USA: Oakley Projects Sales Increases Of 40 Per Cent

Oakley Inc (NYSE:OO) announced yesterday that, based on current sales trends, the company expects to report record net sales in excess of $100m and earnings of at least $0.21 per diluted share in the third quarter ending September 30, 2000. These results would represent increases of approximately 40 per cent compared with net sales of $70.8m and earnings of $0.15 per diluted share reported in the same period last year. The company expects to report final third quarter results on October 18, 2000. In advance of today's presentation at the First Security Van Kasper Class of 2000 investment conference being held in San Francisco, Oakley's COO, Link Newcomb, said: "Sales trends through August in the US and around the world, coupled with continued strength in the company's order backlog, reflect the strength of the Oakley brand and the increasing breadth of our product line." "Our expanded fall 2000 footwear line continues to experience positive sell-through at key retailers around the world," continued Newcomb. "After achieving profitability for the first time in June, we expect the third quarter to be our first full quarter of footwear profitability since our entry into this category two years ago."