The FINANCIAL — PUMA’s 2014 third quarter sales performance was positive, as consolidated sales rose by 6.4% currency adjusted to € 843 million. This represents an increase of 3.7% in Euro terms, as continuing currency effects from various countries had a negative impact on sales, according to PUMA SE.
Sales in the EMEA region increased by 4.4% currency adjusted to € 388 million. Performance improved in Western Europe, notably in Germany, where the new Borussia Dortmund jerseys were well received, as well as Switzerland and France, as sales of Teamsport and Lifestyle products rose.
Sales increased by 6.3% currency adjusted to € 265 million in the Americas, as North America continued to benefit from improved wholesale business, including key account initiatives like the PUMA Labs at Foot Locker. Sales in Latin America also rose, supported by a strong Teamsport business within the region.
Asia/Pacific sales increased by 10.7% currency adjusted to € 191 million due to growth in all key markets, including India, China, Korea and Japan. This growth was supported by the successful start of the Forever Faster brand campaign, the positive reception of PUMA’s new Arsenal jerseys and a strong Accessories business, according to PUMA SE.
All product segments positive
Third quarter Footwear sales rose by 2.0% currency adjusted to € 374 million as Teamsport sales, particularly the PUMA evoSPEED boot, continued to improve.
PUMA’s third quarter Apparel sales rose by 11.4% currency adjusted to € 323 million, supported by strong demand for our Teamsport products, especially Arsenal jerseys and kit.
Accessories sales also improved by 7.5% currency adjusted to € 147 million due to continued demand for socks and bodywear. However, Golf equipment sales declined in the quarter as the golfing environment remained very weak, according to PUMA SE.
Gross profit margin lower
PUMA’s gross profit margin declined from 47.1% to 46.3% for the third quarter of 2014 on the back of adverse currency impacts as well as shifts within the product mix which influenced the margin negatively. In addition, stronger sales in our distribution business within Latin America, particularly in Footwear, led to a decline in the Footwear margin from 44.4% to 41.9%. Apparel margin decreased slightly from 49.9% to 49.6%. However, the margin for Accessories improved from 48.6% to 50.3%.
OPEX increased
PUMA’s operating expenditures increased as expected in the third quarter, from € 309 million to € 349 million, due to the higher marketing expenditures associated with the Arsenal partnership and the launch of the Forever Faster brand campaign ahead of the back-to-school season, according to PUMA SE.
Operating Result (EBIT) decreased
The decline in PUMA’s operating result (EBIT) from € 80 million to € 46 million in the third quarter of 2014 is mainly due to significantly higher marketing expenditures within the OPEX.
Financial Result
The financial result improved from € -1.5 million to € -0.7 million in the third quarter. The result remained negative due mainly to currency conversion impacts.
Net earnings
PUMA’s consolidated net earnings declined from € 53 million to € 29 million. As a result, earnings per share decreased from € 3.53 to € 1.93 in the third quarter of the year, according to PUMA SE.
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