HMLD Reports Fourth Quarter Results
Page 2
March 6, 1998
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Larry Kordisch Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
(405) 879-6600
HOMELAND STORES ANNOUNCES 8.8% INCREASE IN FOURTH QUARTER
EBITDA TO $8,055,000
EBITDA EXCLUDING NONRECURRING ITEMS INCREASES 15.6% FOR 1997
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (March 6, 1998) David B. Clark, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Homeland Holding Corporation (Nasdaq/NM: HMLD), today
announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended January 3,
1998. For the fourth quarter, a 17-week period, sales were $176,744,000, up
7.4% from $164,490,000 for the fourth quarter of 1996, a 16-week period ended
December 28, 1996. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation
and amortization) increased 8.8% to $8,055,000 from $7,406,000. Net income,
excluding amortization of reorganization value, was $2,048,000, or $0.43 per
diluted share, for the latest quarter, compared with $2,427,000, or $0.51
per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 1996.
Sales for the 53-week period ended January 3, 1998 were $527,993,000
compared with $527,773,000 for 1996, a 52-week period. EBITDA grew 15.6% to
$22,505,000 from $19,465,000, excluding nonrecurring reorganization items for
1996. Net income, excluding amortization of reorganization value, was
$3,883,000, or $0.81 per diluted share, for 1997, up from $3,384,000,
excluding nonrecurring gains and reorganization items, for 1996.
Mr. Clark commented, "While we were pleased with the significant growth
in EBITDA for the fourth quarter, Homeland's financial results continued to
be affected by soft industry conditions that have had an impact throughout
most of 1997 on supermarket companies across the nation. In addition to lower
food price inflation and more stringent food stamp eligibility requirements,
both of which reduced the potential for sales growth, Homeland has faced
increased competition, necessitating greater promotional expenditures.
As a result, the Company's sales growth was primarily attributable to the
extra week in the latest quarter and to the four stores acquired during the
year. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 1.6% from the fourth quarter
of the previous year. Excluding the extra week for the latest quarter, they
declined 4.5%.
"Despite sales pressures evident during the year, Homeland accomplished
a number of goals during its first full year since its August 1996
reorganization. The Company was solidly profitable for the year, excluding
amortization of reorganization value, and its EBITDA margin rose to 4.3%
of sales for the year from 3.7% for 1996. We also invested more than $15
million in upgrading the Company's base of stores in operation, including 20
major and minor remodeling projects to existing stores and the four
acquisitions, which raised our base to 70 stores in operation at the end of
the year.
"As we have moved into 1998, we have continued to focus on managing
Homeland's costs in the face of the ongoing industry softness expected in the
early months of the year. During the year, we intend to invest nearly $13
million in our store ongoing program to refurbish the Company's stores and
the expansion of at least two locations. We also will continue to review
further opportunities to consolidate our markets through acquisition. Having
established the largest presence in our core markets, we believe Homeland is
well positioned to benefit from additional acquisition activity."
Homeland Stores, Inc. is the leading supermarket chain in Oklahoma,
southern Kansas, and the Texas panhandle region, operating a total of 70
stores. The Company operates in four distinct marketplaces: Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Amarillo, Texas; and certain rural areas of
Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.
HOMELAND HOLDING CORPORATION
Unaudited Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share data)
17 Weeks 16 Weeks 53 Weeks 52 Weeks
Ended Ended Ended Ended
January 3, December 28, January 3, December 28,
1998 1996 1998 1996
Sales $ 176,744 $ 164,490 $ 527,993 $ 527,773
Earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and
amortization $ 8,055 $ 7,406 $ 22,505 $ 19,465(1)
Net income (loss) $ (2,384)(2) $ (2,238)(3) $ (10,644)(2) $ 34,687(4)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic $ (0.49)(2) $ (0.47)(3) $ (2.23)(2) n.a. (5)
Diluted $ (0.49)(2) $ (0.47)(3) $ (2.23)(2) n.a. (5)
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 4,819 4,758 4,783 n.a. (5)
Diluted 4,819 4,758 4,783 n.a. (5)
(1) Excludes nonrecurring reorganization items of $25,996.
(2) Includes amortization of excess reorganization value of $4,432, or $0.92
per diluted share, and $14,527, or $3.04 per diluted share, for the 17
weeks and 53 weeks ended January 3, 1998, respectively.
(3) Includes amortization of excess reorganization value of $4,665, or $0.98
per diluted share.
(4) Includes amortization of excess reorganization value of $5,819,
nonrecurring reorganization items of $25,996 and an extraordinary gain
of $63,118 related to discharged debt.
(5) As a result of the reorganization that was consummated in August 1996,
this period includes both successor company and predecessor company
results. Therefore, earnings per share data are not comparable to 1997's
results.
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