• Third Quarter Net Revenues were $1.9 Billion in Constant Currency
• Better-Than-Expected Operating Margin of 13.7%, Excluding Restructuring and Other Charges, Reflects Better Expense Management
• Earnings Per Diluted Share Was $2.27 in the Third Quarter, Excluding Restructuring and Other Charges
• The Company Adjusts Its Fiscal 2016 Outlook

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2016-- Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) today reported net income of $193 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, for the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, which excludes restructuring and other charges that are primarily related to activities associated with the Company’s global brand reorganization and a pending customs audit. This compared to reported net income of $215 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, for the third quarter of Fiscal 2015. Earnings per diluted share increased 4% from the prior year period, excluding foreign currency impacts and restructuring and other charges. On a reported basis, net income was $131 million or $1.54 per diluted share in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016.

“2015 was a year of transition,” said Ralph Lauren, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer. “While our recent results have been disappointing, I am greatly encouraged by the changes that are already taking place since the appointment of Stefan Larsson as our new CEO. He has my full support as he conducts his comprehensive review of our business and takes the lead to move us forward. We have built one of the strongest global brands in the industry and our goal is to further strengthen the brand, drive strong financial performance and deliver shareholder value.”

“I am excited to be part of Ralph Lauren,” said Stefan Larsson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “While we are disappointed with the current business results, I was brought on board as CEO to institute change that will drive improved performance and strengthen Ralph Lauren’s position among the top luxury companies in the world. I am finalizing an extensive assessment into all aspects of the Company and working with my team to build a comprehensive strategic and financial plan to win. There is a lot of work to be done, but I am confident we will succeed.”

Third Quarter Fiscal 2016 Income Statement Review

Net Revenues. Net revenues for the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 declined 1% on a constant currency basis and 4% on a reported basis to $1.9 billion. This was below the guidance provided in November of 0%-2% reported revenue growth. While international net revenue grew 6% in constant currency in the third quarter, North America revenue declined 4% primarily due to above-average temperatures for most of the Fall and Holiday period, a decline in foreign tourist traffic and product assortment challenges in the Lauren brand. The decline in reported net revenues included approximately 300 basis points of negative impact from foreign currency effects.

• Wholesale Sales. In the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, wholesale segment sales decreased 3% on a constant currency basis as a decline in sales in North America offset increased sales in Europe. Reported wholesale segment sales declined 6% to $786 million.
• Retail Sales. Retail sales were in line with the prior year on a constant currency basis in the third quarter as growth in new stores and e-commerce was offset by negative comparable store sales. Reported retail segment sales declined 3% to $1.1 billion. Consolidated comparable store sales decreased 5% on a constant currency basis during the third quarter and declined 7% on a reported basis.
• Licensing. Licensing revenues of $47 million in the third quarter were in line with the prior year period in both constant currency and on a reported basis.

Gross Profit. Gross profit for the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $1.1 billion, excluding restructuring and other charges of $10 million. Gross profit margin was 56.8%, which was 20 basis points lower than the prior year period, reflecting unfavorable foreign currency effects. On a constant currency basis, gross margin was up 30 basis points compared to the prior year period due to benefits from the initial phases of stock-keeping unit (SKU) and style rationalization, product cost negotiations and favorable mix shifts.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 were $838 million, excluding restructuring and other charges, 1% below the prior year period, due to better expense management. Operating expense rate of 43.1% increased 160 basis points compared with the third quarter of Fiscal 2015, due to fixed expense deleverage and incremental investments in infrastructure. As reported, operating expenses in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 were $905 million, which included $67 million in restructuring and other charges, including $34 million related to a pending customs audit.

Operating Income. Operating income in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $266 million, excluding restructuring and other charges. Operating margin of 13.7% was 180 basis points below the prior year period, which was better than the guidance of a 200-250 basis point decline provided in November, due to better expense management. The lower operating margin was primarily attributable to negative foreign currency effects, fixed expense deleverage and incremental investments in infrastructure.

• Wholesale Operating Income. Wholesale operating income in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $184 million, excluding restructuring and other charges, compared with $207 million in the prior year period. Wholesale operating margin decreased 120 basis points to 23.5% driven by fixed expense deleverage in North America and negative foreign currency effects, partially offset by strong performance in Europe.
• Retail Operating Income. Retail operating income in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $154 million, excluding restructuring and other charges, compared with $194 million in the prior year period. Retail operating margin declined 300 basis points to 13.9%, due to fixed expense deleverage and negative foreign currency effects.
• Licensing Operating Income. Licensing operating income of $42 million in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was in line with the prior year period.

Net Income and Diluted EPS. Net income for the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 was $193 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, excluding restructuring and other charges. This compared to reported net income of $215 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, for the third quarter of Fiscal 2015. Earnings per diluted share increased 4% from the prior year period, excluding foreign currency impacts and restructuring and other charges. On a reported basis, net income was $131 million or $1.54 per diluted share in the third quarter.

The Company had an effective tax rate of approximately 25.1%, excluding restructuring and other charges, in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, which compared to an effective tax rate of 28.6% in the third quarter of Fiscal 2015. On a reported basis, the effective tax rate was 27.5% in the third quarter.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2016 Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Review

The Company ended the third quarter with $1.2 billion in cash and investments, or $612 million in cash and investments net of debt ("net cash"), compared to $1.4 billion in cash and investments and $996 million in net cash at the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2015. The third quarter ended with inventory of $1.3 billion compared to $1.2 billion in the prior year period. The increase in inventory reflects investments to support anticipated sales growth for existing operations, new businesses and new store openings.

The Company had $123 million in capital expenditures in the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, compared to $124 million in the prior year period. The Company repurchased approximately 803,000 shares of Class A Common Stock during the third quarter, utilizing $100 million of its share repurchase authorization and bringing year-to-date repurchases to $380 million. Approximately $200 million remains available for future share repurchases.

Global Retail Store Network

The Company ended the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 with 501 directly operated stores, comprised of 151 Ralph Lauren stores, 76 Club Monaco stores and 274 Polo factory stores. The Company also operated 589 concession shop locations worldwide at the end of the third quarter. In addition to Company-operated locations, international licensing partners operated 89 Ralph Lauren stores and 28 dedicated shops, as well as 133 Club Monaco stores and shops at the end of the third quarter.

Fiscal 2016 Outlook

The Company is adjusting its Fiscal 2016 outlook. The company expects consolidated net revenues for Fiscal 2016 to be up approximately 1% in constant currency and down approximately 3% on a reported basis. This compares to previous guidance of flat on a reported basis and up 3-5% in constant currency. Based on current exchange rates, the Company continues to expect that foreign currency will have an approximate 400 basis point negative impact on Fiscal 2016 revenue growth.

Operating margin for Fiscal 2016 is now expected to be 290-320 basis points below the prior year’s level due primarily to negative foreign currency effects. This guidance excludes restructuring and other charges that are primarily associated with our global brand reorganization and a pending customs audit charge. This compares to previous guidance of a 180-230 basis point decline. The full year Fiscal 2016 tax rate is now estimated at 28% versus previous guidance of 30%.

In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016, the Company expects consolidated net revenues to be flat to down 2% on a reported basis, and based on current exchange rates, foreign currency will have an approximate 150 basis point negative impact on revenue growth. Operating margin for the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 is expected to be approximately 400-450 basis points below the comparable prior year period, primarily due to proactive action the Company is taking to clear end-of-season inventories related to the sales challenges the Company faced in the third quarter, as well as infrastructure investments and negative foreign exchange impacts. The fourth quarter tax rate is estimated at 32%.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will host a conference call and live online webcast today, Thursday, February 4^th, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Listeners may access a live broadcast of the conference call on the Company's investor relations website at http://investor.ralphlauren.com or by dialing 517-623-4799. To access the conference call, listeners should dial in by 8:45 a.m. Eastern and request to be connected to the Ralph Lauren Third Quarter Fiscal 2016 conference call.

An online archive of the broadcast will be available by accessing the Company's investor relations website at http://investor.ralphlauren.com. A telephone replay of the call will be available from 12:00 P.M. Eastern, Thursday, February 4, 2016 through 6:00 P.M. Eastern, Thursday, February 11, 2016 by dialing 203-369-3768 and entering passcode 6582.

ABOUT RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For more than 48 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Black Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport, Polo Ralph Lauren Children’s, Ralph Lauren Home, Lauren Ralph Lauren, RLX, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, American Living, Chaps and Club Monaco, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to http://investor.ralphlauren.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include the statements under “Fiscal 2016 Outlook” and statements regarding, among other things, our current expectations about the Company's future results and financial condition, revenues, store openings and closings, employee reductions, margins, expenses and earnings and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "we believe" and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and judgments and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. The factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include, among others: the loss of key personnel or other changes in our executive and senior management team or to our operating structure and our ability to effectively transfer knowledge during periods of transition; our ability to achieve anticipated operating enhancements and/or cost reductions from our restructuring plans, including our transition to a global brand-based operating structure; our ability to successfully implement our anticipated growth strategies and to capitalize on our repositioning initiatives in certain regions and merchandise categories; our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations from both a transactional and translational perspective, and risks associated with increases in the costs of raw materials, transportation, and labor; our ability to secure the technology facilities and systems used by the Company and those of third party service providers from, among other things, cybersecurity breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses or similar events; our ability to continue to maintain our brand image and reputation and protect our trademarks; the impact of the volatile state of the global economy, stock markets, and other economic conditions on us, our customers, our suppliers, and our vendors, and our ability and their ability to access sources of liquidity; the impact of changes in consumers’ ability or preferences on purchases of premium lifestyle products that we sell and our ability to forecast consumer demand; changes in the competitive marketplace; risks associated with our international operations, including risks related to the importation and exportation of products, and risks associated with compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or violations of other anti-bribery and corruption laws prohibiting improper payments and the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including tax laws; the impact to our business of events of unrest and instability that are currently taking place in certain parts of the world; our ability to continue to expand our business internationally; changes in our effective tax rates or credit profile and ratings within the financial community; changes in the business of, and our relationships with, major department store customers and licensing partners; our efforts to improve the efficiency of our distribution system and enhance our information technology systems and e-commerce platform; the impact to our business resulting from potential costs and obligations related to the early termination of our long term, non-cancellable leases; the potential impact to the trading prices of our securities if our Class A Common Stock share repurchase activity and/or cash dividend rate differs from investors' expectations; the potential impact on our operations and on our customers resulting from natural or man-made disasters; and other risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This earnings release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures relating to restructuring and non-cash charges recorded in connection with the Company’s global brand reorganization, as well as other charges primarily related to a pending customs audit and the settlement of certain litigation claims. Included in this earnings release is a reconciliation between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures before and after these charges. The related tax effects were calculated using the respective statutory tax rates for each applicable jurisdiction. The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, among other things, to evaluate its operating performance and in order to represent the manner in which the Company conducts and views its business. The Company believes that excluding items that are not comparable from period to period helps investors and others compare operating performance between two periods. While the Company considers the non-GAAP measures useful in analyzing its results, they are not intended to replace, nor act as a substitute for, any presentation included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies.

Additionally, since Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global company, the comparability of its operating results reported in U.S. Dollars is also affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations because the underlying currencies in which it transacts change in value over time compared to the U.S. Dollar. These rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on the Company’s reported results. As such, in addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company’s discussions often contain references to constant currency measures, which are calculated by translating the current-year and prior-year reported amounts into comparable amounts using a single foreign exchange rate for each currency. The Company presents constant currency financial information, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as a supplement to its reported operating results. The Company uses constant currency information to provide a framework to assess how its businesses performed excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Management believes this information is useful to investors to facilitate comparisons of operating results and better identify trends in the Company’s businesses. The constant currency performance measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of or superior to, the Company’s operating performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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Source: Ralph Lauren Corporation

Ralph Lauren Corporation
Investor Relations:
Evren Kopelman, 212-813-7862
or
Corporate Communications:
Malcolm Carfrae, 212-583-2262