Caleres Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

Continued improvement in gross margin and net earnings, with reported earnings per share up 14.3% and adjusted earnings per share up 7.5%

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Caleres (NYSE: CAL, caleres.com), a diverse portfolio of global footwear brands which fit people’s lives, today reported first quarter 2018 financial results.

“In the first quarter, we once again delivered improvement in gross margin, net earnings and earnings per share. Not surprisingly, the late start to spring delayed sales but – as expected – spring arrived and trends improved appreciably, with this momentum continuing into the second quarter,” said Diane Sullivan, CEO, president and chairman of Caleres. “In the first quarter, Brand Portfolio sales were up 1.4%, and both Brand Portfolio and Famous Footwear experienced continued growth in ecommerce-related sales. We remain on track for 2018 and are maintaining our guidance for the year.”

First Quarter 2018 Results Versus 2017

• Consolidated sales of $632.1 million
  • Famous Footwear total sales of $363.4 million were down 0.8%, as were same-store-sales, and we operated 39 fewer doors year-over-year.
  • Brand Portfolio sales of $268.7 million were up 1.4%.
• Gross profit was $274.9 million, while gross margin of 43.5% was up 59 basis points.
• SG&A expense of $250.2 million was up 1.5%.
• Operating earnings were $22.9 million and operating margin was 3.6%, while adjusted operating earnings were $24.7 million and adjusted operating margin was 3.9%, reflecting the new accounting standard related to the presentation of retirement benefits.
• Net earnings were $17.2 million, while diluted earnings per share were $0.40 and included a $0.03 charge for the previously announced transition of Allen Edmonds’ consumer-facing activities to St. Louis.
• Adjusted net earnings of $18.5 million were up 6.3%, while adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $0.43 were up 7.5%.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

• Cash and equivalents were $96.5 million and up $24.7 million year-over-year.
• There were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
• Inventory of $579.9 million was up 2.6% year-over-year.
• Capital expenditures of $9.4 million were down 24.3% year-over-year.

Shareholder Distributions

During the first quarter, Caleres repurchased 100,000 shares of CAL common stock for a total of $3.3 million. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share, payable July 2, 2018, to shareholders of record as of June 18, 2018. This dividend will be the 381^st consecutive quarterly dividend paid by the company.

2018 Outlook Maintained
Consolidated net sales	~$2.8B
Famous Footwear same-store-sales	Up low-single digits
Brand Portfolio sales	Up low-single digits
Gross margin	Up ~5 to 10 bps
SG&A as a percent of revenue	Down ~5 to 10 bps
Interest expense	~$16M
Effective tax rate	25% to 26%
Adjusted earnings per diluted share	$2.40 to $2.50

Pension Presentation
First quarter results reflect the new accounting standard related to the presentation of retirement benefits, which impacted reported and adjusted 2017 operating income and margin. The effect of this new standard resulted in a shift of $2.4 million of retirement plan income from first quarter 2017 SG&A expense to other income, net. There was no impact to first quarter 2017 net earnings or earnings per share, due to the adoption of this standard.

Investor Conference Call
Caleres will host an investor conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET today, Thursday, May 31. The webcast and slides will be available at investor.caleres.com/news/events. A live conference call will be available at [phone] for analysts in North America or [phone] for international analysts by using the conference ID 5283379. A replay will be available at investor.caleres.com/news/events/archive for a limited period. Investors may also access the replay by dialing [phone] in North America or [phone] internationally and using the conference ID 5283379 through Thursday, June 7.

Definitions
All references in this press release, outside of the condensed consolidated financial statements that follow, unless otherwise noted, related to net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. and diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders, are presented as net earnings and earnings per diluted share, respectively.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this press release, the company’s financial results are provided both in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and using certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, the company provides historic and estimated future gross profit, operating earnings, net earnings and earnings per diluted share adjusted to exclude certain gains, charges and recoveries, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These results are included as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the company’s business and provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the company’s core operating results. These measures should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and expectations regarding the company’s future performance and the performance of its brands. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include (i) changing consumer demands, which may be influenced by consumers’ disposable income, which in turn can be influenced by general economic conditions and other factors; (ii) rapidly changing fashion trends and consumer preferences and purchasing patterns; (iii) intense competition within the footwear industry; (iv) political and economic conditions or other threats to the continued and uninterrupted flow of inventory from China and other countries, where the Company relies heavily on third-party manufacturing facilities for a significant amount of its inventory; (v) foreign currency fluctuations; (vi) the ability to accurately forecast sales and manage inventory levels; (vii) cybersecurity threats or other major disruption to the Company’s information technology systems; (viii) customer concentration and increased consolidation in the retail industry; (ix) transitional challenges with acquisitions; (x) a disruption in the Company’s distribution centers; (xi) changes to tax laws, policies and treaties; (xii) the ability to recruit and retain senior management and other key associates; (xiii) compliance with applicable laws and standards with respect to labor, trade and product safety issues; (xiv) the ability to secure/exit leases on favorable terms; (xv) the ability to maintain relationships with current suppliers; and (xvi) the ability to attract, retain, and maintain good relationships with licensors and protect our intellectual property rights. The company’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission contain detailed information relating to such factors, including, without limitation, the information under the caption Risk Factors in Item 1A of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2018, which information is incorporated by reference herein and updated by the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company does not undertake any obligation or plan to update these forward-looking statements, even though its situation may change.

About Caleres
Caleres is a diverse portfolio of global footwear brands. Our products are available virtually everywhere - in the over 1,200 retail stores we operate, in hundreds of major department and specialty stores, on our branded e-commerce sites, and on many additional third-party retail websites. Famous Footwear, Famous.com and Famous.ca serve as our Family brands. Our Contemporary Fashion brands include Sam Edelman, Allen Edmonds, Franco Sarto, Vince, Via Spiga, George Brown Bilt, Diane von Furstenberg, Fergie Footwear and Carlos Santana. Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes, LifeStride, Bzees and Ryka represent our Healthy Living brands. Combined, these brands help make Caleres a company with both a legacy and a mission. Our legacy is our more than 130-years of craftsmanship, our passion for fit and our business savvy, while our mission is to continue to inspire people to feel good…feet first. Visit caleres.com to learn more about us.

SCHEDULE 1
CALERES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
(Thousands, except per share data)	May 5, 2018			April 29, 2017
Net sales	$	632,142		$	631,509
Cost of goods sold	357,221			360,601
Gross profit	274,921			270,908
Selling and administrative expenses	250,197			246,511
Restructuring and other special charges, net	1,778			1,108
Operating earnings	22,946			23,289
Interest expense, net	(3,683		)	(4,809		)
Other income, net	3,091			2,436
Earnings before income taxes	22,354			20,916
Income tax provision	(5,174		)	(6,032		)
Net earnings	17,180			14,884
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(32		)	(18		)
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	$	17,212		$	14,902
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$	0.40		$	0.35
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$	0.40		$	0.35

SCHEDULE 2
CALERES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	(Unaudited)
	May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		February 3, 2018
(Thousands)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	96,481	$	71,816	$	64,047
Receivables, net	125,559		107,021		152,613
Inventories, net	579,902		565,051		569,379
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	62,385		38,318		60,750
Total current assets	864,327		782,206		846,789
Property and equipment, net	208,898		217,854		212,799
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	339,900		342,208		339,168
Other assets	88,941		67,289		90,659
Total assets	$	1,502,066	$	1,409,557	$	1,489,415
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement	$	—	$	85,000	$	—
Trade accounts payable	268,917		225,032		272,962
Other accrued expenses	168,746		146,315		157,197
Total current liabilities	437,663		456,347		430,159
Long-term debt	197,587		197,118		197,472
Deferred rent	53,027		50,881		53,071
Other liabilities	99,651		83,478		89,751
Total other liabilities	350,265		331,477		340,294
Total Caleres, Inc. shareholders’ equity	712,705		620,387		717,489
Noncontrolling interests	1,433		1,346		1,473
Total equity	714,138		621,733		718,962
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,502,066	$	1,409,557	$	1,489,415

SCHEDULE 3
CALERES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
(Thousands)	May 5, 2018			April 29, 2017
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	51,347		$	65,384
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	(7,929		)	(10,978		)
Capitalized software	(1,434		)	(1,390		)
Net cash used for investing activities	(9,363		)	(12,368		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement	—			195,000
Repayments under revolving credit agreement	—			(220,000		)
Dividends paid	(3,023		)	(3,025		)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(3,288		)	(5,993		)
Issuance of common stock under share-based plans, net	(3,122		)	(2,422		)
Net cash used for financing activities	(9,433		)	(36,440		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(117		)	(92		)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	32,434			16,484
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	64,047			55,332
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	96,481		$	71,816

SCHEDULE 4
CALERES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET EARNINGS AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (GAAP BASIS) TO ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS AND ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (NON-GAAP BASIS)
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	May 5, 2018						April 29, 2017
(Thousands, except per share data)	Pre-Tax Impact of Charges/ Other Items		Net Earnings Attributable to Caleres, Inc.		Diluted Earnings Per Share		Pre-Tax Impact of Charges/ Other Items		Net Earnings Attributable to Caleres, Inc.		Diluted Earnings Per Share
GAAP earnings			$	17,212	$	0.40			$	14,902	$	0.35
Charges/other items:
Acquisition, integration and reorganization of men's brands	1,778		1,315		0.03		4,137		2,528		0.05
Total charges/other items	$	1,778	$	1,315	$	0.03	$	4,137	$	2,528	$	0.05
Adjusted earnings			$	18,527	$	0.43			$	17,430	$	0.40

SCHEDULE 5
CALERES, INC.
SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS BY SEGMENT
SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	Famous Footwear				Brand Portfolio				Other				Consolidated
(Thousands)	May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017
Net sales	$	363,411	$	366,494	$	268,731	$	265,015	$	—	$	—	$	632,142	$	631,509
Gross profit	$	165,201	$	167,690	$	109,720	$	103,218	$	—	$	—	$	274,921	$	270,908
Adjusted gross profit	$	165,201	$	167,690	$	109,720	$	106,247	$	—	$	—	$	274,921	$	273,937
Gross profit rate	45.5%		45.8%		40.8%		38.9%		—%		—%		43.5%		42.9%
Adjusted gross profit rate	45.5%		45.8%		40.8%		40.1%		—%		—%		43.5%		43.4%
Operating earnings (loss)	$	21,857	$	20,279	$	12,486	$	13,314	$	(11,397)	$	(10,304)	$	22,946	$	23,289
Adjusted operating earnings (loss)	$	21,857	$	20,279	$	14,070	$	17,189	$	(11,203)	$	(10,042)	$	24,724	$	27,426
Operating earnings %	6.0%		5.5%		4.6%		5.0%		—%		—%		3.6%		3.7%
Adjusted operating earnings %	6.0%		5.5%		5.2%		6.5%		—%		—%		3.9%		4.3%
Same-store sales % (on a 13-week basis) ^(1)	(0.8)%		(0.6)%		(1.0)%		2.3%		—%		—%		—%		—%
Number of stores	1,013		1,052		235		233		—		—		1,248		1,285
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED RESULTS (NON-GAAP)
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	Famous Footwear				Brand Portfolio				Other				Consolidated
(Thousands)	May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017		May 5, 2018		April 29, 2017
Gross profit	$	165,201	$	167,690	$	109,720	$	103,218	$	—	$	—	$	274,921	$	270,908
Charges/Other Items:
Acquisition, integration and reorganization of men's brands	—		—		—		3,029		—		—		—		3,029
Total charges/other items	—		—		—		3,029		—		—		—		3,029
Adjusted gross profit	$	165,201	$	167,690	$	109,720	$	106,247	$	—	$	—	$	274,921	$	273,937
Operating earnings (loss)	$	21,857	$	20,279	$	12,486	$	13,314	$	(11,397)	$	(10,304)	$	22,946	$	23,289
Charges/Other Items:
Acquisition, integration and reorganization of men's brands	—		—		1,584		3,875		194		262		1,778		4,137
Total charges/other items	—		—		1,584		3,875		194		262		1,778		4,137
Adjusted operating earnings (loss)	$	21,857	$	20,279	$	14,070	$	17,189	$	(11,203)	$	(10,042)	$	24,724	$	27,426
^(1) The thirteen-week period ended April 29, 2017 excludes sales from Allen Edmonds.

SCHEDULE 6
CALERES, INC.
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
(Thousands, except per share data)	May 5, 2018			April 29, 2017
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.:
Net earnings	$	17,180		$	14,884
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	32			18
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	17,212			14,902
Net earnings allocated to participating securities	(479		)	(408		)
Net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	16,733			14,494
Basic and diluted common shares attributable to Caleres, Inc.:
Basic common shares	41,910			41,832
Dilutive effect of share-based awards	124			169
Diluted common shares attributable to Caleres, Inc.	42,034			42,001
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$	0.40		$	0.35
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$	0.40		$	0.35

SCHEDULE 7
CALERES, INC.
BASIC AND DILUTED ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
(Thousands, except per share data)	May 5, 2018			April 29, 2017
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.:
Adjusted net earnings	$	18,495		$	17,412
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	32			18
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc.	18,527			17,430
Net earnings allocated to participating securities	(516		)	(477		)
Adjusted net earnings attributable to Caleres, Inc. after allocation of earnings to participating securities	18,011			16,953
Basic and diluted common shares attributable to Caleres, Inc.:
Basic common shares	41,910			41,832
Dilutive effect of share-based awards	124			169
Diluted common shares attributable to Caleres, Inc.	42,034			42,001
Basic adjusted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$	0.43		$	0.41
Diluted adjusted earnings per common share attributable to Caleres, Inc. shareholders	$	0.43		$	0.40

SCHEDULE 8
CALERES, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF INCOME TAX PROVISION AND EFFECTIVE TAX RATE (GAAP BASIS) TO ADJUSTED INCOME TAX PROVISION AND ADJUSTED EFFECTIVE TAX RATE (NON-GAAP BASIS)
	(Unaudited)
	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	May 5, 2018
	Earnings Before Income Taxes		Income Tax Provision			Effective Tax Rate
(Thousands)
GAAP basis	$	22,354	$	(5,174	)	23.1	%
Charges/other items:
Acquisition, integration and reorganization of men's brands	1,778		(463		)
Adjusted basis	$	24,132	$	(5,637	)	23.4	%