Dick's Sporting Goods Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results

PITTSBURGH, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS) today reported sales and earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended January 28, 2012.

Fourth Quarter Results

The Company reported consolidated net income for the fourth quarter ended January 28, 2012 of $111.1 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, at the high end of the Company's revised expectations provided on January 12, 2012 of $0.87 to 0.88 per diluted share. The Company reported consolidated non-GAAP net income of $94.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2011, excluding an after-tax charge of $6.5 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, from litigation settlement costs. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated net income for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2011 of $87.5 million, or $0.71 per diluted share.

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 6.1% to $1.6 billion as compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 due primarily to the growth of the Company's store network and a 0.1% increase in consolidated same store sales. The consolidated same store sales increase was in line with the Company's revised expectations provided on January 12, 2012 and consisted of a 2.5% decrease at Dick's Sporting Goods stores, a 9.0% increase at Golf Galaxy and a 52.0% increase in the Company's eCommerce business.

"In the fourth quarter, we generated record earnings, maintained an exceptionally strong balance sheet with our cash balance growing $188 million, initiated our first ever dividend, and announced a 12-month share repurchase program," said Edward W. Stack, Chairman and CEO. "In 2012, we will continue to build on our momentum as we profitably grow the business with earnings expected to increase approximately 18 to 19%, while simultaneously investing in key strategic areas including new stores, eCommerce, inventory management systems and private brands."

New Stores

In the fourth quarter, the Company opened six Dick's Sporting Goods stores. These stores are listed in a table later in the release under the heading "Store Count and Square Footage."

As of January 28, 2012, the Company operated 480 Dick's Sporting Goods stores in 43 states, with approximately 26.3 million square feet and 81 Golf Galaxy stores in 30 states, with approximately 1.3 million square feet.

Balance Sheet

The Company ended fiscal 2011 with $734 million in cash and cash equivalents as compared to $546 million at the end of fiscal 2010, and did not have any outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility in either period.  On December 5, 2011, the Company entered into a new five-year credit agreement, which provides for a $500 million revolving credit facility and the ability to increase the aggregate revolving loan commitment by $250 million, subject to certain conditions.

Inventory per square foot was 6.2% higher at the end of fiscal 2011 as compared to the end of fiscal 2010.  A little more than half of the increase was due to the lower than anticipated sales of cold-weather related product. The remaining increase was in preparation for anticipated spring business and eCommerce growth. Clearance inventory per square foot was down 2.1% at the end of fiscal 2011 as compared to the end of fiscal 2010.

Year-to-Date Results

The Company reported consolidated non-GAAP net income for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012 of $253.9 million, or $2.02 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP earnings exclude a gain on sale of investment and the favorable impact of lower litigation settlement costs.  For the 52 weeks ended January 29, 2011, the Company reported consolidated non-GAAP net income of $198.4 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, which excluded Golf Galaxy store closing costs and litigation settlement costs.

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated net income for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012 of $263.9 million, or $2.10 per diluted share, compared to consolidated net income for the 52 weeks ended January 29, 2011 of $182.1 million, or $1.50 per diluted share. The GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation is included in a table later in the release under the heading "Non-GAAP Net Income and Earnings Per Share Reconciliation."

Net sales for the full year 2011 increased 7.0% to $5.2 billion as compared to the full year 2010 primarily due to the growth of the Company's store network and a 2.0% increase in consolidated same store sales.  

Dividend

On February 13, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.125 per share on the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The dividend is payable in cash on March 30, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2012.

Share Repurchase Program

On January 11, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a 12-month share repurchase program of up to $200 million of the Company's common stock. The Company initiated the program to offset the dilutive effect of the issuance of shares expected in connection with the expiration in 2013 of a substantial number of stock options issued following the Company's 2002 initial public offering, which are anticipated to be exercised in 2012.  The Company will finance the repurchase from cash on hand.

Current 2012 Outlook

The Company's current outlook for 2012 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 2012 - (53-Week Year) Comparisons to Fiscal 2011 - (52-Week Year)  
  • Based on an estimated 126 million diluted shares outstanding, the Company currently anticipates reporting consolidated earnings per diluted share of approximately $2.38 to 2.41, which includes approximately $0.03 per diluted share for the 53rd week. For the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012, the Company reported consolidated non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $2.02, excluding a gain on sale of investment and the favorable impact of lower litigation settlement costs. On a GAAP basis, the Company reported consolidated earnings per diluted share of $2.10 in 2011.
  • Consolidated same store sales are currently expected to increase approximately 2 to 3% on a 52-week to 52-week comparative basis, compared to a 2.0% increase in fiscal 2011.
  • The Company currently expects to open approximately 40 new Dick's Sporting Goods stores and relocate four Dick's Sporting Goods stores in 2012.

• First Quarter 2012
  • Based on an estimated 126 million diluted shares outstanding, the Company currently anticipates reporting consolidated earnings per diluted share of approximately $0.36 to 0.38 in the first quarter of 2012. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company reported consolidated earnings per diluted share of $0.30.  
  • Consolidated same store sales are currently expected to increase approximately 3 to 4% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to a 2.1% increase in the first quarter of 2011.
  • The Company expects to open six Dick's Sporting Goods stores and relocate one Dick's Sporting Goods store in the first quarter of 2012.

• Capital Expenditures
  • In 2012, the Company anticipates capital expenditures to be approximately $241 million on a gross basis and approximately $190 million on a net basis.

Conference Call Info

The Company will be hosting 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 http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors. 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 (866) 652-5200 (domestic callers) or (412) 317-6060 (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 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 10011066. The dial-in replay will be available for 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 address, among other things, our expectations, our growth strategies, including our plans to open new stores, our efforts to increase profit margins and return on invested capital, plans to grow our private brand business, projections of our future profitability, issuance of dividends, results of operations, capital expenditures, our financial condition or other "forward-looking" information and include statements about revenues, earnings, spending, margins, costs, liquidity, store openings and operations, inventory, private brand products or our actions, plans or strategies.  

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 2012 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: continuation of the ongoing economic and financial downturn that may cause a continued decline in consumer spending and other changes in macroeconomic factors or market conditions that impact consumer spending or shopping patterns, particularly for the types of merchandise that we sell; changes in the general economic and business conditions and in the specialty retail or sporting goods industry in particular; fluctuations in our quarterly operating results or same store sales; volatility in our stock price; our ability to access adequate capital; competition in the sporting goods industry; limitations on the availability of attractive store locations; inability to manage our growth, open new stores on a timely basis or expand successfully in new and existing markets; changes in consumer demand; unauthorized disclosure of sensitive, personal or confidential information; disruptions in our or our vendors' supply chains; our relationships with our vendors; factors affecting our vendors, including potential increases in the costs of products, their ability to maintain their inventory and production levels and their ability or willingness to provide us with sufficient quantities of products at acceptable prices; factors that could negatively affect our private brand offerings; risks and costs relating to the products we well, including product liability claims, and the availability of recourse to third parties, including our insurance policies, product recalls and the regulation of and other hazards associated with certain products we sell, such as hunting rifles and ammunition; the loss of our key executives, especially Edward W. Stack, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; costs and risks associated with increased or changing laws and regulations affecting our business; our ability to secure and protect our trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; risks relating to operating as a multi-channel retailer, including the impact of rapid technological change, internet security and privacy issues and the threat of systems failure or inadequacy; problems with our current management information systems or software; disruption at our distribution facilities; the seasonality of our business; regional risks because our stores are generally concentrated in the eastern half of the United States; costs and risks related to litigation or other claims against us; costs and uncertainties associated with pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions; our ability to meet our labor needs; currency exchange rate fluctuations; risks associated with our Chief Executive Officer and his relatives' controlling interest in the Company; the impact of foreign instability and conflict; our anti-takeover provisions, which could prevent or delay a change in control of the Company; impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other acquired intangibles; our current intention to issue quarterly cash dividends; and our repurchase activity, if any, pursuant to our share repurchase program.

Known and unknown risks and uncertainties are more fully described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 18, 2011 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 all such risk factors, nor to assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, or combination of risk factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not assume any obligation and do not intend to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by the securities laws.

About Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.

Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. is an authentic full-line sporting goods retailer offering a broad assortment of brand name sporting goods equipment, apparel and footwear in a specialty store environment. The Company also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, LLC, a golf specialty retailer. As of January 28, 2012, the Company operated 480 Dick's Sporting Goods stores in 43 states, 81 Golf Galaxy stores in 30 states and eCommerce websites and catalog operations for both Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy. Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. news releases are available at http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors. The Company's website is not part of this release.

Contact:

Timothy E. Kullman, EVP – Finance, Administration, and Chief Financial Officer or
Anne-Marie Megela, Director, Investor Relations
(724) 273-3400
[email protected]

Store Count and Square Footage

The stores that opened during the fourth quarter of 2011 are as follows:

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

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to reporting the Company's financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company provides information regarding net income and earnings per diluted share adjusted for gain on sale of investment and litigation settlement costs; earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation, adjusted to exclude certain significant gains and losses ("Adjusted EBITDA"); a reconciliation from the Company's gross capital expenditures, net of tenant allowances; and calculations of consolidated and Dick's Sporting Goods new store productivity.  These measures are considered non-GAAP and are not preferable to GAAP financial information; however, the Company believes this information provides additional measures of performance that the Company's management, analysts and investors can use to compare core, operating results between reporting periods. These non-GAAP measures are provided below and on the Company's website at http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/investors.

SOURCE Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.