Finish Line’s Q3 Comps Climb 10.1%

Finish Line reported third quarter income from continuing operations of $4.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share compared to income from continuing operations of $6.5 million or $0.12 per diluted share a year ago, a figure that included a one-time $6.5 million tax benefit Finish Line recorded in the third quarter of last year. Without the tax benefit, third quarter non-GAAP income from continuing operations last year was $16,000 or $0.00 (flat) per diluted share.

Merchandise inventories increased by 10.4% to $262.2 million at the end of the quarter compared to $237.5 million a year ago. On a per-square-foot basis, inventories were up 13.0%.  For the same period a year ago, inventory per square foot declined by 11.0%.

At quarter end, the company had no interest-bearing debt and $222.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from $149.2 million at the end of the third quarter a year ago.

“Staying focused on the strategic plan we developed last year has again helped Finish Line deliver strong results,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Glenn Lyon. “We continue to exceed our internal performance targets, yet there is more growth to come within our existing business. We believe that we can achieve annual double digit operating margins in the future by continuing to drive the top line in our stores and by accelerating growth in e-commerce, which will become an increasingly more significant factor in our business moving forward.”

Year-to-Date Results

Net sales increased 5.8% to $844.4 million, compared to $797.9 million for the same period a year ago. Year-to-date comparable store net sales increased 7.3% versus a 4.7% decrease last year.

For the 39 weeks ended November 27, 2010, Finish Line reported income from continuing operations of $34.6 million, or $0.63 per diluted share. This compares to income from continuing operations of $20.0 million, or $0.36 per diluted share for the same period a year ago including the one-time $6.5 million tax benefit. Without the tax benefit, the year-to-date non-GAAP income from continuing operations was $13.5 million or $0.24 per diluted share. The $0.63 per diluted share represents a 163% increase over the prior year non-GAAP $0.24 per diluted share.

December Sales Update

Comparable store net sales, on a month-to-date basis for the period of November 28 through December 19, increased 4.5% on top of a 4.9% increase for the same period one year ago.