Levi Strauss & Co. Reports Second-Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Raises Fiscal 2021 Outlook

Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE: LEVI) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended May 30, 2021. Due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on prior year figures, this release also includes certain comparisons to the same period in 2019 for additional context.

Financial Highlights for the Second Quarter

• Company raises fiscal year 2021 outlook for both net revenues and EPS. Third quarter net revenues now expected above fiscal 2019 levels.
• Reported net revenues of $1.3 billion were up 156% versus second quarter of fiscal 2020; net revenues in the U.S. and China exceeded second quarter of fiscal 2019. Europe exited the quarter growing versus May 2019.
• E-com growth rates accelerated sequentially from Q1 reaching 42% versus second quarter of fiscal 2020; Net revenues through all digital channels grew 75% versus second quarter of fiscal 2020 driven by strong performance across all regions; digital penetration as a percentage of total sales was approximately 23%.
• Record Gross margin of 58.8% and record Adjusted Gross margin of 58.2% driven by higher Direct-to-Consumer net revenues, price increases, sourcing savings, lower promotions and more full-price selling.
• Operating margin was 8.3%; Adjusted EBIT margin expanded to a second quarter record of 9%.
• Net income was $65 million; Adjusted net income was $93 million.
• Diluted EPS was 16 cents; Adjusted diluted EPS was 23 cents.
• Dividend increases from $0.06 to $0.08 per share for the third quarter.

“We generated strong momentum in the second quarter with the accelerated recovery of our revenues and delivered growth across all regions and channels. This was underscored by the strength of our brands and our ability to capitalize on evolving denim trends and a continued shift to casualization" said Chip Bergh, president and chief executive officer of Levi Strauss & Co. "As we move into the second half of 2021, we are focused on emerging stronger with our strategic priorities of leading with our enduring brand, accelerating our direct-to-consumer connections, and diversifying across categories, channels and geographies."

“We significantly exceeded our expectations on revenue, adjusted gross margin and adjusted EBIT. Revenues in most markets are recovering faster than anticipated, and we are emerging from the pandemic with sustainable and improved structural economics." said Harmit Singh, chief financial officer of Levi Strauss & Co. "As we look forward, we’re raising our expectations for revenues and profits. Our balance sheet remains strong and we continue to return cash to shareholders, with dividends now back to pre-pandemic levels.”

COVID Update

During the quarter, the company experienced temporary door closures in geographies affected by lockdowns associated with COVID-19 cases; approximately a third of the full store footprint in Europe and 17 percent of doors globally were closed during the quarter. Currently 92 percent of doors are open.

Second-Quarter Total Company Overview

*Note: per share increase (decrease) compared to prior year displayed in cents

• Net revenues of $1,276 million increased 156 percent on a reported basis, and 148 percent on a constant-currency basis.
  • Wholesale net revenues increased 167 percent reflecting strong demand above the second quarter of fiscal 2020.
  • Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") net revenues increased 141 percent due to increased revenues from our company-operated stores. E-commerce momentum continued despite store re-openings with growth of 42 percent reflecting the benefit of accelerating omni channel initiatives. DTC stores and e-commerce comprised 29 percent and eight percent, respectively, of total company net revenues in the second quarter.
  • The company’s global digital net revenues, which include net revenues attributable to the company's e-commerce sites as well as the online businesses of its pure-play and traditional wholesale customers, grew approximately 75 percent compared to the same period in the prior year, and comprised approximately 23 percent of second quarter fiscal 2021 net revenues.
  • Compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, total company net revenues decreased 3 percent on a reported basis and 4 percent on a constant-currency basis.

• Gross profit was $750 million, as compared to $170 million in the same quarter in the prior year. Gross margin was 58.8 percent of net revenues, up from 34.1 percent in the same quarter of the prior year, primarily reflecting $87 million in charges taken in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 related to COVID-19.
• Adjusted gross margin, which excludes the COVID-19 related charges, was 58.2 percent, an increase of 670 basis points compared to prior year. The increase in adjusted gross margin was primarily due to a higher proportion of sales in our DTC channel, which has higher gross margins, price increases, sourcing savings, lower promotions, and a higher share of full price sales reflecting the acceleration in consumer demand. Favorable currency exchange rates benefited year-over-year comparisons by approximately 30 basis-points.
• Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $628 million compared to $551 million in the same quarter in the prior year, which included $88 million in charges taken in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 related to COVID-19.
• Adjusted SG&A in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was $628 million compared to $462 million in the same quarter in the prior year, due to the increase in incentive compensation, higher selling expenses reflecting increased sales and higher advertising and promotion expenses.
• Restructuring charges of $16 million were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 in connection with the company's restructuring initiative, which is designed to reduce costs, streamline operations and support agility. These charges primarily relate to employee-related severance benefits, based on separation benefits provided by company policy or statutory benefit plans.
• Operating income of $107 million compared to an operating loss of $448 million in the same quarter in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher net revenues and gross margin partially offset with higher SG&A expenses in the current year, as well as the $242 million in charges recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 related to COVID-19.
• Adjusted EBIT of $115 million compared to a loss of $206 million in the same quarter of the prior year due to higher net revenues and Adjusted gross margin partially offset with higher Adjusted SG&A. Second quarter Adjusted EBIT margin was a record 9 percent, despite higher advertising as a percentage of net revenues, reflecting the record gross margin.
• Net income of $65 million compared to a net loss of $364 million in the same quarter of the prior year, primarily due to the charges recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 related to COVID-19 as well as the increase in operating income described above; these were partially offset with incremental costs related to the early extinguishment of debt and a lower income tax benefit.
• Adjusted net income of $93 million compared to an Adjusted net loss of $192 million in the same quarter of the prior year, due to higher net revenues and adjusted gross margin partially offset with higher Adjusted SG&A.
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased to $0.23 compared to a loss of $0.48 for the same prior-year period, in-line with the Adjusted net income increase.

Additional information regarding Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted net income, Adjusted net loss and Adjusted diluted earnings per share, as well as amounts presented on a constant-currency basis, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures, is provided at the end of this press release.

Second-Quarter Regional Overview

Reported regional net revenues and operating income for the quarter are set forth in the table below:

* Note: Regional operating income is equal to regional Adjusted EBIT.

• In the Americas, net revenues and operating income increased, reflecting the impact of the pandemic on prior year results. Notably, company e-commerce net revenues grew 18 percent while lapping strong growth in the prior year.
  
  
  
  Compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, Americas net revenues grew three percent driven by growth in the U.S. market which was also up four percent. The region's wholesale net revenues grew four percent driven by strong performance by the Levi’s brand and Signature. Net revenues through all digital channels grew 61 percent and represented 19 percent of the region’s sales in the quarter.

• In Europe, net revenues and operating income increased, reflecting the impact of the pandemic on prior year results. Notably, company e-commerce net revenues grew 75 percent while lapping strong growth in the prior year.
  
  
  
  Compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, Europe net revenues declined eight percent driven by DTC, which decreased 21 percent, reflecting temporary store capacity restrictions and closures during a third of the quarter. The region’s sales decline was partially offset by four percent revenue growth in wholesale net revenues and over 100 percent growth through all digital channels; digital net revenues represented a third of the region’s sales in the quarter. Notably, as markets began to fully open in May, the region’s net revenues for that month inflected to growth compared to the same month of 2019.

• In Asia, net revenues and operating income increased, reflecting the impact of the pandemic on prior year results. Notably, company e-commerce net revenues grew 75 percent while lapping strong growth in the prior year.
  
  
  
  Compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, Asia net revenues declined 12 percent, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively impact several of the region’s large markets, including India, which accounted for roughly half the Asia region’s sales decline. China marked an inflection to growth for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The Asia region’s sales decline was partially offset by revenue growth through all digital channels of 83 percent; digital net revenues represented 15 percent of the region’s sales in the quarter.

Year-to-date 2021 Results are included in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2021.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

• Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021 of $1.2 billion and short-term investments of $95 million were complemented by $694 million available under the company's revolving credit facility, resulting in a total liquidity position of approximately $2.0 billion.
• Net debt at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was negative $46 million. The company’s leverage ratio was 2.0 at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2021, as compared to 4.1 at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020.
• Cash from operations for the first six months of fiscal 2021 increased to $248 million compared to $41 million for the first six months of fiscal 2020. The increase in cash provided by operating activities is primarily driven by lower spending on inventory reflecting our ongoing focus on inventory management as well as higher collections in trade receivables, reflective of the increase in sales in comparison to the period in prior year.
• Adjusted free cash flow for the first six months of fiscal 2021 was $60 million, an increase of $274 million compared to the first six months of fiscal 2020, primarily reflecting higher cash from operations in the current year period partially offset by proceeds from settling hedging contracts in the prior year period.
• Total inventories were down 12 percent compared to the end of the corresponding prior-year period.
• The company declared and paid a dividend of $0.06 per share in the second fiscal quarter totaling approximately $24 million. The company has increased the dividend to $0.08 per share for the third fiscal quarter totaling approximately $32 million. The dividend will be payable in cash on or after August 18, 2021, to the holders of record of Class A common stock and Class B common stock at the close of business on August 2, 2021. The company will reassess dividend payments for future quarters as circumstances evolve.

Additional information regarding net debt, leverage ratio, and Adjusted free cash flow, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures, is provided at the end of this press release.

Guidance

The company's expectations for the second half of fiscal 2021 are now higher than 2019. Details are as follows:

• Reported net revenues growth of 28-to-29 percent compared to the second half of fiscal 2020, which represents reported net revenues growth of four-to-five percent compared to the second half of fiscal 2019; and
• Adjusted diluted EPS of 72-to-76 cents, bringing the full-year Adjusted diluted EPS outlook to $1.29-to-$1.33.

The company plans to share additional details during its investor conference call. The company's outlook assumes no significant worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic or dramatic incremental closure of global economies.

Investor Conference Call

The company’s second-quarter 2021 investor conference call will be available through a live audio webcast at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wid9fxax on July 8, 2021, at 2 p.m. Pacific / 5 p.m. Eastern or via the following phone numbers: 833-693-0541 in the United States and Canada or +1-661-407-1582 internationally; I.D. No. 3784584. A replay of the webcast will be available on http://investors.levistrauss.com starting approximately two hours after the event and archived on the site for one quarter. A telephone replay will be available until July 15, 2021 at +1-855-859-2056 in the United States and Canada or +1-404-537-3406 internationally; I.D. No. 3784584.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world's largest brand-name apparel companies and a global leader in jeanswear. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi's^®, Dockers^®, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™, and Denizen^® brands. Its products are sold in more than 110 countries worldwide through a combination of chain retailers, department stores, online sites, and a global footprint of approximately 3,000 retail stores and shop-in-shops. Levi Strauss & Co.'s reported 2020 net revenues were $4.5 billion. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com, and for company news and announcements go to http://investors.levistrauss.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release and related conference call contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements, including statements related to the company’s ability to manage its business and liquidity during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including its ability to forecast its results and re-open stores globally, the timing and effectiveness of global efforts to roll out vaccines, and the impact of potential virus variants and COVID-19 resurgences on the company’s business and results of operations; emerging from the pandemic as a stronger business and driving sustainable, profitable growth; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s results of operations; the company’s prospects for financial performance and growth, including Adjusted EBIT and Adjusted gross margin, following the COVID-19 pandemic and its ability to achieve financial results before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; future financial results and contributing factors to such future financial results, including net revenues (on a fiscal and calendar basis), gross margin, Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted diluted EPS, Adjusted SG&A, tax rate and capital expenditures; new store openings; future dividends and share repurchases; future inventory positions; potential future paydowns of existing debt; the impact of continued geographic, product and channel diversification on the company’s financial results; the timing and impact of digitization initiatives on the company’s financial results; the extent to which wholesale customer forward demand signals result in actual sales, and the achievement of diversity, equity and inclusion, and sustainability goals. The company has based these forward-looking statements on its current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “will,” “so we can,” “when,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” "confident" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Investors should consider the information contained in the company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2021, especially in the “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release and related conference call may not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated or, if no date is stated, as of the date of this press release and related conference call. The company is not under any obligation and does not intend to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release and related conference call to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this press release and related conference call or to reflect the occurrence of future events, even if such circumstances or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) and the rules of the SEC. To supplement its financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, the company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted gross profit, Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted EBIT margin (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted net income (loss) (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), constant-currency net revenues, net debt, leverage ratio, and Adjusted free cash flow, to provide investors with additional useful information about its financial performance, to enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and to allow for greater transparency with respect to important metrics used by management for financial and operating decision-making. The company presents these non-GAAP financial measures to assist investors in seeing its financial performance from management's view and because it believes they provide an additional tool for investors to use in computing the company's core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in its industry. The tables found below present Adjusted gross profit, Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted EBIT margin (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted net income (loss) (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted net income (loss) margin (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share (both reported and on a constant-currency basis), constant-currency net revenues, net debt, leverage ratio, and Adjusted free cash flow, and corresponding reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in their usefulness to investors because they have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Certain items that may be excluded or included in non-GAAP financial measures may be significant items that could impact the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows and should therefore be considered in assessing the company’s actual financial condition and performance. Non-GAAP financial measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management in determining how they are formulated. Some specific limitations include but are not limited to, the fact that such non-GAAP financial measures: (a) do not reflect cash outlays for capital expenditures, contractual commitments or liabilities including pension obligations, post-retirement health benefit obligations and income tax liabilities; (b) do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital requirements; and (c) do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on indebtedness. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company urges investors to review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures included in this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business. See “RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES” below for reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.

Constant-currency

The company reports certain operating results on a constant-currency basis in order to facilitate period-to-period comparisons of its results without regard to the impact of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. The term foreign currency exchange rates refers to the exchange rates used to translate the company's operating results for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar into U.S. Dollars. Because the company is a global company, foreign currency exchange rates used for translation may have a significant effect on its reported results. In general, the company's financial results are affected positively by a weaker U.S. Dollar and are affected negatively by a stronger U.S. Dollar as compared to the foreign currencies in which it conducts its business. References to operating results on a constant-currency basis mean operating results without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

The company believes disclosure of constant-currency results is helpful to investors because it facilitates period-to-period comparisons of its results by increasing the transparency of the underlying performance by excluding the impact of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. However, constant-currency results are non-GAAP financial measures and are not meant to be considered as an alternative or substitute for comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Constant-currency results have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP, are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should be read in conjunction with the company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Constant-currency results have limitations in their usefulness to investors and may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The company calculates constant-currency amounts by translating local currency amounts in the prior-year period at actual foreign exchange rates for the current period. Constant-currency results do not eliminate the transaction currency impact, which primarily include the realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized from the measurement and remeasurement of purchases and sales of products in a currency other than the functional currency. Additionally, gross margin is impacted by gains and losses related to the procurement of inventory, primarily products sourced in EUR and USD, by the company's global sourcing organization on behalf of its foreign subsidiaries.

Source: Levi Strauss & Co. Investor Relations

The notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements in the company's Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements in the company's Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements in the company's Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements in the company's Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The notes accompanying the consolidated financial statements in the company's Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2021

The following information relates to non-GAAP financial measures and should be read in conjunction with the investor call held on July 8, 2021, discussing the company’s financial condition and results of operations as of and for the quarter ended May 30, 2021. Adjusted gross profit, Adjusted gross margin, Adjusted SG&A, Adjusted EBIT, Adjusted EBIT margin, Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, net debt, Adjusted free cash flow, constant-currency net revenues, constant-currency Adjusted EBIT and leverage ratio are not financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. As used in this press release: (1) Adjusted gross profit, represents gross profit excluding COVID-19 related inventory costs and Adjusted gross margin, represents Adjusted gross profit as a percentage of net revenues; (2) Adjusted SG&A represents SG&A less charges related to changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation, COVID-19 related charges, and restructuring related charges, severance and other, net; (3) Adjusted EBIT represents net income (loss) excluding income tax (benefit) expense, interest expense, other expense (income), net, loss on early extinguishment of debt, impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation, COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges, and restructuring and restructuring related charges, severance and other, net, and Adjusted EBIT margin as Adjusted EBIT as a percentage of net revenues; (4) Adjusted EBITDA represents Adjusted EBIT excluding depreciation and amortization expense; (5) Adjusted net income (loss) represents net income (loss) excluding charges related to the impact of changes in fair value on cash-settled stock-based compensation, loss on early extinguishment of debt, COVID-19 related inventory costs and other charges, and restructuring and restructuring related charges, severance and other, net, and tax impact of adjustments and Adjusted net income (loss) margin as Adjusted net income (loss) as a percentage of net revenues; (6) Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share represents Adjusted net income (loss) per weighted-average number of diluted common shares; (7) net debt represents total debt, excluding capital leases, less cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in marketable securities; (8) leverage ratio represents total debt, excluding capital leases, divided by the last twelve months of Adjusted EBITDA; (9) Adjusted free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment, plus proceeds on settlement of forward foreign exchange contracts not designated for hedge accounting, less repurchase of common stock including shares surrendered for tax withholdings on equity award exercises, and cash dividends to stockholders; (10) constant-currency net revenues represents net revenues without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; (11) constant-currency Adjusted EBIT represents Adjusted EBIT without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; (12) constant-currency Adjusted net income (loss) represents Adjusted net income (loss) without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; and (13) constant-currency Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share represents Adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Adjusted Gross Profit:

Adjusted SG&A: