NIKE Inc. reported financial results for its fiscal 2012 first quarter ended August 31, 2011. Diluted earnings per share and revenue represented new records as a strong demand for NIKE, Inc. brands, SG&A expense leverage, tax efficiencies and a lower average share count offset the impact of a lower gross margin.
"We're off to a strong start in fiscal year 2012. We have a powerful and diverse portfolio of brands and businesses, and we're focused on leveraging them to drive growth and create value for our shareholders," said Mark Parker, President and CEO, NIKE, Inc. "It pays to be prudent in times like these. It's also essential that we remain on the offense, creating opportunities. We do that by connecting with consumers, designing innovative products and delivering amazing experiences. That's how we continue to lead this company and the industry into the future."*
First Quarter Income Statement Review
Revenues for NIKE, Inc. increased 18 percent to $6.1 billion, up 11 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Excluding the impacts of changes in foreign currency, NIKE Brand revenues rose 12 percent with growth in every geography except Western Europe, which was flat due to the negative impact from changes in the timing of shipments and comparisons to last year's strong World Cup related sales. By category, revenues were up on a currency neutral basis in all key categories except Football (Soccer), which had a challenging prior year comparison given the World Cup last year. Revenues for our Other Businesses increased 10 percent including 2 percentage points of benefit from changes in currency exchange rates, as growth in Converse, Cole Haan and NIKE Golf offset lower revenues at Hurley and Umbro.
Gross margin declined 270 basis points to 44.3 percent mainly due to higher product costs and a higher mix of off-price revenues sold at a lower margin than the prior year. These factors more than offset the positive impact of growing sales in our Direct to Consumer operations, select pricing actions and the benefits of ongoing product cost reduction initiatives.
Selling and administrative expenses grew at a slower rate than revenue, up 9 percent to $1.8 billion. Demand creation expenses increased 2 percent to $692 million driven by marketing support for key product initiatives and investments in retail product presentation for wholesale accounts. Operating overhead expenses increased 14 percent to $1.1 billion due to additional investments made in our wholesale and Direct to Consumer businesses.
Other expense, net was $18 million, comprised largely of foreign exchange losses, primarily from currency hedges. For the quarter, we estimate the year-over-year change in foreign currency related losses included in other expense, net combined with the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the translation of foreign currency-denominated profits increased pretax income by approximately $32 million.
The effective tax rate was 24.3 percent compared to 26.0 percent for the same period last year, an improvement due primarily to a reduction in the effective tax rate on operations outside the United States.
Net income increased 15 percent to $645 million and diluted earnings per share increased 19 percent to $1.36 reflecting a 3 percent decline in the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.
August 31, 2011 Balance Sheet Review
Inventories for NIKE, Inc. were $3.1 billion, up 41 percent from August 31, 2010. Inventories were higher compared to a year ago due to higher average unit product cost, growth in total units and changes in currency exchange rates. NIKE Brand unit inventories were higher as a result of strong demand and elevated product deliveries as manufacturing partners have expanded production capacity to more closely align with demand. Also contributing to the growth in NIKE Brand units were strategic pre-builds for key seasonal items with longer production lead times and growth in our Direct to Consumer business. Relative to revenues and futures, current unit inventories are broadly consistent with the levels we reported prior to the 2009 - 2010 economic downturn.
Cash and short-term investments were $3.7 billion, lower than last year as higher working capital investments reduced free cash flow from operations, while share repurchases, dividend payments and long-term debt payments also increased year-on-year.
Share Repurchases
During the first quarter, we repurchased a total of 7.7 million shares for approximately $649 million as part of our four-year, $5 billion share repurchase program, approved by the Board of Directors in September 2008. As of the end of the first quarter, we have purchased a total of 38.0 million shares for approximately $3.0 billion under this program.
Futures Orders
As of the end of the quarter worldwide futures orders for NIKE Brand athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from September 2011 through January 2012, totaled $8.5 billion, 16 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year. Excluding currency changes, reported orders would have increased 13 percent.*
