Carter’s, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results

• Net sales $819 million
• Operating income $92 million
• Diluted EPS $1.67
• $331 million returned to shareholders year-to-date through share repurchases and dividends
• Full year fiscal 2022 outlook:
  • Net sales of approximately $3.145 billion to $3.185 billion
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of approximately $6.05 to $6.65

Carter’s, Inc. (NYSE:CRI), the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, today reported its third quarter fiscal 2022 results.

“Historic and persistent inflation has continued to weigh on demand for our brands, and is adversely affecting many families raising young children” said Michael D. Casey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

“A year ago, families with young children were supported by unprecedented government stimulus payments to help them recover from the pandemic. They benefitted from access to vaccines and the relaxation of COVID restrictions. Many began to travel again to reconnect with families and friends. It was a period of optimism.

“By comparison, this year, real wages are lower, gas and food prices remain elevated and many families have struggled to find baby formula given shortages this past year. The global recovery from the pandemic that began last year, and enabled Carter’s to achieve record profitability in 2021, has been disrupted by inflation and lingering supply chain delays.

“Our supply chain performance continued to improve in the third quarter, but on-time deliveries are not yet back to pre-pandemic levels due to port congestion on the East Coast. There are indications that the global slowdown in consumer demand may result in improved deliveries, and lower product and transportation costs beginning in 2023.

“Carter’s has a long history of weathering market disruptions and emerging stronger from them. We are focused on mitigating the effects of current market conditions through inventory management, improved price realization and expense control.

“This is the first holiday shopping season in over 40 years that consumers are weighed down by record inflation. The early indications suggest that holiday shopping may not be as robust as last year. Accordingly, we have widened the range of our sales and earnings forecasts for the fourth quarter and year to reflect current market conditions.”

Adjustments to Reported GAAP Results

In addition to the results provided in this earnings release in accordance with GAAP, the Company has provided adjusted, non-GAAP financial measurements, as presented below. These adjusted, non-GAAP financial measurements are presented for informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s future condition or results of operations. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Results” section of this release for additional disclosures and reconciliations regarding these non-GAAP financial measures.

In the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, a pre-tax adjustment of approximately $19.9 million ($15.2 million net of tax, or $0.38 per diluted share) was made related to a loss on extinguishment of debt.

Consolidated Results

The discussion of results below is presented on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis where noted.

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2022 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2021

Net sales decreased $72.0 million, or 8.1%, to $818.6 million, driven by declines in the Company’s U.S. Retail, International and U.S. Wholesale sales of 12.3%, 6.7% and 1.9%, respectively. U.S. Retail comparable net sales declined 11%. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2021, had an unfavorable effect on consolidated net sales of approximately $2.9 million, or 0.3%.

Operating income decreased $32.4 million to $91.6 million, compared to $124.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Operating margin was 11.2%, compared to 13.9% in the prior-year period. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) decreased $32.3 million to $91.6 million, compared to $123.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) was 11.2%, compared to 13.9% in the prior year period, principally reflecting fixed cost deleverage on lower sales, higher ocean freight rates, and higher distribution expenses, partially offset by lower air freight expenses and lower performance-based compensation provisions.

Net income was $65.0 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, compared to $85.0 million, or $1.93 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $65.0 million, compared to $84.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) was $1.67, compared to $1.93 in the prior-year quarter.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2022 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2021

Net sales decreased $123.7 million, or 5.1%, to $2.30 billion, driven by a decline in the Company’s U.S. Retail segment, partially offset by growth in its U.S. Wholesale and International segments. U.S. Retail net sales declined 11.0%, reflecting inflationary pressures driving lower consumer demand and the comparison to the prior year period, which benefited from significant and unprecedented government stimulus payments made to consumers in response to the pandemic, and a lower store count related to the closure of low-margin stores in 2021. U.S. Retail comparable net sales declined 9%. U.S. Wholesale and International net sales increased by 1.3% and 2.6%, respectively. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates used for translation in the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, as compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2021, had an unfavorable effect on consolidated net sales of approximately $5.4 million, or 0.2%.

Operating income decreased $89.5 million to $269.6 million, compared to $359.1 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021. Operating margin was 11.7%, compared to 14.8% in the prior year period. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) decreased $93.3 million to $269.6 million, compared to $362.9 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021. Adjusted operating margin was 11.7%, compared to 15.0% in the prior year period, principally reflecting higher ocean freight rates, fixed cost deleverage on lower sales, and increased inventory provisions, partially offset by lower performance-based compensation provisions, the benefit of closing low-margin stores, and lower air freight expenses.

Net income was $169.9 million, or $4.26 per diluted share, compared to $242.8 million, or $5.51 per diluted share, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) was $185.0 million, compared to $245.6 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) was $4.64, compared to adjusted earnings per diluted share of $5.58 in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021.

Net cash used in operations in the first three quarters of fiscal 2022 was $217.5 million, compared to net cash provided by operations of $7.3 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021. The decline primarily reflected lower earnings and growth in inventory.

See the “Business Segment Results” and “Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Results” sections of this release for additional disclosures regarding business segment performance and non-GAAP measures.

Return of Capital

In the third quarter and first three quarters of fiscal 2022, the Company returned to shareholders a total of $94.5 million and $331.4 million, respectively, through share repurchases and cash dividends as described below.

• During the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company repurchased and retired 0.9 million shares of its common stock for $65.4 million at an average price of $74.61 per share. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, the Company repurchased and retired 2.9 million shares of its common stock for $241.8 million at an average price of $82.16 per share. These first three quarters of repurchases represented approximately 7.2% of shares outstanding as of the beginning of fiscal year 2022. Fiscal year-to-date through October 27, 2022, the Company has repurchased and retired a total of 3.3 million shares for $264.6 million at an average price of $81.09 per share. All shares were repurchased in open market transactions pursuant to applicable regulations for such transactions. As of October 27, 2022, the total remaining capacity under the Company’s previously announced repurchase authorizations was approximately $785 million.
• In the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.75 per share totaling $29.1 million. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2022, the Company paid cash dividends totaling $89.6 million. Future payments of quarterly dividends will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including the Company’s future financial performance and other considerations.

2022 Business Outlook

The Company's outlook for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 reflects:

• Continued challenging macroeconomic environment;
• U.S. Retail comparable sales decline of approximately 10% to 15%;
• Lower U.S. Wholesale sales, reflecting risk of lower demand and supply chain delays;
• Lower International sales, driven largely by lower demand in Canada and lower wholesale demand;
• Improved price realization;
• Reduced discretionary spending;
• A better mix and level of inventories relative to last year to support holiday demand;
• Continued investment in our direct-to-consumer, customer acquisition, brand marketing, and distribution capabilities;
• Lower interest expense; and
• Cumulative benefit of share repurchases.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company projects:

• Net sales of approximately $845 million to $885 million;
• Adjusted operating income of approximately $85 million to $115 million, compared to $137.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021; and
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.40 to $2.00, compared to $2.31 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.

For fiscal year 2022, the Company projects:

• Net sales of approximately $3.145 billion to $3.185 billion;
• Adjusted operating income of approximately $355 million to $385 million, compared to $500.8 million in fiscal 2021; and
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share of approximately $6.05 to $6.65, compared to $7.87 in fiscal 2021.

Our adjusted diluted earnings per share outlook for fiscal year 2022 excludes an after-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $15.2 million, which was recorded in the second fiscal quarter.

We have not reconciled forward-looking adjusted operating income or adjusted diluted earnings per share to their most directly comparable GAAP measures because we cannot predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain components of such reconciliations that are not within our control due to factors described above, or others that may arise, without unreasonable effort. For these reasons, we are unable to assess the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could materially impact the amount of future operating income or diluted EPS, the most directly comparable GAAP metrics to adjusted operating income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, respectively.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call with investors to discuss third quarter fiscal 2022 results and its business outlook on October 28, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. To listen to a live webcast and view the accompanying presentation materials, please visit ir.carters.com and select links for “News & Events” followed by “Webcasts & Presentations.” To access the call by phone, please preregister on https://register.vevent.com/register/BI9b51dd1e033948c586d564d0a614ef6b to receive your dial-in number and unique passcode.

A webcast replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call at ir.carters.com.

About Carter’s, Inc.

Carter’s, Inc. is the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children. The Company owns the Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh brands, two of the most recognized brands in the marketplace. These brands are sold in leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally. They are also sold through approximately 970 Company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and online at www.carters.com, www.oshkosh.com, www.cartersoshkosh.ca, and www.carters.com.mx. The Company’s Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart, its Just One You brand is available at Target, and its Simple Joys brand is available on Amazon. The Company also owns Little Planet, a brand focused on organic fabrics and sustainable materials, and Skip Hop, a global lifestyle brand for families with young children. Carter’s is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information may be found at www.carters.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws relating to our future performance, including statements with respect to the potential effects of macroeconomic conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Company’s future outlook, financial results, liquidity, strategy, financings, and investments. Such statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or not materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or projected. Certain of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and performance to differ materially are described in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time under the headings “Risk Factors.” Included among those risks are those related to: the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; financial difficulties for one or more of our major customers; an overall decrease in consumer spending; our products not being accepted in the marketplace; increased competition in the market place; diminished value of our brands; the failure to protect our intellectual property; the failure to comply with applicable quality standards or regulations; unseasonable or extreme weather conditions; pending and threatened lawsuits; a breach of our information technology systems and the loss of personal data; increased margin pressures, including increased cost of materials and labor; our foreign sourcing arrangements; disruptions in our supply chain; the management and expansion of our business domestically and internationally; the acquisition and integration of other brands and businesses; and changes in our tax obligations, including additional customs, duties or tariffs. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental financial measures that are not defined or prepared in accordance with GAAP. We define EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for the items described in footnotes (a) - (d) to the table above.

We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we consider them important supplemental measures of our performance and believe they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. These measures also afford investors a view of what management considers to be the Company's core performance.

The use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA instead of net income or cash flows from operations has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent net income or cash flow from operations as those terms are defined by GAAP and do not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. While EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are frequently used as measures of operations and the ability to meet debt service requirements, these terms are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters that we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations. Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us for working capital, debt service and other purposes.