AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Nov. 9, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Head N.V. (NYSE:HED) (VSX:HEAD), a leading global manufacturer and marketer of sports equipment, announced the following results today.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2005:
-- Net revenues were up 11.1% to EUR 111.9 million
-- Operating profit, before restructuring costs, improved by EUR 4.2
million to a profit of EUR 15.4 million.
-- The profit for the period was EUR 9.6 million compared to a profit
of EUR 5.8 million in Q3 2005.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2005:
-- Net revenues were up 5.5% to EUR 243.5 million
-- Operating profit, before restructuring costs and gain on sale of
property, increased by EUR 3.8 million to a profit of EUR 8.2
million.
-- The loss for the period was EUR 0.1 million compared to EUR 2.0
million profit for the 9 month period 2005.
Johan Eliasch, Chairman and CEO, commented:
"The nine month results are encouraging, with net revenues showing growth of nearly 6%, and a positive development in gross margin.
"The performance of the Winter Sports division has exceeded our expectations, with 18% sales growth and strong bookings.
"The Racquet Sport and Diving division results are in line with expectations; sales in both divisions are anticipated to match prior year. The Diving division will also show improved profitability.
"Based on these developments, we continue to be positive in our outlook & anticipate an improvement on last year's operating result."
Winter Sports
Winter Sports revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased by EUR 11.6 million, or 19.7%, to EUR 70.4 million from EUR 58.8 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Winter Sports revenues increased by EUR 15.3 million, or 18.0%, to EUR 100.2 million from EUR 84.9 million in the comparable 2005 period. This increase was due to higher sales volumes in all of our categories and almost all of our markets as a consequence of good snow conditions in the winter season 2005/2006 and relatively low inventory at retail level which resulted in good bookings inflow. In addition, our efforts to improve logistics lead to better product availability and earlier shipments in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to 2005.
Racquet Sports
Racquet Sports revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 decreased by EUR 1.7 million, or 4.8%, to EUR 33.4 million from EUR 35.1 million in the comparable 2005 period. This was mainly due to lower sales prices for tennis racquets due to the introduction of our Flexpoint racquets in the second quarter of 2005, which positively influenced our sales in the third quarter of 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Racquet Sports revenues increased by EUR 1.8 million, or 1.8%, to EUR 106.3 million from EUR 104.4 million in the comparable 2005 period. This increase was mainly due to the weakening of the euro against the U.S. dollar in the reporting period.
Diving
Diving revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased by EUR 2.1 million, or 26.9%, to EUR 10.1 million from EUR 8.0 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Diving revenues decreased by EUR 2.1 million, or 5.3%, to EUR 38.0 million from EUR 40.1 million in the comparable 2005 period. This decrease was mainly due to a special product launch in the first quarter of 2005 (Limited Edition) which was not repeated in 2006.
Licensing
Licensing revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2006 decreased by EUR 0.4 million, or 24.3%, to EUR 1.2 million from EUR 1.6 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, licensing revenues decreased by EUR 1.3 million, or 17.6%, to EUR 5.9 million from EUR 7.2 million in the comparable 2005 period due to termination of a footwear license agreement which will be replaced by our own distribution and a termination of an apparel license agreement in the UK which will be replaced next year.
Profitability
Sales deductions for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased by EUR 0.5 million, or 18.7%, to EUR 3.2 million from EUR 2.7 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, sales deductions increased by EUR 1.1 million, or 18.5%, to EUR 6.9 million from EUR 5.8 million in the comparable 2005 period due to increased sales in winter sports and racquet sports.
Gross Profit for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased by EUR 7.3 million to EUR 45.4 million from EUR 38.2 million in the comparable 2005 period. Gross margin increased to 40.6% in 2006 from 37.9% in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 gross profit increased by EUR 7.1 million to EUR 98.2 million from EUR 91.1 million in the comparable 2005 period. Gross margin increased to 40.3% in 2006 from 39.5% in the comparable 2005 period. The positive development in gross margin for both the three- and nine-month periods was mainly due to our winter sports and diving business and reflected improved production efficiency.
Selling and Marketing Expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006, increased by EUR 3.2 million, or 16.5%, to EUR 22.8 million from EUR 19.6 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, selling and marketing expenses increased by EUR 3.4 million, or 5.4%, to EUR 67.4 million from EUR 64.0 million in the comparable 2005 period. This increase was mainly due to the higher advertising and departmental selling expenditures as well as the weakening of the euro against the U.S. dollar. The increased selling and marketing expenses were partly offset by a lower provision for bad debt.
General and Administrative Expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006, increased by EUR 0.2 million, or 3.1%, to EUR 7.6 million from EUR 7.4 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, general and administrative expenses increased by EUR 0.7 million, or 3.2%, to EUR 23.1 million from EUR 22.4 million in the comparable 2005 period. This increase was due to higher non-cash compensation expenses of EUR 0.6 million, resulting from the new Head Executive Stock Option Plan 2005 implemented in the third quarter 2005 as well as the weakening of the euro against the U.S. dollar.
As a result of the foregoing factors, for the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reported an operating profit of EUR 15.4 million compared to an operation profit of EUR 9.6 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the operating profit increased by EUR 2.0 million to EUR 8.2 million from EUR 6.2 million in the comparable 2005 period. Operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, excluding the impact in 2005 of the sale of property and restructuring costs, increased by EUR 3.8 million compared to the comparable 2005 period.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, interest expense decreased by EUR 0.01 million, or 0.3%, to EUR 3.1 million from EUR 3.1 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, interest expense decreased by EUR 0.4 million, or 4.3%, to EUR 9.2 million from EUR 9.7 million in the comparable 2005 period. This decrease was due to the repurchase of a portion of our 8.5% senior notes in 2005.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, interest income increased by EUR 0.2 million, or 101.6%, to EUR 0.5 million from EUR 0.2 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, interest income decreased by EUR 0.4 million, or 24.1%, to EUR 1.3 million from EUR 1.7 million in the comparable 2005 period. This decrease was due to the gain of EUR 0.9 million on the repurchase of a portion of our 8.5% senior notes in 2005.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company had other non-operating income, net of EUR 0.2 million compared to EUR 0.3 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the other non-operating income, net decreased by EUR 1.7 million mainly due to foreign currency gains in the comparable 2005 period.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded income tax expense of EUR 3.2 million, an increase of EUR 2.0 million compared to the income tax expense of EUR 1.2 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded an income tax expense of EUR 0.5 million, an increase of EUR 2.4 million compared to the income tax benefit of EUR 1.9 million in the comparable 2005 period. This increase was due to the increase in pre-tax gains in jurisdictions where tax loss carry forwards are used and the gain on sale of our property in 2005 which was tax-free.
As a result of the foregoing factors, for the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company had a profit of EUR 9.6 million, an increase of EUR 3.8 million compared to the profit of EUR 5.8 million in the comparable 2005 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reported a loss of EUR 0.1 million, compared to a profit of EUR 2.0 million in the comparable 2005 period.
About Head
Head NV is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment.
Head NV's ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("HED") and the Vienna Stock Exchange ("HEAD").
Our business is organized into four divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Diving and Licensing. We sell products under the Head (tennis, squash, badminton and racquetball racquets, tennis balls, alpine skis and ski boots, snowboards, bindings and boots), Penn (tennis and racquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings), and Mares/Dacor (diving equipment) brands.
We hold leading positions in all of our product markets and our products are endorsed by some of the world's top athletes including Andre Agassi, Marat Safin, Swetlana Kusnezowa, Bode Miller, Johann Grugger, Marco Buchel and Maria Riesch.
For more information, please visit our website: www.head.com
This press release should be read in conjunction with the company's report for the 9 months ended September 30, 2006.
This press release and the statements of Mr. Johan Eliasch quoted herein contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Although Head believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included and quoted herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Head or any other person that the objectives and plans of Head will be achieved.
The full press release including tables can be downloaded from the following link: http://hugin.info/133711/R/1087112/190273.pdf