EX-99.1 2 c92639exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit 99.1
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.175
New Albany, Ohio, November 13, 2009: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) today reported unaudited third quarter results which reflected net income of $38.8 million and net income per diluted share of $0.44 for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2009, compared to net income of $63.9 million and net income per diluted share of $0.72 for the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2008. Excluding $6.2 million of after-tax charges associated with the closure of the Ruehl business and an $18.6 million benefit associated with a true up of the year-to-date tax rate, the Company reported non-GAAP net income of $26.3 million and non-GAAP net income per diluted share of $0.30 for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2009. A reconciliation of the GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is summarized in the table accompanying the condensed consolidated financial statements included with this press release.
Third Quarter Sales Highlights
    Total Company net sales decreased 15% to $765.4 million; comparable store sales decreased 22%
 
    Total Company direct-to-consumer net sales increased 11% to $63.9 million
 
    Abercrombie & Fitch net sales of $324.3 million; Abercrombie & Fitch comparable store sales decreased 18%
 
    abercrombie kids net sales of $90.8 million; abercrombie kids comparable store sales decreased 22%
 
    Hollister Co. net sales of $333.4 million; Hollister Co. comparable store sales decreased 26%
 
    RUEHL net sales of $11.7 million; RUEHL comparable store sales decreased 30%
Mike Jeffries, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., said:
“During the quarter, we made advances in our international strategy with the opening of a flagship location in Italy as well as additional Hollister mall-based stores in the United Kingdom. The passion and enthusiasm from the international customer that greeted us at these openings encourage us in our long-term strategy of aggressively pursuing international growth for our brands.”
Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results
Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2009 decreased 15% to $765.4 million from $896.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2008. Total Company direct-to-consumer net sales increased 11% to $63.9 million for the thirteen week period ended October 31, 2009, compared to the thirteen week period ended November 1, 2008. Total Company third quarter comparable store sales decreased 22%.
The gross profit rate for the quarter was 63.6%, 240 basis points lower than last year’s third quarter gross profit rate. The decrease in gross profit rate was primarily driven by a lower average unit retail, partially off-set by a reduction in average unit cost and a benefit from other gross margin items.

 

 


 

Stores and distribution expense, as a percentage of sales, increased to 48.3% from 43.1% for the same period last year. The increase was attributable to higher store occupancy costs, including rent, depreciation and other occupancy costs, as well as $10.1 million of pre-tax charges associated with the closure of the Ruehl business, primarily due to lease buy-out costs.
Marketing, general and administrative expense for the third quarter was $88.1 million, compared to $105.0 million during the same period last year. Marketing, general and administrative expense reflects reductions related to employee compensation and benefits, travel, outside services and marketing, and the benefit of an insurance settlement.
Income before income taxes for the third quarter was $29.9 million, inclusive of $10.1 million pre-tax charges associated with the closure of the Ruehl business.
Income tax benefit for the third quarter was $8.9 million. The third quarter income tax provision reflects a benefit of $2.2 million, primarily from the settlement of state tax audits, along with an $18.6 million benefit associated with a true up of the year-to-date tax rate. The Company has computed its provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 by applying the actual effective tax rate to the year-to-date pre-tax loss.
Net income for the third quarter was $38.8 million, inclusive of $6.2 million of after-tax charges associated with the closure of the Ruehl business and an $18.6 million benefit associated with the true up of the year-to-date tax rate.
As to liquidity, the Company ended the third quarter with $466.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, and borrowings under the credit agreement and outstanding letters of credit of $95.9 million.
Ruehl Update
As previously announced, on June 16, 2009 the Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s 29 Ruehl branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. The Company continues to anticipate that the closure will be complete by the end of the current fiscal year.
As compared to the prior estimate of $65 million, the Company now expects that it will incur aggregate pre-tax charges with a net present value of approximately $60 million to exit the Ruehl business, of which the Company incurred $10.1 million in the third quarter and $23.6 million in the second quarter. The estimate of total charges is based on a number of significant assumptions and could change materially. The remaining charges are expected to be substantially recognized during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009 in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
In addition to the $33.7 million in aggregate net pre-tax exit costs incurred to date, the Company incurred non-cash asset impairment charges related to Ruehl of $50.7 million and $0.8 million in the first and second quarters of Fiscal 2009, respectively.
The unaudited results for the third quarter also include the operating results for Ruehl as summarized in the table accompanying the condensed consolidated financial statements included with this press release.

 

 


 

Other Developments
During the quarter, the Company opened a flagship location in Milan with Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids stores, as well as two Hollister mall-based stores in the United Kingdom, one domestic Hollister store and one domestic abercrombie kids store.
Internationally, the Company remains on track to open an Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store in Tokyo in December as well as an additional five Hollister mall-based stores in Europe during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009 bringing the total European Hollister store count to 12.
The Company continues to expect total capital expenditures for Fiscal 2009 to be approximately $185 million. These capital expenditures include approximately $45 million related to information technology, distribution center and other home office projects, a substantial portion of which relates to systems to support the Company’s international roll-out.
In Fiscal 2010, the Company expects to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Copenhagen, Denmark and Fukuoka, Japan. Additionally, the Company will open a Hollister Epic on Fifth Avenue in New York where it had previously been planning to open an abercrombie kids flagship.
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share on the Class A Common Stock of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. payable on December 15, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 27, 2009.
At quarter end, the Company operated 347 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 209 abercrombie kids stores, 509 Hollister Co. stores, 27 RUEHL stores and 16 Gilly Hicks stores in the United States. The Company also operated three Abercrombie & Fitch stores, three abercrombie kids stores and six Hollister Co. stores in Canada, one Abercrombie & Fitch store and seven Hollister Co. stores in the United Kingdom and one Abercrombie & Fitch store and one abercrombie kids store in Italy. The Company operates e-commerce websites at www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com, www.hollisterco.com, www.RUEHL.com and www.gillyhicks.com.
Today at 8:30 AM, Eastern Time, the Company will conduct a conference call. Management will discuss the Company’s performance and its plans for the future and will accept questions from participants. To listen to the live conference call, dial (888) 637-7707 or internationally at (913) 312-0405. To listen via the Internet, go to www.abercrombie.com, select the Investors page and scroll through the Calendar of Events. Replays of the call will be available shortly after its completion. The audio replay can be accessed for two weeks following the reporting date by calling (888) 203-1112 or internationally at (719) 457-0820 followed by the conference ID number 7444736; or for 12 months by visiting the Company’s website at www.abercrombie.com.
# # # #
     
For further information, call: 
  Eric Cerny
 
  Manager, Investor Relations
 
  (614) 283-6385
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
A&F cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Press Release or made by management of A&F involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, in addition to those included in the disclosure under the heading “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS” in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause

 

 


 

actual results for the 2009 fiscal year and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release or otherwise made by management: current financial crisis and general economic conditions; effects of changes in the U.S. credit and lending market conditions; changes in consumer spending patterns and consumer preferences; the effects of political and economic events and conditions domestically and in foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or war; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in weather patterns; shipping rate increases and changes; availability and market prices of key raw materials; ability to source product from its global supplier base; political stability; currency and exchange risks and changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas; availability of suitable store locations at appropriate terms; ability to develop new merchandise; ability to hire, train and retain qualified associates; estimates of expenses which the Company may incur in connection with the closure of the Ruehl stores and related direct-to-consumer operations; and the outcome of pending litigation. Future economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenue and profitability are difficult to predict. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. The forward-looking statements herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
# # # #

 

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks Ended October 31, 2009 and Thirteen Weeks Ended November 1, 2008
(in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    ACTUAL     ACTUAL  
    2009     % of Sales     2008     % of Sales  
 
                               
Net Sales
  $ 765,401       100.0 %   $ 896,344       100.0 %
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    278,471       36.4 %     304,401       34.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Gross Profit
    486,930       63.6 %     591,943       66.0 %
 
                               
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    370,064       48.3 %     386,545       43.1 %
 
                               
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    88,123       11.5 %     104,959       11.7 %
 
                               
Other Operating (Income) Loss, Net
    (1,609 )     -0.2 %     299       0.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income
    30,352       4.0 %     100,140       11.2 %
 
                               
Interest Expense (Income), Net
    461       0.1 %     (560 )     -0.1 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    29,891       3.9 %     100,700       11.2 %
 
                               
Tax (Benefit) Expense
    (8,892 )     -1.2 %     36,800       4.1 %
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 38,783       5.1 %   $ 63,900       7.1 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.44             $ 0.73          
Diluted
  $ 0.44             $ 0.72          
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    87,943               87,034          
Diluted
    88,730               88,806          

 

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 31, 2009 and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended November 1, 2008
(in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    ACTUAL     ACTUAL  
    2009     % of Sales     2008     % of Sales  
 
                               
Net Sales
  $ 2,025,996       100.0 %   $ 2,542,321       100.0 %
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    720,379       35.6 %     823,243       32.4 %
 
                       
 
                               
Gross Profit
    1,305,617       64.4 %     1,719,078       67.6 %
 
                               
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    1,126,862       55.6 %     1,089,052       42.8 %
 
                               
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    269,331       13.3 %     318,681       12.5 %
 
                               
Other Operating Income, Net
    (6,277 )     -0.3 %     (3,396 )     -0.1 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating (Loss) Income
    (84,299 )     -4.2 %     314,741       12.4 %
 
                               
Interest Income, Net
    (2,691 )     -0.1 %     (9,963 )     -0.4 %
 
                       
 
                               
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes
    (81,608 )     -4.0 %     324,704       12.8 %
 
                               
Tax (Benefit) Expense
    (34,404 )     -1.7 %     120,856       4.8 %
 
                               
Net (Loss) Income
    (47,204 )     -2.3 %   $ 203,848       8.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net (Loss) Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
    ($0.54 )           $ 2.35          
Diluted
    ($0.54 )           $ 2.27          
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    87,839               86,737          
Diluted
    87,839               89,636          

 

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
                 
    (Unaudited)        
    October 31, 2009     January 31, 2009  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and Equivalents
  $ 466,887     $ 522,122  
Marketable Securities
    55,985        
Receivables
    73,994       53,110  
Inventories
    347,180       372,422  
Deferred Income Taxes
    82,034       43,408  
Other Current Assets
    108,624       93,763  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Assets
    1,134,704       1,084,825  
 
               
Property and Equipment, Net
    1,318,864       1,398,655  
 
               
Non-Current Marketable Securities
    130,250       229,081  
 
               
Other Assets
    180,526       135,620  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 2,764,344     $ 2,848,181  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts Payable and Outstanding Checks
  $ 193,779     $ 149,753  
Accrued Expenses
    224,955       241,231  
Deferred Lease Credits
    43,947       42,358  
Income Taxes Payable
    9,332       16,455  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Liabilities
    472,013       449,797  
 
               
Long-Term Liabilities
               
Deferred Income Taxes
    40,495       34,085  
Deferred Lease Credits
    196,616       211,978  
Borrowings under Credit Agreement
    50,582       100,000  
Other Liabilities
    226,262       206,743  
 
           
 
               
Total Long-Term Liabilities
    513,955       552,806  
 
               
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    1,778,376       1,845,578  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 2,764,344     $ 2,848,181  
 
           

 

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Ruehl Operating Results
(1)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
                                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
    October 31,     November 1,     October 31,     November 1,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
                               
NET SALES
  $ 11,717     $ 13,533     $ 33,361     $ 39,072  
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    7,874       6,555       16,800       17,240  
 
                       
 
                               
GROSS PROFIT
    3,843       6,978       16,561       21,832  
 
                               
Stores and Distribution Expense (2)
    20,702       12,982       114,895       37,706  
Marketing, General and Administrative Expense (3)
    256       3,584       8,452       10,897  
Other Operating Income, Net
          (8 )     (11 )     (49 )
 
                       
 
                               
OPERATING LOSS
    (17,114 )     (9,580 )     (106,774 )     (26,721 )
     
(1)   The results include Ruehl store and direct-to-consumer operating results and home office and other costs directly attributable to Ruehl operations.
 
(2)   Stores and Distribution Expense includes non-cash pre-tax asset impairment charges of approximately $48.5 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2009 and costs associated with the closure of the Ruehl business, primarily due to net lease terminations, of approximately $10.1 million and $33.1 million during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2009, respectively.
 
(3)   Marketing, General and Administrative Expense includes non-cash pre-tax asset impairment charges of approximately $3.0 million and severance charges of approximately $0.6 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2009.

 

 


 

Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures
This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures reflecting adjustments to the Company’s net income and net income per diluted share for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2009. Provided in the tables below are reconciliations between the relevant GAAP financial measures and the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this press release. As used herein, “GAAP” refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented in the press release and below in the reconciliation tables are useful to investors as they provide the ability to measure the Company’s operating performance and compare it against that of prior periods without reference to the statement of operations impact of costs and impairment charges associated with the closure of Ruehl branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations and the benefit associated with the true-up of the year-to-date tax rate. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be used as alternatives to net income and net income per diluted share as indicators of the ongoing operating performance of the Company and are also not intended to supersede or replace the Company’s GAAP financial measures.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Reconciliation of Net Income Per Diluted Share on a GAAP Basis to Net Income Per Diluted Share on a Non-GAAP Basis
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks Ended October 31, 2009
(in thousands)
                                 
                    Non-GAAP Adjustments        
            Non-GAAP     Attributed to Benefit        
    GAAP     Adjustments Attributed     Associated with True Up in     Non-GAAP  
    Amounts     to Ruehl (1)     Year-to-Date Tax Rate (2)     Amounts  
Net Sales
  $ 765,401                 $ 765,401  
Cost of Goods Sold
    278,471                   278,471  
 
                       
Gross Profit
    486,930                   486,930  
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    370,064       10,094             359,970  
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    88,123                   88,123  
Other Operating Income, Net
    (1,609 )                 (1,609 )
 
                       
Operating Income
    30,352       (10,094 )           40,446  
Interest Expense, Net
    461                   461  
 
                       
Income Before Income Taxes
    29,891       (10,094 )           39,985  
Tax (Benefit) Expense
    (8,892 )     (3,937 )     (18,609 )     13,654  
 
                       
Net Income
  $ 38,783       ($6,157 )   $ 18,609     $ 26,331  
Net Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.44                     $ 0.30  
Diluted
  $ 0.44                     $ 0.30  
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    87,943                       87,943  
Diluted
    88,730                       88,730  
     
(1)   During the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded charges associated with the closure of Ruehl branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. These charges were primarily related to net lease termination costs.
 
(2)   During the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded a benefit associated with the true up of the year-to-date tax rate.

 

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Reconciliation of Net Loss Per Diluted Share on a GAAP Basis to Net Income Per Diluted Share on a Non-GAAP Basis
(Unaudited)
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 31, 2009
(in thousands)
                                 
                    Non-GAAP        
            Non-GAAP Adjustments     Adjustments Attributed        
            Attributed to Charges     to Non-Cash Asset        
    GAAP     Associated with the Closure     Impairment Charges     Non-GAAP  
    Amounts     of the Ruehl Business (1)     (2)     Amounts  
Net Sales
  $ 2,025,996                 $ 2,025,996  
Cost of Goods Sold
    720,379                   720,379  
 
                       
Gross Profit
    1,305,617                   1,305,617  
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    1,126,862       33,108       48,517       1,045,237  
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    269,331       613       3,019       265,699  
Other Operating Income, Net
    (6,277 )                     (6,277 )
 
                       
Operating (Loss) Income
    (84,299 )     (33,721 )     (51,536 )     958  
Interest Income, Net
    (2,691 )                     (2,691 )
 
                       
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes
    (81,608 )     (33,721 )     (51,536 )     3,649  
Tax Benefit
    (34,404 )     (13,151 )     (20,099 )     (1,154 )
 
                       
Net (Loss) Income
    ($47,204 )   $ (20,570 )   $ (31,437 )   $ 4,803  
Net (Loss) Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
    ($0.54 )                   $ 0.05  
Diluted
    ($0.54 )                   $ 0.05  
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    87,839                       87,839  
Diluted
    87,839                       87,839  
     
(1)   During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded charges associated with the closure of Ruehl branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. These charges were primarily related to net lease termination and severance costs.
 
(2)   During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded non-cash asset impairment charges related to the closure of Ruehl branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations.