The American outdoor outfitter Columbia Sportswear Company was able to return to the growth path in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the entire financial year, the parent company of the brands Columbia, Mountain Hard Wear, Sorel and Prana on Tuesday evening had to announce loss and result.
In the fourth quarter, the group turnover increases by three percent
In the period from October to December, the group turnover was $ 1.10 billion (1.05 billion euros). This corresponded to an increase of three percent (currency -adjusted +3 percent) compared to the final quarter of the previous year.
The operational result grew by 21 percent to $ 137.3 million, which, however, was mainly due to the fact that value adjustments of $ 25 million had to be posted in the same period last year. The designated net profit increased by ten percent to $ 102.6 million (98.5 million euros).
Due to the weaker development in the previous nine months, the company had to accept a drop in sales by three percent (currency -adjusted -3 percent) to $ 3.37 billion throughout the financial year 2024. The operational profit shrank by 13 percent to $ 270.7 million. The net result was $ 223.3 million and thus by eleven percent below the level of the previous year.
For 2025, management predicts a small sales plus
Chairman, President and CEO Tim Boyle confidently agreed to the recent development. “It is encouraging that sales rose again in the fourth quarter, and we expect further growth among most brands and in all regions for 2025,” he said in one statement. Boyle also emphasized that the group made “essential progress” in reducing the inventory and reducing costs last year.
For 2025, the group forecast sales growth by 1.0 to 3.0 percent to 3.40 to 3.47 billion US dollars. The target area is between $ 3.80 and $ 4.15 in the diluted profit per share, which had reached a height of $ 3.82 last year.