Exhibit 99
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ROCKY BRANDS, INC. |
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Company Contact:
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Jim McDonald
Chief Financial Officer
(740) 753-1951 |
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Investor Relations:
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Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
Brendon E. Frey/Chad A. Jacobs
(203) 682-8200 |
ROCKY BRANDS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER REVENUES AND EARNINGS
NELSONVILLE, Ohio, July 27, 2006 Rocky Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY) today announced financial
results for the second quarter and six month period ended June 30, 2006.
For the three months ended June 30, 2006, net sales decreased 12.5% to $57.3 million compared to
$65.5 million for the corresponding period a year ago. It is important to note that the second
quarter of 2005 included approximately $5.8 million of footwear sales to the military compared to
zero footwear sales to the military in the second quarter of 2006.
The Company reported a net loss of $0.2 million, or ($0.04) per diluted share versus net income of
$2.8 million, or $0.50 per diluted share a year ago. The net loss for the second quarter includes
approximately $0.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in stock compensation expense required by
current accounting standards compared with no stock compensation expense in the second quarter of
2005. The second quarter net loss also included a one time charge of approximately $0.4 million, or
$0.05 per diluted share after tax, due to the refinancing of the Companys January 2005 $30 term
million term loan and the required write off of prepaid financing charges incurred in the January
2005 financing. The Company reported the refinancing of the term loan with American Capital
Strategies and GMAC Commercial Finance in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 5, 2006.
Mike Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Brands, stated Our second quarter
results were disappointing, particularly the performance of our outdoor footwear and apparel. While
we have reduced our outlook for this business, we continue to believe it can be a meaningful
contributor to our future and we are exploring ways to reverse the current trends of this category.
Importantly, our work and western footwear continues to benefit from the cross-selling
opportunities created by the integration of our sales forces and we are focused on further
leveraging all of our retail relationships going forward.
Second Quarter Results
Net sales for the second quarter decreased 12.5% to $57.3 million compared to $65.5 million a year
ago. The decrease in sales is primarily attributable to weaker than expected results in outdoor
footwear and apparel, and a decline in footwear sales to the military, which were zero in the
second quarter compared to $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2005.
Gross profit in the second quarter of 2006 was $24.1 million, or 42.0% of sales, compared to $25.7
million or 39.3% of sales, for the same period last year. The 270 basis point increase in gross
margin was primarily due to the decrease in shipments to the U.S. military in the second quarter of
2006 compared to the second quarter of 2005. Military boots are sold at lower gross margins than
branded products.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $21.5 million, or 37.4% of sales for the
second quarter of 2006 compared to $19.5 million, or 29.7% of sales, a year ago. The increase was
primarily a result of increases in heath care costs, trade show expenses and professional fees.
The Company reported income from operations of $2.6 million or 4.6% of net sales, compared to
income from operations of $6.2 million or 9.5% of net sales in the prior year.
Funded Debt and Interest Expense
The Companys funded debt at June 30, 2006 was $109.7 million versus $110.7 million at June 30,
2005. Interest expense increased to $3.0 million for the second quarter of 2006, versus $2.1
million for same period last year, primarily due to higher interest rates than a year ago.
Excluding the aforementioned non-recurring charge of $0.4 million, interest expense would have been
$2.6 million for the second quarter of 2006.
Inventory
Inventory increased to $94.3 million at June 30, 2006 compared with $85.4 million on the same date
a year ago, primarily to support growth in the Companys western and work footwear segments.
Outlook
Based on second quarter results and current business trends, Rocky brands now anticipates net sales
to be approximately $265 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. If the Company achieves net
sales of at least $265 million for fiscal 2006, then net earnings are anticipated to be
approximately $1.25 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2006, including a non-cash
charge of approximately $0.07 per share related to stock options expensing. This compares to the
Companys previous guidance of net sales between $287 million to $292 million and diluted earnings
per share in the range of $2.28 to $2.38.
Mr. Brooks concluded, We remain confident about the vitality of our entire portfolio of brands,
including the recent additions of Zumfoot and Michelin which will further diversify our operations
and provide us entrée into new markets and broader channels of distribution. With that said, given
the current challenges in our outdoor business, coupled with the difficult economic environment, we
believe it is prudent to take a more cautious approach to our outlook for the second half of fiscal
2006. Our entire team is dedicated to taking the necessary steps to improve our outdoor business
and we are committed to capitalizing on the many long-term growth prospects we believe exist for
our Company.
About Rocky Brands, Inc.
Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and
apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names including Rocky Outdoor Gear®,
Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, and the licensed brands Dickies®, Zumfoot® and Michelin®.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
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 expected net sales and expected earnings per share (paragraph 11) and the
outlook for the second half of fiscal 2006 (paragraph 12). These forward-looking statements involve
numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks
inherent in the Companys business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2005 (filed March 16, 2006) and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
2006 (filed May 10, 2006). One or more of these factors have