NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended November 1, 2014.

Third Quarter Results
Net income for the Company's third quarter ended November 1, 2014 was $120 million, or $0.82 per share, compared with net income of $104 million, or $0.70 per share, last year, an increase in earnings per share of 17 percent.

Third quarter comparable-store sales increased 6.9 percent. Total third quarter sales increased 6.7 percent, to $1,731 million this year, compared with sales of $1,622 million for the corresponding prior-year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the third quarter increased 7.7 percent.

The Company's gross margin rate increased to 33.2 percent of sales from 33.1 percent in the third quarter of 2013, while the selling, general, and administrative expense rate improved to 20.4 percent of sales from 21.0 percent last year.

"The team at Foot Locker has produced another very strong quarter, marking our 19(th) consecutive quarter of meaningful sales and profit growth," said Ken C. Hicks, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "We are making substantial progress towards our key operational and financial objectives, including net income margin, sales per gross square foot, and return on invested capital. Our banners have strong positions in the athletic marketplace; our financial footing is solid; and we have a depth of talent --- at the store, field, and management levels --- that is second to none."

"The Company is well positioned to build on the momentum the team has created over the last several years," said Dick Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "It will be a tremendous privilege to lead the organization as we leverage our strengths, which include our global scope, our banner differentiation, our omnichannel capabilities, and our people, in pursuit of the exciting opportunities we have identified to grow and improve the business in the near and long term."

Year-To-Date Results
Net income for the Company's first nine months of the year increased to $374 million, or $2.55 per share, compared to net income of $308 million, or $2.04 per share, for the corresponding period in 2013. Earnings per share for the nine-month period increased 25 percent compared to the same period in 2013.

Year-to-date sales were $5,240 million, an increase of 11.2 percent compared to sales of $4,714 million in the corresponding nine-month period of 2013. Year-to-date comparable store sales increased 7.1 percent. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales year-to-date increased 10.9 percent.

Non-GAAP Adjustment
During the third quarter, the Company recorded a $1 million charge related to the integration of Runners Point Group. Excluding this item, third quarter earnings were $0.83 per share on a non-GAAP basis, an increase of 22 percent compared to the Company's non-GAAP earnings of $0.68 per share in the third quarter last year. For the first nine months of 2014, non-GAAP net income was $2.58 per share, an increase of 26 percent over the $2.05 per share earned in the corresponding period of 2013.

Financial Position
As of November 1, 2014, the Company's merchandise inventory was $1,324 million, 0.6 percent higher than at the end of the third quarter last year, while the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $916 million and the debt on its balance sheet was $135 million.

During the third quarter, the Company repurchased 683 thousand shares of its common stock for $38 million, bringing the 2014 year-to-date repurchase activity to 3.55 million shares for $174 million.

Store Base Update
During the third quarter, the Company opened 35 new stores, remodeled/relocated 67 stores, and closed 21 stores. As of November 1, 2014, the Company operated 3,474 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 46 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea, as well as 27 franchised Runners Point and Sidestep stores in Germany and Switzerland.

The Company is hosting a live conference call at 9:00 a.m. (EST) today, November 21, 2014, to review these results, provide comments on the status of its current initiatives, and discuss trends in its business and the athletic industry. This conference call may be accessed live by dialing 888-771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 847-585-4405 (International) using the passcode 38431988, or via the Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at http://www.footlocker-inc.com. Please log on to the website 15 minutes prior to the call in order to download any necessary software. An archived replay of the conference call can be accessed approximately one hour following the end of the call at 888-843-7419 with the passcode 38431988, through December 5, 2014. A replay of the call will also be available via webcast from the same Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at http://www.footlocker-inc.com.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Other than statements of historical facts, all statements which address activities, events, or developments that the Company anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, such things as future capital expenditures, expansion, strategic plans, financial objectives, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth of the Company's business and operations, including future cash flows, revenues, and earnings, and other such matters, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors which are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the effects of currency fluctuations, customer demand, fashion trends, competitive market forces, uncertainties related to the effect of competitive products and pricing, customer acceptance of the Company's merchandise mix and retail locations, the Company's reliance on a few key vendors for a majority of its merchandise purchases (including a significant portion from one key vendor), pandemics and similar major health concerns, unseasonable weather, deterioration of global financial markets, economic conditions worldwide, deterioration of business and economic conditions, any changes in business, political and economic conditions due to the threat of future terrorist activities in the United States or in other parts of the world and related U.S. military action overseas, the ability of the Company to execute its business and strategic plans effectively with regard to each of its business units, and risks associated with global product sourcing, including political instability, changes in import regulations, and disruptions to transportation services and distribution.

For additional discussion on risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" disclosed in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



                                                                    FOOT LOCKER, INC.

                                                     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                                       (unaudited)

                                                   Periods ended November 1, 2014 and November 2, 2013

                                                         (In millions, except per share amounts)


                                                 Third                 Third
                                                                     Quarter
                                                Quarter                  2013
                                                    2014
                                                                                                       YTD 2014 YTD 2013
                                                                                                       -------- --------

    Sales                                                   $1,731                             $1,622               $5,240 $4,714


    Cost of sales                                            1,157                              1,085                3,495  3,163

    SG&A                                                       353                                340                1,051    969

    Depreciation and amortization                               34                                 35                  106     97

    Impairment and other charges                                 -                                 -                   3      2

    Interest expense, net                                        1                                  2                    3      4

    Other income                                               (1)                                 -                 (3)   (3)
                                                               ---                                ---                 ---    ---

                                                             1,544                              1,462                4,655  4,232
                                                             -----                              -----                -----  -----


    Income before taxes                                       $187                               $160                 $585   $482

    Income tax expense                                          67                                 56                  211    174
                                                               ---                                ---                  ---    ---

    Net income                                                $120                               $104                 $374   $308
                                                              ====                               ====                 ====   ====


    Diluted EPS                                              $0.82                              $0.70                $2.55  $2.04


    Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding

                                                             145.7                              149.5                146.6  151.2



                                                 Third                 Third
                                                                     Quarter
                                                Quarter                  2013
                                                    2014
                                                                                                       YTD 2014 YTD 2013
                                                                                                       -------- --------


    Non-GAAP Results, After Tax


    RPG acquisition costs (1)                                   $1                                 $1                   $2     $4


    Impairment and other charges (2)                   $         -                              $(3)                  $2   $(2)


    Non-GAAP net income                                       $121                               $102                 $378   $310


    Non-GAAP diluted EPS                                     $0.83                              $0.68                $2.58  $2.05
                                                             -----                              -----                -----  -----



    Footnote to explain adjustments
    -------------------------------

                   (1)    Integration and transaction
                          costs associated with the
                          acquisition and integration
                          of Runners Point Group.

                  (2)    For YTD 2014, includes the
                          impairment of the trade name
                          in Ireland acquired in 2004
                          and store closing costs
                          related to CCS. In the third
                          quarter of 2013, the Company
                          recorded a tax benefit of $3
                          million, or $0.02 per
                          diluted share, related to
                          the conclusion of a foreign
                          tax audit that resulted in a
                          reduction of tax reserves
                          established in prior
                          periods.  For YTD 2013,
                          includes store closing costs
                          related to CCS and a foreign
                          tax audit settlement.



                                                   FOOT LOCKER, INC.

                                         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                      (unaudited)

                                                     (In millions)


                                                        November 1,            November 2,

                                                                        2014                 2013
                                                                        ----                 ----

    Assets


    CURRENT ASSETS

    Cash, cash
     equivalents and
     short-term
     investments                                                        $916                 $796

    Merchandise
     inventories                                                       1,324                1,316

    Other current
     assets                                                              244                  208


                                                                       2,484                2,320


    Property and
     equipment, net                                                      613                  589

    Deferred tax
     assets                                                              237                  257

    Other assets                                                         284                  311
                                                                         ---                  ---

                                                                      $3,618               $3,477
                                                                      ======               ======


    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity


    CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Accounts payable                                                    $287                 $310

    Accrued and other
     liabilities                                                         358                  330

    Current portion
     of capital lease
     obligations                                                           3                    3


                                                                         648                  643


    Long-term debt
     and obligations
     under capital
     leases                                                              132                  137

    Other liabilities                                                    236                  231

    SHAREHOLDERS'
     EQUITY                                                            2,602                2,466
                                                                       -----                -----

                                                                      $3,618               $3,477
                                                                      ======               ======



                                                       FOOT LOCKER, INC.

                                                    Store and Square Footage

                                                          (unaudited)

    Store activity is as follows:


                                  February 1,                                          November 1,         Relocations
                                                                                                          /Remodels
                                               2014      Opened              Closed                2014
                                               ----      ------              ------                ----

    Foot Locker US                            1,044                   10            18              1,036                62

    Foot Locker Europe                          604                   11            13                602                22

    Foot Locker Canada                          128                    -            -               128                16

    Foot Locker Asia Pacific                     92                    3             3                 92                 2

    Lady Foot Locker                            257                    7            30                234                51

    Kids Foot Locker                            336                   25             3                358                20

    Footaction                                  277                    1             2                276                17

    Champs Sports                               542                   10             2                550                39

    Runners Point Group                         193                    9             4                198                 -

    Total                                     3,473                   76            75              3,474               229



    Selling and gross square footage are as follows:


                                                     February 1, 2014                November 1, 2014
                                                     ----------------                ----------------

    (in thousands)                                       Selling        Gross                         Selling       Gross
                                                         -------        -----                         -------       -----

    Foot Locker US                                                2,492        4,301                          2,539        4,371

    Foot Locker Europe                                              836        1,815                            837        1,834

    Foot Locker Canada                                              270          423                            273          430

    Foot Locker Asia Pacific                                        126          205                            125          204

    Lady Foot Locker                                                351          592                            327          550

    Kids Foot Locker                                                477          830                            529          914

    Footaction                                                      811        1,287                            809        1,289

    Champs Sports                                                 1,894        2,886                          1,926        2,945

    Runners Point Group                                             214          366                            217          371

    Total                                                         7,471       12,705                          7,582       12,908



    Contact:                   John A. Maurer

                               Vice President,

                                Treasurer and Investor
                                Relations

                               Foot Locker, Inc.

                               (212) 720-4092

SOURCE Foot Locker, Inc.