INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Forward Looking Information
Statements in this report which are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will” and “would” or similar words. You should not rely on forward-looking statements because actual events or results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under the headings “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Inter Parfums’ annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and the reports Inter Parfums files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Inter Parfums does not intend to and undertakes no duty to update the information contained in this report.
Overview
We operate in the fragrance business, and manufacture, market and distribute a wide array of prestige fragrances and fragrance related products. We manage our business in two segments, European based operations and United States based operations. Certain prestige fragrance products are produced and marketed by our European based operations through our 72% owned subsidiary in Paris, Interparfums SA, which is also a publicly traded company as 28% of Interparfums SA shares trade on the Euronext.
We produce and distribute fragrance products through our European based operations primarily under license agreements with brand owners, and European based fragrance product sales represented approximately 68% and 69% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We have built a portfolio of prestige brands, which include Boucheron, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Lanvin, Moncler, Montblanc, Rochas and Van Cleef & Arpels, whose products are distributed in over 120 countries around the world. Our exclusive and worldwide license for the production and distribution of Lacoste brand perfumes and cosmetics became effective in January 2024.
Through our United States based operations, we also market fragrance and fragrance related products. United States based operations represented 32% and 31% of net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These fragrance products are sold primarily pursuant to license or other agreements with the owners of the Abercrombie & Fitch, Anna Sui, Donna Karan, DKNY, Emanual Ungaro, Ferragamo, Graff, GUESS, Hollister, MCM, Oscar de la Renta and Roberto Cavalli brands.
Substantially all of our prestige fragrance brands are licensed from unaffiliated third parties, and our business is dependent upon the continuation and renewal of such licenses. With respect to the Company’s largest brands, we license the Montblanc, Jimmy Choo, Coach, GUESS, Donna Karan/DKNY, Lacoste, and Ferragamo brand names.
As a percentage of net sales, product sales for the Company’s largest brands were as follows:
|
|
Six Months Ended
June 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Montblanc |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
19 |
% |
Jimmy Choo |
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
Coach |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
18 |
% |
GUESS |
|
|
11 |
% |
|
|
11 |
% |
Donna Karan/DKNY |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
6 |
% |
Lacoste |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
Ferragamo |
|
|
4 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Quarterly sales fluctuations are influenced by the timing of new product launches as well as the third and fourth quarter holiday season. In certain markets where we sell directly to retailers, seasonality is more evident. We primarily sell directly to retailers in France, the United States, and Italy.
We grow our business in two distinct ways. First, we grow by adding new brands to our portfolio, through new licenses, or other arrangements or outright acquisitions of brands. Second, we grow through the introduction of new products and by supporting new and established products through advertising, merchandising and sampling, as well as phasing out underperforming products, so we can devote greater resources to those products with greater potential. The economics of developing, producing, launching and supporting products influence our sales and operating performance each year. The introduction of new products may have some cannibalizing effect on sales of existing products, which we take into account in our business planning.
Our business is not capital intensive, and it is important to note that we do not own manufacturing facilities. We act as a general contractor and source our needed components from our suppliers. These components are received and stored directly at our third-party fillers or received at one of our distribution centers. For those components received at one of our distribution centers, based upon production needs, the components are subsequently sent to one of several third party fillers, which manufacture the finished product for us and then deliver them to one of our distribution centers.
As with any global business, many aspects of our operations are subject to influences outside our control. We believe we have a strong and well diversified brand portfolio with global reach and potential. As part of our strategy, we plan to continue to make investments behind fast-growing markets and channels to grow market share.
Our reported net sales are impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. A strong U.S. dollar has a negative impact on our net sales. However, earnings are positively affected by a strong dollar, because greater than 50% of net sales of our European based operations are denominated in U.S. dollars, while almost all costs of our European based operations are incurred in euro. Conversely, a weak U.S. dollar has a favorable impact on our net sales while gross margins are negatively affected. We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that includes the use of derivative financial instruments and primarily enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates.
Recent Important Events
Please see our discussion of Recent Important Events, which is incorporated by reference to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies
Information regarding our critical accounting policies can be found in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Results of Operations
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 as Compared to the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Net Sales:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
(in millions) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
% Change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European based product sales |
|
$ |
226.0 |
|
|
$ |
197.8 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
% |
|
$ |
457.0 |
|
|
$ |
428.1 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
United States based product sales |
|
|
120.2 |
|
|
|
111.5 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
% |
|
|
216.0 |
|
|
|
192.9 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
% |
Eliminations |
|
|
(4.0 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(6.8 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
$ |
342.2 |
|
|
$ |
309.3 |
|
|
|
10.7 |
% |
|
$ |
666.2 |
|
|
$ |
621.0 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
% |
Net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 increased 10.7% from the three months ended June 30, 2023. At comparable foreign currency exchange rates, net sales increased 11.1% from the second quarter of 2023. The average dollar/euro exchange rate for the current second quarter was 1.08 compared to 1.09 in the second quarter of 2023, while the average dollar/euro exchange rate was 1.08 for both the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased 7.3% as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023.
Continuing the trend from the first quarter 2024, the current second quarter saw modest sales growth, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year, largely due to the exceptional performance of both European and United States based operations in 2023 where net sales grew 26% compared to 2022.
For European based operations, Jimmy Choo grew sales by 31% while Montblanc and Coach saw decreases in sales of 3% and 5%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year. This was largely driven by the substantial increases in sales of Montblanc and Coach in the second quarter of 2023 of 16% and 28%, respectively, as compared to the second quarter of 2022. During the first quarter of 2024, we began selling the Lacoste brand, which added $39.5 million in sales during the first half of the year.
Sales by our United States based operations grew a modest 7.9% in the second quarter of 2024 off a high 2023 base when second quarter sales had expanded 42%. The addition and extension of Roberto Cavalli contributed to the continued growth in United States based operations. For the first half of 2024, we saw growth of 8% and 14% for GUESS and Donna Karan/DKNY, respectively, following successful and continued brand expansions.
During the second quarter of 2024, we debuted Montblanc Collection and Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Le Parfum, which contributed to the continued brand strength of our two largest brands. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2024, we debuted Coach Dreams Moonlight and Lacoste Original which helped drive continued success of established and new brands for our portfolio. We also debuted MCM Crush in the second quarter of 2024 helping MCM realize double digit growth from prior year. Many of our mid-sized brands, including Karl Lagerfeld and Rochas, also achieved double digit sales gains. Additionally, we introduced brand extensions within established lines for Ferragamo and Guess. For Ferragamo we enriched the Signorina line with the launch of Signorina Unica. In the second quarter we launched Guess Iconic and Guess Amore helping to grow one of our largest brands.
The second quarter growth was in line with expectations, and we are confident in our future as we look forward to executing our plans for the remainder of 2024. Our brands are in high demand in a robust environment for the fragrance industry, and we have many exciting developments planned for the Company. We have a large number of brand extensions across many of our brands launching throughout the year, plus the upcoming international expansion of Lacoste Original. Additionally, there is a new flanker for Roberto Cavalli Signature and a new DKNY blockbuster fragrance, DKNY 24/7, that launched in select markets at the end of the second quarter and will see full scale distribution in September 2024. In sum, 2024 has all the earmarks of another superb year as the growth catalysts currently far outweigh the headwinds.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Net Sales to Customers by Region |
|
Six Months Ended |
|
(In millions) |
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America |
|
$ |
229.7 |
|
|
$ |
218.8 |
|
Western Europe |
|
|
170.6 |
|
|
|
153.9 |
|
Asia/Pacific |
|
|
104.8 |
|
|
|
98.5 |
|
Central and South America |
|
|
59.2 |
|
|
|
46.9 |
|
Middle East and Africa |
|
|
61.6 |
|
|
|
57.3 |
|
Eastern Europe |
|
|
40.3 |
|
|
|
45.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
666.2 |
|
|
$ |
621.0 |
|
In the first half of 2024, second quarter sales in our largest market, North America, rose 5%, followed by Western Europe and Asia/Pacific where comparable half year sales in both regions increased 11% and 6%, respectively. Our sales in Central and South America and the Middle East and Africa were also robust, up 26% and 8%, respectively. Additionally, our travel retail business is continuing to show signs of renewed life. Eastern Europe was adversely impacted by sourcing constraints in the first quarter, which showed signs of improvement during the second quarter 2024.
Gross Profit margin |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
(in millions) |
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European based operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
226.0 |
|
|
$ |
197.8 |
|
|
$ |
457.0 |
|
|
$ |
428.1 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
|
70.6 |
|
|
|
73.1 |
|
|
|
153.8 |
|
|
|
147.4 |
|
Gross margin |
|
$ |
155.4 |
|
|
$ |
124.7 |
|
|
$ |
303.2 |
|
|
$ |
280.7 |
|
Gross margin as a % of net sales |
|
|
68.8 |
% |
|
|
63.0 |
% |
|
|
66.3 |
% |
|
|
65.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States based operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales |
|
$ |
120.2 |
|
|
$ |
111.5 |
|
|
$ |
216.0 |
|
|
$ |
192.9 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
|
52.2 |
|
|
|
47.7 |
|
|
|
91.8 |
|
|
|
82.2 |
|
Gross margin |
|
$ |
68.0 |
|
|
$ |
63.8 |
|
|
$ |
124.2 |
|
|
$ |
110.7 |
|
Gross margin as a % of net sales |
|
|
56.5 |
% |
|
|
57.2 |
% |
|
|
57.5 |
% |
|
|
57.4 |
% |
The Company’s gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was 64.5% and 63.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 60.9% and 63.0% for the corresponding periods of the prior year. The increase was driven by favorable segment, geographic and channel mix, as well as certain one-time expenses related to inventory discussed further below. As expected,the adverse impacts experienced in the first quarter of 2024 related to cost inflation began to normalize in the second quarter. Excluding the one-time impacts related to the inventory reserves, gross margins would have decreased by approximately 50 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.
For European based operations, gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was 68.8% and 66.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 63.0% and 65.6% for the corresponding periods of the prior year. European based operations were positively impacted by geographic and channel mix. The cost inflation impacts on raw materials purchased in Europe related to increased energy costs largely abated in second quarter. Excluding the one-time impacts related to the inventory reserves, gross margins would have decreased by approximately 70 basis points for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
For United States based operations, gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales was 56.5% and 57.5% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 57.2% and 57.4% for the corresponding periods of the prior year. The decrease in the second quarter was driven by a slightly unfavorable brand mix, with gross margins remaining flat from the same half year period in the prior year.
Generally, we do not bill customers for shipping and handling costs, and such costs, which aggregated $2.5 million and $5.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to $3.6 million and $7.5 million for the corresponding periods of the prior year, are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. As such, our Company’s gross profit may not be comparable to other companies, which may include these expenses as a component of cost of goods sold. The improvement in shipping and handling costs in the first half of 2024 as compared to corresponding period in 2023 was a direct benefit of lower transportation costs seen globally.
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
(In millions) |
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
European based operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
108.1 |
|
|
$ |
89.2 |
|
|
$ |
198.5 |
|
|
$ |
166.5 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales |
|
|
47.8 |
% |
|
|
45.1 |
% |
|
|
43.4 |
% |
|
|
38.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States based operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
47.9 |
|
|
$ |
44.2 |
|
|
$ |
91.9 |
|
|
$ |
79.6 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales |
|
|
39.8 |
% |
|
|
39.7 |
% |
|
|
42.5 |
% |
|
|
41.3 |
% |
The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was 45.6% and 43.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to 43.1% and 39.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was largely driven by increased spending on promotional and advertising activities in both the second quarter and first half of 2024 as compared to the prior year periods. Additionally, starting in 2024, the Company began to amortize the cost of the Lacoste license which represented $3.2 million during the first half of the year. These costs will be incurred at approximately $1.6 million quarterly over the remaining life of the license.
For European based operations, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 21.2% and 19.2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year, and represented 47.8% and 43.4% of net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 45.1% and 38.9% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. As discussed above, this increase is driven by increased promotion and advertising spending as well as the impact of the amortization of the Lacoste license. For United States based operations, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8.2% and 15.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period of the prior year, and represented 39.8% and 42.5% of net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 39.7% and 41.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The increase was largely driven by continued investment in infrastructure and headcount to support the growth of the business.
Promotion and advertising included in selling, general and administrative expenses aggregated $66.4 million and $114.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to $54.6 million and $89.8 million for the corresponding periods of the year and represented 19.4% and 17.2% of net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 17.7% and 14.5% for the corresponding periods of the prior year.. Promotion and advertising are integral parts of our industry, and we continue to invest heavily to support new product launches and to build brand awareness. We believe that our promotion and advertising efforts have a beneficial effect on sales. Historically, the Company incurred the majority of our promotional and advertising expenditures in the second half of the year. Beginning in 2024, the Company implemented a strategy to increase spending in the first half of the year to better support and drive business growth throughout the year. Additionally, as the second quarter of 2024 saw a lighter innovation program than prior years, the Company focused on increasing promotional and advertising spending to support the continued success of our existing brands and to support the initial launch of our new brands, Lacoste and Roberto Cavalli. We also continue to develop and implement omnichannel concepts and compelling content to deliver an integrated consumer experience. Long term, we continue to anticipate that on a full year basis, promotion and advertising expenditures will aggregate approximately 21% of net sales.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Royalty expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses aggregated $27.0 million and $54.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to $24.0 million and $48.1 million for the corresponding periods of the prior year. Royalty expense represented 7.9% and 8.1% of net sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 7.8% and 7.7% of net sales for the corresponding periods of the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by unfavorable brand mix.
Income from Operations
As a result of the above analysis regarding net sales, gross profit margins and selling, general and administrative expenses, our operating margins aggregated 18.9% and 19.9% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to 17.8% and 23.4% for the corresponding periods of the prior year.
Other Income and Expense
Overall, other income and expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $1.5 million as compared to a gain of $2.8 million in the corresponding prior year period. The main driver of the decrease was the one-time gain recognized in 2023 related to the sale of marketable securities discussed below.
Interest expense is primarily related to the financing of brand and licensing acquisitions. In December 2022, to finance the acquisition of the Lacoste trademark, the Company entered into a $53.5 million (€50 million) four-year loan agreement. The loan agreement bears interest at EURIBOR-1 month rates plus a margin of 0.825%. This variable rate debt was swapped for variable interest rate debt with a maximum rate of 2% per annum. Additionally, in April 2021, we completed the acquisition of the headquarters of Interparfums SA. The acquisition was financed by a 10-year approximately $128.5 million (€120 million) bank loan which bears interest at one-month Euribor plus 0.75%. Approximately $85.6 million (€80 million) of the variable rate debt was swapped for fixed interest rate debt with a maximum interest rate of 2% per annum. The swap effectively exchanges the variable interest rate to a fixed rate of approximately 1.1%. Long-term debt including current maturities aggregated $137.2 million and $157.5 million as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
We enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposure related to receivables from unaffiliated third parties denominated in a foreign currency and occasionally to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a foreign currency. Greater than 50% of net sales of our European based operations are denominated in U.S. dollars. Gains and losses in derivatives designated as hedges are accumulated in other comprehensive income and gains and losses in derivatives not designated as hedges are included in (gain) loss on foreign currency on the accompanying consolidated income statements. Such gains and losses were immaterial in the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Interest and investment income represents interest earned on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of June 30, 2024, short-term investments include approximately $8.8 million of marketable equity securities of other companies in the luxury goods sector. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company sold marketable securities which generated a gain of $3.1 million. The Company purchased additional marketable securities throughout 2023 and in the first half of 2024, resulting in an unrealized loss of $0.6 million for the first half of 2024.
Income Taxes
Our consolidated effective tax rate was 23.9% and 23.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate for European based operations was 25.0% for both the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, while the effective tax rate for United States based operations was 19.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to 17.4% for the corresponding period of the prior year. Our effective tax rate for United States based operations differs from the 21% statutory rate in the United States as it is a blended rate across multiple jurisdictions and takes into account benefits received from the exercise of stock options as well as deductions we are allowed for a portion of our foreign derived intangible income, slightly offset by state and local taxes. Other than as discussed above, we did not experience any significant changes in tax rates, and none were expected in jurisdictions where we operate.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Net Income
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
(In thousands) |
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to European based operations |
|
$ |
33,187 |
|
|
$ |
26,950 |
|
|
$ |
78,127 |
|
|
$ |
87,515 |
|
Net income attributable to United States based operations |
|
|
15,225 |
|
|
|
15,568 |
|
|
|
24,752 |
|
|
|
25,911 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(1,814 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,978 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net income |
|
|
46,598 |
|
|
|
42,518 |
|
|
|
99,901 |
|
|
|
113,426 |
|
Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest |
|
|
9,775 |
|
|
|
7,566 |
|
|
|
22,030 |
|
|
|
24,406 |
|
Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. |
|
$ |
36,823 |
|
|
$ |
34,952 |
|
|
$ |
77,871 |
|
|
$ |
89,020 |
|
Net income attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. was $36.8 million and $77.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to $35.0 million and $89.0 million for the corresponding periods of the prior year.
Net income attributable to European based operations was $33.2 million and $78.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to $27.0 million and $87.5 million for the corresponding periods of the prior year, while net income attributable to United States based operations was $15.2 million and $24.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to $15.6 million and $25.9 million for the corresponding periods of the prior year. The significant fluctuations in net income for both European based operations and United States based operations are directly related to the previous discussions pertaining to changes in sales, gross margin, and selling, general and administrative expenses.
The noncontrolling interest arises from our 72% owned subsidiary in Paris, Interparfums SA, which is also a publicly traded company as 28% of Interparfums SA shares trade on the Euronext. Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest is directly related to the profitability of our European based operations and aggregated 28% of European based operations net income for both the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. Net profit margins attributable to Inter Parfums, Inc. as of June 30, 2024 and 2023 aggregated 11.7% and 14.3%, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our conservative financial tradition has enabled us to amass significant cash balances. As of June 30, 2024, we had $77 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, most of which are held in euro by our European based operations and is readily convertible into U.S. dollars. We have not had any liquidity issues to date, and do not expect any liquidity issues relating to such cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
As of June 30, 2024, working capital aggregated $525 million. Approximately 75% of the Company’s total assets are held by European based operations, and approximately $244 million of trademarks, licenses and other intangible assets are also held by European based operations.
The Company is party to a number of licenses and other agreements for the use of trademarks and rights in connection with the manufacture and sale of its products expiring at various dates through 2039. In connection with most of these license agreements, the Company is subject to minimum annual advertising commitments, minimum annual royalties and other commitments. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note 12 – Commitments in our 2023 annual report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein. Future advertising commitments are estimated based on planned future sales for the license terms that were in effect at December 31, 2023, without consideration for potential renewal periods and do not reflect the fact that our distributors share our advertising obligations.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The Company hopes to continue to benefit from its strong financial position to potentially acquire one or more brands, either on a proprietary basis or as a licensee. Discussions have been underway since 2023 with a view to renewing the Van Cleef & Arpels license agreement. The license is to be renewed for an
additional 9-year term, beginning January 1, 2025. In July 2023, we entered into a global licensing agreement for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances and fragrance-related products under the Roberto Cavalli brand. Our rights under this license are subject to certain minimum advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry. This license took effect in July 2023, and we began shipping products in February 2024.
In December 2022, we entered into a long-term global licensing agreement for the creation, development and distribution of fragrances and fragrance-related products under the Lacoste brand. Our rights under this license are subject to certain minimum advertising expenditures and royalty payments as are customary in our industry. This license took effect and products started to ship in January 2024.
Cash used in operating activities aggregated $26.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and cash provided by operating activities aggregated $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, working capital items used $140.2 million in cash from operating activities, as compared to $115.4 million in the 2023 period. Although from a cash flow perspective accounts receivables are up 24% from year end 2023, the balance is reasonable based on second quarter 2024 record sales levels and seasonality of the business. Although day’s sales outstanding was 72 days, up from 65 days in the corresponding period of the prior year, we are down from 73 days at the end of the first quarter of 2024, are still seeing strong collection activity and do not anticipate any issues with collections of accounts receivable. From a cash flow perspective, inventory levels as of June 30, 2024 increased 19% from year end 2023 in support of our overall sales growth as well as the building up of inventory related to the inclusion of the Lacoste and Roberto Cavalli licenses which require large inventory needs to support the launches of these brands. Additionally, as we are working to manage down our inventory levels, we have seen increased conversion of raw materials into finished goods resulting in finished goods making up 60% of our inventory levels at June 30, 2024 as compared to 52% at June 30, 2023. Since 2021, we have strived to carry more inventory overall, source the same components from multiple suppliers and when possible, manufacture products closer to where they are sold.
Cash flows provided by investing activities in 2024 reflect purchases and sales of short-term investments. These investments consist of certificates of deposit with maturities greater than three months, marketable equity securities and other contracts. At June 30, 2024, approximately $2.0 million of certificates of deposit contain penalties where we would forfeit a portion of the interest earned in the event of early withdrawal.
Our business is not capital intensive as we do not own any manufacturing facilities. On a full year basis, we typically spend approximately $5.0 million on tools and molds, depending on our new product development calendar. Capital expenditures also include amounts for office fixtures, computer equipment and industrial equipment needed at our distribution centers.
Cash flows used in financing activities in the first half of 2024 reflect issuances and repayments of debt and payment of dividends to stockholders.
Our short-term financing requirements are expected to be met by available cash on hand at June 30, 2024, and by short-term credit lines provided by domestic and foreign banks. The principal credit facilities for 2024 consist of a $25 million unsecured revolving line of credit provided by a domestic commercial bank and approximately $8 million in credit lines provided by a consortium of international financial institutions. There was $18.5 million of short-term borrowings outstanding pursuant to these facilities as of June 30, 2024 and $5 million outstanding as of June 30, 2023.
In February 2023, the Board of Directors authorized an annual dividend of $2.50 per share. In February 2024, the Board of Directors further increased the annual dividend to $3.00 per share. The next quarterly cash dividend of $0.75 per share is payable on September 30, 2024, to shareholders of record on September 13, 2024.
We believe that funds provided by or used in operations can be supplemented by our present cash position and available credit facilities, so that they will provide us with sufficient resources to meet all present and reasonably foreseeable future operating needs.
Inflation rates in the United States and foreign countries in which we operate did impact operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as they resulted in slightly higher costs of inventory and were not fully offset by price increases we passed onto our respective customers or operating efficiencies.
INTER PARFUMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
General
We address certain financial exposures through a controlled program of risk management that primarily consists of the use of derivative financial instruments. We primarily enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts in order to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. We do not engage in the trading of foreign currency forward exchange contracts or interest rate swaps.
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
We periodically enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge exposure related to receivables denominated in a foreign currency and to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a currency other than our functional currency. We enter into these exchange contracts for periods consistent with our identified exposures. The purpose of the hedging activities is to minimize the effect of foreign exchange rate movements on the receivables and cash flows of Interparfums SA, whose functional currency is the euro. All foreign currency contracts are denominated in currencies of major industrial countries and are with large financial institutions, which are rated as strong investment grade.
All derivative instruments are required to be reflected as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet measured at fair value. Generally, increases or decreases in fair value of derivative instruments will be recognized as gains or losses in earnings in the period of change. If the derivative is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, then the changes in fair value of the derivative instrument will be recorded in other comprehensive income.
Before entering into a derivative transaction for hedging purposes, we determine that the change in the value of the derivative will effectively offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item from a movement in foreign currency rates. Then, we measure the effectiveness of each hedge throughout the hedged period. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recognized in the income statement.
At June 30, 2024, we had foreign currency contracts in the form of forward exchange contracts of approximately USD $48 million and GBP £11 million with maturities of less than one year. We believe that our risk of loss as the result of nonperformance by any of such financial institutions is remote.
Interest Rate Risk Management
We mitigate interest rate risk by monitoring interest rates, and then determining whether fixed interest rates should be swapped for floating rate debt, or if floating rate debt should be swapped for fixed rate debt.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on their review and evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the quarterly period covered by this report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.