Foot Locker Q2 Profitability Improves on 2.3% Comp Gain

Foot Locker, Inc. earned $6 million, or 4 cents per share, in the second-quarter ended July 31, compared with break-even performance last year. Second quarter sales decreased 0.3%, to $1.1 billion. Second quarter comparable-store sales increased 2.5%.  Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the second quarter increased 1.3%.

“The increase in our second quarter net income was driven primarily by the strong 230 basis point improvement in our gross margin rate.  Our significantly improved inventory position facilitated our ability to drive higher margin sales by being more selective with our promotional activity while at the same time being more responsive to changes in consumer fashion trends,” stated Ken C. Hicks, chairman and chief executive officer of Foot Locker, Inc. “We are pleased to report our second consecutive quarter of sales and profit growth, versus the comparable periods of last year, as we continue to implement our new strategic plan.”

Year-to-Date Results

Net income for the company's first six months of the year increased 94% to $60 million, or 38 cents per share, compared with net income of $31 million, or 20 cents per share, for the corresponding period last year.  Year-to-date sales increased 2.7%, to $2,377 million, compared with sales of $2,315 million last year.  Year-to-date comparable-store sales increased 3.7%.  Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales year-to-date increased 2.2%.

Financial Position

The company's merchandise inventory at the end of the second quarter was $1,219 million, or 5.1% lower than at the end of the second quarter last year.

During the second quarter of 2010, the company repurchased 875,000 shares of its common stock for $12.0 million under the company's $250 million share repurchase program.  Year-to-date, the company has repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of its common stock for $19.7 million.

At July 31, 2010, the company's cash and short-term investments totaled $519 million while the debt on its balance sheet was $137 million.  The company's total cash position, net of debt, was $105 million higher than the same time last year.

Store Base Update

During the first six months of the year, the company opened 27 new stores, remodeled/relocated 94 stores and closed 51 stores.  At July 31, 2010, the company operated 3,476 stores in 21 countries in North America, Europe and Australia.  In addition, 20 franchised stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea.