New York, December 10, 2021 -- Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) upgraded Caleres, Inc.'s
(Caleres) ratings, including the corporate family rating (CFR) to
Ba3 from B1, probability of default rating (PDR) to Ba3-PD
from B1-PD and senior unsecured notes rating to B1 from B2.
The speculative grade liquidity remains SGL-1 and the outlook was
changed to stable from positive.
The upgrades reflect Caleres' earnings growth coming out of the
coronavirus pandemic as well as governance considerations, specifically
recent debt repayment. During 2021, the company reduced its
debt significantly below pre-pandemic levels. In August
2021, Caleres redeemed $100 million of its senior unsecured
notes and it has also notified holders of its intent to redeem the remaining
notes in full in January 2022. All ratings will be withdrawn upon
redemption of the rated debt.
Moody's took the following rating actions for Caleres, Inc.:
.... Corporate Family Rating, upgraded
to Ba3 from B1
.... Probability of Default Rating,
upgraded to Ba3-PD from B1-PD
.... Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture,
upgraded to B1 (LGD5) from B2 (LGD5)
.... Outlook, changed to stable from
positive
RATINGS RATIONALE
Caleres' Ba3 CFR reflects the company's diversified portfolio of recognized
footwear brands and strong recovery in operating performance. Caleres'
Famous Footwear business, which predominantly sells casual and athletic
shoes, has been exceeding pre-pandemic levels of adjusted
operating profit year-to-date in 2021, supported by
a more normalized pattern of consumer spending on footwear, government
stimulus, and a low level of markdowns across the sector.
The Brand Portfolio business is also recovering as consumers update their
office-appropriate and going out wardrobes. Moody's
expects solid earnings performance going forward, driven by continued
strength in demand but offset by margin pressures from a likely return
to more promotional activity in the sector. The credit profile
also incorporates governance factors, specifically the company's
financial strategy, which balances maintenance of moderate debt
levels with a return of capital to shareholders. Over the next
12-18 months, Moody's projects leverage to decline
to 2.3x from 2.4x as of October 30, 2021, and
EBIT/interest expense to increase to 6.2x from 5.3x (including
run rate interest expense).
The credit profile is constrained by the fashion risk and high level of
competition in the apparel and footwear sector. The rating also
reflects Caleres' low margins relative to specialty retail peers,
narrow product focus, and sensitivity to shifts in consumer discretionary
spending. Despite an overall balanced financial policy, Caleres
financed its sizeable Allen Edmonds and Vionic acquisitions with short-term
debt, which Moody's viewed as relatively aggressive.
In addition, the acquisition of Allen Edmonds underperformed initial
expectations. As a retailer, the company also needs to make
ongoing investments in social and environmental drivers including responsible
sourcing, product and supply sustainability, privacy and data
protection.
The stable outlook reflects expectations for solid earnings performance
and very good liquidity.
FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS
The ratings could be upgraded if the company maintains revenue and earnings
growth, as well as a conservative financial policy, including
a low level of funded debt and very good liquidity. Quantitatively,
the ratings could be upgraded if Moody's-adjusted debt/EBITDA is
sustained below 2.25 times and EBITA/interest expense above 4 times.
The ratings could be downgraded if positive trends in revenues and EBITDA
reverse, financial policy becomes more aggressive or liquidity deteriorates.
Quantitatively, ratings could be lowered if debt/EBITDA is sustained
above 2.75 times or EBIT/interest expense declines below 3.25
times.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Caleres is a
retailer and a wholesaler of footwear. Its Famous Footwear chain
sells moderately priced branded footwear targeting families in the U.S.
and Canada. Through its Brand Portfolio segment, Caleres
also designs and markets owned and licensed footwear brands including
Vionic, Sam Edelman, Allen Edmonds, Naturalizer,
Dr. Scholl's, Blowfish Malibu, LifeStride, Franco
Sarto, Ryka, and Bzees. The Brand Portfolio segment
also includes specialty retail stores mostly under the Allen Edmonds brands
in the U.S. and Canada. Revenues for the twelve months
ended October 30, 2021 were approximately $2.7 billion.
The principal methodology used in these ratings was Retail published in
November 2021 and available at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1296095.
Alternatively, please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com
for a copy of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For further specification of Moody's key rating assumptions and
sensitivity analysis, see the sections Methodology Assumptions and
Sensitivity to Assumptions in the disclosure form. Moody's
Rating Symbols and Definitions can be found at: https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_79004.
For ratings issued on a program, series, category/class of
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rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may
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and governance (ESG) risks in our credit analysis can be found at http://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1288235.
At least one ESG consideration was material to the credit rating action(s)
announced and described above.
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Raya Sokolyanska
Vice President - Senior Analyst
Corporate Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
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Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
Margaret Taylor
Associate Managing Director
Corporate Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 1 212 553 0376
Client Service: 1 212 553 1653
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