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News Release

Contact: W. Michael Madden

Senior Vice President & CFO

(615) 872-4800

KIRKLAND’S REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 19, 2010) — Kirkland’s, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended October 30, 2010.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended October 30, 2010, increased 0.4% to $92.7 million compared with $92.4 million for the 13-week period ended October 31, 2009. Comparable store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 decreased 2.4% compared with an increase of 11.3% in the prior-year period. The Company opened 15 stores and closed 5 stores during the quarter to end the period with 296 stores.

Net sales for the 39-week period ended October 30, 2010, increased 4.7% to $275.7 million compared with $263.4 million for the 39-week period ended October 31, 2009. Comparable store sales for the 39 weeks ended October 30, 2010, increased 3.5% compared with an increase of 7.6% in the prior-year period. The Company opened 28 stores and closed 11 stores during the 39-week period.

The Company reported net income of $2.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared with net income of $5.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share ($0.23 per diluted share adjusted), for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Income tax expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 included a benefit of approximately $1.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to the reversal of a portion of the valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets established in prior periods.

For the 39-week period, the Company reported net income of $12.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared with net income of $12.5 million, or $0.62 per diluted share ($0.49 per diluted share adjusted), in the prior-year period. Income tax expense for the comparable 39-week period in fiscal 2009 included a benefit of approximately $2.6 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, related to the reversal of a portion of the valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets established in prior periods.

As discussed in previous quarters, the Company believes that presenting adjusted net income and earnings per share for its 2009 periods to reflect normalized tax rates is instrumental in judging the Company’s performance for fiscal 2010 and future periods when the Company is expected to incur a higher effective tax rate. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information” below.

Robert Alderson, Kirkland’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our new store class is on schedule, and we are pleased that we will open 38 stores, which is in the upper range of our target. Importantly, we will return to net store growth during the fourth quarter. Early results suggest that this year’s class of new stores will be as strong as last year’s class. Kirkland’s balance sheet remains solid as we ended the quarter in line with our inventory target, and we continue to be a strong cash generator with significant free cash flow expected in 2010. However, the tough comparison to last year’s record

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2501 McGavock Pike, Suite 1000 ¦ Nashville, Tennessee 37214 ¦ (615) 872-4800

KIRK Reports Third Quarter Results
Page 2
November 19, 2010

earnings and robust comparable store sales, as well as the higher in-bound freight costs that we have previously discussed, presented difficult challenges. Traffic counts remained strong, but in a few of our key categories, our assortments did not convert customers at sufficient rates to achieve a comparable store sales increase for the quarter. We understand where the challenges and opportunities lie in our merchandise, and we are taking steps to achieve more consistent performance across all product categories for fiscal 2011.”

Updated Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2010 Performance Goals

     
Store Growth: At quarter end, the Company operated 296 stores compared with 279
stores at the beginning of fiscal 2010 and 299 stores at the beginning of
fiscal 2009. The Company expects to open an additional 10 stores early in the
fourth quarter, which is in the higher end of its previous projection of 7 to
12 new stores in the fourth quarter. The Company also expects to close 5 to 8
stores in the fourth quarter. For fiscal 2011, the Company is targeting net
store unit growth of approximately 10% and net square footage growth of
approximately 15%.  

Net Sales:  
The Company expects total sales for fiscal 2010 to
increase in the range of 2% to 4% compared with fiscal
2009, which would imply a mid-to-high single-digit
decrease in comparable store sales for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2010, offset by a sales lift provided
by the net increase in the store base.
Margins:  
The Company expects operating margin in fiscal 2010 to
be below fiscal 2009 levels by approximately 100 to 150
basis points due to increases in overseas and inbound
freight costs and higher markdown rates, partially
offset by the benefit from lower occupancy costs and the
strong performance of new store openings.
Earnings:  
The Company expects to report earnings of $0.66 to $0.70
per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010
compared with adjusted diluted earnings per share of
$0.92 a year ago, which would equate to fiscal 2010
earnings of $1.25 to $1.29 per diluted share compared
with adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.42 in
fiscal 2009. The Company expects its effective tax rate
for fiscal 2010 to be approximately 39% compared with
26.4% in fiscal 2009.
Cash Flow:  
The Company expects to generate positive cash flow in
fiscal 2010 and fully fund its new store growth and
technology improvements through cash generated from
operations. Year end cash balances are expected to be
in the range of $85 million. Capital expenditures are
estimated to range between $24 million and $26 million
for fiscal 2010.

Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast
Kirkland’s will host a conference call today, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its results of operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The number to call for the interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2925. A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, November 26, 2010, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the confirmation number, 21477421.

A live broadcast of Kirkland’s quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company’s website www.kirklands.com under Investor Relations or http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=73992 on November 19, 2010, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.

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    KIRK Reports Third Quarter Results

    Page 3

    November 19, 2010

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information
This release includes certain financial information not derived in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The non-GAAP measures are “adjusted net income” and “adjusted diluted earnings per share” and are equal to net income, and diluted earnings per share excluding adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and certain income tax credits related to prior periods. Management uses these measures to focus on normalized operations, and believes that it is useful to investors because it enables them to perform more meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. The Company believes that using this information, along with the corresponding GAAP measures, provides for a more complete analysis of the results of operations by quarter. Net income and earnings per share are the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Below is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to their most comparable GAAP measures:

                                 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information                
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   13 Weeks Ended   39 Weeks Ended   13 Weeks Ended   52 Weeks Ended
    October 31,   October 31,   January 30,   January 30,
    2009   2009   2010   2010
Net income
                               
Net income in accordance with GAAP
  $ 5,570     $ 12,492     $ 22,078     $ 34,570  
Adjustments to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and certain income tax credits related to prior periods
    ($954 )     ($2,562 )     ($3,319 )     ($5,881 )
Adjusted net income
  $ 4,616     $ 9,930     $ 18,759     $ 28,689  
Diluted earnings per share
                               
Diluted EPS in accordance with GAAP
  $ 0.27     $ 0.62     $ 1.08     $ 1.71  
Adjustments to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and certain income tax credits related to prior periods
    ($0.04 )     ($0.13 )     ($0.16 )     ($0.29 )
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.23     $ 0.49     $ 0.92     $ 1.42  

Kirkland’s, Inc. was founded in 1966 and is a specialty retailer of home décor in the United States.  Although originally focused in the Southeast, the Company has grown beyond that region and currently operates 299 stores in 29 states.  The Company’s stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products.  The Company’s stores also offer an extensive assortment of gifts, as well as seasonal merchandise.  More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause Kirkland’s actual results to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the competitive environment in the home décor industry in general and in Kirkland’s specific market areas, inflation, product availability and growth opportunities, seasonal fluctuations, and economic conditions in general. Those and other risks are more fully described in Kirkland’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 15, 2010. Kirkland’s disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

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KIRK Reports Third Quarter Results
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November 19, 2010

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                 
    13-Week Period Ended
    October 30,   October 31,
    2010   2009
Net sales
  $ 92,725     $ 92,389  
Cost of sales
    56,732       54,458  
 
               
Gross profit
    35,993       37,931  
Operating expenses:
               
Operating expenses
    29,081       26,757  
Depreciation
    3,146       3,531  
 
               
Operating income
    3,766       7,643  
Other income, net
    29       7  
 
               
Income before income taxes
    3,795       7,650  
Income tax expense
    1,516       2,080  
 
               
Net income
  $ 2,279     $ 5,570  
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.11     $ 0.28  
 
               
Diluted
  $ 0.11     $ 0.27  
 
               
Shares used to calculate earnings per share:
               
Basic
    19,889       19,708  
 
               
Diluted
    20,522       20,333  
 
               

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KIRK Reports Third Quarter Results
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November 19, 2010

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                 
    39-Week Period Ended
    October 30,   October 31,
    2010   2009
Net sales
  $ 275,694     $ 263,397  
Cost of sales
    164,243       159,885  
 
               
Gross profit
    111,451       103,512  
Operating expenses:
               
Operating expenses
    82,374       76,048  
Depreciation
    9,294       11,017  
 
               
Operating income
    19,783       16,447  
Other income, net
    148       73  
 
               
Income before income taxes
    19,931       16,520  
Income tax expense
    7,882       4,028  
 
               
Net income
  $ 12,049     $ 12,492  
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.61     $ 0.63  
 
               
Diluted
  $ 0.59     $ 0.62  
 
               
Shares used to calculate earnings per share:
               
Basic
    19,839       19,684  
 
               
Diluted
    20,588       20,181  
 
               

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KIRK Reports Third Quarter Results
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November 19, 2010

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)

                         
    October 30, 2010   January 30, 2010   October 31, 2009
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 58,831     $ 76,412     $ 37,017  
Inventories, net
    56,851       39,355       53,701  
Deferred income taxes
    4,013       3,552       1,816  
Other current assets
    11,653       4,331       8,327  
 
                       
Total current assets
    131,348       123,650       100,861  
Property and equipment, net
    45,125       36,856       38,505  
Non-current deferred income taxes
    3,656       4,395       2,963  
Other assets
    684       640       641  
 
                       
Total assets
  $ 180,813     $ 165,541     $ 142,970  
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable
  $ 25,923     $ 15,589     $ 24,899  
Income taxes payable
          7,087        
Other current liabilities
    21,625       25,402       22,619  
 
                       
Total current liabilities
    47,548       48,078       47,518  
Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
    30,332       28,978       29,481  
 
                       
Total liabilities
    77,880       77,056       76,999  
 
                       
Net shareholders’ equity
    102,933       88,485       65,971  
 
                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 180,813     $ 165,541     $ 142,970  
 
                       

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KIRK Reports Third Quarter Results
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November 19, 2010

KIRKLAND’S, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)

                 
    39 Week Period Ended
    October 30, 2010   October 31, 2009
Net cash provided by (used in):
               
Operating activities
  $ (320 )   $ 8,332  
Investing activities
    (17,810 )     (7,946 )
Financing activities
    549       186  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Net increase (decrease)
    (17,581 )     572  
Beginning of period
    76,412       36,445  
 
               
End of period
  $ 58,831     $ 37,017  
 
               

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