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American Apparel – APP – Financial results for the fourth quarter

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American Apparel, Inc. (NYSE Amex: APP), a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashion basic apparel, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. The Company also provided guidance with respect to its expected 2012 performance.

Summary of Fourth Quarter 2011 Financial Performance (4Q 2011 vs. 4Q 2010)

Comparing the 2011 fourth quarter to the corresponding period last year, the Company reported that:


  • Net sales increased 9% to $157.6 million on a 7% increase in comparable store sales, a 19% increase in online sales, a 6% increase in wholesale net sales and a 9% decrease in the average number of stores. In addition, total net sales increased as a result of extensive warehouse-type clearance sales conducted in the 2011 fourth quarter.
  • Gross margin decreased to 53.2% from 55.6% due primarily to higher raw material and manufacturing overhead costs, the effect of lower margins on warehouse clearance sales and promotional activities. Partially offsetting these reductions were the impacts of reduced shrink and lower manufacturing direct labor expense.
  • Operating expenses decreased $5.8 million driven by lower occupancy expenses as the result of fewer stores and lower professional fees.
  • Cash generated from operating activities improved by $17.1 million to $12.2 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA improved by $9.6 million to $9.1 million from a previous year loss of $0.5 million.
  • Net loss per share was $0.11 in 2011 vs. $0.27 in 2010.
  • During the quarter the Company opened five retail stores and closed three to end the year with 249 stores worldwide.
  • The existing senior credit facility due to mature in July 2012 was replaced with a new three year senior credit facility. In addition, the second lien loan due on December 31, 2013 was extended to December 31, 2015. Accordingly, after considering the refinancing and recent operating performance improvements, the Company has concluded that there no longer is substantial doubt about its ability to operate as a going concern.

About American Apparel

American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashion basic apparel based in downtown Los Angeles, California. As of February 29, 2012, American Apparel had approximately 10,000 employees and operated 250 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China. American Apparel also operates a leading wholesale business that supplies high quality T-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and screen printers.

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edliston
Post Written By: Ed Liston

Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications. He is widely quoted in various financial publications on the Internet. When Ed is not writing about stocks, investing in stocks, talking about stocks, or otherwise doing something stock related, he likes to go sailing and fishing in his yacht.


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Ed Liston

Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications. He is widely quoted in various financial publications on the Internet. When Ed is not writing about stocks, investing in stocks, talking about stocks, or otherwise doing something stock related, he likes to go sailing and fishing.

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