Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced that, based on
current information, the Company estimates net sales for the year
ended December 31, 2007 to increase approximately 10% to a record
$1.125 billion with corresponding earnings per diluted share of $0.79
to $0.81, including non-cash employee equity-based compensation
charges associated with FAS 123R. These results are based on an
estimated 67.5 million diluted shares outstanding and also include
after-tax charges of approximately $0.08 per diluted share related to
the gross margin improvement initiatives announced in November 2006.
Excluding charges for these gross margin initiatives, pro forma
earnings per diluted share are estimated at $0.87 to $0.89.
For the full year 2006, the Company reported net sales of $1.018
billion and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.34 (on 68.5 million
shares), including non-cash FAS 123R charges. Those results also
included after-tax charges of $0.04 for the Top-Flite integration,
$0.03 for restructuring initiatives announced in September 2005, and
$0.02 for gross margin improvement initiatives. Excluding these
charges, pro forma fully diluted earnings per share was $0.43.
Business Update
"We are very pleased with our strong financial performance for the
year," commented George Fellows, President and CEO of Callaway Golf.
"We delivered on our stated objectives for the year, including an
improved product development process, the addition of key management
talent, increased market share in woods, improved gross margins and
inventory management, and the successful re-launch of the Top-Flite
brand."
"Looking forward," continued Mr. Fellows, "we are optimistic that
we can build on this momentum. In fact, we have several new and
exciting products for 2008, and in combination with our focus on
business processes and cost controls, we believe we´ll be positioned
to drive shareholder value. We look forward to our upcoming earnings
call and will provide additional detail on our expectations for 2008
at that time."
Details of Full Year Results
Sales
The estimated increase in sales for the year of approximately 10%
is attributable to increases in the woods category driven by the
success of the FT-5 and FT-i Fusion drivers, increased sales in the
accessories category, strong irons sales due to the success of the
X-20 line of irons, as well as increased putter sales.
Gross Margins
Gross margins as a percentage of net sales for 2007 are estimated
to be approximately 44%. Excluding pre-tax charges of $9 million
related to gross margin initiatives, it is estimated that pro forma
gross margins for 2007 will be approximately 45%. For the full year
2006, reported gross margins were 39%. Excluding pre-tax charges of $4
million related to the Top-Flite integration and $2 million for gross
margin initiatives, pro-forma gross margins for 2006 were 40%.
Operating Expenses
The Company estimates that its operating expenses for 2007 will be
approximately $402 million compared to $361 million in 2006. Excluding
pre-tax charges of $3 million related to the September 2005
restructuring initiatives and Top-Flite integration, 2006 pro forma
operating expenses were $358 million. The year over year increase is
in line with the Company´s most recent estimate and includes increases
related to employee incentive compensation, additional marketing to
support brand initiatives, the impact of foreign currency, and
additional legal expense associated with enforcing the Company´s golf
ball patent rights.
Conference Call
The Company will release actual fourth quarter and full year 2007
financial results on January 31, 2008. A conference call and webcast
will also take place at that time. During the call, the Company will
provide guidance for full year 2008 and additional information on
fourth quarter and full year 2007 financial results.
Disclaimer: Investors should be aware that the Company has not yet
finalized its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2007 and
that the Company´s "preliminary" estimates of net sales, gross
margins, operating expenses 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 the Company´s future business
processes, cost controls and positioning to drive shareholder value,
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
current or new products as well as future consumer discretionary
purchasing behavior, 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, 2006, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed
from time to time in the Company´s reports on Forms 10-K, 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.
Regulation G: The preliminary financial results reported in this
press release have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). In
addition to the GAAP results, the Company has also provided additional
information concerning its results, which includes certain financial
measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial
measures included in this press release exclude charges associated
with the integration of the Callaway Golf Company and Top-Flite Golf
Company operations, charges related to the September 2005
restructuring initiatives, and charges related to the Company´s gross
margin initiatives. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be
considered a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with
GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may also be inconsistent with
the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other
companies. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP
financial measures, when considered in conjunction with the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measures, provides additional
useful information concerning the Company´s operations without these
charges. The Company has provided reconciling information in the text
of this press release.
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf
Company 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), Top-Flite(R), Odyssey(R) and Ben Hogan(R) brands. For more
information visit www.callawaygolf.com.
