Galyan's Trading Company reported net earnings per share for the fiscal 2003 fourth quarter ended January 31, 2004 decreased 41.8 percent to $0.57 per share on a fully diluted basis, on net earnings of $10.0 million, compared to $0.98 per share on a fully diluted basis, on net earnings of $16.7 million, as reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2003 net earnings per diluted share include $0.04 of additional year-end markdowns above the previously announced level, to improve inventory freshness.
Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 rose 17.7 percent to $249.8 million, from the $212.2 million reported in the fourth quarter last year. Comparable store sales decreased 4.5 percent, slightly better than the Company's most recent guidance. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily due to weaker results in the outdoor equipment, casual apparel, and accessories categories.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 30.3 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 versus 33.6 percent in the fourth quarter last year. Gross profit included a charge of $3.1 million or $0.11 per diluted share relating to markdowns to improve inventory freshness in the outdoor and athletic equipment categories. The remaining decline in gross margin was primarily due to higher promotional markdowns in other categories and de- leveraging of buying and occupancy costs, which was partially offset by the adoption of Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus No. 02-16 (EITF 02-16).
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 increased to 22.8 percent from 20.2 percent in the fourth quarter last year. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily from higher depreciation and marketing costs, which was partially attributable to EITF 02-16, and insurance proceeds received last year related to tornado damage at our Greenwood, IN store. Operating income as a percentage of sales decreased to 7.5 percent from 13.4 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.
Edwin J. Holman, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “While fiscal 2003 was a difficult year, we addressed several areas which we believe will allow Galyan's to return to positive comparable store sales. In addition, we have taken the appropriate markdowns to improve inventory aging. While this action negatively impacted the fourth quarter and fiscal year results, it has positioned us with fresh inventory receipts.”
Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis were $0.21 per share, on net earnings of $3.6 million for the fiscal year 2003, compared to $1.09 per share on a fully diluted basis, on net earnings of $18.7 million for fiscal year 2002. As stated above, the charge for additional year-end markdowns to improve inventory was $0.11 per diluted share. Fiscal year 2003 earnings also included an after tax charge of $715,000 or $0.04 per diluted share related to a valuation allowance against a capital loss carry forward that the Company does not anticipate utilizing before it expires.
For the fiscal year 2003 ended January 31, 2004, net sales rose 15.6 percent to $690.7 million, from $597.7 million last year. Comparable store sales decreased 5.8 percent, slightly better than the Company's most recent guidance. The decrease in comparable store sales was primarily due to weaker results in the casual and outdoor apparel, outdoor equipment and accessories categories.
Gross margin for the fiscal year 2003 was 27.6 percent, down from 30.4 percent in fiscal year 2002. The decline in gross margin for fiscal year 2003 was due to the same reasons as previously stated for the fourth quarter. Gross profit included a charge of $3.1 million relating to markdowns to improve inventory freshness in the outdoor and athletic equipment categories. The remaining decline in gross margin was primarily due to promotional markdowns and de-leveraging of buying and occupancy costs, partially offset by the adoption of EITF 02-16.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for fiscal year 2003 increased to 26.1 percent from 24.8 percent in fiscal year 2002. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses resulted primarily from higher depreciation and marketing costs, which was partially attributable to EITF 02-16, and to a lesser extent increases in insurance costs. Operating income as a percentage of sales for fiscal year 2003 decreased to 1.4 percent from 5.5 percent in fiscal year 2002.
Mr. Holman added, “Despite the challenges of 2003, the Company has focused on managing its inventories and positioning the company for the future. For 2004, we have numerous initiatives in place that, we believe, will strengthen us competitively. We are working on initiatives to strengthen our merchandise assortments, improve our inventory turnover, and improve our marketing message. We will make several changes to enhance our customer's overall shopping experience in our stores. We believe all of this will lead to improved store profitability.”
Mr. Holman concluded, “Galyan's opened nine new stores in fiscal 2003 and remains on track to open during 2004 the nine stores which were committed to in early 2003, one being a replacement in our home market of Indianapolis. While new store openings are the cornerstone of Galyan's growth strategy, we will begin to slow the future store commitments now, which will impact fiscal 2005 and allow us to focus on maximizing the performance of our existing stores. We are becoming more selective and will concentrate new store growth in existing markets to leverage our marketing dollars and provide additional locations for the shopping convenience of our customers.”
The Company anticipates capital expenditures for fiscal year 2004 of approximately $40 million, as compared to $77 million in fiscal year 2003. All of the 2004 stores have landlord financing as compared to six of the nine stores which had landlord financing in 2003.
Galyan's anticipates adequate liquidity under its credit facility for fiscal year 2004 to fund its growth, including capital and inventory for new stores. Cash flow from operations for fiscal year 2004 is estimated to be sufficient for the Company to meet all working capital and fixed capital needs without increasing the debt level at the end of fiscal 2004 versus fiscal 2003.
Galyan's Trading Company, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three Month and Twelve Month Periods
ended January 31, 2004, and February 1, 2003
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
For the three month For the twelve month
period ended period ended
------------------------- -----------------------
January 31, February 1, January 31, February 1,
2004 2003 2004 2003
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net sales $249,759 $212,171 $690,701 $597,745
Cost of sales 174,067 140,919 500,334 416,230
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Gross profit 75,692 71,252 190,367 181,515
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 56,881 42,817 180,476 148,357
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income 18,811 28,435 9,891 33,158
Interest expense 1,051 541 2,856 2,053
Interest income (105) (77) (162) (257)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income
tax expense 17,865 27,971 7,197 31,362
Income tax expense 7,873 11,252 3,594 12,642
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income $9,992 $16,719 $3,603 $18,720
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Basic earnings per share $0.58 $0.98 $0.21 $1.10
========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted earnings per share $0.57 $0.98 $0.21 $1.09
