The Racquet Sports division reported an increase in sales of 1.8% for the year (4.1% at constant currency). This growth has been achieved through an increase in the volume of tennis balls sold, particularly in North America, coupled with an improvement in the mix of tennis racquets.
Whilst trading conditions continue to remain tough in Europe for Diving, the division managed a modest increase in sales of 0.9% (1.4% at constant currency) due to higher sales in North America and Asia.
Sportswear revenues increased by 12.3% in 2013 mainly due to improved sales of Winter Sports apparel.
Licensing revenues declined by €0.6m or 10.4% due to a combination of the loss of a contract, bringing sportswear in-house in the UK and some timing differences.
Gross margin for the group also improved in the year by 0.8 percentage points which, combined with improved sales, gave rise to a gross profit for the year to 31st December 2013 of €144.9m compared to €135.9m in 2012.
The improvement in gross profit of nearly €9.0m was offset by cost increases of €6.9m resulting in a net improvement in adjusted operating profit of €2.1m from €10.1m in the year to 31st December 2012 to €12.1m in 2013.
The cost increases were driven by €6.0m in selling and marketing due to higher advertising costs in our Racquet Sports division and higher departmental costs in both Racquet Sports and our Sportswear divisions. In addition, commissions and shipment costs increased due to the increase in sales.
General and administrative expenses also increased by €1.7m in business unit administration and warehousing. These additional costs were offset by an increase in other operating income of €0.8m due to the release of provisions created in prior years, to arrive at the overall cost increase in the year of €6.9m.
Interest and Other Finance Expenses decreased by €0.8m in 2013 compared to 2012 mainly due to lower interest expenses for our long-term financing. Tax, interest income and other non-operating items remained broadly flat in the year resulting in net income for the year ended 2013 up by €2.8m from €2.5m in 2012 to €5.3m in 2013.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year to 31st December 2013 amounted to €5.0m compared to €24.8m in 2012. The decline was due to adverse working capital movements. The higher Winter Sports sales during 2013 have resulted in higher year end receivables compared to the relatively low level of receivables at the end of 2012 when sales during that year where not as strong.
For 2014 we see continued financial pressure on consumers and negative impact from the warm winter in some parts of Europe offset by the success of our athletes.
Head NV has filed its Annual Report for the Year ended 31st December 2013 with the Authority for Financial Markets in the Netherlands (AFM) and the Vienna Stock Exchange (VSE). Copies of the report are available on our website:
http://head.com/corporate/investors/annual_reports.php
The first quarter`s results will be released on or around the 8th of May 2014.
The Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Head NV will be held on Tuesday, the 29th of April, 2014 at 2pm (local time) at the Sheraton Amsterdam Airport Hotel, Schiphol Boulevard 101, 1118 BG Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Details concerning the agenda, the right to attend, and how to exercise rights at the Annual General Meeting are available on our website:
http://www.head.com/corporate/investors/agm_summary.php
The Annual General Meeting will not be open to members of the general public.
About Head
HEAD NV is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment and apparel.
HEAD NV`s ordinary shares are listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange ("HEAD").
Our business is organized into five divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Diving, Sportswear and Licensing. We sell products under the HEAD (alpine skis, ski bindings, ski boots, snowboard and protection products, tennis, racquetball, paddle and squash racquets, tennis balls and tennis footwear, sportswear and swimming products), Penn (tennis balls and racquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings) and Mares (diving equipment) brands.
For more information, please visit our website: www.head.com
Clare Vincent, Investor Relations
Tel: +44 207 499 7800
Fax: +44 207 491 7725
E-mail: Investor-Relations@head.com
Gunter Hagspiel, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +43 5574 608
Fax: +43 5574 608 130
E-mail: g.hagspiel@head.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "will" and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, as they relate to Head NV, its management or third parties, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements include statements regarding Head NV`s business strategy, financial condition, results of operations, and market data, as well as any other statements that are not historical facts. These statements reflect beliefs of Head NV`s management as well as assumptions made by its management and information currently available to Head NV. Although Head NV believes that these beliefs and assumptions are reasonable, the statements are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. These Factors include, but are not limited to, the following: global economic turmoil, weather and other factors beyond our control, competitive pressures and trends in the sporting goods industry, our ability to implement our business strategy, our liquidity and capital expenditures, our ability to obtain financing, our ability to compete, including internationally, our ability to introduce new and innovative products, legal proceedings and regulatory matters, our ability to fund our future capital needs, and general economic conditions. These factors, risks and uncertainties expressly qualify all subsequent oral and written forward-looking statements attributable to Head NV or persons acting on its behalf.
Head NV
Prins Bernhardplein 200,
1097 JB Amsterdam
Shares:
ISIN: NL0000238301
Stock Market: Official Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange
Notes:
ISIN: CH0222437011
Market: SIX Swiss Exchange
The press release can also be downloaded from the following link:
Results 2013
This announcement is distributed by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Head N.V. via GlobeNewswire
HUG#1768270
