All
<< Back
Ross Stores Reports Third Quarter Earnings
PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported that earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended October 28, 2006 rose 24% to $.31, from $.25 for the 13 weeks ended October 29, 2005. Net earnings for the fiscal 2006 third quarter were $43.9 million, compared to $36.3 million for the third quarter of 2005. The current year third quarter results include pre-tax stock option related expenses of $3.2 million, or about $.01 per share, recognized pursuant to FAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment." Third quarter earnings per share before these non-cash charges grew 32% over the prior year period. Fiscal 2006 third quarter sales rose 10% to $1.362 billion, from $1.237 billion for the quarter ended October 29, 2005. Same store sales for the period increased 4% on top of a strong 9% gain in the prior year comparable quarter.
For the nine months ended October 28, 2006, earnings per share grew 20% to $1.04 from $.87 for the nine months ended October 29, 2005. Net earnings for the fiscal 2006 year-to-date period were $148.5 million, compared to $128.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The fiscal 2006 year-to-date results include pre-tax stock option related expenses of $10.0 million, or about $.04 per share, recognized pursuant to FAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment." Before these non-cash charges, earnings per share for the first nine months of 2006 grew 24% over the prior year. Sales for the first nine months rose 12% to $3.962 billion, with same store sales up 5% on top of a 6% increase in the prior year comparable period.
Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Third quarter earnings were better than planned, benefiting from healthy sales trends and a measurable improvement in operating margin. Regionally, the strongest sales performance during the quarter was in the Southwest and Texas, while Home and Shoes remained the top-performing merchandise categories. Before approximately 25 basis points in stock option- related costs, earnings before interest and taxes increased about 65 basis points during the quarter. Improvements over the prior year period in shrink- related expenses and selling, general and administrative costs were partially offset by higher supply chain and incentive plan costs along with slight increases in markdown and occupancy expenses. Better-than-plan shrink results from our recent annual physical inventory of our merchandise contributed about $.02 to our improved earnings per share during the quarter."
"Our balance sheet and cash flows as we ended the third quarter remain solid and healthy, and we continue to return capital to stockholders through our stock repurchase and dividend programs. During the first nine months of 2006, we repurchased 5.4 million shares of common stock for an aggregate of $147.7 million as part of the two-year $400 million program authorized by our Board of Directors in the fourth quarter of 2005. We ended the third quarter with 139.9 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Approximately $252.3 million remains available under the current stock repurchase authorization, which we expect to complete by the end of fiscal 2007."
The Company will provide additional details concerning its third quarter results and business outlook on a conference call to be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 12:00 noon 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 the fourth quarter at the website address and via a telephone recording through November 21, 2006 at 402-220-5900, PIN #2342.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release, the conference call recording and other material on the Company's website contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from management's current expectations. The words "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "forecast," "projected," "guidance," "looking ahead" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Risk factors for Ross Stores and dd's DISCOUNTS(R) include, without limitation, the Company's ability to convert certain Albertsons real estate sites to the Ross and dd's DISCOUNTS formats in a timely and cost effective manner and on acceptable terms, and the ability to achieve targeted levels of sales, profits and cash flows from these acquired store locations; the Company's ability to effectively operate its various supply chain, core merchandising and other information systems; its ability to improve its micro-merchandising capabilities through the implementation of new processes and systems enhancements; achieving and maintaining targeted levels of productivity and efficiency in its distribution centers; potential pressure on freight costs from higher-than-expected fuel surcharges; obtaining acceptable new store locations; competitive pressures in the apparel industry; changes in the level of consumer spending on or preferences for apparel or home-related merchandise, including the potential impact from higher gas prices on consumer spending; changes in geopolitical and general economic 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; the Company's ability to continue to purchase attractive brand-name merchandise at desirable discounts; the Company's ability to identify and successfully enter new geographic markets; and the Company's ability to attract and retain personnel with the retail talent necessary to execute its strategies. Other risk factors are detailed in the Company's SEC filings including, without limitation, the Form 10-K for fiscal 2005 and the Form 10-Q's and 8-K's for fiscal 2006. 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., a Fortune 500 and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Pleasanton, California, is the nation's second largest off- price company with fiscal 2005 revenues of $4.9 billion. As of October 28, 2006, the Company operated 772 Ross stores and 26 dd's DISCOUNTS locations, compared to 715 Ross stores and 20 dd's DISCOUNTS locations at the end of the same period last year. Ross Stores 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.
Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
($000, except stores and October 28, October 29, October 28, October 29,
per share data, unaudited) 2006 2005 2006 2005
Sales $1,362,045 $1,236,892 $3,961,773 $3,532,691
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold 1,073,820 979,887 3,086,786 2,764,052
Selling, general
and administrative 217,586 197,740 635,388 558,445
Interest income, net (1,775) (461) (5,213) (1,339)
Total costs and
expenses 1,289,631 1,177,166 3,716,961 3,321,158
Earnings before taxes 72,414 59,726 244,812 211,533
Provision for taxes on
earnings 28,481 23,401 96,285 82,879
Net earnings $43,933 $36,325 $148,527 $128,654
Earnings per share
Basic $0.32 $0.25 $1.06 $0.89
Diluted $0.31 $0.25 $1.04 $0.87
Weighted average shares
outstanding (000)
Basic 138,570 143,753 140,184 144,954
Diluted 140,887 145,659 142,672 147,150
Dividends per share
Cash dividends declared
per share $0.06 $0.05 $0.12 $0.10
Stores open at end of period 798 735 798 735
Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
October 28, October 29,
($000, unaudited) 2006 2005
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $122,069 $177,753
Short-term investments 4,857 --
Accounts receivable 36,823 35,246
Merchandise inventory 1,065,549 1,064,972
Prepaid expenses and other 51,326 44,705
Deferred income taxes 20,014 8,968
Total current assets 1,300,638 1,331,644
Property and equipment, net 740,385 629,304
Other long-term assets 60,267 53,593
Long-term investments 30,838 -
Total assets $2,132,128 $2,014,541
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable, accrued expenses
and other $1,047,526 $945,414
Total current liabilities 1,047,526 945,414
Long-term debt -- 50,000
Other long-term liabilities 128,503 119,955
Deferred income taxes 97,363 96,975
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity 858,736 802,197
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $2,132,128 $2,014,541
Ross Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended
October 28, October 29,
($000, unaudited) 2006 2005
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net earnings $148,527 $128,654
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 78,680 69,073
Stock-based compensation 20,121 12,384
Deferred income taxes (496) 4,774
Tax benefit from equity issuance 11,943 18,102
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation (4,509) --
Change in assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventory (127,458) (211,860)
Other current assets, net (21,937) (2,041)
Accounts payable 204,604 209,410
Other current liabilities 15,145 31,779
Other long-term, net 5,629 3,926
Net cash provided by operating activities 330,249 264,201
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Purchase of assets under lease (87,329) --
Other additions to property and equipment (93,365) (139,331)
Sales (purchases) of investments, net (11,726) 67,400
Net cash used in investing activities (192,420) (71,931)
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
Repayment of term debt (50,000) --
Issuance of common stock related to stock
plans 13,991 31,238
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation 4,509 --
Treasury stock purchased (2,935) (6,065)
Repurchase of common stock (147,726) (132,976)
Dividends paid (25,366) (22,045)
Net cash used in financing activities (207,527) (129,848)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and
cash equivalents (69,698) 62,422
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 191,767 115,331
End of period $122,069 $177,753
Non-Cash Investing Activities
Straight-line rent capitalization in
build-out period $-- $3,059
Change in fair value of investment securities $5 $--
CONTACT:
John G. Call
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
+1-925-965-4315
Katie Loughnot
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1-925-965-4509
katie.loughnot@ros.com
Both of Ross Stores, Inc.