Ralph Lauren Corporation reported net income of $193 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2016.
Article continues below
Net revenues declined 1% on a constant currency basis and 4% on a reported basis to $1.9 billion. This was below the guidance provided in November of 0%-2% reported revenue growth.
While international net revenue grew 6% in constant currency in the third quarter, North America revenue declined 4% primarily due to above-average temperatures for most of the Fall and Holiday period, a decline in foreign tourist traffic and product assortment challenges in the Lauren brand.
The decline in reported net revenues included approximately 300 basis points of negative impact from foreign currency effects.
In the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, wholesale segment sales decreased 3% on a constant currency basis as a decline in sales in North America offset increased sales in Europe. Reported wholesale segment sales declined 6% to $786 million.
Retail Sales. Retail sales were in line with the prior year on a constant currency basis in the third quarter as growth in new stores and e-commerce was offset by negative comparable store sales. Reported retail segment sales declined 3% to $1.1 billion. Consolidated comparable store sales decreased 5% on a constant currency basis during the third quarter and declined 7% on a reported basis.
Licensing. Licensing revenues of $47 million in the third quarter were in line with the prior year period in both constant currency and on a reported basis.
Gross profit for the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $1.1 billion, excluding restructuring and other charges of $10 million. Gross profit margin was 56.8%, which was 20 basis points lower than the prior year period, reflecting unfavorable foreign currency effects.
On a constant currency basis, gross margin was up 30 basis points compared to the prior year period due to benefits from the initial phases of stock-keeping unit (SKU) and style rationalization, product cost negotiations and favorable mix shifts.
Operating expenses in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 were $838 million, excluding restructuring and other charges, 1% below the prior year period, due to better expense management.
Operating expense rate of 43.1% increased 160 basis points compared with the third quarter of Fiscal 2015, due to fixed expense deleverage and incremental investments in infrastructure. As reported, operating expenses in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 were $905 million, which included $67 million in restructuring and other charges, including $34 million related to a pending customs audit.
Operating income in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $266 million, excluding restructuring and other charges. Operating margin of 13.7% was 180 basis points below the prior year period, which was better than the guidance of a 200-250 basis point decline provided in November, due to better expense management.
The lower operating margin was primarily attributable to negative foreign currency effects, fixed expense deleverage and incremental investments in infrastructure.
Wholesale operating income in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $184 million, excluding restructuring and other charges, compared with $207 million in the prior year period. Wholesale operating margin decreased 120 basis points to 23.5% driven by fixed expense deleverage in North America and negative foreign currency effects, partially offset by strong performance in Europe.
Retail Operating Income. Retail operating income in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $154 million, excluding restructuring and other charges, compared with $194 million in the prior year period. Retail operating margin declined 300 basis points to 13.9%, due to fixed expense deleverage and negative foreign currency effects.
Licensing operating income of $42 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was in line with the prior year period.
Net income for the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $193 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, excluding restructuring and other charges. This compared to reported net income of $215 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, for the third quarter of Fiscal 2015.
Earnings per diluted share increased 4% from the prior year period, excluding foreign currency impacts and restructuring and other charges. On a reported basis, net income was $131 million or $1.54 per diluted share in the third quarter.
The company had an effective tax rate of approximately 25.1%, excluding restructuring and other charges, in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, which compared to an effective tax rate of 28.6% in the third quarter of Fiscal 2015. On a reported basis, the effective tax rate was 27.5% in the third quarter. ■