CHESAPEAKE, Va. - February 27, 2008 - Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), the nation's leading operator of single price point dollar stores, reported earnings per share of $1.04, for the fiscal fourth quarter ended February 2, 2008. Last year, the Company reported earnings of $0.96 per share for the 14-week fiscal fourth quarter ended February 3, 2007. Last year's fourth quarter included 14 weeks, commensurate with the 53-week retail calendar. The extra week contributed approximately $0.07 earnings per share to the fourth quarter last year.
As previously reported, sales for the quarter were $1.30 billion, a 5.0% increase compared to the $1.24 billion in the comparable 13-weeks of the fourth quarter last year. Total sales for the 14-week fourth quarter last year were $1.32 billion.
"Our business fundamentals are sound," said President and CEO Bob Sasser. "The outstanding value that we offer continues to make Dollar Tree extremely relevant to the customer in the face of the current economic environment and we have continued to manage costs, increase margins and grow sales and earnings per share."
For the fourth quarter 2007, gross margin was 35.8%, a 10 basis-point improvement from 35.7% in the fourth quarter last year. The rate expansion reflects continued improvement in merchandise margin, driven primarily by an increased mix of higher margin general merchandise and improvements in sourcing, which more than offset the loss of leverage in occupancy cost resulting from last year's fourth quarter having 14 weeks of sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, were 23.9% in the fourth quarter of 2007. The rate was unchanged from the same quarter last year, reflecting Dollar Tree's continued focus on expense control, process efficiency and lower depreciation compared with last year.
Operating margin in this year's fourth quarter was 11.9%, a 10 basis-point improvement versus 11.8% for the fourth quarter 2006.
For the year, sales totaled $4.24 billion, a 6.9% increase over the 53-week fiscal 2006, on a comparable store sales increase of 2.7%. Operating margin was 7.8%, level with the 7.8% reported for the 53-week fiscal 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $2.09.
During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 3.4 million shares for $94.7 million and reduced its long-term debt by $85 million.
The Company recently enhanced its long-term debt structure, replacing the previous $450 million Revolving Credit Facility with a $300 million Revolving Credit Facility and a $250 million term loan. The new structure provides greater flexibility and a more favorable LIBOR spread than the previous structure.
The Company estimates sales for the first quarter of 2008 to be in the range of $1.010 - $1.035 billion. This includes the potential unfavorable impact of the early Easter this year. Based on this sales forecast, diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $0.37 to $0.40.
For the full year, the Company estimates sales will range from $4.49-$4.62 billion. The Company expects square footage growth of approximately 9% in 2008.
Fiscal year 2008 diluted earnings per share are forecast to be in the range of $2.17 to $2.35. These estimates are exclusive of any impact from share repurchase activity in 2008.
On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. EST. The telephone number for the call is 800-811-0667. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Wednesday, March 5, and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112, and the access code is 4253255. International callers may dial 719-457-0820 and the access code is 4253255. A webcast of the call will be accessible via Dollar Tree's website, www.DollarTree.com/medialist.cfm.
As of February 2, 2008, Dollar Tree operated 3,411 stores in 48 states. For the year, Dollar Tree opened 240 stores, closed 48 stores, and expanded or relocated 102 stores. The Company's retail selling square footage totaled approximately 28.4 million at February 2, 2008, an 8.0% increase compared to a year ago. The Company also operates a coast-to-coast logistics network of nine distribution centers.
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This 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, will, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, or estimate. For example, our forward looking statements include statements regarding total and comparable-store sales and earnings for future periods, as well as our plans for square footage growth and share repurchase. 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 April 4, 2007 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed December 13, 2007. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the future events, developments or results described by our forward looking statements in this document could turn out to be materially and adversely different from those we discuss or imply. 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.
CONTACT:
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Chesapeake
Timothy J. Reid
757-321-5284
www.DollarTree.com