In the second quarter 2017, consolidated sales increased currency adjusted by approx. 16% (approx. 17% in reported terms) to € 969 million compared to € 827 million in the second quarter last year. The operating result (EBIT) in the second quarter 2017 increased to approx. € 43 million (Q2 2016: € 12 million).

In light of the strong second-quarter increase in sales and profitability as well as the positive business outlook for the current year 2017, PUMA raises the full-year guidance for its consolidated sales and operating result (EBIT). The Management now expects that currency adjusted sales will increase between 12% and 14% (previous guidance: currency adjusted increase at a low double-digit percentage rate). The operating result (EBIT) is now anticipated to come in between € 205 million and € 215 million (previous guidance: between € 185 million and € 200 million). In line with the previous guidance, the Management still expects that net earnings will improve significantly in 2017.

A complete overview of PUMA’s business development for the second quarter 2017 and the first half year 2017 will be published on July 26, 2017.

UPGRADE OF THE FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE FOR 2017

2017 Second Quarter Facts

• Sales increase by 16% currency adjusted to € 969 million (+17% reported), with all regions showing double-digit growth and footwear being the main growth driver

• Gross profit margin up by 90 basis points to 46.5%

• OPEX increases by 11% caused by higher sales-related variable costs as well as higher marketing and retail investments

• Operating result (EBIT) improves to € 43 million (last year: € 12 million)

• Three major wins in football with Arsenal FC winning FA Cup, BVB Borussia Dortmund winning DFB cup and Chivas winning Mexican championship

• PUMA’s new lacing technology NETFIT introduced across performance and sportstyle footwear

2017 Half-Year Facts

• Sales up by 16% currency adjusted to € 1,974 million (+18% reported) with double-digit growth in all regions

• Gross profit margin up 60 basis points at 46.8%

• Operating leverage with OPEX increasing only by 12%

• Operating result (EBIT) more than doubled from € 53 million last year to € 114 million

• Net earnings increase from € 27 million last year to € 72 million and earnings per share increase from € 1.84 last year to € 4.79 respectively

• Continued strong women business driven by BASKET HEART and FIERCE footwear styles

• Successful introduction of “Run the Streets” with IGNITE Limitless and TSUGI footwear styles featuring R&B star and style icon The Weeknd

Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer of PUMA SE:

“In another positive quarter, we achieved double-digit growth in all regions and in both footwear and apparel. This combined with a good sell-through in retail and a good orderbook for the next quarters made us raise the outlook for the full year. We now expect a currency adjusted sales growth for the full year between 12% and 14% and a full-year EBIT between € 205 million and 215 million.”

Second Quarter 2017

PUMA's sales growth continued in the second quarter of 2017. Sales increased by 16.3% currency-adjusted to € 968.7 million (+17.2% reported), compared to € 826.5 million in the previous year. All regions contributed with double-digit increases. Footwear continued to be the main growth driver though Apparel also grew double-digit, while Accessories grew at a more modest rate.

The gross profit margin improved, despite negative currency effects, by 90 basis points from 45.6% in the second quarter last year to 46.5%.

Operating expenses (OPEX) rose by 11.4% to € 410.8 million in the second quarter. The increase of operating expenses in the quarter is mainly due to higher sales-related variable costs as well as further marketing and retail investments. Costs for other operating functions grew only moderately.

The operating result (EBIT) increased from € 11.9 million last year to € 43.4 million due to strong sales growth combined with an improved gross profit margin.

Net earnings increased from € 1.6 million to € 21.9 million and earnings per share were up correspondingly at € 1.46 compared to € 0.11 in the second quarter last year.

First Half-Year 2017

Sales for the first half-year 2017 improved by 15.8% currency adjusted to € 1,973.8 million (+17.6% reported) and were above expectations. All regions showed double-digit growth with Footwear being the main growth driver. Major gains were achieved by the Running and Training and Sportstyle categories, with Platform, Suede, BASKET HEART and IGNITE Limitless footwear styles performing well. Including eCommerce, PUMA's own and operated retail sales increased by 21.8% currency adjusted to € 430.3 million. This represents a share of 21.8% of total sales for the first half of 2017 (20.5% in the previous year). The performance was achieved by positive like-for-like growth in our existing retail stores, strong growth in our eCommerce business and opening of new additional stores. The gross profit margin improved, despite negative currency effects, by 60 basis points from 46.2% to 46.8% in the first half-year 2017. The increase was mainly due to further improvements in sourcing and selective price adjustments.
Operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 11.9% and amounted to € 817.6 million. The increase was driven by higher sales-related variable costs, intensified marketing activities and investments in own retail stores. Costs for other operating functions grew only moderately. The operating result (EBIT) more than doubled from € 53.2 million last year to € 113.6 million in the first half of 2017 underlining the improved operating performance, with strong sales growth, a higher gross profit margin and an improved operating leverage.

Net earnings improved significantly in the first half-year and came in at € 71.5 million (last year: € 27.4 million). This result translates into earnings per share of € 4.79 compared to € 1.84 last year.

Working Capital

Despite the double-digit sales growth and a higher number of owned and operated retail stores, PUMA’s working capital increased only moderately by 6.4% to € 700.1 million. Inventories were up 10.8% at € 850.6 million in order to ensure product availability and to support further growth as well as to meet the increased need for products due to our additional retail stores. Trade receivables rose by only 9.0% to € 561.8 million despite the strong sales growth. Trade payables were up 12.6% to € 645.1 million.

Cashflow

As a result of the working capital development and higher capital expenditures the free cash flow came in at € -117.9 million compared to € -107.3 million in the first half of 2016, while the net cash position improved from € 129.9 million as of June 30 to € 152.4 million.

Outlook 2017

In light of the strong second-quarter increase in sales and profitability as well as the positive business outlook for the current year 2017, PUMA raises the full-year guidance for its consolidated sales and operating result (EBIT). The Management now expects that currency adjusted sales will increase between 12% and 14% (previous guidance: currency adjusted increase at a low double-digit percentage rate). The operating result (EBIT) is now anticipated to come in between € 205 million and € 215 million (previous guidance: between € 185 million and € 200 million). In line with the previous guidance, the Management still expects that net earnings will improve significantly in 2017.

Financial Calendar FY 2017

The financial releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at „about.puma.com“.

Notes to the editors:

• The financial reports are posted on about.puma.com.
• PUMA SE stock symbol:

Börse Frankfurt: ISIN: DE0006969603– WKN: 696960

Notes relating to forward-looking statements

This document contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s future financial status and strategic initiatives. The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the management team. These are subject to a certain level of risk and uncertainty including, but not limited to those described above or in other disclosures, in particular in the chapter Risk and Opportunity Management in the Group Management Report. In the event that the expectations and the assumptions do not materialize or unforeseen risks arise, the Company's actual results can differ significantly from expectations. Therefore, we cannot assume responsibility for the correctness of these statements.

In the third quarter 2017, consolidated sales increased currency adjusted by approx. 17% (approx. 13% in reported terms) to € 1,122 million compared to € 990 million in the third quarter last year. The operating result (EBIT) in the third quarter 2017 increased to approx. € 101 million (Q3 2016: € 60 million).In light of the strong third-quarter increase in sales and profitability as well as the positive business outlook for the fourth quarter of 2017, PUMA raises the full-year guidance for its consolidated sales, gross profit margin, operating expenses and operating result (EBIT).

The Management now expects that currency adjusted sales will increase between 14% and 16% (previous guidance: currency adjusted increase between 12% and 14%). The gross profit margin is now anticipated to improve to approx. 46.5% (previous guidance: approx. 46.0%). Due to the expected increase in sales, the Management now foresees operating expenses (OPEX) to increase at a low double-digit percentage rate (previous guidance: increase at a high single-digit percentage rate).As a consequence, the operating result (EBIT) is now anticipated to come in between € 235 million and € 245 million (previous guidance: between € 205 million and € 215 million). In line with the previous guidance, the Management still expects that net earnings will improve significantly in 2017.

A complete overview of PUMA’s business development for the third quarter 2017 and the first nine months of 2017 will be published on October 24, 2017.

2017 Third Quarter Facts

• Sales increase by 17% currency adjusted to € 1,122 million (+13% reported) with double-digit growth in all regions
• Gross profit margin up by 230 basis points to 48.1%
• Operating expenses (OPEX) increases by 11% driven by higher marketing, selling and retail expenses
• Operating result (EBIT) rises to € 101 million (last year: € 60 million)
• PUMA partners with singer, actress and social media icon Selena Gomez
• The new PUMA ONE collection drives improved Football sell-through

2017 Nine Month Facts

• Sales up by 16% currency adjusted to € 3,096 million (+16% reported), with all regions showing double-digit growth and footwear being the main growth drive
• Gross profit margin up 120 basis points at 47.3%
• Operating leverage with operating expenses (OPEX) increasing by only 12%
• Operating result (EBIT) improves to € 215 million (last year: € 114 million)
• Net earnings almost doubled from € 67 million last year to € 134 million and earnings per share increase from € 4.48 last year to € 8.94 respectively
• PUMA footwear styles “BASKET HEART” and “IGNITE Limitless” continued to be popular with customers
• Women’s business further strengthened through second Rihanna collection this year, launched in September

Third Quarter 2017

PUMA's sales growth continued in the third quarter of 2017. Sales rose by 17.4% currency-adjusted to € 1,121.8 million (+13.3% reported), compared to € 990.2 million in the previous year. All regions supported the sales growth showing a double-digit increase. Footwear continued to be the main growth driver and Accessories also increased double-digit, while Apparel grew at a more modest rate.

The gross profit margin improved by 230 basis points from 45.8% to 48.1% in the third quarter. Further improvements in sourcing, higher sales of new products with a higher margin and selective price adjustments helped to improve the gross profit margin despite negative currency impacts.

Operating expenses (OPEX) grew by 11.4% to € 442.6 million in the third quarter. The increase was driven by higher marketing, selling and retail expenses, while costs for other operating functions grew only moderately.

The operating result (EBIT) increased from € 60.3 million last year to € 101.2 million due to strong sales growth combined with an improved gross profit margin.

Net earnings rose from € 39.5 million to € 62.1 million and earnings per share increased correspondingly from € 2.64 to € 4.16 in the third quarter.

Nine Months 2017

Sales for the nine-month period increased by 16.4% currency adjusted to € 3,095.6 million (+16.0% reported) and were above expectations. All regions showed double-digit growth with Footwear being the main growth driver. Major gains were achieved by the Running and Training and Sportstyle categories, with Platform, Suede, BASKET HEART, FIERCE and IGNITE Limitless footwear styles performing well.

Including eCommerce, PUMA's own and operated retail sales rose by 22.0% currency adjusted to € 673.0 million. This represents a share of 21.7% of total sales for the nine-month period (20.6% in the previous year). The performance was achieved by positive like-for-like growth in our existing retail stores, opening of new stores and strong growth in our eCommerce business.

The gross profit margin improved by 120 basis points from 46.1% to 47.3% in the first nine months of 2017. The increase of the gross profit margin, despite the negative currency impacts, was driven by further improvements in sourcing, higher sales of new products with a higher margin and selective price adjustments. Operating expenses (OPEX) rose by 11.7% and amounted to € 1,260.3 million. The increase was due to higher sales-related variable costs, intensified marketing activities and investments in own retail stores. Costs for other operating functions grew only moderately. The operating result (EBIT) improved from € 113.5 million last year to € 214.8 million in the first nine months of 2017. This development underlines the improved operating performance, with strong sales growth, a higher gross profit margin and an improved operating leverage. Net earnings in the first nine months almost doubled and came in at € 133.6 million (last year: € 67.0 million). This result translates into earnings per share of € 8.94 compared to € 4.48 last year.

Working Capital

Despite the double-digit sales growth and a higher number of owned and operated retail stores, PUMA’s working capital increased only modestly to € 762.8 million, an increase of 4.3%. Inventories were up 11.3% at € 795.8 million in order to ensure product availability, to support further growth and to meet the increased need for products due to our additional retail stores. Trade receivables rose by 16.0% to € 677.4 million and trade payables were up 20.6% to € 580.5 million.

Outlook 2017

In light of the strong third-quarter increase in sales and profitability as well as the positive business outlook for the fourth quarter of 2017, PUMA raises the full-year guidance for its consolidated sales, gross profit margin, operating expenses and operating result (EBIT).The Management now expects that currency adjusted sales will increase between 14% and 16% (previous guidance: currency adjusted increase between 12% and 14%). The gross profit margin is now anticipated to improve to approx. 46.5% (previous guidance: approx. 46.0%). Due to the expected increase in sales, the Management now foresees operating expenses (OPEX) to increase at a low double-digit percentage rate (previous guidance: increase at a high single-digit percentage rate).

As a consequence, the operating result (EBIT) is now anticipated to come in between € 235 million and € 245 million (previous guidance: between € 205 million and € 215 million). In line with the previous guidance, the Management still expects that net earnings will improve significantly in 2017.

Financial Calendar FY 2017

The financial releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at „about.puma.com“.

Notes to the editors:

• The financial reports are posted on about.puma.com.
• PUMA SE stock symbol:
  

  Reuters: PUMG.DE, Bloomberg: PUM GY,
  Börse Frankfurt: ISIN: DE0006969603– WKN: 696960

Notes relating to forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s future financial status and strategic initiatives. The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the management team. These are subject to a certain level of risk and uncertainty including, but not limited to those described above or in other disclosures, in particular in the chapter Risk and Opportunity Management in the Group Management Report. In the event that the expectations and the assumptions do not materialize or unforeseen risks arise, the Company's actual results can differ significantly from expectations. Therefore, we cannot assume responsibility for the correctness of these statements.

Kering SA (Paris), the major shareholder of PUMA SE with a current shareholding of approx. 86%, today informed the Administrative Board of PUMA SE that it has decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting of Kering SA on April 26, 2018 to distribute to the shareholders of Kering SA, by way of a dividend in kind, a portion of Kering's shareholding in PUMA which corresponds to approx. 70% of the total share capital of PUMA SE.

Kering SA will remain a shareholder of PUMA SE with a shareholding of approx. 16%. Through the distribution in kind, Artémis SA, the controlling shareholder of Kering SA (and thus indirectly of PUMA SE) will receive shares in PUMA SE, representing approximately 29% of the share capital, and will thereby become a direct and, according to its own statement, also a long-term shareholder of PUMA SE. As a result, the future free float of PUMA SE will amount to approx. 55% after the transaction.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting of Kering SA to be held on April 26, 2018.

The Administrative Board of PUMA SE welcomes the transaction. Kering SA and Artémis SA will remain strong partners of PUMA. The transaction does not affect PUMA’s current strategy, which PUMA will continue to execute and which has already shown initial results. The transaction is expected to improve the liquidity of the PUMA share as a result of a significantly larger free float, which will make it easier for investors to invest in PUMA SE directly.

We are very pleased that Kering has proposed this way to reduce its stake in PUMA. It would allow us to continue with our current business strategy that has started to show good results,” said Bjørn Gulden, CEO of PUMA. “We would be able to carry on to invest in becoming the Fastest Sports Brand in the world, create value for retailers, improve performance for athletes and excite consumers.”

French luxury group Kering, owner of approximately 86% of PUMA’s total share capital, announced earlier today that it will propose to its Annual General Meeting to distribute approximately 70% of the total share capital of PUMA to Kering’s shareholders, thus reducing its shareholding in PUMA to approximately 16%. As a consequence, Kering’s largest shareholder Artémis SA* would receive approximately 29% of PUMA’s share capital and would become a direct and long-term shareholder. The transaction enables Kering to focus on its core luxury business in high-end fashion, leather goods as well as jewelry and watches.

The transaction would increase PUMA’s free float from currently 14% to approximately 55%. “PUMA would become much more attractive for investors as our shares would have a substantially higher free float and larger trading volumes. Kering and Artémis, however, would remain strong partners and shareholders, which proves that they believe in our strategy and PUMA’s future success,” said Bjørn Gulden.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting of Kering SA to be held on 26 April 2018.

*Artémis is the holding company of the Pinault family and the controlling shareholder of Kering.

The Senegal National Team, will debut its new PUMA kit and training line in the upcoming FIFA window in March.  They will be seen on the world’s stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which will be the second time in the history that Senegal will play a World Cup.

We are delighted to welcome Senegal back to the PUMA Family again. They are a great team with many promising talents who stood out during the qualification for the World Cup. With PUMA’s long history in African football and the characteristics of the Lions of Teranga with their style of play and joyfulness, it is a perfect fit to PUMA and our Forever Faster positioning” said Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA.

I am pleased to confirm our partnership with PUMA. They represent a major international brand and we already know their professionalism and their commitment for African Football. We are looking forward to playing with our new kits.” said Augustin Senghor, President of the Senegalese Football Association.

The Senegal National Team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, will debut its new PUMA kit and training line in the upcoming FIFA window in March. 

The Senegal National Team joins the roster of federations like The Football Associations of Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Czech Republic. PUMA Football clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal FC and soon Olympique de Marseille are also part of PUMA's portfolio, as well as some of the world’s best players such as Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero, Cesc Fàbregas, Mario Balotelli, Hector Bellerin, Marco Reus, Julian Weigl, Gianluigi Buffon and Yaya Touré amongst others.

What sounds like future visions are actually research results by Sports company PUMA and the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Design Lab that will be showcased at the Milan Design Week 2018 in April. PUMA and MIT Design Lab have been conducting research in the field of biodesign since June 2017. Biodesign is the practice of using living materials such as algae or bacteria to create products. It makes possible a football jersey made from the silk of a spider or a shoe box grown from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. PUMA Biodesign explores the new frontiers of biological design and fabrication to bring advances in science and biotechnologies closer to our daily lives through sport products.  

The exhibition in Milan, which is powered by the Biorealize desktop bioprototyping platform, will focus on how the next generation of athletic footwear, apparel and wearables can adapt in real-time by using living organisms to enhance performance.

The exhibition will show four experiments: a Breathing Shoe, a Deep Learning Insole, Carbon Eaters and Adaptive Packaging.

The biologically active Breathing Shoe pushes the boundaries of biofabrication and enables personalized ventilation by growing its own air passageways that keep the foot cool.

The next generation Deep Learning Insoles improve the athlete’s performance through real-time biofeedback. The sole uses organisms to measure long and short-term chemical phenomena that indicate fatigue and well-being.

The microbially-active t-shirt responds to environmental factors by changing its appearance and informing the user about air quality.

The research has also looked beyond current wearables and produced biologically programmable materials that change their shape and structure to become new types of alive, biodegradable and adaptive packaging.

The Milan Design Week runs from 17-22 April 2018.

In the first quarter 2018, consolidated sales increased currency adjusted by approximately 21% (approximately 12% in reported terms) to € 1,131 million compared to € 1,005 million in the first quarter last year. The operating result (EBIT) in the first quarter 2018 increased to approximately € 112 million (Q1 2017: € 70 million).

The first quarter saw a strong increase in sales and profitability, but several uncertainties in our business environment have recently developed. This includes adverse and volatile currency developments, political instabilities as well as the uncertain trade environment between the USA and China. Therefore, we are adjusting our guidance for the full year 2018 only slightly. PUMA now expects that currency adjusted sales will increase between 10% and 12% (previous guidance: currency adjusted increase by approximately 10%). The operating result (EBIT) is now anticipated to come in between € 310 million and € 330 million (previous guidance: between € 305 million and € 325 million). In line with the previous guidance, the Management still expects that net earnings will improve significantly in 2018.

A complete overview of PUMA’s business development for the first quarter 2018 will be published on April 24, 2018.

The film "9.58 Seconds" is the central element of the overall implementation: The content of the current annual report was laid over Usain Bolt´s World Record Run from 2009. The film consists of 240 individual frames, in which the 250 pages of the annual report are embedded. The user can interactively navigate back and forth, stop and read while Usain Bolt runs towards his victory.  Certain markers make it possible to directly jump off the film into the relevant topics on the microsite. All the chapters of the annual report can be accessed on tiles with a mouse-over effect and be read there.

Ulf Santjer, Global Director Corporate Communications at PUMA: "Our goal is to be the fastest sports brand in the world - and of course that should be reflected in our annual report. A very special PUMA moment of 2017 was the last race of Usain Bolt at the World Championships in London and the memory of his breathtaking world record run in 9.58 seconds of 2009 in Berlin. This year´s annual report and accompanying video is, therefore, a tribute to the fastest man in the world and his many achievements."

A brand that has speed in its genes like no other certainly needs a business report that passes everyone and that perfectly represents the leitmotif 'Forever Faster'. So this is another world record in PUMA´s very successful business year”, says Timm Weber, Chief Creative Officer at Publicis Pixelpark.

Together with Publicis Pixelpark PUMA has been working on an overall solution that sums up the corporate mission statement Forever Faster: It includes the print edition of the annual report 2017, the invitation to the annual General Meeting and a microsite which is also embedded in the movie "9.58 Seconds".

The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, also graces the front page of the annual report´s print edition. It comes in a black and red look and is characterized by an open, spacious design. Grey pages separate the financial section visually from the image part. The chapter openers focus on the PUMA brand ambassadors such as Selena Gomez, Lewis Hamilton, Cara Delevingne or The Weeknd with large black and white photographs.

The ‘fastest annual report in the world’ is available at annual-report.puma.com/2017/en/index.html.