Empresas y finanzas

Callaway Golf Company Releases Preliminary First Quarter 2008 Results



    Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced that, based on
    current information, the Company estimates net sales for the first
    quarter ended March 31, 2008 of approximately $366 million, an
    estimated increase of approximately 10% as compared to the first
    quarter of 2007, with a corresponding estimated increase of
    approximately 25% in earnings per diluted share that is estimated to
    range from $0.59 to $0.61 (on 64.8 million shares). These results also
    include after-tax charges of approximately $0.01 per share related to
    gross margin improvement initiatives announced in November 2006.

    For the first quarter of 2007, the Company reported net sales of
    $335 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.48 (on 68.3
    million shares). Those results included after-tax charges of
    approximately $0.01 per share related to the gross margin improvement
    initiatives.

    Business Update

    "We are very pleased with our preliminary first quarter results,"
    commented George Fellows, President and CEO of Callaway Golf. "We
    continue to build upon the momentum we gained in 2007, including
    additional improvements in our supply chain and product development
    processes. The strong sell-in to the retail channel during the first
    quarter reflects the strength of our brands and the quality of our
    2008 product line."

    "While sell-in of our new products has been encouraging thus far,"
    continued Mr. Fellows, "the second quarter will be a better indicator
    of how successful our year will be as it is driven by consumer
    purchases of our products and resulting retail reorders. Additionally

    we continue to monitor macroeconomic and competitive conditions
    globally. Contingency plans we have developed this year, along with
    business process improvements implemented over the past two years

    provide us with greater flexibility to adjust to unforeseen
    circumstances that might impact our business. At this point, we remain
    optimistic that our full year financial results for 2008 will be
    significantly higher than in 2007 and will be within our original
    guidance."

    Business Outlook

    Earlier this year, the Company estimated that for 2008 net sales
    would be in the range of $1.145 to $1.165 billion and that pro forma
    fully diluted earnings per share would be in the range of $1.08 to
    $1.18 per share, excluding estimated charges of approximately $0.08
    per share for the Company´s gross margin initiatives. In light of the
    many uncertainties surrounding the economy, second quarter consumer
    sell-through, and competitor actions, the Company reaffirms this
    estimate with the additional refinement that it is prudent at this
    time to expect that sales and earnings likely will be at the lower end
    of this range.

    Conference Call

    The Company will release actual first quarter financial results on
    May 1, 2008. A conference call and webcast will also take place at
    that time.

    Disclaimer: Investors should be aware that the Company has not yet
    finalized its results for the first quarter of 2008 and that the
    Company´s "preliminary" estimates of net sales and earnings contained
    in this press release reflect management´s estimates based upon the
    information available at the time made. These estimates could differ
    materially from the Company´s actual results if the information on
    which the estimates were based ultimately proves to be incorrect or
    incomplete. In addition, statements used in this press release that
    relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance or
    prospects, including statements relating to estimated sales and
    earnings for 2008, and the estimated charges for the Company´s gross
    margin initiatives, are forward-looking statements as defined under
    the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These estimates
    and statements are based upon current information and expectations.
    Accurately estimating the Company´s future financial performance is
    based upon various unknowns including consumer acceptance and demand
    for the Company´s products as well as future consumer discretionary
    purchasing activity, which can be significantly adversely affected by
    unfavorable economic or market conditions. Actual results may differ
    materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these
    unknowns or other risks and uncertainties, including delays

    difficulties or increased costs in the supply of components needed to
    manufacture the Company´s products, in manufacturing the Company´s
    products, or in connection with the implementation of the Company´s
    planned gross margin initiatives or the implementation of future
    initiatives; adverse weather conditions and seasonality; any rule
    changes or other actions taken by the USGA or other golf association
    that could have an adverse impact upon demand or supply of the
    Company´s products; a decrease in participation levels in golf; and
    the effect of terrorist activity, armed conflict, natural disasters or
    pandemic diseases on the economy generally, on the level of demand for
    the Company´s products or on the Company´s ability to manage its
    supply and delivery logistics in such an environment. For additional
    information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that
    could affect these statements and the Company´s business, see Part I

    Item 1A of the Company´s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
    December 31, 2007, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed
    from time to time in the Company´s reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K
    subsequently filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
    Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
    forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
    The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised
    forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after
    the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    About Callaway Golf

    Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf
    Company (NYSE:ELY) creates products and services designed to make
    every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and
    sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the
    Callaway Golf(R), Odyssey(R), Top-Flite(R), and Ben Hogan(R) brands in
    more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit
    www.callawaygolf.com or www.shop.callawaygolf.com.