The Jones Group Inc.
Industry: Consumer Cyclical - Apparel/Accessories
250 Rittenhouse Circle, Bristol, PA 19007
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The Jones Group Inc. (ticker: JNY, exchange: New York Stock Exchange (.N)) News Release - 28-Apr-2010

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. Reports 2010 First Quarter Results

NEW YORK, April 28, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (NYSE: JNY) today reported results for the first quarter ended April 3, 2010. Revenues for the first quarter of 2010 exceeded expectations and were $887 million, as compared with $891 million for the first quarter of 2009. Gross profit margin increased 390 basis points to 36.8%, reflecting continued careful inventory management.

The Company reported adjusted earnings per share ("EPS") of $0.47 for the first quarter of 2010, as compared with adjusted earnings per share of $0.28 in the same period last year. Results for both periods exclude the impact of severance and other expenses related to the planned closure of certain Company-operated retail stores, and certain other charges (see reconciliation of adjusted earnings to reported earnings in the accompanying schedule).

As reported under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company reported net income of $0.45 per share for the first quarter of 2010, as compared with net income of $0.00 per share for the same period last year. The 2010 first quarter results include, among other items, costs and charges of approximately $3 million ($2 million after tax) related to the acquisition of Robert Rodriguez and other restructuring and strategic review costs. In the prior year quarter, results included, among other items, non-cash retail store asset impairment charges of approximately $21 million ($14 million after tax) related to the closure of Company-operated stores and charges of $14 million ($9 million after tax) related to other cost savings initiatives.

Wesley R. Card, Jones Apparel Group Chief Executive Officer, stated: "We are very pleased with the results we achieved in the first quarter and the positioning and performance of our core brands. Sales for the first quarter exceeded expectations and operating margins increased in all segments compared with the prior year's quarter. Jeanswear margins were exceptionally strong, which is reflective of the group's execution and aggressive inventory management. Better Apparel and Footwear and Accessories were also strong performers, driven by higher gross margins. Our vertical retail operations results are much improved. We closed 63 retail locations this quarter and ended the quarter with 877 locations and are on track to close an additional 110 unprofitable locations by the end of 2010."

The following notable events have recently occurred:

  • completed the acquisition of the Robert Rodriguez Collection, a designer, marketer and wholesaler of women's contemporary eveningwear and sportswear;
  • launched an e-commerce site for ShoeWoo, our multi-brand retail shoe concept at www.shoewoo.com; and
  • renewed license agreement with Luxottica for Anne Klein New York eyewear.

Cash used by operations during the quarter was $86 million, compared with cash used by operations of $139 million in the prior year. The year-over-year improvement in cash used by operations of $53 million is primarily due to higher operating earnings and slightly lower working capital requirements. The Company continues to have no amounts drawn under its $650 million of committed revolving credit facilities.

John T. McClain, Jones Apparel Group Chief Financial Officer, commented: "Our financial position remains strong. We ended the quarter with $222 million of cash, $28 million more than last year, and our revolver continues to be undrawn. Throughout the remainder of 2010, we will maintain our management of inventories and expenses to conserve cash and improve margins."

Mr. Card concluded: "On a macroeconomic level, we are encouraged by rising consumer confidence and positive retail trends. While we believe these trends should continue, the economic environment remains unclear and consumer spending is unpredictable. We will continue to position our core brands for growth and fill the white space in our portfolio with selected acquisitions and growth initiatives."

The Company's Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share to all common stockholders of record as of May 14, 2010 for payment on May 28, 2010.

The Company will host a conference call with management to discuss these results at 8:30 a.m. eastern time today, which is accessible by dialing 412-858-4600 or through a web cast at www.jonesapparel.com. The call will be recorded and made available through May 7, 2010 and may be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529. Enter account number 439579. A slide presentation will accompany the prepared remarks and has been posted on the investor relations section of the Company's website.

Presentation of Information in the Press Release

Financial information discussed in this press release includes both GAAP and non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons. A complete reconciliation of reported GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP information appears in the financial tables section of this press release.

About Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. (www.jonesapparel.com) is a leading designer, marketer and wholesaler of branded apparel, footwear and accessories. The Company also markets directly to consumers through its chain of specialty retail and value-based stores and through its e-commerce web sites. The Company's nationally recognized brands include Jones New York, Nine West, Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Kasper, Robert Rodriguez, Bandolino, Easy Spirit, Evan-Picone, l.e.i., Energie, Enzo Angiolini, Joan & David, Mootsies Tootsies, Sam & Libby, Napier, Judith Jack, Albert Nipon and Le Suit. The Company also markets costume jewelry under the Givenchy brand licensed from Givenchy Corporation, women's footwear under the Dockers(R) and Dockers(R) Women brands and infants', toddlers' and boys' footwear (excluding girls' footwear) under the Dockers(R) and Dockers(R) Premium brands, licensed from Levi Strauss & Co., apparel and accessories under the Rachel Roy brand licensed from Rachel Roy IP Company, LLC, and Jessica Simpson jeanswear licensed from VCJS LLC. Each brand is differentiated by its own distinctive styling, pricing strategy, distribution channel and target consumer. The Company contracts for the manufacture of its products through a worldwide network of quality manufacturers. The Company has capitalized on its nationally known brand names by entering into various licenses for several of its trademarks, including Jones New York, Anne Klein New York, Nine West, Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i. and Evan-Picone, with select manufacturers of women's and men's products which the Company does not manufacture. For more than 30 years, the Company has built a reputation for excellence in product quality and value, and in operational execution.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding the Company's expected financial position, business and financing plans are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include representations of the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

  • those associated with the effect of national, regional and international economic conditions;
  • lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from a general economic downturn or lower levels of consumer confidence;
  • the tightening of the credit markets and the Company's ability to obtain capital on satisfactory terms;
  • given the uncertain economic environment, the possible unwillingness of committed lenders to meet their obligations to lend to borrowers, in general;
  • the performance of the Company's products within the prevailing retail environment;
  • customer acceptance of both new designs and newly-introduced product lines;
  • the Company's reliance on a few department store groups for large portions of the Company's business;
  • the Company's ability to identify acquisition candidates and, in a competitive environment for such acquisitions, acquire such businesses on reasonable financial and other terms;
  • the integration of the organizations and operations of any acquired businesses into the Company's existing organization and operations;
  • consolidation of the Company's retail customers;
  • financial difficulties encountered by the Company's customers;
  • the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which the Company operates;
  • the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified executives and other key personnel;
  • the Company's reliance on independent foreign manufacturers;
  • changes in the costs of raw materials, labor, advertising and transportation;
  • the general inability to obtain higher wholesale prices for the Company's products that the Company has experienced for many years;
  • the uncertainties of sourcing associated with an environment in which general quota has expired on apparel products but litigation and political activity seeking to re-impose quotas have been initiated;
  • the Company's ability to successfully implement new operational and financial computer systems; and
  • the Company's ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights.

A further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, including, but not limited to, the Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure and Item 1A-Risk Factors therein, and in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to be incorrect. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


                         JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
                                (UNAUDITED)


    All amounts in millions except per
     share data
                                                     FIRST QUARTER
                                                     -------------
                                                    2010               2009
                                                    ----               ----


    Net sales                             $876.1    98.7%     $879.4   98.7%

    Licensing income                        11.0     1.2        11.5    1.3

    Other revenues                           0.2     0.0         0.2    0.0
                                             ---     ---         ---    ---

    Total revenues                         887.3   100.0       891.1  100.0


    Cost of goods sold                     561.1    63.2       597.8   67.1
                                           -----    ----       -----   ----

    Gross profit                           326.2    36.8       293.3   32.9


    SG&A expenses                          249.9    28.2       279.6   31.4
                                           -----    ----       -----   ----

    Income from operations                  76.3     8.6        13.7    1.5


    Net interest expense and financing
     costs                                (12.0)    (1.4)     (12.9)  (1.4)
    Equity in loss of unconsolidated
     affiliate                              (1.8)   (0.2)       (0.3) (0.0)
                                            ----    ----        ----   ----

    Income before provision for income
     taxes                                  62.5     7.0         0.5    0.1
    Provision for income taxes              23.1     2.6         0.2    0.0
                                            ----     ---         ---    ---

    Net income                              39.4     4.4         0.3    0.0


    Less: income attributable to
     noncontrolling interest                 0.2     0.0           -    0.0
                                             ---     ---         ---    ---

    Income attributable to Jones           $39.2     4.4%       $0.3    0.0%
                                           =====     ===        ====    ===

    Earnings per share (1)
                                           $39.4                $0.3
       Net Income

                                             0.2                   -
       Less: income attributable to
        noncontrolling interest              ---                 ---
                                            39.2                 0.3
       Income attributable to Jones
                                             1.7                   -
       Less: income allocated to
        participating securities             ---                 ---
                                           $37.5                $0.3
       Income available to common
        stockholders of Jones              =====                ====

    Shares outstanding - diluted            82.4                81.7

    Earnings per share attributable to
     Jones -diluted                        $0.45               $0.00



                  Percentages may not add due to rounding.

    (1) Earnings per share is calculated under the "two-class method,"
    where income is allocated between
    common shares and participating securities (unvested restricted
    shares held by employees that have
    a nonforfeitable right to dividends).  Both our common shares and
    participating securities share
    equally in dividend payments and earnings.

                    JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
                           (UNAUDITED)


    As required by the Securities and Exchange Commission
     Regulation G, the following table contains information
     regarding the non-GAAP adjustments used by the Company
     in the presentation of its financial results:

    All amounts in millions except per
     share data                                       FIRST QUARTER
                                                 2010              2009
                                                 ----              ----

    Income attributable to Jones (as
     reported)                                  $39.2          $0.3
    Provision for income taxes                   23.1           0.2
    Items affecting segment income:
      Impairment and other expenses
       related to retail store closure
       plan (a)                                  (0.2)         22.6
      Charges associated with bankruptcy
       of former U.K. licensee                    0.2           0.7
      Severance related to restructuring
       activities (b)                             0.3           6.8
      Adjustments related to acquired
       businesses and
      other business development review
       costs (c)                                  3.3             -
      Other restructuring expenses and
       certain other charges (d)                 (0.9)          5.4
                                                 ----           ---
    Adjusted income before provision
     for income taxes                            65.0          36.0
    Adjusted provision for income taxes          24.1          12.2
                                                 ----          ----
    Adjusted income attributable to
     Jones                                       40.9          23.8
    Less: adjusted income allocated to
     participating securities                    (1.9)         (0.9)
                                                 ----          ----
    Adjusted income available to common
     stockholders                               $39.0         $22.9
                                                =====         =====

    Earnings per share -diluted (as
     reported)                                  $0.45         $0.00
    Provision for income taxes                   0.27             -
    Items affecting segment income:
      Impairment and other expenses
       related to retail store closure
       plan (a)                                     -          0.27
      Charges associated with bankruptcy
       of former U.K. licensee                      -          0.01
      Severance related to restructuring
       activities (b)                               -          0.08
      Adjustments related to acquired
       businesses and
      other business development review
       costs (c)                                 0.04             -
      Other restructuring expenses and
       certain other charges (d)               (0.01)          0.06
                                                -----          ----
    Adjusted income before provision
     for income taxes                            0.75          0.42
    Adjusted provision for income taxes          0.28          0.14
    Adjusted earnings per share -
     diluted                                    $0.47         $0.28
                                                =====         =====

    Non-GAAP adjustments affecting
     revenue by segment:
      Wholesale better apparel                     $-            $-
      Wholesale jeanswear (d)                       -           1.6
      Wholesale footwear and accessories            -             -
      Retail                                        -             -
      Licensing, other & eliminations               -             -
                                                  ---           ---
      Total                                        $-          $1.6
                                                  ===          ====

    Non-GAAP adjustments affecting
     income by segment:
      Wholesale better apparel (b,c,d)           $2.2          $2.6
      Wholesale jeanswear (b,d)                  (0.5)          5.4
      Wholesale footwear and accessories
       (b,d)                                      0.3           4.1
      Retail (a,b,d)                             (0.4)         23.5
      Licensing, other & eliminations
       (b,c,d)                                    1.1          (0.1)
                                                  ---          ----
      Total                                      $2.7         $35.5
                                                 ====         =====

    Adjusted segment margins
      Wholesale better apparel                   18.6%         15.8%
      Wholesale jeanswear                        16.5           9.8
      Wholesale footwear and accessories         10.1           8.4
      Retail                                   (16.3)        (24.7)
                                                -----         -----
      Total                                       8.9%          5.5%
                                                  ===           ===



    (a) 2010 and 2009 include severance, fixed asset impairment and other
        charges related to the closure of underperforming retail locations
        announced in April 2009.
    (b) 2010 and 2009 include severance related to the restructuring of our
        costume jewelry business and severance related to other cost saving
        initiatives.  2010 also includes severance associated with the
        closure of the Texas warehouse.
    (c) 2010 includes acquisition-related costs and charges, including the
        amortization of the acquired order backlog and the fair value
        adjustment of the contingent consideration payable for the Robert
        Rodriguez acquisition and other strategic transactional-related
        fees.
    (d) 2010 and 2009 include costs related to the exit from or restructuring
        of our moderate sportswear and certain other product lines and
        certain other charges not considered by management to be part of
        ongoing operations. 2010 also includes expenses associated with the
        closure of the Texas warehouse.

                                            JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
                                               SEGMENT INFORMATION
                                                   (UNAUDITED)

    All amounts in millions

                                       Wholesale                 Wholesale
                                        Better     Wholesale    Footwear &
                                       Apparel     Jeanswear   Accessories

    For the fiscal quarter ended
     April 3, 2010
      Revenues from external
       customers                          $284.3       $219.8        $230.3
      Intersegment revenues                 35.5          1.2          12.1
      Total revenues                       319.8        221.0         242.4

      Segment income (loss)                $57.2        $36.9         $24.2
      Segment margin                        17.9%        16.7%         10.0%

      Net interest expense
      Equity in loss of
       unconsolidated affiliate

      Income before provision for
       income taxes


      Segment revenues                    $319.8       $221.0        $242.4
      Adjustments affecting segment
       revenues                                -            -             -
      Adjusted segment revenues           $319.8       $221.0        $242.4
                                          ======       ======        ======

      Segment income (loss)                $57.2        $36.9         $24.2
      Adjustments affecting segment
       income                                2.2         (0.5)          0.3
      Adjusted segment income (loss)       $59.4        $36.4         $24.5
                                           =====        =====         =====
      Adjusted segment margin               18.6%        16.5%         10.1%


    For the fiscal quarter ended
     April 4, 2009
      Revenues from external
       customers                          $291.8       $228.2        $218.4
      Intersegment revenues                 39.2          1.0          18.5
      Total revenues                       331.0        229.2         236.9

      Segment income (loss)                $49.6        $17.3         $15.9
      Segment margin                        15.0%         7.5%          6.7%

      Net interest expense
      Equity in loss of
       unconsolidated affiliate

      Income before provision for
       income taxes


      Segment revenues                    $331.0       $229.2        $236.9
      Adjustments affecting segment
       revenues                                -          1.6             -
      Adjusted segment revenues           $331.0       $230.8        $236.9
                                          ======       ======        ======

      Segment income (loss)                $49.6        $17.3         $15.9
      Adjustments affecting segment
       income                                2.6          5.4           4.1
      Adjusted segment income (loss)       $52.2        $22.7         $20.0
                                           =====        =====         =====
      Adjusted segment margin               15.8%         9.8%          8.4%



                                                Licensing,
                                                 Other &
                                     Retail    Eliminations  Consolidated

    For the fiscal quarter ended
     April 3, 2010
      Revenues from external
       customers                       $141.9         $11.0        $887.3
      Intersegment revenues                 -         (48.8)            -
      Total revenues                    141.9         (37.8)        887.3

      Segment income (loss)            $(22.7)       $(19.3)         76.3
      Segment margin                   (16.0%)                        8.6%

      Net interest expense                                          (12.0)
      Equity in loss of
       unconsolidated affiliate                                      (1.8)

      Income before provision for
       income taxes                                                 $62.5


      Segment revenues                 $141.9        $(37.8)       $887.3
      Adjustments affecting segment
       revenues                             -             -             -
      Adjusted segment revenues        $141.9        $(37.8)       $887.3
                                       ======        ======        ======

      Segment income (loss)            $(22.7)       $(19.3)        $76.3
      Adjustments affecting segment
       income                            (0.4)          1.1           2.7
      Adjusted segment income (loss)   $(23.1)       $(18.2)        $79.0
                                       ======        ======         =====
      Adjusted segment margin          (16.3%)                        8.9%


    For the fiscal quarter ended
     April 4, 2009
      Revenues from external
       customers                       $141.2         $11.5        $891.1
      Intersegment revenues                 -         (58.7)            -
      Total revenues                    141.2         (47.2)        891.1

      Segment income (loss)            $(58.4)       $(10.7)         13.7
      Segment margin                   (41.4%)                        1.5%

      Net interest expense                                          (12.9)
      Equity in loss of
       unconsolidated affiliate                                      (0.3)

      Income before provision for
       income taxes                                                  $0.5


      Segment revenues                 $141.2        $(47.2)       $891.1
      Adjustments affecting segment
       revenues                             -             -           1.6
      Adjusted segment revenues        $141.2        $(47.2)       $892.7
                                       ======        ======        ======

      Segment income (loss)            $(58.4)       $(10.7)        $13.7
      Adjustments affecting segment
       income                            23.5          (0.1)         35.5
      Adjusted segment income (loss)   $(34.9)       $(10.8)        $49.2
                                       ======        ======         =====
      Adjusted segment margin          (24.7%)                        5.5%


                       JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              (UNAUDITED)


    All amounts in millions


                                                    April 3,       April 4,
                                                       2010           2009
    ASSETS

    CURRENT ASSETS:
      Cash and cash equivalents                        $222.2         $194.3
      Accounts receivable                               441.4          479.4
      Inventories                                       353.6          473.9
      Prepaid income taxes                                0.2           11.7
      Deferred taxes                                     30.4           29.6
      Other current assets                               35.1           47.4
         TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                         1,082.9        1,236.3

    Property, plant and equipment, at cost,
     less
        accumulated depreciation and amortization       231.7          270.1
    Goodwill                                             46.8          160.7
    Other intangibles, less accumulated
     amortization                                       584.5          590.3
    Deferred taxes                                          -           15.5
    Other assets                                        109.4           56.3

                                                     $2,055.3       $2,329.2

    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Short-term borrowings                                $-           $9.0
      Current portion of long-term debt and
       capital lease obligations                          2.3          252.9
      Accounts payable                                  160.4          149.6
      Income taxes payable                               11.3              -
      Accrued expenses and other current
       liabilities                                      104.8          109.5
         TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                      278.8          521.0

    NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Long-term debt and obligations under
       capital leases                                   526.0          528.3
      Income taxes payable                                8.4           21.2
      Deferred taxes                                      9.3              -
      Other                                              97.1           77.7
         TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES                   640.8          627.2
         TOTAL LIABILITIES                              919.6        1,148.2

    EQUITY                                            1,135.7        1,181.0

                                                     $2,055.3       $2,329.2


                           JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
                      CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (UNAUDITED)


    All amounts in millions                         Fiscal Quarter Ended
                                                    --------------------
                                                 April 3,        April 4,
                                                    2010            2009
                                                ---------       ---------

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
      Net Income                                     $39.4            $0.3
                                                     -----            ----

      Adjustments to reconcile net income
       to net
        cash used in operating activities,
         net of acquisitions:
          Amortization of employee stock
           options and restricted stock                9.2             4.2
          Depreciation and other amortization         20.9            18.6
          Impairments of property, plant and
           equipment                                   0.7            20.4
          Equity in loss of unconsolidated
           affiliate                                   1.8             0.3
          (Recovery of) provision for losses on
           accounts receivable                        (0.3)            1.9
          Deferred taxes                              11.1            (3.0)
          Other items, net                             0.2             0.6
          Changes in operating assets and
           liabilities:
            Accounts receivable                     (136.2)         (111.0)
            Inventories                               23.0            35.4
            Accounts payable                         (25.2)          (81.7)
            Income taxes payable/prepaid taxes        10.8             4.6
            Other assets and liabilities, net        (41.6)          (29.9)
                                                     -----           -----
            Total adjustments                       (125.6)         (139.6)
                                                    ------          ------
      Net cash used in operating activities          (86.2)         (139.3)
                                                     -----          ------

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
      Capital expenditures                            (8.7)           (8.3)
      Acquisition of Moda Nicola
       International, LLC                            (11.5)              -
                                                     -----             ---
      Net cash used in investing activities          (20.2)           (8.3)
                                                     -----            ----

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
      Net increase in short-term
       borrowings                                        -             9.0
      Dividends paid                                  (4.3)           (4.2)
      Principal payments on capitalized
       leases                                         (0.7)           (0.9)
      Distributions to noncontrolling
       interest                                       (0.1)              -
                                                      ----             ---
      Net cash (used in) provided by
       financing activities                           (5.1)            3.9
                                                      ----             ---

    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH                   0.3            (0.3)
                                                       ---            ----

    NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH
     EQUIVALENTS                                    (111.2)         (144.0)

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING             333.4           338.3
                                                     -----           -----

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ENDING               $222.2          $194.3
                                                    ======          ======



SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.