EX-99.1 5 l27755aexv99w1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1
 

Exhibit 99.1
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS;
SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME INCREASES TO $81.3 MILLION;
SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE INCREASES TO $0.88;
BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.175;
COMPANY PROVIDES OUTLOOK FOR SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR
New Albany, Ohio, August 22, 2007: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) today reported unaudited results which reflected record second quarter net income of $81.3 million and net income per diluted share of $0.88 for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2007, a 24% increase over net income of $65.7 million and a 22% increase over $0.72 per diluted share for the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2006.
Second Quarter Developments
    Total Company net sales increased 22% to $804.5 million; comparable store sales decreased 2%
 
    Total direct-to-consumer net sales increased 66% to $45.6 million
 
    Abercrombie & Fitch net sales increased 15% to $363.9 million; Abercrombie & Fitch comparable store sales decreased 2%
 
    abercrombie net sales increased 30% to $94.5 million; abercrombie comparable store sales increased 2%
 
    Hollister Co. net sales increased 27% to $334.4 million; Hollister comparable store sales decreased 3%
 
    RUEHL net sales increased 71% to $11.7 million; RUEHL comparable store sales increased 2%
 
    Net income for the second quarter increased 24% to $81.3 million
 
    Net income per diluted share in the second quarter increased 22% to $0.88
 
    The Company announced initial plans for Abercrombie & Fitch expansion in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Sweden
 
    The Company announced plans for an Abercrombie & Fitch Tokyo flagship in 2009

 


 

Mike Jeffries, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., said:
“I am extremely pleased with the record financial results we posted this quarter. Our success can be attributed largely to the fact that we have created a consistent business that is able to generate strong results. Our company is uniquely positioned, with each brand maintaining only the highest standards and supported by defined and proven processes that are continuously audited. The drive for constant improvement in standard, process and audit will help us to maintain our leadership position over the long term.”
Second Quarter Financial Results
Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2007 increased 22% to $804.5 million from $658.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 29, 2006. Total Company direct-to-consumer net sales increased 66% to $45.6 million for the thirteen-week period ended August 4, 2007, compared to the thirteen-week period ended July 29, 2006. Total Company comparable store sales decreased 2% for the thirteen weeks ended August 4, 2007, compared to the thirteen weeks ended August 5, 2006.
The gross profit rate for the quarter was 68.8%, down 30 basis points compared to last year. The decrease in gross profit rate was primarily due to a higher markdown rate, partially offset by higher initial markup.
Stores and Distribution expense, as a percentage of sales, increased 50 basis points from 41.1% to 41.6%. The increase in rate versus last year is primarily attributed to increases in direct-to-consumer and store-related payroll and other controllable expenses.
Marketing, General and Administrative expense, as a percentage of sales, decreased 80 basis points from 13.0% to 12.2%. The reduction in rate versus last year resulted primarily from a reduction in legal, travel, and marketing expenses, partially offset by increased home office payroll.
Operating income for the second quarter increased 21% to $124.1 million, compared to $102.4 million last year.
Net income for the quarter increased 24% to $81.3 million, compared to $65.7 million last year.
Net income per diluted share increased 22% to $0.88, compared to $0.72 for the second quarter of fiscal 2006.
2007 Outlook
The Company expects net income per diluted share for the second half of fiscal 2007 to be in the range of $3.63 to $3.67. Based upon this guidance, the Company now expects full year fiscal 2007 net income per diluted share to be in the range of $5.16 to $5.20.
The low-end of the guidance reflects a flat comparable store sales scenario for the second half of fiscal 2007. Fourth Quarter fiscal 2006 results included incremental net income per diluted share of $0.06 resulting from an extra selling week in the fiscal 2006 retail calendar and $0.07 resulting from favorable settlements of tax audits.

 


 

The Company plans total capital expenditures for fiscal 2007 to be between $395 million and $405 million with approximately $220 million of this amount allocated to new store construction and store remodels. Approximately $60 million is allocated to “refresh” improvements and other brand enhancing investments planned for existing stores with the balance related to home office, information technology, and direct-to-consumer infrastructure investments.
For fiscal 2007, the Company expects to increase gross square-footage by approximately 10%, primarily through the addition of six new Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 25 new abercrombie stores, 56 new Hollister Co. stores, seven new RUEHL stores, and four stores of the Company’s new concept.
Other Developments
On August 7, 2007, the Company announced that it plans to open a Tokyo flagship in late 2009. This will be the Company’s first flagship in Asia and will be centrally located in Tokyo’s Ginza district, one of the most prominent shopping destinations in the world.
On July 13, 2007, the Company announced that it plans to expand its retail presence throughout Europe. The Company is in the process of securing locations in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Sweden and plans to identify additional key locations in the United Kingdom.
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 September 25, 2007 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 4, 2007.
The Company operates a total of 362 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 186 abercrombie stores, 419 Hollister Co. stores and 17 RUEHL stores. The Company operates three Abercrombie & Fitch stores and three Hollister Co. stores in Canada, and one Abercrombie & Fitch store in London, England. The Company operates e-commerce websites at www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com, and www.hollisterco.com.
Today at 4:30 PM, Eastern Time, the Company will conduct a conference call. Management will discuss the Company’s performance, its plans for the future and will accept questions from participants. To listen to the live conference call, dial (800) 811-0667 or internationally at (913) 981-4901. 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 3466308; or for 12 months by visiting the Company’s website at www.abercrombie.com.
# # # #

 


 

     
For further information, call:
  Thomas Lennox
 
  Vice President, Corporate Communications
 
  (614) 283-6751
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 February 3, 2007, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause actual results for the 2007 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: 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; postal rate increases and changes; paper and printing costs; market price 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 associates; 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 Income
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks Ended August 4, 2007 and Thirteen Weeks Ended July 29, 2006
(in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    ACTUAL     ACTUAL  
    2007     % of Sales     2006     % of Sales  
Net Sales
  $ 804,538       100.0 %   $ 658,696       100.0 %
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    251,100       31.2 %     203,438       30.9 %
 
                       
 
                               
Gross Profit
    553,438       68.8 %     455,258       69.1 %
 
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    334,417       41.6 %     270,494       41.1 %
 
                               
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    98,440       12.2 %     85,340       13.0 %
 
                               
Other Operating Income, Net
    (3,551 )     -0.4 %     (3,005 )     -0.5 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income
    124,132       15.4 %     102,429       15.6 %
 
                               
Interest Income, Net
    (4,143 )     -0.5 %     (2,765 )     -0.4 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    128,275       15.9 %     105,194       16.0 %
 
                               
Income Tax Expense
    47,000       5.8 %     39,472       6.0 %
 
                               
Effective Rate
    36.6 %             37.5 %        
 
                           
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 81,275       10.1 %   $ 65,722       10.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.92             $ 0.75          
Diluted
  $ 0.88             $ 0.72          
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    88,090               87,981          
Diluted
    92,294               91,178          

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 4, 2007 and Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 29, 2006
(in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    ACTUAL     ACTUAL  
    2007     % of Sales     2006     % of Sales  
Net Sales
  $ 1,546,948       100.0 %   $ 1,315,967       100.0 %
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    506,241       32.7 %     430,793       32.7 %
 
                       
 
                               
Gross Profit
    1,040,707       67.3 %     885,174       67.3 %
 
                               
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    642,655       41.5 %     528,846       40.2 %
 
                               
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    188,615       12.2 %     175,039       13.3 %
 
                               
Other Operating Income, Net
    (7,405 )     -0.5 %     (5,126 )     -0.4 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income
    216,842       14.0 %     186,415       14.2 %
 
                               
Interest Income, Net
    (7,854 )     -0.5 %     (5,931 )     -0.5 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    224,696       14.5 %     192,346       14.6 %
 
                               
Income Tax Expense
    83,340       5.4 %     70,383       5.3 %
 
                               
Effective Rate
    37.1 %             36.6 %        
 
                           
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 141,356       9.1 %   $ 121,963       9.3 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ 1.61             $ 1.39          
Diluted
  $ 1.53             $ 1.34          
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    87,987               87,920          
Diluted
    92,369               91,274          

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
                 
    (Unaudited)        
    August 4, 2007     February 3, 2007  
ASSETS
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and Equivalents
  $ 117,164     $ 81,959  
Marketable Securities
    293,416       447,793  
Receivables
    73,913       43,240  
Inventories
    431,395       427,447  
Deferred Income Taxes
    38,211       33,170  
Other Current Assets
    64,732       58,469  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Assets
    1,018,831       1,092,078  
 
               
Property and Equipment, Net
    1,219,845       1,092,282  
 
               
Other Assets
    77,662       63,707  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 2,316,338     $ 2,248,067  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts Payable and Outstanding Checks
  $ 140,239     $ 128,310  
Accrued Expenses
    264,902       260,219  
Deferred Lease Credits
    37,739       35,423  
Income Taxes Payable
    12,485       86,675  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Liabilities
    455,365       510,627  
 
               
Long-Term Liabilities
               
Deferred Income Taxes
    19,202       30,394  
Deferred Lease Credits
    213,047       203,943  
Other Liabilities
    143,150       97,806  
 
           
 
               
Total Long-Term Liabilities
    375,399       332,143  
 
               
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    1,485,574       1,405,297  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 2,316,338     $ 2,248,067