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    Home Online Features Samsonite International S.A. Announces Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
    Samsonite International S.A. Announces Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
    Press Releases
    Samsonite  
    November 13, 2024

    Samsonite International S.A. Announces Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

    Third quarter 2024 consolidated net sales decreased by 6.8%1 versus a strong net sales base in prior year period

    Recorded gross profit margin of 59.3% and Adjusted EBITDA margin2 of 17.6% for the third quarter of 2024

     Generated strong third quarter 2024 Free Cash Flow3 of US$94.2 million, a year-on-year increase of US$5.4 million

    Returned a total of US$222.0 million to shareholders through a cash distribution of US$150.0 million and share buybacks of US$72.0 million during the third quarter of 2024

    Maintained substantial liquidity4 of US$1.4 billion and healthy total net leverage ratio5at 1.68x as of September 30, 2024

    HONG KONG, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Samsonite International S.A. (“Samsonite” or “the Company”, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “the Group”; SEHK stock code: 1910), a leader in the global lifestyle bag industry and the world’s best-known and largest travel luggage company, today published its unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    Overview

    Commenting on the results, Mr. Kyle Gendreau, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are encouraged by Samsonite’s results in the third quarter of 2024. While our net sales performance was impacted by softer-than-expected global consumer sentiment, an elevated promotional environment across our markets, as well as comparison to a record third quarter 2023 net sales that were driven by the post-pandemic surge in travel, we moderated the resulting impact on our profitability which remained well above the comparable period in 2019. We achieved this by leveraging our decentralized organizational structure and empowering our local teams to maintain discipline with promotional discounts and control expenses. We continued to invest in elevating our brands and driving long-term growth, including maintaining marketing spend as a percentage of net sales at a higher level compared to the corresponding period in 2019, as well as continuing to expand and upgrade our company-operated retail store fleet. Furthermore, we remain focused on closely managing cash and working capital to maintain strong Free Cash Flow3 generation. We initiated our share buyback program in August 2024 and repurchased approximately 30.0 million shares during the third quarter. At the same time, we continued to maintain substantial liquidity4 and a healthy total net leverage ratio5 as of September 30, 2024, positioning Samsonite to continue to invest for long-term growth.” 

    “We are seeing improving trends as we go into the fourth quarter of 2024, and we expect to benefit from an anticipated improvement in consumer confidence in China from the economic stimulus measures recently announced by the Chinese government, as well as sequentially more favorable year-on-year net sales comparisons relative to the third quarter of 2024. Our view on full year net sales remains relatively unchanged since our last earnings report; we expect the Group’s net sales for full year 2024 to be approximately flat on a constant currency basis versus a strong net sales base in 2023.”

    “Looking ahead, we expect annual net sales growth to resume in 2025 versus a more normalized base, as we continue to invest in the business to drive new product innovations, channel and product category expansion, and optimized marketing spend to elevate our brands. Consumers have continued to prioritize travel despite macroeconomic headwinds, and travel trends are expected to remain robust over the next several years, driving long-term growth in our business.”

    “We remain focused on driving profitable sales growth through our higher-margin brands, channels, and regions, supported by disciplined expense management. We are confident in our ability to maintain robust margins in the near term, and to deliver positive operating leverage and margin expansion in the long run. Additionally, we will continue to leverage our asset-light business model to maintain strong Free Cash Flow3 generation. This will provide additional flexibility in capital allocation allowing us to continue to invest in organic growth, return cash to our shareholders, and deleverage our balance sheet going forward.”

    “We continue to make great progress on ‘Our Responsible Journey’, leveraging our leadership position to create a path towards a more sustainable future for the industry. At the beginning of November, we announced an ambitious near-term science-based target to reducing emissions across our operations and supply chain. As part of this announcement, we committed to continuing to use 100% renewable electricity in all our own operations, and to significantly increase the recycled content in the materials used to manufacture our products to reduce Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services by 2030.”

    Mr. Gendreau concluded, “Our preparations for a potential dual listing of the Company’s securities in the United States continue to progress. Our Board of Directors and management believe this process will enhance value creation for our shareholders over time by increasing trading volumes and making our securities more accessible to investors in the U.S. and globally.”

    2024 Third Quarter Highlights

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group recorded net sales of US$877.7 million, a decrease of 6.8%1 year-on-year. The decline was driven by global consumer sentiment that was softer than the Group’s expectations and by an elevated promotional environment across the Group’s markets, particularly in India. The year-over-year net sales comparison was also impacted by record third quarter 2023 net sales that were driven by the post-pandemic surge in travel.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net sales of the Samsonite brand decreased by 2.2%1 with growth in North America and Latin America, offset by decreases in Asia and Europe. Total net sales for the Tumi brand decreased by 8.9%1 year-on-year due to softer consumer demand and traffic impacting many premium and luxury brands, particularly in the United States and China. Total net sales of the American Tourister brand decreased by 15.1%1 due to intensified promotional activity by competitors in India and greater caution from wholesale customers in North America.

    The year-over-year decrease in net sales during the third quarter of 2024 was attributable to a 11.5%1 decline in net sales in Asia due to consumer sentiment that was softer than anticipated, particularly in China where net sales decreased by 14.9%1, while net sales in India decreased by 24.3%1 due to increased promotional activity by competitors. Excluding China and India, net sales in Asia decreased by 6.2%1 year-on-year. In North America, net sales of the Samsonite brand increased by 3.5%1, offset by a 14.2%1 decline in net sales of the Tumi brand due to slower retail traffic and decreased consumer spending on premium and luxury brands, as well as a 27.5%1 decrease in net sales of the American Tourister brand due to greater caution from wholesale customers. As a result, net sales in North America declined by 7.8%1 during the third quarter of 2024, year-on-year. In Europe, net sales of the Tumi brand increased by 7.1%1 as we continued to invest behind the brand, including the addition of 7 net new company-operated Tumi retail stores opened since September 30, 2023, though total net sales in Europe decreased by 1.7%1 overall due to softened consumer demand within the region. Net sales in Latin America increased by 13.7%1, year-on-year, for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, total net sales in the Group’s direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) channel decreased by 0.8%1 and net sales in the Group’s wholesale channel decreased by 10.4%1, year-on-year. The DTC channel accounted for 39.8% of total net sales during the third quarter of 2024 versus 37.7% during the comparable period in 2023. The Group added a net 21 company-operated retail stores during the third quarter of 2024, bringing the total number of company-operated retail stores to 1,104 as of September 30, 2024, compared to 1,021 as of September 30, 2023.

    The Group recorded gross profit margin of 59.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a slight reduction of 30 basis points year-on-year, due to the decrease in net sales from the higher-margin Asia region and Tumi brand, partially offset by an increased share of total net sales from the Group’s DTC channel and continued discipline on promotional discounts. Although the Group’s third quarter 2024 gross profit margin decreased year-over-year, at 59.3% it remained 360 basis points higher than the 55.7% for the third quarter of 2019.

    The Group continued to invest in marketing to support its brands, spending US$55.7 million during the third quarter of 2024. This represents a decrease of 6.3% year-on-year, as the regional and country teams proactively adjusted marketing spend in response to evolving market conditions. As a percentage of net sales marketing expenses increased by 10 basis points to 6.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to 6.2% during the corresponding period in 2023, and by 140 basis points versus 4.9% for the third quarter of 2019.

    Third quarter 2024 fixed SG&A expenses were relatively unchanged at US$215.6 million compared to the US$214.8 million recorded in the third quarter of 2023, despite the addition of 83 net new company-operated retail stores opened since September 30, 2023. Fixed SG&A expenses represented 24.6% of net sales in the third quarter of 2024, 270 basis points lower than the 27.3% for the third quarter of 2019, underscoring the Group’s ongoing focus on managing the fixed cost structure of the business.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group’s Adjusted EBITDA margin2 declined by 270 basis points year-over-year to 17.6% but remained 310 basis points higher than the 14.5% for the corresponding period in 2019. As a result, the Group’s Adjusted EBITDA6 decreased by 20.3% to US$154.6 million, while its Adjusted Net Income7 decreased by 36.6% to US$79.7 million for the third quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

    With prudent cash and working capital management, Samsonite generated strong Free Cash Flow3 of US$94.2 million during the third quarter of 2024, and US$175.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    In June 2024, the Company announced a share buyback program of up to US$200.0 million, reflecting the Company’s confidence in its long-term business and growth prospects. The Company initiated the program in August 2024 and repurchased approximately 30.0 million shares for US$72.0 million in cash during the three months ended September 30, 2024. The Company plans to continue share buybacks through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. Additionally, the Company paid US$150.0 million in cash distributions to shareholders in July 2024.

    Supported by its strong Free Cash Flow3 generation, the Group’s net debt remained relatively unchanged at US$1.1 billion8 as of September 30, 2024, compared to December 31, 2023, despite returning approximately US$222.0 million to shareholders during the third quarter of 2024. Total net leverage ratio5 remained healthy at 1.68x as of September 30, 2024.

    Table 1: Key Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

     

    US$ millions,

    except per share data

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2024

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2023

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    excl. foreign

    currency effects1

    Net sales

    877.7

    957.7

    (8.3) %

    (6.8) %

    Gross profit

    520.1

    570.9

    (8.9) %

    (7.0) %

    Gross profit margin

    59.3 %

    59.6 %

    Operating profit

    133.0

    182.6

    (27.2) %

    (25.0) %

    Profit for the period9

    71.5

    116.5

    (38.6) %

    (34.1) %

    Profit attributable to the equity holders9

    66.2

    108.7

    (39.1) %

    (34.2) %

    Adjusted Net Income7

    79.7

    125.7

    (36.6) %

    (32.6) %

    Adjusted EBITDA6

    154.6

    194.0

    (20.3) %

    (18.5) %

    Adjusted EBITDA margin2

    17.6 %

    20.3 %

    Basic earnings per share

    – US$ per share9

    0.046

    0.075

    (39.5) %

    (34.6) %

    Diluted earnings per share

    – US$ per share9

    0.045

    0.075

    (39.2) %

    (34.3) %

    Adjusted basic earnings per share10 – US$ per share

    0.055

    0.087

    (37.0) %

    (33.0) %

    Adjusted diluted earnings per share10 – US$ per share

    0.055

    0.086

    (36.7) %

    (32.7) %

    Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

    The Group’s performance for the three months ended September 30, 2024, is discussed in greater detail below.

    Net Sales

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group recorded net sales of US$877.7 million, a decrease of 6.8%1 compared to a strong third quarter in 2023, during which net sales increased by 21.2%1 year-on-year. Global consumer sentiment was softer than the Group anticipated, particularly in China. The Group also continued to experience an elevated promotional environment across its markets, particularly in India.

    Net Sales Performance by Region

    Table 2: Net Sales by Region

    Region11

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2024

    US$ millions

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2023

    US$ millions

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    Percentage

    Increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    excl. foreign

    currency effects1

    Asia

    327.6

    373.0

    (12.2) %

    (11.5) %

    North America

    295.8

    321.0

    (7.9) %

    (7.8) %

    Europe

    209.2

    214.2

    (2.3) %

    (1.7) %

    Latin America

    45.1

    49.2

    (8.3) %

    13.7 %

    Corporate

    0.1

    0.3

    (72.1) %

    (72.1) %

    Total net sales

    877.7

    957.7

    (8.3) %

    (6.8) %

    Asia

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group’s net sales in Asia decreased by 11.5%1 to US$327.6 million against a strong third quarter in 2023, during which net sales increased by 44.9%1 year-on-year. This resulted in Asia’s share of total net sales decreasing to 37.3% in the third quarter of 2024 versus 39.0% in the corresponding period in 2023.

    During the third quarter of 2024, net sales in China decreased by 14.9%1 year-on-year due to softening sentiment among Chinese consumers. Net sales in India declined by 24.3%1 year-on-year due to intensified promotional activity by competitors while the Group maintained discipline on promotional discounts to protect brand equity. Increased consumer caution also impacted performance in South Korea, Hong Kong12 and Singapore13, where net sales decreased by 10.8%1, 31.0%1 and 13.7%1, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023. These net sales declines were partially offset by net sales increases in Japan of 1.4%1 and in Australia of 19.1%1 in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

    North America

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group recorded net sales of US$295.8 million in North America, a decrease of 7.8%1 compared to a high net sales base in the prior year period, during which net sales increased by 10.0%1 year-on-year. During the third quarter of 2024, net sales of the Samsonite brand increased by 3.5%1 due to stronger resilience in consumer demand in the mid-section of the market, offset by a 14.2%1 decline in net sales of the Tumi brand due to slower retail traffic and decreased consumer spending on premium and luxury brands, as well as a 27.5%1 decrease in net sales of the American Tourister brand due to greater caution from wholesale customers. The Group’s net sales in the United States and Canada decreased by 6.8%1 and 21.6%1, respectively, in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

    Europe

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group’s net sales in Europe decreased by 1.7%1 year-on-year to US$209.2 million. During the third quarter of 2024, net sales of the Tumi brand in Europe increased by 7.1%1 as we continued to invest behind the brand, including the addition of 7 net new company-operated Tumi retail stores opened since September 30, 2023. The slight decrease in net sales in Europe during the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was due to softer consumer sentiment within the region, which resulted in net sales decreases in Germany of 20.6%1, in Italy of 9.7%1, in the United Kingdom14 of 8.5%1, and in France of 7.7%1, partially offset by Belgium15, where net sales increased by 9.8%1, and Spain, with net sales growth of 3.9%1. A strong net sales base in the third quarter of 2023 also impacted year-over-year net sales comparison.

    Latin America

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group recorded net sales of US$45.1 million in Latin America, an increase of 13.7%1 compared to the corresponding period in 2023, driven by year-on-year net sales increases of 4.6%1 in Mexico, partially offset by decreases of 2.4%1 in Chile and 12.4%1 in Brazil.

    Net Sales Performance by Brand

    Table 3: Net Sales by Brand

    Brand

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2024

    US$ millions

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2023

    US$ millions

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    excl. foreign

    currency effects1

    Samsonite

    479.0

    498.2

    (3.9) %

    (2.2) %

    Tumi

    193.3

    213.7

    (9.5) %

    (8.9) %

    American Tourister

    144.3

    173.8

    (17.0) %

    (15.1) %

    Other16

    61.1

    71.9

    (14.9) %

    (11.9) %

    Total net sales

    877.7

    957.7

    (8.3) %

    (6.8) %

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net sales of the Samsonite brand decreased by 2.2%1 year-on-year due to challenging trading conditions. The decline was mainly attributable to a 10.7%1 net sales decrease in Asia and a 1.9%1 decrease in Europe, partially offset by net sales increases of 3.5%1 in North America and 19.4%1 in Latin America.

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net sales of the Tumi brand decreased by 8.9%1 versus the comparable period in 2023, during which net sales increased by 29.8%1 year-on-year. Supported by ongoing investments in marketing and distribution, net sales of the Tumi brand increased by 7.1%1 in Europe and 27.4%1 in Latin America, year-on-year. These net sales gains were offset by a 14.2%1 decrease in North America against a high net sales base in the same period in the previous year, and a 6.6%1 decrease in Asia due to increased caution among consumers impacting many premium and luxury brands.

    Net sales of the American Tourister brand declined by 15.1%1 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. During the third quarter of 2024, net sales increased by 6.6%1 in Latin America. Net sales in Asia decreased by 15.8%1 primarily due to reduced sales in India because of increased promotional activity by competitors. Net sales in Europe decreased by 8.0%1, and net sales in North America decreased by 27.5%1 due to greater caution from wholesale customers. 

    Net Sales Performance by Product Category

    Table 4: Net Sales by Product Category

    Product Category

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2024

    US$ millions

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2023

    US$ millions

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    Percentage

    Increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    excl. foreign

    currency effects1

    Travel

    588.7

    644.5

    (8.7) %

    (7.3) %

    Non-travel17

    289.1

    313.1

    (7.7) %

    (5.7) %

    Total net sales

    877.7

    957.7

    (8.3) %

    (6.8) %

    Net sales in the travel product category decreased by 7.3%1 year-on-year and accounted for 67.1% of total net sales in the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus 67.3% of total net sales during the same period in 2023. Total non-travel product category17 net sales decreased by 5.7%1 year-on-year and accounted for 32.9% of total net sales in the third quarter of 2024, versus 32.7% of total net sales during the third quarter of 2023.

    Net Sales Performance by Distribution Channel 

    Table 5: Net Sales by Distribution Channel

    Distribution Channel

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2024

    US$ millions

    Three months ended

    September 30, 2023

    US$ millions

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    Percentage

    Increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    excl. foreign

    currency effects1

    Wholesale

    527.9

    596.7

    (11.5) %

    (10.4) %

    Direct-to-consumer (“DTC”)

    349.6

    360.6

    (3.1) %

    (0.8) %

    Other18

    0.3

    0.3

    7.6 %

    7.6 %

    Total net sales

    877.7

    957.7

    (8.3) %

    (6.8) %

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group’s net sales in the DTC channel, which includes company-operated retail stores and DTC e-commerce, decreased by 0.8%1 to US$349.6 million (representing 39.8% of net sales) from US$360.6 million (representing 37.7% of net sales) in the third quarter of 2023. The Group’s DTC retail net sales decreased by 1.8%1 to US$257.3 million and comprised 29.3% of net sales during the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to US$268.5 million, or 28.0% of net sales, during the third quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, DTC e-commerce net sales increased by 2.1%1 to US$92.3 million (representing 10.5% of net sales) during the third quarter of 2024, compared US$92.1 million (representing 9.6% of net sales) during the third quarter of 2023. 

    During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group added 30 company-operated retail stores, partially offset by the permanent closure of 9 company-operated retail stores. This resulted in a net increase of 21 company-operated retail stores during the third quarter of 2024, compared to a net addition of 20 company-operated retail stores during the third quarter of 2023. The total number of company-operated retail stores was 1,104 as of September 30, 2024, compared to 1,021 as of September 30, 2023.

    Gross Profit 

    The Group recorded gross profit of US$520.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decline of US$50.8 million, or 8.9%, year-on-year. Gross profit margin decreased by 30 basis points year-on-year to 59.3% in the third quarter of 2024, due to the decrease in net sales from the higher-margin Asia region and Tumi brand, partially offset by an increased share of total net sales from the Group’s DTC channel and continued discipline on promotional discounts.

    Distribution Expenses

    Distribution expenses were US$267.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a slight increase of US$3.5 million, or 1.3%, compared to US$263.6 million for the same period in 2023 despite the addition of 83 net new company-operated retail stores opened since September 30, 2023 (including 52 net new company-operated retail stores opened during the first nine months of 2024). Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 30.4% of net sales during the third quarter of 2024 compared to 27.5% during the corresponding period in 2023 due to the year-on-year reduction in net sales.  

    Investment in Marketing

    The Group spent US$55.7 million on marketing during the three months ended September 30, 2024, a reduction of US$3.7 million, or 6.3%, year-on-year. As a percentage of net sales, marketing expenses were 6.3% of net sales for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 10 basis points from 6.2% for the corresponding period in 2023.

    General and administrative expenses

    General and administrative expenses decreased by US$9.0 million, or 13.9%, year-on-year to US$55.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. General and administrative expenses represented 6.3% of net sales in the third quarter of 2023, 40 basis points lower compared to 6.7% during the corresponding period in 2023, reflecting the Group’s ongoing discipline in managing the fixed cost structure of the business.

    Other expenses

    The Group recorded other expense of US$8.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to other expense of US$0.6 million in the same period in 2023, primarily attributable to US$5.1 million of costs associated with the preparation for a potential dual listing of the Company’s securities and complying with related increased regulatory requirements.

    Operating Profit

    The Group reported an operating profit of US$133.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of US$49.6 million, or 27.2%, year-on-year, primarily due to lower gross profit because of reduced net sales.

    Net Finance Costs and Income Tax Expense

    Net finance costs decreased by US$8.6 million, or 19.7%, to US$35.1 million9 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, from US$43.7 million9 for the same period in 2023. This reduction was attributable to a decrease in the non-cash charge associated with redeemable non-controlling interest put options of US9.9 million9, and a US$3.1 million reduction in interest expense on loans and borrowings.

    The Group recorded an income tax expense of US$26.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to income tax expense of US$22.5 million for the same period in 2023.

    Profit for the Period

    Profit for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was US$71.5 million9, a decline of US$45.0 million, or 38.6%, compared to US$116.5 million9 for the third quarter of 2023.

    Profit Attributable to the Equity Holders

    The Group recorded profit attributable to the equity holders of US$66.2 million9 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to US$108.7 million9 for the same period in 2023, a decrease of US$42.5 million, or 39.1%, driven primarily by the decline in the Group’s operating profit year-on-year.

    Adjusted EBITDA6 and Adjusted Net Income7

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Group recorded Adjusted EBITDA6 of US$154.6 million, a decline of US$39.4 million, or 20.3%, year-on-year. The Group’s Adjusted EBITDA margin2 decreased by 270 basis points to 17.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus 20.3% for the comparable period in 2023. The decline in Adjusted EBITDA margin2 was primarily due to the decrease in net sales and gross profit, and higher marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales.

    Adjusted Net Income7 decreased by US$46.0 million, or 36.6%, to US$79.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to US$125.7 million during the prior year period.

    Investment in Inventories and Working Capital

    The Group continued to closely manage its working capital, particularly inventories. Inventories as of September 30, 2024, were US$672.9 million, a reduction of US$23.0 million compared to the US$695.9 million as of December 31, 2023, and US$61.9 million lower than the US$734.8 million as of September 30, 2023.

    Net working capital was US$508.1 million as of September 30, 2024, a reduction of US$7.0 million compared to the US$515.1 million as of December 31, 2023, and US$47.1 million lower than the US$555.2 million as of September 30, 2023.

    Total capital expenditures 

    The Group had total capital expenditures (consisting of purchases of property, plant and equipment and software) of US$20.6 million19 during the three months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of US$2.8 million compared to US$23.4 million19 during the third quarter of 2023. This brought total capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, to US$61.8 million20, an increase of US$12.7 million compared to US$49.1 million20 in the first nine months of 2023. The Group intends to continue to spend on property, plant and equipment and software to upgrade and expand its retail store fleet as well as to invest in core strategic functions to support continued sales growth. 

    Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

    Free Cash Flow3 increased by US$5.4 million to US$94.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to US$88.8 million for the same period in 2023, driven by changes in working capital, partially offset by a decrease in profit for the period year-on-year. This brought Free Cash Flow3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, to US$175.8 million, an increase of US$23.6 million compared to US$152.2 million for the first nine months of 2023.

    In August 2024, the Company initiated its previously announced share buyback program of up to US$200.0 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased 29,967,000 shares with an associated cash outflow of US$72.0 million. The shares purchased are held in treasury. The Company plans to continue share buybacks through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.

    In June 2024, the Company’s shareholders approved the US$150.0 million cash distribution recommended by the Company’s board of directors, and the cash distribution was paid in July 2024.

    As of September 30, 2024, the Group had US$682.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to US$716.6 million as of December 31, 2023. Net debt stayed relatively stable at US$1,148.1 million8 as of September 30, 2024, compared to a net debt position of US$1,107.4 million8 as of December 31, 2023. Consequently, the Group’s total net leverage ratio5 remained at a healthy 1.68x as of September 30, 2024, compared to 1.53x as of December 31, 2023.

    Total liquidity4 as of September 30, 2024, was US$1,426.4 million compared to US$1,562.0 million as of December 31, 2023.

    Table 6: Key Financial Highlights for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

     

    US$ millions,

    except per share data

    Nine months ended

    September 30, 2024

    Nine months ended

    September 30, 2023

    Percentage

    increase (decrease)

    2024 vs. 2023

    Percentage

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