Staples, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2011 Performance

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--()--Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today the results for its third quarter ended October 29, 2011. Total company sales for the third quarter of 2011 increased 0.5 percent to $6.6 billion compared to the third quarter of 2010. Net income for the third quarter of 2011 increased 13 percent year over year to $326 million. Diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, increased 18 percent to $0.47 from $0.40 achieved in the third quarter of 2010, and increased 15 percent compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.41 achieved in the third quarter of 2010.

“Our results in North America reflect our team’s ability to drive strong profit improvement in a tough environment,” said Ron Sargent, Staples’ chairman and chief executive officer. “International results were weaker than expected as tight expense management was more than offset by very challenging top line trends.”

On a GAAP basis, third quarter 2011 operating income rate improved 25 basis points to 8.12 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. Excluding the impact of integration and restructuring expense in the prior year period, third quarter 2011 operating income rate improved 11 basis points from 8.01 percent. This increase primarily reflects improved product margins, offset by increased supply chain costs and investments in labor to support growth initiatives.

The company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2011 was 33.5 percent, compared to 37.5 percent for the third quarter of 2010. The decrease in the effective tax rate was mainly due to the renewal of tax provisions during the fourth quarter of 2010 that allow for the deferral of income tax on certain foreign earnings.

The company generated operating cash flow of $1.1 billion and invested $244 million in capital expenditures year to date, resulting in free cash flow of $852 million for the first three quarters of 2011. At the end of the third quarter, the company had $2.3 billion in liquidity, including $1.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

The company repurchased 10 million shares of its stock for $144 million under its buyback program during the third quarter and has repurchased 29 million shares for $490 million year to date.

North American Delivery

North American Delivery sales for the third quarter of 2011 were $2.6 billion, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. This primarily reflects double-digit sales growth in facilities and breakroom supplies and promotional products. Operating income rate increased 63 basis points to 9.5 percent compared to the third quarter 2010. This increase primarily reflects improved profitability in the company’s Canadian businesses, as well as the facilities and breakroom supplies and promotional products businesses in the U.S., partially offset by investments in information systems and increased fuel expense.

North American Retail

North American Retail sales of $2.7 billion were flat compared to the third quarter of 2010. Third quarter 2011 comparable store sales declined one percent versus the third quarter of 2010, reflecting a one percent decrease in customer traffic and flat average order size. Operating income rate increased 12 basis points to 10.7 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. This primarily reflects improved product margins, partially offset by increased labor expense and investments in growth initiatives. The company opened two stores and closed three stores in the U.S. and opened two stores in Canada, ending the third quarter of 2011 with 1,908 stores in North America.

International Operations

International sales for the third quarter of 2011 were $1.3 billion, a decrease of 1.9 percent in U.S. dollars, and a decrease of 7.0 percent on a local currency basis compared to the third quarter of 2010. This reflects a 12 percent decrease in comparable store sales in Europe and weak sales in Australia. Operating income rate decreased 136 basis points to 3.0 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. This decrease primarily reflects deleverage of fixed costs in Australia and European Retail. The company opened one store in Germany during the third quarter of 2011. The International business ended the quarter with 377 stores.

Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the company expects to achieve flat to low single-digit sales growth compared to the same period of 2010 and expects to achieve diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis in the range of $0.39 to $0.43. For the full year 2011, the company expects sales to increase in the low single-digits compared to 2010 and expects to achieve diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis in the range of $1.38 to $1.42. Excluding the tax refund in the second quarter of approximately $21 million, or $0.03 per share, the company expects to achieve adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year in the range of $1.35 to $1.39. Staples anticipates its effective tax rate for the full year will be 34 percent, excluding the second quarter tax refund.

For the full year 2011, the company expects to generate more than $1 billion of free cash flow after spending approximately $400 million in capital expenditures for investments in growth initiatives, systems, the integration of distribution networks in North America and Europe, remodels, and new stores. For the full year 2011, the company now expects to repurchase approximately $600 million of its stock, an increase from the company’s previous guidance of $300 million to $500 million.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Information

This press release presents certain results both with and without the integration and restructuring expense associated with Corporate Express in 2010, certain results for 2010 and 2011 both with and without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and certain results with and without the impact of the tax refund in 2011. The presentation of results that excludes these items, as well as the presentation of free cash flow, 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. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented provide a meaningful comparison to prior periods because the adjustments do not affect the on-going operations of the combined businesses. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the operating results of the company’s business against prior year results and its operating plan, and to forecast and analyze future periods. Management recognizes there are limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as they may reduce comparability with other companies that use different methods to calculate similar non-GAAP measures. Management generally compensates for the limitations resulting from the exclusion of these items by considering the impact of these items separately in GAAP as well as non-GAAP results. In addition, Management presents the most comparable GAAP measures ahead of non-GAAP measures and provides a reconciliation that indicates and describes the adjustments made.

Today's Conference Call

The company will host a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. (ET) to review these results and its outlook. Investors may listen to the call at http://investor.staples.com.

About Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

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. Any statements contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “intends”, “estimates”, and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative. 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: global economic conditions could adversely affect our business and financial performance; our market is highly competitive and we may not be able to continue to compete successfully; our growth may strain our operations; we may be unable to continue to enter new markets successfully; our expanding international operations expose us to risk inherent in foreign operations; our effective tax rate may fluctuate; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates could lead to lower earnings; we may be unable to attract and retain qualified associates; our quarterly operating results are subject to significant fluctuation; if we are unable to manage our debt, it could materially harm our business and financial condition and restrict our operating flexibility; 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; problems in our information systems and technologies may disrupt our operations; compromises of our information systems or unauthorized access to confidential information or our customers’ or associates’ personal information may materially harm our business or damage our reputation; various legal proceedings, third party claims, investigations or audits may adversely affect our business and financial performance; and those 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. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)
   
October 29, January 29,
2011 2011
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,060,364 $ 1,461,257
Receivables, net 2,125,028 1,970,483
Merchandise inventories, net 2,526,976 2,359,173
Deferred income tax assets 283,294 295,232
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   338,736     382,022  
Total current assets 6,334,398 6,468,167
 
Property and equipment:
Land and buildings 1,075,719 1,064,981
Leasehold improvements 1,330,277 1,328,397
Equipment 2,398,539 2,287,505
Furniture and fixtures   1,080,540     1,032,502  
Total property and equipment 5,885,075 5,713,385
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization   3,794,385     3,565,614  
Net property and equipment 2,090,690 2,147,771
 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization 481,477 522,722
Goodwill 4,138,021 4,073,162
Other assets   570,431     699,845  
Total assets $ 13,615,017   $ 13,911,667  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,337,331 $ 2,208,386
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,437,944 1,497,851
Debt maturing within one year   430,184     587,356  
Total current liabilities 4,205,459 4,293,593
 
Long-term debt 1,557,063 2,014,407
Other long-term obligations 672,498 652,486
 
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued - -
Common stock, $.0006 par value, 2,100,000,000 shares authorized;
issued 918,764,252 shares at October 29, 2011 and 908,449,980 shares at January 29, 2011 551 545
Additional paid-in capital 4,480,962 4,334,735
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 7,086 (96,933 )
Retained earnings 6,983,799 6,492,340
Less: Treasury stock at cost, 218,550,765 shares at October 29, 2011
and 187,536,869 shares at January 29, 2011   (4,299,473 )   (3,786,977 )
Total Staples, Inc. stockholders' equity 7,172,925 6,943,710
Noncontrolling interests   7,072     7,471  
Total stockholders' equity   7,179,997     6,951,181  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 13,615,017   $ 13,911,667  

 
STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)
       
13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended
October 29, October 30, October 29, October 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
 
Sales $ 6,569,927 $ 6,537,676 $ 18,562,477 $ 18,129,711
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs   4,737,146     4,733,928     13,552,923     13,244,200  
Gross profit 1,832,781 1,803,748 5,009,554 4,885,511
 
Operating and other expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 1,283,636 1,264,676 3,800,457 3,643,169
Amortization of intangibles 15,957 15,628 49,443 45,913
Integration and restructuring costs   -     9,019     -     51,545  
Total operating and other expenses   1,299,593     1,289,323     3,849,900     3,740,627  
 
Operating income 533,188 514,425 1,159,654 1,144,884
 
Other (expense) income:
Interest income 1,810 2,045 5,788 5,706
Interest expense (40,962 ) (52,775 ) (131,640 ) (161,418 )
Other expense     (3,681 )   (1,824 )   (4,238 )   (7,059 )
Consolidated income before income taxes 490,355 461,871 1,029,564 982,113
Income tax expense   164,025     173,201     329,252     368,293  
Consolidated net income 326,330 288,670 700,312 613,820
(Loss) income attributed to noncontrolling interests   (50 )   (10 )   (751 )   6,614  
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc. $ 326,380   $ 288,680   $ 701,063   $ 607,206  
 
Earnings Per Share:
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.47   $ 0.40   $ 1.00   $ 0.85  
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.47   $ 0.40   $ 0.99   $ 0.83  
 
Dividends declared per common share $ 0.10   $ 0.09   $ 0.30   $ 0.27  
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 691,204,528 714,180,111 698,813,352 717,487,062
Diluted 698,009,429 721,832,928 708,027,885 727,905,694

 
STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
39 Weeks Ended
October 29, October 30,
2011 2010
Operating Activities:
Consolidated net income, including (loss) income from the noncontrolling interests $ 700,312 $ 613,820
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 360,633 371,279
Stock-based compensation 117,072 109,209
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements (1,023 ) -
Deferred income tax expense 127,328 152,505
Other 19,828 (2,725 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in receivables (118,920 ) (145,644 )
Increase in merchandise inventories (146,023 ) (134,132 )
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets 58,692 (17,307 )
Increase in accounts payable 103,474 151,913
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities (133,249 ) (141,484 )
Increase in other long-term obligations   7,508     46,654  
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,095,632 1,004,088
 
Investing Activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (243,740 ) (245,802 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired   -     (39,065 )
Net cash used in investing activities (243,740 ) (284,867 )
 
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the sale of stock under employee stock
purchase plans 32,989 43,868
Proceeds from borrowings 214,669 175,035
Payments on borrowings, including payment of deferred financing fees (789,931 ) (151,068 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest (3,591 ) (360,595 )
Cash dividends paid (209,604 ) (194,856 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements 1,023 -
Purchase of treasury stock, net   (512,496 )   (285,713 )
Net cash used in financing activities (1,266,941 ) (773,329 )
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   14,156     8,010  
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (400,893 ) (46,098 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   1,461,257     1,415,819  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,060,364   $ 1,369,721  

 
STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Segment Reporting
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
       
13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended
 
October 29, October 30, October 29, October 30,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Sales:
North American Delivery $ 2,582,729 $ 2,537,094 $ 7,527,592 $ 7,359,175
North American Retail 2,656,612 2,644,347 7,029,840 6,967,106
International Operations   1,330,586     1,356,235     4,005,045     3,803,430  
Total segment sales $ 6,569,927   $ 6,537,676   $ 18,562,477   $ 18,129,711  
 
Business Unit Income:
North American Delivery $ 244,997 $ 224,613 $ 646,612 $ 634,550
North American Retail 284,204 279,640 564,425 561,883
International Operations   39,589     58,771     65,689     109,205  
Business unit income 568,790 563,024 1,276,726 1,305,638
Stock-based compensation (35,602 ) (39,580 ) (117,072 ) (109,209 )
Interest and other expense, net (42,833 ) (52,554 ) (130,090 ) (162,771 )
Integration and restructuring costs   -     (9,019 )   -     (51,545 )
Consolidated income before income taxes $ 490,355   $ 461,871   $ 1,029,564   $ 982,113  

 
STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Income Statement Disclosures
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
         
13 Weeks Ended
October 29, 2011

Operating
expenses

Operating income

Consolidated
income before
income taxes

Income tax expense

Net income
attributed to
Staples, Inc.

GAAP, as reported and adjusted $ 1,299,593     $ 533,188   $ 490,355 $ 164,025   $ 326,380  
 
13 Weeks Ended
October 30, 2010

Operating
expenses

Operating income

Consolidated
income before
income taxes

Income tax expense

Net income
attributed to
Staples, Inc.

GAAP, as reported $ 1,289,323 $ 514,425 $ 461,871 $ 173,201 $ 288,680
Integration and restructuring costs   (9,019 )   9,019   9,019   3,382   5,637  
Non-GAAP, as adjusted $ 1,280,304   $ 523,444 $ 470,890 $ 176,583 $ 294,317  
 
 
39 Weeks Ended
October 29, 2011

Operating
expenses

Operating income

Consolidated
income before
income taxes

Income tax expense

Net income
attributed to
Staples, Inc.

GAAP, as reported $ 3,849,900 $ 1,159,654 $ 1,029,564 $ 329,252 $ 701,063
Tax refund   -     -   -   20,800   (20,800 )
Non-GAAP, as adjusted $ 3,849,900   $ 1,159,654 $ 1,029,564 $ 350,052 $ 680,263  
 
39 Weeks Ended
October 30, 2010

Operating
expenses

Operating income

Consolidated
income before
income taxes

Income tax expense

Net income
attributed to
Staples, Inc.

GAAP, as reported $ 3,740,627 $ 1,144,884 $ 982,113 $ 368,293 $ 607,206
Integration and restructuring costs   (51,545 )   51,545     51,545     19,329     32,216  
Non-GAAP, as adjusted $ 3,689,082   $ 1,196,429   $ 1,033,658 $ 387,622   $ 639,422  

 
STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Sales Growth
(Unaudited)
     
 
13 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011

Sales Growth
GAAP

Impact of Local
Currency

Sales Growth on a
Local Currency
Basis

Sales:
North American Delivery 1.8 % (0.2 %) 1.6 %
North American Retail 0.5 % (0.8 %) (0.3 )%
International Operations (1.9 )% (5.1 %) (7.0 )%
Total sales 0.5 % (1.5 %)   (1.0 )%
 
39 Weeks Ended October 29, 2011

Sales Growth
GAAP

Impact of Local
Currency

Sales Growth on a
Local Currency
Basis

Sales:
North American Delivery 2.3 % (0.4 )% 1.9 %
North American Retail 0.9 % (1.1 )% (0.2 )%
International Operations 5.3 % (8.5 )% (3.2 )%
Total sales 2.4 % (2.4 )% 0.0 %
 

This presentation refers to growth rates in local currency so that business results can be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of Staples' business performance. To present this information, current period results for entities reporting in currencies other than U.S. dollars are converted into U.S. dollars at the prior year average monthly exchange rates.

 
STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Operating Cash Flow to Free Cash Flow
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
   
39 Weeks Ended
October 29, 2011 October 30, 2010
 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 1,095,632 $ 1,004,088
Acquisition of property and equipment   (243,740 )   (245,802 )
Free cash flow $ 851,892   $ 758,286  
 

Free cash flow is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The Company believes free cash flow is a useful measure of performance and uses this measure as an indication of the Company's ability to generate cash and invest in its business.

Contacts

Staples, Inc.
Media Contact:
Owen Davis, 508-253-8468
or
Investor Contact:
Chris Powers/Kevin Barry, 508-253-4632/1487

Release Summary

Staples, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2011 Performance

Contacts

Staples, Inc.
Media Contact:
Owen Davis, 508-253-8468
or
Investor Contact:
Chris Powers/Kevin Barry, 508-253-4632/1487