Carter’s, Inc. (NYSE:CRI), the largest branded marketer in the United States and Canada of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, today reported its third quarter fiscal 2016 results.

“In the third quarter, we achieved a record level of sales and earnings with sales growth in all channels of distribution,” said Michael D. Casey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our performance in the quarter reflects significant growth in online sales and higher demand from international customers.  Given the current trends in our business, we expect to achieve our growth objectives this year and 28th consecutive year of sales growth.”

Consolidated Results

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

Net sales increased $51.6 million, or 6.1%, to $901.4 million, reflecting growth in the Company’s U.S. Carter’s and OshKosh retail businesses, Carter’s wholesale business, and international segment. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015 favorably affected consolidated net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 by $0.3 million, or 0.1%. On a constant currency basis (a non-GAAP measure), consolidated net sales increased 6.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

Operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 increased $0.7 million, or 0.5%, to $130.9 million, compared to $130.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Operating margin decreased approximately 80 basis points to 14.5%, compared to 15.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) increased $0.2 million, or 0.2%, to $131.4 million, compared to $131.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) decreased approximately 80 basis points to 14.6%, compared to 15.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, which reflected increased investments in store expansion and technology, partially offset by improved gross margin.

Net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 increased $1.5 million, or 1.9%, to $80.8 million, or $1.60 per diluted share, compared to $79.3 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal2015.  Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) increased $1.2 million, or 1.5%, to $81.1 million, compared to $79.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 increased 6.2% to $1.61, compared to $1.52 in the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2016 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2015

Net sales increased $117.6 million, or 5.5%, to $2.26 billion, reflecting growth in the Company’s U.S. Carter’s and OshKosh retail businesses, Carter’s wholesale business, and international segment. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 negatively affected consolidated net sales in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 by $6.7 million, or 0.3%. On a constant currency basis (a non-GAAP measure), consolidated net sales increased 5.8% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016.

Operating income in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 increased $10.5 million, or 3.8%, to $287.1 million, compared to $276.7 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Operating margin decreased approximately 20 basis points to 12.7%, compared to 12.9% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) increased $5.5 million, or 1.9%, to $289.4 million, compared to $283.9 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Adjusted operating margin (a non-GAAP measure) decreased approximately 40 basis points to 12.8%, compared to 13.2% in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015, which reflected increased investments in growth initiatives, partially offset by improved gross margin.

Net income in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 increased $5.8 million, or 3.5%, to $171.0 million, or $3.34 per diluted share, compared to $165.2 million, or $3.12 per diluted share, in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015.  Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure) increased $2.0 million, or 1.2%, to $172.4 million, compared to $170.4 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. Adjusted earnings per diluted share (a non-GAAP measure) in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 increased 4.7% to $3.37, compared to $3.22 in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015.

Cash flow from operations in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 was $116.6 million compared to $146.0 million in the first three quarters of fiscal 2015. The decrease reflected unfavorable changes in net working capital, partially offset by an increase in net income.

See the “Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Results” section of this release for additional disclosures and reconciliations regarding non-GAAP measures.

Business Segment Results

During the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company believes that Carter’s and OshKosh retail comparable sales were negatively affected by lower demand from international consumers shopping in its U.S. stores and on its website, which the Company believes was influenced by the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.  However, the Company believes these effects were less pronounced in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 as its U.S. retail business experienced improvement in demand from international consumers.

Carter’s Retail Segment

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

Carter’s retail segment sales increased $19.8 million, or 6.7%, to $314.7 million. Carter’s retail comparable sales increased 2.1%, comprised of eCommerce comparable sales growth of 25.2%, partially offset by a stores comparable sales decrease of 4.1%.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company opened 13 Carter’s stores and closed one store in the United States.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2016 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2015

Carter’s retail segment sales increased $61.2 million, or 7.7%, to $860.9 million. Carter’s retail comparable sales increased 2.1%, comprised of eCommerce comparable sales growth of 19.7%, partially offset by a stores comparable sales decline of 2.4%.

In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company opened 44 Carter’s stores and closed two stores in the United States.  The Company operated 636 Carter’s stores in the United States as of October 1, 2016.

Carter’s Wholesale Segment

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

Carter’s wholesale segment net sales increased $12.7 million, or 3.7%, to $356.3 million, reflecting earlier customer demand and improved pricing due to favorable product mix.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2016 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2015

Carter’s wholesale segment net sales increased $17.5 million, or 2.1%, to $842.1 million, reflecting improved pricing due to favorable product mix.

OshKosh Retail Segment

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

OshKosh retail segment net sales increased $8.7 million, or 8.9%, to $107.0 million. OshKosh retail comparable sales increased 4.1%, comprised of eCommerce comparable sales growth of 34.8%, partially offset by a stores comparable sales decline of 3.0%.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company opened seven OshKosh stores in the United States and closed two stores.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2016 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2015

OshKosh retail segment net sales increased $22.9 million, or 9.4%, to $267.7 million. OshKosh retail comparable sales increased 2.1%, comprised of eCommerce comparable sales growth of 24.9%, partially offset by a stores comparable sales decline of 3.5%.

In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company opened 30 OshKosh stores in the United States and closed four stores. The Company operated 267 OshKosh stores in the United States as of October 1, 2016.

OshKosh Wholesale Segment

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

OshKosh wholesale segment net sales decreased $1.3 million, or 7.0%, to $17.5 million due to a decrease in the number of units shipped, reflecting lower seasonal bookings, and a decrease in the average price per unit.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2016 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2015

OshKosh wholesale segment net sales decreased $10.4 million, or 21.1%, to $38.8 million due to a decrease in the number of units shipped, reflecting lower seasonal bookings, and a decrease in the average price per unit.

International Segment

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2016 compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2015

International segment net sales increased $11.8 million, or 12.5%, to $106.0 million, driven by growth in the Company’s retail businesses in Canada, increased wholesale demand in international markets, and eCommerce sales in China.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015 favorably affected international segment net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2016by $0.3 million, or 0.3%. On a constant currency basis (a non-GAAP measure), international segment net sales increased 12.2%.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2016, Canada retail comparable sales increased 1.6%, comprised of eCommerce comparable sales growth of 37.2%, partially offset by a stores comparable sales decline of 0.5%. In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company opened six stores in Canada.

First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2016 compared to First Three Quarters of Fiscal 2015

International segment net sales increased $26.3 million, or 11.5%, to $255.5 million, principally driven by growth in the Company’s retail businesses in Canada, new eCommerce sales in China, and increased wholesale demand in international markets, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 compared to the first three quarters of fiscal 2015 negatively affected international segment net sales in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 by $6.7 million, or 2.9%. On a constant currency basis (a non-GAAP measure), international segment net sales increased 14.4%.

For the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, Canada retail comparable sales increased 7.2%, comprised of stores comparable sales growth of 5.4% and eCommerce comparable sales growth of 37.3%. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company opened nine stores in Canada. The Company operated 156 stores in Canada as of October 1, 2016.

Return of Capital

Since the beginning of fiscal 2013, the Company has returned a total of $1.05 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and cash dividends.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company returned a total of $75.4 million to shareholders through share repurchases and cash dividends. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company returned a total of $289.3 million to shareholders through share repurchases and cash dividends, as described below.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 587,100 shares of its common stock for $58.9 million at an average price of $100.37 per share. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 2,358,947 shares of its common stock for $239.1 million at an average price of $101.37 per share. Fiscal year-to-date through October 26, 2016, the Company repurchased and retired a total of 2,666,947 shares for $266.1 million at an average price of $99.76 per share. All shares were repurchased in open market transactions pursuant to applicable regulations for such transactions. As of October 26, 2016, the total remaining capacity under the Company’s previously announced repurchase authorizations was approximately $309 million.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.33 per share totaling $16.5 million. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2016, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.99 per share totaling $50.1 million. Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of related record and payment dates will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including the Company’s future financial performance and other considerations.

2016 Business Outlook

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company projects net sales will increase approximately 5% to 6% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 and adjusted diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.65 to $1.70 (growth of approximately 18% to 21%) compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.40 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. This forecast for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 adjusted earnings per share excludes anticipated expenses of approximately $0.3 million related to the Company’s direct sourcing initiative. The Company believes that these adjustments provide a meaningful comparison of the Company’s results and afford investors a view of what management considers to be the Company’s core performance.

For fiscal 2016, the Company continues to project net sales growth of approximately 5% to 6% compared to fiscal 2015 and now projects adjusted diluted earnings per share will increase approximately 9% to 10% (previously projected growth of approximately 10%) compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $4.61 in fiscal 2015. This forecast for fiscal 2016 adjusted earnings per share excludes anticipated expenses of approximately $1.7 million related to the amortization of acquired tradenames and $0.8 million related to the Company’s direct sourcing initiative. The Company believes that these adjustments provide a meaningful comparison of the Company’s results and afford investors a view of what management considers to be the Company’s core performance.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call with investors to discuss third quarter fiscal 2016 results and its business outlook on October 27, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. To participate in the call, please dial 913-981-5519. To listen to a live broadcast via the internet, please visit www.carters.com and select the “Q3 2016 Earnings Conference Call” link under the “Investor Relations” tab. Presentation materials for the call can be accessed under the same tab by selecting the link for “News & Events” followed by “Webcasts & Presentations”. A replay of the call will be available shortly after the broadcast through November 5, 2016, at 888-203-1112 (U.S. / Canada) or 719-457-0820 (international), passcode 5816538. The replay will also be archived on the Company’s website under the “Investor Relations” tab.

About Carter’s, Inc.

Carter’s, Inc. is the largest branded marketer in the United States and Canada of apparel and related products exclusively for babies and young children. The Company owns the Carter’s and OshKosh B’goshbrands, two of the most recognized brands in the marketplace. These brands are sold in leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally. They are also sold through more than 1,000 Company-operated stores in the United States and Canada and on-line at www.carters.com, www.oshkoshbgosh.com, and www.cartersoshkosh.ca. The Company’s Just One You,Precious Firsts, and Genuine Kids brands are available at Target, and its Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart. Carter’s is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information may be found at www.carters.com.