Billabong H1 EBITDA totals Au$19.3 million

There were significant revenue and cost shifts between H1 and H2 that contributed to the reduced H1 EBITDA. Americas continued positive performance with H1 EBITDA up 34.1 per cent cc (year-on-year) before global allocations. While, H1 EBITDA for Europe was down 29.4 per cent cc (y-o-y), before global allocations due to a wholesale revenue timing shift and weaker than expected retail results. Due to difficult market conditions, Asia-Pacific H1 EBITDA slipped down to 9.2 per cent cc (y-o-y).

Total revenues for the first half were Au$474.5 million, down 3.1 per cent as reported and 1.5 per cent cc. The company's gross margins increased to 52 per cent and were up in every region, marking continued progress in global sourcing and concept-to-customer initiatives. A net loss of Au $18.4 million was also recorded for the reported period.

"The result is reflective of the ongoing difficult trading conditions in retail and much of the action sports sector. While our Americas region has again produced another good result, with EBITDA up 34.1 per cent constant currency year-on-year, it is the smaller half year for that region. In contrast, trading proved challenging in Asia Pacific, where H1 is the larger half," said Billabong chief executive officer Neil Fiske.

“Our global change initiatives are delivering benefits through higher gross margins across all regions, up year-on-year from 51-52 per cent. However, systemic and structural changes in retail mean the conditions that affected the first half results are likely to prevail in the second half and beyond," added Fiske.

The company expects FY18 EBITDA (excluding significant items) to exceed the prior year, to be in a range between Au$51.1-$54 million, subject to reasonable trading conditions and currency markets remaining relatively stable. It hopes to have a significant bias of second half earnings to the Americas, with a high concentration of sales in the month of June.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India