UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


October 15, 2009
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)



CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



DELAWARE

1-10962

95-3797580

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2180 RUTHERFORD ROAD, CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA

92008-7328

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(760) 931-1771

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.*

On October 15, 2009, Callaway Golf Company issued a press release captioned “Callaway Golf Company Releases Preliminary Third Quarter 2009 Results.”  A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.*

 

(c)     Exhibits.

 
The following exhibit is being furnished herewith:
 
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, dated October 15, 2009, captioned “Callaway Golf Company Releases Preliminary Third Quarter 2009 Results.”

*  The information furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

October 15, 2009

By:

/s/ Bradley J. Holiday

Name:

Bradley J. Holiday

Title:

Senior Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number

Description

 
99.1 Press Release, dated October 15, 2009, captioned “Callaway Golf Company Releases Preliminary Third Quarter 2009 Results.”

Exhibit 99.1

Callaway Golf Company Releases Preliminary Third Quarter 2009 Results

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 15, 2009--Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced its preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2009 as follows:

“While the global economic environment has been very challenging for our business this year, there appear to be some positive signs indicating the beginning of a recovery,” commented George Fellows, President and CEO of Callaway Golf. “In spite of these macroeconomic challenges, we have been able to successfully increase our market share and manage those key areas of our business within our control. Our gross margin initiatives have continued to over deliver cost savings compared to our plan, partially offsetting the effects of a shift to lower price points by consumers, an increased promotional environment, as well as the negative impact of a stronger dollar. We have managed operating expenses very tightly this year, balancing significant reductions in spending with investments in growth initiatives like uPlay and new markets, which together have resulted in year to date spending being down 9% compared to last year. Improvements in our supply chain have helped to mitigate the impact of the dramatic drop in sales this year with inventory as a percent of trailing twelve month sales at the end of the quarter estimated at 21.2%, in line with our target.”


“As we begin to prepare for the upcoming year, we are encouraged by some positive trends of late,” continued Mr. Fellows. “These trends include:

“While we believe that retailers will continue to cautiously manage their inventory for the balance of the year, we believe the factors just mentioned, along with our stronger market share base, gross margin initiatives, and disciplined expense controls implemented this year, will position us for growth and improved gross margins as the global economy and normal demand for new products recovers and allow us to generate a meaningful turnaround and return to profitability next year,” concluded Mr. Fellows.

Conference Call

The Company will release actual third quarter financial results on October 29, 2009. A conference call and webcast will also take place at that time.

Disclaimer: Investors should be aware that the Company has not yet finalized its results for the third quarter of 2009 and that the Company’s “preliminary” estimates of third quarter net sales, gross profit, operating expenses, and earnings contained in this press release reflect management’s estimates based upon the information available at the time made. These estimates could differ materially from the Company’s actual results if the information on which the estimates are based ultimately proves to be incorrect or incomplete. In addition, statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance or prospects, including statements relating to an economic recovery, improvement in foreign currency exchange rates, acceptance of 2010 products, future investment in golf programs, and 2010 growth, gross margins, and profitability, are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These estimates and statements are based upon current information and expectations. Accurately estimating the Company’s reported future financial performance is based upon various unknowns, including future changes in foreign currency rates and consumer acceptance and demand for the Company’s products, as well as future consumer discretionary purchasing activity, which can be significantly adversely affected by unfavorable economic or market conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these unknowns or other risks and uncertainties, including continued compliance with the terms of the Company’s credit facility; delays, difficulties or increased costs in the supply of components needed to manufacture the Company’s products, in manufacturing the Company’s products, or in connection with the implementation of the Company’s planned gross margin initiatives or the implementation of future initiatives; adverse weather conditions and seasonality; any rule changes or other actions taken by the USGA or other golf association that could have an adverse impact upon demand or supply of the Company’s products; a decrease in participation levels in golf; and the effect of terrorist activity, armed conflict, natural disasters or pandemic diseases on the economy generally, on the level of demand for the Company's products or on the Company's ability to manage its supply and delivery logistics in such an environment. For additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect these statements and the Company’s business, see the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company’s reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


Currency Neutral Basis: This press release includes information regarding certain aspects of the Company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2009 that is presented on a “currency neutral basis.” This information estimates the impact of the effect of foreign currency translation on the Company’s 2009 results as compared to the same period in 2008. This impact is derived by taking the Company’s third quarter 2009 local currency results and translating them into U.S. dollars based upon third quarter 2008 foreign currency exchange rates and does not include any other effect of changes in foreign currency rates on the Company’s results.

Regulation G: The financial results reported in this press release have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). In addition to the GAAP results, the Company has also provided additional information concerning its results, which include certain financial measures not prepared in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release present certain of the Company’s financial results on a “currency neutral basis.” These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may also be inconsistent with the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other companies. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, provides additional useful information for investors as to the underlying performance of the Company’s business without regard to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company has provided reconciling information in the text of this press release.

About Callaway Golf

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf®, Odyssey®, Top-Flite®, Ben Hogan® and uPro™ brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or Shop.CallawayGolf.com

CONTACT:
Callaway Golf Company
Brad Holiday
Eric Struik
760-931-1771