Kirkland's, Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) today reported financial results for the 13-week period ended May 3, 2014.
Net sales for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2014, increased 6.9% to $108.3 million compared with $101.2 million for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013. Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, including e-commerce sales, increased 5.0% compared with a decrease of 2.3% in the prior-year quarter. Kirkland’s opened 7 stores and closed 7 during the first quarter, leaving the total number of stores at 324 at quarter end.
The Company reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2014, compared with net income of $1.8 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013.
Robert Alderson, Kirkland's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with the sales momentum during the quarter in our stores and online after the slower start related to adverse weather events. Despite a somewhat more promotional environment late in the quarter, sales remained strong leading to earnings performance at the high end of our guidance. The year thus far is proceeding according to our plan, and we continue to expect benefits for the balance of the year from our investments in store growth, merchandise systems, e-commerce and branding initiatives.”
Stock Repurchase Authorization of $30 Million
The Company also announced that its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase plan providing for the purchase in the aggregate of up to $30 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock over the next 24 months. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market or negotiated transactions, and the amount and timing of those purchases will be based on a variety of factors, including stock acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The stock repurchase program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company may terminate the repurchase program at any time. As of May 21, 2014, the Company had 17.3 million common shares outstanding.
Mr. Alderson added, “We maintain a strong balance sheet, and our unique store model continues to suggest future cash flow generation. As we opportunistically increase the growth rate of the business, the Board’s decision to authorize another round of share repurchases signals our confidence in the future of Kirkland’s.”
Fiscal 2014 Outlook
Store Growth: | For the 52-week period ending January 31, 2015 (“fiscal 2014”), the Company expects to achieve approximately 10% square footage growth with 35 to 40 new store openings and 10 to 15 store closings. New store openings will be weighted more toward the second half of the year, and store closings will be weighted more toward the first half of the year. | ||
Sales: | Total sales for fiscal 2014 are expected to increase approximately 8% to 10% compared with fiscal 2013. This level of sales performance would imply a comparable store sales increase of approximately 3% to 5% for fiscal 2014. | ||
Margin & Expenses: | The Company expects year-over-year improvement in merchandise and gross profit margins that is expected to result from a lower markdown rate, lower inbound freight costs, and sales leverage. Operating expenses are expected to increase on a dollar basis due to the increase in stores and incremental investments in corporate headcount to support our growth initiatives. The Company is also anticipating approximately $0.03 to $0.04 per diluted share in additional costs associated with its second half lease expiration and transition to replacement corporate headquarters space. | ||
Earnings: | Based on the above assumptions, without regard to share repurchase activity, the Company expects fiscal 2014 earnings per share to be in the range of $0.90 to $1.00. The Company expects its full year tax rate to be approximately 39%. | ||
Cash Flow: | Capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 are estimated to range between $33 million and $36 million. Based on the above assumptions, the Company expects to generate positive cash flow in fiscal 2014, excluding potential share repurchases. | ||
Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Outlook
The Company issued guidance for the second quarter ending August 2, 2014, of a net loss of $0.03 to $0.06 per diluted share. Net sales are expected to be in the range of $104 million to $105 million with a comparable store sales increase in the range of 3% to 4%. The Company expects to open approximately 8 stores and close approximately 2 stores during the quarter.
Investor Conference Call and Web Simulcast
Kirkland’s will issue its earnings release for the first quarter before the market opens on Thursday, May 22, 2014, and will host a conference call on the same day at 11:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for the interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2918. A replay of the conference call will be available through Thursday, May 29, 2014, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the confirmation number, 21706373.
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=99176 on May 22, 2014, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for one year.
About Kirkland’s, Inc.
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 326 stores in 35 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
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 17, 2014. 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.
| KIRKLAND'S, INC. | |||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | |||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||
13-Week Period Ended | 13-Week Period Ended | ||||||||
| May 3, | May 4, | ||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 108,255 | $ | 101,233 | |||||
| Cost of sales | 65,653 | 61,827 | |||||||
| Gross profit | 42,602 | 39,406 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 34,943 | 32,779 | |||||||
| Depreciation | 4,300 | 3,791 | |||||||
| Operating income | 3,359 | 2,836 | |||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (13 | ) | 6 | ||||||
| Income before income taxes | 3,372 | 2,830 | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 1,317 | 1,057 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 2,055 | $ | 1,773 | |||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.10 | |||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.10 | |||||
| Shares used to calculate earnings per share: | |||||||||
| Basic | 17,308 | 17,083 | |||||||
| Diluted | 17,825 | 17,433 | |||||||
| KIRKLAND'S, INC. | |||||||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
| May 3, | February 1, | May 4, | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 82,418 | $ | 89,050 | $ | 74,111 | |||||||
| Inventories, net | 50,702 | 52,637 | 47,889 | ||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 2,857 | 2,777 | 1,638 | ||||||||||
| Other current assets | 8,595 | 8,817 | 7,591 | ||||||||||
| Total current assets | 144,572 | 153,281 | 131,229 | ||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 82,768 | 80,329 | 76,964 | ||||||||||
| Other assets | 2,028 | 1,838 | 1,680 | ||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 229,368 | $ | 235,448 | $ | 209,873 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 19,465 | $ | 23,102 | $ | 20,933 | |||||||
| Income taxes payable | 866 | 5,875 | - | ||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 22,870 | 23,670 | 21,719 | ||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 43,201 | 52,647 | 42,652 | ||||||||||
| Non-current deferred income taxes | 3,239 | 3,337 | 3,057 | ||||||||||
| Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities | 44,930 | 44,235 | 43,778 | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 91,370 | 100,219 | 89,487 | ||||||||||
| Net shareholders' equity | 137,998 | 135,229 | 120,386 | ||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 229,368 | $ | 235,448 | $ | 209,873 | |||||||
| KIRKLAND'S, INC. | |||||||||||
| UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
13-Week Period Ended | 13-Week Period Ended | ||||||||||
| May 3, | May 4, | ||||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 221 | $ | 8,561 | |||||||
| Investing activities | (6,930 | ) | (2,322 | ) | |||||||
| Financing activities | 77 | 75 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) | (6,632 | ) | 6,314 | ||||||||
| Beginning of the period | 89,050 | 67,797 | |||||||||
| End of the period | $ | 82,418 | $ | 74,111 | |||||||
Contacts:
W. Michael Madden, 615-872-4800
Senior Vice
President & CFO
or
Corporate Communications, Inc.
Tripp
Sullivan, 615-324-7335
