All
<< Back
Ross Stores Reports Record Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2003
NEWARK, Calif., March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported that earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2004 grew 30% to $.48, on top of a 19% increase in the fourth quarter of 2002. Earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2003 were $.37. Net earnings for the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2004 totaled $73.7 million, up 26% over net earnings of $58.7 million for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2003. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2003 increased 14% to $1.099 billion with comparable store sales up 4% over the prior year.
For the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2004, earnings per share grew 17% to a record $1.47 on top of a 32% gain in earnings per share in the prior year. For the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2003, earnings per share were $1.26. Net earnings for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2004 increased 13% to $228.1 million, compared to $201.2 million for the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2003. Sales for the 2003 fiscal year rose 11% to $3.921 billion, with comparable store sales up 1% on top of a 7% gain in the prior year.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased with the solid sales and earnings gains we posted during the fourth quarter and fiscal 2003, which reflect our strengthening momentum as the year progressed. The strongest geographic markets in the fourth quarter were Arizona, Texas, the Southeast and California, all posting solid same store sales gains in the mid to high single digits. The strongest merchandise departments were Home, Accessories and Juniors, with comparable store sales gains in the high single digits for the quarter."
Mr. Balmuth continued, "Fourth quarter results benefited from a 104 basis point expansion in operating margin to 11.0%, reflecting our continued effective inventory and expense controls. Gross margin increased 93 basis points, mainly due to lower markdowns, while selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales declined by 11 basis points, primarily due to leverage on the comparable store sales gain during the period."
Mr. Balmuth continued, "During fiscal 2003, cash flow from operations funded capital investments in new store growth and infrastructure, as well as the Company's stock repurchase and dividend programs. We repurchased 6.9 million shares of common stock during fiscal 2003 for an aggregate purchase price of $150 million, ending the year with 151.2 million shares of common stock outstanding. We also recently announced that our Board of Directors approved a record 48% increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend to $.0425 per common share in addition to a new two-year $350 million stock repurchase program for 2004 and 2005. These actions reflect the Board's and management's ongoing commitment to enhancing stockholder value, as well as our confidence in the Company's long-term growth prospects."
"Our accelerated expansion program also remains on track. We added a record 61 net new stores during 2003, or unit growth of 12%. Expansion into new geographic markets continued, with 21 of these additions in our relatively new Southeast states of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee. During 2004, we are forecasting 14% total unit growth with plans for 70 new Ross locations. In addition, the first ten dd's DISCOUNTSSM, our new retail concept targeting the needs of lower-income households, are targeted to open in the second half of the year," said Mr. Balmuth.
The Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time to communicate additional details concerning the quarter's and year's results and management's outlook and plans for 2004. A real time audio webcast of the conference call will be available at www.rossstores.com. An audio playback will be available at 402-220-5900, PIN #2342 through March 23, 2004.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from management's current expectations. The words "plan," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "forecast," "estimate," "projected," "guidance," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Stores and dd's DISCOUNTS(SM) include obtaining acceptable new store locations, competitive pressures in the apparel industry, changes in general economic or geopolitical conditions, changes in the level of consumer spending on or preferences in apparel or home-related merchandise, the Company's ability to successfully implement various new supply chain and merchandising systems in a timely and cost-effective manner, unseasonable weather trends, and greater than planned operating costs. In addition, the Company is evaluating whether it will incur a potential non-cash charge to write-down the value of the Company's Newark headquarters and distribution center to current fair market value. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for fiscal 2002. The factors underlying our forecasts are dynamic and subject to change. As a result, our forecasts speak only as of the date they are given and do not necessarily reflect the Company's outlook at any other point in time. The Company does not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
Ross Stores, Inc. operates a national chain of off-price retail stores offering first quality, in-season, branded apparel and apparel-related merchandise for the entire family at prices that average 20% to 60% less than department and specialty stores, as well as merchandise for the home at similar savings. The Company had 568 stores at January 31, 2004, compared to 507 stores at the end of the same period last year. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.
ROSS STORES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Jan. 31 Feb. 1 Jan. 31 Feb. 1
($000, except per share 2004 2003 2004 2003
data, unaudited)
Sales $1,098,749 $964,610 $3,920,583 $3,531,349
Costs and Expenses
Cost of goods sold,
including related
buying, distribution
and occupancy costs 810,236 720,284 2,917,935 2,628,412
Selling, general and
administrative 167,425 148,081 628,359 572,316
Interest (income)
expense, net 11 (214) (262) 279
Total costs and expenses 977,672 868,151 3,546,032 3,201,007
Earnings before income taxes 121,077 96,459 374,551 330,342
Provision for taxes on
earnings 47,341 37,716 146,449 129,164
Net earnings $73,736 $58,743 $228,102 $201,178
Earnings per share
Basic $0.49 $0.38 $1.50 $1.29
Diluted $0.48 $0.37 $1.47 $1.26
Weighted average shares
outstanding (000)
Basic 150,725 154,944 152,165 156,246
Diluted 154,030 158,086 155,151 159,492
Stores open end of period 568 507 568 507
ROSS STORES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
January 31, February 1,
($000, unaudited) 2004 2003
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $201,546 $150,649
Accounts receivable 25,292 18,349
Merchandise inventory 841,491 716,518
Prepaid expenses and other 29,467 36,904
Deferred income taxes 22,742 16,645
Total Current Assets $1,120,538 $939,065
Property and equipment, net 484,199 402,683
Other long-term assets 52,473 36,242
Total Assets $1,657,210 $1,377,990
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses
and other $702,698 $610,894
Income taxes payable 9,146 15,790
Total Current Liabilities $711,844 $626,684
Long-term debt 50,000 25,000
Other liabilities 60,238 41,452
Deferred income taxes 79,709 41,666
Stockholders' Equity 755,419 643,188
Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity $1,657,210 $1,377,990
ROSS STORES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended Year Ended
January 31, February 1,
($000, unaudited) 2004 2003
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings $228,102 $201,178
Adjustments to reconcile net
earnings to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 76,739 66,176
Deferred income taxes 31,946 17,375
Tax benefit from equity
issuances 15,089 16,584
Change in assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventory (124,973) (93,128)
Other current assets, net 494 (4,003)
Accounts payable 48,881 81,958
Other current liabilities 34,309 54,541
Other 4,719 8,348
Net cash provided by operating
activities 315,306 349,029
CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property and equipment (146,529) (133,166)
Net cash used in investing activities (146,529) (133,166)
CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt 25,000 25,000
Issuance of common stock related to
stock plans, net 24,695 34,279
Repurchase of common stock (150,003) (149,997)
Dividends paid (17,572) (14,847)
Net cash used in financing activities (117,880) (105,565)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 50,897 110,298
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 150,649 40,351
End of period $201,546 $150,649
SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.
CONTACT: John G. Call, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
+1-510-505-4315, or Katie Loughnot, Vice President, Investor Relations,
+1-510-505-4509, or katie.loughnot@ros.com, both of Ross Stores, Inc./