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 SECOND quarter RESULTS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (August 26, 2004) - Fred's Inc. (NASDAQ/NM: FRED) today reported
financial results for the second fiscal quarter and six-month period ended July
31, 2004.
Net income for the second quarter of 2004 totaled $3.1 million or $0.08 per
diluted share versus $4.4 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the year-earlier
period. For the first half of 2004, net income was $10.5 million or $0.27 per
diluted share compared with $12.2 million or $0.31 per diluted share in the same
period last year.
Retail sales by Company stores for the second quarter of 2004 increased 13%
and total sales for the quarter also rose 13% to $340.9 million versus $302.3
million in the same period last year. On a comparable store basis, sales
increased 4.2% for the quarter. For the first half of 2004, retail sales by
Company stores increased 12% and total sales for the period rose 11% to $682.3
million compared with $613.0 million in the year-earlier period. Comparable
store sales for the first six months of 2004 increased 3.2% over the same period
last year.
Commenting on the results, Michael J. Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, said,
"We were optimistic about the good start to the quarter we had in May, only to
be disappointed in the results for June and July - with apparel and home
furnishings being the two key sales areas hit the hardest. The impact of softer
sales, a shift in our sales mix, and increased markdowns, combined with the
run-up in transportation expenses due to higher diesel fuel costs, trimmed three
cents from planned earnings per share - as discussed in our July sales release.
The unanticipated factor was a sharp increase in our quarterly LIFO inflation
index, which resulted in an additional one-cent reduction in earnings per share.
"As we head into the third and fourth quarters, we do so with guarded
optimism," Hayes added. "We are seeing some strength in the soft lines and
domestics, but continue to experience negative comparable sales in home
furnishings. Also, markdowns will probably remain over plan for the balance of
the year as we continue to bring inventory back in line and as our customers
remain focused on promotional opportunities. We believe the continued
improvement in inventory and store fundamentals will pay off for us as consumers
become more confident in their spending with the approach of the holiday season.
Also, our store expansion program remains on track to add 85 to 90 new stores to
our chain in 2004, with 46 of those already opened in the first half of this
year"
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FRED Reports Second Quarter Results
Page 2
August 26, 2004
Fred's gross profit for the second quarter was $94.0 million compared with
$84.9 million in the prior-year period, representing an increase of 11% for the
period. Gross margin for the quarter was 27.6% versus 28.1% last year, with the
decline reflecting a change in product mix toward basic products, markdowns on
promotional products, the impact of reinstating double coupon on Saturdays,
pharmacy LIFO inflation index increase, and increased freight costs. Gross
profit for the first six months of 2004 increased 10% to $190.8 million from
$172.9 million in the first half of 2003. Gross margin for the 2004 year-to-date
period was 28.0% versus 28.2% in the same period last year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2004
increased to 26.1% of sales versus 25.9% of sales in the year-earlier period. On
a year-to-date basis in 2004, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased to 25.6% of sales compared with 25.2% of sales in the first half of
2003. The increase in the expenses for the quarter and year-to-date period was
attributable to higher store expenses relative to sales, insurance costs, and
utilities and fuel related increases.
Operating income for the second quarter of 2004 declined 26% to $5.0
million from $6.7 million in the year-earlier period. Operating income was 1.5%
of sales in the second quarter of 2004 compared with 2.2% of sales in the second
quarter of 2003. Operating income for the first half of 2004 declined 12% to
$16.5 million from $18.7 million in the prior-year period. Operating income for
the first half of 2004 was 2.4% of sales compared with 3.0% of sales in the
first six months of last year.
Fred's Inc. operates 559 discount general merchandise stores, including 25
franchised Fred's stores 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 second quarter
conference call may be accessed at the Company's web site or at
www.companyboardroom.com. The simulcast will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time today and a replay of the call will be available beginning at
approximately 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will run until September 26, 2004.
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 center 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.
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FRED Reports Second Quarter Results
Page 3
August 26, 2004
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Financial Highlights
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks
Ended Ended
July 31, August 2, Percent
2004 2003 Change
----------- ----------- --------
Net sales $ 340,850 $ 302,270 12.8%
Operating income $ 4,980 $ 6,685 -25.5%
Net income $ 3,094 $ 4,385 -29.4%
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.08 $ 0.11 -27.3%
Diluted $ 0.08 $ 0.11 -27.3%
Average shares outstanding:
Basic 39,110 38,695
Diluted 39,520 39,510
26 Weeks 26 Weeks
Ended Ended
July 31, August 2, Percent
2004 2003 Change
----------- ----------- --------
Net sales $ 682,336 $ 612,959 11.3%
Operating income $ 16,463 $ 18,662 -11.8%
Net income $ 10,518 $ 12,242 -14.1%
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.27 $ 0.32 -15.6%
Diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.31 -12.9%
Average shares outstanding:
Basic 39,085 38,569
Diluted 39,583 39,328
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FRED Reports Second Quarter Results
Page 4
August 26, 2004
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Fiscal 2004Second Quarter Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks
Ended Ended
July 31, % of August 2, % of
2004 Total 2003 Total
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Net sales $ 340,850 100.0% $ 302,270 100.0%
Cost of goods sold 246,880 72.4% 217,326 71.9%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Gross profit 93,970 27.6% 84,944 28.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 88,990 26.1% 78,259 25.9%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Operating income 4,980 1.5% 6,685 2.2%
Interest expense, net 220 0.1% 100 0.0%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Income before income taxes 4,760 1.4% 6,585 2.2%
Provision for income taxes 1,666 0.5% 2,200 0.7%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Net income $ 3,094 0.9% $ 4,385 1.5%
=========== ====== =========== =======
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.08 $ 0.11
=========== ===========
Diluted $ 0.08 $ 0.11
=========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 39,110 38,695
=========== ===========
Diluted 39,520 39,510
=========== ===========
Unaudited Fiscal 2004 Six-Month Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
26 Weeks 26 Weeks
Ended Ended
July 31, % of August 2, % of
2004 Total 2003 Total
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Net sales $ 682,336 100.0% $ 612,959 100.0%
Cost of goods sold 491,572 72.0% 440,067 71.8%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Gross profit 190,764 28.0% 172,892 28.2%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 174,301 25.6% 154,230 25.2%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Operating income 16,463 2.4% 18,662 3.0%
Interest expense, net 282 0.1% 197 0.0%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Income before income taxes 16,181 2.3% 18,465 3.0%
Provision for income taxes 5,663 0.8% 6,223 1.0%
----------- ------ ----------- -------
Net income $ 10,518 1.5% $ 12,242 2.0%
=========== ====== =========== =======
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.27 $ 0.32
=========== ===========
Diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.31
=========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 39,085 38,569
=========== ===========
Diluted 39,583 39,328
=========== ===========
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FRED Reports Second Quarter Results
Page 5
August 26, 2004
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
July 31, August 2,
2004 2003
------------- --------------
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,264 $ 2,202
Inventories 270,767 218,770
Receivables and other current assets 25,073 22,073
------------- --------------
Total current assets 301,104 243,045
Property and equipment, net 143,777 126,837
Other noncurrent assets 4,410 4,345
------------- --------------
Total assets $ 449,291 $ 374,227
============= ==============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable $ 63,089 $ 54,327
Current portion of indebtedness 36 36
Current portion of capital lease obligation 675 705
Accrued expenses & other 22,631 17,839
Current deferred tax liability 12,219 11,273
Income taxes 2,984 0
------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 101,634 84,180
Indebtedness 35,365 8,489
Deferred tax liability 7,478 7,328
Capital lease obligations 1,340 2,031
Other noncurrent liabilities 2,607 2,655
------------- --------------
Total liabilities 148,424 104,683
Shareholders' equity 300,867 269,544
------------- --------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 449,291 $ 374,227
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