Wolverine Worldwide Reports 2024 Third Quarter Revenue and Earnings Above Guidance

Rhea-AI Summary

Wolverine Worldwide (NYSE: WWW) reported Q3 2024 financial results above guidance, with total revenue at $440.2M, down 16.6% year-over-year. The company achieved record gross margin of 45.3%, up 450 basis points, and doubled earnings with diluted EPS of $0.28. Merrell and Saucony brands outperformed expectations, while inventory decreased 49.4% to $285.5M. The company raised its full-year 2024 guidance, now expecting revenue of $1.730-1.745B and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.80-0.90.

Positive

• Record gross margin of 45.3%, up 450 basis points
• Diluted EPS increased 154.5% to $0.28
• Inventory reduced by $278.3M (49.4%) year-over-year
• Net debt reduced by $373M compared to prior year
• Raised full-year revenue and earnings guidance

Negative

• Total revenue declined 16.6% to $440.2M
• Active Group revenue decreased 3.0% to $318.7M
• Work Group revenue fell 11.3% to $109.1M
• Saucony revenue declined 10.0% to $104.8M
• Wolverine brand revenue dropped 12.3% to $49.4M

Insights

Financial Analyst

Wolverine Worldwide delivered a strong Q3 2024 performance with notable improvements in key metrics. Gross margin expanded significantly to 45.3%, up 450 basis points year-over-year, driven by lower supply chain costs and reduced end-of-life inventory sales. The company has made substantial progress in inventory management, reducing levels by 49.4% year-over-year to $285.5 million.

The raised guidance for FY2024 signals improving business fundamentals, with revenue now expected between $1.73-1.745 billion. Net debt reduction of $373 million year-over-year demonstrates strong balance sheet management. While overall revenue declined 7.0% for ongoing business, bright spots include Merrell (+1.4%) and Sweaty Betty (+3.0%). The company's strategic portfolio rationalization and operational improvements are showing positive results.

Raises revenue and earnings guidance for fiscal year 2024

ROCKFORD, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 28, 2024.

“In the third quarter, we delivered better-than-expected revenue and earnings – led by Merrell and Saucony outpacing our forecast – as we continue to make progress on our plan to turnaround and transform the Company for the future,” said Chris Hufnagel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wolverine Worldwide. “We drove another quarter of record gross margin and more than doubled earnings versus last year. Today, we’re moving forward with a stronger platform for growth – a rationalized portfolio of authentic brands positioned in attractive categories, a much healthier balance sheet with our restructuring and stabilization efforts largely behind us, and finally, a talented, aligned, and motivated team driving the business each day.”

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Financial results for 2024, and comparable results from 2023, in each case, for our ongoing business exclude the impact of Keds, which was sold in February 2023, the U.S. Wolverine Leathers business, which was sold in August 2023, the non-U.S. Wolverine Leathers business, which was sold in December 2023, and the Sperry business, which was sold in January 2024. Tables have been provided in the back of this release showing the impact of these adjustments on financial results for 2024 and 2023.

THIRD-QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(in millions)		September 28, 2024		September 30, 2023		Y/Y Change		Constant Currency Change
Reported Segment Revenue Results:
Active Group		$318.7		$328.6		(3.0)%		(3.6)%
Work Group		$109.1		$123.0		(11.3)%		(10.8)%
Other		$12.4		$76.1		(83.7)%		(84.4)%
Total Revenue		$440.2		$527.7		(16.6)%		(16.9)%
Ongoing Total Revenue		$440.1		$473.3		(7.0)%		(7.4)%
Supplemental Revenue Information
Merrell		$159.2		$157.0		1.4%		1.2%
Saucony		$104.8		$116.4		(10.0)%		(10.2)%
Wolverine		$49.4		$56.3		(12.3)%		(12.3)%
Sweaty Betty		$46.3		$45.0		3.0%		0.0%
International - Reported		$213.8		$229.0		(6.6)%
International - Ongoing		$213.8		$218.2		(2.0)%
Direct-to-Consumer - Reported		$112.4		$136.6		(17.7)%
Direct-to-Consumer - Ongoing		$112.3		$114.0		(1.5)%
Reported Financial Metrics
Gross Margin		45.3%		40.8%		450 bps
Operating Expenses		$164.0		$188.1		(12.8)%
Operating Margin		8.0%		5.2%		280 bps
Diluted Earnings Per Share		$0.28		$0.11		154.5%
Non-GAAP and Ongoing Business Financial Metrics
Adjusted Gross Margin		45.3%		41.5%		380 bps
Adjusted Operating Expenses		$165.1		$169.9		(2.8)%
Adjusted Operating Margin		7.7%		5.6%		210 bps
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share		$0.29		$0.11		163.6%
Constant Currency Earnings Per Share		$0.28		$0.11		154.5%

Gross margin improved significantly due to lower supply chain costs and lower sales of end-of-life inventory.

Inventory at the end of the quarter was $285.5 million and was down $278.3 million or approximately 49.4% compared to the prior year and down $88.1 million from the prior year end.

Net Debt at the end of the quarter was $563 million, down $373 million compared to the prior year and down $179 million from the prior year end.

FULL-YEAR 2024 OUTLOOK

For Fiscal year 2024, the Company currently expects:

• Revenue from its ongoing business to be approximately $1.730 to $1.745 billion. This range compares to the previous outlook of approximately $1.71 to $1.73 billion and represents a decline of approximately 13.1% to 12.4% and a constant currency decline of approximately 13.3% to 12.6% compared to 2023.
• Gross margin of approximately 44.5%, up 460 basis points compared to 2023, which remains unchanged from the previous outlook.
• Operating margin to be approximately 5.8% and adjusted operating margin to be approximately 7.2%, up 330 basis points compared to 2023. This compares to the previous operating margin outlook of approximately 6.0% and adjusted operating margin of approximately 7.4%.
• The effective tax rate to be approximately 16.5%, compared to the previous outlook of 18.5%
• Diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.56 to $0.66 and adjusted diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.80 to $0.90. This compares to the previous outlook for diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.53 to $0.63 and adjusted diluted EPS between $0.75 and $0.85. These full-year EPS expectations continue to include an approximate $0.10 negative impact from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
• Diluted weighted average shares of approximately 80 million, unchanged from previous guidance.
• Inventory to decline by approximately $85 million at year end compared to the prior year end. This compares to the previous outlook of a decline of at least $75 million.
• Net Debt at year end to be approximately $545 million, a reduction of $195 million from the prior year end, compared to a previous outlook of $565 million.

Hufnagel concluded, “While pleased with the continued progress and early proof points to our strategies, we remain intently focused on driving the business forward to realize the full potential of our brands and delivering better returns to our shareholders.”

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Measures referred to in this release as “adjusted” financial results and the financial results of the "ongoing business" are non-GAAP measures. Adjusted financial results exclude environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, non-cash impairment of long-lived assets, reorganization costs, gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, Sperry® store closure costs, and costs associated with divestitures. The financial results of the ongoing business exclude financial results from the Keds business, Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business prior to the respective dates of sale of such businesses. Revenue adjusted for divestitures and business model changes exclude financial results from the Keds business, Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business prior to the respective dates of sale of such businesses and are adjusted to include the impact of business model changes in 2023 (the transition of Hush Puppies North America to a licensing model, Hush Puppies IP sale, and conversion of the China joint ventures to the distributor model) and business model changes in 2024 (the transition of Merrell and Saucony Kids to a licensing model). The Company also presents constant currency information, which is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company calculates constant currency basis by converting the current-period local currency financial results using the prior period exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to the Company's current period reported results. The Company believes providing each of these non- GAAP measures provides valuable supplemental information regarding its results of operations, consistent with how the Company evaluates performance.

The Company has provided a reconciliation of each of the above non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors because they increase the comparability of current period results to prior period results by adjusting for certain items that may not be indicative of core operating results and enable better identification of trends in our business. The adjusted financial results are used by management to, and allow investors to, evaluate the operating performance of the Company on a comparable basis. Management does not, nor should investors, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

EARNINGS CALL INFORMATION

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss these results and current business trends. The conference call will be broadcast live and accessible under the “Investor Relations” tab at www.wolverineworldwide.com. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website for a period of approximately 30 days.

ABOUT WOLVERINE WORLDWIDE

Founded in 1883, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE:WWW) is one of the world’s leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company's diverse portfolio of highly recognized brands includes Merrell®, Saucony®, Sweaty Betty®, Hush Puppies®, Wolverine®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Stride Rite®. Wolverine Worldwide is also the global footwear licensee of the popular brands Cat® and Harley-Davidson®. Based in Rockford, Michigan, for more than 140 years, the Company's products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 170 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company’s turnaround and transformation; the Company's outlook for 2024 including, among others: reported, adjusted and constant currency revenue; reported and adjusted gross margin; reported and adjusted operating margin; reported and adjusted net earnings; effective tax rate; reported and adjusted diluted earnings per share; diluted weighted average shares; net debt and year-end inventory; as well as statements regarding the Company's focus on realizing the full potential of its brands and delivering greater value to shareholders. In addition, words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “step,” “plans,” “predicts,” “focused,” “projects,” “outlook,” “is likely,” “expects,” “intends,” “should,” “will,” “confident,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions (“Risk Factors”) that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood, and degree of occurrence. Risk Factors include, among others: changes in general economic conditions, employment rates, business conditions, interest rates, tax policies, inflationary pressures and other factors affecting consumer spending in the markets and regions in which the Company’s products are sold; the inability for any reason to effectively compete in global footwear, apparel and consumer-direct markets; the inability to maintain positive brand images and anticipate, understand and respond to changing footwear and apparel trends and consumer preferences; the inability to effectively manage inventory levels; changes in duties, tariffs, quotas or applicable assessments in countries of import and export; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; currency restrictions; supply chain or other capacity constraints, production disruptions, including reduction in operating hours, labor shortages, and facility closures resulting in production delays at the Company’s manufacturers, quality issues, price increases or other risks associated with foreign sourcing; the cost, including the effect of inflationary pressures, and availability of raw materials, inventories, services and labor for contract manufacturers; labor disruptions; changes in relationships with, including the loss of, significant wholesale customers; risks related to the significant investment in, and performance of, the Company’s consumer-direct operations; risks related to expansion into new markets and complementary product categories; the impact of seasonality and unpredictable weather conditions; the impact of changes in general economic conditions and/or the credit markets on the Company’s manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, joint venture partners and wholesale customers; changes in the Company’s effective tax rates; failure of licensees or distributors to meet planned annual sales goals or to make timely payments to the Company; the risks of doing business in developing countries, and politically or economically volatile areas; the ability to secure and protect owned intellectual property or use licensed intellectual property; the impact of regulation, regulatory and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks, including compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, environmental remediation and other related costs, and litigation or other legal proceedings relating to the protection of the environment or environmental effects on human health; risks of breach of the Company’s databases or other systems, or those of its vendors, which contain certain personal information, payment card data or proprietary information, due to cyberattack or other similar events; problems affecting the Company’s supply chain and distribution system, including service disruptions at shipping and receiving ports; strategic actions, including new initiatives and ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, and the Company’s success in integrating acquired businesses, and implementing new initiatives and ventures; risks relating to stockholder activism; the potential effects of outbreaks of COVID-19 or future health crises on the Company’s business, operations, financial results and liquidity; the risk of impairment to goodwill and other intangibles; the success of the Company’s restructuring and realignment initiatives undertaken from time to time; changes in future pension funding requirements and pension expenses; and additional factors discussed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and exhibits thereto. The foregoing Risk Factors, as well as other existing Risk Factors and new Risk Factors that emerge from time to time, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these or other risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements.

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except earnings per share)
	Quarter Ended								Year-To-Date Ended
	September 28, 2024				September 30, 2023				September 28, 2024				September 30, 2023
Revenue	$	440.2			$	527.7			$	1,260.3			$	1,716.2
Cost of goods sold		241.0				312.3				696.5				1,036.7
Gross profit		199.2				215.4				563.8				679.5
Gross margin		45.3	%			40.8	%			44.7	%			39.6	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		171.2				203.3				514.6				610.8
Gain on sale of business, trademarks and long-lived assets		(8.5	)			(57.7	)			(8.5	)			(77.8	)
Impairment of long-lived assets		—				40.2				9.3				55.8
Environmental and other related costs (income), net of recoveries		1.3				2.3				(12.8	)			(28.0	)
Operating expenses		164.0				188.1				502.6				560.8
Operating expenses as a % of revenue		37.3	%			35.6	%			39.9	%			32.7	%
Operating profit		35.2				27.3				61.2				118.7
Operating margin		8.0	%			5.2	%			4.9	%			6.9	%
Interest expense, net		9.6				15.5				33.5				47.4
Other expense (income), net		(3.8	)			2.4				(5.4	)			3.2
Total other expenses		5.8				17.9				28.1				50.6
Earnings before income taxes		29.4				9.4				33.1				68.1
Income tax expense		5.1				0.4				6.9				16.7
Effective tax rate		17.7	%			4.6	%			21.1	%			24.5	%
Net earnings		24.3				9.0				26.2				51.4
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		0.7				0.4				2.9				(0.2	)
Net earnings attributable to Wolverine World Wide, Inc.	$	23.6			$	8.6			$	23.3			$	51.6
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.28			$	0.11			$	0.28			$	0.64
Supplemental information:
Net earnings used to calculate diluted earnings per share	$	22.8			$	8.4			$	22.4			$	50.4
Shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share		80.0				79.5				79.9				79.4

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	September 28, 2024			September 30, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	140.2		$	160.4
Accounts receivables, net		244.4			272.0
Inventories, net		285.5			563.8
Current assets held for sale		—			16.1
Other current assets		92.2			84.9
Total current assets		762.3			1,097.2
Property, plant and equipment, net		88.7			126.5
Lease right-of-use assets		108.0			148.7
Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles		609.8			702.4
Other noncurrent assets		189.9			156.5
Total assets	$	1,758.7		$	2,231.3
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	$	450.3		$	433.0
Lease liabilities		33.3			38.7
Current maturities of long-term debt		10.0			10.0
Borrowings under revolving credit agreements		125.0			370.0
Total current liabilities		618.6			851.7
Long-term debt		567.8			716.3
Lease liabilities, noncurrent		122.7			141.3
Other noncurrent liabilities		152.9			159.3
Stockholders' equity		296.7			362.7
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,758.7		$	2,231.3

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	Year-To-Date Ended
	September 28, 2024				September 30, 2023
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$	26.2			$	51.4
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		19.4				26.3
Deferred income taxes		23.5				(1.6	)
Stock-based compensation expense		15.0				11.8
Pension and SERP expense		(0.5	)			1.2
Impairment of long-lived assets		9.3				55.8
Environmental and other related costs, net of cash payments		(10.1	)			(68.8	)
Gain on sale of business, trademarks and long-lived assets		(8.5	)			(77.8	)
Other		(8.4	)			(1.1	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		31.8				9.8
Net cash provided by operating activities		97.7				7.0
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(12.2	)			(18.5	)
Proceeds from sale of business, trademarks and long-lived assets, net of cash disposed of		102.4				136.0
Proceeds from company-owned insurance policy liquidations		7.9				—
Other		(3.0	)			(1.3	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		95.1				116.2
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments under revolving credit agreements		(443.0	)			(620.0	)
Borrowings under revolving credit agreements		263.0				565.0
Proceeds from company-owned insurance policies		7.0				—
Payments on long-term debt		(39.2	)			(7.5	)
Payments of debt issuance costs		—				(0.9	)
Cash dividends paid		(24.4	)			(24.5	)
Employee taxes paid under stock-based compensation plans		(2.0	)			(5.8	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		—				0.1
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		—				2.1
Net cash used in financing activities		(238.6	)			(91.5	)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes		1.4				(2.5	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(44.4	)			29.2
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year		184.6				135.5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the quarter	$	140.2			$	164.7

The following tables contain information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company in the presentation of its financial results:

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.

Q3 2024 RECONCILIATION TABLES

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED REVENUE TO ADJUSTED
REVENUE ON A CONSTANT CURRENCY BASIS*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis 2024-Q3			Foreign Exchange Impact				Constant Currency Basis 2024-Q3			GAAP Basis 2023-Q3			Reported Change			Constant Currency Change
REVENUE
Active Group	$	318.7		$	(2.0	)		$	316.7		$	328.6		(3.0	)%		(3.6	)%
Work Group		109.1			0.6				109.7			123.0		(11.3	)%		(10.8	)%
Other		12.4			(0.5	)			11.9			76.1		(83.7	)%		(84.4	)%
Total	$	440.2		$	(1.9	)		$	438.3		$	527.7		(16.6	)%		(16.9	)%

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED REVENUE
TO ADJUSTED REVENUE*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis			Divestiture (1)			As Adjusted
Revenue - Fiscal 2024 Q3	$	440.2		$	0.1		$	440.1
Revenue - Fiscal 2023 Q3	$	527.7		$	54.4		$	473.3

(1)	Q3 2024 adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations. Q3 2023 adjustments reflect results for the Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED GROSS MARGIN
TO ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN *
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis				Adjustments (1)			Divestiture (2)				As Adjusted
Gross Profit - Fiscal 2024 Q3	$	199.2			$	—		$	—			$	199.2
Gross margin		45.3	%										45.3	%
Gross Profit - Fiscal 2023 Q3	$	215.4			$	0.4		$	(19.4	)		$	196.4
Gross margin		40.8	%										41.5	%

(1)	Q3 2023 adjustments reflect $0.4 million of costs associated with divestitures.
(2)	Q3 2023 adjustments reflect results for the Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED OPERATING EXPENSES
TO ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis			Adjustment (1)			Divestiture (2)				As Adjusted
Operating expenses - Fiscal 2024 Q3	$	164.0		$	1.9		$	(0.8	)		$	165.1
Operating expenses - Fiscal 2023 Q3	$	188.1		$	4.1		$	(22.3	)		$	169.9

(1)

Q3 2024 adjustments reflect $8.5 million gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, partially offset by $5.3 million of reorganization costs and $1.3 million of environmental and other related costs net of recoveries. Q3 2023 adjustments reflect $57.7 million gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, partially offset by $38.3 million for a non-cash impairment of the Sperry® trade name, $2.3 million of environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, $9.0 million of reorganization costs, $2.0 million of Sperry® store closure costs and $2.0 million of costs associated with divestitures.

(2)

Q3 2024 adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations. Q3 2023 adjustments reflect results for the Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED OPERATING MARGIN
TO ADJUSTED OPERATING MARGIN*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis				Adjustments (1)				Divestiture (2)			As Adjusted
Operating Profit - Fiscal 2024 Q3	$	35.2			$	(1.9	)		$	0.8		$	34.1
Operating margin		8.0	%										7.7	%
Operating Profit - Fiscal 2023 Q3	$	27.3			$	(3.7	)		$	2.9		$	26.5
Operating margin		5.2	%										5.6	%

(1)

Q3 2024 adjustments reflect $8.5 million gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, partially offset by $5.3 million of reorganization costs and $1.3 million of environmental and other related costs net of recoveries. Q3 2023 adjustments reflect $57.7 million gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, partially offset by $38.3 million for a non-cash impairment of the Sperry® trade name, $2.3 million of environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, $9.0 million of reorganization costs, $2.0 million of Sperry® store closure costs and $2.4 million of costs associated with divestitures.

(2)

Q3 2024 adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations. Q3 2023 adjustments reflect results for the Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED DILUTED EPS TO ADJUSTED
DILUTED EPS ON A CONSTANT CURRENCY BASIS*
(Unaudited)
	GAAP Basis			Adjustments (1)				Divestiture (2)			As Adjusted			Foreign Exchange Impact				As Adjusted EPS On a Constant Currency Basis
EPS - Fiscal 2024 Q3	$	0.28		$	0.00			$	0.01		$	0.29		$	(0.01	)		$	0.28
EPS - Fiscal 2023 Q3	$	0.11		$	(0.03	)		$	0.03		$	0.11

(1)

Q3 2024 adjustments reflect gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, partially offset by reorganization costs, income tax expense adjustment associated with divestitures, and environmental and other related costs net of recoveries. Q3 2023 adjustment reflects gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, partially offset by for a non-cash impairment of the Sperry® trade name, environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, reorganization costs, Sperry® store closure costs and costs associated with divestitures.

(2)

Q3 2024 adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations. Q3 2023 adjustments reflect results for the Sperry business and Wolverine Leathers business included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED INVENTORY
TO ADJUSTED INVENTORY*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis			Divestiture (1)			As Adjusted
Inventory - 2024 Q3	$	285.5		$	—		$	285.5
Inventory - 2024 Q2	$	297.1		$	—		$	297.1
Inventory - 2024 Q1	$	354.3		$	—		$	354.3
Inventory - 2023 Q4	$	373.6		$	—		$	373.6
Inventory - 2023 Q3	$	563.8		$	100.6		$	463.2
Inventory - 2023 Q2	$	647.9		$	113.3		$	534.6
Inventory - 2023 Q1	$	725.9		$	120.5		$	605.4

(1)	Adjustments reflect the Sperry business and consolidated China joint ventures inventory included in the consolidated condensed balance sheet.

DIVESTITURE
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except per share amounts)

In order to provide visibility regarding the financial impact of completed divestitures, the Company has provided additional information within the supplemental table below. The items included in the tables represent amounts that are reflected in the reported fiscal 2024 and 2023 results that are related to businesses the Company has sold. The Company believes providing the following information is helpful to better understand the impact of the divestitures on the Company's ongoing business.

	Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4				2024 YTD
Revenue - Impact
Sperry business (1)	$	4.1			$	0.4			$	0.1			$	—			$	4.6
Total Revenue - Impact	$	4.1			$	0.4			$	0.1			$	—			$	4.6
Operating profit - Impact
Sperry business (1)	$	(8.2	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(0.8	)		$	—			$	(10.2	)
Wolverine Leathers business (2)		(0.6	)			—				—				—				(0.6	)
Total Operating profit - Impact	$	(8.8	)		$	(1.2	)		$	(0.8	)		$	—			$	(10.8	)
Net earnings per share - Impact	$	(0.10	)		$	(0.01	)		$	(0.01	)		$	—			$	(0.12	)
	Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4				2023 Full-Year
Revenue - Impact
Sperry business (1)	$	62.9			$	57.4			$	46.2			$	40.7			$	207.2
Wolverine Leathers business (2)		12.5				10.9				8.2				5.5				37.1
Keds business (3)		6.5				—				—				—				6.5
Total Revenue - Impact	$	81.9			$	68.3			$	54.4			$	46.2			$	250.8
Operating profit - Impact
Sperry business (1)	$	(2.3	)		$	0.2			$	(4.0	)		$	(4.2	)		$	(10.3	)
Wolverine Leathers business (2)		1.4				0.8				1.1				—				3.3
Keds business (3)		(1.9	)			—				—				—				(1.9	)
Total Operating profit - Impact	$	(2.8	)		$	1.0			$	(2.9	)		$	(4.2	)		$	(8.9	)
Net earnings per share - Impact	$	(0.03	)		$	0.01			$	(0.03	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.09	)

(1)	The Sperry® business reflects the revenue and operating profit from sale of Sperry® products through the sale of the Sperry® business effective January 10, 2024. The amounts also include revenue and operating profit associated with Sperry® stores not included in the divestiture which the Company has closed or is in the process of closing, costs associated with Sperry® employees not included in the divestiture transaction and costs incurred winding down the Sperry® business, including the Sperry® business with joint venture partners, that are not covered by the transition service agreement with the purchaser. The Sperry® business revenue and operating profit will not reoccur after the Company closes all of the Sperry® stores that were not divested and completes the transition of the Sperry® business and employees.
(2)	The Wolverine Leathers business line item reflects revenue and operating profit from the Wolverine Leathers business that will not reoccur after the Wolverine Leathers business is sold. The Company divested the U.S. Wolverine Leathers business in August 2023 and divested the non-U.S. Wolverine Leathers business in December 2023. The Wolverine Leathers costs incurred in 2024 are associated with employees not included in the divestiture transaction.
(3)	The Keds® business line item reflects the revenue and operating profit from sale of Keds® products that will not reoccur after the Company's first period in fiscal 2023 as a result of the sale of the global Keds® business effective February 4, 2023.

RECONCILIATION OF 2023 REPORTED REVENUE
TO ADJUSTED REVENUE FOR COMPARISON
TO 2024 GUIDANCE*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis			Keds and Leathers Divestiture (1)			Sperry Divestiture (2)			As Adjusted
Revenue - Fiscal 2023	$	2,242.9		$	43.6		$	207.2		$	1,992.1

(1)	Adjustments reflect the Keds business and Wolverine Leathers business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.
(2)	Adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED 2023 OPERATING MARGIN
TO ADJUSTED OPERATING MARGIN FOR COMPARISON
TO 2024 GUIDANCE*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	GAAP Basis				Adjustments (1)			Keds and Leathers Divestiture (2)				Sperry Divestiture (3)			As Adjusted
Operating Profit (Loss) - Fiscal 2023	$	(68.2	)		$	137.1		$	(1.4	)		$	10.3		$	77.8
Operating margin		(3.0	)%													3.9	%

(1)	Adjustments reflect $185.3 million for a non-cash impairment of long-lived assets, $47.1 million of reorganization costs, and $5.5 million of costs associated with divestitures, partially offset by $90.4 million gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets and $10.4 million of environmental and other related costs net of recoveries.
(2)	Adjustments reflect the Keds business and Wolverine Leathers business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.
(3)	Adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED 2023 DILUTED EPS TO ADJUSTED
DILUTED EPS FOR COMPARISON
TO 2024 GUIDANCE*
(Unaudited)
	GAAP Basis				Adjustments (1)			Keds and Leathers Divestiture (2)				Sperry Divestiture (3)			As Adjusted
EPS - Fiscal 2023	$	(0.51	)		$	0.57		$	(0.01	)		$	0.10		$	0.15

(1)	Adjustments reflect non-cash impairment of long-lived assets, reorganization costs, costs associated with divestitures, and debt modification costs, partially offset by gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets, environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, and SERP curtailment gain.
(2)	Adjustments reflect the Keds business and Wolverine Leathers business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.
(3)	Adjustments reflect the Sperry business results included in the consolidated condensed statement of operations.

2024 GUIDANCE RECONCILIATION TABLES
RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED GUIDANCE TO ADJUSTED GUIDANCE,
REPORTED DILUTED EPS GUIDANCE TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EPS
GUIDANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION*
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except earnings per share)
	GAAP Basis		Other Adjustments (1)		Divestiture Adjustments (2)		As Adjusted
Revenue - Fiscal 2024 Full Year	$1,735 - $1,750				$(5)		$1,730 - $1,745
Gross Margin - Fiscal 2024 Full Year	44.4 %				0.1 %		44.5 %
Operating Margin - Fiscal 2024 Full Year	5.8 %		0.7 %		0.7 %		7.2 %
Dilutive EPS - Fiscal 2024 Full Year	$0.56 -$0.66		$0.14		$0.10		$0.80 - $0.90
Fiscal 2024 Full Year Supplemental information:
Net Earnings	$47 -$54		$12		$8		$67 - $74
Net Earnings used to calculate diluted earnings per share	$45 - $52		$12		$8		$65 - $72
Shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share	80.0						80.0

(1)	2024 adjustments reflect estimated environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, impairment of long-lived assets, reorganization costs, and gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets.
(2)	2024 adjustments reflect financial results for the Sperry® business and Sperry® stores that were not included in the divestiture which the Company is closing in 2024.

* To supplement the consolidated condensed financial statements presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company describes what certain financial measures would have been if environmental and other related costs net of recoveries, non-cash impairment of long-lived assets, reorganization costs and gain on the sale of businesses, trademarks and long-lived assets were excluded. The financial results of the ongoing business for 2023 and the third quarter of 2024 exclude financial results from the Sperry business, the Keds business and Wolverine Leathers business. Adjusted inventory excludes the Sperry business and the Company’s China joint ventures. The adjusted 2024 outlook excludes financial results from the Sperry business and Sperry® stores that were not divested, which the Company is closing in 2024. The Company believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors by increasing comparability to the prior period by adjusting for certain items that may not be indicative of the Company's core ongoing operating business results and to better identify trends in the Company's ongoing business. The adjusted financial results are used by management to, and allow investors to, evaluate the operating performance of the Company on a comparable basis.   The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding results of operations, consistent with how the Company evaluates performance. The Company calculates constant currency by converting the current-period local currency financial results using the prior period exchange rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to the Company's current period reported results.   Management does not, nor should investors, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitution for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release, to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are found in the financial tables above.

For purposes of providing additional information regarding year-over-year revenue comparisons, the below table adjusts 2023 revenue for divestitures and business model changes.

DIVESTITURE AND BUSINESS MODEL CHANGES
RECONCILIATION OF 2023 REPORTED REVENUE
TO ADJUSTED REVENUE*
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
	Q1				Q2				Q3				Q4				FY
Revenue - Fiscal 2023	$	599.4			$	589.1			$	527.7			$	526.7			$	2,242.9
Adjustment for divestitures (1)
Leathers		(12.5	)			(10.9	)			(8.2	)			(5.5	)			(37.1	)
Keds		(6.5	)			—				—				—				(6.5	)
Sperry		(62.9	)			(57.4	)			(46.2	)			(40.7	)			(207.2	)
Ongoing business (2)	$	517.5			$	520.8			$	473.3			$	480.5			$	1,992.1
Adjustments for 2023 business model changes (3)		(13.0	)			(13.5	)			(16.9	)			(13.9	)			(57.3	)
Adjustments for 2024 business model changes (4)		—				(6.7	)			(7.5	)			(3.3	)			(17.5	)
Ongoing business adjusted for business model changes	$	504.5			$	500.6			$	448.9			$	463.3			$	1,917.3

(1)	Divestitures: Keds sold in February 2023, Leathers US sold in August 2023, Leathers non-US sold in December 2023, and Sperry sold in January 2024.
(2)	Ongoing business excludes the impact of the Wolverine Leathers, Keds and Sperry businesses.
(3)	Business model changes occurring in 2023 provided for enhanced comparability, and include the impact of Hush Puppies North America transition to licensing model, Hush Puppies IP sale, and China joint venture converted to distributor model.
(4)	Business model changes occurring in 2024 provided for enhanced comparability, include the impact of Merrell and Saucony Kids transition to licensing model.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241107674701/en/

Alex Wiseman

(616) 863-3974

Source: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

FAQ

What was Wolverine Worldwide's (WWW) Q3 2024 revenue?

Wolverine Worldwide's Q3 2024 revenue was $440.2 million, representing a 16.6% decrease from the previous year.

How much did Wolverine Worldwide's (WWW) gross margin improve in Q3 2024?

Wolverine Worldwide's gross margin improved by 450 basis points to 45.3% in Q3 2024 compared to 40.8% in the previous year.

What is Wolverine Worldwide's (WWW) updated 2024 revenue guidance?

Wolverine Worldwide raised its 2024 revenue guidance to approximately $1.730 to $1.745 billion, up from the previous outlook of $1.71 to $1.73 billion.

How much did Wolverine Worldwide (WWW) reduce its inventory in Q3 2024?

Wolverine Worldwide reduced its inventory by $278.3 million or 49.4% compared to the prior year, ending Q3 2024 at $285.5 million.