Measured against strong performances in the first quarter of 2012, Garmin's sales rose by only 1.7 percent in the fitness segment to $72.4 million in the 13-week period ended March 30, and they fell by 1.3 percent to $76.2 million in the outdoor segment. Gross margins rose to 62.1 percent in fitness and declined to 58.4 percent in outdoor. Operating earnings declined in both segments, down by 3.7 percent in fitness to $19.9 million and by 16.7 percent in outdoor to $21.6 million. Sales went down more steeply in other product categories, leading Garmin to post a 4.4 percent drop in total revenues to $532.0 million for the period, but, despite an 11.5 percent in operating income to $79.9 million, the company booked 2.1 percent better net profits of $88.7 million.

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