FINAL

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MOVADO GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

~ Updates Full Year Outlook ~

~ Board Declares Quarterly Dividend ~

Paramus, NJ – August 25, 2016 -- Movado Group, Inc. (NYSE: MOV) today announced second quarter and six month results for the period ended July 31, 2016.

Efraim Grinberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We managed our business well in the second quarter delivering top and bottom line results consistent with our outlook, despite a challenging retail and economic environment.  During the quarter, our Movado and licensed brands continued to outperform the watch category at retail. Given the challenging marketplace, we still see a number of headwinds and feel it is prudent to lower our full year outlook.”

Mr. Grinberg continued, “As we look to the back half of the year, we are excited about our innovative product pipeline across the portfolio for the holiday season. We also have very strong marketing programs in place for the holiday season including an increased television schedule to support Movado in the United States as well as comprehensive digital marketing programs. Our teams continue to execute well on delivering on our strategic initiatives while maintaining a disciplined focus on our expenses. Our balance sheet remains extremely strong allowing us increased flexibility as we continue to focus on delivering sustainable profitable growth.”

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recorded a $1.1 million charge, net of tax of $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, for the immediate vesting of stock awards and certain other compensation related to the announcement of the retirement of Rick Coté, the Company’s Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, in fiscal 2017 (“COO’s retirement”). During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded a $2.5 million charge, net of tax of $0.1 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, related to operating efficiency initiatives and other items in fiscal 2016.

 

—	Net sales were $128.1 million compared to $145.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, a decrease of 12.0%. Net sales on a constant dollar basis decreased 11.2% compared to net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

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Gross profit was $70.3 million, or 54.9% of sales, compared to $79.0 million, or 54.3% of sales, in the second quarter last year. The increase in gross margin percentage was primarily the result of the favorable impact of channel and product mix, and certain sourcing improvements, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by the reduced leverage of certain fixed costs as a result of lower net sales.

 

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Operating expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 1.0%, to $60.2 million.  This decrease was primarily the result of a decrease in marketing expenses, performance-based compensation and selling-related expenses, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates and an increase in allowances on accounts receivable.

 

—	Operating income was $10.1 million compared to operating income of $18.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

—	The Company recorded a tax provision of $3.4 million which equates to an effective tax rate of 35.1% compared to a tax provision of $6.1 million or an effective tax rate of 33.8% in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

—	Net income was $6.3 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $12.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

—	Net sales were $242.1 million compared to $266.0 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016, a decrease of 9.0%. Net sales on a constant dollar basis decreased 8.4% compared to net sales in the first six months of fiscal 2016.

 

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Gross profit was $131.6 million, or 54.3% of sales, compared to $141.5 million, or 53.2% of sales in the same period last year. Adjusted gross profit for the first six months of fiscal 2016, which excludes $0.7 million in charges related to operating efficiency initiatives and other items in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, was $142.2 million, or 53.4% of sales. The increase from the adjusted gross margin percentage in the first half of last year was primarily the result of the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as channel and product mix, and certain sourcing improvements, partially offset by the reduced leverage of certain fixed costs as a result of lower net sales.

 

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Operating expenses were $116.1 million as compared to $116.4 million in the first half of last year. For the first six months of fiscal 2017, adjusted operating expenses were $114.3 million, which excludes $1.8 million of expenses related to the COO’s retirement in fiscal 2017, as compared to adjusted operating expenses of $114.4 million in the first half of last year, which excludes $2.0 million of expenses related to operating efficiency initiatives and other items recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The $0.1 million decrease in adjusted operating expenses was primarily the result of a decrease in marketing expenses, performance-based compensation and selling-related expenses, mostly offset by the unfavorable effect of fluctuations in foreign currency rates and an increase in allowances on accounts receivable.

 

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Operating income was $15.5 million compared to operating income of $25.1 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating income for the first half of fiscal 2017, which excludes $1.8 million of expenses related to the COO’s retirement in fiscal 2017, was $17.3 million. Adjusted operating income for the first half of fiscal 2016, which excludes $2.7 million of expenses related to operating efficiency initiatives and other items recorded in the first quarter, was $27.8 million.

 

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The Company recorded a tax provision in the first six months of fiscal 2017 of $5.2 million as compared to a tax provision of $9.2 million in the first six months of last year. Based upon adjusted pre-tax income, the adjusted tax provision for income tax was $5.9 million compared to an adjusted tax provision for income tax of $9.4 million in the first half of fiscal 2016.

 

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Net income was $9.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to $15.7 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, in the first six months of fiscal 2016. For the first half of fiscal 2017, adjusted net income was $10.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, which excludes $1.1 million in expenses, net of tax, related to the COO’s retirement in fiscal 2017. Adjusted net income for the first six months of fiscal 2016 was $18.2 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, which excludes $2.5 million in expenses, net of tax, related to operating efficiency initiatives and other items in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

The Company is updating its outlook for fiscal 2017. In fiscal 2017, the Company anticipates that net sales will be in a range of $550.0 million to $560.0 million and operating income will be approximately $50.0 million to $55.0 million. The Company anticipates net income in fiscal 2017 to be approximately $33.0 million to $36.5 million, or $1.40 to $1.55 per diluted share, reflecting a 32% anticipated effective tax rate. The Company's outlook excludes the charge and related tax benefit associated with the COO’s retirement and assumes no further significant fluctuations from prevailing foreign currency exchange rates, as well as no other unusual items for fiscal 2017.

 

The Company also announced that on August 25, 2016, the Board of Directors approved the payment on September 20, 2016 of a cash dividend in the amount of $0.13 for each share of the Company’s outstanding common stock and class A common stock held by shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 6, 2016.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 85,500 shares under its share repurchase program. As of July 31, 2016, the Company had $47.1 million remaining under the $50.0 million share repurchase authorization.

 

The Company’s management will host a conference call and audio webcast to discuss its results today, August 25^th, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  The conference call may be accessed by dialing (888) 437-9357.  Additionally, a live webcast of the call can be accessed at www.movadogroup.com.  The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call.  Additionally, a telephonic re-play of the call will be available at 12:00 p.m. ET on August 25, 2016 until 11:59 p.m. ET on September 1, 2016 and can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 and entering replay pin number 2538715.

Movado Group, Inc. designs, sources, and distributes MOVADO®, EBEL®, CONCORD®, ESQ® Movado, COACH®, TOMMY HILFIGER®, HUGO BOSS®, JUICY COUTURE®, LACOSTE® and SCUDERIA FERRARI® watches worldwide, and operates Movado company stores in the United States.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” and variations of such words and similar expressions. Similarly, statements in this press release that describe the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals are also forward-looking statements. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements and levels of future dividends to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. These risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to general economic and business conditions which may impact disposable income of consumers in the United States and the other significant markets (including Europe) where the Company’s products are sold, uncertainty regarding such economic and business conditions, trends in consumer debt levels and bad debt write-offs, general uncertainty related to possible terrorist attacks, natural disasters, the stability of the European Union (including the impact of the June 23, 2016 referendum advising that the United Kingdom exit from the European Union) and defaults on or downgrades of sovereign debt and the impact of any of those events on consumer spending, changes in consumer preferences and popularity of particular designs, new product development and introduction, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its business strategies, competitive products and pricing, the impact of “smart” watches and other wearable tech products on the traditional watch market, seasonality, availability of alternative sources of supply in the case of the loss of any significant supplier or any supplier’s inability to fulfill the Company’s orders, the loss of or curtailed sales to significant customers, the Company’s dependence on key employees and officers, the ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired businesses without disruption to other business activities, the continuation of the company’s major warehouse and distribution centers, the continuation of licensing arrangements with third parties, losses possible from pending or future litigation, the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights, the ability to lease new stores on suitable terms in desired markets and to complete construction on a timely basis, the ability of the Company to successfully manage its expenses on a continuing basis, information systems failure or breaches of network security, the continued availability to the Company of financing and credit on favorable terms, business disruptions, disease, general risks associated with doing business outside the United States including, without limitation, import duties, tariffs, quotas, political and economic stability, changes to existing laws or regulations, and success of hedging strategies with respect to currency exchange rate fluctuations, and the other factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Be advised that developments subsequent to this press release are likely to cause these statements to become outdated with the passage of time. The Company assumes no duty to update its forward looking statements and this release shall not be construed to indicate the assumption by the Company of any duty to update its outlook in the future.

(Tables to follow)

MOVADO GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended July 31,								Six Months Ended July 31,
		2016				2015				2016				2015
Net sales		$	128,086			$	145,569			$	242,149			$	266,030
Cost of sales			57,823				66,531				110,569				124,543
Gross profit			70,263				79,038				131,580				141,487
Operating expenses			60,172				60,804				116,111				116,378
Operating income			10,091				18,234				15,469				25,109
Interest expense			(331	)			(256	)			(706	)			(408	)
Interest income			36				35				93				88
Income before income taxes			9,796				18,013				14,856				24,789
Provision for income taxes			3,441				6,080				5,164				9,216
Net income			6,355				11,933				9,692				15,573
Less: Net income / (loss) attributed to noncontrolling interests			49				(120	)			78				(101	)
Net income attributed to Movado Group, Inc.		$	6,306			$	12,053			$	9,614			$	15,674
Per Share Information:
Net income attributed to Movado Group, Inc.		$	0.27			$	0.50			$	0.41			$	0.65
Weighted diluted average shares outstanding			23,192				23,904				23,237				24,230

MOVADO GROUP, INC. GAAP AND NON-GAAP MEASURES (In thousands, except for percentage data) (Unaudited)

MOVADO GROUP, INC. GAAP AND NON-GAAP MEASURES (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Net Sales				Gross Profit				Operating Income				Pre-tax Income				Provisions for Income Taxes				Net Income Attributed to Movado Group, Inc.				EPS
Three Months Ended July 31, 2016
As Reported (GAAP)		$	128,086			$	70,263			$	10,091			$	9,796			$	3,441			$	6,306			$	0.27
Three Months Ended July 31, 2015
As Reported (GAAP)		$	145,569			$	79,038			$	18,234			$	18,013			$	6,080			$	12,053			$	0.50
Six Months Ended July 31, 2016
As Reported (GAAP)		$	242,149			$	131,580			$	15,469			$	14,856			$	5,164			$	9,614			$	0.41
Retirement Charge (1)			-				-				1,806				1,806				687				1,119				0.05
Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)		$	242,149			$	131,580			$	17,275			$	16,662			$	5,851			$	10,733			$	0.46
Six Months Ended July 31, 2015
As Reported (GAAP)		$	266,030			$	141,487			$	25,109			$	24,789			$	9,216			$	15,674			$	0.65
Operating Efficiency Initiatives and Other Items (2)			-				693				2,670				2,670				134				2,536				0.10
Adjusted Results (Non-GAAP)		$	266,030			$	142,180			$	27,779			$	27,459			$	9,350			$	18,210			$	0.75

MOVADO GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited)

		July 31,				January 31,				July 31,
		2016				2016				2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	205,795			$	228,188			$	188,012
Trade receivables, net			72,737				71,030				80,818
Inventories			186,090				162,465				188,515
Other current assets			34,807				27,352				31,935
Total current assets			499,429				489,035				489,280
Property, plant and equipment, net			35,726				38,553				42,723
Deferred and non-current income taxes			20,656				20,323				19,652
Other non-current assets			42,925				37,259				38,356
Total assets		$	598,736			$	585,170			$	590,011
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Loans payable to bank, current		$	3,000			$	5,000			$	-
Accounts payable			26,013				27,308				31,687
Accrued liabilities			37,676				39,617				38,182
Income taxes payable			2,120				6,257				955
Total current liabilities			68,809				78,182				70,824
Loans payable to bank			35,000				35,000				40,000
Deferred and non-current income taxes payable			3,089				2,640				3,750
Other non-current liabilities			32,206				28,201				30,353
Noncontrolling interests			649				595				2,089
Shareholders' equity			458,983				440,552				442,995
Total liabilities and equity		$	598,736			$	585,170			$	590,011

MOVADO GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
		Six Months Ended July 31,
		2016				2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	9,692			$	15,573
Depreciation and amortization			5,688				6,131
Other non-cash adjustments			7,120				3,364
Operating efficiency initiatives and other items			-				2,670
Changes in working capital			(35,413	)			(25,748	)
Changes in non-current assets and liabilities			(1,260	)			584
Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities			(14,173	)			2,574
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(1,796	)			(3,668	)
Restricted cash deposits			(1,156	)			-
Short-term investment			(154	)			-
Trademarks and other intangibles			(263	)			(138	)
Net cash (used in) investing activities			(3,369	)			(3,806	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from bank borrowings			3,000				50,000
Repayments of bank borrowings			(5,000	)			(10,000	)
Dividends paid			(5,970	)			(5,239	)
Stock repurchase			(2,858	)			(39,129	)
Other financing			(1,408	)			(447	)
Net cash (used in) financing activities			(12,236	)			(4,815	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			7,385				(5,793	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(22,393	)			(11,840	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			228,188				199,852
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	205,795			$	188,012

MOVADO GROUP, INC. GAAP AND NON-GAAP MEASURES OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2017 (In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited)