Exhibit 99.1
Fred's Reports Third Quarter Results
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 2005--Fred's Inc. (NASDAQ/NM:FRED)
today reported financial results for the third fiscal quarter and
nine-month period ended October 29, 2005.
Fred's earnings for the third quarter were affected by the
application of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 02-16,
Accounting by a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Certain
Consideration Received from a Vendor, which was triggered by the
Company's renewal of a contract with its primary pharmaceutical
wholesaler, AmerisourceBergen Corporation. Fred's had anticipated that
it would complete a new contract in February 2006, which would have
required making the EITF 02-16 application in the first quarter of
2006. However, in the course of the bidding process, the Company found
it advantageous to renew the contract earlier, initiating the benefits
of the new prices in 2005. As the Company has noted in its public
filings, the renewal of this contract prior to its expiration would
affect the Company's 2005 financial statements because of the
application of the provisions of EITF 02-16 pertaining to cash rebates
received after the renewal date as a reduction in inventory value and
a corresponding increase in cost of goods sold for the third quarter.
Merely a timing matter, the effect of this adjustment deferred income
of $2.2 million pre-tax in the third quarter and reduced earnings by
$0.03 per diluted share. Outside of the income deferral, the contract
renewal was positive to earnings in the quarter and will continue to
be beneficial in the fourth quarter and beyond. The EITF 02-16
adjustment had no effect on cash flow for the quarter.
Net income for the third quarter of 2005 totaled $6.3 million or
$0.16 per diluted share versus $7.4 million or $0.19 per diluted share
in the year-earlier period, representing a decline of 15% in net
income and 16% in net income per diluted share. Excluding the effect
of the EITF 02-16 adjustment to cost of goods sold, net income for the
third quarter would have been $7.7 million or $0.19 per diluted share,
within the range of the Company's earlier guidance. For the first nine
months of 2005, net income was $16.5 million or $0.42 per diluted
share compared with $17.5 million or $0.44 per diluted share in the
same period last year.
Commenting on the results, Michael J. Hayes, Chief Executive
Officer, said, "The third quarter was unusual for Fred's by any
standard, considering the effects of rising fuel prices, the financial
impact of the two hurricanes in our market areas, and the
implementation of TennCare reductions in Tennessee - a major pharmacy
region for Fred's. We estimate that the hurricanes' impact was between
$0.01 and $0.02 per share for insurance deductible costs, preparation,
clean-up and repair expenses. The financial effects of TennCare
changes, as previously announced, were about the same, although we
have recovered some of this with our new pharmaceutical contract.
"Considering our continued improvement in inventory levels, the
implementation of our cooler program, now completed, and our enhanced
marketing program, we enter the fourth quarter competitively
positioned," Hayes continued. "Moreover, we anticipate improved sales
performance in several categories now that we have hit the anniversary
of our reduced double coupon program of a year ago. While we expect
that market and competitive conditions will continue to be aggressive,
we are confident that our strategies and the initiatives we have
pursued this year will enable us to meet our plan for the fourth
quarter and 2006."
In closing, Hayes added, "Earlier this month, we launched our new
Internet E-commerce business, www.buyersspecials.com. We are excited
about the opportunities to leverage our retail infrastructure as we
reach out to a new group of customers in a rapidly growing business
segment."
Retail sales by Company stores for the third quarter of 2005
increased 8% and total sales for the quarter also rose 8% to $376.8
million versus $349.1 million in the same period last year. On a
comparable store basis, sales declined 1.0% for the quarter. For the
first nine months of 2005, retail sales by Company stores increased
10% and total sales for the period also rose 10% to $1.133 billion
from $1.031 billion in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales
for the first nine months of 2005 increased 1.0% over the same period
last year.
Fred's gross profit for the third quarter increased 7% to $108.8
million from $101.2 million in the prior-year period. Excluding the
effect of the EITF 02-16 adjustment to cost of goods sold, gross
profit increased 9% for the third quarter. Gross margin for the
quarter was 28.9% versus 29.0% last year. Excluding the effect of the
EITF 02-16 adjustment to cost of goods sold, gross margin was 29.5% in
the third quarter, an increase of 0.5% over the same quarter last
year.
Gross profit for the first nine months of 2005 increased 10% to
$322.6 million from $292.0 million in the first nine months of 2004.
Gross margin for the 2005 year-to-date period was 28.5% versus 28.3%
in the same period last year. Excluding the effect of the EITF 02-16
adjustment to cost of goods sold, gross profit would have been 11%
over last year and the gross margin would have been 28.7%, an increase
of 0.4% over the year-earlier period.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter
of 2005 increased to 26.3% of sales versus 25.8% of sales in the
year-earlier period. On a year-to-date basis in 2005, selling, general
and administrative expenses increased to 26.2% of sales compared with
25.7% of sales in the first nine months of 2004. The increase in
expenses as a percentage of sales for the quarter was attributable
primarily to hurricane-related costs of approximately $1.0 million
along with higher utility and fuel expenses. During the quarter, the
Company achieved continued expense leverage in store labor,
distribution costs and corporate overhead.
Operating income for the third quarter of 2005 declined 11% to
$9.9 million from $11.1 million in the year-earlier period. Operating
income declined to 2.6% of sales in the third quarter of 2005 compared
with 3.2% of sales in the third quarter of 2004. Operating income for
the first nine months of 2005 declined 5% to $25.6 million from $26.9
million in the prior-year period. Operating income for the first nine
months of 2005 was 2.3% of sales compared with 2.6% of sales in the
first nine months of last year. Excluding the effect of the EITF 02-16
adjustment, the operating profit in the third quarter would have been
9% higher than in the same period last year and operating margin would
have been 3.2%, equal to the third quarter last year.
Fred's Inc. operates 642 discount general merchandise stores,
including 24 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 third quarter
conference call may be accessed at the Company's web site or at
www.earnings.com. The simulcast will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m.
Eastern Time today and a replay of the call will be available
beginning at approximately 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will run until
December 22, 2005.
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'S INC.
Unaudited Financial Highlights
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks
Ended Ended
Oct. 29, Oct. 30, Percent
2005 2004 Change
----------- ----------- -----------
(as restated)
Net sales $ 376,754 $ 349,139 7.9%
Operating income (a) $ 9,861 $ 11,090 -11.1%
Net income $ 6,321 $ 7,416 -13.3%
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.19 -15.8%
Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.19 -15.8%
Average shares outstanding:
Basic 39,661 39,220
Diluted 39,759 39,517
39 Weeks 39 Weeks
Ended Ended
Oct. 29, Oct. 30, Percent
2005 2004 Change
----------- ----------- -----------
(as restated)
Net sales $1,132,811 $1,031,475 9.8%
Operating income (a) $ 25,552 $ 26,906 -5.0%
Net income $ 16,526 $ 17,540 -5.1%
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.42 $ 0.45 -6.7%
Diluted $ 0.42 $ 0.44 -4.5%
Average shares outstanding:
Basic 39,616 39,130
Diluted 39,761 39,585
(a) Includes increase in cost of goods sold of $2.2 million for EITF
02-16 adjustment resulting from contract renewal in the third
quarter.
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Fiscal 2005 Third Quarter Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
13 Weeks 13 Weeks
Ended Ended
Oct. 29, % of Oct. 30, % of
2005 Total 2004 Total
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(as restated)
Net sales $ 376,754 100.0% $ 349,139 100.0%
Cost of goods sold (b) 267,942 71.1% 247,890 71.0%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 108,812 28.9% 101,249 29.0%
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses 98,951 26.3% 90,159 25.8%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income 9,861 2.6% 11,090 3.2%
Interest expense, net 260 0.1% 260 0.1%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income
taxes 9,601 2.5% 10,830 3.1%
Provision for income
taxes 3,280 0.8% 3,414 1.0%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 6,321 1.7% $ 7,416 2.1%
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.19
=========== ===========
Diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.19
=========== ===========
Weighted average
shares outstanding:
Basic 39,661 39,220
=========== ===========
Diluted 39,759 39,517
=========== ===========
Unaudited Fiscal 2005 Nine-Month Results
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
39 Weeks 39 Weeks
Ended Ended
Oct. 29, % of Oct. 30, % of
2005 Total 2004 Total
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(as restated)
Net sales $1,132,811 100.0% $1,031,475 100.0%
Cost of goods sold (b) 810,238 71.5% 739,462 71.7%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 322,573 28.5% 292,013 28.3%
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses 297,021 26.2% 265,107 25.7%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income 25,552 2.3% 26,906 2.6%
Interest expense, net 720 0.1% 542 0.0%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income
taxes 24,832 2.2% 26,364 2.6%
Provision for income
taxes 8,306 0.7% 8,824 0.9%
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 16,526 1.5% $ 17,540 1.7%
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net income per share:
Basic $ 0.42 $ 0.45
=========== ===========
Diluted $ 0.42 $ 0.44
=========== ===========
Weighted average
shares outstanding:
Basic 39,616 39,130
=========== ===========
Diluted 39,761 39,585
=========== ===========
(b) Includes increase in cost of goods sold of $2.2 million for EITF
02-16 adjustment resulting from contract renewal in the third
quarter.
FRED'S INC.
Unaudited Balance Sheet
(in thousands)
Oct. 29, Oct. 30,
2005 2004
------------- -------------
ASSETS: (as restated)
Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,306 $ 5,303
Inventories 342,628 318,271
Receivables 18,876 17,680
Other non-trade receivables 15,831 6,683
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,660 6,246
------------- -------------
Total current assets 408,301 354,183
Property and equipment, net 141,018 137,976
Other noncurrent assets 8,126 4,161
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 557,445 $ 496,320
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable $ 105,698 $ 91,088
Current portion of indebtedness 585 11,800
Current portion of capital lease
obligation 588 660
Accrued expenses and other 36,963 22,172
Deferred tax liability 18,388 12,707
Income taxes payable 4,854 4,481
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 167,076 142,908
Long-term portion of indebtedness 42,619 40,072
Deferred income taxes 10,124 5,844
Long-term portion of capital lease
obligations 596 1,178
Other noncurrent liabilities 6,349 3,140
------------- -------------
Total liabilities 226,764 193,142
Shareholders' equity 330,681 303,178
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $ 557,445 $ 496,320
============= =============
CONTACT: Fred's Inc.
Jerry A. Shore, 901-362-3733, Ext. 2217
www.fredsinc.com