Wolverine World Wide Form 10-Q - 10/19/06

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the third twelve week accounting period ended September 09, 2006

OR

[  ]        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from          to         

Commission File Number: 001-06024

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware


 

38-1185150


(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

9341 Courtland Drive, Rockford, Michigan


 

49351


(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)



 

(616) 866-5500


 

 

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    X          No       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     X        Accelerated filer ___     Non-accelerated filer ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes               No    X  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

There were 60,365,893 shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding as of October 13, 2006, of which 4,707,786 shares are held as Treasury Stock.




FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the footwear business, worldwide economics and the Company itself including, without limitation, statements regarding timing or acceptance of new products, anticipated sell-throughs, future progress toward achieving the Company's strategic growth plan, estimated tax rate, the use of excess cash flows, future revenues, earnings and marketing, statements in Part I, Item 2 regarding the overview, the Company's financial condition, liquidity and capital resources and statements in Part I, Item 3 regarding market risk. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "intends," "is likely," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "should," "will," variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Risk Factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.

Risk Factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to changes in demand for the Company's products; changes in consumer preferences or spending patterns; the cost and availability of inventories, services, labor and equipment furnished to the Company; the cost and availability of contract manufacturers; the cost and availability of raw materials, including leather and petroleum based materials; changes in planned consumer demand or at-once orders; customer order cancellations; the impact of competition and pricing by the Company's competitors; changes in government and regulatory policies; foreign currency fluctuation in valuations compared to the U.S. dollar; changes in monetary controls and valuations of the Chinese yuan renminbi and the relative value to the U.S. dollar; changes in duty structures in countries of import and export; the effect of definitive anti-dumping measures in Europe that have been implemented by the European Commission with respect to leather footwear imported into the European Union from China and Vietnam at additional duty rates of 16.5% and 10.0%, respectively, from October 7, 2006 through October 6, 2008 for certain leather footwear; changes in interest rates, tax laws, duties, tariffs, quotas or applicable assessments; technological developments; changes in local, domestic or international economic and market conditions; the size and growth of footwear markets; service interruptions at shipping and receiving ports; changes in the amount or severity of inclement weather; changes due to the growth of Internet commerce; popularity of particular designs and categories of footwear; the ability of the Company to manage and forecast its growth and inventories; the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; integration of operations of newly acquired businesses; changes in business strategy or development plans; the Company's ability to adapt and compete in global apparel and accessory markets; customer acceptance of the Patagonia® Footwear products to be introduced in 2006; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the ability to retain rights to brands licensed by the Company; loss of significant customers; relationships with international distributors and licensees; the Company's ability to meet at-once orders; the exercise of future purchase options by the U.S. Department of Defense on previously awarded contracts; the risk of doing business in developing countries and economically volatile areas; retail buying patterns; consolidation in the retail sector; and the acceptability of U.S. brands in international markets. Additionally, concerns regarding acts of terrorism, the war in Iraq and subsequent events have created significant global economic and political uncertainties that may have material and adverse effects on consumer demand, foreign sourcing of footwear, shipping and transportation, product imports and exports and the sale of products in foreign markets. These matters are representative of the Risk Factors that could cause a difference between an ultimate actual outcome and a forward-looking statement; additional Risk Factors are identified in the Company's Form 10-K filed March 15, 2006. Historical operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The Risk Factors included here are not exhaustive. Other Risk Factors exist, and new Risk Factors emerge from time-to-time, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Furthermore, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(Thousands of dollars)


 

September 9,
2006
(Unaudited)


 

December 31,
2005
(Audited)


 

September 10,
2005
(Unaudited)


 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Cash and cash equivalents

$

70,339

 

$

85,258

 

$

47,794

 

     Accounts receivable, less allowances

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          September 9, 2006 - $12,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          December 31, 2005 - $8,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          September 10, 2005 - $9,103

 

218,034

 

 

157,119

 

 

205,255

 

     Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Finished products

 

189,135

 

 

140,729

 

 

173,778

 

          Raw materials and work in process

 


16,183


 

 


20,618


 

 


22,619


 

 

 

205,318

 

 

161,347

 

 

196,397

 

     Other current assets

 


20,480


 

 


17,024


 

 


15,210


 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

514,171

 

 

420,748

 

 

464,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Gross cost

 

273,454

 

 

264,631

 

 

260,341

 

     Less accumulated depreciation

 


184,059


 

 


171,429


 

 


168,038


 

 

 

89,395

 

 

93,202

 

 

92,303

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Goodwill and other non-amortizable intangibles

 

46,089

 

 

43,971

 

 

45,372

 

     Other

 


66,615


 

 


68,659


 

 


67,949


 

 

 


112,704


 

 


112,630


 

 


113,321


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$


716,270


 

$


626,580


 

$


670,280


 







See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements


3


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets - Continued
(Thousands of dollars, except share data)


 

September 9,
2006
(Unaudited)


 

December 31,
2005
(Audited)


 

September 10,
2005
(Unaudited)


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Notes payable

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

1,000

 

     Accounts payable

 

63,393

 

 

41,107

 

 

49,097

 

     Accrued salaries and wages

 

16,138

 

 

17,510

 

 

15,606

 

     Other accrued liabilities

 

66,545

 

 

34,448

 

 

58,950

 

     Current maturities of long-term debt

 


10,730


 

 


10,972


 

 


10,735


 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

156,806

 

 

104,037

 

 

135,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt (less current maturities)

 

21,461

 

 

21,439

 

 

32,154

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

39,976

 

 

38,783

 

 

38,825

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Common Stock - par value $1, authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          160,000,000 shares; shares issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          (including shares in treasury):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               September 9, 2006 - 60,267,325 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               December 31, 2005 - 59,211,814 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               September 10, 2005 - 58,946,879 shares

 

60,267

 

 

59,212

 

 

58,947

 

     Additional paid-in capital

 

26,198

 

 

13,203

 

 

6,620

 

     Retained earnings

 

500,253

 

 

452,672

 

 

435,720

 

     Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

13,999

 

 

9,398

 

 

15,340

 

     Unearned compensation

 

-

 

 

(5,873

)

 

(6,766

)

     Cost of shares in treasury:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          September 9, 2006 - 4,707,786 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          December 31, 2005 - 3,082,548 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          September 10, 2005 - 2,122,919 shares


 


(102,690


)


 


(66,291


)


 


(45,948


)


TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 


498,027


 

 


462,321


 

 


463,913


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$


716,270


 

$


626,580


 

$


670,280


 






(  ) - Denotes deduction
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements


4


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
(Thousands of dollars, except share data)
(Unaudited)

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

$

298,856

 

$

279,116

 

$

800,150

 

$

739,997

 

Cost of products sold

 


181,314


 

 


170,455


 

 


486,329


 

 


450,476


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS MARGIN

 

117,542

 

 

108,661

 

 

313,821

 

 

289,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

 


78,079


 

 


72,087


 

 


223,063


 

 


208,487


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

39,463

 

 

36,574

 

 

90,758

 

 

81,034

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expenses/(income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest expense

 

736

 

 

824

 

 

2,060

 

 

2,547

 

     Interest income

 

(858

)

 

(531

)

 

(2,044

)

 

(1,255

)

     Other - net

 


452


 

 


(158


)


 


917


 

 


(172


)


 

 


330


 

 


135


 

 


933


 

 


1,120


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

39,133

 

 

36,439

 

 

89,825

 

 

79,914

 

Income taxes

 


12,993


 

 


11,805


 

 


29,823


 

 


25,891


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

$


26,140


 

$


24,634


 

$


60,002


 

$


54,023


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Basic

$


.48


 

$


.44


 

$


1.09


 

$


.96


 

     Diluted

$


.46


 

$


.42


 

$


1.05


 

$


.91


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per share

$


.075


 

$


.065


 

$


.225


 

$


.195


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used for net earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     computation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Basic

 

54,679,032

 

 

56,184,187

 

 

54,899,930

 

 

56,550,407

 

          Diluted

 

56,651,435

 

 

58,743,999

 

 

56,907,090

 

 

59,189,069

 







See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements


5


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(Thousands of dollars, except share data)
(Unaudited)

 

36 Weeks
Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK

 

 

 

     Balance at beginning of the year

$

59,212

 

     Common stock issued under stock incentive plans

 


1,055


 

     Balance at end of the quarter

$


60,267


 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

 

 

 

     Balance at beginning of the year

$

13,203

 

     Stock-based compensation expense

 

5,016

 

     Reversal of unearned compensation upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)

 

(5,873

)

     Amounts associated with common stock issued under stock incentive plans

 

13,962

 

     Net change in notes receivable

 


(110


)


     Balance at end of the quarter

$


26,198


 

 

 

 

 

RETAINED EARNINGS

 

 

 

     Balance at beginning of the year

$

452,672

 

     Net earnings

 

60,002

 

     Cash dividends declared

 


(12,421


)


     Balance at end of the quarter

$


500,253


 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

     Balance at beginning of the year

$

9,398

 

     Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

6,545

 

     Change in fair value of foreign currency cash flow hedges, net of taxes

 


(1,944


)


     Balance at end of the quarter

$


13,999


 

 

 

 

 

UNEARNED COMPENSATION

 

 

 

     Balance at beginning of the year

$

(5,873

)

     Reversal of unearned compensation upon adoption of SFAS No. 123(R)

 


5,873


 

     Balance at end of the quarter

$


-


 

 

 

 

 

COST OF SHARES IN TREASURY

 

 

 

     Balance at beginning of the year

$

(66,291

)

     Repurchase of common stock for treasury (1,633,114 shares)

 

(36,610

)

     Issuance of treasury shares (106,914 shares)

 


211


 

     Balance at end of the quarter

$


(102,690


)


 

 

 

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AT END OF THE QUARTER

$


498,027


 



See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements


6


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Thousands of dollars)
(Unaudited)


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net earnings

$

60,002

 

$

54,023

 

     Adjustments necessary to reconcile net earnings to net cash
        provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Depreciation

 

13,834

 

 

13,369

 

     Amortization

 

467

 

 

196

 

     Deferred income taxes

 

132

 

 

1,022

 

     Stock-based compensation expense

 

5,016

 

 

2,274

 

     Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 

(3,208

)

 

-

 

     Pension

 

3,920

 

 

3,314

 

     Other

 

(1,605

)

 

3,636

 

     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Accounts receivable

 

(57,918

)

 

(54,718

)

          Inventories

 

(40,500

)

 

(13,733

)

          Other assets

 

(2,537

)

 

9,525

 

          Accounts payable and other liabilities

 


52,173


 

 


22,703


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities   

 

29,776

 

 

41,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Business acquisitions

 

-

 

 

(4,724

)

     Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(10,265

)

 

(11,590

)

     Other

 


(1,463


)


 


(568


)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities   

 

(11,728

)

 

(16,882

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Proceeds from long-term debt

 

59,851

 

 

23,256

 

     Payments of long-term debt

 

(60,072

)

 

(23,272

)

     Cash dividends paid

 

(11,923

)

 

(11,192

)

     Purchase of common stock for treasury

 

(36,610

)

 

(44,451

)

     Proceeds from shares issued under stock incentive plans

 

10,838

 

 

8,868

 

     Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

 


3,208


 

 


-


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities   

 

(34,708

)

 

(46,791

)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 


1,741


 

 


(2,316


)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(14,919

)

 

(24,378

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 


85,258


 

 


72,172


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD

$


70,339


 

$


47,794


 


(  ) - Denotes reduction in cash and cash equivalents
See notes to consolidated condensed financial statements


7


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad line of quality casual shoes, performance outdoor footwear, work shoes and boots, uniform shoes and boots, constructed slippers and moccasins. The Company's global portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes: Bates®, CAT® Footwear, Harley-Davidson® Footwear, Hush Puppies®, HYTEST®, Merrell®, Patagonia® Footwear, Sebago®, Stanley® Footgear and Wolverine®. Apparel and licensing programs are utilized to extend the Company's owned brands into product categories beyond footwear. The Company also operates a retail division to showcase its brands and branded footwear from other manufacturers, a tannery that produces Wolverine® Performance Leathers™ and a pigskin procurement operation.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete presentation of the financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue is recognized on the sale of products manufactured or sourced by the Company when the related goods have been shipped, legal title has passed to the customer and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue generated through programs with licensees and distributors involving products bearing the Company's trademarks is recognized as earned according to stated contractual terms upon either the purchase or shipment of branded products by licensees and distributors.

The Company records provisions against gross revenue for estimated stock returns and cash discounts in the period when the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on factors that include, but are not limited to, historical stock returns, historical discounts taken and analysis of credit memorandum activity.

COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD
Cost of products sold for the Company's operations include the actual product costs, including inbound freight charges, purchasing, sourcing, inspection and receiving costs. Warehousing costs are included in selling and administrative expenses.

SEASONALITY
The Company's business is subject to seasonal influences and has twelve weeks in each of the first three quarters and sixteen or seventeen weeks in the fourth quarter. Both factors can cause significant differences in revenue, earnings and cash flows from quarter to quarter; however, the differences have followed a consistent pattern in previous years.

RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain prior period amounts on the consolidated condensed financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect net earnings.



8


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

2.  Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

Weighted average shares outstanding

55,462,899

 

57,271,104

 

55,713,710

 

57,652,877

 

Adjustment for nonvested restricted
    common stock



(783,867



)



(1,086,917



)



(813,780



)



(1,102,470



)


Denominator for basic earnings per share

54,679,032

 

56,184,187

 

54,899,930

 

56,550,407

 

Effect of dilutive stock options

1,533,031

 

1,783,166

 

1,571,925

 

1,853,009

 

Adjustment for nonvested restricted
    common stock - treasury method



439,372


 


776,646


 


435,235


 


785,653


 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share


56,651,435


 

58,743,999


 

56,907,090


 

59,189,069


 

Options to purchase 574,761 and 568,088 shares of common stock for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 and 576,858 and 488,851 shares for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 10, 2005 have not been included in the denominator for the computation of diluted earnings per share because the related exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the period and, therefore, they were anti-dilutive.

3.  Goodwill and Other Non-Amortizable Intangibles

The changes in the net carrying amounts of goodwill and trademarks are as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

Goodwill


 

Trademarks


 

Total


 

Balance at September 10, 2005

$

37,208

 

$

8,164

 

$

45,372

 

    Intangibles acquired

 

-

 

 

183

 

 

183

 

    Purchase accounting adjustments

 

(127

)

 

-

 

 

(127

)

    Foreign currency translation effects

 


(1,457


)


 


-


 

 


(1,457


)


Balance at December 31, 2005

 

35,624

 

 

8,347

 

 

43,971

 

    Intangibles acquired

 

-

 

 

57

 

 

57

 

    Foreign currency translation effects

 


2,061


 

 


-


 

 


2,061


 

Balance at September 9, 2006

$


37,685


 

$


8,404


 

$


46,089


 

4.  Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income represents net earnings and any revenue, expenses, gains and losses that, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are excluded from net earnings and recognized directly as a component of stockholders' equity.

The ending accumulated other comprehensive income is as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

September 9,
2006


 

December 31,
2005


 

September 10,
2005


 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

$

18,788

 

$

12,243

 

$

18,346

 

Foreign currency cash flow hedge adjustments, net of taxes

 

(1,336

)

 

608

 

 

(142

)

Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of taxes


 


(3,453


)


 


(3,453


)


 


(2,864


)


Accumulated other comprehensive income


$


13,999


 

$


9,398


 

$


15,340


 


9


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

The reconciliation from net earnings to comprehensive income is as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

Net earnings

$

26,140

 

$

24,634

 

$

60,002

 

$

54,023

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

960

 

 

1,754

 

 

6,545

 

 

(5,441

)

    Change in fair value of foreign currency
        cash flow hedges, net of taxes



 



236


 


 



(712



)



 



(1,944



)



 



1,335


 

Comprehensive income


$


27,336


 

$


25,676


 

$


64,603


 

$


49,917


 

5.  Business Segments

The Company has one reportable segment that is engaged in manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, licensing and distributing branded footwear, apparel and accessories to the retail sector, including casual shoes, dress shoes, performance outdoor footwear, boots, uniform shoes, work shoes, slippers, moccasins and apparel and accessories. Revenue of this segment is derived from the sale of branded footwear to external customers as well as royalty income from the licensing of the Company's trademarks and brand names to licensees and distributors. The business units comprising the branded footwear and licensing segment manufacture or source, market and distribute products in a similar manner. Branded footwear and licensed products are distributed through wholesale channels and under licensing and distributor arrangements.

The other business units in the following table consist of the Company's retail, tannery and pigskin procurement operations. The Company operated 80 domestic retail stores and 13 consumer-direct internet sites at September 9, 2006, that sell Company-manufactured and sourced products, as well as footwear manufactured by unaffiliated companies. The other business units distribute products through retail and wholesale channels.

There have been no material changes in the way the Company measures segment profits or in its basis of determining business segments.

Business segment information is as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

Branded
Footwear
and
Licensing





 




Other
Businesses





 





Corporate





 





Consolidated


 

 

12 Weeks Ended September 9, 2006


 

Revenue

$

274,697

 

$

24,159

 

$

-

 

$

298,856

 

Intersegment revenue

 

10,775

 

 

496

 

 

-

 

 

11,271

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

43,113

 

 

1,351

 

 

(5,331

)

 

39,133

 

Total assets

 

522,128

 

 

40,876

 

 

153,266

 

 

716,270

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

36 Weeks Ended September 9, 2006


 

Revenue

$

729,024

 

$

71,126

 

$

-

 

$

800,150

 

Intersegment revenue

 

28,665

 

 

2,139

 

 

-

 

 

30,804

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

99,166

 

 

3,803

 

 

(13,144

)

 

89,825

 

Total assets

 

522,128

 

 

40,876

 

 

153,266

 

 

716,270

 


10


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

 

Branded
Footwear
and
Licensing





 




Other
Businesses





 





Corporate





 





Consolidated


 

 

12 Weeks Ended September 10, 2005


 

Revenue

$

258,330

 

$

20,786

 

$

-

 

$

279,116

 

Intersegment revenue

 

10,173

 

 

1,268

 

 

-

 

 

11,441

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

40,815

 

 

1,101

 

 

(5,477

)

 

36,439

 

Total assets

 

500,192

 

 

42,473

 

 

127,615

 

 

670,280

 

 

 


 

 

36 Weeks Ended September 10, 2005


 

Revenue

$

676,058

 

$

63,939

 

$

-

 

$

739,997

 

Intersegment revenue

 

25,960

 

 

2,462

 

 

-

 

 

28,422

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

88,585

 

 

2,951

 

 

(11,622

)

 

79,914

 

Total assets

 

500,192

 

 

42,473

 

 

127,615

 

 

670,280

 

6.  Financial Instruments and Risk Management

The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts and notes payable and long-term debt. The Company's estimate of the fair values of these financial instruments approximates their carrying amounts at September 9, 2006. Fair value was determined using discounted cash flow analyses and current interest rates for similar instruments. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS Nos. 137 and 138, which requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the consolidated condensed balance sheets at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency inventory purchases made by non-U.S. wholesale operations in the normal course of business. At September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005, foreign exchange contracts with a notional value of $36,476,000 and $47,808,000, respectively, were outstanding to purchase various currencies (principally U.S. dollars) with maturities ranging up to 280 days. These contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. As of September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005, liabilities of $295,000 and $615,000, respectively, have been recognized for the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts.

The fair value of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts represents the estimated receipts or payments necessary to terminate the contracts. Hedge effectiveness is evaluated by the hypothetical derivative method. Any hedge ineffectiveness is reported within the cost of products sold caption of the consolidated condensed statements of operations. Hedge ineffectiveness was not material to the consolidated condensed financial statements for the quarters ended September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005 or year to date periods. If, in the future, the foreign exchange contracts are determined to be ineffective hedges or terminated before their contractual termination dates, the Company would be required to reclassify into earnings all or a portion of the unrealized amounts related to the cash flow hedges that are currently included in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders' equity.

The Company does not generally require collateral or other security on trade accounts and notes receivable.



11


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

7.  Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has stock-based incentive plans, which are described below. Awards issued under these stock-based incentive plans are designed to align the interests of management and stockholders, reward executives and other key employees for building stockholder value and encourage long-term investment in the Company by participating executives.

VALUATION AND EXPENSE INFORMATION UNDER SFAS NO. 123(R) AND PRO FORMA INFORMATION

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, in accounting for its stock incentive plans. The Company did not recognize stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options in its statements of operations for periods prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, as options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimate in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Results of prior periods have not been restated.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company's earnings before income taxes for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 are $892,000 and $2,125,000 lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. The Company's net earnings for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 are lower by $722,000, or $.01 per basic share and $.01 per diluted share, and $1,642,000, or $.03 per basic share and $.03 per diluted share, respectively.

The Company recognized compensation costs of $1,680,000 and $5,016,000, respectively, and related income tax benefits of $429,000 and $1,410,000, respectively, for its stock-based compensation plans in the statements of operations for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006. Compensation costs capitalized as part of inventory and property, plant and equipment were not material.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the statements of cash flows. SFAS No. 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows. The $3,208,000 excess tax benefit classified as a financing cash inflow would have been classified as an operating cash inflow if the Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123(R).

Effective December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of nonvested stock options previously granted to employees and officers of the Company under its various stock-based incentive plans. As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 1,003,000 shares of common stock that otherwise would have vested in 2006, 2007 and 2008 became fully vested and an additional $4,407,000 of pro forma stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Accordingly, compensation costs of $2,185,000, $1,495,000 and $727,000 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, that would have been recognized in each year after the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will not be recognized due to the modification. The decision to accelerate the vesting of these options, which the Company believes to be in the best interests of its stockholders, was made primarily to reduce non-cash compensation expense that would have been recorded in future periods following the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).


12


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

Pro forma information regarding net earnings and earnings per share has been determined as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to its stock awards for all periods presented. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair values of stock options are amortized to expense over the related vesting periods and awards subject to acceleration of vesting upon retirement are recognized over the explicit service period up to the date of actual retirement. The Company's pro forma information under SFAS No. 123 is as follows (thousands of dollars, except per share data):

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

September 10,
2005


 

September 10,
2005


Net earnings, as reported

$

24,634

 

 

$

54,023

 

Add:  Total stock-based employee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          compensation expense included in reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          net income, net of related tax effects

 

792

 

 

 

2,413

 

Deduct:  Total stock-based employee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          compensation expense determined under

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          fair value method for all awards,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          net of related tax effects

 


1,149


 


 

 


3,519


 


Pro forma net earnings

$


24,277


 


 

$


52,917


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Basic - as reported

$

.44

 

 

$

.96

 

   Basic - pro forma

 

.43

 

 

 

.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Diluted - as reported

 

.42

 

 

 

.91

 

   Diluted - pro forma

 

.41

 

 

 

.90

 

The Company estimated the fair value of employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The estimated weighted-average fair value for each option granted during the 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005 was $5.26 and $5.10 per share, respectively, with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


Expected market price volatility (1)

 

24.6%

 

23.7%

 

24.5%

 

23.9%

Risk-free interest rate (2)

 

5.1%

 

3.9%

 

4.6%

 

3.7%

Dividend yield (3)

 

1.4%

 

1.1%

 

1.4%

 

1.1%

Expected term (4)

 

4 years

 

4 years

 

4 years

 

4 years


(1)

Based on historical volatility of the Company's common stock. The expected volatility is based on the daily percentage change in the price of the stock over four years.

(2)

Represents the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the option at the time of grant.

(3)

Represents the Company's cash dividend yield for the expected term.

(4)

Represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company determined that all employee groups exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior to determine the expected term.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated condensed statements of operations for the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 has been reduced for estimated forfeitures, as it is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience. In the Company's pro forma information required under SFAS No. 123 for the periods prior to fiscal 2006, the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting for forfeitures was not material.


13


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

EMPLOYEE STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS

As of September 9, 2006, the Company had stock options outstanding or available for grant under stock incentive plans adopted in 1988, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005. Shares of restricted stock may also be granted under each of these plans, with the exception of the 1988 and 1993 plans. As of September 9, 2006, the Company had approximately 3,908,000 stock incentive units available for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan of 2005. Under the provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan of 2005, each option granted counts as one stock incentive unit and each share of restricted stock granted counts as two stock incentive units. In addition, as of September 9, 2006, the Company had approximately 512,000 stock incentive units available for grant under the balance of its other plans. Options granted under each plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, expire no later than ten years from the grant date and generally vest over three years. Common stock issued under these plans is subject to certain restrictions, including a prohibition against any sale, transfer or other disposition by the officer or employee during the vesting period (except for certain transfers for estate planning purposes for certain officers) and a requirement to forfeit all or a certain portion of the award upon certain terminations of employment or upon failure to achieve performance criteria in certain instances. These restrictions lapse over a three- to five-year period from the date of the award. The Company has elected to recognize expense for these stock-based incentive plans ratably over the vesting term on a straight-line basis. Certain option and restricted share awards provide for accelerated vesting under various scenarios, including retirement and upon a change in control of the Company. With regard to acceleration of vesting upon retirement, employees of eligible retirement age are vested on a pro rata basis over the twelve-month period following the date of grant in accordance with plan provisions. The Company issues shares to plan participants upon exercise or vesting of stock-based incentive awards from either authorized, but unissued, shares or treasury shares.

A summary of the transactions under the stock option plans is as follows:

 


 


 


 


 






 




Shares
Under
Option



Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)


Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(thousands of
dollars)


Outstanding at December 31, 2005

5,040,712

 

$

14.72

 

 

 

Granted

716,810

 

 

22.56

 

 

 

Exercised

(934,737

)

 

11.89

 

 

 

Cancelled


(27,372


)


 


20.09


 


 


 


Outstanding at September 9, 2006


4,795,413


 


$


16.41


5.8


$


44,156


Estimated forfeitures


(9,553


)


 


 


 


 


 


Vested or expected to vest at September 9, 2006


4,785,860


 


$


16.40


5.8


$


44,126


Nonvested at September 9, 2006 and expected to vest


(655,247


)


 


 


 


 


 


Exercisable at September 9, 2006


4,130,613


 


$


15.43


5.3


$


42,071


The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised during the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 was $2,341,000 and $11,278,000, respectively. As of September 9, 2006, there was $2,225,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company's closing stock price of $25.62 as of September 9, 2006, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised in-the-money options as of that date. The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of September 9, 2006 was 4,130,613. As of December 31, 2005, 5,040,712 outstanding options were exercisable, and the weighted-average exercise price was $14.72.


14


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

A summary of the nonvested restricted shares issued under stock award plans is as follows:

 


 


 




 




Shares


Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value


Nonvested at December 31, 2005

934,266

 

$

14.28

 

Granted

175,400

 

 

22.47

 

Vested

(315,861

)

 

12.06

 

Forfeited


(12,296


)


 


17.09


 


Nonvested at September 9, 2006


781,509


 


$


16.98


 


As of September 9, 2006, there was $6,464,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under restricted stock award plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the 12 and 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 was $172,000 and $7,050,000, respectively.

8.  Pension Expense

A summary of net pension and SERP (Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan) costs recognized by the Company is as follows (thousands of dollars):

 

12 Weeks Ended


 

36 Weeks Ended


 

 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

September 9,
2006


 

September 10,
2005


 

Service cost pertaining to benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   earned during the period

$

(1,113

)

$

(989

)

$

(3,340

)

$

(2,967

)

Interest cost on projected benefit obligations

 

(2,340

)

 

(2,185

)

 

(7,018

)

 

(6,555

)

Expected return on pension assets

 

2,972

 

 

2,780

 

 

8,914

 

 

8,340

 

Net amortization loss


 


(1,861


)


 


(1,805


)


 


(5,582


)


 


(5,415


)


Net pension cost


$


(2,342


)


$


(2,199


)


$


(7,026


)


$


(6,597


)


9.  Litigation and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various environmental claims and other legal actions arising in the normal course of business. The environmental claims include sites where the Environmental Protection Agency has notified the Company that it is a potentially responsible party with respect to environmental remediation. These remediation claims are subject to ongoing environmental impact studies, assessment of remediation alternatives, allocation of costs between responsible parties and concurrence by regulatory authorities and have not yet advanced to a stage where the Company's liability is fixed. However, after taking into consideration legal counsel's evaluation of all actions and claims against the Company, management is currently of the opinion that their outcome will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or future results of operations.

Pursuant to certain of the Company's lease agreements, the Company has provided financial guarantees to third parties in the form of indemnification provisions. These provisions indemnify and reimburse third parties for costs, including but not limited to adverse judgments in lawsuits, taxes and operating costs. The terms of the guarantees are identical to the terms of the related lease agreements. The Company is not able to calculate the maximum potential amount of future payments it could be required to make under these guarantees, as the potential payments are dependent upon the occurrence of future unknown events.


15


WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements - continued
September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005

The Company has future minimum royalty obligations due under the terms of certain licenses held by the Company. Annual minimum future obligations on licenses are as follows (thousands of dollars):

 


2006


2007


2008


2009


2010


Thereafter


 

Minimum royalties

$

1,176

$

1,139

$

1,063

$

1,329

$

1,545

$

1,773

 

Minimum royalties are based on both fixed obligations and assumptions related to the consumer price index. Royalty obligations in excess of minimum requirements are based upon future sales levels. In accordance with these agreements, the Company incurred royalty expense of $2,223,000 and $2,145,000 for the first three quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The terms of certain license agreements also require advertising expenditures based on the level of sales. In accordance with these agreements, the Company's advertising obligations, based on actual sales, totaled $1,392,000 and $1,362,000 for the first three quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

10.  Business Acquisitions

During the second quarter of 2005, the Company purchased the remaining 5% ownership from the minority stockholder of Wolverine Europe Limited, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. The purchase price was $2,322,000. The transaction eliminated the minority interest of $566,000 and resulted in goodwill of $1,756,000.

On January 3, 2005, the Company converted its CAT® and Wolverine® businesses in Canada from a non-affiliated distributor-based operation to a Company-owned wholesale operation. This expansion allowed the Company to directly wholesale all of its major brands in Canada. Assets consisting primarily of inventory, fixed assets and amortizable intangible assets totaling $2,117,000 and assumed liabilities of $883,000 were acquired from a former Wolverine® and CAT® Footwear distributor for cash of $2,280,000 and resulted in goodwill and intangible assets of $1,046,000. Consolidated pro forma revenue and net earnings, assuming the transaction occurred at the beginning of 2005, were not materially different from reported amounts. Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles will not be amortized, but will be evaluated for impairment annually. Goodwill was assigned to the Company's branded footwear and licensing segment. The majority of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amortizable intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately ten years.

On January 3, 2005, the Company converted its Merrell® operations in Sweden and Finland and its Sebago® operations in the United Kingdom and Germany from a non-affiliated distributor-based operation to a Company-owned wholesale operation. Assets consisting primarily of inventory totaling $544,000 were acquired from former distributors for cash.

11. New Accounting Standards

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This Interpretation requires that the Company recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. This Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The Company expects the adoption of FIN 48 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). This new standard establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework is intended to provide increased consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards which permit, or in some cases require, estimates of fair market value. SFAS No. 157 also expands financial statement disclosure requirements about a company's use of fair value measurements, including the effect of such measures on earnings. The Company is required to adopt this new accounting guidance at the beginning of the fiscal year ending January 3, 2009. While the Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 157, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.


16


In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (SFAS No. 158). SFAS No. 158 amends SFAS No. 87, Employers' Accounting for Pensions, SFAS No. 88, Employers' Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits, SFAS No. 106, Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions and SFAS No. 132, Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. The amendments retain most of the existing measurement and disclosure guidance and will not change the amounts recognized in the Company's statements of operations. SFAS No. 158 requires companies to recognize a net asset or liability with an offset to equity, by which the defined benefit postretirement obligation is over- or under-funded. This aspect of SFAS No. 158 is effective for the Company's fiscal year ending December 30, 2006. The Statement also requires that employers measure plan assets and obligations as of the date of their year-end financial statements beginning with the Company's fiscal year ending January 3, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact SFAS No. 158 will have on its consolidated balance sheets.




















17


ITEM 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

OVERVIEW
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (the "Company") has a strategic vision - "To Excite Consumers Around the World with Innovative Footwear and Apparel that Bring Style to Purpose."   To reach this vision, the Company continues to focus on the tenets of product innovation, global expansion, brand development, service excellence and community service with the end goal of delivering superior shareholder returns. There is also continued focus on the financial growth initiatives of achieving mid-to-upper single digit average annual revenue growth, creating operating leverage and maximizing working capital turnover to extract value from the Company's balance sheet.

The following financial performance highlights of the third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005 and year-to-date comparisons reflect these strategies:

 

Record revenue and earnings per share for the 17th consecutive quarter.

 

 

 

 

Revenue for the third quarter of 2006 of $298.9 million, a 7.1% increase over the third quarter of 2005 revenue of $279.1 million.

 

 

 

 

North America, Europe and Other International regions all realized revenue gains for the third quarter of 2006.

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share during the third quarter of 2006 grew to $.46 per share compared to $.42 per share for the same quarter in the prior year, an increase of 9.5%.

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable growth rate of 6.2% and inventory growth rate of 4.5% in the third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005 remains below the 7.1% increase in revenue.

 

 

 

 

Continued investment spending on the Merrell® Apparel and Patagonia® Footwear initiatives totaled $4.3 million year-to-date.

 

 

 

 

The Company's cash position remained strong with $70.3 million of cash on hand at quarter end and debt outstanding of $32.2 million.













18


The following is a discussion of the Company's results of operations and liquidity and capital resources for the third quarter of 2006. This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated condensed financial statements and notes.

Results of Operations - Comparison of the 12 Weeks Ended September 9, 2006 (2006 Third Quarter) to the 12 Weeks Ended September 10, 2005 (2005 Third Quarter)

Financial Summary - 2006 Third Quarter versus 2005 Third Quarter

 


2006


2005


Change


 


$


 


%


 


$


 


%


 


$


 


%


 


(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Branded footwear and licensing

$

274.7

 

91.9%

 

$

258.3

 

92.6%

 

$

16.4

 

6.3%

 

   Other business units


 


24.2


 


8.1%


 


 


20.8


 


7.4%


 


 


3.4


 


16.2%


 


Total revenue


$


298.9


 


100%


 


$


279.1


 


100.0%


 


$


19.8


 


7.1%


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Branded footwear and licensing

$

108.7

 

39.6%

 

$

100.8

 

39.0%

 

$

7.9

 

7.9%

 

   Other business units


 


8.8


 


36.7%


 


 


7.9


 


38.0%


 


 


0.9


 


12.1%


 


Total gross margin


$


117.5


 


39.3%


 


$


108.7


 


38.9%


 


$


8.8


 


8.2%


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

$

78.1

 

26.1%

 

$

72.1

 

25.8%

 

$

6.0

 

8.3%

 

Interest (income) expense-net

 

(0.1

)

0.0%

 

 

0.3

 

0.1%

 

 

(0.4

)

(141.6%

)

Other (income) expense-net

 

0.4

 

0.2%

 

 

(0.2

)

(0.1%

)

 

0.6

 

386.1%

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

39.1

 

13.1%

 

 

36.4

 

13.1%

 

 

2.6

 

7.4%

 

Net earnings

 

26.1

 

8.7%

 

 

24.6

 

8.8%

 

 

1.5

 

6.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

.46

 

 

 

$

.42

 

 

 

$

.04

 

9.5%

 

The Company has one reportable segment that is engaged in manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, licensing and distributing branded footwear, apparel and accessories. Within the branded footwear and licensing segment, the Company has identified five operating units, consisting of the Outdoor Group (comprised of the Merrell®, Sebago® and Patagonia® Footwear brands), the Wolverine Footwear Group (comprised of the Wolverine®, HYTEST®, Bates® and Stanley® Footgear brands and certain private label branded products), the Heritage Brands Group (comprised of CAT® Footwear and Harley-Davidson® Footwear), The Hush Puppies Company, and Other Branded Footwear. The Company's other business units consist of Wolverine Retail and Wolverine® Leathers (comprised of the tannery and procurement operations). The following is supplemental information on total revenue:

Total Revenue - Third Quarter

 


2006


2005


Change


 


$


%


$


%


$


%


(Millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Outdoor Group

$

101.8

34.1%

$

85.6

30.7%

$

16.2

 

19.0%

 

   Wolverine Footwear Group

 

67.5

22.6%

 

75.3

27.0%

 

(7.8

)

(10.4%

)

   Heritage Brands Group

 

56.4

18.9%

 

50.8

18.2%

 

5.6

 

10.9%

 

   The Hush Puppies Company

 

46.8

15.7%

 

45.0

16.1%

 

1.8

 

4.0%

 

   Other Branded Footwear


 


2.2


0.7%


 


1.6


0.6%


 


0.6


 


37.3%


 


Total branded footwear and licensing revenue

$

274.7

91.9%

$

258.3

92.6%

$

16.4

 

6.3%

 

   Other business units


 


24.2


8.1%


 


20.8


7.4%


 


3.4


 


16.2%


 


Total revenue


$


298.9


100.0%


$


279.1


100.0%


$


19.8


 


7.1%


 


REVENUE
Revenue of $298.9 million for the third quarter of 2006 exceeded the prior year third quarter by $19.8 million. Increases in unit volume, changes in product mix and changes in selling price for the branded footwear and licensing operations as discussed below contributed $11.7 million of the revenue increase. Of the $11.7 million revenue increase, $3.5 million was attributed to the conversion of an international distributor from a royalty arrangement to a wholesale operation, which also required recognition of sales and cost of products sold in the third quarter of 2006. The impact of translating foreign denominated revenue to U.S. dollars increased revenue by

19


$4.7 million. The other business units contributed $3.4 million to the increase. International revenue increased in the quarter to account for 37.6% of total revenue in 2006 as compared to 33.0% in 2005.

The Outdoor Group recorded revenue of $101.8 million for the third quarter of 2006, a $16.2 million increase over the third quarter of the prior year. Merrell® accounted for $15.9 million of the increase over the prior year, reporting strong fall deliveries with particular strength in the trail running and multi-sport categories. The focused product line and marketing initiatives gained traction in the quarter with the Sebago® brand recording a $.3 million sales increase from the third quarter of 2005. Included in the increase for the group was $2.2 million related to the change in the international distributor arrangement mentioned above.

The Wolverine Footwear Group recorded $67.5 million in revenue for the third quarter of 2006, a $7.8 million decrease from the third quarter of 2005. The Wolverine® boot business realized a decrease in revenue of $.9 million during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005, due primarily to lower shipments of rugged casuals and outdoor sport boots. The Bates® uniform footwear business realized a decrease in revenue of $3.1 million due to the planned reduction in demand for combat boots from the U.S. Department of Defense. The Stanley® Footgear business and the private label business realized a $3.9 million revenue decrease during the third quarter of 2006, compared to the third quarter of 2005, due to reduced customer demand.

The Heritage Brands Group experienced a $5.6 million increase in revenue during the third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005. CAT® Footwear's revenue increased a total of $7.5 million over the third quarter of 2005 with $4.9 million of the gain generated in Europe as a result of new product introductions. International revenue for CAT increased by $1.6 million for the quarter, with $1.3 million of the increase attributable to the international distributor arrangement mentioned above. CAT U.S. reported a $.5 million increase in revenue primarily due to stronger sales to major accounts and growing distribution. CAT Canada contributed a $.5 million increase in comparison to the third quarter of 2005. Harley-Davidson® Footwear revenue decreased $1.9 million in the quarter driven largely by the timing of new product deliveries.

The Hush Puppies Company recorded revenue of $46.8 million in the third quarter of 2006, a $1.8 million increase from the third quarter of 2005. The growth was primarily attributable to increased sales in Canada of $2.9 million resulting from strong demand for casual product. The back-to-school season was strong in the U.K. as revenue increased $1.1 million from the third quarter of 2005. The slipper division reported lower sales of $2.2 million in comparison to the third quarter of 2005. Revenue from the U.S wholesale market and international licensing was essentially flat for the quarter.

Within the Company's other business units, Wolverine Retail reported a $1.0 million increase in revenue as a result of a same-store revenue increase of 4.3% and seven additional stores operating as compared to the prior year's third quarter. Wolverine Retail operated 80 retail stores at the end of third quarter 2006 compared to 73 at the end of third quarter 2005. The Wolverine® Leathers operation reported a $2.4 million increase in revenue primarily due to increased demand for its proprietary sueded products.

GROSS MARGIN
The gross margin of 39.3% for the third quarter of 2006 was a 40 basis point increase from the third quarter of 2005. Initial pricing margins on product shipped in the quarter improved gross margin by 110 basis points. The increase was partially offset by 60 basis points due to increased product cost on the European operations related to the levying of dumping duties on product sourced in from China and Vietnam and 10 basis points related to the change in business mix. Foreign currency impact on gross margin was neutral.

SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling and administrative expenses of $78.1 million for the third quarter of 2006 increased $6.0 million from $72.1 million for the third quarter of 2005. The Company invested approximately $1.5 million in product development and selling and administrative costs on the Merrell® Apparel and Patagonia® Footwear initiatives during the quarter. Selling and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2006 also included incremental stock-based compensation costs of $.9 million as a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R). The remaining increases related primarily to selling and distribution costs which vary with the increase in revenue.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, in accounting for its stock incentive plans. The Company did not recognize stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options in its statements of operations for periods prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, as options granted had an exercise

20


price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in the 12 weeks ended September 9, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimate in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Results of prior periods have not been restated.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company's earnings before income taxes and net earnings for the 12 weeks ended September 9, 2006 were $.9 million and $.7 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the 12 weeks ended September 9, 2006 were both $.01 lower due to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

Effective December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of nonvested stock options previously granted to employees and officers of the Company under its various stock-based incentive plans. As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 1.0 million shares of common stock that otherwise would have vested in 2006, 2007 and 2008 became fully vested and an additional $4.4 million of pro forma stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Accordingly, compensation costs of $2.2 million, $1.5 million and $.7 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, that would have been recognized in each year after the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will not be recognized due to the modification. The decision to accelerate the vesting of these options, which the Company believes to be in the best interests of its stockholders, was made primarily to reduce non-cash compensation expense that would have been recorded in future periods following the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

The Company provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors under various stock-based incentive plans, including stock options and restricted shares of the Company's common stock.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company's common stock. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the option at the time of grant. The Company utilizes historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination behavior within the valuation model. The Company determined that all employee groups exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior to determine the expected term.

The Company has elected to recognize expense for these stock-based incentive plans ratably over the vesting term on a straight-line basis. Certain option and restricted share awards provide for accelerated vesting under various scenarios, including retirement and upon a change in control of the Company. With regard to acceleration of vesting upon retirement, employees of eligible retirement age are vested on a pro rata basis over the twelve-month period following the date of grant in accordance with plan provisions.

As of September 9, 2006, there was $8.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under stock-based incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

INTEREST, OTHER & TAXES
The net decrease in interest expense reflected lower average outstanding amounts on senior notes and lower working capital borrowings during the quarter, as well as interest income from invested cash equivalents.

The change in other income/expense primarily related to the change in realized gains or losses on foreign denominated assets and liabilities.

The Company's third quarter 2006 effective tax rate was 33.2% compared to 32.4% for the third quarter of 2005. The change in the effective tax rate related primarily to the tax impact of stock option expensing under SFAS No. 123(R) and the expiration of the research and development tax credit.


21


NET EARNINGS
As a result of the revenue, gross margin and expense changes discussed above, the Company achieved net earnings of $26.1 million for the third quarter of 2006 as compared to $24.6 million in the third quarter of 2005, an increase of $1.5 million.

Results of Operations - Comparison of the 36 Weeks Ended September 9, 2006 (First Three Quarters of 2006) to the 36 Weeks Ended September 10, 2005 (First Three Quarters of 2005)

Financial Summary - First Three Quarters of 2006 versus First Three Quarters of 2005

 


2006


2005


Change


 


$


 


%


 


$


 


%


 


$


 


%


 


(Millions of dollars, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Branded footwear and licensing

$

729.0

 

91.1%

 

$

676.1

 

91.4%

 

$

52.9

 

7.8%

 

   Other business units


 


71.2


 


8.9%


 


 


63.9


 


8.6%


 


 


7.3


 


11.2%


 


Total revenue


$


800.2


 


100.0%


 


$


740.0


 


100.0%


 


$


60.2


 


8.1%


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Branded footwear and licensing

$

288.3

 

39.5%

 

$

266.5

 

39.4%

 

$

21.8

 

8.2%

 

   Other business units


 


25.5


 


35.9%


 


 


23.0


 


36.0%


 


 


2.5


 


10.8%


 


Total gross margin


$


313.8


 


39.2%


 


$


289.5


 


39.1%


 


$


24.3


 


8.4%


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses

$

223.1

 

27.9%

 

$

208.5

 

28.2%

 

$

14.6

 

7.0%

 

Interest expense-net

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

1.3

 

0.2%

 

 

(1.3

)

(98.8%

)

Other (income) expense-net

 

0.9

 

0.1%

 

 

(0.2

)

0.0%

 

 

1.1

 

633.1%

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

89.8

 

11.2%

 

 

79.9

 

10.8%

 

 

9.9

 

12.4%

 

Net earnings

 

60.0

 

7.5%

 

 

54.0

 

7.3%

 

 

6.0

 

11.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.05

 

 

 

$

.91

 

 

 

$

.14

 

15.4%

 

The following is supplemental information on total revenue:

Total Revenue - First Three Quarters

 


2006


2005


Change


 


$


%


$


%


$


%


(Millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Outdoor Group

$

283.2

35.4%

$

245.0

33.1%

$

38.2

 

15.6%

 

   Wolverine Footwear Group

 

186.0

23.2%

 

186.9

25.3%

 

(0.9

)

(0.5%

)

   Heritage Brands Group

 

136.8

17.1%

 

123.4

16.7%

 

13.4

 

10.8%

 

   The Hush Puppies Company

 

119.4

14.9%

 

116.7

15.8%

 

2.7

 

2.3%

 

   Other Branded Footwear


 


3.6


0.5%


 


4.1


0.6%


 


(0.5


)


(10.9%


)


Total branded footwear and licensing revenue

$

729.0

91.9%

$

676.1

91.4%

$

52.9

 

7.8%

 

   Other business units


 


71.2


8.9%


 


63.9


8.6%


 


7.3


 


11.2%


 


Total revenue


$


800.2


100.0%


$


740.0


100.0%


$


60.2


 


8.1%


 


REVENUE
The revenue increase for the first three quarters of 2006 was $60.2 million, with the majority of the increase resulting from strong consumer acceptance of the Spring and Fall product. Increases in unit volume, changes in product mix and changes in selling price for the branded footwear and licensing operations as discussed below contributed $51.8 million of the revenue increase. Of the $51.8 million revenue increase, $11.7 million was attributed to the conversion of an international distributor from a royalty arrangement to a wholesale operation, which also required recognition of sales and cost of products sold. The impact of translating foreign denominated revenue to U.S. dollars increased revenue by $1.1 million. The other business units contributed $7.3 million to the increase. International revenue increased on a year-to-date basis to account for 35.3% of total revenue in 2006 as compared to 32.3% in 2005.

The Outdoor Group reported a $38.2 million revenue increase for the first three quarters of 2006 as compared to the first three quarters of 2005. The Merrell® business realized a $39.7 million increase over prior year as year-to-date increases were achieved across all geographic locations due to consumer response to the Spring and Fall

22


product lines. The Sebago® brand realized a $1.5 million sales decrease for the first three quarters of 2006 in comparison to the first three quarters of 2005. The sales decrease was primarily a result of lower than anticipated shipments in the U.S. as retailers were cautious on their commitments. The change in the international distributor arrangement mentioned above contributed $7.1 million to the increase for the Outdoor Group.

The Wolverine Footwear Group recorded a $.9 million decrease in revenue for the first three quarters of 2006 as compared to the first three quarters of 2005. The Wolverine® boot business realized an increase in revenue of $1.4 million due to strong customer demand and strong reorder activity on the Wolverine MultiShoxTM comfort technology product. Increased year-to-date results were recognized in the Bates® uniform footwear business, which realized a $3.3 million increase in revenue due to improved sales to the civilian sector as well as higher demand from the Department of Defense year-to-date. The Stanley® Footgear and private label businesses realized $2.5 million and $3.1 million year-to-date revenue decreases, respectively, due to reduced customer demand.

The Heritage Brands Group experienced a $13.4 million increase in revenue during the first three quarters of 2006 as compared to the first three quarters of 2005. CAT® Footwear's revenue increased $12.5 million due to strong business results in the U.S., Canada and continental Europe. Improved sell-through results have been experienced through the introduction of expanded product campaigns including the Legendary RAW and iTechnologyTM collections. Harley-Davidson® Footwear revenue increased $.9 million year-to-date driven largely by increased shipments to the Harley-Davidson® dealer network. The change in the international distributor arrangement mentioned above contributed $4.6 million to the increase for the Heritage Brands Group.

The Hush Puppies Company recorded a $2.7 million increase in revenue for the first three quarters of 2006 as compared to the first three quarters of 2005. The increase was driven by higher volume generated by international licensees as well as increased wholesale shipments in the Canadian market. A $4.8 million year-to-date revenue increase in Canada was primarily the result of strong consumer demand for the Spring and Fall product offerings. The increase was offset by a $.8 million decrease in the U.S. for the first three quarters of 2006 related to decreased close-out and discount channel sales and a $2.7 million decrease in slipper product. The U.K. market increased $1.0 million for the first three quarters of 2006 in comparison to the first three quarters of 2005 due to a strong back-to-school season. Revenue from international licensing increased slightly by $.4 million on a year-to-date basis.

Within the Company's other business units, Wolverine Retail reported a $2.4 million increase in revenue as a result of a same-store revenue increases of 3.1% for the first three quarters of 2006 as well as the addition of seven stores as compared to the first three quarters of 2005. The Wolverine® Leathers operation reported a $4.8 million increase in revenue primarily due to increased demand for sueded products.

The Company ended the third quarter of 2006 with an order backlog 6% above the level recorded at the end of the third quarter of 2005.

GROSS MARGIN
The gross margin percentage of 39.2% for the first three quarters of 2006 was up 10 basis points in comparison to the same period of the prior year. Foreign currency contributed a 20 basis point increase and favorable product costs increased margin by 20 basis points. These improvements were partially offset by the change in business mix of 10 basis points and 20 basis points attributable to increased product cost on the European operations related to the levying of dumping duties on product sourced in from China and Vietnam.

SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Selling and administrative expenses increased $14.6 million for the first three quarters of 2006 as compared to the first three quarters of 2005. The Company invested approximately $3.6 million in product development and selling and administrative costs on the Merrell® Apparel and Patagonia® Footwear initiatives during the first three quarters of 2006. Selling and administrative expenses for the first three quarters of 2006 also included incremental stock-based compensation costs of $2.1 million as a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R). The remaining increases related primarily to selling and distribution costs which vary with the increase in revenue.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, in accounting for its stock incentive plans. The Company did not recognize stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options in its statements of operations for periods prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, as options granted had an exercise

23


price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in the 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimate in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Results of prior periods have not been restated.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company's earnings before income taxes and net earnings for the 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 were $2.1 million and $1.6 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for stock-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the 36 weeks ended September 9, 2006 were both $.03 lower due to the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

Effective December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of nonvested stock options previously granted to employees and officers of the Company under its various stock-based incentive plans. As a result of this action, options to purchase approximately 1.0 million shares of common stock that otherwise would have vested in 2006, 2007 and 2008 became fully vested and an additional $4.4 million of pro forma stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. Accordingly, compensation costs of $2.2 million, $1.5 million and $.7 million in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively, that would have been recognized in each year after the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) will not be recognized due to the modification. The decision to accelerate the vesting of these options, which the Company believes to be in the best interests of its stockholders, was made primarily to reduce non-cash compensation expense that would have been recorded in future periods following the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).

The Company provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors under various stock-based incentive plans, including stock options and restricted shares of the Company's common stock.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company's common stock. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect for the expected term of the option at the time of grant. The Company utilizes historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination behavior within the valuation model. The Company determined that all employee groups exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior to determine the expected term.

The Company has elected to recognize expense for these stock-based incentive plans ratably over the vesting term on a straight-line basis. Certain option and restricted share awards provide for accelerated vesting under various scenarios, including retirement and upon a change in control of the Company. With regard to acceleration of vesting upon retirement, employees of eligible retirement age are vested on a pro rata basis over the twelve-month period following the date of grant in accordance with plan provisions.

As of September 9, 2006, there was $8.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under stock-based incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

INTEREST, OTHER & TAXES
The net decrease in interest expense reflected lower average outstanding amounts on senior notes and lower working capital borrowings during the first three quarters of 2006, as well as interest income from invested cash equivalents.

The change in other income/expense primarily related to the change in realized gains or losses on foreign denominated assets and liabilities.

The Company's effective tax rate for the first three quarters of 2006 was 33.2% compared to 32.4% for the first three quarters of 2005. The change in the effective tax rate related primarily to the tax impact of stock option expensing under SFAS No. 123(R) and the expiration of the research and development tax credit.  The Company's tax returns for fiscal 2000 through 2003 are currently under review by the Internal Revenue Service. The closure of this review could impact the annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2006.



24


NET EARNINGS
As a result of the revenue, gross margin and expense changes discussed above, the Company achieved net earnings of $60.0 million for the first three quarters of 2006 as compared to $54.0 million in the first three quarters of 2005, an increase of $6.0 million.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

 

 

 

Change from



 


September 9,
2006


December 31,
2005


September 10,
2005


December 31,
2005


September 10,
2005


(Millions of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

70.3

 

$

85.3

 

$

47.8

 

$

(15.0

)

$

22.5

 

Accounts receivable

 

218.0

 

 

157.1

 

 

205.3

 

 

60.9

 

 

12.7

 

Inventories

 

205.3

 

 

161.3

 

 

196.4

 

 

44.0

 

 

8.9

 

Accounts payable

 

63.4

 

 

41.1

 

 

49.1

 

 

22.3

 

 

14.3

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

82.6

 

 

51.9

 

 

74.6

 

 

30.7

 

 

8.0

 

Debt

 

32.2

 

 

32.4

 

 

43.9

 

 

(0.2

)

 

(11.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

$

29.8

 

 

 

 

$

41.6

 

 

 

 

$

(11.8

)

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

10.3

 

 

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

14.3

 

 

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

The Company continued to strengthen its balance sheet in the first three quarters of 2006. Cash of $48.8 million was used to fund working capital investments in the first three quarters of 2006 compared to $36.2 million used in the first three quarters of 2005. Inventory levels increased 4.5% over the same quarter last year and inventory turns increased by 12.5%. Accounts receivable increased 6.2% on a 7.1% increase in revenue over the same quarter last year. The allowance for bad debts and potential product returns was increased as a result of the increase in accounts receivable and revenue. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the outstanding accounts receivable balance at September 9, 2006.

The increase in accounts payable as compared to the third quarter of 2005 was primarily attributable to the timing of inventory purchases from contract suppliers. The increase in other accrued liabilities compared to the third quarter of 2005 was primarily attributable to adjustments made for foreign currency forward exchange contracts, an increase in employee benefit accruals and an additional liability for European anti-dumping duties.

The majority of capital expenditures were for information system enhancements, consumer-direct initiatives, distribution equipment and building improvements. The Company leases machinery, equipment and certain warehouse, office and retail store space under operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through 2023.

The Company has a long-term revolving credit agreement that expires in July 2010 and allows for borrowings up to $150.0 million. The revolving credit facility is used to support working capital requirements. No amount was outstanding under the revolving credit facility at September 9, 2006 or at September 10, 2005. Proceeds from the existing credit facility and anticipated renewals, along with cash flows from operations, are expected to be sufficient to meet capital needs in the foreseeable future. Any excess cash flows from operating activities are expected to be used to purchase property, plant and equipment, pay down existing debt, fund internal and external growth initiatives, pay dividends or repurchase the Company's common stock.

The decrease in debt at September 9, 2006 as compared to September 10, 2005 was the result of annual principal payments on the Company's senior notes. The Company had commercial letter-of-credit facilities outstanding of $3.2 million and $1.5 million at September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005, respectively. The total debt to total capital ratio for the Company was 6.1% at the end of the third quarter of 2006, 8.6% at the end of the third quarter of 2005 and 6.6% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

The Company's Board of Directors approved common stock repurchase programs on December 13, 2005 and October 5, 2004. Each program authorizes the repurchase of 3.0 million shares of common stock over a 24-month period commencing on the effective date of the program. There were no shares repurchased during the third quarter of 2006 and 1,526,200 ($22.40 average price paid per share) repurchased during the first three quarters of 2006 under the programs. There are 1,492,682 shares remaining for future repurchase under the December 13, 2005 program. The primary purpose of the stock repurchase programs is to increase stockholder value. The Company intends to continue to repurchase shares of its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions,

25


from time to time, depending upon market conditions and other factors. Additional information about stock repurchases is included in Part II, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.

The Company declared dividends of $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2006, or $.075 per share. This represents a 15.4% increase over the $.065 per share declared in the third quarter of 2005. The quarterly dividend is payable on November 1, 2006 to stockholders of record on October 2, 2006.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Historically, actual results have not been materially different from the Company's estimates. However, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company has identified the critical accounting policies used in determining estimates and assumptions in the amounts reported in its Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Management believes there have been no changes in those critical accounting policies, except as noted below.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating (a) the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them ("expected term"), (b) the volatility of the Company's common stock price over the expected term and (c) the number of options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements ("forfeitures"). Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and, consequently, the related amounts recognized on the consolidated condensed statements of operations.

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company faces market risk to the extent that changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect the Company's foreign assets, liabilities and inventory purchase commitments and to the extent that its long-term debt requirements are affected by changes in interest rates. The Company manages these risks by attempting to denominate contractual and other foreign arrangements in U.S. dollars and by maintaining a significant percentage of fixed-rate debt. The Company does not believe that there has been a material change in the nature of the Company's primary market risk exposures, including the categories of market risk to which the Company is exposed and the particular markets that present the primary risk of loss to the Company. As of the date of this Form 10-Q Quarterly Report, the Company does not know of or expect there to be any material change in the general nature of its primary market risk exposure in the near term.

The methods used by the Company to manage its primary market risk exposures, as described in the sections of its annual report incorporated herein by reference in response to this item, have not changed materially during the current year. As of the date of this Form 10-Q Quarterly Report, the Company does not expect to change its methods used to manage its market risk exposures in the near term. However, the Company may change those methods in the future to adapt to changes in circumstances or to implement new techniques.

The Company's market risk exposure is mainly comprised of its vulnerability to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Prevailing rates and rate relationships in the future will be primarily determined by market factors that are outside of the Company's control. All information provided in response to this item consists of forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the section captioned "Forward-Looking Statements" at the beginning of this document for a discussion of the limitations on the Company's responsibility for such statements. For purposes of this item, "near term" means a period of time going forward up to one year from the date of the financial statements.


26


The Company applies SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS Nos. 137 and 138, when accounting for derivative instruments. These provisions require the Company to recognize all derivatives on the consolidated condensed balance sheets at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

The Company conducts wholesale operations outside of the United States in Europe and Canada where the functional currencies are primarily the British pound, Canadian dollar and euro. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency inventory purchases made by non-U.S. wholesale operations in the normal course of business. At September 9, 2006 and September 10, 2005, the Company had outstanding forward currency exchange contracts to purchase $36.5 million and $47.8 million, respectively, of various currencies (principally U.S. dollars) with maturities ranging up to 280 days.

On March 23, 2006, the European Commission announced provisional trade measures on certain leather footwear imported into the European Union from China and Vietnam. The measures were implemented in the form of additional duties effective April 7, 2006, and progressing in steps, to rates of 19.4% and 16.8% on imports from China and Vietnam, respectively. In early October 2006, the European Commission announced definitive anti-dumping duties at rates of 16.5% and 10.0% on imports from China and Vietnam, respectively. These definitive measures replace the provisional measures discussed above and will be in effect from October 7, 2006 through October 6, 2008. These provisional and definitive trade measures will decrease the Company's earnings per share by approximately $.04 to $.05 for fiscal 2006.

The Company also faces market risk to the extent that its products are produced in countries where certain labor, overhead and raw material costs are paid in foreign currencies, including the Chinese yuan renminbi. As a result, changes in the foreign currency exchange rates of these currencies could cause increases in the price of products which the Company purchases primarily in U.S. dollars.

The Company also has production facilities in the Dominican Republic where financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars as the functional currency; however, operating costs are paid in the local currency. Royalty revenue generated by the Company from certain third-party foreign licensees is calculated in the licensees' local currencies, but paid in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, the Company's earnings could be impacted as a result of exchange rate changes in 2006 and beyond.

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on and as of the time of such evaluation, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There have been no changes during the quarter ended September 9, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.




27


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

The European Union has initiated anti-dumping investigations regarding the importation into the European Union of leather footwear from China and Vietnam. Provisional anti-dumping measures were implemented by the European Commission with respect to leather footwear imported into the European Union from China and Vietnam at additional duty rates progressing to 19.4% and 16.8%, respectively, for certain leather footwear. In early October 2006, the European Commission announced definitive anti-dumping duties at rates of 16.5% and 10.0% on imports from China and Vietnam, respectively. These definitive measures replace the provisional measures discussed above and will be in effect from October 7, 2006 through October 6, 2008. The imposition of anti-dumping measures could have a material impact on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities










Period







Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased








Average
Price Paid
per Share


Total Number
of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs



Maximum
Number
of Shares that
May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or
Programs


Period 1 (June 18, 2006 to July 15, 2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock Repurchase Program(1)

-

$

-

 

-

 

1,492,682

 

Employee Transactions(2)

230

 

23.44

 

-

 

-

Period 2 (July 16, 2006 to August 12, 2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock Repurchase Program(1)

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,492,682

 

Employee Transactions(2)

15,586

 

25.28

 

-

 

-

Period 3 (August 13, 2006 to September 09, 2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock Repurchase Program(1)

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,492,682

 

Employee Transactions(2)

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Total for Quarter ended September 9, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock Repurchase Program(1)

-

$

-

 

-

 

1,492,682

 

Employee Transactions(2)

15,816

 

25.25

 

-

 

-


 

1.

The Company's Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program on December 13, 2005. This program authorizes the repurchase of 3.0 million shares of common stock over a 24-month period commencing on the effective date of the program. All shares repurchased during the period covered by this report were purchased under publicly announced programs.

 

 

 

 

2.

Employee transactions include: (1) shares delivered or attested in satisfaction of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligations by holders of employee stock options who exercised options and (2) restricted shares withheld to offset tax withholding that occurs upon vesting of restricted shares. The Company's employee stock compensation plans provide that the value of the shares delivered or attested to, or withheld, shall be the average of the high and low price of the Company's common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.







28


ITEM 6.

Exhibits


 

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report on Form 10-Q:


Exhibit
Number


Document

 

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 26, 2005. Here incorporated by reference.

 

 

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 7, 2002. Here incorporated by reference.

 

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.



SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 19, 2006


 

/s/ Timothy J. O'Donovan


Date

 

Timothy J. O'Donovan
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
(Duly Authorized Signatory for Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 19, 2006


 

/s/ Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.


Date

 

Stephen L. Gulis, Jr.
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
    and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized
    Signatory for Registrant)



29


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number


Document

 

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 26, 2005. Here incorporated by reference.

 

 

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 7, 2002. Here incorporated by reference.

 

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

Certification of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.










30