Jan 25 (Reuters) - Levi Strauss & Co (LEVI.N) forecast annual sales above Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, banking on a stronger back-half of the year even as higher costs and currency pressures cloud its near-term outlook.

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Shares of the denim maker jumped more than 6% in extended trading after it also topped fourth-quarter sales and profit expectations and projected an improvement in gross margins for 2023.

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The San Francisco-based company is seeing a boost from its direct-to-consumer business, with strong demand for non-denim clothing and women's apparel helping it offset slumping sales in Europe and an overall decline in wholesale revenue.

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However, the company said it expects lower revenues in the first-half of the year.

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"We're thinking about (fiscal 2023) as a tale of two halves, with the first half weaker than the second half," said Chief Financial and Growth Officer Harmit Singh.

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With shoppers now buying more office-friendly and non-denim bottoms such as formal trousers and cargo pants, analysts have flagged uncertainty around denim demand in the near-term.

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Nearly 40% of Levi's 2022 revenue came from categories outside denim bottoms, including chinos, leggings, tops, dresses, footwear and accessories, Chief Executive Chip Bergh told investors on a post-earnings call.

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"They seem very bullish on their numbers for the year, but I do have to say that Levi is one of the top brands, their product is very good ... and it is a brand that the customer will go back to if they are shopping," said Jane Hali & Associates analyst Jessica Ramirez.

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Levi projected net revenues between $6.3 billion and $6.4 billion for fiscal 2023, compared with Refinitiv estimates of $6.27 billion.

It expects full-year adjusted profit between $1.30 and $1.40 per share, in line with analysts' expectations.

 

Levi's fourth-quarter revenue fell 6% to $1.59 billion but edged past estimates of $1.57 billion, while adjusted profit of 34 cents per share topped expectations of 29 cents.