ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Borders Group, Inc. today reported results for the second fiscal quarter, ended Aug. 4, 2007. At $945.1 million, second quarter consolidated sales were up by 10.4% over the same period in 2006. Led by record sales of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," comparable store sales within domestic Borders superstores increased by 4.6%. The company recorded a second-quarter consolidated loss, on a GAAP basis, of $0.43 per share. Excluding non- operating charges, the second quarter consolidated loss was $0.26 per share.
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"Progress is clearly being made at Borders Group as we continue to execute our strategic plan and are beginning to see improved performance," said Chief Executive Officer George Jones. "Harry Potter certainly gave us a big boost in sales across all businesses, yet even without it, we achieved positive same-stores sales results that are directly attributable to our focus on execution and more effective use of the Borders Rewards loyalty program to drive increased traffic to our stores. We have significantly more work to do, and we remain committed to staying on-track to deliver sales and earnings growth consistent with the long-term financial goals we set forth in our strategic plan."
Consolidated Results
Borders Group achieved second quarter consolidated sales of $945.1 million, an increase of 10.4% over 2006.
On a GAAP basis, the company recorded a consolidated second quarter net loss of $25.1 million, or $0.43 per share, which compares to a consolidated net loss of $18.4 million, or $0.29 per share, for the same period in 2006. On an operating basis, the second quarter consolidated net loss was $15.3 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to $14.5 million, or $0.23 per share a year ago.
Gross margin as a percent of sales increased by 0.1% from 23.9% to 24.0% in the second quarter as comparable store sales increases resulted in the leveraging of occupancy costs, which were partially offset by increased promotional discounts (including the impact of lower margin Harry Potter sales).
SG&A as a percent of sales increased by 0.9% from 26.1% to 27.0% in the second quarter, due primarily to non-operating charges described later in this news release. Excluding non-operating charges, SG&A as a percent of sales increased by 0.1% to 26.0% from 25.9% a year ago. Interest expense increased by $3.8 million as a result of increased debt levels.
Capital expenditures were $38.3 million in the second quarter compared to $46.8 million for the same period in 2006. Debt, net of cash, totaled $662.9 million at the end of the second quarter compared to debt, net of cash, of $476.7 million for the same period one year ago. The company made progress in improving inventory management, which remains an ongoing initiative, as inventory growth in the second quarter was one-third the rate of sales growth.
Domestic Borders Superstores
Total second quarter sales at domestic Borders superstores were $658.6 million, an increase of 9.7% over the same period in 2006. Comparable store sales in the segment increased by 4.6% in the second quarter primarily driven by record Harry Potter sales. Excluding sales of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," same-store sales increased by 0.4% for the second quarter, reversing a four-quarter trend of negative comparable store sales within the segment. Beyond Harry Potter, the Children's book category as a whole performed well, as did Bargain books. The Cafe and Gifts and Stationery categories also continued to be strong while music continued to decline.
On a GAAP basis, Borders superstores reported an operating loss of $2.9 million in the second quarter compared to operating income of $11.0 million for the same period a year ago. The loss was driven primarily by non- operating charges (including a tentative legal settlement described later in this release), a decline in gross margin due primarily to promotional discounts associated with the Harry Potter book, and increased expenses associated with strategic initiatives. On an operating basis, Borders superstores generated operating income of $2.4 million in the second quarter compared to operating income of $10.4 million for the same period a year ago. The company opened four new Borders superstores in the U.S. during the period, ending the quarter with a total of 506 domestic superstore locations.
Waldenbooks Specialty Retail
Total sales within the Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment were down 7.7% in the second quarter to $116.7 million. Comparable store sales in the segment increased by 6.2% for the period including sales of the Harry Potter title, and were flat excluding its impact.
"Our specialty stores, like our domestic superstores, did a great job with Harry Potter. After seven consecutive quarters of negative same-store sales in this segment, we are encouraged by our second quarter comparable store sales result," Jones noted. "Our efforts to draw mall customers across our lease line with compelling presentation are paying off and we are seeing improvements resulting from other efforts, such as adjustments to the product assortment and better store execution."
On a GAAP basis, the second quarter operating loss for the Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment was $12.4 million compared to $12.6 million in 2006. On an operating basis, Waldenbooks Specialty Retail stores generated a second quarter loss of $11.1 million compared to $12.0 million for the same period a year ago.
Borders Group closed 21 under-performing Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment stores in the second quarter, consistent with the company's long-range plan to right-size the segment.
International
For the second quarter, total sales in the International segment were $169.8 million, which is up by 31.2% compared to the same period a year ago. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, total International sales would have increased by 20.7% for the second quarter.
Comparable superstore sales in the International segment increased by 8.2% in the second quarter led by strong sales of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Excluding its sales impact, comparable store sales in the segment increased by 5.6% in the second quarter driven by strong sales in Asia Pacific. On a GAAP basis, the second quarter operating loss for the International segment narrowed to $9.8 million compared to a second quarter operating loss of $16.0 million in 2006. Borders Group is proceeding with the strategic alternatives process for the majority of its International segment as disclosed in March.
Non-Operating Adjustments
Consolidated net income and earnings per share figures reported here include the impact of non-operating adjustments. In the second quarter, the adjustments totaled an after-tax charge of $0.17 per share, which compares to $0.06 per share a year ago. The charge includes a pre-tax charge of $3.5 million, or $0.04 per share after tax, related to a tentative agreement that Borders has reached to settle California overtime litigation. The proposed class in the litigation included individuals who worked as sales managers and inventory managers in Borders superstores in California for a prescribed period of time. A description of the litigation is included in the company's previous public filings, including its 10-K for the fiscal year ended Feb. 3, 2007. In addition to the settlement, the non-operating adjustments included store closure and relocation costs, executive severance costs, and professional fees related to the International strategic alternatives process.
Credit Agreement Amendment
Borders Group has entered into an agreement with its bank group to amend its existing revolving credit agreement. Under the amendment, the agreement's fixed charged coverage ratio requirement will not be applicable for a limited period of time subject to certain conditions. In addition, the amendment, subject to certain conditions, allows for the sale of the majority of Borders Group's International segment subject to certain conditions, and permits term loan financing should Borders Group determine at a future point to seek such financing. In conjunction with the amendment, Borders Group is terminating its previously announced plans to secure term loan financing in the range of $150 million to $200 million. Overall, the amendment provides the company with the financial flexibility to execute its strategic plan going forward.
Next Financial Release
Borders Group will issue third quarter 2007 results Nov. 20 after market close with a conference call to follow Nov. 21 at 8 a.m. Eastern.
About Borders Group
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. is a leading global retailer of books, music and movies with more than 1,200 stores and over 32,000 employees worldwide. More information on the company is available at http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "projects," "expected," "estimated," "look toward," "going forward," "continuing," "planning," "returning," "guidance," "goal," "will," "may," "intend," "anticipates," and other words of similar meaning. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements are likely to address matters such as the company's future financial performance (including earnings per share growth, EBIT margins and inventory turns, same-store sales growth, and anticipated capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization amounts), its strategic plans and expected financing and benefits relating to such plans (including steps to be taken to improve the performance of domestic superstores, the exploration of strategic alternatives with respect to certain international operations, the downsizing of the Specialty Retail Segment and the development of a proprietary website) and its intentions with respect to dividend payments and share repurchases.
These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and plans to differ materially from those included in the company's forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, consumer demand for the company's products, particularly during the holiday season, which is believed to be related to general economic and geopolitical conditions, competition and other factors; the availability of adequate capital to fund the company's operations and to carry out its strategic plans; the performance of the company's information technology systems and the development of improvements to the systems necessary to implement the company's strategic plan, and, with respect to the exploration of strategic alternatives for certain international operations, the ability to attract interested third parties.
The company's periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain more detailed discussions of these and other risk factors that could cause actual results and plans to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements, and those discussions are incorporated herein by reference. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Borders Group, Inc. Financial Statements (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Unaudited Sales and Earnings Summary Quarter Ended Quarter Ended August 4, 2007 July 29, 2006 Operating Adjustments GAAP Operating Adjustments GAAP Basis (1) (1) Basis Basis (2) (2) Basis Domestic Borders Superstores $658.6 $- $658.6 $600.1 $- $600.1 Waldenbooks Specialty Retail 116.7 - 116.7 126.5 - 126.5 International 169.8 - 169.8 129.4 - 129.4 Total sales 945.1 - 945.1 856.0 - 856.0 Other revenue 11.6 - 11.6 10.3 - 10.3 Total revenue 956.7 - 956.7 866.3 - 866.3 Cost of goods sold, including occupancy costs 726.5 3.4 729.9 658.5 3.0 661.5 Gross margin 230.2 (3.4) 226.8 207.8 (3.0) 204.8 Selling, general and administrative expenses 245.0 9.9 254.9 222.1 1.2 223.3 Pre-opening expense 1.7 - 1.7 2.3 - 2.3 Asset impairments and other writedowns - 0.5 0.5 - 2.0 2.0 Operating loss (16.5) (13.8) (30.3) (16.6) (6.2) (22.8) Interest expense 11.5 - 11.5 7.7 - 7.7 Loss before income taxes (28.0) (13.8) (41.8) (24.3) (6.2) (30.5) Income taxes (12.7) (4.0) (16.7) (9.8) (2.3) (12.1) Net loss $(15.3) $(9.8) $(25.1) $(14.5) $(3.9) $(18.4) Basic EPS $(0.26) (0.17) (0.43) $(0.23) $(0.06) $(0.29) Basic weighted avg. common shares 58.8 58.8 58.8 63.6 63.6 63.6 Comparable Store Sales Domestic Borders Superstores 4.6% (5.3%) Waldenbooks Specialty Retail 6.2% (12.1%) International Borders Superstores 8.2% (3.4%) (In local currency) Sales and Earnings Summary (As Percentage of Total Sales) Quarter Ended Quarter Ended August 4, 2007 July 29, 2006 Operating Adjustments GAAP Operating Adjustments GAAP Basis (1) (1) Basis Basis (2) (2) Basis Domestic Borders Superstores 69.7% -% 69.7% 70.1% -% 70.1% Waldenbooks Specialty Retail 12.3 - 12.3 14.8 - 14.8 International 18.0 - 18.0 15.1 - 15.1 Total sales 100.0 - 100.0 100.0 - 100.0 Other revenue 1.2 - 1.2 1.2 - 1.2 Total revenue 101.2 - 101.2 101.2 - 101.2 Cost of goods sold, including occupancy costs 76.8 0.4 77.2 76.9 0.4 77.3 Gross margin 24.4 (0.4) 24.0 24.3 (0.4) 23.9 Selling, general and administrative expenses 26.0 1.0 27.0 25.9 0.2 26.1 Pre-opening expense 0.2 - 0.2 0.3 - 0.3 Asset impairments and other writedowns - - - - 0.2 0.2 Operating loss (1.8) (1.4) (3.2) (1.9) (0.8) (2.7) Interest expense 1.2 - 1.2 0.9 - 0.9 Loss before income taxes (3.0) (1.4) (4.4) (2.8) (0.8) (3.6) Income taxes (1.3) (0.4) (1.7) (1.1) (0.3) (1.4) Net loss (1.7)% (1.0)% (2.7)% (1.7)% (0.5)% (2.2)% (1) Results from 2007 were impacted by a number of non-operating items, including a legal settlement, store closure and relocation costs, executive severance costs and professional fees related to international strategic alternatives. Therefore, solely for analytical purposes and as an aid to better understand underlying trends, operating basis data are presented excluding these items. (2) Results from 2006 were impacted by a number of non-operating items, including accelerated depreciation, store closure costs and disposals of fixed assets resulting from the remodel program. Partially offsetting these expenses was income from a legal settlement. Therefore, solely for analytical purposes and as an aid to better understand underlying trends, operating basis data are presented excluding these items. Borders Group, Inc. Financial Statements (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Unaudited Sales and Earnings Summary Six Months Ended Six Months Ended August 4, 2007 July 29, 2006 Operating Adjustments GAAP Operating Adjustments GAAP Basis (1) (1) Basis Basis (2) (2) Basis Domestic Borders Superstores $1,273.6 $- $1,273.6 $1,206.5 $- $1,206.5 Waldenbooks Specialty Retail 224.8 - 224.8 253.7 - 253.7 International 323.5 - 323.5 255.8 - 255.8 Total sales 1,821.9 - 1,821.9 1,716.0 - 1,716.0 Other revenue 20.6 - 20.6 18.1 - 18.1 Total revenue 1,842.5 - 1,842.5 1,734.1 - 1,734.1 Cost of goods sold, including occupancy costs 1,411.2 7.7 1,418.9 1,323.0 5.6 1,328.6 Gross margin 431.3 (7.7) 423.6 411.1 (5.6) 405.5 Selling, general and administrative expenses 485.7 12.8 498.5 449.4 (0.7) 448.7 Pre-opening expense 3.0 - 3.0 4.2 - 4.2 Asset impairments and other writedowns - 1.3 1.3 - 2.6 2.6 Operating income (loss) (57.4) (21.8) (79.2) (42.5) (7.5) (50.0) Interest expense 21.4 - 21.4 13.1 - 13.1 Income (loss) before income taxes (78.8) (21.8) (100.6) (55.6) (7.5) (63.1) Income taxes (33.6) (6.0) (39.6) (21.8) (2.7) (24.5) Net income (loss) $(45.2) $(15.8) $(61.0) $(33.8) $(4.8) $(38.6) Basic EPS $(0.77) $(0.27) $(1.04) $(0.53) $(0.07) $(0.60) Basic weighted avg. common shares 58.7 58.7 58.7 64.0 64.0 64.0 Comparable Store Sales Domestic Borders Superstores 1.3% (2.4%) Waldenbooks Specialty Retail 2.6% (9.8%) International Borders Superstores 2.9% (1.6%) Sales and Earnings Summary (As Percentage of Total Sales) Six Months Ended Six Months Ended August 4, 2007 July 29, 2006 Operating Adjustments GAAP Operating Adjustments GAAP Basis (1) (1) Basis Basis (2) (2) Basis Domestic Borders Superstores 69.9% -% 69.9% 70.3% -% 70.3% Waldenbooks Specialty Retail 12.3 - 12.3 14.8 - 14.8 International 17.8 - 17.8 14.9 - 14.9 Total sales 100.0 - 100.0 100.0 - 100.0 Other revenue 1.1 - 1.1 1.0 - 1.0 Total revenue 101.1 - 101.1 101.0 - 101.0 Cost of goods sold, including occupancy costs 77.4 0.4 77.8 77.1 0.3 77.4 Gross margin 23.7 (0.4) 23.3 23.9 (0.3) 23.6 Selling, general and administrative expenses 26.7 0.7 27.4 26.1 - 26.1 Pre-opening expense 0.1 - 0.1 0.2 - 0.2 Asset impairments and other writedowns - 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 Operating income (loss) (3.1) (1.2) (4.3) (2.4) (0.4) (2.8) Interest expense 1.2 - 1.2 0.8 - 0.8 Income (loss) before income taxes (4.3) (1.2) (5.5) (3.2) (0.4) (3.6) Income taxes (1.9) (0.3) (2.2) (1.2) (0.2) (1.4) Net income (loss) (2.4)% (0.9)% (3.3)% (2.0)% (0.2)% (2.2)% (1) Results from 2007 were impacted by a number of non-operating items, including a legal settlement, store closure and relocation costs, executive severance costs and professional fees related to international strategic alternatives. Therefore, solely for analytical purposes and as an aid to better understand underlying trends, operating basis data are presented excluding these items. (2) Results from 2006 were impacted by a number of non-operating items, including accelerated depreciation, store closure costs and disposals of fixed assets resulting from the remodel program, as well as inventory write-offs, distribution center closure costs and severance costs. Partially offsetting these items is income received from the sale of investments. Therefore, solely for analytical purposes and as an aid to better understand underlying trends, operating basis data are presented excluding these items. Borders Group, Inc. Financial Statements (dollars in millions) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets August 4, July 29, February 3, 2007 2006 2007 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $75.5 $ 89.1 $120.4 Inventory 1,438.6 1,391.7 1,452.0 Other current assets 146.9 166.5 151.2 Property and equipment, net 734.2 741.3 707.7 Other assets and deferred charges 146.4 104.1 141.8 Goodwill 40.3 128.3 40.3 Total assets $2,581.9 $2,621.0 $2,613.4 Liabilities, Minority Interest and Stockholders' Equity Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $733.3 $560.5 $542.6 Accounts payable 540.8 544.7 631.4 Other current liabilities 337.4 314.2 421.9 Long-term debt 5.1 5.3 5.2 Other long-term liabilities 388.9 355.8 368.3 Total liabilities 2,005.5 1,780.5 1,969.4 Minority interest 2.1 1.4 2.0 Total stockholders' equity 574.3 839.1 642.0 Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders' equity $2,581.9 $2,621.0 $2,613.4 Store Activity Summary Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Year Ended August 4, July 29, August 4, July 29, February 3, 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007 Domestic Borders Superstores Beginning number of stores 502 478 499 473 473 Openings 4 2 8 7 31 Closings - (4) (1) (4) (5) Ending number of stores 506 476 506 476 499 Ending square footage (in millions) 12.5 11.9 12.5 11.9 12.4 Waldenbooks Specialty Retail Stores (1) Beginning number of stores 553 665 564 678 678 Openings - - - 3 10 Closings (21) (10) (32) (26) (124) Ending number of stores 532 655 532 655 564 Ending square footage (in millions) 2.0 2.5 2.0 2.5 2.2 International Borders Stores Beginning number of stores 70 56 68 55 55 Openings - 3 2 4 13 Closings - - - - - Ending number of stores 70 59 70 59 68 Ending square footage (in millions) 1.7 1.5 1.7 1.5 1.7 Books etc. International Stores Beginning number of stores 30 32 30 33 33 Openings - - - - - Closings (2) - (2) (1) (3) Ending number of stores 28 32 28 32 30 Ending square footage (in millions) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 (1) Includes all small format stores in malls, airports and outlet malls. Borders Group, Inc. Segment Financial Information (dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Unaudited Quarter Ended August 4, 2007 Quarter Ended July 29, 2006 Operating Adjustments GAAP Operating Adjustments GAAP Basis (2) (2) Basis Basis (3) (3) Basis Domestic Borders Superstores Sales $658.6 $- $658.6 $600.1 $- $600.1 Depreciation expense 21.3 0.3 21.6 20.8 0.7 21.5 Operating income (loss) 2.4 (5.3) (2.9) 10.4 0.6 11.0 Waldenbooks Specialty Retail Sales $116.7 $- $116.7 $126.5 $- $126.5 Depreciation expense 1.6 - 1.6 4.3 - 4.3 Operating income (loss) (11.1) (1.3) (12.4) (12.0) (0.6) (12.6) International Sales $169.8 $- $169.8 $129.4 $- $129.4 Depreciation expense 5.3 - 5.3 5.3 - 5.3 Operating income (loss) (4.3) (5.5) (9.8) (13.0) (3.0) (16.0) Corporate (1) Operating income (loss) $(3.5) $(1.7) $ (5.2) $(2.0) $(3.2) $(5.2) Consolidated Sales $945.1 $- $945.1 $856.0 $- $856.0 Depreciation expense 28.2 0.3 28.5 30.4 0.7 31.1 Operating income (loss) (16.5) (13.8) (30.3) (16.6) (6.2) (22.8) Six Months Ended August 4, 2007 Six Months Ended July 29, 2006 Operating Adjustments GAAP Operating Adjustments GAAP Basis (2) (2) Basis Basis (3) (3) Basis Domestic Borders Superstores Sales $1,273.6 $ - 1,273.6 $1,206.5 $- $1,206.5 Depreciation expense 43.1 0.5 43.6 40.9 1.4 42.3 Operating income (loss) (14.4) (10.5) (24.9) 11.0 1.5 12.5 Waldenbooks Specialty Retail Sales $224.8 $- $224.8 $253.7 $- $253.7 Depreciation expense 2.7 - 2.7 8.5 - 8.5 Operating income (loss) (24.4) (2.0) (26.4) (28.1) (0.5) (28.6) International Sales $323.5 $323.5 $255.8 $- $255.8 Depreciation expense 10.2 - 10.2 10.3 - 10.3 Operating income (loss) (12.5) (7.1) (19.6) (21.0) (5.3) (26.3) Corporate (1) Operating income (loss) $(6.1) $(2.2) $ (8.3) $(4.4) $(3.2) $(7.6) Consolidated Sales $1,821.9 $- $1,821.9 $1,716.0 $- $1,716.0 Depreciation expense 56.0 0.5 56.5 59.7 1.4 61.1 Operating income (loss) (57.4) (21.8) (79.2) (42.5) (7.5) (50.0) (1) The Corporate segment includes various corporate governance costs and corporate incentive costs. (2) Results from 2007 were impacted by a number of non-operating items, including a legal settlement, store closure and relocation costs, executive severance costs and professional fees related to international strategic alternatives. Therefore, solely for analytical purposes and as an aid to better understand underlying trends, operating basis data are presented excluding these items. (3) Results from 2006 were impacted by a number of non-operating items, including accelerated depreciation, store closure costs and disposals of fixed assets resulting from the remodel program. Partially offsetting these expenses was income from a legal settlement. Therefore, solely for analytical purposes and as an aid to better understand underlying trends, operating basis data are presented excluding these items.
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