At April 29, 2006, the Company operated 3,877 stores as compared with 3,921 at January 28, 2006. During the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, the Company opened 17 stores, closed 61 stores and remodeled or relocated 84 stores.
All references to comparable-store sales for a given period relate to sales of stores that are open at the period-end and that have been open for more than one year. Accordingly, stores opened and closed during the period are not included. Sales from the Direct-to-Customers segment are included in the calculation of comparable-store sales for all periods presented.
Sales of $1,365 million for the first quarter of 2006 decreased 0.9 percent from sales of $1,377 million for the first quarter of 2005. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the thirteen-week period increased 0.2 percent due to gains from the Company’s domestic divisions. Comparable-store sales increased by 0.5 percent for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006.
Gross margin, as a percentage of sales, increased to 30.7 percent for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 as compared with 30.4 percent in the corresponding prior-year period. The increase in the merchandise gross margin rate was offset, in part, by an increase in occupancy costs and higher utility costs. Vendor allowances, as compared with the corresponding prior year period, improved gross margin for the first quarter by approximately 30 basis points, as a percentage of sales.
Athletic Stores sales decreased by 1.2 percent to $1,273 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, as compared with the corresponding prior year period of $1,289 million. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, primarily related to the euro, sales from athletic store formats remained flat for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, as compared with the corresponding prior year period. This reflects an increase of approximately $15 million in domestic sales, particularly from the Footaction division, offset by a decline in sales from the European operations due to the ongoing competitive environment. Comparable-store sales increased by 0.3 percent for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006.
Athletic Stores division profit increased 1.0 percent for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, as compared with the corresponding prior period. Athletic Stores division profit, as a percentage of sales, increased to 7.8 percent for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, from 7.6 percent in the corresponding prior year period. The increase in division profit is attributable to increases in all the domestic formats, offset, in part, by a decline in Foot Locker Europe’s division profit. Foot Locker Europe’s division profit for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 declined significantly as compared with the corresponding prior year period. This decline in division profit was principally the result of a fashion shift from higher priced marquee footwear to lower priced low profile footwear and a highly competitive retail environment, particularly for the sale of low profile footwear. The effect of these factors on Foot Locker Europe’s division profit was, to some extent, offset by Foot Locker Europe being significantly less promotional during the first quarter of 2006 as compared with the corresponding prior year period, resulting in fewer markdowns recorded in almost all the countries. Management has continued to implement management and merchandise initiatives to better align its product offerings with current trends, including additional quantities of the low profile footwear planned for the fall season. Management believes that this trend toward lower priced low profile footwear and the competitive environment will continue for the remainder of this year. Management will continue to monitor the progress of the European operations and will assess, if necessary, the impact of various initiatives on the projected performance of the division, which may include an analysis of recoverability of store long-lived assets pursuant to SFAS No. 144.
Direct-to-Customers sales increased by 4.5 percent to $92 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, as compared with the corresponding prior-year period of $88 million. Internet sales increased by 16.5 percent to $65 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, as compared with the corresponding prior year period. Increases in Internet sales were offset, in part, by a decline in catalog sales, reflecting the continuing trend of the Company’s customers to browse and select products through its catalogs, then make their purchases via the Internet.
Direct-to-Customers division profit remained essentially unchanged for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 as compared with the corresponding prior year period.
Corporate Expense
Corporate expense consists of unallocated general and administrative expenses related to the Company’s corporate headquarters, centrally managed departments, unallocated insurance and benefit programs, certain foreign exchange transaction gains and losses and other items. Corporate expense for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 increased by $3 million. The adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006 resulted in approximately $1 million in additional compensation expense.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) of $283 million remained flat in the first quarter of 2006 as compared with the corresponding prior-year period. SG&A, as a percentage of sales, increased to 20.7 percent for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 as compared with 20.6 percent in the corresponding prior-year period reflecting the decline in sales, particularly in our European operations. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, SG&A increased by $5 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, as compared with the corresponding prior year period. Corporate expense increased $3 million as compared with the corresponding prior period, which includes the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). Net periodic pension cost declined by $3 million primarily as a result of contributions made to the U.S. and Canadian pension plans. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company donated a total of 82,500 pairs of athletic footwear with a cost of approximately $2 million to the Save the Children Foundation.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased by $2 million in the first quarter of 2006 to $43 million as compared with $41 million for the first quarter of 2005. The increase represents additional depreciation associated with the Company’s capital expenditures, leasehold improvements for new stores, remodeling or relocations of existing stores, and point-of-sale equipment.
Interest Expense
Net interest expense was $1 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006. Interest expense was $5 million and $6 million for the thirteen-week periods ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively. The Company’s cross currency swaps reduced interest expense by approximately $1 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006. Interest income increased to $4 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, from $3 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005. The increase in interest income is primarily the result of higher average interest rates on cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments coupled with an increase in the average short-term investment balances.
Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 was 36.8 percent as compared with 36.7 percent for the corresponding prior year periods. The Company expects its effective rate to approximate 37.5 percent for the remaining quarters of 2006. The actual rate will largely depend on the percentage of the Company’s worldwide income earned in the U.S.
Net Income
Net income of $59 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 improved by $0.01 per diluted share from $58 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) and recorded a cumulative effect of change in accounting of approximately $1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, to reflect estimated forfeitures for prior periods related to the Company’s nonvested restricted stock awards. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Company recognized compensation cost of restricted stock awards over the vesting term based upon the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. Forfeitures were recorded as they occurred, however, under SFAS No. 123(R) an estimate of forfeitures is required to be included over the vesting term.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Generally, the Company’s primary sources of cash have been from operations. The Company has a $200 million revolving credit facility. Other than $15 million to support standby letter of credit commitments, this revolving credit facility has not been used during 2006. The Company generally finances real estate with operating leases. The principal uses of cash have been to finance inventory requirements, capital expenditures related to store openings, store remodelings, and management information systems, and to fund other general working capital requirements.
Management believes operating cash flows and current credit facilities will be adequate to fund its working capital requirements, scheduled pension contributions for the Company’s retirement plans, anticipated quarterly dividend payments, scheduled debt repayments, potential share repurchases, and to support the development of its short-term and long-term operating strategies.
Any materially adverse change in customer demand, fashion trends, competitive market forces, or customer acceptance of the Company’s merchandise mix and retail locations, uncertainties related to the effect of competitive products and pricing, the Company’s reliance on a few key vendors for a significant portion of its merchandise purchases and risks associated with foreign global sourcing or economic conditions worldwide, as well as other factors listed under the heading “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” could affect the ability of the Company to continue to fund its needs from business operations.
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $113 million and $19 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively. These amounts reflect the income from continuing operations adjusted for non-cash items and working capital changes. Accounts payable and other accruals decreased by $1 million in the first quarter of 2006 as compared to an increase of $96 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. The Company contributed $68 million to its U.S. and Canadian qualified pension plans in the first quarter of 2006, as compared with contributions of $19 million and in the first quarter of 2005. The U.S. contributions were made in advance of ERISA requirements in both years.
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Net cash provided by investing activities was $33 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006. Net cash used in investing activities was $35 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005. The Company’s sales of short-term investments, net of purchases, increased by $60 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 as compared with an increase in net sales of short-term investments, net of purchases, of $8 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005. Total projected capital expenditures of $185 million for 2006 comprise $155 million for new store openings and modernizations of existing stores and $30 million for the development of information systems and other support facilities. In addition, planned lease acquisition costs are $5 million and primarily relate to securing leases for the Company’s European operations. During the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, the Company’s capital expenditures were $34 million as compared with $38 million in the corresponding prior year period. The Company has the ability to revise and reschedule its anticipated capital expenditure program in the event that any changes to the Company’s financial position require it.
Net cash used in financing activities for the Company’s continuing operations was $67 million and $24 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006, and April 30, 2005, respectively. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company made payments of $50 million related to its term loan that were originally due in May of 2007 and 2008. As required by SFAS No. 123(R), the Company recorded an excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation of $2 million as a financing activity. The Company declared and paid a $0.09 per share dividend during the first quarter of 2006 totaling $14 million, as compared with a $0.075 per share dividend during the first quarter of 2005, which totaled $12 million. The Company received proceeds from the issuance of common stock in connection with employee stock programs of $3 million and $6 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively. In the first quarter of 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $150 million, 3-year share repurchase program. Under the share repurchase program, subject to legal and contractual restrictions, the Company may make purchases of its common stock, from time to time, depending on market conditions, availability of other investment opportunities and other factors. As part of the authorized purchase program, the Company purchased 334,200 shares of its common stock during the first quarter of 2006 for approximately $8 million.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
There have been no significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2006, except for the following.
The Company estimates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions shown in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company estimates the expected term of options granted using its historical exercise and post-vesting employment termination patterns, which the Company believes are representative of future behavior. Changing the expected term by one year changes the fair value by 10 to 15 percent depending if the change was an increase or decrease to the expected term. The Company estimates the expected volatility of its common stock at the grant date using a weighted-average of the Company’s historical volatility and implied volatility from traded options on the Company’s common stock. A 50 basis point change in volatility would have a 3 percent change to the fair value. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the Federal Reserve nominal rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the award being valued. The expected dividend yield is derived from the Company’s historical experience. A 50 basis point change to the dividend yield would change the fair value by approximately 5 percent. The Company records stock-based compensation expense only for those awards expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate based on its historical pre-vesting forfeiture data, which it believes are representative of future behavior, and periodically will revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the use of subjective assumptions. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value of the options. The Company may elect to use different assumptions under the Black-Scholes option pricing model in the future if there is a difference between the assumptions used in determining stock-based compensation cost and the actual factors that become known over time.
The guidance in SFAS No. 123(R) is relatively new and best practices are not well established. The application of these principles may be subject to further interpretation and refinement over time. There are significant differences among valuation models and there is a possibility that the Company will adopt different valuation models and assumptions in the future. This may result in a lack of comparability with other companies that use different models, methods and assumptions and in a lack of consistency in future periods.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, such things as future capital expenditures, expansion, strategic plans, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth of the Company’s business and operations, including future cash flows, revenues and earnings, and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the effects of currency fluctuations, customer demand, fashion trends, competitive market forces, uncertainties related to the effect of competitive products and pricing, customer acceptance of the Company’s merchandise mix and retail locations, the Company’s reliance on a few key vendors for a majority of its merchandise purchases (including a significant portion from one key vendor), unseasonable weather, economic conditions worldwide, any changes in business, political and economic conditions due to the threat of future terrorist activities in the United States or in other parts of the world and related U.S. military action overseas, the ability of the Company to execute its business plans effectively with regard to each of its business units, risks associated with foreign global sourcing, including political instability, changes in import regulations, and disruptions to transportation services and distribution. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and completed an evaluation as of April 29, 2006 of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of April 29, 2006 in alerting them in a timely manner to all material information required to be disclosed in this report.
The Company’s CEO and CFO also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Legal proceedings pending against the Company or its consolidated subsidiaries consist of ordinary, routine litigation, including administrative proceedings, incidental to the business of the Company, as well as litigation incidental to the sale and disposition of businesses that have occurred in past years. Management does not believe that the outcome of such proceedings would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations, taken as a whole.
These legal proceedings include commercial, intellectual property, customer, and labor-and-employment-related claims. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are defendants in a number of lawsuits filed in state and federal courts containing various class action allegations under state wage and hour laws, including allegations concerning classification of employees as exempt or nonexempt, unpaid overtime, meal and rest breaks, and uniforms.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
No material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
This table provides information with respect to purchases by the Company of shares of its Common Stock during the first quarter of 2006:
| | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Jan. 29, 2006 through Feb. 25, 2006 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | $ | 150,000,000 | |
Feb. 26, 2006 through Apr. 1, 2006 | | | 204,200 | | $ | 23.95 | | | 204,200 | | $ | 145,109,198 | |
Apr. 2, 2006 through Apr. 29, 2006 | | | 130,000 | | $ | 23.71 | | | 130,000 | | $ | 142,027,139 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | | | |
Total | | | 334,200 | | $ | 23.86 | | | 334,200 | | | | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | | | |
|
(1) | On February 15, 2006, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $150 million of the Company’s common stock. This authorization will terminate on January 31, 2009. The Company’s prior authorization expired on February 3, 2006. |
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Item 6. Exhibit | |
(a) | Exhibits |
| The exhibits that are in this report immediately follow the index. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| FOOT LOCKER, INC. |
Date: June 1, 2006 | (Company) |
| |
| |
| /s/ Robert W. McHugh |
|
|
| ROBERT W. MCHUGH |
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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FOOT LOCKER, INC.
INDEX OF EXHIBITS REQUIRED BY ITEM 6(a) OF FORM 10-Q
AND FURNISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM 601 OF REGULATION S-K
Exhibit No. in Item 601 of Regulation S-K | | Description |
| |
|
12 | | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
| | |
15 | | Accountants’ Acknowledgment. |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
99 | | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
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