Source: Under Armour Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results; Announces Outlook for 2017
There is so much information here to be considered that I will take the time to break down each section over the next few days. My overall assessment still remains that the Stock market overreacted to the announcement in October that made the stock tumble. I still think that the brand is too reliant upon Steph Curry and that they underutilize the marketing around him and their other endorsers. I think they are throwing too much into the digital play and that UAS needs to be incorporated into the every day wear and removed from niche marketing strategies. Here is the summary from the report:
Fourth Quarter 2016 Review
- Revenues were up 12 percent to $1.3 billion, driven by a 5 percent increase in wholesale revenues to $742 million and a 23 percent increase in direct-to-consumer revenues to $518 million. North American revenues grew 6 percent. International revenues, which represented 16 percent of total revenues in the quarter, were up 55 percent (up 60 percent currency neutral) driven by significant growth in the U.K., Germany, China and Australia. Apparel revenues increased 7 percent to $929 million including strength in golf and basketball. Footwear revenues increased 36 percent to $228 million driven by accelerated growth in running and basketball. Accessories revenues increased 7 percent to $104 million with strength in bags and headwear.
- Gross margin was 44.8 percent compared with 48 percent in the prior year’s period, as benefits from more favorable product costs were offset by aggressive efforts to manage inventory, changes in foreign currency and the outperformance of footwear and international businesses in the overall mix, which carry lower margins than our apparel and North American businesses.
- Selling, general and administrative expenses grew 9 percent to $420 million, or 32.1 percent of sales (down 70 basis points), due to continued investments in the company’s highest growth businesses: footwear, international, and direct-to-consumer.
- Operating income declined 6 percent to $167 million. Net income decreased 1 percent to $105 million and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $0.23 compared with $0.24 in the prior year’s period.
