(Source: Business Wire)
Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today the results for its second quarter ended August 1, 2009. Total company sales increased nine percent to $5.5 billion compared to second quarter 2008 sales of $5.1 billion, which included $673 million of Corporate Express sales for the month of July 2008. For the second quarter of 2009, on a GAAP basis, net income attributed to Staples, Inc. declined 38 percent year over year to $92 million, and diluted earnings per share decreased 38 percent to $0.13, from the $0.21 achieved in the second quarter of last year.
The company recorded pre-tax integration and restructuring expense of $30 million during the second quarter. Excluding the impact of this expense, adjusted earnings per share on a diluted basis were $0.16, a decrease of 24 percent from the second quarter of 2008.
"Staples generated record cash flow, as our team did an outstanding job managing expenses and working capital during the second quarter," said Ron Sargent, Staples' chairman and chief executive officer. "We're winning in each of our businesses by providing excellent customer service and continuing to invest in growth initiatives."
Highlights for the second quarter of 2009 include:
Total Company
Sales for the second quarter of 2009 decreased 14 percent in US dollars, or 10 percent in local currency, after adjusting sales for the second quarter of 2008 to include Corporate Express' sales of $1.3 billion for May 2008 to June 2008, prior to the acquisition.
On a GAAP basis, second quarter 2009 operating income rate declined 111 basis points to 3.73 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Excluding the impact of pre-tax integration and restructuring expense of $30 million during the second quarter 2009, and pre-tax integration and restructuring expense of $163,000 during the second quarter 2008, operating income rate declined 57 basis points to 4.27 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008. This decline primarily reflects the inclusion of the lower margin Corporate Express business in North American Delivery, deleverage of rent and labor expense in North American Retail, and weaker results in International.
Generated year to date free cash flow of $568 million after $130 million in capital expenditures, compared to free cash flow of $19 million for the same period during 2008.
Used strong free cash flow to reduce debt by $256 million during the second quarter, and have reduced debt by approximately $1.5 billion since the acquisition of Corporate Express in July 2008.
Ended the second quarter with approximately $1.4 billion in liquidity, including $633 million in cash and cash equivalents and $765 million of available credit.
North American Delivery
Achieved sales for the second quarter of 2009 of $2.3 billion, an increase of 18 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Sales for the second quarter of 2009 decreased 13 percent in US dollars, or 12 percent in local currency, after adjusting sales for the second quarter of 2008 to include Corporate Express' sales of $703 million for May 2008 to June 2008, prior to the acquisition.
Strong customer acquisition was more than offset by lower spend per existing customer, resulting in a low double-digit top line decline in Contract, after adjusting sales for May 2008 to June 2008 to include the results of Corporate Express, and high single-digit top line declines in Staples Business Delivery and Quill.
Second quarter 2009 operating income rate declined 87 basis points to 7.96 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008, primarily reflecting the inclusion of the lower margin Corporate Express business, deleverage of labor expense, as well as increased amortization expense, somewhat offset by lower marketing and delivery expense.
Corporate Express integration on track: successfully transitioned all US associates to the same payroll system, implemented one compensation plan for all Staples Business Advantage and Staples National Advantage sales associates, began developing 2010 full line catalog with one common product assortment, and rationalized transportation networks in several US markets.
North American Retail
Achieved sales for the second quarter of 2009 of $2.0 billion, a decrease of five percent in US dollars, or three percent in local currency, compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Comparable store sales decreased five percent versus the second quarter of 2008, reflecting declines in average order size and weakness in durable categories such as business machines and furniture, somewhat offset by growth in computers, ink, and paper.
Second quarter 2009 operating income rate declined nine basis points to 5.21 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008, reflecting deleverage of rent and labor expense largely offset by improvements in product margin, general and administrative and distribution expense.
Achieved all-time high customer satisfaction scores.
Opened 10 stores and closed two stores, ending the second quarter with 1,872 stores in North America.
International
Achieved sales for the second quarter of 2009 of $1.2 billion, an increase of 21 percent in US dollars, or 32 percent in local currency, compared to the second quarter of 2008. The stronger US dollar negatively impacted sales for the company's International operations by $109 million during the second quarter of 2009, compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Sales for the second quarter of 2009 decreased 26 percent in US dollars, or 14 percent in local currency, after adjusting sales for the second quarter of 2008 to include Corporate Express' sales of $645 million for May 2008 to June 2008, prior to the acquisition.
Comparable store sales in Europe decreased three percent versus the same period in 2008, with the UK and Germany achieving positive comps.
Second quarter 2009 operating income rate decreased 116 basis points to 0.30 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008, reflecting primarily weak results in China and printing systems business, and increased amortization expense.
Opened two stores in Portugal, ending the second quarter with 334 stores in Europe, 27 stores in China and 2 stores in Argentina.
Corporate Express integration on track: making good progress on European restructuring efforts, achieving merchandising and indirect procurement synergies, and consolidating Contract and Catalog back offices and warehouses in Italy.
Outlook
The company reaffirms its expectations for synergies related to the Corporate Express acquisition, building to $300 million annually over the three year integration period. The company is not providing sales or earnings guidance; however, it expects to incur the following expenses during Q3 2009 and FY 2009.
Approximate Dollar Amounts in Millions Q3 2009 FY 2009 Depreciation Expense $ 105 - 110 $ 430 - 440 Amortization of Intangibles 25 - 30 100 - 110 Integration and Restructuring Expense 20 - 30 90 - 110 Net Interest Expense 60 - 65 235 - 245 Total $ 210 - 235 $ 855 - 905 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presentation of Non-GAAP Information
This press release presents certain results both with and without the integration and restructuring expense associated with Corporate Express and discusses second quarter 2008 results both with and without the results of Corporate Express. The presentation of results that exclude these items are non-GAAP financial measures that should be considered in addition to, and should not be considered superior to, or as a substitute for, the presentation of results determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided below under the headings "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income", and "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Segment Schedule of Sales." Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release provide a more meaningful comparison of the company's year-over-year performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the operating results of the company's business against prior year results and its operating plan.
Today's Conference Call
The company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to review these results and its outlook. Investors may listen to the call at http://investor.staples.com.
About Staples
Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2008 sales of $23 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world's leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to, the information set forth under "Outlook" and other statements regarding our future business and financial performance. Some of the forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections which involve substantial uncertainty and risk, including the review of our assessments by our outside auditor and changes in management's assumptions and projections. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: deteriorating economic conditions may continue to cause a decline in business and consumer spending which could adversely affect our business and financial performance; our market is highly competitive and we may not continue to compete successfully; we may not be able to successfully integrate Corporate Express into our existing operations to realize anticipated benefits and our growth may strain our operations; if we are unable to manage our debt, it could materially harm our business and financial condition and restrict our operating flexibility; we may be unable to continue to open new stores and enter new markets successfully; we may be unable to attract and retain qualified associates; our quarterly operating results are subject to significant fluctuation; our expanding international operations expose us to the unique risks inherent in foreign operations; our business may be adversely affected by the actions of and risks associated with our third party vendors; our expanded offering of proprietary branded products may not improve our financial performance and may expose us to intellectual property and product liability claims; our effective tax rate may fluctuate; our information security may be compromised; various legal proceedings, investigations, or audits may adversely affect our business and financial performance; and those other factors discussed or referenced in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere, and any subsequent periodic or current reports filed by us with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of the date such statements are made (unless another date is indicated) and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.
Financial information follows.
STAPLES, INC.
