(By Balaseshan) Fossil Inc. (NASDAQ: FOSL) reported a 28.2% jump in quarterly earnings on a rise in sales as well as strong growth in its geographical segments. However, the fashion accessories maker guided first quarter below consensus.
Earnings for the fourth quarter were $151.1 million or $2.51 per share, up from $117.9 million or $1.87 per share last year. Adjusted earnings per share would have been $2.27 for the latest quarter.
Sales grew 14.1% to $947.7 million. The translation impact of a stronger U.S. dollar decreased the company's reported net sales by about $5.8 million for the current quarter.
Analysts, on average, polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a profit of $2.26 per share on revenue of $930.43 million for the fourth quarter.
Global watch sales led the company's quarterly sales growth, increasing 20.1%, while its leather business fell 3.4%. Worldwide net sales grew 14.8% or $122.7 million, as sales growth was driven by the continued double-digit expansion of the global watch portfolio. Sales in jewelry category rose modestly, while sales in other categories, including leathers, declined.
Direct to consumer net sales increased by 20.4% on expansion of the global retail store base coupled with a 2.4% increase in comparable store sales. Sales from North America wholesale segment rose 15.0%, primarily from a rise in watch sales, the addition of the SKAGEN brand, where sales reached $15.0 million, and a modest increase in jewelry sales.
Europe wholesale net sales rose 7.6% driven by increases in the watch category as well as the addition of the SKAGEN brand, which generated sales of $19.2 million. Growth was strongest in the UK and France, while shipments declined in Germany and Italy.
Looking ahead into the first quarter, the company expects earnings per share of $0.93 to $0.98 and net sales growth of about 10%, while Street analysts predict profit of $1.03 per share on revenue growth of 11.40%.
For the fiscal 2013, the company now projects EPS of $5.85 to $6.15 and sales to rise 10% to 11%, while Street predicts EPS of $6.13 on revenue growth of 11.10%.
FOSL closed Monday's regular session up 3.43% at $107.46. The stock has been trading between $62.77 and $139.20 for the past 52 weeks.