Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. net sales for the fourth quarter increased 12.8% to $120.8 million compared with $107.1 million last year. Comparable store sales increased 2.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Net income for the fourth fiscal quarter increased 21.7% to $9.9 million compared with $8.1 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of last year. Earnings per diluted share increased 26.1% to $0.29 compared with $0.23 per diluted share in the prior year.
Net sales for the 52-week period ended January 28, 2006, increased 16.6% to $440.3 million compared with $377.5 million for the 52-week period ended January 29, 2005. Comparable store sales increased 5.6% in fiscal 2006. Net income for fiscal 2006 increased 33.7% to $33.6 million compared with $25.1 million in fiscal 2005. Earnings per diluted share increased 40.0% to $0.98 from $0.70 per diluted share in the prior year.
Comparable store net sales data reflects sales for our Hibbett Sports and Sports Additions stores open through the 13-week and 52-week periods and the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year.
The per share results reported for all periods presented herein reflect the effect of the three-for-two stock split that was distributed on September 27, 2005, to stockholders of record on September 9, 2005.
Hibbett opened a net of 23 new stores during the fourth quarter for a total of 67 net new stores in fiscal 2006, bringing the store base to 549 in 22 states as of January 28, 2006. The Company plans to open a net of approximately 80 to 85 new stores in fiscal 2007, including a net of approximately 10 to 15 stores in the first quarter.
Mickey Newsome, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Fiscal 2006 was our best year ever with a 40.0% increase in earnings per diluted share, a 5.6% comparable store sales increase and an operating margin that reached 11.8%.
“Despite a tough comparison to last year's fourth quarter, we were able to reach the top end of our quarterly earnings guidance. Our comparable store sales increase primarily came from footwear and activewear. Stronger-than-planned product margin was the primary driver behind achieving the 26.1% earnings per diluted share increase in the fourth quarter.”
For the first quarter ending April 29, 2006, the Company expects to report earnings per diluted share of approximately $0.32 to $0.35 (which includes $0.02 to $0.03 of equity award expense per diluted share) and a comparable store sales increase of 2.0% to 4.0%. Guidance for the 53-week period ending February 3, 2007, is estimated at approximately $1.04 to $1.08 per diluted share (which includes $0.10 to $0.13 of equity award expense per diluted share) and a comparable store sales increase in the 3.0% to 4.0% range.
The earnings per diluted share outlook includes the effect of the Company's adoption of SFAS 123R as of January 29, 2006. During Fiscal 2007, the Company expects to incur $4.1 to $4.4 million of equity award expense on a pre-tax basis.
HIBBETT SPORTING GOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 13 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended ------------------- ------------------- Jan. 28, Jan. 29, Jan. 28, Jan. 29, 2006 2005 2006 2005 -------- -------- -------- -------- Net sales $120,827 $107,081 $440,269 $377,534 Cost of goods sold, including warehouse, distribution, and store occupancy costs 80,156 72,110 293,368 255,250 -------- -------- -------- -------- Gross profit 40,671 34,971 146,901 122,284 Store operating, selling, and administrative expenses 23,057 19,795 85,060 72,923 Depreciation and amortization 2,601 2,563 10,119 9,939 -------- -------- -------- -------- Operating income 15,013 12,613 51,722 39,422 Interest income, net (250) (166) (1,146) (425) -------- -------- -------- -------- Income before provision for income taxes 15,263 12,779 52,868 39,897 Provision for income taxes 5,368 4,649 19,244 14,750 -------- -------- -------- -------- Net income $9,895 $8,130 $33,624 $25,147 ======== ======== ======== ======== Net Income per common share: Basic earnings per share $0.30 $0.24 $1.00 $0.72 ======== ======== ======== ======== Diluted earnings per share $0.29 $0.23 $0.98 $0.70 ======== ======== ======== ======== Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 32,812 34,297 33,606 34,856 ======== ======== ======== ======== Diluted 33,578 35,027 34,393 35,690 ======== ======== ======== ========