Press Release 2015 Half Year Results

Press Release BRUNELLO CUCINELLI: the Board of Directors has approved the 2015 Half Year Financial Report Net revenues of 200.3 million, +13.9% at current exchange rates compared to 30th June 2014; EBITDA 33.4 million, +11.8%1; Net income 15.5 million, +2.7%1; Growth in all geographical areas: International Markets +17.1%, Italy +1.8%; Positive trend in sales in all markets: North America +25.8%, Europe +5.3%, Greater China +14.5%, Rest of the World +36.0%; Sales increase in all distribution channels: retail monobrand +36.0%, wholesale monobrand +0.6% (+4.1% excluding conversions to the direct channel), wholesale multibrand +2.2%; Investment projects: capex of 20.7 million in the first half of 2015 ( 37.9 million invested over the past 12 months), as part of the Company's significant 2013-2015 three year plan, in the range of 118 million, geared towards the exclusivity of its positioning and presence in key locations and the development of its production, technological and IT infrastructure; Net debt of 78.3 million at 30th June 2015, due to the current key investment plan, the exclusive extension of the Company's presence in leading locations and the seasonality of the business. Brunello Cucinelli, Chairman and CEO, commented as follows: "We are very satisfied with this first half of the year. We see these numbers as "excellent", and since two thirds of the year have already gone by, we can envisage a beautiful year end. We are about to complete the significant 2013-15 three-year investment plan, which has enabled us to strengthen our company for the years to come. The Spring/Summer 2016 sales campaign is drawing to a close, reporting particularly positive results. Collections have received excellent feedback. Based upon this, we can envisage a very interesting 2016 too, with double-digit growth. We are deeply convinced, with a sense of responsibility but also with extreme serenity, that our company's business strategy ­ based on apparel products featuring high quality, craftsmanship, manual work, exclusivity, elegance and contemporary character ­ will still be the keystone making our Made in Italy always appreciated, sought after and leading worldwide."

1

The comparison is with normalized EBITDA and net income for the first half of 2014, meaning excluding the extraordinary items posted in the first 6 months of last year.


Solomeo, 26th August 2015 ­ The Board of Directors of Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. ­ an Italian maison operating in the luxury goods sector, listed on the Borsa Italiana Electronic Stock Exchange ­ today examined and approved the 2015 half year financial report. The sales trend in the first half of the year, announced earlier on 16 July when revenues were published, confirms the highly positive atmosphere surrounding the brand and the sustainability over the very long term of the absolute luxury offer, as always founded on exclusivity, uniqueness, supreme quality, craftsmanship and Made in Italy. In addition to the sustainability of its sales growth project, the Company's results for the first half of 2015 confirm and support the sustainability of a healthy profitability, consistent with the prêt-àporter proposal of top-quality products, the expression of Made in Italy craftsmanship, with a constant respect of both a moral and economic nature being shown for such artisan craftwork and the end customer. Sales Performance and Revenues by Geographical Area Net revenues for the six months ended 30th June 2015 rose to 200.3 million, an increase of 13.9% (+9.3% at constant exchange rates) over the figure of 175.8 million posted in the first half of 2014, as previously announced following the meeting of the Board of Directors on 16th July. Revenues including other operating income totaled 200.6 million, a rise of 13.3% over the 177.0 million achieved in the corresponding period of the previous year, which included a capital gain2 of 0.8 million in other operating income. Excluding that capital gain, revenues rose by 13.8%. North American market ­ growth in revenues of 25.8% ( 69.7 million compared to 55.4 million in the first half of 2014, representing 34.8% of the total). European market ­ revenues rose by 5.3% ( 63.2 million compared to 60.0 million in the first half of 2014, representing 31.6% of the total). Greater China ­ growth in sales of 14.5% to reach 11.9 million in the first half of 2015, compared to 10.4 million in the first half of 2014, maintaining a contained proportion of 5.9% of the total. Rest of the World ­ sales rose by 36.0% in the first half of 2015 3 , equal to 18.7 million (representing 9.3% of the total), compared to 13.7 million in the first half of 2014. Italian market ­ sales of 36.9 million, representing 18.4% of the total, a rise of 1.8% over the figure of 36.3 million for the first half of 2014, confirming the positive growth achieved in previous quarters.

2

The sale of a property in the first half of 2014 that led to the recognition of a capital gain of 755 thousand in other operating income. 3 The results are affected by the conversion of the business in Japan to the retail channel, with the transfer of 3 wholesale monobrand boutiques and 13 sales points in the most important Luxury Department Stores from wholesale multibrand operations to direct operations from 1st September 2014. In particular, the first half of 2014 was mainly characterized by the delivery of the spring/summer collection to wholesale monobrand and multibrand customers (sell-in), while in the first half of this year the same deliveries contributed as the sell-out turnover of the converted spaces.


Revenues by Distribution Channel Retail monobrand channel - an increase in sales of 36.0%, reaching 84.8 million in the first half of 2015 ( 62.4 million in the first half of 2014), representing 42.3% of total revenues (35.5% in the six months ended 30th June 2014). Like for Like4 sales in the direct distribution network increased by 5.1% in the first 33 weeks of 2015 (from 1st January to 16th August 2015), consistent with the dynamics of the previous quarters and the sustainability of long-term growth. The direct monobrand network consisted of 79 boutiques at 30th June 2015 (65 boutiques at 30th June 2014) following 11 net openings and 3 conversions in Japan from the wholesale monobrand network over the past 12 months. The conversions of the 13 sales points in Japan to direct management from 1st September 2014 made a positive contribution to sales. Wholesale monobrand channel ­ revenues of 22.0 million (11.0% of the total), with performance increasing by 0.6% over the figure of 21.8 million for the first half of 2014 (12.4% of total revenues), affected by the conversions to the direct channel; excluding these conversions, sales in the wholesale monobrand network rose by 4.1%. The wholesale monobrand network consisted of 36 boutiques at 30th June 2015 (37 boutiques at 30th June 2014) after the 3 conversions to the direct channel (3 boutiques in Japan) and the 2 openings taking place over the past 12 months. Multibrand sales channel ­ a rise of 2.2% in sales, which reached 93.6 million (46.7% of total revenues), compared to 91.6 million in the first half of 2014 (52.1% of total sales); the result was affected by the conversion of the 13 dedicated spaces in the Japanese Luxury Department Stores from the multibrand channel to the retail channel from 1st September 2014. The Monobrand Channel Network At 30th June 2015 the monobrand network consisted of 115 boutiques (102 boutiques at 30th June 2014), with 13 net openings taking place over the past 12 months; there were 105 boutiques at 31st December 2014. The direct monobrand network consisted of 79 boutiques at 30th June 2015 (65 boutiques at 30th June 2014) following 11 net openings and 3 conversions from the wholesale monobrand network over the past 12 months; the network consisted of 71 boutiques at 31st December 2014. The wholesale monobrand network consisted of 36 boutiques at 30th June 2015 (37 boutiques at 30th June 2014) after 2 openings and 3 conversions over the past 12 months; there were 34 boutiques at 31st December 2014. Analysis of Operating Results and Net Income EBITDA amounted to 33.4 million (representing 16.6% of revenues), a rise of 11.8% over the result of 29.9 million for normalized EBITDA5 for the first half of 2014 (16.9% of revenues).

4

Like for Like in 2015 represents the increase in revenues at constant exchange rates achieved by the DOS existing at 1st January 2014. 5 The sale of a property in the first half of 2014 that led to the recognition of a capital gain of 755 thousand as other operating income.


If the above-mentioned capital gain is included in the result for EBITDA for the six months ended 30th June 2014, EBITDA for the first half of 2015 increased by 9.0% over the figure of 30.6 million for the first half of 2014 (17.3% of revenues). Business development, LFL growth and the channel mix all had a positive effect on margins, with direct channel sales increasing from 35.5% to 42.3% of the total. The retail network consisted of 79 direct boutiques at 30th June 2015 (65 boutiques at 30th June 2014, with 11 openings and 3 conversions from the wholesale monobrand network taking place over the past 12 months), to which should be added the 13 directly operated hard shop in Japan as the result of the conversion from the wholesale channel on 1st September 2014. Operating costs (which rose from 43.0% to 47.3% of sales6) increased together with business growth, the openings and conversions to the direct channel and the change to retail management of the business in Japan. The increase in operating costs is also related to the opening and enlargement of spaces in the most prestigious locations and in the most important Luxury Department Stores, the renegotiation of expiring rental contracts and the opening and renovation of a number of show-rooms in the world's leading cities. Rental expense rose from 12.6 million (7.2% of revenues) to 22.0 million (11.0% of revenues), an increase of 74.2%, while payroll costs increased by 22.3% from 29.4 million (16.7% of revenues) to 36.0 million (17.9% of revenues). As stated, the increase in rental expense does not only arise as the result of new openings but also due to the repositioning and extension of some of the most important boutiques and the renegotiation of certain expiring contracts, in a context where the property market is appreciating in the most exclusive locations. The rise in payroll costs is driven by the hiring of personnel over the past 12 months, which mainly involved staff in the new boutiques, the new show-rooms (open in the second half of 2014) and the new organizational structure for managing the business in Japan. Over the past 12 months the number of full-time equivalent staff (FTEs) rose from 1,171 to the present 1,352. Operating cost leverage remained positive, with the relative proportion of revenues falling from 19.1% for the six months ended 30th June 2014 to the present 18.4%, despite the significant and constant investments made in communications which rose by 6.6% from 9.0 million in the first half of 2014 to 9.6 million in the corresponding period this year. Depreciation and amortization amounted to 8.5 million (4.3% of revenues), a rise of 35.0% over the 6.3 million for the six months ended 30th June 2014 (3.6% of revenues), in a context where investments were being made over the past 12 months as part of the key 2013-2015 three-year plan and depreciation on the investment made to double the production facility at Solomeo was charged from the end of 2014. Net financial expense rose from 1.3 million (0.7% of revenues) to 2.5 million (1.3% of revenues), in an overall situation where the average debt increased. The tax rate decreased from 32.1% in the six months ended 30th June 2014 to the present 30.5%, with the tax charge dropping to 6.8 million ( 7.4 million in the first half of 2014). Such decrease is mainly due to the reduction in IRAP regional production tax, from which the Company was able to obtain a significant benefit thanks to the fact that the majority of its profits are taxed in Italy.

6

Operating costs for the first half of 2014 are calculated as a proportion of revenues by excluding the capital gain realized in that period.


Net income rose by 2.7% to reach 15.5 million compared to normalized net income7 of 15.1 million in the first half of 2014. Including the above-mentioned capital gain in the result for the six months ended 30th June 2014, net income for the first half of 2015 was essentially in line with that of last year. Balance Sheet Working capital totaled 122.5 million at 30th June 2015 (32.2% of turnover for the past 12 months), compared to 96.7 million at 30th June 2014 (28.4%). This change is mainly due to variations in inventories, which rose from 107.3 million at 30th June 2014 to the present 141.9 million. This increase arises from the growth of the business, the developments that have taken place in the direct monobrand store network (79 boutiques at 30th June 2015, with 11 openings and 3 conversions over the past 12 months) and the direct management of the business in Japan from 1st September 2014 (which it is recalled consists of 3 direct boutiques and 13 spaces in Luxury Department Stores). Comparing the inventory balance at 30th June 2015 ( 141.9 million) with that at 31st March 2015 ( 127.6 million), it can be seen that there was a smaller increase than between 31st March 2014 ( 91.5 million) and 30th June 2014 ( 107.3 million). Trade receivables amounted to 64.9 million at 30th June 2015 ( 60.1 million at 30th June 2014), while trade payables fell from 62.5 million at 30th June 2014, to the present 59.8 million. In line with the changes already noted in the first quarter, the increase in inventories is partially offset by the variation in "Other net assets/liabilities", which amounted to 24.4 million at 30th June 2015 compared to 8.2 million at 30th June 2014; this increase mainly arises from the fair value8 of outstanding hedging derivatives. Net Financial Position and Capex The Company's net financial position was 78.3 million at 30th June 2015 ( 42.6 million at 31st December 2014), compared to 46.1 million at 30th June 2014 ( 16.1 million at 31st December 2013), consistent with the seasonality of the business and the 2013-2015 multi-year investment project worth in the range of 118 million. Capex in the past 12 months amount to 37.9 million, of which 20.7 million relates to investments made in the first 6 months of 2015 compared to 22.4 million in the first 6 months of 2014. Commercial investments of 14.8 million were made in the six months ended 30th June 2015, ( 10.2 million in the six months ended 30th June 2014), most of which relating to the opening of selected boutiques, the extension of certain selling spaces in existing boutiques and new spaces in the most prestigious Luxury Department Stores and show-rooms.
7

The sale of a property in the first half of 2014 that led to the recognition of a capital gain of 755 thousand as other operating income.
8

The change in other net assets/liabilities arises from the measurement at fair value of the derivative instruments hedging the exchange rate risk deriving from commercial transactions in foreign currency. In this respect, it is noted that the Group accounts for these instruments using cash flow hedge accounting.


Investments relating to production and logistics amounted to 5.9 million ( 12.2 million in the six months ended 30th June 2014), mainly as support for the technological-digital platform. The project for the strengthening and development of the technological platform, which includes the brand's digital presence, began in 2014 and will be completed in 2017, while the other important and strategic project relating to the doubling of the production facility at Solomeo was developed in 2014, with full usage starting from December 2014. ***
The manager in charge of preparing the corporate accounting documents, Moreno Ciarapica, declares pursuant to and to the effects of article 154-bis, paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 1998 that the disclosures included in this release correspond to the balances on the books of account and the accounting records and entries. Pursuant to article 154-ter, paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 1988, the Half year Financial Report at 30th June 2015, approved by the Board of Directors as of today's date, is made available at the Company's registered office and made available to the public in the section "Financials - Financial reports" of the Company's website (http://investor.brunellocucinelli.com). This documentation is also available on the website of Borsa Italiana S.p.A. and on the website of the authorized "eMarket Storage" storage system (www.emarketstorage.com). The Analysts' Presentation of the results at 30th June 2015 in pdf format may be found in the "Financials Presentations" section of the Company's website http://investor.brunellocucinelli.com/it/servizi/archiviogenerale/investor/presentazioni. This document may contain forward-looking statements on future events regarding the Brunello Cucinelli SpA Group and its operating, economic and financial results. By their nature these forecasts contain an element of risk and uncertainty, as they depend on the occurrence of future events and developments. The actual figures could differ, even materially, from those stated for a variety of reasons.

***
Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. is an Italian maison operating in the absolute luxury goods sector which specializes in cashmere and is now one of the most exclusive brands in the international informal luxury prêt-à-porter sector, the expression of everyday luxury. Brunello Cucinelli, founded in 1978 by the eponymous stylist and entrepreneur, posted a net turnover of 355.9 million in 2014 (+10.4% compared to the previous year), of which 80.8% was achieved overseas, and an EBITDA of 63.0 million (up by 8.4% over 2013), and currently has over 1,300 employees. Brunello Cucinelli's success is rooted in the history and legacy of great craftsmanship as well as in modern design: a quality strategy founded on a combination of innovation and artisan skill. The attention and care taken in manufacturing the product are expressed through the use of the highest quality raw materials, tailoring and craftsmanship of exclusively Made in Italy production, combined with savoir faire and creativity; all of this makes the Solomeo-based company one of the most exclusive testimonials of Italian lifestyle worldwide. Company business has always been conducted in the medieval hamlet of Solomeo, on the outskirts of Perugia. Today the brand is distributed internationally in over 60 countries through 115 monobrand boutiques in leading capitals and cities worldwide and in the most exclusive resorts, with a significant presence in approximately 650 selected multibrand stores, including leading luxury department stores.


Contacts:

Investor Relations Pietro Arnaboldi Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. Tel. [phone] Media Vittoria Mezzanotte Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. Tel. [phone] Ferdinando de Bellis Barabino & Partners Tel. [phone]

The financial statements are attached


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AT 30TH JUNE 2015
rel ated parties rel ated parties rel ated parties

June 30, 2015 Non-curre nt assets Int angible assets Prop ert y , plant and equipment Ot her non-current financial assets Deferred tax asset Total non-current assets Curre nt assets Invent ories T rade receivables T ax receivables Ot her receivables and other current assets Ot her current financial assets Cash and cash equivalents Derivat ive financial instruments Total current assets Total assets 141,852 64,913 1,637 14,010 96 57,180 481 280,169 427,384 32,579 90,376 5,785 18,475 147,215

De ce mbe r 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

29,649 12,510 32 80,157 4,786 13,307 127,899 125,114 7 45,051 1,023 14,873 44 53,635 495 240,235 368,134 31 11,475 32

30,233 69,823 3,972 12,890 116,918 107,278 60,112 2,496 12,652 38 43,626 200 226,402 343,320 6 9,992 41

June 30, 2015 S hare hol de rs' equity S hare hol de rs' equity attributable to parent company shareholders Share capital Share-p remium Reserve Reserves Net income for the period Total shareholders' equity attributable to owners of the parent S hare hol de rs' equity attributable to non-controlling interests Cap it al and reserves attributable to non-controlling interests Net income for the period attributable to non-controlling interests Total shareholders' equity attributable to non-controlling interests Total shareholders' equity Non-curre nt liabilities Emp loy ees termination indemnities Provisions for risks and charges Non-current payables towards banks Non-current financial debt Ot her non-current liabilities Deferred Tax liabilities Non-current derivative financial instruments Total non-current liabilities Curre nt liabilities T rade payables Current payables towards banks Current financial liabilities Income tax payables Current derivative financial instruments Ot her current liabilities Total current liabilities Total liabilities Total equity and liabilities 59,823 75,561 1,596 13,628 7,506 19,782 177,896 248,524 427,384 3,137 671 54,897 2,832 6,677 2,112 302 70,628 7,731 (1,936) 5,795 178,860 13,600 57,915 84,101 17,449 173,065

rel ated parties

De ce mbe r 31, 2014

rel ated parties

June 30, 2014

rel ated parties

13,600 57,915 60,182 33,060 164,757 6,841 (1,273) 5,568 170,325 3,310 947 42,450 2,663 4,908 3,280 467 58,025 243 62,185 48,709 1,682 1,152 6,244 19,812 139,784 197,809 368,134 625

13,600 57,915 62,261 16,618 150,394 6,427 (993) 5,434 155,828 3,286 813 30,767 3,529 3,823 3,786 329 46,333 62,501 54,726 146 5,214 484 18,088 141,159 187,492 343,320 1,365


CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015
June 30, 2015 Net revenues Ot her operating income Re ve nue s Cost s of raw materials and consumables Cost s for services Pay roll costs Ot her operating (expenses)/revenues, net Cost s capitalized Dep reciat ion and amortization Imp airment of assets and other accruals Total operating costs O pe rati ng Income Financial expenses Financial income Income before taxation Income taxes Ne t income for the period Net income for the period attributable to owners of the parent Base earnings per share Dilut ed earnings per share 200,332 316 200,648 (29,193) (100,217) (35,956) (2,112) 558 (8,532) (344) (175,796) 24,852 (18,261) 15,719 22,310 (6,797) 15,513 17,449 0.25660 0.25660 (12) (1,032) (145) rel ated parties 6 19 June 30, 2014 175,811 1,219 177,030 (28,216) (87,151) (29,397) (1,272) 457 (6,322) (833) (152,734) 24,296 (3,036) 1,748 23,008 (7,383) 15,625 16,618 (993) 0.24438 0.24438 (33) (879) (123) (6) rel ated parties 6 772

Net income for the period attributable to non-controlling interests (1,936)

CO NS O LIDATED S TATEMENTS OF COMPREHENS IVE INCOME June , 30 2015 Ne t income for the period Effe cts wi th possi bl e future i mpact on the i ncome statement Profit /(Loss) from fair value adjustments related to hedging instruments T ax Effect T ot al Profit/(Loss) from fair value adjustments related to hedging instruments Exchange differences on t ranslat ion of foreign op erat ions Effe cts that do not have future i mpact on the i ncome statement Profit / (loss) from effect s of emp loy ee benefit remesurement T ax Effect Total other profit/(loss), net of taxation Total net comprehensive income, net of taxation Attributable to: Owners of the parent Non-cont rolling interests 18,501 (1,805) 16,091 (986) 15,513 1,069 (522) 143 (379) 1,448 114 157 (43) 1,183 16,696 2014 15,625 (451) (917) 252 (665) 214 (69) (95) 26 (520) 15,105


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015
June 30, 2015 CAS H FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income for the period Adjustments to reconcile net income for the period to the cash flows generated by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Provisions for employees termination indemnities Provisions for risks and charges / inventory obsolescence / doubtful accounts Change in other non-current liabilities (Gain)/Loss on disposal of Fixed assets T erminat ion indemnities payments Pay ment s of Provisions for risks and charges Net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities Change in fair value of financial instruments Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Change in trade receivables Change in inventories Change in trade payables Change in other current assets and liabilities Ne t cash provided by/(used in) operating activities CAS H FLOW FROM INVES TING ACTIVITIES Addit ions to property, plant and equipment Addit ions to intangible assets Addit ions/(disp osals) of financial assets Acquisit ion of SAS White Flannel , net of cash acquired Acquisit ion of Pearl Flannel S.p.r.l., net of cash acquired Acquisit ion of d'Avenza Fashion S.p.A. , net of cash acquired Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment Ne t cash provided by/(used in) investing activities CAS H FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES M edium/Long-t erm loans received Rep ay ment of medium/long-term loans Net change in short-term financial debt Net change in long-term financial debt Dividends paid Share capital and reserves increase Ne t cash provided by/(used in) financing activities TO TAL CAS H FLOW FOR THE PERIOD Effe ct of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents CAS H AND CAS H EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD CAS H AND CAS H EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD Addit ional information: Int erest paid Income tax paid June 30, 2014

15,513

15,625

8,532 9 335 1,377 29 (25) (6,109) 590 (19,719) (12,957) (6,978) 12,360 (7,043) (14,970) (4,602) (1,111)

6,322 115 675 1,767 (722) (101) (130) (2,595) 813 (17,313) (11,668) (1,960) 1,533 (7 ,6 3 9 ) (14,913) (2,804) (531) (549) (443) (84)

479 (20,204) 27,255 (21,658) 32,344 30 (8,209) 47 29,809 2 ,5 6 2 983 5 3 ,6 3 5 5 7 ,1 8 0 1,191 1,472

2,063 (1 7 ,2 6 1 ) 39,888 (13,308) 7,817 (7,955) 3,335 2 9 ,7 7 7 4 ,8 7 7 73 3 8 ,6 7 6 4 3 ,6 2 6 892 7 ,7 9 3