Deckers Outdoor Corporation ( DECK , Analyst Report ), the maker of sheepskin boots and slippers, recently delivered better than expected fourth quarter 2009 results on the heels of strong demand for the UGG brand product line, new product introductions, and effective inventory management. The quarterly earnings of $5.22 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.32, and soared 28.9% from $4.05 posted in the prior year quarter. Management now expects first quarter 2010 earnings to fall by 6%, and fiscal year 2010 earnings to rise by 5%. 
Share:  <span class="company">Deckers Outdoor</span> Corporation ( DECK , Analyst Report ), the maker of sheepskin boots and slippers, recently delivered better than expected fourth quarter 2009 results on the heels of strong demand for the UGG brand product line, new product introductions, and effective inventory management. The quarterly earnings of $5.22 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.32, and soared 28.9% from $4.05 posted in the prior year quarter. Management now expects first quarter 2010 earnings to fall by 6%, and fiscal year 2010 earnings to rise by 5%. Tweet this 

Nearly 90% of the increase came through the company's own stores. Deckers also saw e commerce sales of its Ugg and Teva brands jump more than 20%, helping drive gross margins above 49% for the quarter. "The weather is helping," said retail analyst Sam Poser with Sterne Agee. But the real story is about meticulous brand and supply chain management, where Poser says retailers in general are "about to see the big separation of men from the boys." Consumers are tight fisted, Poser says, but still fashion and trend oriented, and willing to "part with the money if you really capture their imagination." 
Share:  Nearly 90% of the increase came through the company's own stores.<span class="sent"> <span class="company">Deckers</span> also saw e commerce sales of its Ugg and Teva brands jump more than 20%, helping drive gross margins above 49% for the quarter. "The weather is helping," said retail analyst <span class="analyst">Sam Poser</span> with Sterne Agee.</span> But the real story is about meticulous brand and supply chain management, where Poser says retailers in general are "about to see the big separation of men from the boys." Consumers are tight fisted, Poser says, but still fashion and trend oriented, and willing to "part with the money if you really capture their imagination." Tweet this 

Deckers Outdoor Corp ( DECK 87.19 , +1.97 , +2.31% ) was up 1.5%. Lazard Capital Markets raised its price target on the company, which makes the Ugg boots, to $115 from $85 a share with a buy rating. The company's revenue estimate for the second half appears conservative as consumers continued to purchase its products in department and specialty stores, analyst Todd Slater said.  
Share:  <span class="company">Deckers Outdoor</span> Corp ( DECK 87.19 , +1.97 , +2.31% ) was up 1.5%. Lazard Capital Markets raised its price target on the company, which makes the Ugg boots, to $115 from $85 a share with a buy rating. <span class="sent"> The company's revenue estimate for the second half appears conservative as consumers continued to purchase its products in department and specialty stores, analyst <span class="analyst">Todd Slater</span> said. </span>...<span class="company">Deckers Outdoor</span> Corp ( DECK 87.19 , +1.97 , +2.31% ) was up 1.5%. Lazard Capital Markets raised its price target on the company, which makes the Ugg boots, to $115 from $85 a share with a buy rating. <span class="sent"> The company's revenue estimate for the second half appears conservative as consumers continued to purchase its products in department and specialty stores, analyst <span class="analyst">Todd Slater</span> said. </span> Tweet this 

Deckers Outdoor Corp. /quotes/comstock/15*!deck /quotes/nls/deck ( DECK 86.72 , +1.50 , +1.76% ) was up 1.5%. Lazard Capital Markets raised its price target on the company, which makes the Ugg boots, to $115 from $85 a share with a buy rating. The company's revenue estimate for the second half appears conservative as consumers continued to purchase its products in department and specialty stores, analyst Todd Slater said.  
Share:  <span class="company">Deckers Outdoor</span> Corp. /quotes/comstock/15*!deck /quotes/nls/deck ( DECK 86.72 , +1.50 , +1.76% ) was up 1.5%. Lazard Capital Markets raised its price target on the company, which makes the Ugg boots, to $115 from $85 a share with a buy rating. <span class="sent"> The company's revenue estimate for the second half appears conservative as consumers continued to purchase its products in department and specialty stores, analyst <span class="analyst">Todd Slater</span> said. </span>...<span class="company">Deckers Outdoor</span> Corp. /quotes/comstock/15*!deck /quotes/nls/deck ( DECK 86.72 , +1.50 , +1.76% ) was up 1.5%. Lazard Capital Markets raised its price target on the company, which makes the Ugg boots, to $115 from $85 a share with a buy rating. <span class="sent"> The company's revenue estimate for the second half appears conservative as consumers continued to purchase its products in department and specialty stores, analyst <span class="analyst">Todd Slater</span> said. </span> Tweet this 

"In our view," wrote Thomas Weisel analyst Jim Duffy, "signs of maturing growth in the domestic wholesale UGG business heighten the risk profile for shares." Over the previous two years, Deckers shares have traded at a 17% premium to the apparel/footwear index and a 20% premium to the S&P 500 ( SPX ). Despite revised positions, Deckers still recorded a $41 million profit during the second quarter and the company raised its full year revenue outlook, expecting sales to increase 9% over 2008's revenues of $689 million. Part of CEO Angel Martinez's plan to keep UGG sales strong involves turning the brand into more than just a winter luxury. "UGG is simply not just sheepskin boots," Martinez says. 
Share:  <span class="sent">"In our view," wrote Thomas Weisel analyst <span class="analyst">Jim Duffy</span>, "signs of maturing growth in the domestic wholesale UGG business heighten the risk profile for shares." </span> Over the previous two years, <span class="company">Deckers</span> shares have traded at a 17% premium to the apparel/footwear index and a 20% premium to the S&P 500 ( SPX ). Despite revised positions, <span class="company">Deckers</span> still recorded a $41 million profit during the second quarter and the company raised its full year revenue outlook, expecting sales to increase 9% over 2008's revenues of $689 million. Part of CEO Angel Martinez's plan to keep UGG sales strong involves turning the brand into more than just a winter luxury. "UGG is simply not just sheepskin boots," Martinez says. Tweet this 

The Australian sheepskin boot maker is also a celebrity favourite that once seemed destined for fad and fade. However, Sam Poser, an analyst at Sterne Agee, says that Uggs owner, Deckers Outdoor, has done a far better job at managing its brand. "Crocs had an item that did extremely well and they overdistributed it. You can buy it anywhere. Basically they are plastic shoes, people can knock them off, it didn't evolve and they didn't understand the fashion aspect of it until it was too late," Poser says. 
Share:  The Australian sheepskin boot maker is also a celebrity favourite that once seemed destined for fad and fade. <span class="sent"> However, <span class="analyst">Sam Poser</span>, an analyst at Sterne Agee, says that Uggs owner, <span class="company">Deckers Outdoor</span>, has done a far better job at managing its brand. </span> "Crocs had an item that did extremely well and they overdistributed it. You can buy it anywhere. Basically they are plastic shoes, people can knock them off, it didn't evolve and they didn't understand the fashion aspect of it until it was too late," Poser says. Tweet this