Stage Stores Reports First Quarter Results and Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

HOUSTON--()--Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE:SSI) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended April 30, 2016.

“Our first quarter results were hurt by our Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico stores, due to the impact of depressed oil prices and the weak peso, as well as a challenging retail environment. Excluding stores in these four states, our comparable sales declined 3.8%,” said Michael Glazer, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We expect these macro factors will weigh on our sales performance in the near-term and we are reducing our expenses, inventories, and capital spending. We continue to plan the business for the long-term, investing in our stores, growing our omnichannel business, and improving our merchandising and marketing. While reinvesting in our business, we are focused on generating positive cash flows and delivering value to our shareholders through our dividend.”

The Company announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share on the Company’s common stock, payable on June 15, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2016.

First Quarter Reported Results

For the first quarter, comparable sales decreased 8.5%. Total sales decreased 9.9% to $332.8 million, as compared to $369.3 million in the prior year. Net loss was $15.5 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $0.27 per diluted share for the prior year.

On an adjusted basis, net loss was $15.1 million, or $0.56 per diluted share versus a loss of $0.26 per diluted share in the prior year. Adjusted first quarter results exclude after tax charges associated with consolidation of the Company’s headquarters and store closures of approximately $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share.

2016 Guidance

Comparable sales for the year are expected to be -4% to -6%. Adjusted earnings per diluted share are expected to be $0.20 - $0.40. Weighted average diluted shares for the year are expected to be 28.2 million.

Capital expenditures in 2016, net of construction allowances from landlords, are expected to be $65 million, compared to $87 million in 2015.

Conference Call / Webcast Information

The Company will hold a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its first quarter results. Interested parties may participate in the Company’s conference call by dialing 844-368-2238. Alternatively, interested parties may listen to a live webcast of the conference call through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website (www.stagestoresinc.com) under the “Webcasts” caption. A replay of the conference call will be available online until midnight on Friday, June 3, 2016.

About Stage Stores

Stage Stores, Inc. operates 825 specialty department stores in 38 states and a direct-to-consumer channel under the BEALLS, GOODY'S, PALAIS ROYAL, PEEBLES and STAGE nameplates. The Company’s stores, predominantly located in small towns and communities, and direct-to-consumer business offer a moderately priced, broad selection of trend-right, brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics, footwear and home goods for the entire family. The Company’s direct-to-consumer channel includes its e-commerce website and Send program. Its e-commerce website features assortments of merchandise similar to that found in its stores, as well as products available exclusively online. The Send program allows customers in the stores to have merchandise shipped directly to their homes if the merchandise is not available in the local store. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company’s website at www.stagestoresinc.com.

Use of Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Financial Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures help to facilitate comparisons of Company operating performance across periods. This release includes non-GAAP financial measures identified as “adjusted” results. A reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is provided in a table included with this release.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “objective,” “goal,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” “should,” “may,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of the Company’s objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance. Although management believes the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, cost and availability of goods, inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on the Company and its customers, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company’s other SEC filings. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of such risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in its public announcements and SEC filings.

 

Stage Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
April 30, 2016   May 2, 2015
Amount   % to Sales (a) Amount   % to Sales (a)
 
Net sales $ 332,750 100.0 % $ 369,313 100.0 %
Cost of sales and related buying, occupancy and distribution expenses 265,763   79.9 % 288,384   78.1 %
Gross profit 66,987 20.1 % 80,929 21.9 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 90,144 27.1 % 94,475 25.6 %
Interest expense 1,029   0.3 % 579   0.2 %
Loss before income tax (24,186 ) (7.3 )% (14,125 ) (3.8 )%
Income tax benefit (8,726 ) (2.6 )% (5,488 ) (1.5 )%
Net loss $ (15,460 ) (4.6 )% $ (8,637 ) (2.3 )%
 
Basic loss per share data:
Basic loss per share $ (0.57 ) $ (0.27 )
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 26,932   31,750  
 
Diluted loss per share data:
Diluted loss per share $ (0.57 ) $ (0.27 )
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 26,932   31,750  
 
(a) Percentages may not foot due to rounding.
 
 

Stage Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value)

(Unaudited)

   
April 30, 2016 January 30, 2016

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,724 $ 16,487
Merchandise inventories, net 482,263 435,996
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 42,712   48,279  
Total current assets 547,699 500,762
 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net 325,680 311,717
Intangible assets 15,235 15,235
Other non-current assets, net 22,582   20,385  
Total assets $ 911,196   $ 848,099  
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Accounts payable $ 131,204 $ 84,019
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 75,019   71,863  
Total current liabilities 206,223 155,882
 
Long-term debt obligations 194,478 162,876
Other long-term liabilities 100,731   99,588  
Total liabilities 501,432   418,346  
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Common stock, par value $0.01, 100,000 shares authorized, 32,243 and 32,030 shares issued, respectively 322 320
Additional paid-in capital 405,565 406,034
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,175 shares, respectively (43,119 ) (43,068 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,258 ) (6,353 )
Retained earnings 53,254   72,820  
Total stockholders' equity 409,764   429,753  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 911,196   $ 848,099  
 
 

Stage Stores, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
April 30, 2016   May 2, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (15,460 ) $ (8,637 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of long-lived assets 17,787 16,916
Loss on retirements of property, equipment and leasehold improvements 53 148
Deferred income taxes (697 ) (149 )
Tax (deficiency) benefit from stock-based compensation (2,793 ) 692
Stock-based compensation expense 2,809 2,709
Amortization of debt issuance costs 55 55
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation (910 )
Deferred compensation obligation 51 97
Amortization of employee benefit related costs 153 179
Construction allowances from landlords 4,341 1,072
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in merchandise inventories (46,267 ) (45,253 )
Decrease in other assets 4,325 2,738
Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities 43,706   13,911  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 8,063   (16,432 )
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements (33,232 ) (13,295 )
Proceeds from disposal of assets 1,053   14  
Net cash used in investing activities (32,179 ) (13,281 )
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings 138,876 116,311
Payments of revolving credit facility borrowings (107,615 ) (71,665 )
Proceeds from long-term debt obligation 5,830
Payments of long-term debt obligations (2,047 ) (985 )
Payments for stock related compensation (585 ) (3,470 )
Proceeds from issuance of stock awards 543
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 910
Cash dividends paid (4,106 ) (4,490 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 30,353   37,154  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 6,237 7,441
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 16,487   17,165  
End of period $ 22,724   $ 24,606  
 
 

Stage Stores, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(in thousands, except earnings per share)

(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
April 30, 2016   May 2, 2015
Net loss (GAAP) $ (15,460 ) $ (8,637 )
Consolidation of corporate headquarters and severance charges associated with workforce reduction, net of tax of $40 70
Strategic store closures, net of tax of $158 and $225, respectively 281   368  
Adjusted loss (non-GAAP) $ (15,109 ) $ (8,269 )
 
Diluted loss per share (GAAP) $ (0.57 ) $ (0.27 )
Consolidation of corporate headquarters and severance charges associated with workforce reduction
Strategic store closures 0.01   0.01  
Adjusted diluted loss per share (non-GAAP) $ (0.56 ) $ (0.26 )
 
Three Months Ended
April 30, 2016 May 2, 2015
Gross Profit (GAAP) $ 66,987 $ 80,929
Strategic store closures   593  
Adjusted gross profit (non-GAAP) $ 66,987   $ 81,522  
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses (GAAP) $ 90,144 $ 94,475
Consolidation of corporate headquarters and severance charges associated with workforce reduction (110 )
Strategic store closures (439 )  
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses (non-GAAP) $ 89,595   $ 94,475  
 

Contacts

Stage Stores, Inc.
Randi Sonenshein, 713-331-4967
Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategy
rsonenshein@stagestores.com

Contacts

Stage Stores, Inc.
Randi Sonenshein, 713-331-4967
Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategy
rsonenshein@stagestores.com