MONTREAL – Gildan Activewear Inc. missed expectations as it reported a large second-quarter loss after sales plunged 71 per cent amid widespread closures of customer stores because of COVID-19.

The Montreal-based company, reporting in U.S. dollars, says it lost $249.7 million or $1.26 per diluted share, compared with a profit of $99.7 million or 49 cents per share a year earlier.

The results included $224 million of charges, including $131 million that were COVID-related and $93 million for initiatives to simplify its offering and cut costs.

Excluding one-time items, the adjusted net loss was $196.6 million or 99 cents per share, down from a net income of $115 million or 56 cents per share in the prior year’s quarter.

Revenues for the three months ended June 28 were $229.7 million, compared with $801.6 million in the second quarter of 2019.

Gildan was expected to report 41 cents per share in adjusted losses on $241.4 million in revenues, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.

“Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we maintained a strong focus on our key priorities, including the health and safety of our employees and the long-term positioning of our business,” stated CEO Glenn Chamandy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2020.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GIL)