Exhibit 99.1 Zale Announces 32% Increase in Third Quarter EPS to $0.29 DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2003--Zale Corporation (NYSE:ZLC), the largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America, announced today net earnings of $9.4 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the Company's third quarter ended April 30, 2003. This represents an increase of 32% on a per share basis over the same period last year when the Company reported net earnings of $7.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share. Total revenues for the third quarter ended April 30, 2003 were $449.4 million, compared to $449.2 million for the same period last year, an increase of 0.1%. Comparable store sales increased 0.3% for the same period. Total revenues for the year-to-date totaled $1.770 billion compared to $1.756 billion for the same period last year, an increase of 0.8%. On a comparable store basis, year-to-date sales increased 0.6%. Year-to-date net earnings totaled $92.7 million or $2.86 per diluted share, excluding a $136.3 million non-cash impairment charge from the Company's annual review of goodwill. For the same period last year, net earnings before an unusual item and the effect of a change in accounting principle were $96.8 million, or $2.76 per diluted share. The year-to-date net loss, including the $136.3 million non-cash impairment charge, totaled $43.6 million, or $1.35 per share. For the same period last year, net earnings, including a gain from an unusual item of $2.2 million net of taxes and the effect of a change in accounting principle of $41.3 million, were $140.3 million, or $4.00 per diluted share. Mary L. Forte, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "A key focus entering fiscal 2003 was to keep the business stable and on track in a volatile external environment. We continued to meet this goal with the successful execution of our strategy. This is demonstrated by the fact that even with relatively flat sales this quarter, we still achieved our earnings objectives." Ms. Forte continued, "During the period, operating disciplines remained firmly in place with tight controls on inventory and expenses as reflected in the 70 basis points of operating margin improvement over last year. Additionally, we continued to improve our solitaire and wedding categories, driving traffic outside of the key gift-giving periods. This resulted in a strong earnings improvement for the quarter along with the strengthening of our balance sheet." As previously announced, a conference call will be held today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Parties interested in participating should dial 706/643-7467 five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. A webcast of the call, as well as a replay, will be available on the Company's Web site at www.zalecorp.com. For additional information, contact Investor Relations. Zale Corporation is North America's largest specialty retailer of fine jewelry operating approximately 2,265 retail locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as online. Zale Corporation's brands include Zales Jewelers, Zales Outlet, Zale Direct at www.zales.com, Gordon's Jewelers, Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Peoples Jewellers, Mappins Jewellers and Piercing Pagoda. Additional information on Zale Corporation and its brands is available on the Internet at www.zalecorp.com. This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's objectives and expectations regarding its merchandising and marketing strategies and result of operations, which are based upon management's beliefs as well as on assumptions made by and data currently available to management. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and a variety of factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or expected results expressed in these forward-looking statements. The following list, which is not intended to be an all-encompassing list of risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, summarizes several factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected in these forward-looking statements: that low or negative growth in the economy or in the financial markets will occur and reduce discretionary spending on goods that are, or are perceived to be, "luxuries;" that levels of mall traffic may decline as a result of economic or other factors; that warehousing and distribution productivity and capacity can be further improved to support the Company's distribution requirements; that strong competitive responses may impact the Company's efforts to leverage its brand power with its marketing, merchandising and promotional efforts; that seasonality of the retail jewelry business or downturns in consumer spending during the fourth calendar quarter may adversely affect the Company's results; that the Company may not be able to continue to manage its inventory and product supply effectively to respond to consumer demand; that fluctuations in diamond prices may negatively affect the business; that legal or governmental proceedings may have an adverse effect on the financial results or reputation of the Company; that key personnel who have been hired or retained by the Company may depart; that any disruption in the Company's private label credit card arrangement may adversely affect the Company's ability to provide consumer credit; or that changes in government or regulatory requirements may increase the cost of or adversely affect the Company's operations. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly or otherwise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances. ZALE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended April 30, April 30, ------------------- ----------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Total Revenues $449,383 $449,150 $1,769,859 $1,756,161 Costs and Expenses: Cost of Sales 220,107 218,502 885,927 869,272 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 197,010 200,216 683,298 678,212 Impairment of Goodwill --- --- 136,300 --- Cost of Insurance Operations 2,000 2,356 6,412 6,058 Depreciation and Amortization Expense 13,820 14,520 41,772 43,802 Unusual Item - Retiree Medical Curtailment Gain --- --- --- (3,502) --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Operating Earnings 16,446 13,556 16,150 162,319 Interest Expense, Net 1,578 1,425 5,274 5,335 --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Earnings Before Income Taxes 14,868 12,131 10,876 156,984 Income Taxes 5,501 4,481 54,455 57,989 --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Earnings Before Effect of Accounting Change 9,367 7,650 (43,579) 98,995 Effect of a Change in Accounting for the Write- off of the Excess of Revalued Net Assets Over Stockholders' Investment --- --- --- (41,287) --------- --------- ----------- ----------- Net Earnings $9,367 $7,650 $(43,579) $140,282 ========= ========= =========== =========== Earnings Per Common Share - Basic: Before effect of change in accounting principle $0.29 $0.22 $(1.35) $2.85 Net Earnings Per Share $0.29 $0.22 $(1.35) $4.03 Earnings Per Common Share - Diluted: Before effect of change in accounting principle $0.29 $0.22 $(1.35) $2.83 Net Earnings Per Share $0.29 $0.22 $(1.35) $4.00 Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic 32,075 34,678 32,376 34,783 Diluted 32,172 35,049 32,376 35,036 ZALE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (amounts in thousands) April 30, July 31, April 30, 2003 2002 2002 ----------- ----------- ----------- (unaudited) (unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents $172,655 $84,887 $148,610 Merchandise Inventories 813,066 782,316 794,770 Other Current Assets 57,082 47,915 51,477 ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Current Assets 1,042,803 915,118 994,857 Property and Equipment, Net 268,133 284,438 290,761 Goodwill, Net 81,141 212,039 216,206 Other Assets 32,671 34,654 33,204 Deferred Tax Asset, Net 31,334 31,604 40,139 ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Assets $1,456,082 $1,477,853 $1,575,167 =========== =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities $392,685 $331,663 $398,281 Deferred Tax Liability, Net 9,974 10,104 18,953 ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Current Liabilities 402,659 341,767 417,234 Non-current Liabilities 104,971 109,530 111,353 Long-term Debt 86,780 86,749 99,700 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Investment: Preferred Stock --- --- --- Common Stock 407 407 406 Additional Paid-In Capital 550,074 549,848 547,218 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 5,098 (6,559) (5,199) Accumulated Earnings 586,188 629,767 626,117 Deferred Compensation --- (115) (6,779) ----------- ----------- ----------- 1,141,767 1,173,348 1,161,763 Treasury Stock (280,095) (233,541) (214,883) ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Stockholders' Investment 861,672 939,807 946,880 ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment $1,456,082 $1,477,853 $1,575,167 =========== =========== =========== CONTACT: Zale Corporation, Dallas David H. Sternblitz Senior Director, Investor and Public Relations 972/580-5047