Foot Locker, Inc. reported adjusted earnings fell 18.2 percent in the second quarter ended August 3, coming in just below Wall Street’s targets. Same-store sales inched up 0.8 percent, below the retailer’s guidance. The outlook for the year was maintained.

Second Quarter Results


Net income for the company’s second-quarter of 2019 was $60 million, or 55 cents per share, compared to net income of $88 million, or 75 cents per share in the corresponding prior-year period. Included in these results are: 1) a $13 million charge related to the lease termination costs incurred in connection with the closure of certain SIX:02 locations, 2) a $1 million charge recorded in connection with the company’s pension matter, and 3) a $2 million tax charge in connection with U.S. tax reform.

Excluding these items, non-GAAP earnings declined 18.2 percent to $72 million, or 66 cents per share, from $88 million, or 75 cents, per share for the second quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively. Wall Street’s consensus estimate was 67 cents.

Second-quarter comparable-store sales increased 0.8 percent. Guidance had called for a low-to-mid single digit comp gain in comps.

Total second-quarter sales decreased 0.4 percent, to $1,774 million, compared to sales of $1,782 million for the corresponding prior-year period. Wall Street’s consensus revenue target had been $1.82 billion

Excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, total sales for the second quarter of 2019 increased 0.8 percent.

The company’s gross margin rate decreased to 30.1 percent from 30.2 percent a year ago. Foot Locker had expected gross margin to be  flat to down 20 basis points

SG&A expense rate increased to 22.2 percent from 21.3 percent in the second quarter of 2019, largely reflecting the ongoing investments the company is making in its digital capabilities and infrastructure.

“While our results in the second quarter did come in at the low end of our expectations, we saw improvement in our performance as we moved through each month of the quarter,” said Richard Johnson, president and chief executive officer. “We remain deeply connected with sneaker and youth culture, and believe this positive momentum exiting the quarter has us well positioned for the back-to-school period and beyond.  Further, our team continues to make meaningful progress against our long-term strategic imperatives.”

Year-To-Date Results


Net income for the company’s first six months of the year decreased to $232 million, or $2.08 per share on a GAAP basis, compared to net income of $253 million, or $2.14 per share, for the corresponding period in 2018.  On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per share for the six-month period totaled $2.20, compared to $2.21 per share earned in the same period in 2018.  Year-to-date sales were $3,852 million, an increase of 1.2 percent compared to sales of $3,807 million in the corresponding six-month period of 2018.  Year-to-date, comparable store sales increased 2.8 percent, while total year-to-date sales, excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increased by 2.9 percent.

Financial Position

As of August 3, 2019, the company’s merchandise inventories were $1,227 million, 2.2 percent lower than at the end of the second quarter last year.  Using constant currencies, inventory decreased 1.0 percent.

The company’s cash totaled $939 million, while the debt on its balance sheet was $123 million.  The company repurchased 2.9 million shares for $120 million during the quarter and paid a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share, for a total of $41 million.

“In addition to making meaningful investments in our stores and digital capabilities during the quarter, we maintained our disciplined approach to inventory management and are set-up to continue flowing fresh, exciting product offerings for the back-half of 2019,” said Lauren Peters, executive vice president and chief financial officer.  “We remain optimistic that we can deliver a mid-single digit comparable sales gain for the full year and high-single digit adjusted EPS growth.”

Store Base Update


During the second quarter, the company opened 10 new stores, remodeled or relocated 35 stores, and closed 37 stores.  As of August 3, 2019, the company operated 3,174 stores in 27 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.  In addition, 123 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East, as well as 10 franchised Runners Point stores in Germany.

Photo courtesy Foot Locker