EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED AUGUST 30, 2007 Press release dated August 30, 2007

EXHIBIT 99.1

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

Sears Holdings Public Relations

(847) 286-8371

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 30, 2007

SEARS HOLDINGS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Sears Holdings Corporation (“Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SHLD) today reported net income of $176 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended August 4, 2007, compared with net income of $294 million, or $1.88 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended July 29, 2006. The second quarter 2006 results included a $36 million pre-tax gain, $22 million after tax or $0.14 per diluted share, representing our portion of proceeds received during the second quarter last year related to the settlement of Visa/MasterCard antitrust litigation. Excluding this gain, earnings per diluted share were $1.74 for the second quarter of fiscal 2006. The decline in our second quarter results from the same quarter last year primarily reflects lower operating results at both Sears Domestic and Kmart, partially offset by improved operating results at Sears Canada. Earnings per diluted share for the current year second quarter benefited from lower average diluted shares outstanding during the current year quarter as compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2006.

“We are disappointed with our second quarter results. Our gross margins came under pressure from sales declines and increased promotional activity, and as a result, our net income was significantly below last year and our expectations,” said Aylwin Lewis, Sears Holdings’ chief executive officer and president. “In response, we are enhancing our marketing message to more clearly articulate the advantages of our products and service offerings, including our recently announced Ultimate Appliance Promise.”1

Second Quarter Revenues and Comparable Store Sales

As previously announced August 13, 2007, Sears Domestic’s comparable store sales declined 4.3% for the quarter, while Kmart’s comparable store sales declined 3.8%. Total domestic comparable store sales declined 4.1%. We experienced lower sales across most merchandise categories at both Kmart and Sears Domestic, partially offset by increased sales of women’s apparel at both Kmart and Sears Domestic, as well as within consumer electronics and footwear at Sears Domestic. For the quarter, our total revenues declined $0.6 billion to $12.2 billion in fiscal 2007, as compared to $12.8 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2006.

Operating Income

For the quarter, our operating income decreased $178 million to $339 million in fiscal 2007, as compared to $517 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. The decline in operating income was mainly attributable to lower gross margin dollars generated at both Kmart and Sears Domestic as a result of the above-noted sales declines, as well as a decline in the gross margin rate realized at Sears Domestic. Sears Domestic’s gross margin rate declined across most full-line store merchandise categories primarily due to increased markdown activity, most notably within spring and summer seasonal apparel categories. These


1 Sears Ultimate Appliance Promise is a powerful way to show our customers that we are committed to being the only place they will ever need to shop for appliances. It means we promise to offer: the largest selection of appliances; the best price — guaranteed; worry-free 1-year service — guaranteed; and next day delivery & installation plus haul-away — guaranteed. See details at www.sears.com.


negative factors were only partially offset by lower overall consolidated expenses and improved operating results at Sears Canada.

Financial Position

We had cash and cash equivalents of $2.6 billion at August 4, 2007 (of which $2.0 billion was domestic and $0.6 billion was at Sears Canada) as compared to $3.7 billion at July 29, 2006 and $4.0 billion at February 3, 2007. The decline in domestic cash and cash equivalents from February 3, 2007 primarily reflects share repurchases made pursuant to our share repurchase program as further discussed below. Additionally, we spent $274 million on capital expenditures and made debt repayments of $304 million, net of new borrowings, during the first half of fiscal 2007.

Merchandise inventories at August 4, 2007 were $10.2 billion, as compared to $9.5 billion as of July 29, 2006. The increase primarily reflects the acquisition of previously consigned pharmacy inventory at Kmart (approximately $170 million), planned increases resulting from efforts aimed at improving in-stock levels (approximately $155 million), including an increase in this respect of approximately $65 million in Lands’ End inventory, the impact of lower than forecast sales levels (approximately $135 million), and earlier receipt of product (approximately $120 million). Merchandise payables were $3.4 billion at August 4, 2007, as compared to $3.3 billion as of July 29, 2006.

Share Repurchase

We repurchased 9.6 million of our common shares at a total cost of $1.5 billion under our share repurchase program during the second quarter of fiscal 2007. As previously announced on August 13, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to an additional $1.5 billion of our common shares. The share repurchases may be implemented using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions, the purchase of call options, the sale of put options or otherwise, or by any combination of such methods. Timing will be dependent on prevailing market conditions, alternative uses of capital and other factors. As of August 24, 2007, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $1.4 billion of common shares under the share repurchase program.

Adjusted EBITDA

For purposes of evaluating operating performance, we use an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) measurement computed as operating income appearing on the statement of income less depreciation and amortization and gains/(losses) on sales of assets. In addition, it is adjusted to exclude certain nonrecurring gains /(losses) and restructuring charges. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate the operating performance of our businesses for comparable periods. Adjusted EBITDA should not be used by investors or other third parties as the sole basis for formulating investment decisions as it excludes a number of important cash and non-cash recurring items. Management compensates for this limitation by using GAAP financial measures as well in managing our businesses.

While Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measurement, management believes that it is an important indicator of operating performance because:

 

 

EBITDA excludes the effects of financing and investing activities by eliminating the effects of interest and depreciation costs;

 

Management considers gains/(losses) on the sale of assets to result from investing decisions rather than ongoing operations; and

 

Restructuring activities and other significant items, while periodically affecting our results, may vary significantly from period to period and have a disproportionate effect in a given period, which affects the comparability of results;

 

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Adjusted EBITDA was determined as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
     August 4,
2007
   

July 29,

2006

    August 4,
2007
   

July 29,

2006

 

Operating income per statement of income

   $ 339     $ 517     $ 732     $ 848  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     261       276       524       565  

Less gain on sale of assets

     (5 )     (7 )     (10 )     (24 )
                                

Before excluded items

     595       786       1,246       1,389  

Legal settlement gain

     —         —         (30 )     —    

Sears Canada post-retirement benefit plans curtailment gain

     —         —         (27 )     —    

Hurricane related recoveries

     (3 )     —         (18 )     —    

Vice Chairman separation expense

     —         8       —         8  

Visa/MasterCard settlement

     —         (36 )     —         (36 )

Restructuring charges

     —         14       —         23  
                                

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 592     $ 772     $ 1,171     $ 1,384  
                                

% to revenues

     4.8 %     6.0 %     4.9 %     5.6 %

Adjusted EBITDA for our domestic (United States operations) and Sears Canada operations are as follows:

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
     Adjusted EBITDA    % To Revenues     Adjusted EBITDA    % To Revenues  
     August 4,
2007
   July 29,
2006
   August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
    August 4,
2007
   July 29,
2006
   August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
 

Domestic operations

   $ 489    $ 679    4.5 %   5.9 %   $ 1,017    $ 1,253    4.7 %   5.6 %

Sears Canada

     103      93    7.9 %   7.4 %     154      131    6.6 %   5.7 %
                                                    

Total Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 592    $ 772    4.8 %   6.0 %   $ 1,171    $ 1,384    4.9 %   5.6 %
                                                    

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

We plan to file our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter 2007 with the SEC on August 30, 2007.

Forward-Looking Statements

Results are unaudited. This press release contains forward-looking statements about our expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include the possibility that we fail to offer products and services that satisfy the desires of our customers, whose preferences may change in the future, or other factors outside the control of Holdings. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking

 

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statements. We intend the forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time made and does not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation’s fourth largest broadline retailer, with over $50 billion in annual revenues, and approximately 3,800 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands’ End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. We also have Martha Stewart Everyday products, which are offered exclusively in the U.S. by Kmart and in Canada by Sears Canada. We are the nation’s largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit Sears Holdings’ website at www.searsholdings.com.

 

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Sears Holdings Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended     26 Weeks Ended  
millions, except per share data    August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
    August 4,
2007
    July 29,
2006
 
REVENUES         

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 12,239     $ 12,785     $ 23,941     $ 24,783  
COSTS AND EXPENSES         

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     8,845       9,158       17,262       17,823  

Gross margin dollars

     3,394       3,627       6,679       6,960  

Gross margin rate

     27.7 %     28.4 %     27.9 %     28.1 %

Selling and administrative

     2,799       2,827       5,433       5,548  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     22.9 %     22.1 %     22.7 %     22.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     261       276       524       565  

Gain on sales of assets

     (5 )     (7 )     (10 )     (24 )

Restructuring charges

     —         14       —         23  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     11,900       12,268       23,209       23,935  
                                

Operating income

     339       517       732       848  

Interest and investment income

     (42 )     (61 )     (82 )     (101 )

Interest expense

     71       83       144       166  

Other income

     (10 )     (7 )     (16 )     (15 )
                                

Income before income taxes and minority interest

     320       502       686       798  

Income taxes

     129       201       272       319  

Minority interest

     15       7       22       5  
                                
NET INCOME    $ 176     $ 294     $ 392     $ 474  
                                
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE         

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.17     $ 1.88     $ 2.57     $ 3.01  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     150.9       156.5       152.4       157.3  

 

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Sears Holdings Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     (Unaudited)     
millions    August 4,
2007
   July 29,
2006
   February 3,
2007

ASSETS

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,631    $ 3,690    $ 3,968

Receivables

     748      803      847

Merchandise inventories

     10,150      9,455      9,907

Other current assets

     669      917      684
                    

Total current assets

     14,198      14,865      15,406

Property and equipment, net

     8,846      9,395      9,132

Goodwill

     1,714      1,885      1,692

Tradenames and other intangible assets

     3,391      3,454      3,437

Other assets

     421      462      399
                    

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 28,570    $ 30,061    $ 30,066
                    

LIABILITIES

        

Current liabilities

        

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

   $ 631    $ 295    $ 707

Merchandise payables

     3,439      3,274      3,312

Unearned revenues

     1,117      1,082      1,073

Other current liabilities

     4,395      5,244      4,960
                    

Total current liabilities

     9,582      9,895      10,052

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     2,645      3,475      2,849

Pension and postretirement benefits

     1,465      2,361      1,648

Minority interest and other liabilities

     3,262      2,719      2,803
                    

Total Liabilities

     16,954      18,450      17,352
                    

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     11,616      11,611      12,714
                    

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 28,570    $ 30,061    $ 30,066
                    

Total common shares outstanding

     144.4      155.9      153.8

 

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Sears Holdings Corporation

Segment Results

(Unaudited)

 

     13 Weeks Ended August 4, 2007  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 4,228     $ 6,706     $ 1,305     $ 12,239  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     3,203       4,736       906       8,845  

Gross margin dollars

     1,025       1,970       399       3,394  

Gross margin rate

     24.2 %     29.4 %     30.6 %     27.7 %

Selling and administrative

     870       1,633       296       2,799  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     20.6 %     24.4 %     22.7 %     22.9 %

Depreciation and amortization

     27       202       32       261  

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

     —         (2 )     (3 )     (5 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         —    
                                

Total costs and expenses

     4,100       6,569       1,231       11,900  
                                

Operating income

   $ 128     $ 137     $ 74     $ 339  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,388       —         —         1,388  

Full-Line Stores

     —         934       123       1,057  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,111       253       1,364  
                                

Total Stores

     1,388       2,045       376       3,809  
                                
                                  
     13 Weeks Ended July 29, 2006  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 4,472     $ 7,051     $ 1,262     $ 12,785  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     3,389       4,884       885       9,158  

Gross margin dollars

     1,083       2,167       377       3,627  

Gross margin rate

     24.2 %     30.7 %     29.9 %     28.4 %

Selling and administrative

     874       1,669       284       2,827  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     19.5 %     23.7 %     22.5 %     22.1 %

Depreciation and amortization

     18       224       34       276  

Gain on sales of assets

     —         (7 )     —         (7 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         14       14  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     4,281       6,770       1,217       12,268  
                                

Operating income

   $ 191     $ 281     $ 45     $ 517  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,398       —         —         1,398  

Full-Line Stores

     —         934       123       1,057  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,091       254       1,345  
                                

Total Stores

     1,398       2,025       377       3,800  
                                

 

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Sears Holdings Corporation

Segment Results

(Unaudited)

 

     26 Weeks Ended August 4, 2007  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 8,243     $ 13,366     $ 2,332     $ 23,941  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     6,258       9,365       1,639       17,262  

Gross margin dollars

     1,985       4,001       693       6,679  

Gross margin rate

     24.1 %     29.9 %     29.7 %     27.9 %

Selling and administrative

     1,710       3,211       512       5,433  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     20.7 %     24.0 %     22.0 %     22.7 %

Depreciation and amortization

     53       408       63       524  

(Gain) loss on sales of assets

     (1 )     (1 )     (8 )     (10 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         —    
                                

Total costs and expenses

     8,020       12,983       2,206       23,209  
                                

Operating income

   $ 223     $ 383     $ 126     $ 732  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,388       —         —         1,388  

Full-Line Stores

     —         934       123       1,057  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,111       253       1,364  
                                

Total Stores

     1,388       2,045       376       3,809  
                                
                                  
     26 Weeks Ended July 29, 2006  
millions          Sears        
     Kmart     Domestic     Canada     Sears Holdings  

Merchandise sales and services

   $ 8,726     $ 13,748     $ 2,309     $ 24,783  

Cost of sales, buying and occupancy

     6,630       9,545       1,648       17,823  

Gross margin dollars

     2,096       4,203       661       6,960  

Gross margin rate

     24.0 %     30.6 %     28.6 %     28.1 %

Selling and administrative

     1,729       3,289       530       5,548  

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of total revenues

     19.8 %     23.9 %     23.0 %     22.4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     33       464       68       565  

Gain on sales of assets

     (17 )     (7 )     —         (24 )

Restructuring charges

     4       —         19       23  
                                

Total costs and expenses

     8,379       13,291       2,265       23,935  
                                

Operating income

   $ 347     $ 457     $ 44     $ 848  
                                

Number of:

        

Kmart Stores

     1,398       —         —         1,398  

Full-Line Stores

     —         934       123       1,057  

Specialty Stores

     —         1,091       254       1,345  
                                

Total Stores

     1,398       2,025       377       3,800  
                                

 

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Sears Holdings Corporation

Adjusted EBITDA

 

     13 Weeks Ended  
millions    August 4, 2007     July 29, 2006  
     Domestic
Operations
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
    Domestic
Operations
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Operating income per statement of income

   $ 265     $ 74     $ 339     $ 472     $ 45     $ 517  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     229       32       261       242       34       276  

Less gain on sale of assets

     (2 )     (3 )     (5 )     (7 )     —         (7 )
                                                

Before excluded items

     492       103       595       707       79       786  

Hurricane related recoveries

     (3 )     —         (3 )     —         —         —    

Vice Chairman separation expense

     —         —         —         8       —         8  

Visa/MasterCard settlement

     —         —         —         (36 )     —         (36 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         —         14       14  
                                                

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 489     $ 103     $ 592     $ 679     $ 93     $ 772  
                                                

% to revenues

     4.5 %     7.9 %     4.8 %     5.9 %     7.4 %     6.0 %

 

     26 Weeks Ended  
millions    August 4, 2007     July 29, 2006  
     Domestic
Operations
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
    Domestic
Operations
    Sears
Canada
    Sears
Holdings
 

Operating income per statement of income

   $ 606     $ 126     $ 732     $ 804     $ 44     $ 848  

Plus depreciation and amortization

     461       63       524       497       68       565  

Less gain on sale of assets

     (2 )     (8 )     (10 )     (24 )     —         (24 )
                                                

Before excluded items

     1,065       181       1,246       1,277       112       1,389  

Legal settlement gain

     (30 )     —         (30 )     —         —         —    

Sears Canada post-retirement benefit plans curtailment gain

     —         (27 )     (27 )     —         —         —    

Hurricane related recoveries

     (18 )     —         (18 )     —         —         —    

Vice Chairman separation expense

     —         —         —         8       —         8  

Visa/MasterCard settlement

     —         —         —         (36 )     —         (36 )

Restructuring charges

     —         —         —         4       19       23  
                                                

Adjusted EBITDA as defined

   $ 1,017     $ 154     $ 1,171     $ 1,253     $ 131     $ 1,384  
                                                

% to revenues

     4.7 %     6.6 %     4.9 %     5.6 %     5.7 %     5.6 %

 

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