Maidenform Brands, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2011 Results and Affirms EPS Guidance for Full Year 2011

ISELIN, N.J., May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• Net sales increased 14.5%
• Earnings per share (EPS) of $0.62
• Shapewear net sales increased 25.9%
• Department stores and national chain stores channel net sales increased 8.5%
• Mass merchant channel net sales increased 31.5%
• International net sales increased 27.9%

Maidenform Brands, Inc. (NYSE: MFB), a global branded marketer of intimate apparel, today reported first quarter 2011 net sales of $163.6 million, an increase of 14.5% over the first quarter of 2010.  Reported EPS was $0.62 for the first quarter of 2011 compared to EPS of $0.51 for the first quarter of 2010.  

"These results complete our ninth consecutive quarter of increased sales for Maidenform, a trend we intend to continue as we leverage our products globally to extend the reach of our brands and deliver profitable growth for our shareholders," stated Maurice S. Reznik, Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Results for First Quarter 2011 versus First Quarter 2010

Net sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased $20.7 million, or 14.5%, to $163.6 million.  Wholesale segment net sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased $20.4 million, or 15.5%, to $152.0 million. Retail segment net sales increased $0.3 million, or 2.7%, to $11.6 million.  

The Company's net sales performance by channel of distribution is highlighted in Exhibit 1 to this press release.

Wholesale Segment

Department Stores and National Chain Stores

Net sales for the department stores and national chain stores channel increased $5.0 million, or 8.5%, to $63.7 million for the first quarter of 2011.  This increase was primarily due to international growth, expansion of the Donna Karan business and to new distribution of Maidenform® products, including Flexees® shapewear, at a chain customer.  

Mass Merchants

Mass merchant channel net sales increased $13.9 million, or 31.5%, to $58.0 million for the first quarter of 2011.  This increase is a result of increased sales, particularly in shapewear, at one of the Company's mass customers, as well as the Company's assortment of strapless and full-figure products with this mass customer, and strong bra replenishment and shapewear placement at a warehouse club.  

Other

Net sales in the other channel increased $1.5 million, or 5.2%, to $30.3 million for the first quarter of 2011 primarily from increased sales to off-price retailers.    

Total international net sales, which are included in the wholesale segment, increased $2.9 million, or 27.9%, to $13.3 million.  This increase was driven by increases primarily in Mexico, the United Kingdom and Canada.    

Retail Segment

Total retail segment net sales increased $0.3 million, or 2.7%, to $11.6 million.  Same store sales, defined as outlet stores that have been open for more than one year, decreased 2.4%.  Internet sales increased $0.3 million, or 25.0%, to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2011.  The retail segment operated 74 outlet stores and eight kiosks and carts as of the end of the first quarter of 2011 and 75 outlet stores and one kiosk as of the end of the first quarter of 2010.  

Consolidated gross profit increased $3.8 million, or 7.3%, to $55.7 million for the first quarter of 2011.  As a percentage of net sales, consolidated gross margins were 34.1% for the first quarter of 2011 versus 36.3% for the first quarter of 2010.  The decrease in the gross margin is a result of product and channel mix.    

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased $1.0 million, or 3.2%, to $32.2 million for the first quarter of 2011 to support the Company's strategic initiatives and sales growth.  This increase was a result of increased headcount for design, merchandising and international as well as variable distribution costs to support the Company's sales growth and increased professional fees. In addition, the Company increased its retail operating expenses, including expenditures for kiosks and carts, as well as store lease renewals.  As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased to 19.7% for the first quarter of 2011 compared to 21.8% for the first quarter of 2010.        

Due to all of the factors described above, operating income for the first quarter of 2011 was $23.5 million, or 14.4% of net sales, compared to $20.7 million, or 14.5% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2010.

Net interest expense for the first quarter of 2011 was $0.2 million compared to $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2010.        

The Company's effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2011 was 37.7% compared to 40.7% for the first quarter of 2010.  The higher effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2010 was largely a result of non-deductible expenses in connection with the sale of Maidenform's common stock by one of its stockholders.  

Net income for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010 was $14.5 million and $12.1 million, respectively, and EPS was $0.62 and $0.51, respectively.      

Total cash and cash equivalents as of April 2, 2011 were $29.9 million compared to $22.8 million as of April 3, 2010.  The Company's outstanding debt was $69.9 million as of April 2, 2011 versus $71.0 million as of April 3, 2010.        

Financial Performance Guidance for 2011:  

2011 Second Quarter Outlook:

• Total net sales increase in the 10% to 13% range over 2010
• Gross margins of 35.0% to 35.5%
• EPS in a range of 62 to 66 cents per share, versus 59 cents in 2010

2011 Full Year Trend:

• Total company sales growth in the upper single digits percentage range over 2010
• A decline in the other channel of $15 to $20 million as a bra program with a specialty retailer matures
• Wholesale branded net sales growth in the 11% to 13 % range for the year
• Gross margins 30-60 basis points below 2010 attributable to changes in mix of channel and product sales
• EPS around $2.15 per share versus $1.94 per share in 2010

Conference Call Information

Maidenform will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 8:30 am ET to discuss its first quarter 2011 results, in addition to providing an update on its business.  The conference call telephone number is (866) 578-5784 and the passcode is "Maidenform."  The conference call will be simultaneously webcasted and can be accessed via the investor relations page of Maidenform's website at www.maidenformbrands.com.  A dial-in replay of this event will be available through May 25, 2011 and will be hosted on the Company's website for a limited time.  The replay telephone numbers are (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888.  The replay passcode is 92514703.

About Maidenform Brands, Inc.

Maidenform Brands, Inc. is a global intimate apparel company with a portfolio of established, well-known brands, top-selling products and an iconic heritage. Maidenform designs, sources and markets an extensive range of intimate apparel products, including bras, panties and shapewear.  During its 88-year history, Maidenform has built strong equity for its brands and established a platform for growth through a combination of innovative, first-to-market designs and creative advertising campaigns focused on increasing brand awareness with generations of women.  Maidenform sells its products under some of the most recognized brands in the intimate apparel industry, including Maidenform®, Control It!®, Fat Free Dressing®, Flexees®, Lilyette®, Luleh®, Maidenform's Charmed®, Bodymates®, Inspirations®, Self Expressions® and Sweet Nothings®. Maidenform products are currently distributed in approximately 64 countries and territories outside the United States.

Forward Looking Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and the Company's future performance within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or future strategies that are signified by the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects" or similar words or phrases, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.  All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof.  It is routine for the Company's internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progress, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections and beliefs upon which the Company bases its expectations may change prior to the end of each quarter or the year.  Although these expectations may change, we assume no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements.  

The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements: the worldwide apparel industry may continue to be harmed by the current global economic downturn, the conditions in the financial and credit markets may affect the availability and cost of our funding, the Company's growth cannot be assured and any growth may be unprofitable; potential fluctuations in our results of operations or rate of growth; our dependence on a limited number of customers; the Company has larger competitors with greater resources; retail trends in the intimate apparel industry, including consolidation and continued growth in the development of private brands, resulting in downward pressure on prices, reduced floor space and other harmful changes; failure to anticipate, identify or promptly react to changing trends, styles, or consumer preferences; the Company's credit agreement could limit growth opportunities; external events that disrupt the Company's supply chain, result in increased cost of goods or an inability to deliver its products; events which result in difficulty in procuring or producing products on a cost-effective basis; disputes with third parties for infringement or misappropriation of their proprietary rights; increases in the prices of raw materials; changing international trade regulation, including as it relates to the imposition or elimination of quotas on imports of textiles and apparel; foreign currency exposure; and the sufficiency of cash to fund operations and capital expenditures.

This list is intended to identify only certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Readers are referred to the reports and documents filed from time to time by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of these and other important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Maidenform Brands, Inc.