DICK'S Sporting Goods Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Results; Exceeds Expectations

PITTSBURGH, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. DKS, the largest U.S. based full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer, today reported sales and earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended January 31, 2015.

Fourth Quarter Results

The Company reported consolidated net income for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2015 of $155.5 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, compared to the Company's expectations provided on November 18, 2014 of $1.18 to 1.28 per diluted share. For the fourth quarter ended February 1, 2014, the Company reported consolidated net income of $138.6 million, or $1.11 per diluted share.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2014 increased 10.9% to approximately $2.2 billion. Consolidated same store sales increased 3.4% compared to the Company's guidance of an approximate 1 to 3% increase. Same store sales for DICK'S Sporting Goods increased 3.8%, while Golf Galaxy decreased 7.1%. Fourth quarter 2013 consolidated same store sales increased 7.3%, adjusted for the shifted retail calendar due to the 53^rd week in 2012.

"We are very pleased with the record results we delivered in the fourth quarter. The 17% increase in earnings per diluted share was driven by the continued growth of our omni-channel network, our powerful marketing and merchandising strategies, and the execution of these strategies by our store associates," said Edward W. Stack, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The strong performance validates the merchandising and space allocation strategies that we put into place during this past year. Our team also successfully navigated a heavily promotional environment while exceeding our top line and bottom line targets, and our inventory is well-positioned as we head into 2015."

Omni-channel Development

eCommerce penetration for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 14.4% of total sales, compared to 12.2% during the fourth quarter of 2013. eCommerce penetration for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015 was 9.2% of total sales, compared to 7.9% during the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2014.

In the fourth quarter, the Company opened six new DICK'S Sporting Goods stores and closed two Golf Galaxy stores. As of January 31, 2015, the Company operated 603 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in 46 states, with approximately 32.3 million square feet, 78 Golf Galaxy stores in 29 states, with approximately 1.4 million square feet and 10 Field & Stream stores in five states, with approximately 0.5 million square feet.

Store count, square footage and new stores are listed in a table later in the release under the heading "Store Count and Square Footage."

Balance Sheet

The Company ended fiscal 2014 with approximately $222 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared to $182 million at the end of fiscal 2013, with no outstanding borrowings under its $500 million revolving credit facility at the end of each fiscal year. In fiscal 2014, the Company utilized capital to invest in omni-channel growth, and returned over $260 million to shareholders through share repurchases and quarterly dividends.

Total inventory was 12.9% higher at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014 as compared to the end of the fourth quarter of 2013.

Full Year Results

The Company reported consolidated non-GAAP net income for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015 of $347.8 million, or $2.87 per diluted share. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated net income for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015 of $344.2 million, or $2.84 per diluted share. For the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2014, the Company reported consolidated net income of $337.6 million, or $2.69 per diluted share. The GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations are included in a table later in the release under the heading "Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings Per Share Reconciliations."

Net sales for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015 increased 9.7% from last year's period to $6.8 billion due to the consolidated same store sales increase of 2.4% coupled with the opening of new stores.

Capital Allocation

On February 18, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.1375 per share on the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The dividend is payable in cash on March 31, 2015 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2015. This dividend represents a 10 percent increase over the Company's previous quarterly per share amount and is equivalent to an annualized rate of $0.55 per share.

In total for fiscal 2014, the Company repurchased approximately 4.3 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $46.20 per share, for a total cost of $200 million. Since starting its $1 billion share repurchase authorization at the beginning of fiscal 2013, the Company has repurchased over $455 million of common stock, and has approximately $545 million remaining under the authorization.

Current 2015 Outlook

The Company's current outlook for 2015 is based on current expectations and includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as described later in this release. Although the Company believes that the expectations and other comments reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or comments will prove to be correct.

• Full Year 2015
  
  
  • Based on an estimated 119 to 120 million diluted shares outstanding, the Company anticipates reporting consolidated earnings per diluted share of approximately $3.10 to 3.20. The Company's earnings per share guidance includes the expectation of approximately $100 to $200 million of share repurchases in 2015. For the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015, the Company reported non-GAAP consolidated earnings per diluted share of $2.87 excluding a gain on the sale of an asset and golf restructuring charges. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated earnings per diluted share of $2.84 for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015.
    
    
  • Consolidated same store sales are currently expected to increase 1 to 3%, compared to a 2.4% increase in fiscal 2014.
    
    
  • The Company expects to open approximately 45 DICK'S Sporting Goods stores and relocate nine DICK'S Sporting Goods stores in 2015. The Company also expects to open approximately nine Field & Stream stores and relocate one Golf Galaxy store in 2015.
    
    
• First Quarter 2015
  
  
  • Based on an estimated 120 million diluted shares outstanding, the Company currently anticipates reporting consolidated earnings per diluted share of approximately $0.49 to 0.53 in the first quarter of 2015, compared to non-GAAP consolidated earnings per diluted share of $0.50 in the first quarter of 2014 excluding a gain on the sale of an asset. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated earnings per diluted share of $0.57 in the first quarter of 2014.
    
    
  • Consolidated same store sales are currently expected to be approximately flat to an increase of 2% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to a 1.5% increase in the first quarter of 2014.
    
    
  • The Company expects to open approximately nine DICK'S Sporting Goods stores, open one Field & Stream store, relocate one DICK'S Sporting Goods store and relocate one Golf Galaxy store in the first quarter of 2015.
    
    
• Capital Expenditures
  
  
  • In 2015, the Company anticipates capital expenditures to be approximately $245 million on a net basis and approximately $365 million on a gross basis. In 2014, capital expenditures were approximately $247 million on a net basis and approximately $349 million on a gross basis.

Company to Host Analyst Meeting

The Company also announced that it will host an Analyst Meeting on the morning of Tuesday, April 14, 2015 in New York City. Attendance in person will be by invitation only.

The presentations and Q&A session will be webcast and can be accessed live or as an archived replay from the link on the DICK'S Sporting Goods Investor Relations website at investors.DICKS.com. To listen to the live webcast, please go to the website at least fifteen minutes early to register and download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, it will be archived on the Company's website for approximately 30 days.

Conference Call Info

The Company will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the earnings conference call over the internet through the Company's website located at investors.DICKS.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least fifteen minutes early to register and download and install any necessary audio software.

In addition to the webcast, the call can be accessed by dialing (877) 443-5743 (domestic callers) or (412) 902-6617 (international callers) and requesting the "DICK'S Sporting Goods Earnings Call."

For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, it will be archived on the Company's website for approximately 30 days. In addition, a dial-in replay of the call will be available. To listen to the replay, investors should dial (877) 344-7529 (domestic callers) or (412) 317-0088 (international callers) and enter confirmation code 10059532. The dial-in replay will be available for approximately 30 days following the live call.

Forward-Looking Statements Involving Known and Unknown Risks and Uncertainties

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release or otherwise made by our management in connection with the subject matter of this release are forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond our control. Our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those included in any such forward-looking statements and such forward-looking statements should not be relied upon by investors as a prediction of actual results. You can identify these statements as those that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or advancements and by forward-looking words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "predict", "intend", "plan", "project", "goal", "will", "will be", "will continue", "will result", "could", "may", "might" or other words with similar meanings. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the Company's future performance, number of shares outstanding, inventory position, growth in the omni-channel network, number of new store openings and capital expenditures.

The following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results, and could cause actual results for fiscal 2015 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this release or otherwise made by our management: economic and financial uncertainties may cause a decline in consumer spending; intense competition in the sporting goods industry; changes in consumer demand or shopping patterns; limitations on the availability of attractive store locations and/or lease terms; unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential customer information; risks relating to our private brand offerings; disruptions with our eCommerce services provider or of our information systems; access to adequate capital; changing laws and regulations affecting our business including the regulation of consumer products; factors affecting our vendors; litigation risks; foreign trade issues and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the loss of our key executives, especially Edward W. Stack, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; protection of our intellectual property; ability to attract and retain qualified business leaders; disruption at our distribution centers; developments with sports leagues, professional athletes or sports superstars; weather and seasonality of our business; risks associated with strategic investments or acquisitions; risks associated with being a controlled company; our anti-takeover provisions; our current intention to issue quarterly cash dividends; and our share repurchase activity, if any.

Known and unknown risks and uncertainties are more fully described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 28, 2014, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2014, and in other reports filed with the SEC. In addition, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment; therefore, new risk factors can arise, and it is not possible for management to predict or assess the impact of all such risk factors. Forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date of this release. We do not assume any obligation and do not intend to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by the securities laws.

About DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Founded in 1948, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of January 31, 2015, the Company operated more than 600 DICK'S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK'S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream and True Runner specialty stores. DICK'S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront. DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. news releases are available at investors.DICKS.com. The Company's website is not part of this release.

Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Anne-Marie Megela, Vice President – Treasury Services and Investor Relations, or
Scott W. McKinney, Director of Investor Relations
investors@dcsg.com
(724) 273-3400

Media Relations:
(724) 273-5552 or press@dcsg.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Store Count and Square Footage

The stores that opened during the fourth quarter of 2014 are as follows:

 

The following represents a reconciliation of beginning and ending stores and square footage for the periods indicated:

Store Count:

 

Square Footage:
(in millions)

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting the Company's financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company believes that certain non-GAAP financial information provides users of the Company's financial information with additional useful information in evaluating operating performance between reporting periods. These measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The methods used by the Company to calculate its non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods used by other companies to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies. A reconciliation of the Company's non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided below and on the Company's website at investors.DICKS.com.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings Per Share Reconciliations:
(in thousands, except per share data):

 

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a pre-tax $14.4 million gain on sale of a corporate aircraft. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $20.4 million including a $14.3 million non-cash impairment of trademarks and store assets, severance charges of $3.7 million resulting from the elimination of specific staff in the golf area of its DICK'S stores and consolidation of DICK'S golf and Golf Galaxy corporate and administrative functions, and a $2.4 million write-down of excess golf inventories. The provision for income taxes for the aforementioned adjustments were calculated at 40%, which approximates the Company's blended tax rate.

 

 

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company determined that it would recover $4.3 million of its investment in JJB Sports, which it had previously fully impaired. There is no related tax expense as the Company reversed a portion of the deferred tax valuation allowance it had previously recorded for net capital loss carryforwards it did not expect to realize at the time its investment in JJB Sports was fully impaired. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a pre-tax $7.9 million non-cash impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of a corporate aircraft held for sale to fair market value. The provision for income taxes was calculated at 40%, which approximates the Company's blended tax rate.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other generally accepted accounting principles measure of performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, as the Company has calculated it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric used by the Company that provides a measurement of profitability that eliminates the effect of changes resulting from financing decisions, tax regulations, capital investments, and certain non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items.

 

Reconciliation of Gross Capital Expenditures to Net Capital Expenditures

The following table represents a reconciliation of the Company's gross capital expenditures to its capital expenditures, net of tenant allowances.

 

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SOURCE DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.