Press Release Details

FORT MYERS, Fla., Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

• Delivered third quarter EPS of $0.13 despite the unfavorable impact of hurricanes
• Maintained strong cash position and value-focused capital allocation

Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) (the "Company") today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2017 third quarter ended October 28, 2017.

For the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 (the "third quarter"), the Company reported net income of $16.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of $23.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016. Results for the third quarter include the unfavorable impact of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria (collectively, the "Hurricanes") of approximately $5.0 million after-tax, or $0.04 per diluted share. Results for the third quarter of 2016 include the unfavorable impact of restructuring and strategic charges and Boston Proper of $2.8 million after-tax, or $0.02 per diluted share.

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017, the Company reported net income of $73.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to net income of $77.7 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016. Results for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 include the unfavorable impact of the Hurricanes of approximately $5.0 million after-tax, or $0.04 per diluted share. Results for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016 include the unfavorable impact of restructuring and strategic charges and Boston Proper of $15.4 million after-tax, or $0.12 per diluted share.

"Results this quarter were in line with our expectations, and we are pleased with the progress on our strategic initiatives to better address customer needs and transform our business," said Shelley Broader, CEO and President. "The Company's performance shows that we are continuing to benefit from our organizational changes and our operating efficiency initiatives. We remain focused on driving top line growth and are making important improvements across our brands, including the expansion of special sizes, the broadening of omni-channel engagement and the creation of alternative sales channels to fuel growth. I also want to thank our team for their response to the challenges brought by the hurricanes this past quarter and am grateful that those impacted remained safe."

Net Sales

For the third quarter, net sales were $532.3 million compared to $596.9 million in last year's third quarter. This decrease of 10.8% primarily reflects a comparable sales decline of 8.2%, driven by lower average dollar sale and a decline in transaction count.

The comparable sales calculation excludes the negative impact of stores closed four or more days.

Comparable Sales

Gross Margin

For the third quarter, gross margin was $196.7 million, or 37.0% of net sales, compared to $230.3 million, or 38.6% of net sales, in last year's third quarter. This 160 basis point decrease primarily reflects deleverage of store occupancy costs as a percent of sales and store impairment charges related to the Hurricanes, partially offset by an improvement in merchandise margin.    

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the third quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $171.4 million, or 32.3% of net sales, compared to $188.4 million, or 31.6% of net sales, for last year's third quarter. This decrease of $16.9 million, or 9.0%, primarily reflects the impact of a reduction in employee-related costs and marketing spend.

Income Tax Expense

For the third quarter, the effective tax rate was 32.9% compared to 22.9% for last year's third quarter. The third quarter effective tax rate of 32.9% includes a 430 basis point tax benefit related to income tax credits. The third quarter of 2016 effective tax rate of 22.9% was favorably impacted by the disposition of Boston Proper's stock and the recognition of income tax credits.

Inventories           

At the end of the third quarter of 2017, inventories totaled $265.0 million compared to $261.3 million at the end of the third quarter last year. Inventories at the end of the third quarter include a $15.1 million increase compared to the prior year date due to a change in shipping terms with a supplier. Excluding the impact of the change in shipping terms, inventory decreased 4.3%.

Share Repurchase Program           

During the third quarter, under its $300.0 million share repurchase program announced in November 2015, the Company repurchased 0.6 million shares for $5.0 million, at a weighted average of $8.18 per share. There is $137.9 million remaining for future share repurchases under the program.

Hurricane Impact           

In the third quarter, the Company was impacted by the Hurricanes, resulting in reduced operating hours or the temporary closure of more than 300 stores as well as a decline in direct to consumer sales. The business interruption of the Hurricanes had a significant impact on the Company's operations. The impact to income from operations due to lower net sales, impairment charges and other incremental Hurricane related expenses was approximately $10 million. On an after-tax basis, the Hurricane related impact to net income was $5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.

Fiscal 2017 4th Quarter Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company expects comparable sales to be down high single-digits. The fiscal 2017 53^rd week is not included in the comparable sales calculation. Net sales for the 53^rd week are expected to approximate $30 million. The Company anticipates fourth quarter gross margin rate to be approximately flat to up slightly compared to last year. The Company also expects fourth quarter SG&A expenses to decrease compared to last year, largely offset by costs from the 53^rd week.

ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC.

The Company, through its brands – Chico's, White House Black Market and Soma, is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates and complementary accessories.

As of October 28, 2017, the Company operated 1,474 stores in the US and Canada and sold merchandise through franchise locations in Mexico. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.whbm.com and www.soma.com. For more detailed information on Chico's FAS, Inc., please go to our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated into our federal securities law filings.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect our current views with respect to certain events that could have an effect on our future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Ms. Broader's quotes and in the section entitled "Fiscal 2017 4^th Quarter Outlook," relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact and may include the words or phrases such as "will," "should," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "approximately," "our planning assumptions," "future outlook," and similar expressions. Except for historical information, matters discussed in such statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and on our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments and projections about our business and our industry, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those currently anticipated. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, we cannot guarantee their accuracy or our future performance, and there are a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors (many of which are outside our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will, in fact, occur or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and business environment; changes in the general or specialty retail or apparel industries; the availability of quality store sites; the ability to successfully execute and achieve the expected results of our business strategies, particular strategic initiatives, and organizational redesign; the integration of our new management team; changes in the political environment that create consumer uncertainty; significant changes to product import and distribution costs (such as unexpected consolidation in the freight carrier industry, and the impact associated with our shift to a predominantly FOB shipping structure); new or increased taxes or tariffs; significant shifts in consumer behavior; and those other factors described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and in the "Forward-Looking Statements" disclosure in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our latest annual report on Form 10-K. There can be no assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. Investors using forward-looking statements are encouraged to review the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K, including management's discussion and analysis therein, its filings on Form 10-Q, 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. All forward-looking statements that are made or attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. 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.

(Financial Tables Follow)

Executive Contact:
Julie Lorigan
Vice President – Investor Relations,
Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Chico's FAS, Inc.
(239) 346-4199

Supplemental Detail on Net Income Per Share Calculation

In accordance with accounting guidance, unvested share-based payment awards that include non-forfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid, are considered participating securities. As a result, such awards are required to be included in the calculation of earnings per common share pursuant to the "two-class" method. For the Company, participating securities are comprised entirely of unvested restricted stock awards and performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs") that have met their relevant performance criteria.

Net income per share is determined using the two-class method when it is more dilutive than the treasury stock method. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including participating securities. Diluted net income per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from non-participating securities such as stock options, PSUs and restricted stock units. For the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, potential common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS to the extent they were antidilutive.

The following unaudited table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share shown on the face of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands, except per share amounts):

As of October 28, 2017, the Company also sold merchandise through 94 international franchise locations.

As of October 28, 2017, the Company also sold merchandise through 94 international franchise locations.

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SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc.