EX-99.1 2 l23318aexv99w1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS;
THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME INCREASED 43%;
THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE UP 41% TO $1.11
New Albany, Ohio, November 14, 2006: Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) today reported unaudited results which reflected record third quarter net income of $102.0 million and net income per diluted share of $1.11 for the period ended October 28, 2006.
Third Quarter Developments
    Total Company net sales increased 22% to $863.4 million; comparable store sales increased 5% versus a 25% increase for the third quarter of fiscal 2005
 
    Abercrombie & Fitch net sales increased 12% to $382.1 million; Abercrombie & Fitch comparable store sales increased by 1%
 
    abercrombie net sales increased 13% to $109.1 million; abercrombie comparable store sales increased by 8%
 
    Hollister Co. net sales increased 39% to $364.0 million; Hollister Co. comparable store sales increased by 8%
 
    RUEHL net sales increased 97% to $8.1 million; RUEHL comparable store sales increased by 20%
 
    Net income for the third quarter increased 43% to $102.0 million from $71.6 million in fiscal 2005
 
    Net income per diluted share increased 41% to $1.11 in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 from $0.79 in fiscal 2005
Mike Jeffries, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., said:
“I am pleased with our accomplishments for the third quarter. We performed well from a financial standpoint while enhancing the long term positioning of our brands. Our track record is strong, and our opportunities going forward are exceptional. We will continue to leverage our expertise, invest in our growth potential and, as a result, we expect to continue to deliver strong returns to our shareholders.”

 


 

Third Quarter Financial Results
Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2006 increased 22% to $863.4 million from $704.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2005. Total Company comparable store sales increased 5% versus last year.
The gross profit rate for the quarter was 65.8%, down 20 basis points compared to last year. The decline in gross profit rate was primarily due to a higher markdown rate versus last year.
Stores and Distribution expense, as a percentage of sales, decreased 20 basis points to 35.7% from 35.9%. The decrease in rate versus last year resulted primarily from the Company’s ability to leverage store payroll expense, partially offset by increased store maintenance expenses associated with store investment projects.
Marketing, General and Administrative expense, as a percentage of sales, decreased 260 basis points to 11.3% from 13.9%. During the third quarter of 2005, the Company recorded a non-recurring charge of $13.5 million related to an executive severance agreement. The decrease in rate is primarily attributed to decreased home office and marketing expenses.
Operating income for the third quarter increased 41% to $162.8 million compared to $115.9 million last year.
Net income for the third quarter increased 43% to $102.0 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, from $71.6 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2005.
2006 Outlook
The Company reaffirmed its previously provided earnings guidance for the second-half of fiscal 2006 of net income per diluted share to be in the range of $3.25 to $3.30, including a charge of approximately $0.02 attributable to FAS 123(R). The low end of the second half of fiscal 2006 guidance reflects a flat comparable store sales scenario for the fourth quarter of 2006. Based upon this guidance, the Company expects its net income per diluted share for the year to be in the range of $4.59 to $4.64, including approximately $0.10 attributable to FAS 123(R).
The Company expects total capital expenditures for fiscal 2006 to be between $410 million and $420 million with approximately $260 million of this amount allocated to new store construction, store remodels, conversions and improvements to existing stores, with the remainder related to home office and distribution center investments.
For fiscal 2006, the Company expects to increase gross square-footage by approximately 11% primarily through the addition of approximately 70 new Hollister Co. stores, 19 new abercrombie stores, eight new Abercrombie & Fitch stores and seven new RUEHL stores.
Other Developments
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share on the Class A Common Stock of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. payable on December 19, 2006 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 28, 2006.
The Company plans to open its first European location in London in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

 


 

The Company operated 355 Abercrombie & Fitch stores, 171 abercrombie stores, 369 Hollister Co. stores, and 11 RUEHL stores in the United States at the end of the third quarter of 2006. The Company operates three Abercrombie & Fitch stores and three Hollister Co. stores in Canada. The Company operates e-commerce websites at www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com, and www.hollisterco.com.
Today at 4:30 PM, Eastern Time, the Company will conduct a conference call. Management will discuss the Company’s performance, its plans for the future and will accept questions from participants. To listen to the live conference call, dial (800) 811-0667 or internationally at (913) 981-4901. To listen via the internet, go to www.abercrombie.com, select the Investor Relations page and click on Calendar of Events. Replays of the call will be available shortly after its completion. The audio replay can be accessed for two weeks following the reporting date by calling (888) 203-1112 or internationally at (719) 457-0820 followed by the conference ID number 3554646 or for 12 months by visiting the Company’s website at www.abercrombie.com.
# # # #
         
 
       
For further information, call:
  Thomas D. Lennox    
 
  Vice President, Corporate Communications    
 
  (614) 283-6751    
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
A&F cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Press Release or made by management of A&F involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, in addition to those included in the disclosure under the heading “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS” in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2006, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause actual results for the 2006 fiscal year and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release or otherwise made by management: changes in consumer spending patterns and consumer preferences; the effects of political and economic events and conditions domestically and in foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or war; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in weather patterns; postal rate increases and changes; paper and printing costs; market price of key raw materials; ability to source product from its global supplier base; political stability; currency and exchange risks and changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas; availability of suitable store locations at appropriate terms; ability to develop new merchandise; ability to hire, train and retain associates; and the outcome of pending litigation. Future economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenue and profitability are difficult to predict. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. The forward-looking statements herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Weeks Ended October 28, 2006 and Thirteen Weeks Ended October 29, 2005
(in thousands except per share data)
                                 
    ACTUAL     ACTUAL  
    2006     % of Sales     2005     % of Sales  
Net Sales
  $ 863,448       100.0 %   $ 704,918       100.0 %
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    295,250       34.2 %     239,832       34.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Gross Profit
    568,198       65.8 %     465,086       66.0 %
 
                               
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    308,456       35.7 %     252,947       35.9 %
 
                               
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    97,167       11.3 %     97,644       13.9 %
 
                               
Other Operating Income, Net
    (266 )     0.0 %     (1,379 )     -0.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income
    162,841       18.9 %     115,874       16.4 %
 
                               
Interest Income, Net
    (3,252 )     -0.4 %     (1,516 )     -0.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    166,093       19.2 %     117,390       16.7 %
 
                               
Income Tax Expense
    64,062       7.4 %     45,790       6.5 %
 
                               
Effective Rate
    38.6 %             39.0 %        
 
                           
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 102,031       11.8 %   $ 71,600       10.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ 1.16             $ 0.81          
Diluted
  $ 1.11             $ 0.79          
 
                               
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    88,106               87,862          
Diluted
    92,146               90,458          

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2006 and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 29, 2005
(in thousands except per share data)
                                 
    ACTUAL     ACTUAL  
    2006     % of Sales     2005     % of Sales  
Net Sales
  $ 2,179,415       100.0 %   $ 1,823,319       100.0 %
 
                       
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    726,043       33.3 %     611,321       33.5 %
 
                               
Gross Profit
    1,453,372       66.7 %     1,211,998       66.5 %
 
                           
 
                               
Total Stores and Distribution Expense
    837,302       38.4 %     707,267       38.8 %
 
                               
Total Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    272,206       12.5 %     232,674       12.8 %
 
                               
Other Operating Income, Net
    (5,392 )     -0.2 %     (3,193 )     -0.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Operating Income
    349,256       16.0 %     275,250       15.1 %
 
                               
Interest Income, Net
    (9,183 )     -0.4 %     (4,296 )     -0.2 %
 
                       
 
                               
Income Before Income Taxes
    358,439       16.4 %     279,546       15.3 %
 
                               
Income Tax Expense
    134,445       6.2 %     110,186       6.0 %
 
                               
Effective Rate
    37.5 %             39.4 %        
 
                           
 
                               
Net Income
  $ 223,994       10.3 %   $ 169,360       9.3 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income Per Share:
                               
Basic
  $ 2.55             $ 1.95          
Diluted
  $ 2.44             $ 1.87          
 
                               
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
                               
Basic
    87,982               87,002          
Diluted
    91,675               90,422          

 


 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
                 
    (unaudited)        
    October 28, 2006     January 28, 2006  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and Equivalents
  $ 65,466     $ 50,687  
Marketable Securities
    308,906       411,167  
Receivables
    59,495       41,855  
Inventories
    431,002       362,536  
Deferred Income Taxes
    29,692       29,654  
Other Current Assets
    60,716       51,185  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Assets
    955,277       947,084  
 
               
Property and Equipment, Net
    1,058,740       813,603  
 
               
Other Assets
    51,808       29,031  
 
           
 
               
Total Assets
  $ 2,065,825     $ 1,789,718  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts Payable and Outstanding Checks
  $ 178,700     $ 145,313  
Accrued Expenses
    259,543       215,034  
Deferred Lease Credits
    35,160       31,727  
Income Taxes Payable
    50,939       99,480  
 
           
 
               
Total Current Liabilities
    524,342       491,554  
 
           
 
               
Long-Term Liabilities
               
Deferred Income Taxes
    28,641       38,496  
Deferred Lease Credits
    208,373       191,225  
Other Liabilities
    92,596       73,326  
 
           
 
               
Total Long-Term Liabilities
    329,610       303,047  
 
           
 
               
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    1,211,873       995,117  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 2,065,825     $ 1,789,718