Starter said Thursday that "it is cautious about the
second half of 1998 due to uncertainty" from the NBA lockout
on its licensed product business. In the second quarter of
'98 ended June 30, Starter "reported a widening net loss of
$8.4 million, or $.30 per share, compared with a loss of
$4.7M, or $.17 per share, in '97 (REUTERS, 7/31).
PUMA: Puma reported that net income fell 75% in the
first half of '98 to $5.8M, and "blamed huge investment
costs in products and marketing for the slump." The company
added that the downturn would continue in the second half,
as the Asian crisis would "continue to affect licensing and
sales commissions" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/31).
COLUMBIA GORGES: In Portland, Jeff Manning reported
that Columbia Sportswear "posted a profit and a heady" 35.2%
sales gain in its first full quarter as a public company.
It reported revenue of $67.2M for the quarter ended June 30,
compared with $49.7M for the same period in '97. Columbia
earned $564,000, or $.02 a share, in the quarter, and
company CEO Tim Boyle "attributed the improved performance
to brisk sales of the company's sportswear products as well
as gains in Canada and Europe" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/29).
