Big Lots Reports First Quarter EPS of $0.68 Per Diluted Share

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported net income of $55.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 ended May 1, 2010.  This compares to net income of $36.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.  Results include both continuing operations and discontinued operations.  Discontinued operations activity was minimal in the first quarter of both fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 and is discussed later in this release.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO )

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Record income from continuing operations of $0.68 per diluted share versus $0.44 per diluted share last year
• Comparable stores sales increase of 6%
• Operating profit rate of 7.3%, an increase of 200 basis points compared to last year
• Generated $96 million of Cash Flow (defined as operating activities less investing activities)
• Record first quarter inventory turnover

Continuing Operations

For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, income from continuing operations was $56.0 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $36.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the same period of fiscal 2009.  

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 8.2% to $1,235.2 million, compared to $1,141.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2009.  Comparable store sales for stores open at least two years at the beginning of the fiscal year increased 6.0% for the quarter.  

Operating profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was $90.1 million, an increase of 49% compared to first quarter of fiscal 2009 operating profit of $60.3 million.  Our operating profit dollar growth was a result of our comparable store sales increase of 6%, improvement in the gross margin rate and significant expense leverage as a percent of sales.  Our gross margin rate for the quarter increased 10 basis points compared to last year as a result of lower markdowns as a percent of sales due to record inventory turnover, partially offset by higher freight costs.  Expense leverage of approximately 190 basis points was driven by the leveraging impact of a comparable stores sales increase of 6% over certain store and occupancy related costs along with lower advertising expense.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, net interest expense was $0.2 million compared to net interest expense of $0.3 million last year.  The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was 37.7% compared to 39.5% last year with the decrease in rate primarily due to the settlement of an uncertain tax position.  

Inventory and Cash Management

Inventory ended the first quarter of fiscal 2010 at $745 million compared to $718 million last year.  The 4% increase in inventory was comprised of a 2% increase per average store along with a 2% increase in overall store count.  We experienced record first quarter inventory turnover as our 6% increase in comparable store sales exceeded the slight increase in average store inventory carried throughout the quarter.  

We ended the first quarter of fiscal 2010 with $261 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and no borrowings under our credit facility compared to $51 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and no borrowings under our credit facility as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009.  The $210 million increase in cash was attributable to cash generated by our business over the last 12 months, partially offset by the share repurchase activity during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as discussed later in this release.    

Share Repurchase Activity

On March 2, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a $250 million increase to our $150 million program bringing the total authorization of the repurchase program to $400 million.  On March 10, 2010, we utilized $150 million of the authorization to execute an Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) transaction which reduced our common shares outstanding by 3.6 million.  The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR will be based upon the volume weighted average price of our stock over a predetermined period and will not be known until that period ends and a final settlement occurs.  The final settlement could increase or decrease the 3.6 million shares initially reduced from our outstanding common shares.  The terms of the ASR restrict us from declaring a dividend prior to its completion, which can be no later than January 26, 2011.  The remaining $250 million will be utilized to repurchase shares in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions at our discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors.  Common shares acquired through the repurchase program will be available to meet obligations under equity compensation plans and for general corporate purposes.  The repurchase program will continue until exhausted.

Discontinued Operations

As discussed in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2010, activity related to KB Toys, our former division, as well as the operating results and costs associated with 130 Big Lots stores closed in January 2006 are classified as discontinued operations.  Net loss from discontinued operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 totaled $0.1 million compared to a net loss from discontinued operations of less than $0.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

2010 OUTLOOK

• Provides initial Q2 guidance for income from continuing operations of $0.44 to $0.49 per diluted share versus income from continuing operations of $0.35 per diluted share for the same period last year
• Provides initial Q2 comparable store sales guidance which calls for an increase of 4% to 5%
• Increases fiscal 2010 annual guidance for income from continuing operations to $2.75 to $2.85 per diluted share versus adjusted (non-GAAP) income from continuing operations of $2.37 per diluted share last year
• Increases fiscal 2010 comparable stores sales guidance to an increase of 3.5% to 4.5% from prior guidance of an increase of 3% to 4%.
• Increases Cash Flow guidance to $220 million from prior guidance of $200 million

For the second quarter of fiscal 2010, we anticipate comparable store sales will increase in the range of 4% to 5% and our income from continuing operations is estimated to be in the range of $0.44 to $0.49 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of $0.35 per diluted share.

Given the strength of the first quarter operating results and expectations for the balance of the year, we raised our fiscal 2010 guidance for income from continuing operations.  We now anticipate fiscal 2010 income from continuing operations of $2.75 to $2.85 per diluted share, compared to our prior guidance of $2.65 to $2.75 per diluted share.  This EPS guidance is based on estimated fiscal 2010 comparable store sales in the range of 3.5% to 4.5% and an operating profit rate in the range of 7.3% to 7.5%.  We have increased our Cash Flow guidance to $220 million compared to our prior guidance of $200 million.

Conference Call/Webcast

We will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss our financial results for the first quarter and provide commentary on our outlook for fiscal 2010.  We invite you to listen to the webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of our website (www.biglots.com).

If you are unable to join the live webcast, an archive of the call will be available through the Investor Relations section of our website (www.biglots.com) beginning two hours after the call ends and will remain available through midnight on Thursday, June 10. A replay of the call will be available beginning May 27 at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time) through June 10 at midnight by dialing: 1.888.203.1112 (United States and Canada) or 1.719.457.0820 (International). The PIN number is 4420475.

Big Lots is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer.  As of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2010 (May 1, 2010), we operated 1,367 BIG LOTS stores in 47 states.  Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY.  Our website is located at www.biglots.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of our objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements that we make herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the current economic and credit crisis, the cost of goods, our inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on our customers and us, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our public announcements and SEC filings.

SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.