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EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - FHC Holdings Corpv354212_ex10-1.htm
8-K - FORM 8-K - FHC Holdings Corpv354212_8k.htm

 

 

francesca’s Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results and Announces Share Repurchase Program

 

·Net sales increased 17% to $89.6 million

 

·Comparable sales decreased 1%

 

·Diluted earnings per share increased 18% to $0.33

 

·Board authorized a $100 million share repurchase program

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS — September 4, 2013Francesca’s Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: FRAN) today reported net income of $14.6 million or $0.33 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2013, compared to net income for the second quarter of 2012 of $12.7 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. The Company also announced the board of directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program.

 

Neill P. Davis, francesca’s Chief Executive Officer stated, “While we posted high teens increases in second quarter and year to date sales and earnings, our second quarter sales performance was softer than we anticipated. We were able to maintain strong profitability with operating income margins only modestly below the prior year levels. Our performance in the quarter reflects the anniversary of very strong rates of growth in the prior year; lower levels of customer traffic most evident in the later part of the second quarter and the lack of a dominant apparel fashion trend.”

 

Mr. Davis continued, “Going into the third quarter we are challenged with strong prior year growth rates and although we have experienced improvements in traffic trends during the final week of August, no clear direction has emerged. While we are taking action to drive our performance, we anticipate that traffic trends will remain challenging. Accordingly, we are reducing our outlook for 2013. Several initiatives are underway that we believe will benefit our long term financial performance. These initiatives include leveraging the DTC channel to build on the affection our already loyal customer has for our brand, strengthening visual presentations in boutiques to make fashion trends easier to shop, and additional infrastructure improvements. Overall, we are highly confident in our differentiated, fast growing, and highly profitable business model and we are steadfast in our efforts to deliver on our long-term growth objectives.”

 

SECOND QUARTER SUMMARY

 

Net sales for the thirteen weeks increased 17% to $89.6 million driven by 79 new boutique openings since the prior year quarter. Performance was strongest in jewelry, outpacing increases in accessories and apparel, and a decline in gifts.

 

Comparable sales, including direct-to-consumer sales, decreased 1%, as compared to a 21% increase in the prior year quarter. Comparable transactions decreased 4%, offset by a 3% increase in average transaction size. Direct-to-consumer sales increased 92% versus the prior year quarter driven by increases in site traffic, conversion rates, and average transaction values. Comparable sales, excluding direct-to-consumer sales, decreased 3% versus the prior year quarter.

 

 
 

 

Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, was 53.3% compared to 54.8% in the prior year quarter, resulting from lower merchandise margins due to higher levels of promotions compared to the prior year quarter and deleveraging of fixed occupancy costs.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 13% to $23.7 million from $20.9 million in the prior year quarter. Selling expenses increased by $2.7 million due to the increase in the number of boutiques in operation in the second quarter as compared to prior year quarter. General and administrative expenses were flat when compared to the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expense decreased 100 basis points to 26.4% compared to 27.4% in the prior year quarter.

 

Income from operations for the quarter increased 15% to $24.1 million or 26.9% of net sales compared to $20.9 million or 27.3% of net sales in the prior year quarter.

 

Balance Sheet Summary

 

Total cash and cash equivalents at quarter end were $39.5 million compared to $7.3 million at the prior year quarter end, and $29.9 million at the end of fiscal 2012. The Company had no long-term debt at the end of the quarter compared to $5.0 million at the end of the prior year quarter.

 

Total inventories increased 32% over the prior year quarter as a result of reduced sales trends in the later part of the quarter. For the third quarter, we have plans to reduce inventory purchases and to offer incremental clearance activities to better align inventory to future sales.

 

THIRD FISCAL Quarter and Full FISCAL Year 2013 Guidance

 

For the third quarter ending November 2, 2013, net sales are expected to be between $78.0 million and $80.0 million assuming a -5% to -2% decrease in comparable sales including direct-to-consumer, compared to the prior year comparable sales increase of 17% and the opening of 11 additional new boutiques, as compared with two boutiques opened in the third quarter of the prior year. The retail calendar shift reduced third quarter 2012 sales by $2.5M. Earnings per diluted share are expected to be in the range of $0.19 to $0.21. The number of diluted average shares outstanding is expected to be 45.0 million for the third quarter. While the Company expects to commence its recent share repurchase authorization immediately, this guidance does not take into consideration any share repurchase activity.

 

For the full year ending February 1, 2014, net sales are now expected to be in the range of $343.0 million to $349.5 million assuming a -2% decrease to flat comparable sales including direct-to-consumer, compared to the prior year comparable sales increase of 16%, and the opening of 87 additional boutiques, as compared to 77 additional boutiques in fiscal 2012. Adjusted diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.10 to $1.16 which excludes $0.6 million net of tax charge related to a secondary equity offering. This is compared to the 52-week prior year adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.04 which excludes $0.5 million net of tax charge related to a secondary equity offering, $0.2 million net of tax charge related to stock option acceleration, $0.2 million net of tax charge related to the relocation of our headquarters and distribution facilities, which had a combined increase of $0.02 of diluted earnings per share, and an approximate decrease of $0.03 of diluted earnings per share impact from the 53rd week. The number of diluted average shares outstanding is expected to be 45.0 million for the full year. While the Company expects to commence its recent share repurchase authorization immediately, this guidance does not take into consideration any share repurchase activity. The effective tax rate is estimated to be 39.3% for the third quarter and the full year. Capital expenditures are planned in a range of $22.0 to $25.0 million.

 

 
 

 

SHARe Repurchase Program

 

The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program to commence immediately. This authorization has no expiration date. The specific timing and amount of the repurchases will be dependent on market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors. In connection with the repurchase program, the Company plans to conduct open market purchases, adopt one or more plans pursuant to the provisions of Rule 10b5-1, and such other strategies as would be appropriate under the circumstances, consistent with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Neill P. Davis, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We have built a very profitable business model which generates a considerable amount of free cash flow even after funding all of the investments required to fuel this growth. We will repurchase shares when our cash on hand, free cash flow, and debt capacity exceed the investment and other strategic needs of our business, and in our view, when the stock is trading below its intrinsic value. The share repurchase authorization reflects confidence in our growth plans as well as our commitment to return excess capital to our shareholders thereby enhancing shareholder returns.”

 

Conference Call Information

 

A conference call to discuss second quarter 2013 results is scheduled for September 4, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. EDT. A live web cast of the conference call will be available in the investor relations section of the Company's website, www.francescas.com. In addition, a replay of the call will be available after the call and remain available until October 4, 2013. To access the telephone replay, listeners should dial (877) 870-5176. The access code for the replay is 7107813. A replay of the web cast will also be available shortly after the call and will remain on the website for ninety days.

 

SEC Regulation G — Non-GAAP Information

 

This press release includes non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share, a non-GAAP financial measure. We have reconciled this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure in the text above. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure not only provides our management with comparable financial data for internal financial analysis but also provides meaningful supplemental information to investors. Specifically, this non-GAAP financial measure allow investors to better understand the performance of our business and facilitate a meaningful evaluation of our quarterly and fiscal year 2013 diluted earnings per share and actual results on a comparable basis with our quarterly and fiscal year 2012 results. This non-GAAP measure should be considered a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, a financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements, please refer to "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2013. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Financial schedules are attached to this release.

 

 
 

 

About Francesca's Holdings Corporation

 

francesca's® is a growing specialty retailer with retail locations designed and merchandised to feel like independently owned, upscale boutiques providing customers a fun and differentiated shopping experience. The merchandise assortment is a diverse and balanced mix of apparel, jewelry, accessories and gifts. Today francesca's® operates 440 boutiques in 44 states and also serves its customers through francescas.com. For additional information on francesca's®, please visit www.francescas.com

 

CONTACT:  
   
Investors  
   
ICR, Inc. Company
Jean Fontana Randi Sonenshein, Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations
646-277-1214 832-494-2250

 

 
 

 

Francesca's Holdings Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended 
   August 3, 2013   July 28, 2012   Variance 
   In USD   As a % of Net Sales(1)   In USD   As a % of Net Sales(1)   In USD   %   Basis Points(1) 
   (In thousands except per share data) 
Net sales  $89,566    100.0%  $76,365    100.0%  $13,201    17%   0.0%
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs   41,810    46.7%   34,549    45.2%   7,261    21%   1.4%
Gross profit   47,756    53.3%   41,816    54.8%   5,940    14%   (1.4)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses   23,683    26.4%   20,931    27.4%   2,752    13%   (1.0)%
Income from operations   24,073    26.9%   20,885    27.3%   3,188    15%   (0.5)%
Interest expense   (117)   (0.1)%   (177)   (0.2)%   60    (34)%   0.1%
Other income   121    0.1%   115    0.2%   6    5%   0.0%
Income before income tax expense   24,077    26.9%   20,823    27.3%   3,254    16%   (0.4)%
Income tax expense   9,458    10.6%   8,171    10.7%   1,287    16%   (0.1)%
Net income  $14,619    16.3%  $12,652    16.6%  $1,967    16%   (0.2)%

  

 

(1)  Percentage totals or percentage variances in the above table may not equal the sum of the components due to rounding.

                            

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share  $0.33   $0.28 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding:   44,905    44,739 

 

Comparable sales change   (1)%   21%

 

   Twenty Six Weeks Ended 
   August 3, 2013   July 28, 2012   Variance 
   In USD   As a % of Net Sales(1)   In USD   As a % of Net Sales(1)   In USD   %   Basis Points(1) 
   (In thousands except per share data) 
Net sales  $168,554    100.0%  $137,687    100.0%  $30,867    22%   0.0%
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs   79,426    47.1%   63,328    46.0%   16,098    25%   1.1%
Gross profit   89,128    52.9%   74,359    54.0%   14,769    20%   (1.1)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses   47,034    27.9%   38,816    28.2%   8,218    21%   (0.3)%
Income from operations   42,094    25.0%   35,543    25.8%   6,551    18%   (0.8)%
Interest expense   (233)   (0.1)%   (432)   (0.3)%   199    (46)%   0.2%
Other income   204    0.1%   152    0.1%   52    34%   0.0%
Income before income tax expense   42,065    25.0%   35,263    25.6%   6,802    19%   (0.7)%
Income tax expense   16,509    9.8%   13,869    10.1%   2,640    19%   (0.3)%
Net income  $25,556    15.2%  $21,394    15.5%  $4,162    19%   (0.4)%

 

 

(1)  Percentage totals or percentage variances in the above table may not equal the sum of the components due to rounding.

                           

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share  $0.57   $0.48 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding:   44,894    44,721 

 

Comparable sales change   0%   19%

  

 
 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

   August 3,
2013
   February 2,
2013
   July 28,
2012
 
             
ASSETS            
             
Current assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents  $39,550   $29,877   $7,312 
Accounts receivable   6,549    2,504    7,508 
Inventories   25,590    19,049    19,354 
Deferred income taxes   3,750    3,506    2,556 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   5,011    4,749    4,561 
                
Total current assets   80,450    59,685    41,291 
Property and equipment, net   56,268    49,559    43,687 
Deferred income taxes   3,741    2,357    2,200 
Other assets, net   2,132    1,573    2,156 
                
TOTAL ASSETS  $142,591   $113,174   $89,334 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY               
                
Current liabilities:               
Accounts payable  $5,867   $8,358   $12,204 
Accrued liabilities   8,496    10,667    7,623 
Total current liabilities   14,363    19,025    19,827 
Deferred and accrued rents   27,475    22,092    21,926 
Long-term debt           5,000 
Total liabilities   41,838    41,117    46,753 
                
Commitments and contingencies               
                
Stockholders’ equity:               
Common stock - $.01 par value, 80.0 million shares authorized; 44.1 million, 43.9 million and 43.8 million shares issued and outstanding at August 3, 2013, February 2, 2013 and July 28, 2012, respectively.   441    439    438 
Additional paid-in capital   88,299    85,161    81,353 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   12,013    (13,543)   (39,210)
Total stockholders’ equity   100,753    72,057    42,581 
                
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $142,591   $113,174   $89,334 

 

 
 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash flows

(In thousands)

 

   Twenty Six Weeks Ended 
   August 3,
2013
   July 28,
2012
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:          
Net income  $25,556   $21,394 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation expense   4,774    3,422 
Stock-based compensation expense   1,953    1,648 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation   (2,828)   (1,907)
Loss on sale of assets   136    20 
Amortization of debt issuance costs   147    147 
Deferred income taxes   (1,628)   (1,452)
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (4,045)   (5,073)
Inventories   (6,541)   (4,892)
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (968)   (1,718)
Accounts payable   (2,491)   3,298 
Accrued liabilities   657    (363)
Deferred and accrued rents   5,383    7,036 
Net cash provided by operating activities   20,105    21,560 
           
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities:          
Purchase of property and equipment   (11,622)   (13,931)
Proceeds from sale of assets   3     
Net cash used in investing activities   (11,619)   (13,931)
           
Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities:          
Repayments of borrowings under the revolving credit facility       (17,000)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options   639    730 
Taxes paid related to net settlement of equity awards   (2,280)    
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation   2,828    1,907 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   1,187    (14,363)
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   9,673    (6,734)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   29,877    14,046 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $39,550   $7,312 
           
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:          
Cash paid for income taxes  $17,647   $18,328 
Interest paid  $81   $315 

 

 
 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Supplemental Information

 

Sales by Merchandise Category

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Change 
   August 3, 2013   July 28, 2012   In dollars   % 
   (in thousands, except percentages) 
                 
Apparel  $45,613   $40,283   $5,330    13%
Jewelry   23,448    17,173    6,275    37%
Accessories   12,763    10,822    1,941    18%
Gifts   7,874    7,973    (99)   (1)%
Merchandise sales   89,698    76,251    13,447    18%
Other(1)   (132)   114    (246)   (216)%
Net sales  $89,566   $76,365   $13,201    17%

 

(1)Includes gift card breakage income, shipping and change in return reserve.

 

Quarterly Comparable Transactions Results

 

   Transactions(1)   Average Transaction Value(2) 
         
Q1 2013   (3)%   5%
Q2 2013   (4)%   3%

 

 

(1)The number of comparable transactions (including merchandise and gift card purchases, returns and gift card redemptions) processed through our point-of-sale system for which a receipt was issued.

 

(2)Average transaction value is calculated by dividing total comparable sales by the number of comparable transactions during the period.

  

Quarterly Comparable Sales Results

 

   FY 2011(1)   FY 2012(1)   FY 2013(2)   2 Year Stack 
Q1   16%   16%   2%   18%
Q2   6%   21%   (1)%   20%
Q3   7%   17%   -    - 
Q4   15%   10%   -    - 
FY   11%   16%   -    - 

 

 

(1)Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, comparable sales results include our direct-to-consumer sales. To facilitate comparability with the prior year period, prior year comparable sales growth was recalculated and now includes direct-to-consumer sales growth.

 

(2)Due to the retail calendar shift, comparable sales results for each of the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 2013 and August 3, 2013 are compared with comparable sales results for each of the thirteen weeks ended May 5, 2013 and August 4, 2012, respectively.