EXHIBIT 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Additional Information
Contact: Jim McDonald
Vice President & CFO
(740) 753-1951
ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. REPORTS RECORD
SECOND QUARTER NET SALES AND EARNINGS
NELSONVILLE, Ohio (July 27, 2004) Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKY) today
reported record second quarter net sales and earnings for the three months ended
June 30, 2004. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter that the Company's
earnings per diluted share increased compared to the same period of the prior
year.
Net income rose 32.1% to $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2004 from $1.1
million in the second quarter of 2003. Net income per diluted share increased
16.0% to $0.29 for the second quarter of 2004 from $0.25 a year ago.
Mike Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with
our record second quarter results. They reflect benefits from targeted growth
initiatives as well as a positive contribution from the sale of boots for
delivery to the U.S. military. ROCKY(R) Work apparel, launched earlier this year
as part of our head-to-toe strategy, as well as our GATES(R) products had strong
shipments during the quarter. Our strategy includes the introduction of
additional footwear, apparel and accessories which leverage the strengths of
both brands. We are on target to achieve our business goals for this year and
remain focused on profitable growth opportunities."
Second Quarter 2004
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Net sales increased 25.5% to $27.4 million for the second quarter of 2004 from
$21.9 million a year ago. This $5.6 million sales gain was attributable to a 13%
increase in branded sales, led by GATES(R) products and ROCKY(R) apparel,
coupled with sales of boots for delivery to the U.S. military.
Gross profit rose 15.5% to $7.8 million for the second quarter of 2004 from $6.7
million a year ago. Gross profit margin declined to 28.3% for the second quarter
versus 30.8% a year ago due to shipments of boots for delivery to the U.S.
military and related start-up costs for these boots in 2004 compared to none for
the same period last year.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses declined to 19.7% of net
sales for the second quarter of 2004 from 22.6% in 2003. This was primarily due
to nominal SG&A expenses related to sales of boots for delivery to the U.S.
military.
Operating profit rose to 8.7% of net sales for the second quarter of 2004 from
8.2% a year ago.
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Six Month Results
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Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 increased 38.5% to $49.3
million from $35.6 million for the same period last year. Gross profit was 27.2%
for the first half of 2004 versus 28.6% last year. SG&A expenses declined to
21.7% of net sales for the first six months of 2004 from 25.8% last year. Income
from operations rose to 5.4% of net sales for the first six months of 2004 from
2.8% the prior year. Net income per diluted share was $0.31 for the first half
of 2004 compared to $0.11 in 2003.
Funded Debt
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The Company's funded debt was $22.0 million at June 30, 2004 or $3.7 million
below funded debt on the same date last year. Borrowing requirements are
generally higher during the months of May through October annually for increased
inventory to support the Company's higher sales during this period. At December
31, 2003, funded debt was $18.0 million.
Inventory
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At June 30, 2004, inventory was $38.6 million compared to $38.3 million on the
same date last year and $38.1 million at December 31, 2003. Inventory is
adequate to support sales of ROCKY(R) and GATES(R) products, including recent
line extensions of footwear, apparel and accessories. At December 31, 2004,
inventory is expected to be lower than on the same date last year.
Outlook
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The Company is maintaining its previous guidance regarding net sales and
earnings per share for the year 2004. Net sales are anticipated to be
approximately $133 million for the year 2004, which is $27 million above net
sales for the year 2003. This sales growth is attributable to solid increases in
branded products, footwear, apparel and accessories, and shipment of boots for
delivery to the U.S. military.
If the Company achieves net sales of at least $133 million for the year 2004,
then net income is expected to be approximately $1.75 per diluted share for the
year. The Company cautions investors that the net sales and earnings outlook for
the year ended December 31, 2004 is based on current market conditions and
management's expectations. If net sales do not reach $133 million, then actual
earnings may be less than this guidance.
About Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc.
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Rocky Shoes & Boots, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets premium
quality rugged outdoor, occupational, work and casual footwear, as well as
branded clothing and accessories. The Company's footwear, clothing and
accessories are marketed through several distribution channels, primarily under
the registered trademarks, ROCKY and GATES.
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The Company is conducting a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday,
July 27, 2004 to discuss the second quarter 2004 financial results and business
trends. Persons interested in listening to the call can access it through
www.rockyboots.com and clicking on the button "Second Quarter 2004 Conference
Call".
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
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This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended
to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but
may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations,
projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management, and include
statements in this press release regarding the Company's strategy that includes
the introduction of additional footwear, apparel and accessories which leverage
the strengths of both brands, and the Company is on target to achieve its
business goals for this year (paragraph 3), borrowing requirements are generally
higher during the months of May through October annually for increased inventory
to support the Company's sales growth (paragraph 9), inventory at December 31,
2004 is expected to be below the December 31, 2003 level (paragraph 10),
anticipated net sales for 2004 (paragraph 11), and anticipated net income per
diluted share for 2004 (paragraph 12). These forward-looking statements involve
numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risks that
sales plans will not be met, that present orders may be cancelled or delayed,
that the general economy or consumer spending habits will depress the market for
the Company's products, that there may be disruption in the shipment of products
from overseas to the Company, that the weather in 2004 is drier and warmer than
normal, and all of the other various risks inherent in the Company's business as
set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2003. One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and
could in the future affect the Company's businesses and financial results in
future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans
and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking
statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of
the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements
included herein, the Company, or any other person should not regard the
inclusion of such information as a representation, that the objectives and plans
of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this
press release are based on information presently available to the management of
the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements.
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ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
---- ---- ---- ----
NET SALES $ 27,433,987 $ 21,863,148 $ 49,316,076 $ 35,618,089
COST OF GOODS SOLD 19,657,778 15,128,164 35,921,263 25,417,577
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GROSS MARGIN 7,776,209 6,734,984 13,394,813 10,200,512
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 5,396,376 4,944,319 10,724,067 9,194,925
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INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 2,379,833 1,790,665 2,670,746 1,005,587
OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES):
Interest expense (274,868) (313,438) (533,441) (509,618)
Other - net 24,182 88,230 98,388 180,103
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Total other - net (250,686) (225,208) (435,053) (329,515)
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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX 2,129,147 1,565,457 2,235,693 676,072
INCOME TAX 681,325 469,638 715,420 202,822
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NET INCOME $ 1,447,822 $ 1,095,819 $ 1,520,273 $ 473,250
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NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic $ 0.32 $ 0.27 $ .34 $ 0.11
Diluted $ 0.29 $ 0.25 $ .31 $ 0.11
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic 4,557,954 4,067,353 4,492,989 4,214,417
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Diluted 5,003,936 4,361,037 4,949,805 4,424,355
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ROCKY SHOES & BOOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JUNE 30, 2004 DECEMBER 31, 2003 JUNE 30, 2003
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ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 492,408 $ 2,159,050 $ 1,450,044
Trade receivables - net 27,422,370 19,532,287 21,356,964
Other receivables 863,709 830,131 1,062,552
Inventories 38,641,868 38,068,187 38,332,365
Deferred income taxes 959,810 959,810 578,951
Prepaid expenses 1,105,070 1,045,238 1,706,029
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Total current assets $ 69,485,235 $ 62,594,703 $ 64,486,905
FIXED ASSETS - net 19,055,324 17,610,238 18,270,014
DEFERRED PENSION ASSET 1,499,524 1,499,524 1,651,222
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 0 0 153,495
OTHER ASSETS 4,672,682 4,470,371 3,208,827
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TOTAL ASSETS $ 94,712,765 $ 86,174,836 $ 87,770,463
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 6,829,747 $ 2,810,161 $ 7,637,974
Current maturities - long-term debt 518,226 503,934 490,218
Accrued taxes - other 491,828 589,874 471,780
Accrued salaries and wages 988,107 1,885,896 904,834
Accrued plant closing costs 63,228 195,500 210,000
Accrued income taxes 45,064 1,929,808 0
Accrued other 636,076 469,492 753,743
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Total current liabilities 9,572,276 8,384,665 10,468,549
LONG TERM DEBT - less current maturities 21,493,872 17,514,994 25,228,589
DEFERRED LIABILITIES 2,225,067 1,890,500 1,842,769
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TOTAL LIABILITIES 33,291,215 27,790,159 37,539,907
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, no par value 36,396,799 34,880,199 32,653,420
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,950,400) (1,950,400) (2,311,749)
Retained earnings 26,975,151 25,454,878 19,888,885
------------ ------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity 61,421,550 58,384,677 50,230,556
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 94,712,765 $ 86,174,836 $ 87,770,463
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