN), a global prestige beauty products company, today announced financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008.

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

For the second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported net sales of $370 million, a decrease of 12.4%, or 8.7% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency, as compared to the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Net income per diluted share, excluding expenses and non-cash charges related to the Liz Claiborne license agreement and restructuring expenses, was $0.61, as compared to previously disclosed preliminary results of net income per diluted share of $0.57 to $0.61, and net income per diluted share of $1.15 for the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. On a reported basis, including expenses and non-cash charges related to the Liz Claiborne license agreement and restructuring expenses, net income per diluted share for the second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008 was $0.48.

E. Scott Beattie, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden, Inc., commented, "Our results were at the high end of the revised guidance announced in January, and we are maintaining our outlook for the second half of our fiscal year and our original full fiscal year cash flow targets. While continuing to operate in a difficult economic environment, we are encouraged by the performance of our North American mass retail fragrance business, our new launches and the recently licensed Liz Claiborne fragrance brands."

Mr. Beattie continued, "As we previously indicated, our priorities for the remainder of this fiscal year are to (i) reduce inventory in order to maximize cash flow, (ii) focus our advertising and promotional expenditures on the brands, markets and channels of distribution that provide the best return and eliminate marginal spending, (iii) re-assess new product innovation in light of the current economic environment, and (iv) accelerate the cost savings and business process re-engineering initiatives related to our Global Efficiency Re-engineering project in order to position our business for improved profitability in fiscal 2010."

Specifically, today the Company announced headcount reductions as it begins migrating to a shared services model by consolidating various accounting, finance, order-to-cash and customer service functions ahead of its original schedule. The supply chain initiatives and the Oracle-based software implementation associated with the Company's Global Efficiency Re-engineering project remain on track.

SIX MONTHS RESULTS

For the six months ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported net sales of $654.2 million, a decrease of 5.8%, or 3.4% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency, as compared to the prior year period. Net income per diluted share, excluding expenses and non-cash charges related to the Liz Claiborne license agreement and restructuring expenses, was $0.71 as compared to net income per diluted share, excluding restructuring expenses, of $1.18 for the prior year period. On a reported basis, net income per diluted share was $0.04 for the six months ended December 31, 2008.

OUTLOOK

The Company is maintaining its outlook provided in January 2009 and currently expects net sales to decrease by 1% to 3% for the second half of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, or to increase by 1.5% to 3.5% excluding an expected unfavorable impact of foreign currency, as compared to the second half of the prior fiscal year, and for earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $0.01 to $0.13. This guidance assumes the anticipated contribution from the continued roll-out of the Liz Claiborne fragrances and the second half global launch of the new Elizabeth Arden fragrance, Pretty, and the comparatively weak third and fourth fiscal quarter performance in the prior year.

For the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, the Company's guidance is for net sales to decline by 4% to 5%, or 1% to 2% excluding an expected unfavorable impact from foreign currency, as compared to the prior year period, and for earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $0.71 to $0.84.

The guidance assumes December 2008 foreign currency rates and excludes expenses and non-cash charges related to the Liz Claiborne license agreement and restructuring and other expenses associated with the Company's Global Efficiency Re-engineering project. The Company further notes that the high degree of global economic uncertainty and foreign currency volatility may continue to have a negative effect on retailer and consumer confidence and demand, making forecasting difficult. The Company believes that net sales and earnings guidance excluding the impact of foreign currency and expenses and non-cash charges associated with the Liz Claiborne license agreement and restructuring and other expenses associated with the Company's Global Efficiency Re-engineering, as applicable, facilitates period to period comparisons of the Company's operating and financial performance on a consistent basis.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

The Company will host a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. All interested parties can listen to a live web cast of the Company's conference call by visiting the "Corporate Info" section on the Company's web site at http://www.elizabetharden.com. An online archive of the broadcast will be available within one hour of the completion of the call and will be accessible on the Company's web site until March 6, 2009.

Elizabeth Arden is a global prestige beauty products company with an extensive portfolio of prestige beauty brands sold in over 90 countries. The company's brand portfolio includes Elizabeth Arden skincare, color, and fragrance products, PREVAGE(r) anti-aging treatments, the celebrity fragrance brands of Elizabeth Taylor, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Danielle Steel, and Usher; the designer fragrance brands of Juicy Couture, Alberta Ferretti, Alfred Sung, Badgley Mischka, Bob Mackie, GANT, Geoffrey Beene, Liz Claiborne, Halston, Lucky Brand, Nanette Lepore and Rocawear; and the lifestyle fragrance brands Curve, Giorgio Beverly Hills, and PS Fine Cologne.



               ELIZABETH ARDEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA
                             (Unaudited)
        (In thousands, except percentages and per share data)

                                Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                                  2008      2007      2008      2007

 Net Sales                      $370,005  $422,444  $654,193  $694,232
 Cost of Sales                   218,393   243,584   396,167   408,992

 Gross Profit                    151,612   178,860   258,026   285,240
 Gross Profit Percentage            41.0%     42.3%     39.4%     41.1%

 Selling, General and
  Administrative Expenses        120,338   119,361   229,725   211,833
 Depreciation and Amortization     6,474     6,210    12,814    12,164

 Total Operating Expenses        126,812   125,571   242,539   223,997

 Interest Expense, Net             7,026     8,266    13,601    15,754

 Income Before Income Taxes       17,774    45,023     1,886    45,489
 Provision for Income Taxes        4,108    11,224       736    11,340

 Net Income                     $ 13,666  $ 33,799  $  1,150  $ 34,149

 As reported:
 ------------

  Net Income Per Basic Share    $   0.49  $   1.20  $   0.04  $   1.22
  Net Income Per Diluted Share  $   0.48  $   1.15  $   0.04  $   1.16

  Basic Shares                    27,980    28,061    27,951    27,992
  Diluted Shares                  28,648    29,494    28,778    29,464

  EBITDA(a)                     $ 31,274  $ 59,499  $ 28,301  $ 73,407
  EBITDA margin(a)                   8.5%     14.1%      4.3%     10.6%

 Adjusted to exclude the effect
  of Liz Claiborne-related and
  restructuring and other
  expenses, net of
  taxes(b)(c)(d):

  Gross Profit                  $155,143  $178,860  $277,952  $285,240
  Gross Profit Percentage           41.9%     42.3%     42.5%     41.1%

  Net Income                    $ 17,378  $ 33,799  $ 20,506  $ 34,860

  Net Income Per Basic Share    $   0.62  $   1.20  $   0.73  $   1.25
  Net Income Per Diluted Share  $   0.61  $   1.15  $   0.71  $   1.18

  EBITDA(a)                     $ 37,209  $ 59,499  $ 54,466  $ 74,354
  EBITDA margin(a)                  10.1%     14.1%      8.3%     10.7%

 (a) EBITDA is defined as net income plus the provision for income
 taxes plus interest expense, plus depreciation and amortization.
 EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to income from
 operations or net income (as determined in accordance with generally
 accepted accounting principles (GAAP)) as a measure of our operating
 performance or to net cash provided by operating, investing and
 financing activities (as determined in accordance with GAAP) or as
 a measure of our ability to meet cash needs. We believe that EBITDA
 is a measure commonly reported and widely used by investors and other
 interested parties as a measure of a company's operating performance
 and debt servicing ability because it assists in comparing
 performance on a consistent basis without regard to capital
 structure, depreciation and amortization or non-operating factors
 (such as historical cost). Accordingly, as a result of our capital
 structure, we believe EBITDA is a relevant measure.  This information
 has been disclosed here to permit a more complete comparative
 analysis of our operating performance relative to other companies and
 of our debt servicing ability. EBITDA may not, however, be comparable
 in all instances to other similar types of measures. We have also
 disclosed EBITDA as adjusted to reflect the effect of Liz
 Claiborne-related, restructuring and software implementation costs
 related to our Global Efficiency Re-engineering initiative. This
 disclosure is being provided for comparability purposes because we
 believe it is meaningful to our inventors and other interested
 parties to understand the EBITDA performance of the Company on a
 consistent basis without regard to the effect of Liz
 Claiborne-related, restructuring and other expenses. EBITDA margin
 represents EBITDA divided by Net Sales.

 The table below reconciles net income, as determined in accordance 
 with GAAP, to EBITDA and to EBITDA as adjusted: (For a reconciliation 
 of net income to EBITDA for prior periods, see the Company's filings 
 with the Securities and Exchange Commission which can be found on the 
 Company's website at www.elizabetharden.com.)


 (In thousands)                 Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                                  2008      2007      2008      2007
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

 Net income                     $ 13,666  $ 33,799  $  1,150  $ 34,149
 Plus:
  Provision for income taxes       4,108    11,224       736    11,340
  Interest expense, net            7,026     8,266    13,601    15,754
  Depreciation and amortization    6,474     6,210    12,814    12,164
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 EBITDA                           31,274    59,499    28,301    73,407
 Liz Claiborne-related
  expenses(c)                      4,223        --    23,314        --
 Restructuring and other
  expenses(d)                      1,712        --     2,851       947
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 EBITDA as adjusted             $ 37,209  $ 59,499  $ 54,466  $ 74,354
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 (b) The table below reconciles the calculation of (i) gross profit,
 (ii) net income and (iii) net income per share on a basic and diluted
 basis from the amounts reported in accordance with GAAP to such
 amounts before giving effect to Liz Claiborne-related, restructuring
 and other expenses. This disclosure is being provided for
 comparability purposes because we believe it is meaningful to our
 investors and other interested parties to understand the Company's
 operating performance on a consistent basis without regard to the
 effect of Liz Claiborne-related, restructuring and other expenses.
 The presentation in the table below of the non-GAAP information
 titled "Gross profit as adjusted" and  "Net income as adjusted" and
 "Net income per basic and diluted share as adjusted" is not meant to
 be considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross profit, net
 income or net income per basic and diluted share prepared in
 accordance with GAAP.


 (In thousands, except per      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
  share data)                   ------------------  ------------------
                                Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                                  2008      2007      2008      2007
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Adjusted to exclude the effect
  of Liz Claiborne-related,
  restructuring and other
  expenses

 Gross Profit:
 -------------
  Gross profit as reported      $151,612  $178,860  $258,026  $285,240
  Liz Claiborne-related
   expenses(c)                     3,531        --    19,926        --
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Gross profit as adjusted      $155,143  $178,860  $277,952  $285,240
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Net Income:
 -----------
  Net income as reported        $ 13,666  $ 33,799  $  1,150  $ 34,149
  Liz Claiborne-related
   expenses, net of tax(c)         2,641        --    17,247        --
  Restructuring and other
   expenses, net of tax(d)         1,071        --     2,109       711
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income as adjusted        $ 17,378  $ 33,799  $ 20,506  $ 34,860
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Net Income Per Basic Share:
 ---------------------------
  Net income per basic share as
   reported                     $   0.49  $   1.20  $   0.04  $   1.22
  Liz Claiborne-related,
   restructuring and other
   expenses, net of tax(c)(d)       0.13        --      0.69      0.03
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income per basic as
   adjusted                     $   0.62  $   1.20  $   0.73  $   1.25
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Net Income Per Diluted Share:
 -----------------------------
  Net income per diluted share
   as reported                  $   0.48  $   1.15  $   0.04  $   1.16
  Liz Claiborne-related,
   restructuring and other
   expenses, net of tax(c)(d)       0.13        --      0.67      0.02
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income per diluted share
   as adjusted                  $   0.61  $   1.15  $   0.71  $   1.18
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 (c) For the three months ended December 31, 2008, includes $0.7
 million of Liz Claiborne transition expenses and $3.5 million of
 non-cash expenses relating to Liz Claiborne inventory purchased by
 the Company at a higher cost prior to the effective date of the
 license agreement. For the six months ended December 31, 2008,
 includes $4.4 million of Liz Claiborne transition expenses and $18.9
 million of non-cash expenses relating to the Liz Claiborne inventory
 purchased by the Company at a higher cost prior to the effective date
 of the license agreement. For the six months ended December 31, 2008,
 also includes $1.0 million of Liz Claiborne transition expenses in
 cost of sales.

 (d) For the three months ended December 31, 2008, restructuring and
 other expenses include restructuring expenses of $1.1 million and
 software implementation expenses of $0.6 million associated with the
 Global Efficiency Re-engineering project. For the six months ended
 December 31, 2008 restructuring and other expenses include
 restructuring expenses of $2.0 million and software implementation
 expenses of $0.8 million associated with the Global Efficiency
 Re-engineering project. For the six months ended December 31, 2007,
 all expenses represent restructuring expenses.


                          SEGMENT NET SALES

 The table below is a comparative summary of our net sales by
 reportable segment for the three and six months ended December 31,
 2008 and 2007:

 (In thousands)                 Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,  Dec. 31,
                                  2008      2007      2008      2007
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Segment Net Sales:
  North America Fragrance       $248,188  $275,343  $425,748  $438,201
  International                  111,499   129,282   205,925   223,078
  Other                           10,318    17,819    22,520    32,953
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total                          $370,005  $422,444  $654,193  $694,232
                                ========  ========  ========  ========


               ELIZABETH ARDEN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA
                             (Unaudited)

 (In thousands)                           Dec. 31,  June 30,  Dec. 31,
                                            2008      2008      2007
                                          --------  --------  --------
 Cash                                     $ 29,136  $ 26,396  $ 24,692
 Accounts Receivable, Net                  236,067   217,446   298,368
 Inventories                               390,500   408,563   341,196
 Property and Equipment, Net                52,011    52,148    45,466
 Exclusive Brand Licenses, Trademarks and
  Intangibles, Net                         219,440   221,253   225,368
 Total Assets                              986,252   970,734   977,223
 Short-Term Debt                           145,650   119,000   124,450
 Current Portion of Long-Term Debt           1,035     1,261     1,284
 Current Liabilities                       401,076   385,062   369,154
 Long-Term Liabilities                     240,324   249,071   252,244
 Total Debt                                369,906   343,957   349,960
 Shareholders' Equity                      344,852   336,601   355,825
 Working Capital                           307,829   306,735   331,145

In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Elizabeth Arden, Inc. is hereby providing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements (as defined in such act). Any statements that are not historical facts and that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, indicated through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimated," "intends," "plans," "believes" and "projects") may be forward-looking and may involve estimates and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, our guidance and expectations regarding net sales, earnings, and cash flows, and the costs, savings and benefits we expect in connection with our Global Efficiency Re-engineering project and related restructuring plan. In addition, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following key factors that have a direct bearing on our results of operations:



 * factors affecting our relationships with our customers or our
   customers' businesses, including the absence of contracts with
   customers, our customers' financial condition, and changes in the
   retail, fragrance and cosmetic industries, such as the
   consolidation of retailers and the associated closing of retail
   doors as well as retailer inventory control practices, including
   but not limited to levels of inventory carried at point of sale and
   practices used to control inventory shrinkage;
 * our reliance on third-party manufacturers for substantially all of
   our owned and licensed products and our absence of contracts with
   suppliers;
 * delays in shipments, inventory shortages and higher costs of
   production due to the loss of or disruption in our distribution
   facilities or at key third party manufacturing or fulfillment
   facilities that manufacture or provide logistic services for our
   products;
 * our ability to respond in a timely manner to changing consumer
   preferences and purchasing patterns and other international and
   domestic conditions and events that impact consumer confidence and
   demand, such as the current economic downturn;
 * our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;
 * the success, or changes in the timing or scope, of our new product
   launches, advertising and merchandising programs;
 * the quality, safety and efficacy of our products;
 * the impact of competitive products and pricing;
 * risks of international operations, including foreign currency
   fluctuations, hedging activities, economic and political
   consequences of terrorist attacks, and political instability in
   certain regions of the world;
 * our ability to (i) implement our growth strategy and acquire or
   license additional brands or secure additional distribution
   arrangements, (ii) successfully and cost-effectively integrate
   acquired businesses or new brands, such as the Liz Claiborne
   fragrance brands, and (iii) finance our growth strategy and our
   working capital requirements;
 * our level of indebtedness, our ability to realize sufficient cash
   flow from operations to meet our debt service obligations and
   working capital requirements, and the restrictive covenants in our
   revolving credit facility and the indenture for our 7 3/4% senior
   subordinated notes;
 * changes in product mix to less profitable products;
 * the retention and availability of key personnel;
 * changes in the legal, regulatory and political environment that
   impact, or will impact, our business, including changes to customs
   or trade regulations or accounting standards or critical accounting
   estimates;
 * the success of, and costs associated with, our Global Efficiency
   Re-engineering project and related restructuring plan;
 * the potential for significant impairment charges relating to our
   trademarks, goodwill or other intangible assets that could result
   from a number of factors, including downward pressure on our stock
   price; and
 * other unanticipated risks and uncertainties.

We caution that the factors described herein could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. This press release is qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2008.



            

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