CHICO'S FAS, INC. FORT MYERS, Fla., Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
-- Delivered second quarter EPS of $0.18
-- Continuing to execute on strategic priorities and cost reduction
initiatives
-- Announces Mary van Praag appointed as new Soma President
Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) (the "Company") today announced its financial results for the fiscal 2017 second quarter ended July 29, 2017.
For the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2017 (the "second quarter"), the Company reported net income of $22.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to net income of $23.0 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended July 30, 2016. Results for the second quarter of 2016 include the impact of restructuring and strategic charges of $10.3 million after-tax, or $0.08 per diluted share.
For the twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017, the Company reported net income of $56.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to net income of $54.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016. Results for the twenty-six weeks ended July 30, 2016 include the impact of restructuring and strategic charges of $12.5 million after-tax, or $0.09 per diluted share.
Shelley Broader, CEO and President, said, "Second quarter sales were disappointing, and we are taking decisive actions to adjust our assortments and enhance omni-channel capabilities in bellwether categories such as Jackets at Chico's and Dresses at White House Black Market. While it is early in the third quarter, these key categories are showing encouraging progress." She continued, "Our leadership team also continues to be keenly focused on driving our strategic priorities to transform Chico's FAS, Inc. into a more nimble, efficient and innovative retailer that continues to drive strong free cash flow in the long term."
The Company also announced that Mary van Praag will be starting on September 5, 2017 as the new Soma President. Ms. van Praag most recently served as CEO of Perricone MD. Prior to that, she held senior executive roles at Coty, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson's beauty division.
Ms. Broader said, "We look forward to leveraging Mary's global, multi-channel and brand-building expertise, along with her deep understanding of our target customer, to capitalize on Soma's growth potential."
Net Sales
For the second quarter, net sales were $578.6 million compared to $635.7 million in last year's second quarter. This decrease of 9.0% primarily reflects a comparable sales decline of 8.4%, driven by lower average dollar sale and a decline in transaction count.
Comparable Sales
Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
--------------------
July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Chico's (9.0)% (5.1)% (9.4)% (5.3)%
White House Black Market (10.6)% (1.3)% (10.1)% (2.7)%
Soma (1.8)% 0.7 % (0.8)% 0.6 %
Total Company (8.4)% (3.1)% (8.4)% (3.7)%
Gross Margin
For the second quarter, gross margin was $209.1 million, or 36.1% of net sales, compared to $240.8 million, or 37.9% of net sales, in last year's second quarter. This 180 basis point decrease primarily reflects sales deleverage of store occupancy expenses and increased promotional activity to reduce inventory levels.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
For the second quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $173.6 million, or 30.0% of net sales, compared to $186.6 million, or 29.4% of net sales, for last year's second quarter. This decrease of $13.0 million primarily reflects a reduction in store operating expenses to align with sales as well as a decrease in unproductive marketing spend.
Income Tax Expense
For the second quarter, the effective tax rate was 35.1% compared to 38.0% for last year's second quarter. The reduction in effective tax rate of 290 basis points primarily related to favorable federal and state settlements.
Inventories
At the end of the second quarter of 2017, inventories totaled $235.2 million compared to $235.6 million in the same period last year. Inventories for the second quarter included a $16.9 million increase compared to the prior year due to a change in shipping terms with a supplier. Excluding the impact of the change in shipping terms, inventory decreased 7.4%.
Share Repurchase Program
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, under its $300.0 million share repurchase program announced in November 2015, the Company repurchased 1.2 million shares for $11.2 million, at a weighted average of $9.39 per share. There is $142.9 million remaining for future share repurchases under the program.
Fiscal 2017 Outlook
For fiscal 2017, the Company anticipates comparable sales to be down high single-digits with gross margin rate decreasing by approximately 75 to 100 basis points. The fiscal 2017 53rd week is not included in the comparable sales calculation. Net sales for the 53rd week are expected to approximate $30 million. The Company anticipates SG&A expense will be down approximately $50 to $60 million compared to last year.
ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC.
The Company, through its brands - Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma, is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates and complementary accessories.
As of July 29, 2017, the Company operated 1,482 stores in the US and Canada and sold merchandise through franchise locations in Mexico. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.whbm.com, and www.soma.com. For more detailed information on Chico's FAS, Inc., please go to our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect our current views with respect to certain events that could have an effect on our future financial performance. These statements, including without limitation statements made in Ms. Broader's quotations and in the section entitled "Fiscal 2017 Outlook," relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical fact and may include the words or phrases such as "will," "should," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "approximately," "our planning assumptions," "future outlook," and similar expressions. Except for historical information, matters discussed in such statements are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and on our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments and projections about our business and our industry, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those currently anticipated. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, we cannot guarantee their accuracy or our future performance, and there are a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors (many of which are outside our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our expectations will, in fact, occur or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and business environment; changes in the general or specialty retail or apparel industries; the availability of quality store sites; the ability to successfully execute and achieve the expected results of our business strategies, particular strategic initiatives, and organizational redesign; the integration of our new management team; changes in the political environment that create consumer uncertainty; significant changes to product import and distribution costs (such as unexpected consolidation in the freight carrier industry, and the impact associated with our shift to a predominantly FOB shipping structure); new or increased taxes or tariffs; significant shifts in consumer behavior; and those other factors described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and in the "Forward-Looking Statements" disclosure in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our latest annual report on Form 10-K. There can be no assurance that the actual future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur. Investors using forward-looking statements are encouraged to review the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K, including management's discussion and analysis therein, its filings on Form 10-Q, the Company's filings on Form 8-K, and other federal securities law filings for a description of other important factors that may affect the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. All forward-looking statements that are made or attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.
(Financial Tables Follow)
Executive Contact:
Jennifer Powers
Vice President - Investor Relations
Chico's FAS, Inc.
(239) 346-4199
Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
Amount % of Amount % of Amount % of Amount % of
Sales Sales Sales Sales
-----
Net sales:
Chico's $302,217 52.2 $334,160 52.6 $612,344 52.7 $682,864 53.4
White House Black Market 184,396 31.9 208,038 32.7 377,728 32.5 423,031 33.1
Soma 91,968 15.9 93,534 14.7 172,237 14.8 172,814 13.5
Total net sales 578,581 100.0 635,732 100.0 1,162,309 100.0 1,278,709 100.0
Cost of goods sold 369,480 63.9 394,922 62.1 715,795 61.6 775,564 60.7
------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ---- ------- ----
Gross margin 209,101 36.1 240,810 37.9 446,514 38.4 503,145 39.3
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 173,642 30.0 186,626 29.4 356,181 30.6 394,767 30.9
Restructuring and strategic
charges - 0.0 16,556 2.6 - 0.0 20,207 1.5
--- --- ------ --- --- --- ------ ---
Income from operations 35,459 6.1 37,628 5.9 90,333 7.8 88,171 6.9
Interest expense, net (443) 0.0 (489) (0.1) (898) (0.1) (948) (0.1)
---- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Income before income taxes 35,016 6.1 37,139 5.8 89,435 7.7 87,223 6.8
Income tax provision 12,300 2.2 14,100 2.2 33,100 2.9 33,100 2.6
------ --- ------ --- ------ --- ------ ---
Net income $22,716 3.9 $23,039 3.6 $56,335 4.8 $54,123 4.2
======= === ======= === ======= === ======= ===
Per share data:
Net income per common share-basic $0.18 $0.17 $0.44 $0.41
===== ===== ===== =====
Net income per common and common
equivalent share-diluted $0.18 $0.17 $0.44 $0.41
===== ===== ===== =====
Weighted average common shares
outstanding-basic 125,643 129,215 125,847 130,406
======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average common and common
equivalent shares
outstanding-diluted 125,677 129,362 125,890 130,516
======= ======= ======= =======
Dividends declared per share $0.0825 $0.0800 $0.2475 $0.2400
======= ======= ======= =======
Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
July 29, 2017 January 28, 2017 July 30, 2016
------------- ---------------- -------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $135,324 $142,135 $100,532
Marketable securities, at fair value 50,878 50,370 50,612
Inventories 235,167 232,363 235,636
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 49,381 52,758 64,872
Total Current Assets 470,750 477,626 451,652
Property and Equipment, net 443,833 477,185 515,088
Other Assets:
Goodwill 96,774 96,774 96,774
Other intangible assets, net 38,930 38,930 38,930
Other assets, net 16,745 18,479 18,989
------ ------ ------
Total Other Assets 152,449 154,183 154,693
------- ------- -------
$1,067,032 $1,108,994 $1,121,433
========== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $125,945 $116,378 $136,761
Current debt 15,000 16,250 10,000
Other current and deferred liabilities 123,137 170,232 151,823
------- ------- -------
Total Current Liabilities 264,082 302,860 298,584
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt 61,068 68,535 77,252
Deferred liabilities 112,218 118,543 126,377
Deferred taxes 11,222 9,883 9,377
------ ----- -----
Total Noncurrent Liabilities 184,508 196,961 213,006
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred stock - - -
Common stock 1,283 1,288 1,320
Additional paid-in capital 458,172 452,756 440,038
Treasury stock, at cost (406,776) (386,094) (346,062)
Retained earnings 565,650 541,251 514,495
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) 113 (28) 52
--- --- ---
Total Shareholders' Equity 618,442 609,173 609,843
------- ------- -------
$1,067,032 $1,108,994 $1,121,433
========== ========== ==========
Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
------------- -------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $56,335 $54,123
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 50,012 55,445
Loss on disposal and impairment of property
and equipment 1,183 3,542
Deferred income taxes 1,653 (7,492)
Stock-based compensation expense 10,232 9,623
Deferred rent and lease credits (9,345) (9,523)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Inventories (2,804) (1,802)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,690 (3,379)
Income tax receivable 332 26,087
Accounts payable (903) (3,130)
Accrued and other liabilities (44,076) (1,588)
------- ------
Net cash provided by operating activities 67,309 121,906
------ -------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable securities (14,264) (28,708)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities 13,794 28,334
Purchases of property and equipment, net (18,040) (25,231)
------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities (18,510) (25,605)
------- -------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on borrowings (8,750) (5,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1,095 1,272
Dividends paid (21,467) (21,405)
Repurchase of common stock (20,700) (56,298)
Payments of tax withholdings related to stock-
based awards (5,897) (4,262)
------ ------
Net cash used in financing activities (55,719) (85,693)
------- -------
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents 109 (27)
--- ---
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents (6,811) 10,581
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of period 142,135 89,951
------- ------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of period $135,324 $100,532
======== ========
Supplemental Detail on Net Income Per Share Calculation
In accordance with accounting guidance, unvested share-based payment awards that include non-forfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid, are considered participating securities. As a result, such awards
are required to be included in the calculation of earnings per common share pursuant to the "two-class" method. For the Company, participating securities are comprised entirely of unvested restricted stock awards and
performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs") that have met their relevant performance criteria.
Net income per share is determined using the two-class method when it is more dilutive than the treasury stock method. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by
the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the dilutive effect of potential common shares from non-participating securities such as stock options,
PSUs and restricted stock units. For the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, potential common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS to the extent they were
antidilutive.
The following unaudited table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share shown on the face of the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands, except per share
amounts):
Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
--------------------
July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016 July 29, 2017 July 30, 2016
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Numerator
Net income $22,716 $23,039 $56,335 $54,123
Net income and dividends
declared allocated to
participating securities (537) (506) (1,286) (1,155)
---- ---- ------ ------
Net income available to
common shareholders $22,179 $22,533 $55,049 $52,968
======= ======= ======= =======
Denominator
Weighted average common
shares outstanding -
basic 125,643 129,215 125,847 130,406
Dilutive effect of non-
participating securities 34 147 43 110
--- --- --- ---
Weighted average common
and common equivalent
shares outstanding -
diluted 125,677 129,362 125,890 130,516
======= ======= ======= =======
Net income per share:
Basic $0.18 $0.17 $0.44 $0.41
===== ===== ===== =====
Diluted $0.18 $0.17 $0.44 $0.41
===== ===== ===== =====
Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Store Count and Square Footage
Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
(Unaudited)
April 29, New
Stores Closures July 29,
2017 2017
---- ----
Store count:
Chico's frontline boutiques 582 - (4) 578
Chico's outlets 117 - - 117
Chico's Canada 4 - - 4
WHBM frontline boutiques 419 - (4) 415
WHBM outlets 71 - (1) 70
WHBM Canada 6 - - 6
Soma frontline boutiques 274 - (1) 273
Soma outlets 19 - - 19
Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 1,492 - (10) 1,482
===== === === =====
April 29, New Closures Other
Stores changes in
SSF July 29,
2017 2017
---- ----
Net selling square footage (SSF):
Chico's frontline boutiques 1,594,094 - (10,026) (2,440) 1,581,628
Chico's outlets 294,017 - - - 294,017
Chico's Canada 9,695 - - - 9,695
WHBM frontline boutiques 976,136 - (9,916) 539 966,759
WHBM outlets 148,515 - (2,366) - 146,149
WHBM Canada 14,891 - - - 14,891
Soma frontline boutiques 519,178 - (1,972) 48 517,254
Soma outlets 35,637 - - - 35,637
Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 3,592,163 - (24,280) (1,853) 3,566,030
========= === ======= ====== =========
As of July 29, 2017, the Company also sold merchandise through 93 international franchise locations.
Chico's FAS, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Store Count and Square Footage
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 29, 2017
(Unaudited)
January 28, New Stores Closures July 29,
2017 2017
---- ----
Store count:
Chico's frontline boutiques 587 - (9) 578
Chico's outlets 116 1 - 117
Chico's Canada 4 - - 4
WHBM frontline boutiques 423 - (8) 415
WHBM outlets 71 - (1) 70
WHBM Canada 6 - - 6
Soma frontline boutiques 275 1 (3) 273
Soma outlets 19 - - 19
Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 1,501 2 (21) 1,482
===== === === =====
January 28, New Stores Closures Other
changes in
SSF July 29,
2017 2017
---- ----
Net selling square footage (SSF):
Chico's frontline boutiques 1,606,730 - (20,599) (4,503) 1,581,628
Chico's outlets 291,455 2,337 - 225 294,017
Chico's Canada 9,695 - - - 9,695
WHBM frontline boutiques 984,754 - (19,209) 1,214 966,759
WHBM outlets 148,457 - (2,366) 58 146,149
WHBM Canada 14,891 - - - 14,891
Soma frontline boutiques 519,945 2,189 (5,753) 873 517,254
Soma outlets 35,637 - - - 35,637
Total Chico's FAS, Inc. 3,611,564 4,526 (47,927) (2,133) 3,566,030
========= ===== ======= ====== =========
As of July 29, 2017, the Company also sold merchandise through 93 international franchise locations.
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SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc.
