Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights

• Revenue of $732 million increased 7 percent (9 percent in constant currency) compared to Q4'21
  

• Reported EPS of $0.91 compared to Q4'21 reported EPS of $0.75; adjusted EPS of $0.88 compared to Q4’21 adjusted EPS of $0.88
  

• As previously announced, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share, payable on March 20, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2023
  

Full Year 2022 Highlights

• Revenue of $2.63 billion increased 6 percent (8 percent in constant currency) compared to FY’21
  

• Reported EPS of $4.31 compared to FY’21 reported EPS of $3.31; adjusted EPS of $4.49 compared to FY’21 adjusted EPS of $4.28
  

• Through a combination of share repurchases and dividend payouts, the Company returned a total of $166 million to shareholders during 2022
  

Full Year 2023 Financial Outlook

• Revenue is expected to increase at a low-single digit percentage compared to FY’22
  

• EPS is expected to be in the range of $4.55 to $4.75

“We finished 2022 strong, as fourth quarter revenue and EPS came in significantly above our plan. Despite unprecedented macroeconomic challenges, we are delivering on many of our long-term goals, with 2022 revenue and earnings ahead of our Investor Day targets. I want to thank our teams around the world for navigating these near-term external pressures, while setting the foundation for Kontoor’s long-term future success,” said Scott Baxter, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Kontoor Brands.

“Even as we anticipate macro headwinds to persist through the year, we begin 2023 from a position of strength. We expect our strategic investments in talent, demand creation and innovation to support continued share gains in our core business, while also driving diversified, accretive growth across DTC channels, categories and international markets. Kontoor’s powerful combination of sustained profitability, robust balance sheet, and flexible capital allocation optionality should continue to yield superior returns for all stakeholders,” added Baxter.

This release refers to “adjusted” amounts from 2022 and 2021 and “constant currency” amounts, which are further described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below. All per share amounts are presented on a diluted basis. Unless otherwise noted, “reported” and “constant currency” amounts are the same.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Income Statement Review

Revenue was $732 million, a 7 percent increase (9 percent increase in constant currency) over the same period in the prior year. Revenue increases were primarily driven by strength in domestic wholesale and Digital, somewhat offset by decreases in International with the continued impacts of lockdowns and restrictions in China weighing on the quarter.

U.S. revenue was $605 million, increasing 16 percent over the same period in the prior year, with gains in both the Wrangler and Lee brands. U.S. wholesale increased 17 percent compared to the fourth quarter 2021, including strength in U.S. digital wholesale which increased 66 percent compared to last year. These gains were augmented by continued strength in U.S. own.com revenue, which increased 19 percent compared to the same period last year.

International revenue was $127 million, a 20 percent decrease (12 percent decrease in constant currency) over the same period in the prior year. China decreased 33 percent (25 percent decrease in constant currency) compared to the fourth quarter 2021, driven by impacts from the COVID lockdowns and restrictions in the region. Europe decreased 15 percent (4 percent decrease in constant currency) over the same period last year, with wholesale pressures more than offsetting constant currency gains in DTC.

Wrangler brand global revenue was $509 million, a 15 percent increase (16 percent increase in constant currency) from the same period in the prior year. Wrangler U.S. revenue increased 19 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by increased shipments in U.S. wholesale, with broad-based channel and category strength including Western, Outdoor, Workwear and T-shirts. Wrangler international revenue decreased 17 percent (9 percent decrease in constant currency) compared to the fourth quarter 2021, with gains in DTC more than offset by decreases in wholesale channels.

Lee brand global revenue was $219 million, a 6 percent decrease (3 percent decrease in constant currency) from the same period in the prior year. Lee U.S. revenue increased 5 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by Digital. Globally, non-denim categories such as T-shirts experienced significant year-over-year gains in the quarter. Lee international revenue decreased 21 percent (13 percent decrease in constant currency) compared to the fourth quarter 2021, driven primarily by reductions in China due to the impact of COVID restrictions.

Other global revenue was $4 million, a 19 percent decrease compared to the same period in the prior year.

Gross margin decreased 200 basis points to 40.8 percent of revenue compared to the same period last year. Compared to adjusted gross margin in the fourth quarter 2021, gross margin decreased 180 basis points. Higher inflationary pressures on input costs, inventory provisions and impacts from production downtime, as well as foreign currency, primarily drove the decline. The decline was partially offset by strategic pricing and channel mix, as well as moderating transitory costs such as air freight.

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses were $214 million in the fourth quarter. Adjusted SG&A expenses were $213 million, or 29.1 percent of revenue, decreasing 290 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year. As expected, tight controls of discretionary expenses as well as lower compensation costs and a decrease in credit loss provisions were somewhat offset by higher distribution expenses, and an increase in strategic investments in IT.

Operating income was $85 million on a reported basis and $86 million on an adjusted basis. Adjusted operating margin of 11.7 percent increased 110 basis points compared to adjusted operating margin during the same period in the prior year. Benefits from tight expense controls, lower compensation costs and strategic pricing more than offset higher inflationary pressures on input costs, inventory provisions and impacts from production downtime.

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was $95 million on a reported basis and $93 million on an adjusted basis. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.7 percent increased 60 basis points compared to adjusted EBITDA margin during the same period in the prior year.

Earnings per share was $0.91 on a reported basis and $0.88 on an adjusted basis compared to reported EPS of $0.75 and adjusted EPS of $0.88, in the same period last year.

Full Year 2022 Income Statement Review

Revenue was $2.63 billion, a 6 percent increase (8 percent increase in constant currency) over the prior year. Revenue increases were primarily driven by strength in Digital, including own.com and digital wholesale, as well as strength in U.S. wholesale. These gains were somewhat offset by a decrease in non-U.S. wholesale with the continued impacts of lockdowns and restrictions in China weighing on the year.

U.S. revenue was $2.07 billion, increasing 11 percent over last year, with gains in both the Wrangler and Lee brands. U.S. wholesale increased 11 percent compared to 2021, including strength in digital wholesale which increased 23 percent compared to last year. These gains were augmented by continued strength in U.S. own.com revenue which increased 23 percent compared to 2021.

International revenue was $557 million, an 8 percent decrease (1 percent decrease in constant currency) over the prior year. China decreased 23 percent (20 percent decrease in constant currency) compared to 2021, driven by the impacts of COVID lockdowns and restrictions in the region. Europe decreased 5 percent (a 7 percent increase in constant currency) over the prior year, with DTC driving the constant currency gains.

Wrangler brand global revenue was $1.75 billion, an 11 percent increase (12 percent increase in constant currency) from the prior year, driven by U.S. wholesale and global Wrangler own.com which increased 25 percent. Wrangler U.S. revenue increased 13 percent compared to last year, with broad-based channel and category strength including Western, Outdoor, Workwear and T-shirts. U.S. Wrangler.com increased 27 percent compared to last year. Wrangler international revenue decreased 1 percent (8 percent increase in constant currency) compared to 2021.

Lee brand global revenue was $874 million, a 1 percent decrease (1 percent increase in constant currency) from the prior year. Lee U.S. revenue increased 7 percent compared to last year, primarily driven by Digital. Globally, non-denim categories such as T-shirts experienced significant year-over-year gains. U.S. Lee.com increased 13 percent compared to last year. Lee international revenue decreased 12 percent (6 percent decrease in constant currency) from 2021, driven primarily by the reductions in China due to the impact of COVID lockdowns.

Other global revenue was $11 million, a 17 percent decrease compared to the prior year.

Gross margin was 43.1 percent of revenue, a decrease of 160 basis points compared to 2021 reported gross margin and a 150 basis point decrease compared to 2021 adjusted gross margin. Higher inflationary pressures on input costs, inventory provisions and foreign currency primarily drove the decline. The decline was partially offset by strategic pricing and Digital own.com mix.

Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) expenses were $778 million on a reported basis and $762 million on an adjusted basis in 2022. As a percent of revenue, adjusted SG&A was 29.0 percent, decreasing 140 basis points compared to adjusted SG&A during the prior year. Increased strategic investments and distribution expenses were more than offset by tight controls of discretionary expenses as well as lower compensation costs.

Operating income was $357 million on a reported basis and $372 million on an adjusted basis. Adjusted operating margin of 14.1 percent decreased 10 basis points compared to adjusted operating margin in the prior year. Benefits from tight expense controls, lower compensation costs and strategic pricing were more than offset by higher inflationary pressures on input costs and inventory provisions.

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) was $390 million on a reported basis and $402 million on an adjusted basis. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.3 percent decreased 30 basis points compared to adjusted EBITDA margin during the prior year.

Earnings per share was $4.31 on a reported basis and $4.49 on an adjusted basis compared to reported EPS of $3.31 and adjusted EPS of $4.28, in the prior year.

December 31, 2022, Balance Sheet and Liquidity Review

The Company ended fiscal 2022 with $59 million in cash and cash equivalents, and approximately $0.8 billion in long-term debt.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and $488 million available for borrowing against this facility.

As previously announced, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.48 per share, payable on March 20, 2023, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2023. With a combination of share repurchases and payout of the dividend, the Company returned a total of $166 million to shareholders during 2022.

Inventory at the end of fiscal 2022 was $597 million, up 64 percent compared to the prior-year period and 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Year-end inventory sequentially improved by $81 million from the third quarter of 2022. Approximately 90 percent of inventory at the end of the year was core product. The Company is taking proactive actions and expects inventory to return to more normalized levels in mid-2023.