The Americas And The Asia Pacific Region Performed Well, Puma Sales Grew 14% In The Third Quarter Of This Fiscal Year.

Recently, the German sportswear company

The core financial data for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 were released, and sales increased by 14% over the same period, thanks to the excellent performance of the Americas and the Asia Pacific region and the promotion of basketball business.

After the news, as of Thursday, the German stock market closed, Puma shares rose 9.96% to 444.25 euros per share.

In the first three quarters of this year, sales of Puma increased faster than its competitors Adidas and Nike. Its main driving force is soccer business and cooperation with celebrities such as singer Rihanna and Selena Gomez.

Puma is now striving to expand its attractiveness in the US market. After 20 years, it has launched the basketball business again, invited singer Jay-Z as the creative director of basketball business, and signed a contract with four new talent in NBA's draft.

Puma chief executive Bjorn Gulde said: "the new basketball business is going well in late September this year.

Although it is still early, our debut basketball shoes Puma Clyde Court Disrupt's market performance is very positive.

The brand will also re launch the 80s and 90s logo basketball shoes.

Puma in the third quarter of this fiscal year, sales in the Americas increased by nearly 16% compared with the same period last year, while the Asian region grew by 23% over the same period last year, despite fears that the Sino US trade war will inhibit the consumption of Chinese shoppers.

But Bjorn Gulde said: "we have not seen any signs of slowing consumption in the Chinese market.

But the third increase in tariffs in September did hit some of our product categories and accessories, especially golf.

If they take further tax increases, they include

and

Both will be greatly affected. "

Bjorn Gulde added: "after the economic boom in recent years, the sales of sports shoes in Europe have begun to slow down. Clothing is the main driving force for the quarter. This also helps to improve our profitability, because the profit margin of clothing is 5% higher than that of footwear."

Puma appointed supermodel Adriana Lima as the brand ambassador for the women's training product line earlier this month, and soccer stars LuisSu * rez, Axel Witsel and Dejan Lovren also joined the brand ambassador list.

Puma's current brand ambassadorial portfolio also includes Cara Delevingne, Lewis Hamilton, Selena Gomez and Usain Bolt.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the core financial data of Puma were as follows:

Sales grew 14% to 1 billion 242 million euros, and the two digit growth in the Americas and the Asia Pacific region.

Gross profit margin increased to 49.6%

Due to increased sales related non recurrent expenses and increased retail investment, operating expenses increased by 11% over the same period last year.

EBIT (pre tax profit) increased 28% to 130 million euros, up 101 million euros last year, and the pre tax profit margin rose to 10.5%, compared to 9% last year.

Sales in the clothing sector increased by 27% over the same period last year, benefiting from the promotion of Sportstyle, Teamsport and Motorsport category products, as well as consumer demand for lifestyle and performance products. Footwear and accessories sales achieved a high single digit growth.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the core financial data of Puma were as follows:

Sales grew by 17% to 3 billion 422 million euros, and all regions and product sectors achieved two digit growth.

Gross margin increased 150 basis points to 48.8%

Operating costs increased by 10% over the past year due to intensified marketing activities, increased sales related non recurrent expenses and increased retail investment.

EBIT rose to 300 million euros, 215 million euros in the same period last year, and the pre tax profit margin rose to 8.8%, compared to 6.9% last year.

Net profit rose to 176 million euros, compared with 134 million euros last year.

Earnings per share were 11.77 euros, 8.94 euros in the same period last year.

Puma expects to increase its performance in the full fiscal year for the second time this year.

After adjustment, sales growth is expected to be between 14% and 16%, which was expected to be 12% to 14%.

Gross profit margin is expected to increase by about 100 basis points.

Operating costs are expected to grow at a low two digit figure, which was expected to grow at a high digits.

EBIT is expected to reach 325 million euros to 335 million euros, which was expected to be between 310 million euros and 330 million euros.

Net profit is expected to improve substantially in 2018.