Jones Group 3rd-Quarter Up 68% on Lower Expenses, Revenue Slips

   By Nathalie Tadena 
 

Jones Group Inc.'s (JNY) third-quarter earnings climbed 68% as the footwear and apparel maker's interest expenses fell, though revenue and core earnings weakened.

The parent of Nine West shoes and Jones New York apparel has been adding some luxury labels, such as Stuart Weitzman, to its portfolio to give its classic brands some edge. But the company--whose brands are sold by retailers such as Saks Inc. (SKS) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT)--has seen its profits and margins pressured by high promotions.

Grappling with sluggish sales of its legacy brands and lackluster results at some of its retail stores, along with overtures from an activist hedge fund, Jones over the summer hired advisers to help it explore a possible sale of the company.

Chief Executive Wesley Card said the latest period's results were in line with the company's expectations. He noted the jeanswear segment again posted the largest improvement in operating results. The company's domestic retail, international wholesale and international retail segments also had improved operating results, led by the Nine West Outlet and Stuart Weitzman domestic retail businesses and the Jones New York businesses in Canada and Spain, Mr. Card said.

Jones Group reported a profit of $29.3 million, or 38 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $17.4 million, or 22 cents a share. Excluding asset impairment charges, restructuring-related costs and other items, per-share earnings fell to 48 cents from 57 cents.

Revenue slipped 1.3% to $1.02 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters recently projected earnings of 42 cents and revenue of $1.04 billion.

Gross margin was unchanged at 35.2%.

Net interest expense and financing costs fell 61% form a year earlier. Selling, general and administrative expenses were down 1.8%.

Shares closed at $15.32 and were inactive premarket. The stock is up 39% since the start of the year.

Write to Nathalie Tadena at [e-mail]

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