EQS-News: PUMA SE
/ Key word(s): Quarter Results/9 Month figures
PUMA’s sales growth accelerates in Q3 Herzogenaurach, 06 November 2024
Key developments Q3 2024
Arne Freundt, Chief Executive Officer of PUMA SE: “I'm pleased with the progress on our brand elevation journey as we are building the foundation for accelerated and sustainable growth. We know this takes time, but we have made strong strides in enhancing our brand equity and desirability, stepping up our performance business, and building up consumer relevance in the Sportstyle Prime market. Our new Speedcat Go-to-Market Strategy is performing very well and I am excited about the commercial launch of the Speedcat in a few weeks. I am also pleased that our wholesale business has returned to growth. With accelerated sales growth in Q3 and EBIT meeting expectations as well as a strong orderbook for Q4, we're on track to meet our full-year 2024 outlook. This success is due to the great engagement of the entire PUMA Family and its incredible partners. I’m looking forward to shaping the next chapter of PUMA’s growth together with the Management Board team, which has recently welcomed Markus as our new CFO.”
Third Quarter 2024 Sales grew currency adjusted (ca) by 5.0% to € 2,308.2 million, supported by growth in the Americas, Asia/Pacific and EMEA. Currencies continued to be a headwind, negatively impacting sales in euro terms by approximately € 100 million in Q3 2024 (-0.1% reported growth rate).
Sales in the Americas region increased by 11.4% (ca) to € 872.2 million, with the U.S. and Latin America contributing to the growth. As anticipated, the U.S. market returned to growth in Q3. Latin America grew during the quarter, while continuing to be impacted by the ramp-up of warehouse operations. The Asia/Pacific region recorded sales growth of 3.0% (ca) to
PUMA’s Wholesale business returned to growth, improving by 1.5% (ca) to € 1,728.2 million. The strong focus on sell-through in the first half of 2024 laid the foundation for a stronger sell-in in the second half of 2024. Our Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business grew in line with the strong year-to-date trajectory by 17.0% (ca) to € 580.0 million, which reflects the continued brand momentum. Sales in owned & operated retail stores increased 12.8% (ca) and e-commerce increased 26.4% (ca). This resulted in an increased DTC share of 25.1% (Q3 2023: 22.7%).
Sales in Footwear increased by 9.3% (ca) to € 1,240.3 million, driven by growth in Performance, led by Football and Running, and in Sportstyle, led by Core and Kids. Sales in Accessories grew by 2.9% (ca) to € 304.2 million, while Apparel decreased by 0.7% (ca) to
The gross profit margin improved by 80 basis points to 47.9% (Q3 2023: 47.1%). The continued improvement was based on a favourable product mix, freight and sourcing prices. This was partially offset by ongoing currency headwinds and higher promotional activities in certain markets in Latin America and EEMEA.
Operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 1.1% to € 873.4 million (Q3 2023: € 863.7 million). The increase was mainly driven by the continued growth of our DTC business, warehouse ramp-up costs and digital infrastructure projects. This was partially offset by lower bonus-related marketing payments and a shift of marketing investments to Q4 2024, while non-demand generating costs continued to be strictly controlled. Currency headwinds also weighed on the OPEX ratio, which increased by 50 basis points to 37.8% (Q3 2023: 37.4%).
The operating result (EBIT) increased by 0.3% to € 237.0 million (Q3 2023: € 236.3 million), mainly due to an improved gross profit margin. The EBIT margin came in at 10.3% (Q3 2023: 10.2%).
The financial result amounted to € -46.7 million (Q3 2023: € -45.5 million), which is in line with the prior year.
Net income decreased by 3.0% to € 127.8 million (Q3 2023: € 131.7 million) and earnings per share amounted to € 0.86 (Q3 2023: € 0.88). This was mainly due to a higher net income attributable to non-controlling interests as a result of a stronger socks and bodywear business in the U.S.
Nine Months 2024
Sales increased by 2.6% (ca) to € 6,527.8 million, with currency headwinds having a negative impact on sales in euro terms (-1.4% reported).
The Americas region led the growth with a sales increase of 7.2% (ca) to € 2,549.7 million, followed by the Asia/Pacific region with a sales increase of 1.8% (ca) to € 1,298.9 million, while sales in the EMEA region declined by 1.1% (ca) to € 2,679.2 million.
PUMA’s Wholesale business declined by 1.5% (ca) to € 4,866.0 million as a result of our strong focus on sell-through in the first half of 2024 to lay the foundation for a stronger sell-in in the second half of 2024 and 2025. Our Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business increased by 16.8% (ca) to € 1,661.8 million. Sales in owned & operated retail stores grew 14.8% (ca) and
Among product divisions, sales in Footwear increased by 4.2% (ca) to € 3,518.8 million and Apparel grew by 1.9% (ca) to € 2,077.4 million. Accessories decreased by 1.8% (ca) to € 931.7 million.
The gross profit margin increased by 130 basis points to 47.4% (9M 2023: 46.2%). Headwinds from currencies and promotions were more than offset by a favourable product and distribution channel mix as well as tailwinds from sourcing and freight. Operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 1.7% to € 2,598.0 million (9M 2023: € 2,555.5 million). The continued growth of our DTC business and ramp-up costs for warehouse and digital infrastructure projects were the main drivers of this increase, while non-demand generating costs remained under strict control. In addition, currency effects weighed on the OPEX ratio, resulting in an overall increase of 120 basis points to 39.8% (9M 2023: 38.6%).
The operating result (EBIT) decreased by 2.7% to € 513.2 million (9M 2023: € 527.2 million), which resulted in an EBIT margin of 7.9% (9M 2023: 8.0%). Gross profit margin improvements were more than offset by currency headwinds and higher OPEX.
The financial result decreased to € -116.2 million (9M 2023: € -76.2 million) due to a lower interest result and higher currency related losses.
Consequently, net income decreased by 15.4% to € 257.1 million (9M 2023: € 304.0 million) and earnings per share amounted to € 1.72 (9M 2023: € 2.03).
Share Buyback
The share buyback programme announced by PUMA SE on 29 February 2024 began on 07 March 2024. During Q3, 422,855 shares were bought back for € 18.5 million. As of 30 September 2024, a total of 1,123,268 shares had been repurchased for € 49.8 million. Working Capital
The working capital increased by 4.9% to € 1,883.5 million (30 September 2023: € 1,794.9 million). Inventories decreased by 3.3% to € 1,811.3 million (30 September 2023: € 1,874.1 million). On a currency adjusted basis, inventories were up 3.8%. Inventories remain at healthy levels with a strong increase in goods in transit to serve the new product cycle from Q4 2024 onwards. Trade receivables increased by 4.0% to € 1,515.6 million (30 September 2023:
Outlook 2024
The first nine months of the year were characterised by a volatile environment with continued currency headwinds, stressed supply chains and muted consumer sentiment globally. In this challenging environment, PUMA continued to make progress on its brand elevation journey and in building the foundation of accelerated and sustainable growth by enhancing its distinctive brand equity and desirability, strengthening its performance business, and building up consumer relevance in the Sportstyle Prime market.
Based on the results of the first nine months of the year and supported by building brand momentum as well as by our strong orderbook for the remainder of the year, PUMA reiterates its outlook for the financial year 2024 of mid-single-digit currency-adjusted sales growth and an operating result (EBIT) in the range of € 620 million to € 670 million (2023: € 621.6 million). We continue to expect net income (2023: € 304.9 million) to change in 2024 in line with the operating result.
As in previous years, PUMA will continue to focus on managing short-term challenges without compromising the brand's medium- and long-term momentum. The very positive feedback from our retail partners and consumers on our upcoming Q4 2024 product drops, 2025 product line-up and go-to-market strategies gives us confidence for the medium and long-term success and continued growth of PUMA.
Continued progress in Brand Elevation
Ongoing Momentum in Performance
Transition in Sportstyle Prime on Track
Media Relations:
Robert-Jan Bartunek - Teamhead Corporate Communications – PUMA SE - 4 -
Investor Relations:
Gottfried Hoppe – Director Investor Relations - PUMA SE - 7 -
Notes to the editors:
Reuters: PUMG.DE, Bloomberg: PUM GY, Börse Frankfurt: ISIN: DE0006969603– WKN: 696960
Notes relating to forward-looking statements: This document contains statements about the future business development and strategic direction of the Company. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions. They are subject to certain risks and fluctuations as described in other publications, in particular in the risk and opportunities management section of the combined management report. If these expectations and assumptions do not apply or if unforeseen risks arise, the actual course of business may differ significantly from the expected developments. We therefore assume no liability for the accuracy of these forecasts.
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For more than 75 years, PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Basketball, Golf and Motorsports. It collaborates with renowned designers and brands to bring sport influences into street culture and fashion. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 21,000 people worldwide and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. For more information, please visit
06.11.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. |
Language: | English |
Company: | PUMA SE |
PUMA WAY 1 | |
91074 Herzogenaurach | |
Germany | |
Phone: | |
Fax: | 75 |
E-mail: | |
Internet: | |
ISIN: | DE0006969603 |
WKN: | 696960 |
Indices: | MDAX |
Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Munich; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange |
EQS News ID: | 2023251 |
End of News | EQS News Service |
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2023251 06.11.2024 CET/CEST