- Third quarter sales increased 13.4% to $446.9 million- Quarter-end inventories decreased $27.2 million or 15% per selling square foot- Cash and marketable securities were $423.3 million at quarter-endFORT MYERS, Fla., Nov 18, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2009 third quarter and nine months ended October 31, 2009.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091112/FL09527LOGO )
2009 Third Quarter and Nine Months Financial Results
For the third quarter ended October 31, 2009, the Company had net income of $22.7 million or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.01 per diluted share for the third quarter ended November 1, 2008.
For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company had net income of $52.1 million or $0.29 per diluted share, compared to net income of $21.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in the first nine months of the prior year. Excluding the impairment charges recorded prior to the fiscal third quarter of 2009, the Company had net income of $60.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share compared to net income of $21.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2008.
Sales
Net sales for the thirteen-week period ended October 31, 2009 increased from $394.2 million to $446.9 million. Consolidated comparable store sales increased 12.8% for the thirteen-week period ended October 31, 2009 compared to a 13.4% decrease for the like period last year ended November 1, 2008. The Chico's/Soma Intimates brands' comparable store sales increased 12.2% compared to a 16.2% decrease for the like period last year, and the White House | Black Market (WH|BM) brand's comparable store sales increased 14.4% compared to a 4.8% decrease for the like period last year. Direct-to-consumer sales, not included in comparable store sales, increased approximately 33% over third quarter 2008.
Gross Margin
Gross margin, expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased by 400 basis points to 57.6% from 53.6% in the prior year's third quarter and in dollars from $211.4 million to $257.3 million. The gross margin increase was attributable to significant improvements in the brand merchandise margins at both Chico's and WH|BM. The increased merchandise margins benefited from both lower markdowns and higher initial markups for the Chico's and WH|BM brands. However, the improvements in gross margins were partially offset by the continued investment in merchandise payroll.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased from $213.1 million in the prior period to $221.0 million in the current period. However, expressed as a percentage of net sales, SG&A in the current quarter decreased by 450 basis points compared to the prior period primarily from leverage associated with improved comparable store sales as well as effective implementation of on-going cost reduction strategies at the store level.
Store operating expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by $0.6 million, but decreased by 470 basis points, primarily due to leverage resulting from improved comparable store sales.
Marketing expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased by $2.9 million primarily due to increases in print and broadcast advertisement associated with expanded national marketing campaigns designed to more effectively target purchasing during the fall and holiday shopping seasons.
National Store Support Center costs, including corporate and other non-brand specific expenses, for the third quarter of 2009 increased by $4.4 million dollars due primarily to the increase in performance-based compensation accruals.
Inventories
Quarter-ended inventory decreased $27.2 million or approximately 14.5% from the prior year's third quarter. Consolidated inventory at the end of the third quarter was $61 per selling square foot, reflecting a decrease of approximately 15% compared to $72 at the end of the prior year's third quarter. Quarter-ended inventory for the WH|BM brand decreased approximately 22% per selling square foot over the prior year's third quarter, while Chico's brand inventory decreased approximately 17% quarter over quarter.
Cash and Marketable Securities
Cash and marketable securities at the end of the third quarter totaled $423.3 million, approximately $167 million higher than the prior year's third quarter end. Net cash provided from operating activities for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 increased by $126.1 million compared to the prior year as a result of higher cash flows from operations, an increase in accounts payables and accrued expenses, as well as lower inventory levels. Additionally, the Company invested $51.0 million in capital expenditures for the first nine months in fiscal 2009 versus $92.3 million for the same period last year.
ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC.
The Company is a women's specialty retailer of private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items. The Company operates 1,074 specialty stores, including stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The Chico's brand currently operates 608 boutique and 43 outlet stores, publishes a catalog during key shopping periods throughout the year, and conducts e-commerce at www.chicos.com.
White House | Black Market currently operates 331 boutique and 16 outlet stores, publishes a catalog highlighting its latest fashions and conducts e-commerce at www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.
Soma Intimates is the Company's developing concept with 75 boutique stores and 1 outlet store today. Soma Intimates also publishes a catalog for its customers and conducts e-commerce at www.soma.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 Certain statements contained herein, including without limitation, statements addressing the beliefs, plans, objectives, estimates or expectations of the Company or future results or events constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks, including, but not limited to, general economic and business conditions, and conditions in the specialty retail industry. There can be no assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. Users of forward-looking statements are encouraged to review the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K, its filings on Form 10-Q, management's discussion and analysis in the Company's latest annual report to stockholders, the Company's filings on Form 8-K, and other federal securities law filings for a description of other important factors that may affect the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.
For more detailed information on Chico's FAS, Inc., please go to our corporate website, www.chicosfas.com.
(Financial Tables Follow)
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
---------------------------------------
October 31, 2009 November 1, 2008
------------------- -------------------
Amount % of Amount % of
Sales Sales
-------- ----- -------- -----
Net sales by Chico's/Soma
stores $853,374 66.8 $832,052 68.8
Net sales by
White House | Black Market
stores 357,319 28.0 328,696 27.2
Net sales by
direct-to-consumer 66,727 5.2 48,278 4.0
--------- ----- --------- -----
Net sales 1,277,420 100.0 1,209,026 100.0
Cost of goods sold 555,713 43.5 555,490 45.9
--------- ----- --------- -----
Gross margin 721,707 56.5 653,536 54.1
Selling, general and
administrative expenses:
Store operating expenses 482,481 37.8 485,436 40.2
Marketing 58,976 4.6 61,673 5.1
National Store Support Center 85,123 6.7 83,553 6.9
Impairment charges 13,026 1.0 - -
--------- ----- --------- -----
Total selling, general, and
administrative expenses 639,606 50.1 630,662 52.2
--------- ----- --------- -----
Income (loss) from
operations 82,101 6.4 22,874 1.9
Interest income, net 1,337 0.1 6,433 0.5
--------- ----- --------- -----
Income before income
taxes 83,438 6.5 29,307 2.4
Income tax provision (benefit) 31,300 2.4 7,900 0.6
--------- ----- --------- -----
Net income $52,138 4.1 $21,407 1.8
========= ===== ========= =====
Per share data:
Net income per common
share-basic $0.29 $0.12
========= =========
Net income per common & common
equivalent share-diluted $0.29 $0.12
========= =========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding-basic 177,348 176,452
========= =========
Weighted average common & common
equivalent shares
outstanding-diluted 178,516 176,599
========= =========
Thirteen Weeks Ended
---------------------------------------
October 31, 2009 November 1, 2008
------------------- -------------------
Amount % of Amount % of
Sales Sales
-------- ----- -------- -----
Net sales by Chico's/Soma
stores $300,957 67.3 $269,079 68.2
Net sales by
White House | Black Market
Stores 121,408 27.2 106,751 27.1
Net sales by direct-to-consumer 24,498 5.5 18,413 4.7
--------- ----- --------- -----
Net sales 446,863 100.0 394,243 100.0
Cost of goods sold 189,585 42.4 182,870 46.4
--------- ----- --------- -----
Gross margin 257,278 57.6 211,373 53.6
Selling, general and
administrative expenses:
Store operating expenses 165,106 37.0 164,494 41.7
Marketing 24,974 5.6 22,043 5.6
National Store Support Center 30,887 6.9 26,535 6.7
Impairment charges - - - -
--------- ----- --------- -----
Total selling, general, and
administrative expenses 220,967 49.5 213,072 54.0
--------- ----- --------- -----
Income (loss) from
operations 36,311 8.1 (1,699) (0.4)
Interest income, net 334 0.1 2,394 0.6
--------- ----- --------- -----
Income before income
taxes 36,645 8.2 695 0.2
Income tax provision (benefit) 13,900 3.1 (1,300) (0.3)
--------- ----- --------- -----
Net income $22,745 5.1 $1,995 0.5
========= ===== ========= =====
Per share data:
Net income per common
share-basic $0.13 $0.01
========= =========
Net income per common & common
equivalent share-diluted $0.13 $0.01
========= =========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding-basic 177,662 176,517
========= =========
Weighted average common & common
equivalent shares
outstanding-diluted 179,251 176,604
========= =========
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
October 31, January 31, November 1,
2009 2009 2008
---------- ---------- ----------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $60,985 $26,549 $50,233
Marketable securities, at market 362,322 242,153 206,105
Receivables 5,845 33,993 38,287
Income tax receivable 728 11,706 -
Inventories 160,030 132,413 187,271
Prepaid expenses 24,152 21,702 24,063
Deferred taxes 7,524 17,859 19,131
------- ------- -------
Total Current Assets 621,586 486,375 525,090
Property and Equipment:
Land and land improvements 20,311 18,627 18,225
Building and building improvements 84,062 74,998 74,542
Equipment, furniture and fixtures 395,225 376,218 381,812
Leasehold improvements 416,003 418,691 428,755
------- ------- -------
Total Property and
Equipment 915,601 888,534 903,334
Less accumulated depreciation
and amortization (386,999) (327,989) (319,083)
------- ------- -------
Property and Equipment,
Net 528,602 560,545 584,251
Other Assets:
Goodwill 96,774 96,774 96,774
Other intangible assets 38,930 38,930 38,930
Deferred taxes 39,398 38,458 29,406
Other assets, net 27,323 5,101 9,368
------- ------- -------
Total Other Assets 202,425 179,263 174,478
------- ------- -------
$1,352,613 $1,226,183 $1,283,819
========= ========= =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $97,238 $56,542 $81,948
Accrued liabilities 123,069 88,446 83,883
Current portion of deferred
liabilities 2,236 1,748 1,528
------- ------- -------
Total Current Liabilities 222,543 146,736 167,359
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred liabilities 167,819 177,251 174,307
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock 1,779 1,771 1,765
Additional paid-in capital 266,112 258,312 257,854
Retained earnings 694,116 641,978 682,522
Other accumulated comprehensive
income 244 135 12
------- ------- -------
Total Stockholders' Equity 962,251 902,196 942,153
------- ------- -------
$1,352,613 $1,226,183 $1,283,819
========= ========= =========
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
------------------------
October 31, November 1,
2009 2008
---------- ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $52,138 $21,407
------- -------
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization, cost of
goods sold 5,770 7,122
Depreciation and amortization, other 66,637 68,190
Deferred tax expense (benefit) 9,394 (12,728)
Stock-based compensation expense, cost
of goods sold 1,994 2,612
Stock-based compensation expense,
other 4,549 6,822
Excess tax benefit from stock-based
compensation (1,473) (100)
Impairment charges 13,026 -
Deferred rent expense, net 1,963 5,423
Loss on disposal of property and
equipment 1,361 711
Decrease (increase) in assets -
Receivables, net 2,314 (528)
Income tax receivable 10,978 23,973
Inventories (27,617) (43,010)
Prepaid expenses and other (2,671) (3,035)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities -
Accounts payable 40,696 (6,186)
Accrued and other deferred liabilities 21,200 3,492
------- -------
Total adjustments 148,121 52,758
------- -------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 200,259 74,165
------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
(Purchases) sales of marketable
securities, net (120,061) 54,376
Purchases of property and equipment (51,016) (92,320)
------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities (171,077) (37,944)
------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 3,960 307
Excess tax benefit from stock-based
compensation 1,473 100
Repurchase of common stock (179) (196)
------- -------
Net cash provided by financing
activities 5,254 211
------- -------
Net increase in cash and cash
Equivalents 34,436 36,432
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period 26,549 13,801
------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period $60,985 $50,233
======= =======
SEC Regulation G - The Company reports its consolidated financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, to supplement these consolidated financial results, management believes that certain non-GAAP operating results, which exclude impairment and certain other non-recurring charges, may provide a more meaningful measure on which to compare the Company's results of operations between periods. The Company believes these non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses that impact the comparability of the results. A reconciliation of the first nine months of 2009 earnings per diluted share on a GAAP basis to earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis is presented in the table below:
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)
39 weeks ended
October 31, 2009
----------------
Diluted EPS on a GAAP basis (as reported) $0.29
Add: Impact of impairment charges 0.05
----------------
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS $0.34
================
Executive Contact:
Robert C. Atkinson
Vice President-Investor Relations
Chico's FAS, Inc.
(239) 274-4199
SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc.
http://www.chicosfas.com