EX-99.1 2 f17411exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 exv99w1
 

Exhibit 99.1
1155 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
LEVI
STRAUSS
& Co.
NEWS
         
 
  Investor Contact:   Allison Malkin
 
      Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
 
      (203) 682-8200
 
  Media Contact:   Jeff Beckman
 
      Levi Strauss & Co.
 
      (415) 501-3317
LEVI STRAUSS & CO. ANNOUNCES FOURTH-QUARTER AND FISCAL-YEAR 2005 FINANCIAL RESULTS
SAN FRANCISCO (February 14, 2006) — Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&CO.) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 27, 2005 and filed its 2005 Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2005 full-year results reflect continued improvement in the company’s financial performance across key operating measures compared to the prior year. These include:
    Full-year net sales increased $53 million;
 
    Operating income improved by $228 million; and
 
    Net income increased $126 million.
“We accomplished our primary objectives,” said Phil Marineau, chief executive officer. “We substantially improved the company’s profitability and ended an eight-year sales decline. The actions we’ve taken to transform the company have clearly improved our competitiveness. 2006 will be challenging given the ongoing uncertainty of the retail marketplace in the United States and Europe, but I’m encouraged by our prospects given the innovative and highly competitive products that we have in the pipeline.”
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LS&CO. FY 2005 Results/Add One
February 14, 2006
Fiscal-Year 2005 Results
    Net sales were $4.13 billion compared to $4.07 billion for fiscal year 2004, reflecting a 1 percent increase on a reported basis and flat on a constant-currency basis. The net sales increase was driven by sales growth in the Asia Pacific region, U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand and Levi Strauss Mexico, partially offset by decreased net sales in Europe.
 
    Gross profit increased $104 million to $1.9 billion compared to $1.8 billion in the prior year. The gross margin improved 200 basis points to 45.8 percent of sales for fiscal year 2005 compared to 43.8 percent of sales in the prior year. The gross margin benefited from the improved profitability of the Levi’s® brand in Europe, Asia, Canada and Mexico; improved management of returns, sales allowances and product transition costs in the U.S. Dockers® brand; and lower product sourcing costs.
 
    Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2005. This represents a 2 percent or $28 million increase on a reported basis and $12 million increase on a constant-currency basis. As a percent of net sales, SG&A in 2005 was essentially flat compared to 2004 at 32 percent. The slight dollar increase in SG&A is attributable primarily to increased advertising and promotion expenditures and costs associated with preparation for the requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These increases were partially offset by a $14 million net benefit for workers’ compensation resulting primarily from a reserve reversal; lower salaries, wages and related expenses due to headcount reductions in the United States and Europe; and general cost control efforts.
 
    Restructuring charges, net of reversals, decreased 88 percent to $17 million for 2005 versus $134 million in 2004. The 2005 charges primarily reflect continuing actions related to our 2004 reorganization initiatives.
 
    Operating income increased $228 million to $589 million, or 14 percent of net sales, compared to $361 million, or 9 percent of net sales in 2004. The 63 percent increase in operating income was driven primarily by increased gross profit, increased royalty income and lower restructuring charges, net of reversals.
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LS&CO. FY 2005 Results/Add Two
February 14, 2006
    The effective tax rate for 2005 reduced to 45 percent from 68 percent in 2004. The decrease in the rate was due primarily to a reversal of valuation allowance against foreign net operating losses and a reduction in tax reserves. The change in tax reserves primarily reflects settlements reached during the year with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and a positive tax court ruling in the Netherlands.
 
    Net income for 2005 was $156 million compared to $30 million in the prior year. The increase in net income was due primarily to higher operating income and lower foreign exchange management contract losses, partially offset by costs related to refinancing bond debt and higher income tax expense.
“We delivered another strong fiscal year with top-line stability and a robust improvement in bottom-line performance,” said Hans Ploos van Amstel, chief financial officer. “In addition, we closed 14 open U.S. tax years and successfully completed two bond offerings that extend the majority of our unsecured debt maturities to 2012 and beyond with more favorable borrowing terms.”
Fourth-Quarter 2005 Results
    Fourth-quarter net sales of $1.16 billion were flat on a reported basis compared to the same period in 2004. On a constant-currency basis, net sales improved 0.4 percent for the quarter. Net sales in the quarter reflect primarily sales growth in the Asia Pacific region; the U.S. Dockers®, Levi’s® and Levi Strauss Signature® brands; and Levi Strauss Mexico, partially offset by decreased sales in Europe.
 
    Gross profit for the quarter improved $3 million to $510 million, or 44.1 percent of net sales, compared with $507 million, or 43.8 percent of net sales for the same period of 2004.
 
    Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $8 million or 2 percent to $397 million for the quarter from $405 million in the 2004 period.
 
    Operating income for the quarter was $121 million, or 11 percent of net sales, compared to $94 million, or 8 percent of net sales for the 2004 period. The $28 million improvement was primarily due to lower restructuring charges, lower selling, general and administrative expenses, and higher gross profit.
 
    Tax expense for the fourth quarter was $29 million compared to $48 million in the same quarter of 2004. The decrease is due primarily to a positive tax court ruling in the Netherlands in the fourth quarter of 2005.
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LS&CO. FY 2005 Results/Add Three
February 14, 2006
    Net income for the fourth quarter was $44 million, versus a $19 million loss in the fourth quarter of 2004. The improvement was driven primarily by higher operating income, lower foreign exchange management contract losses and lower income tax expense.
“Our fourth-quarter 2005 results confirm our improved financial performance for the full year,” added Ploos van Amstel. “We delivered strong operating profits and net income while holding our sales stable.”
Investor Conference Call
The company’s full-year 2005 and fourth-quarter investor conference call will be available through a live audio Webcast at http://levistrauss.com/news/webcast.htm today, February 14, 2005, at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST. A replay is available on the Web site the same day and will be archived for one month. A telephone replay also is available through February 28 at 800-642-1687 in the United States and Canada, or 706-645-9291 internationally; I.D. No. 4610214.
This news release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. We use words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Investors should consider the information contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2005, especially in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis - “Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections, our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future results, performance or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this news release may not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date stated, or if no date is stated, as of the date of this news release. We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.
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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    November 27,     November 28,  
    2005     2004  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 239,584     $ 299,596  
Restricted cash
    2,957       1,885  
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $26,193 and $29,002
    614,392       607,679  
Inventories:
               
Raw materials
    16,431       45,271  
Work-in-process
    16,908       22,950  
Finished goods
    506,902       486,633  
 
           
Total inventories
    540,241       554,854  
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $42,890 and $26,364
    94,137       131,491  
Other current assets
    79,376       83,599  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,570,687       1,679,104  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $471,545 and $486,439
    380,186       416,277  
Goodwill
    202,250       199,905  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,081 and $720
    45,715       46,779  
Non-current deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $260,383 and $360,319
    499,647       455,303  
Other assets
    115,163       88,634  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 2,813,648     $ 2,886,002  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current Liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings
  $ 95,797     $ 75,165  
Current maturities of capital lease
    1,510       1,587  
Accounts payable
    235,450       279,406  
Restructuring reserves
    14,594       41,995  
Accrued liabilities
    187,145       188,224  
Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits
    277,007       293,762  
Accrued interest payable
    61,996       65,098  
Accrued taxes
    39,814       124,795  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    913,313       1,070,032  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    2,230,902       2,248,723  
Long-term capital lease, less current maturities
    4,077       5,854  
Postretirement medical benefits
    458,229       493,110  
Pension liability
    195,939       217,459  
Long-term employee related benefits
    156,327       154,495  
Long-term tax liabilities
    17,396        
Other long-term liabilities
    41,659       43,205  
Minority interest
    17,891       24,048  
 
           
Total liabilities
    4,035,733       4,256,926  
 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
               
Stockholders’ deficit:
               
Common stock—$.01 par value; 270,000,000 shares authorized; 37,278,238 shares issued and outstanding
    373       373  
Additional paid-in capital
    88,808       88,808  
Accumulated deficit
    (1,198,481 )     (1,354,428 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (112,785 )     (105,677 )
 
           
Stockholders’ deficit
    (1,222,085 )     (1,370,924 )
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
  $ 2,813,648     $ 2,886,002  
 
           
The notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    November 27,     November 28,     November 30,  
    2005     2004     2003  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Net sales
  $ 4,125,155     $ 4,072,455     $ 4,090,730  
Cost of goods sold
    2,236,963       2,288,406       2,516,521  
 
                 
Gross profit
    1,888,192       1,784,049       1,574,209  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    1,327,680       1,299,766       1,353,314  
Long-term incentive compensation expense (reversal)
    31,106       45,171       (138,842 )
Gain on disposal of assets
    (5,750 )     (3,576 )     (2,685 )
Other operating income
    (70,737 )     (52,034 )     (39,936 )
Restructuring charges, net of reversals
    16,633       133,623       89,009  
 
                 
Operating income
    589,260       361,099       313,349  
Interest expense
    263,650       260,124       254,265  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    66,066             39,353  
Other (income) expense, net
    (23,057 )     5,450       51,023  
 
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    282,601       95,525       (31,292 )
Income tax expense
    126,654       65,135       318,025  
 
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 155,947     $ 30,390     $ (349,317 )
 
                 
The notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    November 27,     November 28,     November 30,  
    2005     2004     2003  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ 155,947     $ 30,390     $ (349,317 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    59,423       62,606       64,176  
Non-cash asset write-offs associated with reorganization initiatives
    1,610       35,204       10,968  
Gain on disposal of assets
    (5,750 )     (3,576 )     (2,685 )
Unrealized foreign exchange gains
    (16,504 )     (18,395 )     (29,838 )
Write-off of unamortized costs associated with early extinguishment of debt
    12,473             32,399  
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
    12,504       12,676       15,728  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    4,858       7,892       10,720  
Provision for deferred taxes
    1,827       28,746       188,872  
(Increase) decrease in trade receivables
    (21,365 )     (95,986 )     105,632  
Decrease (increase) in inventories
    3,130       100,942       (77,072 )
(Increase) decrease in other current assets
    (816 )     32,797       (13,364 )
(Increase) decrease in other non-current assets
    (24,901 )     289       (168 )
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (38,444 )     105,110       50,508  
Decrease in income tax liabilities
    (69,804 )     (40,597 )     (30,037 )
(Decrease) increase in restructuring reserves
    (25,648 )     (45,566 )     34,241  
(Decrease) increase in accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits
    (13,005 )     113,166       (117,225 )
Decrease in long-term employee related benefits
    (79,329 )     (130,733 )     (87,952 )
(Decrease) increase in other long-term liabilities
    (827 )     1,777       (493 )
Other, net
    844       3,154       4,257  
 
                 
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
    (43,777 )     199,896       (190,650 )
 
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (41,868 )     (16,299 )     (68,608 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    11,528       11,351       13,431  
Cash inflow (outflow) from net investment hedges
    2,163       (7,982 )     (29,307 )
Acquisition of Turkey minority interests
    (3,835 )            
Acquisition of U.K. retail stores
    (2,645 )            
 
                 
Net cash used for investing activities
    (34,657 )     (12,930 )     (84,484 )
 
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    1,031,255             1,616,039  
Repayments of long-term debt
    (979,253 )     (13,532 )     (1,192,162 )
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
    (2,975 )     (4,018 )     (1,732 )
Debt issuance costs
    (24,632 )     (10,844 )     (73,049 )
Increase in restricted cash
    (1,323 )     (1,885 )      
Other, net
          (1,841 )      
 
                 
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    23,072       (32,120 )     349,096  
 
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (4,650 )     1,305       5,037  
 
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (60,012 )     156,151       78,999  
Beginning cash and cash equivalents
    299,596       143,445       64,446  
 
                 
Ending cash and cash equivalents
  $ 239,584     $ 299,596     $ 143,445  
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 238,683     $ 233,512     $ 191,902  
Income taxes
    197,315       82,985       167,264  
Restructuring initiatives
    43,112       143,593       49,727  
The notes accompanying our consolidated financial statements in our Form 10-K are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.