Big Lots Reports Record Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is reporting fourth quarter fiscal 2010 net income totaled $110.1 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, compared to $105.4 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Fourth quarter fiscal 2010 income from continuing operations totaled $110.0 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $106.2 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.  For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, adjusted (non-GAAP) income from continuing operations totaled $108.6 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, which excludes the effect of a litigation settlement charge discussed later in this release.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20011026/BIGLOTSLOGO )

For the fiscal 2010 year ended January 29, 2011, net income totaled $222.5 million, or $2.83 per diluted share, compared to $200.4 million, or $2.42 per diluted share, in the prior year.  Fiscal 2010 income from continuing operations totaled $222.5 million, or $2.83 per diluted share, compared to $201.4 million, or $2.44 per diluted share, for fiscal 2009.  For fiscal 2009, excluding the effect of the net gain on a real estate sale and a litigation settlement charge discussed later in this release, adjusted (non-GAAP) income from continuing operations totaled $195.6 million, or $2.37 per diluted share.  

FISCAL 2010 HIGHLIGHTS

• Record income from continuing operations of $2.83 per diluted share, a 19% increase over last year's record adjusted (non-GAAP) income from continuing operations of $2.37 per diluted share
• Comparable store sales increase of 2.5% and total sales increase of 4.8%
• Record operating profit dollars of $357 million as operating profit rate improved to 7.2%, or 50 basis points above last year's adjusted results
• Cash Flow (defined as operating activities less investing activities) of $201 million  
• Invested $342 million to repurchase 10.5 million shares, or approximately 13% of our outstanding shares as of the beginning of fiscal 2010
• Opened 80 new stores and now have a presence in all 48 contiguous states

Commenting on fiscal 2010 results, Steve Fishman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President stated, "We were very pleased to deliver our fourth consecutive year of record operating profit and EPS results.  We grew sales productivity and gross margin dollars while recording the lowest expense rate in the Company's history.  We successfully opened 80 new stores where the sales performance exceeded our expectations.  And, the financial model got stronger in 2010 as we generated a significant amount of cash to reinvest in our business and return to our shareholders through our repurchase efforts."

FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Record income from continuing operations of $1.46 per diluted share, an 11% increase over last year's  adjusted (non-GAAP) income from continuing operations of $1.31 per diluted share
• Total sales increase of 3.8% driven by strength of new store performance
• Record operating profit dollars of $177 million
• Opened 27 new stores

Fourth Quarter Results

Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 3.8% to $1,518.9 million, compared to $1,463.3 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 were flat.    

Operating profit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 was $177.2 million, or 11.7% of sales, compared to last year's operating profit on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis of $173.5 million, or 11.9% of sales.  As anticipated, our gross margin rate decreased 50 basis points compared to last year due to higher domestic freight costs and lower overall initial markup due to certain of our holiday merchandising strategies.  Expenses as a percent of sales decreased, or leveraged, due to efficiencies in distribution and transportation, store payroll, and lower bonus expense compared to last year.    

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, net interest expense was $0.8 million compared to net interest expense of $0.4 million last year with the increase attributed to $342 million of share repurchase activity partially offset by the overall cash flow of the business in the last 12 months.  The effective income tax rate for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 was 37.6% compared to 37.3% last year on an adjusted (non-GAAP) basis.      

Inventory and Cash Management

Inventory ended the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 at $762 million compared to $731 million last year.  The increase in overall inventory reflected a 1% increase in average store inventory and a higher store count at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the same period last year.  

We ended the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 with total cash and cash equivalents of $178 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $284 million at the same time last year.  The decrease in cash and cash equivalents relates to $342 million of share repurchase activity, partially offset by the cash generated by our business over the last 12 months.  We ended the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 with no borrowings under our credit facility.

Share Repurchase Program Update

As a reminder, in March 2010, our Board of Directors increased the size of our share repurchase program by $250 million bringing the total authorization 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 was based upon the volume weighted average price of our stock, less a small guaranteed discount, over a predetermined period of time.  The contract was settled with the counterparty on December 30, 2010 and an additional distribution of 0.9 million shares was received.  The total shares repurchased under the ASR amounted to 4.5 million at a weighted average price of $33.51 per share.  

Additionally, throughout the year, we invested $192 million to opportunistically repurchase 6.0 million shares at an average price of $32.16.  For fiscal 2010, including both the ASR and opportunistic activity, we repurchased 10.5 million shares, or approximately 13% of the shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, at a weighted average price of $32.74 per share.  At the end of fiscal 2010, we had $58 million remaining under our $400 million March 2010 Repurchase Program.  The remaining amount may 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.  

Unusual Excluded Items (Fiscal 2009)

In November 2004, a civil collective action was filed against us alleging that we violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by misclassifying assistant store managers as exempt employees.  As a result of this case, we sent a notice of the lawsuit to all then-current and former assistant store managers who worked for us since November 23, 2001.  Approximately 1,100 individuals opted to join in the collective action.  Ultimately, it was determined that this matter should not be brought as a collective action requiring, instead, each claimant to bring an individual action.  Approximately 172 of the opt-in plaintiffs participated in individual actions.  After defending this matter for 5 years, we decided to enter into a settlement agreement requiring the payment of approximately $4.0 million ($2.4 million net of tax, or $0.03 per diluted share), during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

In September 2006, to avoid litigation and under threat of eminent domain, we sold a company-owned and operated store in California for a gain.  As part of the sale, we entered into a lease which permitted us to continue to occupy and operate the store through January 2009 in exchange for rent of $1 per year plus the taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance.  Subsequently, this lease was modified to allow us to occupy this space through September 2009 under substantially the same terms.  Because of the favorable lease terms, we deferred recognition of the gain until we no longer held a continuing involvement with this property.  In September 2009, after attempts to further extend the lease term were unsuccessful, we closed the store, ending our continuing involvement with this property, and recognized the pretax gain on sale of real estate of $13.0 million ($8.2 million net of tax, or $0.10 per diluted share), during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.  

We believe each of these items is not directly related to our ongoing operations.  Therefore, we have provided a complementary schedule entitled "Big Lots, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" that excludes these items.  We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures should facilitate analysis by investors and others who follow our financial performance.

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 stores closed in January 2006 are classified as discontinued operations.  Results from discontinued operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 were minimal compared to a net loss from discontinued operations of $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.   For fiscal 2010, results from discontinued operations were minimal compared to a net loss from discontinued operations of $1.0 million for fiscal 2009.

2011 OUTLOOK

• Initial Fiscal 2011 guidance for income from continuing operations of $3.05 to $3.15 per diluted share versus income from continuing operations of $2.83 per diluted share in Fiscal 2010
• Initial Fiscal 2011 sales guidance calls for a comparable store sales increase of 1% to 2% and a total sales increase of 5% to 6%
• Initial Fiscal 2011 Cash Flow guidance of approximately $205 million
• Initial Fiscal 2011 guidance of 90 new store openings
• Initial Q1 2011 guidance for income from continuing operations of $0.76 to $0.81 per diluted share versus income from continuing operations of $0.68 per diluted share in Q1 2010

We estimate fiscal 2011 income from continuing operations will be in the range of $3.05 to $3.15 per diluted share compared to income from continuing operations of $2.83 per diluted share for fiscal 2010.  This guidance for EPS is based on a projected comparable store sales increase in the range of 1% to 2% and a total sales increase in the range of 5% to 6%.  We estimate that the operating profit rate will be in a range of 7.3% to 7.5% of sales with the expansion expected to come from an improving expense rate.  The gross margin rate for fiscal 2011 is expected to be similar to fiscal 2010 and we are estimating that flat to slightly positive comparable store sales are needed to leverage the expense structure of the business.  

We estimate net interest expense of approximately $1 million and an income tax rate in the range of 38.0% to 39.0% for fiscal 2011.  Capital expenditures are expected to be in the range of $125 million to $130 million with depreciation expense estimated to be in the range of $90 million to $95 million.  We estimate this financial performance would result in Cash Flow of approximately $205 million.  The average diluted common share count is estimated to be approximately 76 million for fiscal 2011 with no assumption for share repurchase activity.

From a real estate perspective, we expect to open 90 new stores during fiscal 2011 and close up to 45 locations for net store growth of 45 stores, or approximately 3%, which is included in our capital expenditures and depreciation guidance noted above.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we estimate comparable store sales will be in a range of slightly positive to slightly negative with total sales up in the range of 2% to 4%.  Based on this level of sales performance, our income from continuing operations is estimated to be in the range of $0.76 to $0.81 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations $0.68 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.  

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 guidance for fiscal 2011.  We invite you to listen to the webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of our website (www.biglots.com).

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, March 17.  A replay of the call will be available beginning today at noon through March 17 at midnight by dialing: 1.888.203.1112 (United States and Canada) or 1.719.457.0820 (International).  All times are Eastern Time.  The PIN number is 1659098.

Big Lots is the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer.  As of the end of fiscal 2010 (January 29, 2011), we operated 1,398 BIG LOTS stores in 48 states.  We also sell merchandise via our wholesale operations which 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.

The following table reconciles selling and administrative expenses, selling and administrative expense 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 the fourth quarter of 2009 and year-to-date 2009 (GAAP financial measures) to adjusted selling and administrative expenses, adjusted selling and administrative expense 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 selling and administrative expenses, adjusted selling and administrative expense 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 gain on the sale of real estate of $12,964 ($8,163, net of tax) and a pretax expense for a legal settlement  agreement of $4,000 ($2,420, 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.