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JOHNSON OUTDOORS THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE Johnson Outdoors Reports Fiscal Second Quarter Results May 7 , 2021 RACINE , Wis . , May 07 , 2021 ( GLOBE NEWSWIRE ) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc. ( Nasdaq : JOUT ) , a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technology , today announced higher sales and earnings during the Company's second fiscal quarter ending Friday , April 2 , 2021. Year - to - date revenue and net income compared favorably to the prior year fiscal six - month period . " Through the second fiscal quarter , our results reflect the strong levels of demand fueled by the pandemic and the increased interest in outdoor activities . I am proud of our team for their exceptional work in delivering these results during this unprecedented time . Our primary focus continues to be keeping pace with high demand , " said Helen Johnson - Leipold , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer . " Looking ahead , the power of our innovation and the enduring strength of our brand equities continue to well - position Johnson Outdoors for marketplace success . " SECOND QUARTER RESULTS Sales in the second fiscal quarter reflect shipments to customers in anticipation of the primary retail selling period for the outdoor recreation industry's warm - weather products . Total Company net sales in the second quarter surged 26 percent year over year to $ 206.2 million , versus $ 163.1 million in the prior year fiscal quarter . Key contributing factors to the results were : • Continued high demand across all product lines in Minn KotaⓇ and HumminbirdⓇ propelled a 19.5 percent increase in Fishing revenue . • Watercraft Recreation and Camping sales rose significantly due to strong demand across all product categories . • Ongoing pandemic - related global travel restrictions and lockdowns in various countries led to the unfavorable year - over - year revenue comparison in Diving . Total Company operating profit during the quarter was $ 36.0 million versus $ 31.8 million in the prior year second quarter . Gross margin dipped slightly to 45.2 percent due primarily to increases in tariffs and freight costs year over year . Operating expenses were $ 57.2 million , with the increase driven by higher sales volume - driven expenses , as well as higher variable and deferred compensation expense between quarters . Favorable market conditions on the Company's deferred compensation plan assets resulted in higher deferred compensation expense in the current year quarter as compared to the prior year quarter , which was entirely offset by a gain in Other Income . Net income increased to $ 27.8 million , or $ 2.74 per diluted share . YEAR - TO - DATE RESULTS Fiscal 2021 year - to - date net sales were $ 371.8 million , a 28 percent increase over last year's first fiscal six - month period . Total Company operating profit rose 54.4 percent to $ 59.6 million compared to $ 38.6 million in prior fiscal year - to - date period . Gross margin improved to 45.3 percent in the first fiscal six months versus 44.2 percent in the prior fiscal year - to - date period . Operating expenses were $ 108.7 million due to volume - related costs and the items noted above for the quarter . Net income during the first fiscal six months was $ 47.7 million , or $ 4.70 per diluted share , versus $ 26.8 million , or $ 2.66 per diluted share , in the prior fiscal year - to - date period . The Company's effective tax rate decreased year - over - year to 24.7 percent . OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Company reported cash and short - term investments of $ 186.9 million as of April 2 , 2021. Depreciation and amortization were flat year over year at $ 6.8 million . Capital spending was $ 9.8 million in the first fiscal six months compared with $ 7.8 million in the prior year period . In February 2021 , the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of record as of April 15 , 2021 , which was payable on April 29 , 2021 . " We're continuing to work with our supply chain partners to maintain adequate inventory and increase capacity where possible as we work hard to fill demand , " said David W. Johnson , Chief Financial Officer . " The balance sheet remains strong and our healthy cash position enables us to invest in strategic opportunities to strengthen the business , while continuing to create value for the long - term and consistently pay dividends to shareholders . " WEBCAST The Company will host a conference call and audio web cast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday , May 7 , 2021. A live listen - only web cast of the conference call may be accessed at Johnson Outdoors ' home page . A replay of the call will be available for 30 days on the Internet . ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC . JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global innovator of outdoor recreation equipment and technologies that inspire more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors . The company designs , manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning , consumer - preferred brands across four categories : Watercraft Recreation , Fishing , Diving and Camping . Johnson Outdoors ' iconic brands include : Old TownⓇ canoes and kayaks ; Ocean Kayak TM CarlisleⓇ paddles ; Minn KotaⓇ fishing motors , batteries and anchors ; CannonⓇ downriggers ; HumminbirdⓇ marine electronics and charts ; SCUBAPROⓇ dive equipment ; JetboilⓇ outdoor cooking systems ; and , Eureka ! Ⓡcamping and hiking equipment . Visit Johnson Outdoors at http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Certain matters discussed in this press release are " forward - looking statements , " intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical fact are considered forward - looking statements . These statements may be identified by the use of forward - looking words or phrases such as " anticipate , " " believe , " " confident , " " could , " " expect , " " intend , " " may , " " planned , " " potential , " " should , " " will , " " would " or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning . Such forward - looking