EANS-News: PUMA SE / PUMA posts Best Second Quarter Sales Performance in Company History

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Earnings

Herzogenaurach (euro adhoc) - PRESS RELEASE

PUMA posts Best Second Quarter Sales Performance in Company History
27th July, 2011

Highlights Second Quarter 2011

• Consolidated sales increased by 14.1% currency adjusted to a record second
quarter high of EUR 674 million
• Gross profit margin holding up well at 49.1% despite pressure from
external factors
• EBIT 3.2% above last year at EUR 55.4 million
• Net earnings up 10.6% to EUR 37.6 million
• EPS up to EUR 2.51 from EUR 2.26 last year

Highlights First Half 2011

• Consolidated sales up by 11.5% currency adjusted to a record EUR
1.45
billion
• Gross profit margin still a strong 50.9%
• EBIT 2.5% above last year at EUR 166.4 million
• Net earnings improved by 8.2% to EUR 115.3 million
• EPS increased to EUR 7.69 from EUR 7.07 last year

Outlook for the Financial Year 2011

• PUMA´s continued business success over the past six months confirmed the
Management view that the 3 billion milestone in sales for the full year of
2011 is attainable.
• Sourcing cost increases caused by rising prices for commodities and higher
wages in Asia will continue to impact gross margins. PUMA will continue to
support business growth and the "Back on the Attack" growth strategy; thus
investments in marketing, sales, product development as well as process
optimization will continue to affect overall expenses.
• Although increases in sourcing costs and continued investments in brand
and product will impact overall operational results, management foresees
continuous improvement of net earnings by mid single-digits for the full
year.

"I could not have asked for a better start to my new position as
PUMA´s CEO than to announce the best second quarter in PUMA´s
history in terms of sales, a performance that underlines our
ambition to achieve our sales target of 3 billion Euros for
this year," said Franz Koch, CEO of PUMA SE. "The investments into
our core markets, in line with our Back on the Attack company
growth strategy, have started to pay off and we will continue to
strengthen our brand and product in order to become the
most desirable and sustainable sportlifestyle company in the
world."

PUMA´s Q2 Sales Record underpinned by Running Category and strong
Growth in Latin America and Asia

With the global economic recovery having gained strength, the
Sportlifestyle company PUMA posted a strong second quarter growth
in consolidated sales of 14.1% currency-adjusted and 9.4% in Euro
terms to EUR 673.5 million compared to last year, representing
PUMA´s best ever second quarter sales performance.

PUMA Faas is building up momentum With all product categories
contributing to this increase, Footwear rose 16.2% currency
adjusted to EUR 352.6 million, Apparel went up 10.7% to EUR 224.3
million and Accessories again posted an eye catching 15.0% increase
to EUR 96.7 million. In particular, PUMA´s Running category grew
significantly, boosted by the ongoing top seller PUMA Faas, a
lightweight neutral racer for tempo runs and racing. The shoe is
constructed with BioRide Technology, an integrated system that
provides more natural running rhythm and enhanced speed.
Another Performance category that performed well in the second
quarter was Cobra-PUMA- GOLF as a result of synergies arising from
the Cobra Golf integration.

In the Teamsport category, PUMA claimed another champion title
with Uruguay winning the Copa America for the 15th time, building on
their fourth place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The team also
achieved their second-ever qualification for the FIFA Confederations
Cup to be held in Brazil in 2013. Uruguay beat Paraguay 3-0 in
Sunday´s final, becoming the most successful team in the
tournament´s history.

The FIFA Women´s World Cup in Germany provided another great
opportunity, where PUMA further strengthened its brand
awareness in Women´s Football. PUMA sponsored eight PUMA players
on the German team as well as international stars from England,
Canada, Norway, Sweden, France and the USA as well as brand
ambassador Marta of Brazil, who all sported the PUMA Speed v1.11
football boot. In fact, the v1.11 scored most goals in the
tournament, 16 in total.

Over the first half of this year sales across all categories
increased in pace. Footwear sales were up 9.9% (10.9% currency
adjusted), Apparel sales were up 7.0% (6.1% currency adjusted)
and Accessories were up 29.4% (28.3% currency adjusted) partly
due to the full year effect of Cobra golf.

Latin America and Asia remain the main growth areas In regional
terms, PUMA continued its excellent performance in the Americas
with sales growing by 16.9% currency-adjusted to EUR 226 million.
Latin America and Asia excelled with a strong double-digit rise
with Lifestyle and PUMA´s Motorsport categories being the main
growth drivers.

Sales in EMEA grew by 9.2% currency-adjusted to EUR 290 million
with satisfying performances in both Western and Eastern Europe.
Spain advanced significantly after a PUMA subsidiary was opened in
the second quarter of last year. Women´s Fitness (Bodytrain)
increased by double-digit rates.

Asia/Pacific posted a gain of 20.1% currency adjusted to EUR 158
million, as sales in Japan have recovered much faster than
anticipated in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster, posting
double-digit growth. PUMA´s Lifestyle (PUMA Social), Running
(Faas and light-weight gear) and Fitness (Bodytrain)
categories drove the overall growth.

Half-year EMEA sales are up 7.3% (6.5% currency adjusted), the
Americas are up a satisfying 14.3% (18.4% currency adjusted)
and Asia/Pacific is up an impressive 16.5% (13.0% currency
adjusted).

Gross Profit Margin at industry-leading levels The gross profit
margin remained at an industry leading 49.1%, which is
testament to PUMA´s continuing efforts to maximize returns and
efficiencies.

The Footwear segment had a gross profit margin of 48.1%, down
from 50.7%. Apparel stood at 48.9%, down from 52.1%. Both
segments were impacted by slightly higher sourcing costs as
well as negative currency impacts from hedging. Accessories were
at 53.3%, a sharp jump from 46.3% which is based on last year´s
impact of the Cobra takeover.

Overall the half year gross profit margin is down slightly to 50.9%
after 51.5% last year. The Footwear margin is currently at 49.8%,
Apparel at 51.4% and Accessories at 53.7%.

Operating Expenses Operating expenses rose by 10.3% to EUR 279.9
million during the second quarter of 2011. As a percentage of
sales, this represents a slight increase from 41.2% to 41.6%
compared to last year. For the full year to the end of June 2011,
OPEX rose by 15.9% to EUR 578.5 million. Increases in expenditure
arose from our continued investments outlined in our 5-year growth
plan and the full year effects caused by the extension of the
scope of consolidation with Cobra and PUMA Spain now fully
included.

EBIT Operating profit came in as expected, improving to EUR 55.4
million from EUR 53.6 million. This represents 8.2% of consolidated
sales, down slightly from a rate of 8.7% at this time last year. On
a half year basis EBIT is up slightly to EUR 166.4 million.

Financial Result / Income from associated companies The financial
result declined from EUR -1.3 million to EUR -1.6 million, however,
the half year number improved from EUR -2.7 million last year to EUR
-1.8 million.

Earnings before Taxes PUMA´s second quarter EBT rose from EUR 52.3
million to EUR 53.8 million. They also rose from EUR 159.6 million to
EUR 164.6 million on a half yearly basis. Quarterly tax expenses
declined from EUR 18.2 million to EUR 16.2 million and the tax
rate dropped from 34.9% to a normalized tax rate of 30.0%. Net
Earnings Consolidated net earnings increased by 10.6% to EUR 37.6
million from EUR 34.0 million in 2010. Earnings per share rose from
EUR 2.26 to EUR 2.51, and diluted earnings per share were up from
EUR 2.25 to EUR 2.51.

For the first half of 2011, net earnings rose by 8.2% to EUR 115.3
million. EPS increased by 8.8% to EUR 7.69.

Net Assets and Financial Position

Equity Total assets (as of 30th June 2011) grew by 2.6% from EUR
2,284.8 million to EUR 2,343.4 million. This rise is primarily
attributable to an increase in non- current assets in the form
of deferred taxes and non-current assets as a result of our ongoing
capital investment program. The equity ratio rose from 58.6% to
59.4%. In absolute figures, shareholders' equity increased by 4.1% to
EUR 1,392.5 million from EUR 1,338.3 million. PUMA´s balance sheet
remains strong.

Working Capital PUMA´s overall Working Capital went up by 13.0% to
EUR 509 million. On the asset side, inventories went up by 12.1%
from EUR 453.1 million to EUR 508.0 million, supporting our
continued and expected sales growth. Trade receivables also
increased, up 5.0% from EUR 497.1 million to EUR 522.0 million. This
again is an effect of our growth in sales compared to this point in
time last year. On the liabilities side, trade payables rose 7.6%
from EUR 395.4 million to EUR 425.3 million.

Cashflow/ Capex The Free Cashflow (before acquisitions) came in at
EUR -9.2 million versus EUR 57.2 million last year. The additional
outflow resulted from tax payments and higher working capital needed
as well as higher CAPEX. The payments for acquisitions are related
to the purchase of the outstanding shares in our Chinese venture.
For Capex, the company spent EUR 29.1 million versus EUR 18.5 million
in 2010. The increase derives mainly from investments in the
improvement of organizational processes and IT as well as in the
expansion of our Retail store portfolio, which are necessary
components of our growth strategy.

Cash Position Total cash (as of 30th June, 2011) dropped by 21.6% to
EUR 351.6 million from EUR 448.3 million last year. Bank debts were
reduced by 41.2% from EUR 51.5 million to EUR 30.3 million. As a
result, the net cash position decreased 19.0%, from EUR 396.8
million to EUR 321.3 million.

Share buyback PUMA continued with its share buy-back program and
purchased 72.853 shares for EUR 15.7 million during the second
quarter. The company now holds 173.377 shares in total as treasury
stock which equals 1.15% of the subscribed capital.

Other Events

PUMA AG converts to a Societas Europaea (SE) With the completion of
the transformation on July 25th,, 2011, Franz Koch has become
Chief Executive Officer, with Jochen Zeitz taking over as Chairman
of the Administrative Board of PUMA SE. At the same time, he will
lead PPR's Sport & Lifestyle Division. In this role, he will ensure
PUMA SE´s continuous and strategic growth within the framework of
the next phase of development and support the drive to
sustainability as PPR´s Chief Sustainability Officer.

SPANISH Court Ruling As already announced in an ad hoc release on
17th of June, 2011 the arbitration ruling of 2nd June, 2010 by a
Spanish arbitration panel regarding the one-time payment of 98
million Euros has been repealed by the District Court of Madrid.
PUMA is therefore no longer obliged to pay the amount of 98 million
Euros.

Outlook for the Financial Year 2011

PUMA continues to target the EUR 3 billion sales mark for the full
year which reflects a continuation of our first-half sales. There
will, however, continue to be pressure on gross profit margins in
the shape of higher raw material prices and Asian wage
increases, although PUMA has thus far shown an ability to keep its
gross profit margins at the highest level within the industry.
Despite higher operating expenditures which are in line with the
overall strategy, PUMA expects absolute net earnings to improve in
the mid single digit range.

Notes to the editors:
• This press release and financial reports are posted on www.about.puma.com.
• PUMA SE stock symbol:
Reuters: PUMG.DE, Bloomberg: PUM GY,
Börse Frankfurt: ISIN: DE0006969603- WKN: 6969603

Notes relating to forward-looking statements: This document
contains forward-looking information about the Company´s
financial status and strategic initiatives. Such information is
subject to a certain level of risk and uncertainty that could
cause the Company's actual results to differ significantly
from the information discussed in this document. The
forward-looking information is based on the current expectations
and prognosis of the management team. Therefore, this document
is further subject to the risk that such expectations or prognosis,
or the premise of such underlying expectations or prognosis,
become erroneous. Circumstances that

could alter the Company's actual results and procure such results to differ
significantly from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on
behalf of the Company include, but are not limited to those discussed be above.

|PUMA |

PUMA is one of the world´s leading Sportlifestyle companies that
designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is
committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by
supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by
staying true to the principles of being Fair, Honest, Positive
and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in
Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle
labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports,
Golf and Sailing. Sport Fashion features collaborations with
renowned designer labels such as Alexander McQueen, Mihara Yasuhiro
and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf
and Tretorn. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes
its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000
people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany,
Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit
http://www.puma.com

Further inquiry note:
Kerstin Neuber

Telefon: +49 (0)9132 81-2984

E-Mail: Kerstin.Neuber@puma.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport
Würzburger Strasse 13
D-91074 Herzogenaurach
phone: +49 (0)9132 81 0
mail: investor-relations@puma.com
WWW: http://about.puma.com/?lang=de
sector: Consumer Goods
ISIN: DE0006969603
indexes: Midcap Market Index, MDAX, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All
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