GREENSBORO, N.C. - Kontoor Brands , Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:KTB), known for its Wrangler and Lee apparel brands, has declared a quarterly cash dividend increase of 4 percent, amounting to $0.52 per share on its common stock. This decision, announced today, will benefit shareholders of record by December 9, 2024, with the dividend payable on December 19, 2024.
The company's CEO, Scott Baxter (NYSE:BAX), expressed confidence in Kontoor Brands' growth strategy and its ability to generate returns for shareholders. Baxter's statement highlighted the company's commitment to delivering shareholder value alongside investing in growth initiatives.
Kontoor Brands, a global lifestyle apparel company, is recognized for its iconic brands Wrangler and Lee. The company focuses on designing, manufacturing, distributing, and licensing high-quality apparel products. Kontoor Brands emphasizes its purpose-driven approach, aiming to leverage its global presence, strategic sourcing, and supply chain excellence to fuel brand expansion and stakeholder value.
This dividend increase reflects the company's financial health and its board's optimistic outlook on its strategic direction. Kontoor Brands' approach to balancing growth investments with shareholder returns is central to its financial strategy.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Kontoor Brands.
In other recent news, Kontoor Brands has been the subject of increased attention from Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) and Stifel, both of which have raised their stock price targets for the company. This comes after Kontoor Brands reported strong earnings growth and gross margin expansion, surpassing Q2 expectations. The company saw a 1% increase in Wrangler's revenue and a 6% decrease in Lee's revenue, but anticipates accelerated revenue growth for both brands later this year.
Kontoor Brands also raised its full-year guidance for gross margin, earnings, and cash flow, attributing this to market share gains and operational efficiencies. Wells Fargo and Stifel's optimism is driven by positive performance indicators from the Wrangler brand and the potential benefits from Project Jeanius, a cost-saving initiative expected to contribute significantly to gross margin.
Despite challenges in Europe and Asia, Kontoor Brands remains confident in delivering superior returns and expects stronger cash flow due to improved earnings and net working capital management. These are among the recent developments for Kontoor Brands.
InvestingPro Insights
Kontoor Brands' recent dividend increase aligns with its track record of shareholder value creation, as highlighted by InvestingPro data. The company has raised its dividend for three consecutive years, demonstrating a consistent commitment to returning capital to shareholders. This practice is particularly noteworthy given the company's strong financial performance over the past year.
InvestingPro Tips reveal that Kontoor Brands has shown a high return over the last year, with a remarkable 66.34% price total return. This performance is complemented by a strong return over the last three months, indicating sustained positive momentum. The company's profitability is also noteworthy, with InvestingPro data showing a healthy gross profit margin of 43.59% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024.
Despite the recent dividend increase, Kontoor Brands maintains a moderate level of debt and its liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, suggesting a balanced approach to financial management. The company's P/E ratio of 18.05 and its trading at a high Price / Book multiple of 11.62 may indicate investor confidence in its future growth prospects.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Kontoor Brands, providing deeper insights into the company's financial health and market position.
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