Rocky Brands Q3 margin gets $3.5M temporary benefit
The quarterly gross-margin increase included $2.5 million of IEEPA tariff refunds and a temporary $3.5 million benefit from free-trade-zone inventory sales.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Rocky Brands, Inc. reported third-quarter 2026 net sales of $138.8 million, up 13.3% from $122.5 million a year earlier. Wholesale sales rose 11.8% to $99.6 million and Retail sales rose 20.0% to $35.4 million; Contract Manufacturing sales decreased 3.1% to $3.8 million. Gross margin was 45.0% of sales, compared with 40.2% a year earlier. The increase included $2.5 million of IEEPA tariff refunds and a temporary $3.5 million benefit from sales of free-trade-zone inventory that carried no incremental tariffs.
Operating income increased to $18.2 million from $11.7 million. Net income was $12.8 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, compared with $7.2 million, or $0.96. Adjusted net income was $13.4 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, versus $7.8 million, or $1.03. Total debt was $116.0 million as of September 30, 2026, down 16.6% from $139.0 million a year earlier. Cash and cash equivalents were $2.3 million and inventories were $189.7 million on that date.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Positive
- Moderate pointQuarterly net sales rose 13.3% to $138.8 million.
- Moderate pointQuarterly net income increased to $12.8 million from $7.2 million.
Negative
- None.
Filing Explained
The 8-K furnishes Rocky’s third-quarter results; at
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
IEEPA tariff refunds regulatory
free trade zone technical
senior secured asset-backed credit facility financial
Earnings Snapshot
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
How much were RCKY's third-quarter 2026 sales?
What does Rocky Brands exclude from its adjusted results?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
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| Exhibit 99* | Press Release, dated October 27, 2026, entitled "Rocky Brands, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results". |
| Exhibit 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (imbedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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Rocky Brands, Inc.
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/s/ Thomas D. Robertson
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Thomas D. Robertson
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Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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Exhibit 99
Rocky Brands, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2026 Results
Net Sales Increased 13.3% to $138.8 Million
Wholesale Segment Sales Increased 11.8% to $99.6 Million
Retail Segment Sales Increased 20.0% to $35.4 Million
Net Income Per Diluted Share of $1.69; Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Share Increased 70.9% to $1.76
NELSONVILLE, Ohio, October 27, 2026 – Rocky Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKY) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2026.
Third Quarter 2026 Overview
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Net sales increased 13.3% to $138.8 million versus $122.5 million in the year-ago quarter |
| ● | Gross margin increased 480 basis points to 45.0% of net sales compared to 40.2% of net sales in the year-ago quarter |
| ● | Income from operations increased to $18.2 million compared to $11.7 million in the year-ago quarter |
| ● | Net income increased to $12.8 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $7.2 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter |
| ● | Adjusted net income increased to $13.4 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, as compared to $7.8 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter |
| ● | Inventories as of September 30, 2026 decreased 2.0% to $189.7 million compared to $193.6 million at September 30, 2025 |
| ● | Total debt as of September 30, 2026 decreased 16.6% to $116.0 million compared to $139.0 million at September 30, 2025 |
"We delivered strong third quarter results highlighted by our second consecutive quarter of double-digit top-line growth,” said Jason Brooks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Demand was broad based with several of our brands achieving double-digit sales gains led by Durango, Muck and XTRATUF, as well as our Lehigh CustomFit business. This was also true across our distribution channels as Retail and Wholesale segment sales grew approximately 20% and 12%, respectively. Excluding the net benefit from IEEPA tariff refunds, gross margins reflect strong full price selling which helped drive third quarter profitability higher than expected. We are encouraged with our momentum heading into the holiday season and believe we are well positioned to deliver a strong finish to the year.”
Third Quarter 2026 Review
Third quarter 2026 net sales increased 13.3% to $138.8 million compared with $122.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. Wholesale segment net sales for the third quarter increased 11.8% to $99.6 million compared to $89.1 million in the third quarter of 2025. Retail segment net sales for the third quarter increased 20.0% to $35.4 million compared to $29.5 million in the third quarter of 2025. Contract Manufacturing segment net sales for the third quarter decreased 3.1% to $3.8 million compared to $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2025.
Gross margin in the third quarter of 2026 was $62.5 million, or 45.0% of net sales, compared to $49.3 million, or 40.2% of net sales, for the same period last year. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to $2.5 million of IEEPA tariff refunds recognized and a temporary $3.5 million benefit from the sale of inventory from the Company's free trade zone that carried no incremental tariffs, partially offset by sourcing variances.
Operating expenses were $44.3 million, or 31.9% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $37.5 million, or 30.6% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. Excluding $0.7 million of acquisition-related amortization in the third quarter of 2026 and 2025, adjusted operating expenses were $43.6 million, or 31.4% of net sales, in the current year period and $36.8 million, or 30.1% of net sales, in the year-ago period. The increase in operating expenses was partially due to an increase in outbound logistics costs associated with the increase in Retail segment net sales, an increase in digital advertising spend, and higher performance-based compensation.
Income from operations for the third quarter of 2026 was $18.2 million, or 13.1% of net sales, compared to $11.7 million, or 9.6% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. Adjusted income from operations for the third quarter of 2026 was $18.9 million, or 13.6% of net sales, compared to adjusted income from operations of $12.4 million, or 10.1% of net sales, a year ago, reflecting the net impact of tariffs, in the third quarter of 2026.
Interest expense for the third quarter of 2026 was $2.0 million compared with $2.6 million for the prior year period. The decrease in interest expense was driven by lower debt levels.
The Company reported third quarter 2026 net income of $12.8 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, compared to $7.2 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2025. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2026 was $13.4 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, compared to $7.8 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the year-ago period.
Balance Sheet Review
Cash and cash equivalents were $2.3 million as of September 30, 2026 compared to $3.3 million and $2.9 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2025, respectively.
Other receivables were $11.2 million as of September 30, 2026 compared to $0.1 million and $5.0 million as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2025, respectively. The increase in other receivables as of September 30, 2026 compared to September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2025 was primarily due to the IEEPA tariff refund receivable.
As of September 30, 2026, total debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.3 million, was $116.0 million, consisting of a $20.5 million senior term loan and $96.8 million of borrowings under the Company's senior secured asset-backed credit facility. As of September 30, 2026, total debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, was down 16.6% from September 30, 2025, and was down 5.4% compared to December 31, 2025.
Inventories as of September 30, 2026, were $189.7 million, down 2.0% compared to $193.6 million on the same date a year ago and up 4.7% compared to $181.1 million as of December 31, 2025.
Conference Call Information
The Company's conference call to review third quarter 2026 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 704-4453 (domestic) or (201) 389-0920 (international). The conference call will also be available to interested parties through a live webcast at www.rockybrands.com. Please visit the website and select the “Investors” link at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software.
About Rocky Brands, Inc.
Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well-recognized brand names. Brands in the portfolio include Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, The Original Muck Boot Company®, XTRATUF® and Ranger®. More information can be found at RockyBrands.com.
Safe Harbor Language
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management and include statements in this press release regarding the Company's momentum heading into the holiday season and belief that the Company is well positioned to deliver a strong finish to 2026 (Paragraph 2). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (filed March 11, 2026) and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2026 (filed May 5, 2026) and June 30, 2026 (filed August 4, 2026). One or more of these factors have affected historical results and could in the future affect the Company’s businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
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Company Contact: |
Tom Robertson |
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Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
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(740) 753-9100 |
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Investor Relations: |
Brendon Frey |
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ICR, Inc. |
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(203) 682-8200 |
Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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September 30, |
December 31, |
September 30, |
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2026 |
2025 |
2025 |
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ASSETS: |
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CURRENT ASSETS: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 2,292 | $ | 2,902 | $ | 3,319 | ||||||
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Trade receivables – net |
97,002 | 77,055 | 82,564 | |||||||||
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Other receivables |
11,199 | 4,952 | 96 | |||||||||
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Inventories – net |
189,671 | 181,134 | 193,613 | |||||||||
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Income tax receivable |
- | 1,050 | - | |||||||||
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Prepaid expenses |
5,092 | 3,623 | 5,658 | |||||||||
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Total current assets |
305,256 | 270,716 | 285,250 | |||||||||
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LEASED ASSETS |
7,172 | 4,175 | 4,890 | |||||||||
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PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT – net |
52,324 | 49,929 | 50,533 | |||||||||
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GOODWILL |
47,844 | 47,844 | 47,844 | |||||||||
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IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES – net |
100,942 | 103,033 | 103,730 | |||||||||
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OTHER ASSETS |
1,938 | 1,791 | 1,767 | |||||||||
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TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 515,476 | $ | 477,488 | $ | 494,014 | ||||||
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: |
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CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
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Accounts payable |
$ | 70,032 | $ | 52,958 | $ | 63,323 | ||||||
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Current portion of long-term debt |
8,361 | 8,361 | 8,361 | |||||||||
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Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
34,514 | 34,813 | 32,471 | |||||||||
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Total current liabilities |
112,907 | 96,132 | 104,155 | |||||||||
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LONG-TERM DEBT |
107,667 | 114,281 | 130,684 | |||||||||
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LONG-TERM LEASES |
4,736 | 1,727 | 2,183 | |||||||||
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DEFERRED INCOME TAXES |
12,381 | 12,381 | 10,044 | |||||||||
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DEFERRED LIABILITIES |
907 | 879 | 851 | |||||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES |
238,598 | 225,400 | 247,917 | |||||||||
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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: |
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Common stock, no par value; |
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25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding September 30, 2026 - 7,525,061; December 31, 2025 - 7,505,139; September 30, 2025 - 7,488,341 |
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Additional paid-in-capital |
76,613 | 76,090 | 75,449 | |||||||||
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Retained earnings |
200,265 | 175,998 | 170,648 | |||||||||
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Total shareholders' equity |
276,878 | 252,088 | 246,097 | |||||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
$ | 515,476 | $ | 477,488 | $ | 494,014 | ||||||
Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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September 30, |
September 30, |
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2026 |
2025 |
2026 |
2025 |
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NET SALES |
$ | 138,814 | $ | 122,540 | $ | 381,583 | $ | 342,260 | ||||||||
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COST OF GOODS SOLD |
76,318 | 73,264 | 212,849 | 202,695 | ||||||||||||
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GROSS MARGIN |
62,496 | 49,276 | 168,734 | 139,565 | ||||||||||||
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OPERATING EXPENSES |
44,328 | 37,541 | 127,246 | 111,968 | ||||||||||||
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INCOME FROM OPERATIONS |
18,168 | 11,735 | 41,488 | 27,597 | ||||||||||||
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INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER – net |
(1,803 | ) | (2,493 | ) | (5,832 | ) | (7,367 | ) | ||||||||
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INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE |
16,365 | 9,242 | 35,656 | 20,230 | ||||||||||||
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INCOME TAX EXPENSE |
3,517 | 2,030 | 7,668 | 4,468 | ||||||||||||
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NET INCOME |
$ | 12,848 | $ | 7,212 | $ | 27,988 | $ | 15,762 | ||||||||
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INCOME PER SHARE |
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Basic |
$ | 1.71 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 3.72 | $ | 2.11 | ||||||||
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Diluted |
$ | 1.69 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 3.68 | $ | 2.10 | ||||||||
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING |
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Basic |
7,512 | 7,475 | 7,519 | 7,465 | ||||||||||||
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Diluted |
7,619 | 7,543 | 7,611 | 7,511 | ||||||||||||
Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended |
Nine Months Ended |
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September 30, |
September 30, |
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2026 |
2025 |
2026 |
2025 |
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OPERATING EXPENSES |
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OPERATING EXPENSES, AS REPORTED |
$ | 44,328 | $ | 37,541 | $ | 127,246 | $ | 111,968 | ||||||||
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LESS: ACQUISITION-RELATED AMORTIZATION |
(692 | ) | (692 | ) | (2,076 | ) | (2,076 | ) | ||||||||
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ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES |
$ | 43,636 | $ | 36,849 | $ | 125,170 | $ | 109,892 | ||||||||
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INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, AS REPORTED |
$ | 18,168 | $ | 11,735 | $ | 41,488 | $ | 27,597 | ||||||||
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ADJUSTED INCOME FROM OPERATIONS |
18,860 | 12,427 | 43,564 | 29,673 | ||||||||||||
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NET INCOME |
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NET INCOME, AS REPORTED |
$ | 12,848 | $ | 7,212 | $ | 27,988 | $ | 15,762 | ||||||||
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TOTAL NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS |
692 | 692 | 2,076 | 2,076 | ||||||||||||
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TAX IMPACT OF ADJUSTMENTS |
(149 | ) | (152 | ) | (446 | ) | (459 | ) | ||||||||
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ADJUSTED NET INCOME |
$ | 13,391 | $ | 7,752 | $ | 29,618 | $ | 17,379 | ||||||||
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NET INCOME PER SHARE, AS REPORTED |
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BASIC |
$ | 1.71 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 3.72 | $ | 2.11 | ||||||||
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DILUTED |
$ | 1.69 | $ | 0.96 | $ | 3.68 | $ | 2.10 | ||||||||
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ADJUSTED NET INCOME PER SHARE |
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BASIC |
$ | 1.78 | $ | 1.04 | $ | 3.94 | $ | 2.33 | ||||||||
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DILUTED |
$ | 1.76 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 3.89 | $ | 2.31 | ||||||||
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING |
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BASIC |
7,512 | 7,475 | 7,519 | 7,465 | ||||||||||||
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DILUTED |
7,619 | 7,543 | 7,611 | 7,511 | ||||||||||||
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to GAAP financial measures, we present the following non-GAAP financial measures: "non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses," "non-GAAP adjusted income from operations," "non-GAAP adjusted net income," and "non-GAAP adjusted net income per share." Adjusted results exclude the impact of items that management believes affect the comparability or underlying business trends in our consolidated financial statements in the periods presented. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to management and investors and other users of our consolidated financial statements as an additional tool for evaluating operating performance. We believe they also provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our operations.
Investors should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. See "Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures" accompanying this press release.
| Definition | Usefulness to management and investors | |
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Acquisition-related amortization |
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets consists of amortization of intangible assets such as brands and customer relationships acquired in connection with the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International Inc. Charges related to the amortization of these intangibles are recorded in operating expenses in our GAAP financial statements. Amortization charges are recorded over the estimated useful life of the related acquired intangible asset and are generally recorded over multiple years. |
We excluded amortization charges for our acquisition-related intangible assets for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because these charges are inconsistent in size and are significantly impacted by the valuation of our acquisition. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparison to past operating performance and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost and expense trends. |