Dollar Tree, Inc. Reports Record First Quarter Results

  • Earnings per diluted share increased 18.0%, to $0.59
  • Consolidated net sales increased 8.3%, to $1.87 billion
  • Comparable store sales increased 2.1%
  • Operating margin increased 70 bps to 11.6%

CHESAPEAKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), North America’s leading operator of discount variety stores selling everything for $1 or less, reported its results for the quarter ended May 4, 2013 (“first quarter”). Consolidated net sales for the first quarter were a record $1.87 billion, an 8.3% increase compared to $1.72 billion reported for the quarter ended April 28, 2012 (“first quarter 2012”). Comparable store sales increased 2.1%, on top of a 5.6% increase for the first quarter 2012.

Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter were $0.59, an 18.0% increase compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.50 reported for the first quarter 2012.

"I am pleased with the Company's first quarter performance," said President and CEO Bob Sasser. “Sales continued to grow, our earnings per share increased by 18% and we achieved the highest first-quarter operating margin in the Company’s history. Our stores are executing at a high level and we are well positioned with great assortments and the best values ever for Memorial Day, Graduation and an exciting summer selling season.”

Operating margin for the quarter was 11.6%, a 70 basis point improvement from the 10.9% operating margin in the first quarter 2012. Gross margin increased 20 basis points, to 35.2% compared with 35.0% in the first quarter 2012. Selling, general and administrative expenses improved 50 basis points to 23.6% compared with 24.1% in the first quarter last year.

Cash and cash equivalents at quarter-end totaled $383.3 million, compared with $382.3 million at the end of the first quarter 2012. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 1.5 million shares for $68.4 million, and ended the quarter with $791.3 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization.

The Company continues to expand. During the first quarter, Dollar Tree opened 94 stores, closed 2 stores, and expanded or relocated 16 stores. Retail selling square footage increased 7.0% compared to a year ago, to 41.2 million square feet.

Guidance

The Company estimates sales for the second quarter of 2013 to be in the range of $1.81 billion to $1.86 billion, based on low-single digit positive comparable store sales. Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $0.52 to $0.57.

Full year sales are now estimated to be in the range of $7.81 billion to $7.97 billion. This estimate is based on a range of low-single digit positive comparable store sales. Fiscal year 2013 diluted earnings per share are expected to be $2.61 to $2.77. These estimates assume no impact from potential additional share repurchase activity in 2013.

On Thursday, May 23, 2013, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The telephone number for the call is 877-879-6243. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Thursday, May 30, and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112, and the access code is 9362526. A webcast of the call is accessible through Dollar Tree's website, www.dollartreeinfo.com/investors/news/events and will remain online until midnight Thursday, May 30.

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 500 Company, operated 4,763 stores in 48 states and 5 Canadian Provinces as of May 4, 2013, with total retail selling square footage of 41.2 million. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, or estimate. For example, our forward-looking statements include statements regarding second quarter and full year sales, second quarter and full year diluted earnings per share, and second quarter and full year comparable store sales. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the “Risk Factors,” "Business," and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections in our Annual Report on Form 10 - K filed March 15, 2013. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.

   
DOLLAR TREE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
13 Weeks Ended
May 4, April 28,
2013 2012
 
Net sales $ 1,865.8 $ 1,723.6
 
Cost of sales 1,209.8 1,120.9
 
Gross profit 656.0 602.7
35.2 % 35.0 %
 
Selling, general & administrative expenses 439.4 414.7
23.6 % 24.1 %
 
Operating income 216.6 188.0
11.6 % 10.9 %
 
Interest expense, net 0.6 0.5
Other (income) expense, net 0.4 (1.1 )
 
Income before income taxes 215.6 188.6
11.6 % 10.9 %
 
Income tax expense 82.1 72.5
Income tax rate 38.1 % 38.4 %
 
Net income $ 133.5 $ 116.1
7.2 % 6.7 %
 
Net earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.60 $ 0.50
Weighted average number of shares 224.2 231.5
 
Diluted $ 0.59 $ 0.50
Weighted average number of shares 225.2 232.8
 
     
DOLLAR TREE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in millions)
(Unaudited)
 
May 4, February 2, April 28,
2013 2013 2012
 
Cash and cash equivalents $ 383.3 $ 399.9 $ 382.3
Merchandise inventories, net 1,009.5 971.7 875.0
Current deferred tax assets, net 14.5 22.5 17.9
Other current assets   82.5   79.4   29.2
Total current assets 1,489.8 1,473.5 1,304.4
 
Property and equipment, net 1,018.2 960.7 848.8
Goodwill 172.9 173.3 174.0
Deferred tax assets, net 29.4 28.3 19.2
Other assets, net   101.5   116.2   104.7
 
Total assets $ 2,811.8 $ 2,752.0 $ 2,451.1
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt $ 14.3 $ 14.3 $ 265.5
Accounts payable 392.6 346.5 319.1
Other current liabilities 184.1 235.8 187.0
Income taxes payable   72.0   79.6   44.4
Total current liabilities 663.0 676.2 816.0
 
Long-term debt, excluding current portion 257.0 257.0 -
Income taxes payable, long-term 5.2 5.6 15.7
Other liabilities   146.9   145.9   138.8
 
Total liabilities   1,072.1   1,084.7   970.5
 
Shareholders' equity   1,739.7   1,667.3   1,480.6
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,811.8 $ 2,752.0 $ 2,451.1
 
STORE DATA:
Number of stores open at end of period 4,763 4,671 4,451
Total selling square footage (in millions) 41.2 40.5 38.6
 

The February 2, 2013 information was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.

   
DOLLAR TREE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
13 Weeks Ended
May 4, April 28,
2013 2012
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 133.5   $ 116.1  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 45.1 41.8
Other non-cash adjustments to net income 23.7 20.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (73.0 )   (44.3 )
Total adjustments   (4.2 )   18.4  
Net cash provided by operating activities   129.3     134.5  
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures (103.2 ) (65.4 )
Proceeds from maturities of restricted investments   15.0     -  
Net cash used in investing activities   (88.2 )   (65.4 )
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments for share repurchases (68.4 ) (4.5 )

Proceeds from stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans

2.0 5.9
Tax benefit of exercises/vesting of stock-based compensation 9.0 23.8
Other   -     (0.2 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (57.4 )   25.0  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (0.3 )   (0.1 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (16.6 ) 94.0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   399.9     288.3  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 383.3   $ 382.3  
 

Dollar Tree, Inc., Chesapeake
Timothy J. Reid, 757-321-5284
www.DollarTree.com

Source: Dollar Tree, Inc.