EX-99.1 2 f51422exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
         
(LEVI STRAUSS & CO. NEWS LOGO)
  1155 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111    
             
Investor Contact:
      Roger Fleischmann    
 
      Levi Strauss & Co.    
 
      (800) 438-0349    
 
           
Media Contact:
      Jeff Beckman    
 
      Levi Strauss & Co.    
 
      (415) 501-3317    
LEVI STRAUSS & CO. ANNOUNCES FOURTH-QUARTER AND
FISCAL-YEAR 2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS
SAN FRANCISCO (February 10, 2009) – Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&CO.) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 30, 2008.
Highlights include:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   % Change vs. 2007   Fiscal Year Ended   % Change vs. 2007
($ millions)   Nov. 30, 2008   As Reported   Nov. 30, 2008   As Reported
Net revenues
  $ 1,271       1 %   $ 4,401       1 %
Net income
  $ 62       (77 )%   $ 229       (50 )%
Fourth-quarter net revenues improved slightly on a reported basis. Excluding currency effects, net revenues increased by 4 percent in the quarter compared with the same period in 2007, reflecting Levi’s® brand sales growth in the company’s Asia-Pacific emerging markets, Japan and the Americas.
The increase in reported net revenues for fiscal 2008 reflected the benefit of currency. Fiscal-year net revenues were down 1 percent on a constant currency basis. Increased sales from new and existing company-operated retail stores were more than offset by the adverse impact of a weak retail environment in the United States and certain markets in Europe and Asia Pacific, lower performance of the Dockers® brand and second quarter shipping issues related to our U.S. ERP implementation. Improvements in sales mix and company-operated retail store sales, combined with lower sourcing costs, benefited gross margin for the year.
Net income was $62 million in the fourth quarter and $229 million for the year. The decrease for the quarter and fiscal year was primarily the result of an approximately $215 million income tax benefit relating to a non-recurring, non-cash reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2007. Compared to the prior year, earnings before tax were up 10 percent for the quarter and down 2 percent for the year.
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LS&CO. FY 2008 Results/Add One
February 10, 2009
“In the context of an extraordinarily difficult economic environment, Levi Strauss & Co. delivered solid financial performance for 2008,” said John Anderson, president and chief executive officer. “Levi’s® brand revenues grew in each of our regions, demonstrating its ability to perform even in tough economic times. The global Levi’s® 501® marketing campaign contributed to a substantial worldwide sales increase for 501® jeans in 2008. And the continued growth of our retail network helped offset a slowdown in our wholesale channels.
“Looking ahead, we expect the year to be difficult. The outlook remains uncertain and we face stiff headwinds. With this in mind, we will focus on maintaining strong liquidity, containing costs and investing strategically in our brands to build market share so we are well-positioned when market conditions improve.”
Fourth Quarter 2008 Highlights
  §   Gross profit in the fourth quarter increased to $625 million compared with $595 million for the same period in 2007. Gross margin for the fourth quarter increased to 49.2 percent of revenues compared with 47.4 percent of revenues in the fourth quarter of 2007.
 
  §   Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the fourth quarter increased to $479 million from $403 million in the same period of 2007. The increase was due to higher advertising and promotion expense to support the 501® campaign; increased selling costs related to additional company-operated retail stores, including asset impairment charges; and, in the fourth quarter of 2007, lower incentive compensation. SG&A in the 2007 period also was positively impacted by a larger postretirement benefit plan curtailment gain compared to 2008. These increases were partially offset by a $17 million effect of currency exchange.
 
  §   Operating income for the fourth quarter was $143 million compared with $190 million for the same period of 2007, reflecting higher SG&A expenses.
 
  §   Interest expense for the fourth quarter decreased to $35 million compared to $49 million in 2007.
Fiscal Year 2008 Highlights
  §   Gross profit for the fiscal year increased to $2,140 million compared with $2,042 million in 2007. Gross margin increased to 48.6 percent of revenues for the year compared with 46.8 percent of revenues in 2007.
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LS&CO. FY 2008 Results/Add Two
February 10, 2009
  §   Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $1,606 million for 2008 compared to $1,387 million the prior year. Increased expenses in 2008 included higher selling costs resulting from additional company-operated retail stores, higher expense related to the U.S. ERP stabilization and increased advertising and promotion expenses primarily for the global Levi’s® 501® campaign. 2007 SG&A was positively impacted by $53 million in benefit plan curtailment gains compared with $6 million in 2008. The impact of currency contributed approximately $32 million to the increase in SG&A expense for 2008.
 
  §   Operating income in 2008 decreased to $525 million compared to $641 million in 2007, primarily reflecting the higher SG&A expenses.
 
  §   Interest expense for the year decreased to $154 million compared to $216 million in 2007. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower debt levels and lower average interest rates in 2008 following the company’s refinancing and debt reduction activities in 2007.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
The company ended the fourth quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $211 million, an increase of $55 million from November 25, 2007. Cash provided by operating activities was $225 million for 2008, compared with $302 million for the same period in 2007, primarily reflecting lower operating income for the year, partially offset by lower interest payments and lower working capital. Total debt was $1.85 billion at the end of fiscal 2008 compared to $1.96 billion at the end of fiscal 2007. During the year, the company reduced long-term debt by $95 million in addition to paying a $50 million cash dividend to common stockholders during the second quarter.
Investor Conference Call

The company’s full-year 2008 and fourth-quarter investor conference call will be available through a live audio Webcast at http://levistrauss.com/Financials/EarningsWebcasts.aspx today, February 10, 2009, at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST. A replay is available on the Web site the same day and will be archived for one month. A telephone replay also is available through February 17 at 800-642-1687 in the United States and Canada, or 706-645-9291 internationally; I.D. No. 83152686.
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LS&CO. FY 2008 Results/Add Three
February 10, 2009
This news release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. We use words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Investors should consider the information contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2008, especially in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections, as well as in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this news release may not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date of this news release. We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.
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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    November 30,     November 25,  
    2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 210,812     $ 155,914  
Restricted cash
    2,664       1,871  
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,886 and $14,805
    546,474       607,035  
Inventories:
               
Raw materials
    15,895       17,784  
Work-in-process
    8,867       14,815  
Finished goods
    517,912       483,265  
 
           
Total inventories
    542,674       515,864  
Deferred tax assets, net
    114,123       133,180  
Other current assets
    88,527       75,647  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,505,274       1,489,511  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $596,967 and $605,859
    411,908       447,340  
Goodwill
    204,663       206,486  
Other intangible assets, net
    42,774       42,775  
Non-current deferred tax assets, net
    526,069       511,128  
Other assets
    86,187       153,426  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 2,776,875     $ 2,850,666  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 20,339     $ 10,339  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    70,875       70,875  
Current maturities of capital leases
    1,623       2,701  
Accounts payable
    203,207       243,630  
Restructuring liabilities
    2,428       8,783  
Other accrued liabilities
    251,720       248,159  
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits
    194,289       218,325  
Accrued interest payable
    29,240       30,023  
Accrued income taxes
    17,909       9,420  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    791,630       842,255  
Long-term debt
    1,761,993       1,879,192  
Long-term capital leases
    6,183       5,476  
Postretirement medical benefits
    130,223       157,447  
Pension liability
    240,701       147,417  
Long-term employee related benefits
    87,704       113,710  
Long-term income tax liabilities
    42,794       35,122  
Other long-term liabilities
    46,590       48,123  
Minority interest
    17,982       15,833  
 
           
Total liabilities
    3,125,800       3,244,575  
 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
               
Temporary equity
    592       4,120  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ Deficit:
               
Common stock—$.01 par value; 270,000,000 shares authorized; 37,278,238 shares issued and outstanding
    373       373  
Additional paid-in capital
    53,057       92,650  
Accumulated deficit
    (275,032 )     (499,093 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (127,915 )     8,041  
 
           
Total stockholders’ deficit
    (349,517 )     (398,029 )
 
           
Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders’ deficit
  $ 2,776,875     $ 2,850,666  
 
           
The notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    November 30,     November 25,     November 26,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net sales
  $ 4,303,075     $ 4,266,108     $ 4,106,572  
Licensing revenue
    97,839       94,821       86,375  
 
                 
Net revenues
    4,400,914       4,360,929       4,192,947  
Cost of goods sold
    2,261,112       2,318,883       2,216,562  
 
                 
Gross profit
    2,139,802       2,042,046       1,976,385  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    1,606,482       1,386,547       1,348,577  
Restructuring charges, net
    8,248       14,458       14,149  
 
                 
Operating income
    525,072       641,041       613,659  
Interest expense
    154,086       215,715       250,637  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    1,417       63,838       40,278  
Other (income) expense, net
    1,400       (14,138 )     (22,418 )
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    368,169       375,626       345,162  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    138,884       (84,759 )     106,159  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 229,285     $ 460,385     $ 239,003  
 
                 
The notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    November 30,     November 25,     November 26,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 229,285     $ 460,385     $ 239,003  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    77,983       67,514       62,249  
Asset impairments
    20,308       9,070        
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    40       444       (6,218 )
Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains)
    50,736       (7,186 )     (16,826 )
Realized (gain) loss on settlement of foreign currency contracts not designated for hedge accounting
    (53,499 )     16,137        
Employee benefit plans’ amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (35,995 )            
Postretirement benefit plan curtailment gains
    (5,944 )     (52,763 )     (29,041 )
Write-off of unamortized costs associated with early extinguishment of debt
    394       17,166       17,264  
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
    4,007       5,192       8,254  
Stock-based compensation
    6,832       4,977       2,985  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    10,376       615       (1,021 )
Deferred income taxes
    75,827       (150,079 )     39,452  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Trade receivables
    61,707       (18,071 )     46,572  
Inventories
    (21,777 )     40,422       (6,095 )
Other current assets
    (25,400 )     19,235       (3,254 )
Other non-current assets
    (16,773 )     (10,598 )     1,730  
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
    (93,012 )     16,168       18,536  
Income tax liabilities
    3,923       9,527       (14,918 )
Restructuring liabilities
    (7,376 )     (8,134 )     (2,855 )
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits
    (29,784 )     (87,843 )     (41,433 )
Long-term employee related benefits
    (35,112 )     (32,634 )     (55,655 )
Other long-term liabilities
    6,922       1,973       3,847  
Other, net
    1,141       754       (696 )
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    224,809       302,271       261,880  
 
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (80,350 )     (92,519 )     (77,080 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    995       3,881       9,139  
Proceeds (payments) on settlement of foreign currency contracts not designated for hedge accounting
    53,499       (16,137 )      
Acquisition of retail stores
    (959 )     (2,502 )     (1,656 )
 
                 
Net cash used for investing activities
    (26,815 )     (107,277 )     (69,597 )
 
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
          669,006       475,690  
Repayments of long-term debt and capital leases
    (94,904 )     (984,333 )     (620,146 )
Short-term borrowings, net
    12,181       (1,711 )     (63 )
Debt issuance costs
    (446 )     (5,297 )     (12,176 )
Restricted cash
    (1,224 )     (58 )     1,467  
Dividends to minority interest shareholders of Levi Strauss Japan K.K.
    (1,114 )     (3,141 )      
Dividend to stockholders
    (49,953 )            
 
                 
Net cash used for financing activities
    (135,460 )     (325,534 )     (155,228 )
 
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (7,636 )     6,953       2,862  
 
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    54,898       (123,587 )     39,917  
Beginning cash and cash equivalents
    155,914       279,501       239,584  
 
                 
Ending cash and cash equivalents
  $ 210,812     $ 155,914     $ 279,501  
 
                 
 
                       
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 154,103     $ 237,017     $ 229,789  
Income taxes
    63,107       52,275       83,492  
The notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.