Kathmandu expected to announce healthy profit

Analysts are tipping a stellar annual result from Kathmandu Holdings when it posts its full-year earnings tomorrow.

The company forecasts a net profit after tax of between $48 million and $52m for the financial year ending July 31, up from $38m last year, and EBITA of between $72m and $77m.

ShareClarity managing director Daniel Kieser said the result would be Kathmandu’s “best” in years but warned the falling kiwi dollar could increase its manufacturing costs and therefore lower its margins in the current financial year.

“It will be the best result in years for Kathmandu who has already guided for net profit of $48-52m, up 26-37 per cent on last year. Better products and lower inventories have led to fewer discounted sales,” he said.

Kathmandu sales were up 7.7 per cent in the 47 weeks to June 24.

Mohandeep Singh, senior research analyst at Craigs Investment Partners, said the profit guidance Kathmandu issued in June was 12 per cent ahead of market expectations and implied around 30 per cent year on year growth.

“There will be little in the way of surprise in the numbers they print . . . the market will be more interested in forwardlooking commentary and how trading has been progressing since the financial year end,” Singh said.

Kathmandu, which purchased Oboz Footwear for an initial sum of $60m in March, noted its gross profit would be significantly improved in its profit guidance.

“Our second half so far has been strong across both Australia and New Zealand, with Australia experiencing double digit same store sales growth. The autumn season and the start of our key winter promotion have delivered higher sales and profit than planned,” Kathmandu chief executive Xavier Simonet said.

Hallenstein Glasson will post its annual results on September 28.

Analysts expect the company’s gross margins to come in higher than expected, bolstered by the kiwi dollar.