Kering (OTC: PPRUY) has announced plans to spin off a majority stake in Puma SE (PMMAF), enabling the company to focus on its high-margin luxury brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. CFO Jean-Marc Duplaix indicated the group would also look to rid itself of the boardsports label Volcom. The company will distribute 70% of Puma shares to its investors, reducing its own stake to 16%. The transaction price will be determined at April’s shareholder meeting. PPRUY shareholder Groupe Artemis (see: Francois Pinault), will become PMMAF’s largest shareholder; controlling 29% of the company.
Howie Long-Short: Kering paid $6.4 billion for Puma in 2007, slightly above the current market cap ($6.1 billion); despite the stock price climbing 45% over the last 12 months. Despite not yet having capitalized on the turnaround (profits fell from $324 million in ’07 to $6.3 million in ’13, before rising to $161.5 million over the first 9 months of ‘17), it makes sense for Kering to sell their sportswear (and lifestyle) brands; as Duplaix explained, the company has found itself in “a sort of imbalance, linked to the outperformance of the luxury sector.” In other words, their sportswear businesses were dragging down the overall performance of the company; particularly Gucci, among the hottest names in fashion.
Fan Marino: PMMAF, the German footwear and sports apparel manufacturer, will report full year earnings on February 12th; after having increasing profit guidance 3x in 2017. The company turnaround can be attributed to a refocusing on the world’s most popular sports (soccer, running, motorsports) and a boost in women’s sportswear sales. Puma publicly stated it welcomes the transaction, but shares closed -4.4% on Thursday amid concerns the company lost a powerful backer.
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