The Finish Line Inc. earned $2.3 million, or 5 cents a share, in its third quarter ended Nov. 30, rebounding from a loss of $103,000, or less than one cent a share, a year ago. Results were 5 cents ahead of Wall Street's consensus estimate. Comps increased 7.1 percent and the company raised its full-year outlook.

For the thirteen weeks ended November 30, 2013:

  • Consolidated net sales were $364.5 million, an increase of 22.9 percent over the prior year period.
  • Finish Line comparable store sales increased 7.1 percent.The
  • On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share were $0.05.
  • Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which excludes the impact of impairment charges, were $0.06.

“We are very pleased with the top and bottom line performance we delivered in the third quarter,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Lyon. “Our commitment to developing a premier omni-channel platform is strengthening both our customer relationships and our brand partnerships while also reinforcing our market leadership position. We are continually adapting and refining our strategies in this rapidly evolving retail landscape to ensure we meet the needs of today’s empowered consumer. Finish Line is on the right strategic course and is well-positioned to deliver on our near and longer term goals.”

Balance Sheet

As of November 30, 2013, consolidated merchandise inventories increased 19.5 percent to $360.5 million compared to $301.7 million as of December 1, 2012. The increase resulted primarily from the start-up of Macy’s business. For Finish Line, merchandise inventories increased 0.6 percent.

The company repurchased 200,000 shares of its common stock in the third quarter, totaling $5.2 million. The company has 4.1 million shares remaining on its current Board authorized repurchase plan.

As of November 30, 2013, the company had no interest-bearing debt and $111.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $168.2 million a year ago.

Outlook

For the fiscal year ending March 1, 2014, Finish Line now expects comparable store sales to increase approximately 3 percent-4 percent compared to its previous expectation for a low single digit increase. The Company now expects Non-GAAP earnings per share to increase 9 percent to 12 percent to $1.60-$1.65 from fiscal year 2013 Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.47. This compares to its previous expectation for a mid-single digit increase.

The Finish Line, Inc. is a premium retailer of athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Finish Line has 658 stores in malls across the U.S., manages the athletic footwear inventory in 660 Macy’s stores including 198 branded or staffed shops, and employs more than 13,000 sneakerologists who help customers every day connect with their sport, their life and their style. Online shopping is available at www.finishline.com and www.macys.com.

Finish Line also operates the Running Specialty Group through a venture with Gart Capital Partners. This includes 47 specialty running shops in 12 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company and Roncker’s Running Spot banners.

The Finish Line, Inc.







Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)







(In thousands, except per share and store/shop data)








 
















 






Thirteen Weeks Ended



Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended







November 30,



December 1,



November 30,



December 1,







2013



2012



2013



2012

















 

Net sales





$

364,455



$

296,623



$

1,151,538



$

1,000,683


Cost of sales (including occupancy costs)





 

256,607



 

206,833



 

790,358



 

671,684


Gross profit






107,848




89,790




361,180




328,999

















 

Selling, general and administrative expenses






104,092




91,447




306,903




271,004


Store closing costs






166




1




369




421


Impairment charges





 

841



 





 

841



 




Operating income (loss)






2,749




(1,658)




53,067




57,574

















 

Interest income, net





 

3



 

38



 

27



 

167


Income (loss) before income taxes






2,752




(1,620)




53,094




57,741

















 

Income tax expense (benefit)





 

1,161



 

(811)



 

20,796



 

22,033


Net income (loss)






1,591




(809)




32,298




35,708


Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest





 

727



 

702



 

1,602



 

1,436


Net income (loss) attributable to The Finish Line, Inc.





$

2,318



$

(107)



$

33,900



$

37,144

















 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to The Finish Line, Inc.
shareholders





$

0.05



$





$

0.69



$

0.72

















 

Diluted weighted average shares





 

48,709



 

49,949



 

48,733



 

50,977