HGGR Haggar (MM)

Haggar Increases FY 2003 Core Earnings Per Share 19% From FY 2002 And Net Sales Exceed Street Expectations DALLAS, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fourth Quarter and Annual Highlights: -- Grew core earnings per share 19% for the year to $1.18 in fiscal 2003 from $0.99 in fiscal 2002. -- Improved core earnings per share in fiscal fourth quarter by 60% to $0.64 in 2003 from $0.40 in 2002. -- Outstanding performance from two new exciting products in 2003: the Haggar(R) comfort fit waist pant product and the Freedom Khaki(TM). -- Successfully launched a new pants license with Kenneth Cole during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. -- Introduced a new women's comfort fit waist pant product at major retailers. -- Reduced debt by 63% to $9.3 million at September 30, 2003 from $25.1 million at September 30, 2002. Haggar Corp. (NASDAQ:HGGR) announced results for the fourth quarter and full year for fiscal year 2003, which ended September 30, 2003. Actual net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 was $7,327,000, or $1.12 earnings per diluted share, as compared to actual net income of $3,543,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, or $0.55 earnings per share. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, Haggar reported a 60% increase in core earnings per diluted share to $0.64, or $4,192,000 in core earnings. This compares to the fourth quarter of 2002, in which the Company reported core earnings per diluted share of $0.40, or $2,574,000 in core earnings. Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 were $125,546,000 versus $133,226,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. Actual net income for the full year of 2003 was $9,856,000, or $1.53 earnings per diluted share, as compared to a net loss for 2002 of $7,565,000 or $1.17 loss per share. For the full year of 2003, Haggar reported a 19% increase in core earnings per diluted share to $1.18 in 2003, or $7,599,000 in core earnings. This compares to 2002, in which the Company reported core earnings per diluted share of $0.99, or $6,350,000 in core earnings. Net sales for the full year of 2003 were $482,375,000 versus $481,831,000 in 2002. Earnings Summary (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 Actual net income (loss) $7,327 $3,543 $9,856 $(7,565) Actual net income (loss) per common share - Diluted $1.12 $0.55 $1.53 $(1.17) Unusual charges (benefits) net of tax: Gain on sale of global headquarters, net (3,225) --- (3,225) --- Reduction in force 90 625 90 625 Proxy defense costs --- --- 752 --- Gain on Sale of Edinburg, Texas facility --- --- (203) --- Legal settlement on landlord dispute --- --- 329 --- Reduction of legal reserve --- (1,947) --- (1,947) Closure of Dominican Republic sewing facility --- 353 --- 353 Revision of Edinburg, Texas facility write-off --- --- --- (1,294) Closure of cutting facility --- --- --- 600 Impact of SFAS No.142 (goodwill and other intangible assets) --- --- --- 15,578 Core earnings $4,192 $2,574 $7,599 $6,350 Core earnings per share - Diluted $ 0.64 $0.40 $ 1.18 $ 0.99 Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted 6,529 6,443 6,453 6,429 Review of Core Earnings: J. M. Haggar, III, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are excited about our performance for 2003. Our new products at retail are working effectively in driving value for our customers and the consumer, particularly our new Haggar(R) comfort fit waist pant, as well as our stain resistant wrinkle-free product, the Freedom Khaki(TM). Pricing pressures continue to impact our gross margins, but we remain committed to our strategy of growing market share." Frank Bracken, President and Chief Operating Officer, noted, "New innovative products for the Haggar(R) brand, our Horizon Group (private label) and the Claiborne(R) brand continue to fuel the success of the Company and are the cornerstone of our successful history in the apparel business. Additionally, the Kenneth Cole licensed product hit stores in August with smashing success at retail. Both Kenneth Cole and Haggar have been pleased with the product reception at retail. The Haggar women's pant program has recently been introduced in wide distribution at retail with JCPenney." David Tehle, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, noted, "The Company reduced its debt by 63% to $9.3 million as of the end of fiscal 2003, as compared to $25.1 million in debt as of the end of fiscal 2002, due to the Company's excellent supply chain management and improved collections." The Haggar Board of Directors continued the $0.05 per share quarterly dividend. The dividend will be payable on November 17, 2003, to shareholders of record as of November 3, 2003. The Company will file a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission today with its financial projections for fiscal 2004 with net sales of $474,000,000 to $491,000,000 and an earnings per share estimate of $1.09 to $1.28. The earnings estimate includes $0.08 - $0.10 per share of one-time costs associated with the global headquarters relocation. Haggar Clothing Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Haggar Corp., is a leading marketer of men's casual and dress apparel and women's sportswear, with global headquarters in Dallas, TX. Haggar markets in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, and Indonesia. Haggar also holds exclusive licenses to use the Claiborne(R) trademark in the United States to manufacture, market, and sell men's shorts and pants and to use the Kenneth Cole New York(R) and Reaction Kenneth Cole(R) trademark throughout the United States to manufacture, distribute and sell men's tailored dress pants and men's classification dress and casual pants and shorts in men's classification pant departments. For more information visit the Haggar website at http://www.haggarcorp.com/ . The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by the forward- looking statements; the results could be affected by, among other things, general business conditions, the impact of competition, the seasonality of the Company's business, labor relations, governmental regulations, unexpected judicial decisions, and inflation. In addition, the financial results for the quarter just ended do not necessarily indicate the results that may be expected for any future quarters or for any fiscal year. Investors also should consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements or publicly announce any updates or revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements. Use of Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Non-GAAP) Financial Information The Company reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. However, the Company uses core earnings as a non-GAAP performance measure to provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the Company's underlying operational results. This non-GAAP measure is an indicator management uses to provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and prior reported results, and as a basis for planning and forecasting for future periods. Core earnings is calculated by taking actual net income (loss) and adjusting that amount for unusual charges or benefits (based on management's interpretation) which are calculated net of tax. The presentation of core earnings is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP in the United States. HAGGAR CORP. Condensed Consolidated Three Months Ended Year Ended Statements of Operations September 30, September 30, 2003 2002 2003 2002 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 125,546 $ 133,226 $ 482,375 $ 481,831 Cost of sales 90,984 94,560 353,091 351,704 Reorganization costs --- (2,655) --- (3,812) Gross profit 34,562 41,321 129,284 133,939 Selling, general and administrative expenses (29,221) (34,521) (119,300) (118,442) Royalty income 541 421 1,593 1,326 Other income 6,085 49 6,687 613 Interest expense (563) (792) (2,535) (3,600) Income before provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change 11,404 6,478 15,729 13,836 Provision for income taxes 4,077 2,935 5,873 5,823 Income before cumulative effect of accounting change 7,327 3,543 9,856 8,013 Cumulative effect of accounting change --- --- --- (15,578) Net income (loss) $ 7,327 $ 3,543 $ 9,856 $ (7,565) Income per common share before cumulative effect of accounting change - Basic $ 1.14 $ 0.55 $ 1.53 $ 1.25 - Diluted $ 1.12 $ 0.55 $ 1.53 $ 1.25 Cumulative effect of accounting change per common share - Basic --- --- --- (2.44) - Diluted --- --- --- (2.42) Net income (loss) per common share - Basic $ 1.14 $ 0.55 $ 1.53 $ (1.19) - Diluted $ 1.12 $ 0.55 $ 1.53 $ (1.17) Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic 6,442 6,420 6,424 6,385 - Diluted 6,529 6,443 6,453 6,429 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Sept. 30, 2003 Sept. 30, 2002 Assets (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,674 $ 4,124 Accounts receivable, net 56,528 64,284 Inventories 96,627 100,996 Property held for sale --- 2,157 Deferred tax benefit 10,505 12,087 Other current assets 3,557 2,766 Total current assets 174,891 186,414 Property, plant and equipment, net 45,932 46,195 Goodwill 9,472 9,472 Other assets 7,580 7,896 Total Assets $ 237,875 $ 249,977 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts payable $ 25,913 $ 30,542 Accrued liabilities 31,898 35,669 Accrued wages and other employee compensation 7,228 6,713 Current portion of long-term debt 3,671 3,742 Total current liabilities 68,710 76,666 Other non-current liabilities 10,077 8,247 Long term debt 5,671 21,343 Stockholders' equity 153,417 143,721 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 237,875 $ 249,977 DATASOURCE: Haggar Corp. CONTACT: David Tehle, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Haggar Corp., +1-214-956-4511, or fax, +1-214-956-4446 Web site: http://www.haggarcorp.com/

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