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| Saks Incorporated Announces Results for the Second Quarter Ended August 2, 2008 |
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2008--Retailer Saks Incorporated (NYSE: SKS) ("Saks" or the "Company") today announced results for the second quarter and six months ended August 2, 2008. Overview of Results for the Second Quarter and Six Months Saks recorded a net loss of $31.7 million, or $.23 per share, for the second quarter ended August 2, 2008. The second quarter included the following after-tax items totaling $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share:
-- $0.8 million related to asset impairments and dispositions
(primarily the Saks Fifth Avenue Ft. Lauderdale store closing)
and For the prior year second quarter ended August 4, 2007, the Company recorded a net loss of $24.6 million, or $.17 per share. The prior year second quarter included the following after-tax items totaling $4.3 million, or $.03 per share:
-- expenses of approximately $2.0 million for retention,
severance, and transition costs related to the Company's
downsizing and consolidation following the disposition of its
Saks Department Store Group (SDSG) businesses, For the six months ended August 2, 2008, Saks recorded a net loss of $13.4 million, or $.10 per share. The six months included the following after-tax items totaling $1.0 million, or $0.01 per share:
-- $0.8 million related to asset impairments and dispositions
(primarily the Saks Fifth Avenue Ft. Lauderdale store closing)
and For the prior year six months ended August 4, 2007, the Company recorded a net loss of $13.6 million, or $.10 per share. The prior year six months included the following after-tax items totaling $22.2 million, or $.16 per share:
-- expenses of approximately $15.6 million for retention,
severance, and transition costs, Stephen I. Sadove, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, noted, "While business became much more challenging in the second quarter, I believe our organization has responded well to the changing environment. "Comparable store sales for the second quarter would have been slightly positive excluding the shift of a spring season clearance event into the first quarter this year from the second quarter last year. Comparable store sales for the spring season increased 2.7%. While substantially slower than the robust growth we had experienced over the last two years, this performance was still among the best in the industry. In addition, we have made substantial progress in reducing our inventory levels from where they were at the beginning of the fiscal year." Sadove continued, "During the quarter, we experienced a softening across nearly all geographies and merchandise categories, although generally the better performing geographies and categories in prior quarters were still the better performing areas in the second quarter. Some of the strongest merchandise categories for Saks Fifth Avenue during the quarter included shoes; jewelry; accessories; and men's contemporary apparel, shoes, and accessories. We experienced widespread weakness in women's apparel. The New York City flagship store continued to outperform the company average, and certain of the Company's newly-renovated stores continued to post better-than-average results." Both Saks Direct and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH ("OFF 5TH") continued to post outsized sales growth for the quarter. Saks Direct revenues grew over 30% for the second quarter on top of last year's 40% second quarter growth. The Company's gross margin rate declined by 60 basis points in the quarter. Second quarter year-over-year SG&A expense (excluding certain items) increased 140 basis points as a percent of sales, and Other Operating Expenses (depreciation, rents, and taxes other than income taxes) increased 60 basis points as a percent of sales for the period. The comparable store sales decline was the principal driver of the expense deleverage during the quarter. The previously noted spring season clearance event shift not only impacted sales but other components of the income statement as well. Absent the event shift, management estimates that the second quarter gross margin rate would have declined by approximately 240 basis points, second quarter SG&A expense (excluding certain items) would have increased by approximately 50 basis points, and Other Operating Expenses would have been relatively flat as a percent of sales. For the six months ended August 2, 2008, the Company's gross margin rate declined by 190 basis points, SG&A expense (excluding certain items) increased by 50 basis points, and Other Operating Expenses decreased by 10 basis points. The year-over-year second quarter operating loss (excluding certain items) grew 65% to $42.7 million. On a year-to-date basis, the Company posted an operating loss of $2.6 million compared to operating income of $31.3 million for the same period last year. Balance Sheet Highlights Consolidated inventories at August 2, 2008 totaled $813.1 million, an approximate 1.4% increase over the prior year. Inventories increased approximately 1.9% on a comparable stores basis. At quarter end, the Company had approximately $60.0 million of cash on hand and no direct outstanding borrowings on its $500 million revolving credit facility. Funded debt (including capitalized leases) at August 2, 2008 totaled approximately $569.8 million, and debt-to-capitalization was 33.4% (without giving effect to cash on hand). In the second quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares of common stock at an average price of $11.74, bringing the year-to-date total number of shares repurchased to 2.9 million at an average price of $11.83. The Company has remaining availability of approximately 32.7 million shares under its existing repurchase authorization programs. Kevin Wills, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We believe that our invested cash, our cash flow, and the unfunded liquidity in our revolving credit facility will provide flexibility for additional investments in our business and may provide opportunities to further strengthen our balance sheet and to purchase additional common stock." Management believes it is appropriate to target ongoing financial leverage with a Funded Debt to EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) ratio of less than 2.5x. Net capital spending for the six months ended August 2, 2008 totaled approximately $58 million. Outlook for the Balance of 2008 Sadove noted, "For fall, we believe our merchandise selections are compelling, our marketing is creative, and our stores look great. We are excited about the completion of several important store renovation projects. However, we know we are continuing to face the headwinds of the economic and retail environment. Consequently, we are approaching the near term conservatively and believe our 2008 operating margin (excluding certain items) will decline from 2007 levels." The continuing challenging macroeconomic and retail environment makes it difficult to predict future performance with any degree of certainty. The Company's financial expectations for 2008 (excluding the impact of certain items) are built on the following assumptions:
-- A flat to low-single digit comparable store sales decline for
the second half of the year. Comparable store sales
assumptions for much of the store base are modestly negative
in the aggregate, with somewhat higher growth expected from
the New York City flagship store, capital-aided Saks Fifth
Avenue locations, Saks Direct, and OFF 5TH. Sadove concluded, "We remain optimistic with respect to both the long-term outlook for the luxury channel and for Saks Fifth Avenue in particular. We are staying the course with our strategies, investments, and initiatives as we are confident that these remain the right ones for the long term. We believe we can deliver revenue and operating margin expansion in the years ahead as we benefit from our ongoing strategic initiatives." Sales Detail Total sales numbers below represent owned department sales and leased department commissions for Saks Fifth Avenue (which consists of Saks Fifth Avenue stores, OFF 5TH stores, and Saks Direct) and Club Libby Lu stores. Total sales (in millions) for the second quarter and six months ended August 2, 2008 compared to last year's second quarter and six months ended August 4, 2007 were:
Total Comparable
(Decrease) (Decrease)
This Year Last Year Increase Increase
--------- --------- ---------- ----------
Second Quarter $ 669.2 $ 694.1 (3.6%) (4.0%)
Six Months $1,531.6 $1,486.9 3.0% 2.7%
Leased department commissions included in the total sales numbers above were as follows (sales in millions):
This Year Last Year
--------- ---------
Second Quarter $ 6.2 $ 6.2
Six Months $ 13.8 $ 13.3
Conference Call Information Management has scheduled a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 to discuss results for the quarter and six months. To participate, please call (706) 643-1966 (10 minutes prior to the call). A replay of the call will be available for 48 hours following the live call. The dial-in number for the replay is (706) 645-9291 (conference ID number 30478998). Interested parties also have the opportunity to listen to the conference call over the Internet by visiting the Investor Relations section of Saks Incorporated's corporate website at http://www.saksincorporated.com/investor_relations.html. To listen to the live call, please go to the address listed at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call, and a transcript will be posted on the Company's web site within 24 to 48 hours. To be placed on the Company's e-mail notification list for press releases, SEC filings, certain analytical information, and/or upcoming events, please go to www.saksincorporated.com, click on "Investor Relations," click on "e-mail Alerts," and fill out the requested information. About the Company The Company currently operates Saks Fifth Avenue which is comprised of 53 Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 48 OFF 5TH stores, and saks.com. The Company also operates Club Libby Lu specialty stores. Forward-looking Information The information contained in this press release that addresses future results or expectations is considered "forward-looking" information within the definition of the Federal securities laws. Forward-looking information in this document can be identified through the use of words such as "may," "will," "intend," "plan," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "would," "believe," "estimate," "contemplate," "possible," and "point." The forward-looking information is premised on many factors, some of which are outlined below. Actual consolidated results might differ materially from projected forward-looking information if there are any material changes in management's assumptions. The forward-looking information and statements are or may be based on a series of projections and estimates and involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include such factors as: the level of consumer spending for apparel and other merchandise carried by the Company and its ability to respond quickly to consumer trends; adequate and stable sources of merchandise; the competitive pricing environment within the retail sector; the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing, and promotional campaigns; favorable customer response to relationship marketing efforts of proprietary credit card loyalty programs; appropriate inventory management; effective expense control; successful operation of the Company's proprietary credit card strategic alliance with HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.; geo-political risks; changes in interest rates; and fluctuations in foreign currency and exchange rates. For additional information regarding these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K, which may be accessed via EDGAR through the Internet at www.sec.gov. Management undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Persons are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures management makes on related subjects in its reports filed with the SEC and in its press releases.
SAKS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended
-------------------------------------
August 2, 2008 August 4, 2007
----------------- -----------------
Net sales $669,233 100.0% $694,106 100.0%
Cost of sales 435,425 65.1% 447,340 64.4%
--------- ---------
Gross margin 233,808 34.9% 246,766 35.6%
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 194,104 29.0% 194,258 28.0%
Other operating expenses:
Property and equipment
rentals 28,930 4.3% 27,212 3.9%
Depreciation & other
amortization 32,898 4.9% 34,728 5.0%
Taxes other than income
taxes 20,634 3.1% 19,749 2.8%
Store pre-opening costs 301 0.0% 125 0.0%
Impairments and dispositions 1,221 0.2% 3,314 0.5%
--------- ---------
Operating income (44,280) -6.6% (32,620) -4.7%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (9,952) -1.5% (9,921) -1.4%
Loss on extinguishment of
debt - 0.0% (412) -0.1%
Other income, net 740 0.1% 1,735 0.2%
--------- ---------
Loss before income taxes (53,492) -8.0% (41,218) -5.9%
Benefit for income taxes (21,783) -3.3% (16,592) -2.4%
--------- ---------
Net loss $(31,709) -4.7% $(24,626) -3.5%
========= =========
Per-share amounts - Net loss
Basic loss per common share: $ (0.23) $ (0.17)
Diluted loss per common share: $ (0.23) $ (0.17)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic 138,519 141,882
Diluted 138,519 141,882
SAKS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars In Thousands, Except for Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
Six Months Ended
-----------------------------------------
August 2, 2008 August 4, 2007
------------------- -------------------
Net sales $1,531,585 100.0% $1,486,853 100.0%
Cost of sales 968,489 63.2% 911,807 61.3%
----------- -----------
Gross margin 563,096 36.8% 575,046 38.7%
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 398,851 26.0% 407,103 27.4%
Other operating expenses:
Property and equipment
rentals 57,228 3.7% 55,549 3.7%
Depreciation & other
amortization 65,542 4.3% 66,526 4.5%
Taxes other than income
taxes 43,691 2.9% 41,969 2.8%
Store pre-opening costs 588 0.0% 261 0.0%
Impairments and
dispositions 1,359 0.1% 3,698 0.2%
----------- -----------
Operating income (4,163) -0.3% (60) 0.0%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (20,009) -1.3% (21,901) -1.5%
Loss on extinguishment
of debt - 0.0% (5,634) -0.4%
Other income, net 1,687 0.1% 4,570 0.3%
----------- -----------
Loss before income taxes (22,485) -1.5% (23,025) -1.5%
Benefit for income taxes (9,053) -0.6% (9,436) -0.6%
----------- -----------
Net loss $ (13,432) -0.9% $ (13,589) -0.9%
=========== ===========
Per-share amounts - Net
loss
Basic loss per common
share: $ (0.10) $ (0.10)
Diluted loss per common
share: $ (0.10) $ (0.10)
Weighted average common
shares:
Basic 139,212 141,065
Diluted 139,212 141,065
SAKS INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars In Thousands)
(UNAUDITED)
-----------------------
August 2, August 4,
2008 2007
---------- ----------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 60,023 $ 128,374
Merchandise inventories 813,066 801,693
Other current assets 114,432 112,131
Deferred income taxes, net 30,737 24,607
---------- ----------
Total current assets 1,018,258 1,066,805
Property and equipment, net 1,076,764 1,082,893
Goodwill and intangibles, net 283 310
Deferred income taxes, net 113,526 151,090
Other assets 51,473 35,967
---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $2,260,304 $2,337,065
---------- ----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable $ 155,132 $ 211,968
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities 236,841 246,272
Dividend payable 1,426 2,659
Current portion of long-term debt 88,882 235,643
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 482,281 696,542
Long-term debt 480,943 339,744
Other long-term liabilities 160,166 169,857
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 1,123,390 1,206,143
Commitments and Contingencies - -
Shareholders' Equity 1,136,914 1,130,922
---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,260,304 $2,337,065
---------- ----------
CONTACT: Saks Incorporated |
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