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rossstores_8k.htm
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________
 
Form 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of report (date of earliest event reported):
August 19, 2010
 
ROSS STORES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware 0-14678 94-1390387
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File No.) (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation) No.)
 
4440 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, California, 94588-3050
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(925) 965-4400
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 
ROSS STORES, INC. 4440 Rosewood Drive, Pleasanton, California 94588-3050 (925) 965-4400
 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On August 19, 2010, the Company issued a press release regarding the Company’s financial results for its fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2010. The full text of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
          (c) Exhibits.
 
      Exhibit            
No.   Description
99.1   August 19, 2010 Press Release by Ross Stores, Inc.*

*Pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
Date:  August 19, 2010
 
  ROSS STORES, INC.
Registrant
      
By:  /s/J. Call
  John G. Call
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer

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exhibit99-1.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:       John G. Call       Bobbi Chaville
Senior Vice President, Senior Director, Investor Relations
    Chief Financial Officer   (925) 965-4289
(925) 965-4315 Email: bobbi.chaville@ros.com
 
ROSS STORES REPORTS RECORD SECOND QUARTER 2010 RESULTS
WITH EARNINGS PER SHARE UP 30%,
ISSUES THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTER GUIDANCE
 
     Pleasanton, California, August 19, 2010 -- Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) today reported earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended July 31, 2010 of $1.07, up from $.82 for the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2009. These results reflect a 30% increase on top of a 52% gain in the second quarter of 2009. Net earnings for the second quarter of 2010 grew 25% to a record $129.3 million, from $103.4 million in the second quarter of 2009. Sales for the 13 weeks ended July 31, 2010 increased 8% to $1.912 billion, with comparable store sales up 4% on top of a 3% gain in the prior year.
 
     For the six months ended July 31, 2010, earnings per share were $2.24, up from $1.55 for the six months ended August 1, 2009. These results represent 45% growth on top of a 37% increase in earnings per share during the first half of 2009. Net earnings for the six months ended July 31, 2010 grew to a record $271.6 million, up 39% from $194.8 million in the prior year period. Sales for the first six months of 2010 increased 11% to $3.847 billion, with comparable store sales up 7% on top of a 3% gain last year.
 
     Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased with the solid sales gains and healthy earnings increases we delivered in the second quarter and first six months of 2010. Our profit growth for both periods is especially noteworthy, considering it was on top of robust double digit gains in the prior year. Our ability to deliver compelling bargains, while operating our business on much lower inventories, remains the primary driver of our strong results. The best performing merchandise categories during the second quarter and year to date periods were Home, Dresses and Shoes. Geographic trends were relatively broadbased, with the strongest performance in Florida.”
 
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     Mr. Balmuth continued, “Second quarter operating margin grew about 140 basis points to 11.1%, on top of a 260 basis point increase in the prior year period. Our 2010 profitability gains were driven by a 110 basis point increase in gross margin and a 30 basis point decline in selling, general and administrative costs as a percent of sales compared to the second quarter of 2009. Key drivers of our improved profit margins for both the second quarter and year-to-date periods were higher merchandise gross margin, a timing shift in distribution expenses related to packaway levels, lower shortage costs and leverage on other operating expenses.”
 
     Mr. Balmuth also noted, “As we ended the first half of the year, our balance sheet and cash flows remained healthy. We continued to return capital to stockholders through our stock repurchase and dividend programs. During the first six months of fiscal 2010, we repurchased 3.6 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $193 million. We are on track to repurchase during 2010 approximately $375 million of our current two-year $750 million stock repurchase program.”
 
     Looking ahead, Mr. Balmuth said, “Predicting the future in today’s uncertain macro-economic and retail climate remains challenging. We also face extremely tough comparisons in the second half of the year, as same store sales grew 9% and earnings per share rose 67% in the prior year period. As a result, we are maintaining a somewhat cautious outlook concerning our sales and earnings targets for the second half of 2010.”
 
     For the 13 weeks ending October 30, 2010, the Company projects that same store sales will grow 1% to 2% on top of an 8% increase in the prior year. Third quarter 2010 earnings per share are forecast to be in the range of $.79 to $.83 compared to $.84 in last year’s third quarter, which included a $.09 benefit from better-than-expected shortage results in 2009.
 
     For the 13 weeks ending January 29, 2011, same store sales are projected to be flat to down 1% versus a 10% increase in the fourth quarter of 2009. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2010 are forecast to be in the range of $1.15 to $1.20, compared to $1.16 for the same period in 2009.
 
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     For the 52 weeks ending January 29, 2011, earnings per share are forecast to be in the range of $4.18 to $4.27, up from $3.54 for the 52 weeks ended January 30, 2010. This annual range represents projected growth of 18% to 21% in fiscal 2010 on top of a 52% gain in fiscal 2009.
 
     The Company will provide additional details concerning its second quarter results and management’s outlook for the third and fourth quarters on a conference call to be held Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Participants may listen to a real time audio webcast of the conference call by visiting the Company’s website located at www.rossstores.com. A recorded version of the call will also be available until the end of October at the website address and via a telephone recording through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 706-645-9291, PIN # 55962247.
 
     Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and the recorded comments and transcript on our corporate website contain forward-looking statements regarding expected sales and earnings levels in future periods that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. The words “plan,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “projected,” “guidance,” “looking ahead” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”) and dd’s DISCOUNTS® include without limitation, competitive pressures in the apparel or home-related merchandise industry; changes in the level of consumer spending on or preferences for apparel or home-related merchandise, including the potential impact from the macro-economic environment, uncertainty in financial and credit markets, and changes in geopolitical conditions; unseasonable weather trends; disruptions in supply chain; lower than planned gross margin, including higher than planned markdowns and higher than expected inventory shortage; greater than planned operating costs; our ability to continue to purchase attractive brand-name merchandise at desirable discounts; our ability to attract and retain personnel with the retail talent necessary to execute our strategies; our ability to effectively operate our various supply chain, core merchandising and other information systems; our ability to improve our merchandising capabilities through the recent implementation of new processes and systems enhancements; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and efficiency in our distribution centers; and obtaining acceptable new store locations. Other risk factors are detailed in our SEC filings including, without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2009 and Forms 10-Q and 8-Ks for fiscal 2010. 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 our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
 
* * * * *
 
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     Ross Stores, Inc., an S&P 500, Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation’s second largest off-price retailer with fiscal 2009 revenues of $7.2 billion. As of July 31, 2010 the Company operated 979 Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”) stores and 57 dd’s DISCOUNTS® locations, compared to 939 Ross and 51 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations at the end of the same period last year. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 60 percent off department and specialty store regular prices. dd’s DISCOUNTS features a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions for the entire family at everyday savings of 20 to 70 percent off moderate department and discount store regular prices. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.
 
* * * * *
 
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Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
 
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, August 1, July 31, August 1,
($000, except stores and per share data, unaudited)       2010       2009       2010       2009
Sales $  1,911,760   $  1,768,636 $  3,846,538 $  3,460,235
 
Costs and Expenses
       Costs of goods sold 1,395,785 1,311,136 2,801,867 2,579,845
       Selling, general and administrative 303,402 286,158 597,874 558,188
       Interest expense, net 2,436 1,390 4,824 3,046
              Total costs and expenses 1,701,623 1,598,684 3,404,565 3,141,079
 
Earnings before taxes 210,137 169,952 441,973 319,156
Provision for taxes on earnings 80,861 66,545 170,350 124,362
Net earnings $ 129,276 $ 103,407 $ 271,623 $ 194,794
 
Earnings per share
       Basic $ 1.09 $ 0.84 $ 2.28 $ 1.57
       Diluted $ 1.07 $ 0.82 $ 2.24 $ 1.55
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding (000)
       Basic 118,615 123,467 119,222 124,080
       Diluted 120,562 125,658 121,243 126,063
 
 
Dividends
       Cash dividends declared per share $ 0.16 $ 0.11 $ 0.16 $ 0.11
 
 
Stores open at end of period     1,036     990     1,036     990
 
 
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Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
July 31, August 1,
($000, unaudited)       2010       2009
Assets
 
Current Assets
       Cash and cash equivalents $ 772,671 $ 520,424
       Short-term investments 2,491 1,135
       Accounts receivable 53,079 49,375
       Merchandise inventory 915,704 926,244
       Prepaid expenses and other 66,653 63,926
       Deferred income taxes 4,249 13,669
              Total current assets 1,814,847 1,574,773
 
Property and equipment, net 945,335 942,745
Long-term investments 18,535 21,752
Other long-term assets 72,146 61,379
Total assets $  2,850,863 $  2,600,649
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
Current Liabilities
       Accounts payable $ 745,461 $ 702,977
       Accrued expenses and other 244,460 219,479
       Accrued payroll and benefits 181,611 172,913
       Income taxes payable 8,070 11,268
              Total current liabilities 1,179,602 1,106,637
 
Long-term debt 150,000 150,000
Other long-term liabilities 184,324 168,558
Deferred income taxes 80,088 106,032
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Stockholders’ Equity 1,256,849 1,069,422
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 2,850,863   $ 2,600,649
     
 
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Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Six Months Ended
July 31, August 1,
($000, unaudited)       2010       2009
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net earnings $ 271,623 $ 194,794
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization 80,161 75,502
       Stock-based compensation 18,253 13,017
       Deferred income taxes (23,337 ) 9,400
       Tax benefit from equity issuance 8,801 5,256
       Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (8,597 ) (4,008 )
       Change in assets and liabilities:
              Merchandise inventory (43,206 ) (45,186 )
              Other current assets (16,880 ) (16,890 )
              Accounts payable 106,831 180,240
              Other current liabilities (89,771 ) (678 )
              Other long-term, net 959 2,521
              Net cash provided by operating activities 304,837 413,968
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Additions to property and equipment (88,122 ) (80,731 )
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment - 10
Purchases of investments (6,842 ) (2,553 )
Proceeds from investments 5,020 19,364
              Net cash used in investing activities (89,944 ) (63,910 )
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 8,597 4,008
Issuance of common stock related to stock plans 20,366 31,745
Treasury stock purchased (7,442 ) (4,546 )
Repurchase of common stock (192,982 ) (154,371 )
Dividends paid (39,104 ) (27,825 )
              Net cash used in financing activities  (210,565 )  (150,989 )
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,328 199,069
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
              Beginning of period 768,343 321,355
              End of period $ 772,671 $ 520,424
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
Interest paid $ 4,834 $ 4,834
Income taxes paid $ 225,628 $ 105,012
 
Non-Cash Investing Activities
Increase in fair value of investment securities   $ 604     $ 886
 
 
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