-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TGlnwQJGzTDXKvL1Lmtg8ffyx7oV8LkndHt3oeFET1Wd9hdTguiKUC4HV3/H4SRk KlQx9nlOxMq48nR3RDrh/Q== 0001193125-07-255447.txt : 20071129 0001193125-07-255447.hdr.sgml : 20071129 20071129061032 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-07-255447 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071129 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20071129 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20071129 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEARS HOLDINGS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001310067 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311] IRS NUMBER: 201920798 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0128 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-51217 FILM NUMBER: 071272909 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3333 BEVERLY ROAD CITY: HOFFMAN ESTATES STATE: IL ZIP: 60179 BUSINESS PHONE: 847-286-2500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3333 BEVERLY ROAD CITY: HOFFMAN ESTATES STATE: IL ZIP: 60179 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Sears Holdings CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20041129 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 29, 2007

 


SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 


 

Delaware   000-51217   20-1920798

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

3333 Beverly Road

Hoffman Estates, Illinois

  60179
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 286-2500

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report): Not Applicable

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Section 2 - Financial Information

Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On November 29, 2007, the Registrant issued a press release regarding its third quarter 2007 earnings. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 – Press release dated November 29, 2007, furnished pursuant to Item 2.02.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

SEARS HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ William K. Phelan

  William K. Phelan
  Senior Vice President and Controller

Date: November 29, 2007


Exhibit Index

 

99.1    Press release dated November 29, 2007.
EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED NOVEMBER 29, 2007. Press Release dated November 29, 2007.

EXHIBIT 99.1

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

Sears Holdings Public Relations

(847) 286-8371

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 29, 2007

SEARS HOLDINGS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHLD) today reported net income of $2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended November 3, 2007, compared with net income of $196 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended October 28, 2006. The third quarter 2006 results included $101 million in pre-tax gains ($64 million after tax or $0.42 per diluted share) on total return swap investments outstanding during that period. Excluding these gains, earnings per diluted share were $0.85 for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The year-over-year decline in income is primarily the result of a $223 million decline in gross margin, reflecting both sales declines, as well as an overall decline in our gross margin rate for the quarter.

“We are very disappointed in our performance for the third quarter. We cannot blame our results entirely on the retail and macro-economic environments. We have much on which to improve and are working hard to do so.” said Aylwin Lewis, Sears Holdings’ chief executive officer and president. “Nevertheless, the Company continues to generate cash, and we continue to invest in our customer relationships, our multi-channel experience, and our information technology systems. Importantly, we believe that our stores and websites are ready to serve our customers and provide them more reasons to shop with us.”

Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

Sears Domestic’s comparable store sales declined 4.2% for the quarter, while Kmart’s comparable store sales declined 5.0%. Total domestic comparable store sales declined 4.6%. We experienced lower sales across most merchandise categories at both Kmart and Sears Domestic, with notable declines in apparel and lawn and garden at both formats, partially offset by increased sales within home electronics, notably at Sears Domestic. We believe the overall comparable store sales results reflect increased competition, the negative impact of unfavorable economic conditions, such as a weak housing market and growing consumer credit concerns, as well as the unfavorable impact of unseasonably warm weather, prevalent during much of the third quarter, on sales of apparel and other seasonal merchandise. For the quarter, our total revenues declined $0.4 billion to $11.5 billion in fiscal 2007, as compared to $11.9 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2006.

For our fiscal November month-to-date period (Sunday, November 4, 2007 through Tuesday, November 27, 2007), our domestic comparable store sales have declined 0.4%, with Sears Domestic’s comparable store sales increasing 1.9% and Kmart’s comparable store sales declining 3.3%. While we have experienced higher sales at Sears Domestic for this period, the increase in comparable store sales was driven by sales of home electronics which generally have a lower margin rate than other categories.

Operating Income

Our operating income for the quarter decreased $230 million to $46 million in fiscal 2007, as compared to $276 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, mainly due to lower gross margin generated at both Kmart and Sears Domestic. For the quarter, we generated $3.2 billion in total gross margin as compared to $3.4 billion in the third quarter last year. The $0.2 billion decline was made up of separate $0.1 billion declines at both Kmart and Sears Domestic. Our gross margin rate decreased by approximately 90 basis points to 27.4% and was impacted by incremental markdowns taken to clear seasonal merchandise and higher inventory levels due to lower sales. Given that we do not expect any significant near-term improvement in the overall retail environment, we believe that our sales and gross margin for the balance of fiscal 2007 will likely continue to be pressured by the above-noted unfavorable economic factors.


Financial Position

We had cash and cash equivalents of $1.5 billion at November 3, 2007 (of which $0.8 billion was domestic and $0.7 billion was at Sears Canada) as compared to $2.1 billion at October 28, 2006 and $4.0 billion at February 3, 2007. During the third quarter, cash and cash equivalents declined $1.1 billion from the $2.6 billion balance at the end of the second quarter. The $1.1 billion net decline in cash and cash equivalents for the quarter primarily reflects $0.9 billion used for share repurchases (as detailed below) and $0.9 billion used to build inventories for the holiday selling season (net of merchandise payables), partially offset by $0.6 billion of cash generated through short-term borrowings. The $0.6 billion in short-term borrowings under our five-year revolving credit facility has been repaid as of November 27, 2007.

Merchandise inventories at November 3, 2007 were $12.0 billion, as compared to $11.5 billion as of October 28, 2006. The increase reflects the addition of $0.2 billion of previously consigned pharmacy inventory, an increase in Sears Canada inventory primarily due to the change in exchange rates, increased home electronics inventory at Sears Domestic and the effect of lower than expected sales levels. As we expect difficult economic conditions to persist in the near term, we intend to manage our inventories in the fourth quarter with the goal of reducing our fiscal year-end domestic merchandise inventories to levels below last year-end’s levels.

Share Repurchase

We repurchased 6.7 million common shares at a total cost of $0.9 billion (or $131.72 per share) under our share repurchase program during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. As previously announced on August 13, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to an additional $1.5 billion of our common shares. The share repurchases may be implemented using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, the purchase of call options, the sale of put options or otherwise, or by any combination of such methods. Timing will be dependent on prevailing market conditions, alternative uses of capital and other factors. As of November 27, 2007, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $736 million of common shares under the share repurchase program.

Adjusted EBITDA

For purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) measurement computed as operating income appearing on the statement of income less depreciation and amortization and gains/(losses) on sales of assets. In addition, it is adjusted to exclude certain nonrecurring gains/(losses) and restructuring charges. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate the operating performance of our businesses for comparable periods. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items. Management compensates for this limitation by using GAAP financial measures as well in managing our businesses.

While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance because:

 

 

EBITDA excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation costs;

 

 

Management considers gains/(losses) on the sale of assets to result from investing decisions rather than ongoing operations; and

 

 

Restructuring activities and other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects the comparability of results;

 

2


Adjusted EBITDA was determined as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     November 3,
2007
    October 28,
2006
    November 3,
2007
    October 28,
2006
 

Operating income per statement of income

   $ 46     $ 276     $ 778     $ 1,124  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     255       278       779       843  

Less gain on sale of assets

     —         (8 )     (10 )     (32 )
                                

Before excluded items

     301       546       1,547       1,935  

Sears Canada post-retirement benefit plans curtailment gain

     —         —         (27 )     —    

Hurricane related recoveries

     (1 )     —         (19 )     —    

Vice Chairman separation expense

     —         —         —         8  

Visa/MasterCard settlement

     —         —         —         (36 )

Restructuring charges

     —         4       —         27  
                                

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 300     $ 550     $ 1,501     $ 1,934  
                                

% to revenues

     2.6 %     4.6 %     4.2 %     5.3 %

Adjusted EBITDA for our domestic (United States operations) and Sears Canada operations are as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
     Adjusted EBITDA    % To Revenues     Adjusted EBITDA    % To Revenues  
     November 3,
2007
   October 28,
2006
   November 3,
2007
    October 28,
2006
    November 3,
2007
   October 28,
2006
   November 3,
2007
    October 28,
2006
 

Domestic operations

   $ 197    $ 439    1.9 %   4.1 %   $ 1,244    $ 1,692    3.9 %   5.1 %

Sears Canada

     103      111    7.9 %   8.9 %     257      242    7.1 %   6.8 %
                                                    

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 300    $ 550    2.6 %   4.6 %   $ 1,501    $ 1,934    4.2 %   5.3 %
                                                    

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

We plan to file our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter 2007 with the SEC on November 30, 2007.

Forward-Looking Statements

Results are unaudited. This press release contains forward-looking statements about our expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include the possibility that we fail to offer products and services that satisfy the desires of our customers, whose preferences may change in the future, or other factors outside the control of Holdings. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We intend the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time made and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

 

3


About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer, with over $50 billion in annual revenues, and approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. We also have Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at www.searsholdings.com.

 

4


Sears Holdings Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended     39 Weeks Ended  
millions, except per share data    November 3,
2007
    October 28,
2006
    November 3,
2007
    October 28,
2006
 

REVENUES

        

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 11,548     $ 11,941     $ 35,489     $ 36,724  

COSTS AND EXPENSES

        

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     8,387       8,557       25,649       26,380  

Gross margin dollars

     3,161       3,384       9,840       10,344  

Gross margin rate

     27.4 %     28.3 %     27.7 %     28.2 %

Selling and administrative

     2,860       2,834       8,293       8,382  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     24.8 %     23.7 %     23.4 %     22.8 %

Depreciation and amortization

     255       278       779       843  

Gain on sales of assets

     —         (8 )     (10 )     (32 )

Restructuring charges

     —         4       —         27  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     11,502       11,665       34,711       35,600  
                                

Operating income

     46       276       778       1,124  

Interest and investment income

     (30 )     (140 )     (112 )     (241 )

Interest expense

     66       89       210       255  

Other income

     (1 )     —         (17 )     (15 )
                                

Income before income taxes and minority interest

     11       327       697       1,125  

Income taxes (benefit) expense

     (5 )     119       267       438  

Minority interest

     14       12       36       17  
                                

NET INCOME

   $ 2     $ 196     $ 394     $ 670  
                                

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

        

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.01     $ 1.27     $ 2.66     $ 4.29  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     139.9       154.4       148.2       156.3  

 

5


Sears Holdings Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     (Unaudited)     
millions    November 3,
2007
   October 28,
2006
   February 3,
2007

ASSETS

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,475    $ 2,096    $ 3,968

Receivables

     963      909      847

Merchandise inventories

     12,030      11,508      9,907

Other current assets

     717      902      684
                    

Total current assets

     15,185      15,415      15,406

Property and equipment, net

     8,855      9,247      9,132

Goodwill

     1,691      1,880      1,692

Tradenames and other intangible assets

     3,370      3,467      3,437

Other assets

     467      460      399
                    

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 29,568    $ 30,469    $ 30,066
                    

LIABILITIES

        

Current liabilities

        

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

   $ 1,374    $ 618    $ 707

Merchandise payables

     4,437      4,195      3,312

Unearned revenues

     1,126      1,078      1,073

Other current liabilities

     4,389      5,098      4,960
                    

Total current liabilities

     11,326      10,989      10,052

Long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations

     2,643      2,914      2,849

Pension and postretirement benefits

     1,414      2,092      1,648

Minority interest and other liabilities

     3,471      2,850      2,803
                    

Total Liabilities

     18,854      18,845      17,352
                    

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     10,714      11,624      12,714
                    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 29,568    $ 30,469    $ 30,066
                    

Total common shares outstanding

     137.7      153.9      153.8

 

6


Sears Holdings Corporation

Segment Results

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended November 3, 2007  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 3,803     $ 6,449     $ 1,296     $ 11,548  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     2,979       4,519       889       8,387  

Gross margin dollars

     824       1,930       407       3,161  

Gross margin rate

     21.7 %     29.9 %     31.4 %     27.4 %

Selling and administrative

     855       1,701       304       2,860  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     22.5 %     26.4 %     23.5 %     24.8 %

Depreciation and amortization

     28       193       34       255  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     3,862       6,413       1,227       11,502  
                                

Operating (loss) income

   $ (59 )   $ 36     $ 69     $ 46  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,387       —         —         1,387  

Full-Line Stores

     —         934       123       1,057  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,124       255       1,379  
                                

Total Stores

     1,387       2,058       378       3,823  
                                
     13 Weeks Ended October 28, 2006  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 4,042     $ 6,655     $ 1,244     $ 11,941  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     3,096       4,611       850       8,557  

Gross margin dollars

     946       2,044       394       3,384  

Gross margin rate

     23.4 %     30.7 %     31.7 %     28.3 %

Selling and administrative

     889       1,662       283       2,834  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     22.0 %     25.0 %     22.7 %     23.7 %

Depreciation and amortization

     22       223       33       278  

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

     (9 )     1       —         (8 )

Restructuring charges

     4       —         —         4  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     4,002       6,497       1,166       11,665  
                                

Operating income

   $ 40     $ 158     $ 78     $ 276  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,394       —         —         1,394  

Full-Line Stores

     —         933       123       1,056  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,083       252       1,335  
                                

Total Stores

     1,394       2,016       375       3,785  
                                

 

7


Sears Holdings Corporation

Segment Results

(Unaudited)

 

     39 Weeks Ended November 3, 2007  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 12,046     $ 19,815     $ 3,628     $ 35,489  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     9,237       13,884       2,528       25,649  

Gross margin dollars

     2,809       5,931       1,100       9,840  

Gross margin rate

     23.3 %     29.9 %     30.3 %     27.7 %

Selling and administrative

     2,564       4,913       816       8,293  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     21.3 %     24.8 %     22.5 %     23.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     81       601       97       779  

Gain on sales of assets

     (1 )     (1 )     (8 )     (10 )
                                

Total costs and expenses

     11,881       19,397       3,433       34,711  
                                

Operating income

   $ 165     $ 418     $ 195     $ 778  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,387       —         —         1,387  

Full-Line Stores

     —         934       123       1,057  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,124       255       1,379  
                                

Total Stores

     1,387       2,058       378       3,823  
                                
     39 Weeks Ended October 28, 2006  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 12,768     $ 20,403     $ 3,553     $ 36,724  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     9,726       14,156       2,498       26,380  

Gross margin dollars

     3,042       6,247       1,055       10,344  

Gross margin rate

     23.8 %     30.6 %     29.7 %     28.2 %

Selling and administrative

     2,618       4,951       813       8,382  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     20.5 %     24.3 %     22.9 %     22.8 %

Depreciation and amortization

     55       687       101       843  

Gain on sales of assets

     (26 )     (6 )     —         (32 )

Restructuring charges

     8       —         19       27  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     12,381       19,788       3,431       35,600  
                                

Operating income

   $ 387     $ 615     $ 122     $ 1,124  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,394       —         —         1,394  

Full-Line Stores

     —         933       123       1,056  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,083       252       1,335  
                                

Total Stores

     1,394       2,016       375       3,785  
                                

 

8


Sears Holdings Corporation

Adjusted EBITDA

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
millions    November 3, 2007     October 28, 2006  
     Domestic
Operations
    Sears Canada     Sears
Holdings
    Domestic
Operations
    Sears Canada     Sears
Holdings
 

Operating income per statement of income

   $ (23 )   $ 69     $ 46     $ 198     $ 78     $ 276  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     221       34       255       245       33       278  

Less gain on sale of assets

     —         —         —         (8 )     —         (8 )
                                                

Before excluded items

     198       103       301       435       111       546  

Hurricane related recoveries

     (1 )     —         (1 )     —         —         —    

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         4       —         4  
                                                

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 197     $ 103     $ 300     $ 439     $ 111     $ 550  
                                                

% to revenues

     1.9 %     7.9 %     2.6 %     4.1 %     8.9 %     4.6 %
     39 Weeks Ended  
millions    November 3, 2007     October 28, 2006  
     Domestic
Operations
    Sears Canada     Sears
Holdings
    Domestic
Operations
    Sears Canada     Sears
Holdings
 

Operating income per statement of income

   $ 583     $ 195     $ 778     $ 1,002     $ 122     $ 1,124  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     682       97       779       742       101       843  

Less gain on sale of assets

     (2 )     (8 )     (10 )     (32 )     —         (32 )
                                                

Before excluded items

     1,263       284       1,547       1,712       223       1,935  

Sears Canada post-retirement benefit plans curtailment gain

     —         (27 )     (27 )     —         —         —    

Hurricane related recoveries

     (19 )     —         (19 )     —         —         —    

Vice Chairman separation expense

     —         —         —         8       —         8  

Visa/MasterCard settlement

     —         —         —         (36 )     —         (36 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         8       19       27  
                                                

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 1,244     $ 257     $ 1,501     $ 1,692     $ 242     $ 1,934  
                                                

% to revenues

     3.9 %     7.1 %     4.2 %     5.1 %     6.8 %     5.3 %

 

9

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