Weyco Reports First Quarter Sales And Earnings

MILWAUKEE, May 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyco Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: WEYS) (the "Company") today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2018 were $69.5 million, up 1% compared to first quarter 2017 net sales of $69.1 million. Earnings from operations were $3.6 million in the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 3% compared to $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2017. Net earnings attributable to the Company rose 35% to $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2018, from $2.2 million in last year's first quarter. This increase was primarily due to the lower U.S. federal tax rate of 21% effective January 1, 2018, compared to 35% in 2017, which resulted from the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Diluted earnings per share were $0.29 per share in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $0.21 per share in the first quarter of 2017.

Net sales in the North American wholesale segment, which include North American wholesale sales and licensing revenues, were $53.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, up 2% compared to $52.9 million in the first quarter of 2017.  Within the wholesale segment, net sales of the Florsheim brand were up 21% for the quarter, primarily due to higher sales to department stores. This increase was partially offset by lower sales of the Nunn Bush brand. Nunn Bush sales were down 10% for the quarter, mainly due to lower sales to department stores and national shoe chains. BOGS sales were down 2% and Stacy Adams sales were up 1% for the first quarter. Licensing revenues were $793,000 in the first quarter of 2018, and $701,000 in last year's first quarter.

Gross earnings for the North American wholesale segment were 33.1% of net sales in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 30.8% of net sales in last year's first quarter.  Earnings from operations for the wholesale segment increased 7% to $3.4 million in the first quarter of 2018, from $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to higher gross margins.  

Net sales in the North American retail segment, which include sales from the Company's Florsheim retail stores and its internet business in the United States, were flat at $4.9 million in both the first quarters of 2018 and 2017. Same stores sales (which include U.S. internet sales) were up 6% for the quarter, primarily due to higher sales from the Company's websites. Retail earnings from operations increased to $206,000 this quarter, from $43,000 in last year's first quarter, due mainly to higher operating earnings from the Company's websites.

Other net sales, which include the wholesale and retail sales of Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe, were $10.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, down 5% compared to $11.3 million in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was primarily due to lower net sales at Florsheim Australia. Florsheim Australia's net sales were down 6% for the quarter, with lower sales in both its retail and wholesale businesses. Collectively, Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe had operating losses of $29,000 in the first quarter of 2018, compared to operating earnings of $250,000 in the first quarter of 2017. The decline between years was mainly due to lower sales at Florsheim Australia.

"Given the tough retail environment, we had a good first quarter," stated Thomas Florsheim, Jr., the Company's Chairman and CEO. "Our earnings increase reflects, in part, the strong performance of our Florsheim brand and improved gross margins in our North American wholesale business; we also benefited from the tax rate cut that went into effect this year."

On May 3, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per share to all shareholders of record on May 28, 2018, payable June 29, 2018.  This represents an increase of 5% above the previous quarterly dividend rate of $0.22.

Conference Call Details:

Weyco Group will host a conference call on May 7, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the first quarter financial results in more detail.  To participate in the call, you will first need to pre-register online. Pre-registration takes only a few minutes and you may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. To pre-register please go to: https://www.yourconferencecenter.com/confcenter/PinCode/Pin_Code.aspx?100374&o=UNgPvTryVsLlSI. The pre-registration process will provide the conference call phone number and a passcode required to enter the call. A replay will be available for one year beginning about two hours after the completion of the call at the following webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/khmdx24s. A recording of the conference call will also be available in the investor relations section of Weyco Group's website at www.weycogroup.com.

About Weyco Group:

Weyco Group, Inc., designs and markets quality and innovative footwear principally for men, but also for women and children, under a portfolio of well-recognized brand names including: Florsheim, Nunn Bush, Stacy Adams, BOGS, and Rafters. The Company's products can be found in leading footwear, department, and specialty stores worldwide.  Weyco Group also operates Florsheim concept stores in the United States and Australia, as well as in a variety of international markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Various factors could cause the results of Weyco Group to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to: (i) successfully market and sell its products in a highly competitive industry and in view of changing consumer trends, consumer acceptance of products and other factors affecting retail market conditions; (ii) procure its products from independent manufacturers; and (iii) other factors, including those detailed from time to time in Weyco Group's filings made with the SEC.  Weyco Group undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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SOURCE Weyco Group, Inc.