Big Lots Reports Fourth Quarter Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported income from continuing operations of $120.3 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 ended February 2, 2013. This compares to guidance issued on December 4, 2012 which called for net income from continuing operations of $1.91 to $2.10 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Income from continuing operations was $114.7 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

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FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Income from continuing operations of $2.09 per diluted share, a 19% increase compared to $1.75 per diluted share last year
• Operating profit of $197 million, a 3% increase compared to last year
• Total sales increase of 5% to $1.8 billion
• Canadian operations post first profitable quarter since acquisition in July 2011

Fourth Quarter Results

U.S. Operations

Net sales for U.S. operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 4.4% to $1,704.8 million, compared to $1,632.9 million for the same period of fiscal 2011. Comparable store sales for U.S. stores open at least fifteen months decreased 3.5% for the quarter. Income from continuing U.S. operations totaled $120.1 million, or $2.08 per diluted share (non-GAAP), compared to income from continuing U.S. operations of $119.8 million, $1.83 per diluted share (non-GAAP), for the same period of fiscal 2011. As a reminder, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 benefited from an extra week of results due to the retail calendar shift. We believe the extra week benefited fourth quarter results by an estimated $0.05 per diluted share.

Canadian Operations

Net sales for Canadian operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 totaled $48.6 million and net income of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per diluted share (non-GAAP), compared to net sales of $36.6 million and a net loss of $5.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share (non-GAAP) for the same period of fiscal 2011.

Inventory and Cash Management

On a consolidated basis, Inventory ended the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 at $918 million, compared to $825 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The growth in inventory was driven by an increase in U.S. store count, an increase in per store inventory in our U.S. stores, and growth and more fully developed inventory assortments in our Canadian stores.

We ended the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 with $61 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $171 million of borrowings under our credit facility compared to $69 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $66 million of borrowings under our credit facility as of the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Our use of cash generated by our U.S. operations and debt incurred during the last 12 months was focused on share repurchase activity and funding our Canadian operations.

Share Repurchase Activity

There was not a Share Repurchase program authorized or in place for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. For the full year of fiscal 2012, we invested $299 million to repurchase 8.1 million of our common shares, or approximately 13% of our outstanding share base as of the beginning of fiscal 2012. Common shares acquired through the repurchase program are available to meet obligations under equity compensation plans and for general corporate purposes.  

FISCAL 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

• Adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $2.99 per diluted share (non-GAAP)
• Total sales of $5.4 billion, an increase of 3.8% compared to fiscal 2011
• Generated $151 million of cash flow (cash provided by operating activities less investing activities)
• Opened 87 new stores in the U.S. and ended fiscal 2012 with 1,574 stores (U.S. and Canada)

For the full year of fiscal 2012, ended February 2, 2013, income from continuing operations totaled $177.2 million, or $2.93 per diluted share. As previously disclosed in our March 2, 2012, press release, we incurred an after-tax charge of $3.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 related to an inventory accounting change associated with the successful implementation of new retail inventory systems. Excluding this non-recurring, non-cash charge, adjusted income from continuing operations for fiscal 2012 ended February 2, 2013 totaled $180.6 million, or $2.99 per diluted share (non-GAAP), compared to income from continuing operations of $207.2 million, or $2.99 per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal 2011 (see reconciliation below). Discontinued operations activity was minimal for the fourth quarter and full year period of fiscal 2012 and the corresponding periods in fiscal 2011.

2013 GUIDANCE

• Fiscal 2013 income from continuing operations projected to be $3.05 to $3.25 per diluted share, compared to fiscal 2012 adjusted income from continuing operations of $2.99 per diluted share (non-GAAP)
• Cash flow estimated to be approximately $180 million
• Forecasting fiscal 2013 sales increase of 2% to 3%

We estimate fiscal 2013 consolidated income from continuing operations will be in the range of $3.05 to $3.25 per diluted share compared to adjusted income from continuing operations of $2.99 per diluted share for fiscal 2012 (non-GAAP, see reconciliation below). This guidance is based on an estimated total consolidated company sales increase in the range of 2% to 3% for fiscal 2013. Starting in fiscal 2013, we will begin reporting comparable store sales for our Canadian operations purchased in July 2011. Our consolidated company (U.S. and Canada) comparable store sales guidance is estimated to be in the range of flat to 1%. The table below summarizes our comparable store sales and total sales guidance. We estimate this financial performance will result in cash flow of approximately $180 million in fiscal 2013. As a reminder, we are operating under a 52-week retail calendar compared to 53-weeks in fiscal 2012.

U.S. Operations

We estimate income from continuing operations to be in the range of $3.15 to $3.30 per diluted share (non-GAAP) compared to fiscal 2012 adjusted income from continuing operations of $3.21 per diluted share (non-GAAP). This guidance is based on U.S. comparable store sales in the range of flat to 1% and a total U.S. sales increase in the range of 2% to 3% in fiscal 2013. From a real estate perspective, we expect to open 50 new stores and close 45 existing locations in the U.S. during fiscal 2013.

Canadian Operations

Canadian sales are expected to be in the range of $180 to $190 million for fiscal 2013, resulting in a net loss in the range of $3 to $6 million, or $0.05 to $0.10 per diluted share (non-GAAP). This compares to a net loss for fiscal 2012 of $13.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted share (non-GAAP). Our sales guidance for fiscal 2013 is based on a Canadian comparable store sales increase in the range of 15% to 22% and a total Canadian sales increase in the range of 16% to 23%. From a real estate perspective, we expect to open 2 to 3 new stores in Canada under the Big Lots banner and potentially close a similar number of locations.

Fiscal Q1 2013 Guidance

For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we estimate our consolidated income from continuing operations will be in the range of $0.53 to $0.65 per diluted share, compared to adjusted income from continuing operations of $0.68 per diluted share (non-GAAP) for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. This guidance is based on an estimated comparable store sales decrease for the consolidated company in the range of 1% to 3% and a total sales increase in the range of 1% to 3% for the first quarter of 2013. As a reminder, our adjusted results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 exclude the non-recurring, non-cash after-tax inventory charge of $3.4 million (non-GAAP, see reconciliation below).

We estimate first quarter income from U.S. operations in a range of $0.63 to $0.70 per diluted share (non-GAAP), compared to last year's adjusted income from continuing operations of $0.77 per diluted share (non-GAAP). This guidance is based on an estimated U.S. comparable store sales decrease in the low single digits and a total U.S. sales increase in the low single digits.

Canadian sales are expected to be in the range of $35 to $39 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, resulting in a net loss in the range of $3 to $6 million, or $0.05 to $0.10 per diluted share (non-GAAP). This compares to a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 of $0.09 per diluted share (non-GAAP). Our guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 is based on an estimated Canadian comparable store sales increase in the range of 9% to 20% and a total Canadian sales increase in the range of 9% to 20%.

Conference Call/Webcast

We will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. to discuss our financial results for the fourth quarter and provide commentary on our outlook for fiscal 2013. 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 Wednesday, March 20. A replay of the call will be available beginning today at 12:00 noon through March 20 at midnight by dialing: 1.888.203.1112 (United States and Canada) or 1.719.457.0820 (International). The Replay Confirmation Code is 8792412.  All times are Eastern Time.

Big Lots is North America's largest broadline closeout retailer. As of the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we operated 1,495 BIG LOTS stores in the 48 contiguous United States and 79 LIQUIDATION WORLD and LW stores in Canada. Wholesale operations are conducted through BIG LOTS WHOLESALE, CONSOLIDATED INTERNATIONAL, and WISCONSIN TOY and with online sales at www.biglotswholesale.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.

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The following table reconciles gross margin, gross margin rate, operating profit, operating profit rate, income tax expense, effective income tax rate, income from continuing operations, net income, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, and diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2012 for our consolidated and U.S. segment results (GAAP financial measures) to adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin rate, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit rate, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted income from continuing operations, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP financial measures).

The adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin rate, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit rate, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted income from continuing operations, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, and adjusted diluted earnings per share are "non-GAAP financial measures" as that term is defined by Rule 101 of Regulation G (17 CFR Part 244) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR Part 229). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude from the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") a pretax charge for a change in an accounting principle associated with our implementation of new inventory management information systems of $5,574 ($3,388, net of tax).

Our management believes that the disclosure of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors because the non-GAAP financial measures present an alternative and appropriate method for measuring our operating performance, excluding certain items included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.  Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating performance.

SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.