The strength of Michael Kors

For the fourth quarter, total revenue increased 17.8% to $1.1 billion from $917.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. On a constant currency basis, total revenue increased 23.3%. Retail net sales increased 14.9% to $469.4 million driven by 121 net new store openings since the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and e-commerce sales from the recently launched U.S. e-commerce site, partially offset by a 5.8% decrease in comparable store sales. On a constant currency basis, retail net sales grew 21.1%, and comparable store sales decreased 1.7%. Wholesale net sales increased 20.4% to $570.4 million and on a constant currency basis, wholesale net sales grew 25.8%. Licensing revenue increased 16.5% to $41.3 million.

Net income was $182.6 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, based on a 29.4% tax rate and 203.2 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, which included an unfavorable impact related to foreign currency exchange rates of approximately $0.06 per share. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was $161.0 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, based on a 34.6% tax rate and 207.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Michael Kors had 202 additional retail stores, including concessions, operated through licensing partners. Including licensed locations, there were 728 Michael Kors stores worldwide at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

John D. Idol, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, «Fiscal 2015 marked another year of sales and earnings growth in excess of 30%. While we were faced with a number of headwinds in the fourth quarter, we were pleased with the strong performance across our segments and geographies. We believe that our results demonstrate the strength of the Michael Kors brand as our luxury products continue to resonate with consumers worldwide. Looking at Fiscal 2016, this will be a year of strategic investments as we continue to develop our powerful platform to support the numerous growth initiatives that are now underway.»

«We see multiple top line growth opportunities through international expansion, digital e-commerce flagships, new store openings and additional shop-in-shop conversions in our wholesale channel. We plan to expand upon our ready-to-wear and footwear categories and fully develop our global mens business. In addition, we plan to capitalize on wearable technology in watches and other categories, as innovation and demand in this area continue to advance. Longer term, as we execute on these growth strategies and begin to cycle our strategic investments, we expect to deliver accelerated and sustainable earnings growth and continue to return value to our shareholders.»

For fiscal 2016, the Company expects total revenue of approximately $4.7 billion to $4.8 billion. On a constant currency basis total revenue is expected to increase in the low to mid-teens range assuming a $200 million impact from the change in foreign currency rates. The Company expects flat comparable store sales on a reported basis, and a low single digit comparable store sales increase on a constant currency basis.

Operating expense as a percentage of total revenue is expected to increase 110 to 140 basis points due to the above mentioned investments with less deleverage assumed in the second half than in the first half of fiscal 2016. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $4.40 to $4.50 for fiscal 2016. This assumes 200.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding and a tax rate of approximately 29%. The Company expects foreign currency to impact net income by approximately $39.0 million and EPS by approximately $0.20.

Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready to wear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products through his Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors labels, including accessories, footwear, watches, jewelry, mens and womens ready to wear, and a full line of fragrance products. Michael Kors stores are operated, either directly or through licensing partners, in some of the most prestigious cities in the world, including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, London, Milan, Paris, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong.