Guess?, Inc. (NYSE: GES) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended October 30, 2021.

Carlos Alberini, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are very pleased with our performance this quarter, which exceeded our expectations for revenues and earnings. Our revenues for the quarter increased 13% versus last year and were up 4% compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, pre-pandemic. The better performance than expected was driven by our European Wholesale, Americas Retail and Licensing businesses, which posted strong top and bottom line results across the board. All in all, we delivered a 10% operating margin in the period, driven by strong gross margin expansion, as a result of lower promotional activity and improved IMUs in spite of increased freight costs related to the supply chain disruptions experienced in the market.”

Paul Marciano, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, added, “I am very pleased with the progress we have made during the last few months with our brand elevation strategy. For the first time in our Company’s history we have one global line of products across all categories and our products are highly elevated, with a strong focus on quality and sustainability. The Guess brand is enjoying strong momentum worldwide, and we see a big opportunity to gain market share and grow in multiple markets and product categories.”

Mr. Alberini concluded, “We are confident in our plans for the holiday business. Our inventory position is strong, and our customers are responding well to our assortments. Based on our progress, we now expect to deliver an operating margin of 11.0% in the current year, double that of fiscal 2020, pre-pandemic. I am very pleased with our performance for the current year but I am even more excited with what lies ahead for us. I believe that we are at an inflection point at Guess and I am very confident our business is well positioned to generate superior returns in the future. We will continue to prioritize returning value to our shareholders and announced today that our Board has approved to double our quarterly cash dividend from $0.1125 to $0.225.”

Adjusted Amounts

This press release contains certain non-GAAP, or adjusted, financial measures. References to “adjusted” results exclude the impact of (i) asset impairment charges, (ii) net (gains) losses on lease modifications, (iii) certain professional service and legal fees and related (credits) costs, (iv) certain separation charges, (v) non-cash debt discount amortization on our convertible senior notes, (vi) the related income tax effects of the foregoing items, as well as the impact from changes in the income tax law on deferred income taxes in certain tax jurisdictions, net income tax settlements and adjustments to specific uncertain income tax positions, and (vii) certain discrete income tax adjustments related primarily to an intra-entity transfer of intellectual property rights to a wholly-owned Swiss subsidiary, in each case where applicable. A reconciliation of reported GAAP results to comparable non-GAAP results is provided in the accompanying tables and discussed under the heading “Presentation of Non-GAAP Information” below.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 2020

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company recorded GAAP net earnings of $29.9 million, a 140.5% increase from $12.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. GAAP diluted EPS increased 150.0% to $0.45 for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to $0.18 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company estimates a net positive impact from its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction of $0.04 and a negative impact from currency of $0.12 on GAAP diluted EPS in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company’s adjusted net earnings were $41.6 million, a 178.8% increase from $14.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 181.8% to $0.62, compared to $0.22 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company estimates a net positive impact from its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction of $0.05 and a negative impact from currency of $0.12 on adjusted diluted EPS in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Net Revenue. Total net revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 4.4% to $643.1 million, from $615.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 2.1%.

Earnings from Operations. GAAP earnings from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 190.0% to $65.7 million (including $3.0 million net losses on lease modifications, $1.2 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets and a $2.0 million unfavorable currency translation impact), from $22.6 million (including $1.8 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets) in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. GAAP operating margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 6.5% to 10.2%, from 3.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, driven primarily by lower markdowns, higher initial markups, overall leveraging of expenses and lower occupancy costs, partially offset by higher performance-based compensation. The negative impact of currency on operating margin for the quarter was approximately 40 basis points.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, adjusted earnings from operations increased 204.9% to $70.4 million, from $23.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating margin increased 7.2% to 10.9%, from 3.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, driven primarily by lower markdowns, higher initial markups, overall leveraging of expenses and lower occupancy costs, partially offset by higher performance-based compensation.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 2021

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company recorded GAAP net earnings of $29.9 million, a 13.3% increase from $26.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021. GAAP diluted EPS increased 9.8% to $0.45 for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, compared to $0.41 for the same prior-year quarter. The Company estimates a minimal impact from its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction and a positive impact from currency of $0.02 on GAAP diluted EPS in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 when compared to the same prior-year quarter.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company’s adjusted net earnings were $41.6 million, an 11.2% increase from $37.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 6.9% to $0.62, compared to $0.58 for the same prior-year quarter. The Company estimates a minimal impact from its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction and a positive impact from currency of $0.02 on adjusted diluted EPS in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 when compared to the same prior-year quarter.

Net Revenue. Total net revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 13.0% to $643.1 million, from $569.3 million in the same prior-year quarter. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 12.8%.

Earnings from Operations. GAAP earnings from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 47.7% to $65.7 million (including $3.0 million net losses on lease modifications, $1.2 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets and a $0.2 million favorable currency translation impact), from $44.5 million (including $10.3 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets and minimal net gains on lease modifications) in the same prior-year quarter. GAAP operating margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 2.4% to 10.2%, from 7.8% in the same prior-year quarter, driven primarily by lower non-cash impairment charges, lower markdowns, higher initial markups and overall leveraging of expenses, partially offset by higher performance-based compensation. The positive impact of currency on operating margin for the quarter was approximately 60 basis points.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2022, adjusted earnings from operations increased 27.3% to $70.4 million, from $55.3 million in the same prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin increased 1.2% to 10.9%, from 9.7% in the same prior-year quarter, driven primarily by lower markdowns, higher initial markups and overall leveraging of expenses, partially offset by higher performance-based compensation.

Nine-Month Period Fiscal 2022 Results Compared to Nine-Month Period Fiscal 2020

For the nine months ended October 30, 2021, the Company recorded GAAP net earnings of $102.9 million, compared to $16.4 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.55 for the nine months ended October 30, 2021, compared to $0.22 for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. The Company estimates a net positive impact from its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction of $0.19 and a negative currency impact of $0.18 on GAAP diluted EPS for the nine months ended October 30, 2021 when compared to the nine months ended November 2, 2019.

For the nine months ended October 30, 2021, the Company recorded adjusted net earnings of $119.5 million, compared to $22.7 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.79, compared to $0.31 for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. The Company estimates its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction had a net positive impact of $0.25, and currency had a negative impact of $0.18 on adjusted diluted EPS during the nine months ended October 30, 2021 when compared to the nine months ended November 2, 2019.

Net Revenue. Total net revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 decreased 2.4% to $1.79 billion, from $1.84 billion for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. In constant currency, net revenue decreased by 4.8%.

Earnings from Operations. GAAP earnings from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 were $179.6 million (including $0.4 million net losses on lease modifications, $3.1 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets and a $3.9 million unfavorable currency translation impact), compared to $44.2 million (including $5.1 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets) for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. GAAP operating margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 increased 7.6% to 10.0%, from 2.4% for the nine months ended November 2, 2019, driven primarily by higher initial markups, lower occupancy costs and lower markdowns. The negative impact of currency on operating margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 was approximately 50 basis points.

For the nine months ended October 30, 2021, adjusted earnings from operations were $184.9 million, compared to $48.6 million for the nine months ended November 2, 2019. Adjusted operating margin improved 7.7% to 10.3% for the nine months ended October 30, 2021, from 2.6% for the nine months ended November 2, 2019, driven primarily by higher initial markups, lower occupancy costs and lower markdowns.

Nine-Month Period Fiscal 2022 Results Compared to Nine-Month Period Fiscal 2021

For the nine months ended October 30, 2021, the Company recorded GAAP net earnings of $102.9 million, compared to a GAAP net loss of $151.6 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.55 for the nine months ended October 30, 2021, compared to GAAP diluted loss per share of $2.35 during the same prior-year period. The Company estimates a net positive impact from its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction and currency of $0.05 and $0.12, respectively, on GAAP diluted EPS for the nine months ended October 30, 2021 when compared to the same prior-year period.

For the nine months ended October 30, 2021, the Company recorded adjusted net earnings of $119.5 million, compared to an adjusted net loss of $82.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020. Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.79, compared to adjusted loss per share of $1.27 during the same prior-year period. The Company estimates its share buybacks and its convertible notes transaction and currency had a net positive impact of $0.05 and $0.11, respectively, on adjusted diluted EPS during the nine months ended October 30, 2021 when compared to the same prior-year period.

Net Revenue. Total net revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 increased 45.9% to $1.79 billion, from $1.23 billion in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 41.7%.

Earnings (Loss) from Operations. GAAP earnings from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 were $179.6 million (including $0.4 million net losses on lease modifications, $3.1 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets and a $1.8 million favorable currency translation impact), compared to a GAAP loss from operations of $132.4 million (including $0.5 million net gains on lease modifications and $75.3 million in non-cash impairment charges taken on certain long-lived store related assets) in the same prior-year period. GAAP operating margin in fiscal 2022 increased 20.8% to 10.0%, from negative 10.8% in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by overall leveraging of expenses, lower non-cash impairment charges and lower markdowns. The positive impact of currency on operating margin for the nine months ended October 30, 2021 was approximately 20 basis points.

For the nine months ended October 30, 2021, adjusted earnings from operations were $184.9 million, compared to adjusted loss from operations of $54.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2020. Adjusted operating margin improved 14.7% to 10.3% for the nine months ended October 30, 2021, from negative 4.4% in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by overall leveraging of expenses and lower markdowns.

Outlook

Given the current circumstances regarding the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) crisis and its uncertain impact on our operations, we are not providing detailed guidance for the fourth quarter or the full fiscal year ending January 29, 2022. We expect revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 to be down mid-single digits versus the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 as the impact of permanent store closures and an unfavorable shift of European wholesale shipments from the fourth quarter into the first quarter of next year are partially offset by continued momentum in our global e-commerce business.

For the full fiscal year 2022, assuming no increased COVID-related shutdowns from current levels (approximately 1% of our directly operated stores), we expect revenues to be down low-single digits versus fiscal 2020 and operating margin to reach approximately 11.0%. These comparisons are versus the pre-pandemic periods from two fiscal years prior in order to provide a more normalized comparison.

A reconciliation of the Company’s outlook for GAAP operating margin to adjusted operating margin for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending January 29, 2022 is as follows:

COVID-19 Third Quarter Business Update

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to negatively impact the Company’s businesses. Although we achieved slightly higher net revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2022 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we remained challenged by lower traffic and capacity restrictions. In addition, while we began the third quarter of fiscal 2022 with 100% of our directly operated stores open for business, we started to incur a new round of government-mandated temporary store closures toward the end of the quarter. This resulted in the closure of less than 5% of our directly operated stores as of October 30, 2021, mostly in Europe, the impact of which was minimal to our third quarter results.

In light of the fluid nature of the pandemic, we continue to carefully monitor global and regional developments, particularly in Europe, and respond appropriately. We also continue to strategically manage expenses in order to protect profitability.

Dividend

The Company’s Board of Directors has approved an increase to our quarterly cash dividend payment, from $0.1125 to $0.225 per share, realigning the per-share dividend amount to the level prior to the issuance of our Convertible Senior Notes in April 2019. The dividend will be payable on December 24, 2021 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 8, 2021.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Information

The financial information presented in this release includes non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted results, constant currency financial information, free cash flows and return on invested capital. For the three months and nine months ended October 30, 2021, October 31, 2020 and November 2, 2019, the adjusted results exclude the impact of certain professional service and legal fees and related (credits) costs, certain separation charges, asset impairment charges, net (gains) losses on lease modifications, non-cash amortization of debt discount on the Company’s convertible senior notes, the related income tax effects of the foregoing items, the impact from changes in the income tax law on deferred income taxes in certain tax jurisdictions, net income tax settlements and adjustments to specific uncertain income tax positions, as well as certain discrete income tax adjustments related primarily to an intra-entity transfer of intellectual property rights to a wholly-owned Swiss subsidiary, in each case where applicable. These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as alternatives for, the Company’s reported GAAP results.

The Company has excluded these items from its adjusted financial measures primarily because it believes these items are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business and the adjusted financial information provided is useful for investors to evaluate the comparability of the Company’s operating results and its future outlook (when reviewed in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial statements). A reconciliation of reported GAAP results to comparable non-GAAP results is provided.

This release also includes certain constant currency financial information. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations affect the amount reported from translating the Company’s foreign revenue, expenses and balance sheet amounts into U.S. dollars. These rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on reported operating results under GAAP. The Company provides constant currency information to enhance the visibility of underlying business trends, excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency translation rates. To calculate net revenue and earnings (loss) from operations on a constant currency basis, actual or forecasted results for the current-year period are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the comparable period of the prior year. The constant currency calculations do not adjust for the impact of revaluing specific transactions denominated in a currency different from the functional currency of that entity when exchange rates fluctuate. However, in calculating the estimated impact of currency on our earnings (loss) per share for our actual or forecasted results, the Company estimates gross margin (including the impact of merchandise-related hedges) and expenses using the appropriate prior-year rates, translates the estimated foreign earnings at the comparable prior-year rates, and excludes the year-over-year earnings impact of gains or losses arising from balance sheet remeasurement and foreign currency contracts not designated as merchandise hedges. The constant currency information presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The Company also includes information regarding its free cash flows in this release. The Company calculates free cash flows as cash flows from operating activities less (i) purchases of property and equipment and (ii) payments for property and equipment under finance leases. Free cash flows are not intended to be an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, but rather to provide additional visibility to investors regarding how much cash is generated for discretionary and non-discretionary items after deducting purchases of property and equipment and payments for property and equipment under finance leases. Free cash flow information presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of reported GAAP cash flows from operating activities to the comparable non-GAAP free cash flow measure is provided.

The Company also includes information regarding its return on invested capital (or “ROIC”) in this release. The Company defines ROIC as adjusted net operating profit after income taxes divided by two-year average invested capital. The Company believes ROIC is a useful financial measure for investors in evaluating how efficiently the Company deploys its capital. The Company’s method of calculating ROIC may differ from other companies’ methods and, therefore, might not be comparable.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call at 4:15 pm (ET) on November 23, 2021 to discuss the news announced in this press release. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible at www.guess.com via the “Investor Relations” link. The webcast will be archived on the website for 30 days.

About Guess?

Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, eyewear, footwear and other related consumer products. Guess? products are distributed through branded Guess? stores as well as better department and specialty stores around the world. As of October 30, 2021, the Company directly operated 1,052 retail stores in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Company’s partners and distributors operated 558 additional retail stores worldwide. As of October 30, 2021, the Company and its partners and distributors operated in approximately 100 countries worldwide. For more information about the Company, please visit www.guess.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release or the related conference call and webcast, including statements concerning the potential actions and impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic; statements concerning the Company’s future outlook including with respect to the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2022 as well as fiscal 2024; statements concerning the Company’s expectations, goals, future prospects, longer-term operating margin, revenue, EPS and ROIC expectations and current business strategies and strategic initiatives; and statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results and growth opportunities are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are frequently indicated by terms such as “expect,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “goal,” “strategy,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “outlook,” “plan,” “create,” “see,” and similar terms, are only expectations, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from what is currently anticipated. Factors which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from current expectations include, among others: our ability to maintain our brand image and reputation; domestic and international economic or political conditions, including economic and other events that could negatively impact consumer confidence and discretionary consumer spending; the continuation or worsening of impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including business, financial, human capital, litigation and other impacts to the Company and its partners; our ability to successfully negotiate rent relief or other lease-related terms with our landlords; our ability to maintain adequate levels of liquidity; changes to estimates related to impairments, inventory and other reserves, including the impact of the CARES Act, which were made using the best information available at the time; changes in the competitive marketplace and in our commercial relationships; our ability to anticipate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and trends; our ability to manage our inventory commensurate with customer demand; risks related to the timing and costs of delivering merchandise to our stores and our wholesale customers; unexpected or unseasonable weather conditions; our ability to effectively operate our various retail concepts, including securing, renewing, modifying or terminating leases for store locations; our ability to successfully and/or timely implement our growth strategies and other strategic initiatives; our ability to successfully implement or update information technology systems, including enhancing our global omni-channel capabilities; our ability to expand internationally and operate in regions where we have less experience, including through joint ventures; risks related to our convertible senior notes issued in April 2019, including our ability to settle the liability in cash; our ability to successfully or timely implement plans for cost reductions; our ability to effectively and efficiently manage the volume and costs associated with our European distribution centers without incurring shipment delays; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; obligations or changes in estimates arising from new or existing litigation, income tax and other regulatory proceedings; risks related to the complexity of the Tax Reform, future clarifications and legislative amendments thereto, as well as our ability to accurately interpret and predict its impact on our cash flows and financial condition; risks related to the tax treatment of our third quarter fiscal 2022 intra-entity transfer of intellectual property rights from certain U.S entities to a wholly-owned Swiss subsidiary; the risk of economic uncertainty associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (“Brexit”) or any other similar referendums that may be held; the occurrence of unforeseen epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; other catastrophic events; changes in U.S. or foreign income tax or tariff policy, including changes to tariffs on imports into the U.S.; accounting adjustments to our unaudited financial statements identified during the completion of our annual independent audit of financial statements and financial controls or from subsequent events arising after issuance of this release; risk of future non-cash asset impairments, including goodwill, right-of-use lease assets and/or other store asset impairments; restructuring charges; our ability to adapt to new regulatory compliance and disclosure obligations; risks associated with our foreign operations, such as violations of laws prohibiting improper payments and the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations (including global data privacy regulations); risks associated with the acts or omissions of our third party vendors, including a failure to comply with our vendor code of conduct or other policies; risks associated with cyber-attacks and other cyber security risks; risks associated with our ability to properly collect, use, manage and secure consumer and employee data; risks associated with our vendors’ ability to maintain the strength and security of information technology systems; and changes in economic, political, social and other conditions affecting our foreign operations and sourcing, including the impact of currency fluctuations, global income tax rates and economic and market conditions in the various countries in which we operate. In addition to these factors, the economic, technological, managerial, and other risks identified in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risk factors discussed therein, could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. The current global economic climate, length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and uncertainty surrounding potential changes in U.S. policies and regulations may amplify many of these risks. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.