Exhibit 99.1
FRED'S 4300 New Getwell Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38118
Contact: Jerry A. Shore
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(901) 362-3733, Ext. 2217
FRED'S reports 22% increase in third QUARTer net income
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (November 20, 2003) - Fred's Inc. (NASDAQ/NM: FRED) today
reported record financial results for the third fiscal quarter and nine-month
period ended November 1, 2003.
Net income for the third quarter of 2003 increased 22% to $9.0 million or
$0.23 per diluted share from $7.4 million or $0.19 per diluted share in the
year-earlier period. For the first nine months of 2003, net income increased 23%
to $21.3 million or $0.54 per diluted share from $17.4 million or $0.44 per
diluted share in the same period last year.
All per share results have been adjusted for a three-for-two stock split
distributed on July 1, 2003.
Retail sales by Company stores for the third quarter of 2003 increased 19%
and total sales for the quarter rose 18% to $311.7 million versus $263.2 million
in the same period last year. On a comparable store basis, sales increased 6.0%
for the quarter. For the first nine months of 2003, retail sales by Company
stores increased 20% and total sales for the period rose 19% to $924.6 million
compared with $778.1 million in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales
for the first nine months of 2003 increased 6.0% over the same period last year.
Commenting on the results, Michael J. Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, said,
"We are pleased to report another solid financial performance for Fred's in the
third quarter, with sales and earnings growth that keeps us firmly on course to
achieve our aggressive goals for the year. The Company's 22% increase in net
income for the third quarter was a highlight for the period.
"Fred's results for the third quarter also are gratifying from an
operational standpoint, considering our ongoing expansion during the quarter,"
Hayes added. "In addition to the continued successful ramp-up of our new
distribution center in Georgia, we have opened 16 new stores over the past three
months and, as a result, we have quickly reached our original target of 70 new
stores for the year. Significantly, in the course of adding these new stores
during the quarter, we also recorded a milestone event with the opening of our
500th store. Because of this accelerated growth, we have now raised our target
for new store openings in fiscal 2003 to 75, which will make this the most
ambitious year in our history for store expansion. With the additional capacity
of our second distribution center in Dublin, we have given our real estate
department the green light to open stores in all periods for next fiscal year,
utilizing our resources more effectively and increasing our target for store
openings in 2004 from 80 to a range of 80 to 100."
FRED Reports Third Quarter Results
Page 2
November 20, 2003
Fred's gross profit for the third quarter of 2003 was $91.2 million
compared with $76.0 million in the prior-year period, representing an increase
of 20% for the period. Gross margin for the quarter improved to 29.3% versus
28.9% last year. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2003 increased 23% to
$264.1 million from $215.1 million in the first nine months of 2002. Gross
margin for the 2003 year-to-date period was 28.6% versus 27.6% in the same
period last year, reflecting higher initial markup on shipments and better
control of merchandise markdowns and shrinkage.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2003
increased to 24.8% of sales versus 24.5% of sales in the year-earlier period. On
a year-to-date basis in 2003, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased to 25.1% of sales compared with 24.2% of sales in the first nine
months of 2002. The increase in expenses as a percent of sales in the quarter
and year-to-date periods was attributable to costs associated with the Company's
expansion of store and distribution facilities.
Operating income for the third quarter of 2003 increased 21% to $13.9
million from $11.5 million in the year-earlier period. Operating income was 4.5%
of sales in the third quarter of 2003 compared with 4.4% in the third quarter of
2002. Operating income for the first three quarters of 2003 increased 22% to
$32.6 million from $26.6 million in the prior-year period. Operating income for
the first nine months of 2003 was 3.5% of sales compared with 3.4% of sales in
the first nine months of last year.
Fred's Inc. operates 508 discount general merchandise stores, including 26
franchised Fred's stores mainly in the southeastern United States. For more
information about the Company, visit Fred's website on the Internet at
www.fredsinc.com. A public, listen-only simulcast and replay of Fred's third
quarter conference call may be accessed at the Company's web site or at
www.fulldisclosure.com. The simulcast will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m.
Eastern Time today and a replay of the call will be available beginning at
approximately noon Eastern Time and will run until December 20, 2003.
Comments in this news release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, general economic trends, changes in consumer demand or purchase
patterns, delays or interruptions in the flow of merchandise between the
Company's distribution centers and its stores or between the Company's suppliers
and same, a disruption in the Company's data processing services, costs and
delays in acquiring or developing new store sites, and other contingencies
discussed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Fred's
undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported
under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
FRED Reports Third Quarter Results
Page 3
November 20, 2003
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Financial Highlights
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks
Ended Ended
November 1, November 2, Percent
2003 2002 Change
------------ ------------ ---------
Net sales $ 311,668 $ 263,197 18.4%
Operating income $ 13,888 $ 11,519 20.6%
Net income $ 9,028 $ 7,408 21.9%
Net income per share:*
Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.19 21.1%
Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.19 21.1%
Average shares outstanding:*
Basic 38,901 38,328
Diluted 39,838 39,263
39 Weeks 39 Weeks
Ended Ended
November 1, November 2, Percent
2003 2002 Change
------------ ----------- ---------
Net sales $ 924,627 $ 778,094 18.8%
Operating income $ 32,550 $ 26,580 22.5%
Net income $ 21,270 $ 17,350 22.6%
Net income per share:*
Basic $ 0.55 $ 0.45 22.2%
Diluted $ 0.54 $ 0.44 22.7%
Average shares outstanding:*
Basic 38,680 38,201
Diluted 39,594 39,249
* All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the distribution
of a three-for-two stock split on July 1, 2003.
FRED Reports Third Quarter Results
Page 4
November 20, 2003
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Fiscal 2003 Third Quarter Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks
Ended Ended
November 1, % of November 2, % of
2003 Total 2002 Total
----------- ------- ------------ -------
Net sales $ 311,668 100.0% $ 263,197 100.0%
Cost of goods sold 220,477 70.7% 187,203 71.1%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Gross profit 91,191 29.3% 75,994 28.9%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 77,303 24.8% 64,475 24.5%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Operating income 13,888 4.5% 11,519 4.4%
Interest expense, net 93 0.0% 121 0.0%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Income before income taxes 13,795 4.5% 11,398 4.4%
Provision for income taxes 4,767 1.6% 3,990 1.6%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Net income $ 9,028 2.9% $ 7,408 2.8%
=========== ======= ============ ========
Net income per share:*
Basic $ 0.23 $ 0.19
=========== ============
Diluted $ 0.23 $ 0.19
=========== ============
Weighted average shares outstanding:*
Basic 38,901 38,328
=========== ============
Diluted 39,838 39,263
=========== ============
Unaudited Fiscal 2003 Nine-Month Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
39 Weeks 39 Weeks
Ended Ended
November 1, % of November 2, % of
2003 Total 2002 Total
----------- ------- ------------ -------
Net sales $ 924,627 100.0% $ 778,094 100.0%
Cost of goods sold 660,544 71.4% 563,037 72.4%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Gross profit 264,083 28.6% 215,057 27.6%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 231,533 25.1% 188,477 24.2%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Operating income 32,550 3.5% 26,580 3.4%
Interest expense, net 290 0.0% 54 0.0%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Income before income taxes 32,260 3.5% 26,526 3.4%
Provision for income taxes 10,990 1.2% 9,176 1.1%
----------- ------- ------------ --------
Net income $ 21,270 2.3% $ 17,350 2.3%
=========== ======= ============ ========
Net income per share:*
Basic $ 0.55 $ 0.45
=========== ============
Diluted $ 0.54 $ 0.44
=========== ============
Weighted average shares outstanding:*
Basic 38,680 38,201
=========== ============
Diluted 39,594 39,249
=========== ============
* All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the distribution
of a three-for-two stock split on July 1, 2003.
FRED Reports Third Quarter Results
Page 5
November 20, 2003
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
November 1, November 2,
2003 2002
------------- --------------
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,279 $ 2,078
Inventories 260,589 218,957
Receivables and other current assets 21,779 21,596
Current deferred income tax benefit 0 464
------------- --------------
Total current assets 284,647 243,095
Property and equipment, net 130,281 98,369
Other noncurrent assets 4,256 4,721
------------- --------------
Total assets 419,184 $ 346,185
============= ==============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable $ 78,427 $ 67,482
Current portion of indebtedness 125 281
Current portion of capital lease obligation 735 656
Accrued expenses 16,416 15,549
Current deferred tax liability 11,016 0
Income taxes 6,663 3,640
------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 113,382 87,608
Indebtedness 19,284 13,010
Deferred tax liability 3,445 696
Capital lease obligations 1,844 1,981
Other noncurrent liabilities 2,755 2,355
------------- --------------
Total liabilities 140,710 105,650
Shareholders' equity 278,474 240,535
------------- --------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 419,184 $ 346,185
============= ==============