Dollar Tree, Inc. Reports Results for the Third Quarter Fiscal 2016

CHESAPEAKE, Va.-- Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR), North America's leading operator of discount variety stores, today reported results for its third fiscal quarter ended October 29, 2016. For the quarter, the Company earned $171.6 million, or $0.72 per diluted share.

 

Bob Sasser, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "I am proud of our team’s achievements in our third quarter. Our results demonstrated a solid performance in our Dollar Tree segment, continued meaningful progress in our integration of Family Dollar, and our ability to refinance and pre-pay a portion of our outstanding debt in order to reduce future interest costs. After adding back $0.09 per share of expenses related to our debt refinancing, our operating performance of $0.81 per diluted share was near the top end of our third quarter EPS guidance range of $0.76 to $0.82."

Third Quarter Results

 

Net sales increased 1.1% to $5.00 billion from $4.95 billion in the prior year’s third quarter. The prior year’s quarter included sales from 325 Family Dollar stores that were divested following the third quarter of 2015. Same-store sales increased 1.7%, on a constant currency basis, compared to a 2.1% increase in the prior-year period. Adjusted for the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations, the same-store sales increase was 1.8%. The same-store sales growth, representing the Company’s 35th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales, was driven by increases in comparable customer count and average ticket.

 

Gross profit increased 8.6% to $1.52 billion in the quarter compared to $1.40 billion in the prior year’s third quarter. As a percent of sales, gross margin increased to 30.4% compared to 28.3% in the prior year. The improvement was driven primarily by lower merchandise and freight costs. The prior year’s third quarter included $13.0 million of markdown expense for Family Dollar related to product assortment rationalization and planned liquidations, and $38.4 million for Family Dollar related to the amortization of the stepped-up inventory basis.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.6% of sales compared to 23.8% of sales in the prior year's third quarter. Excluding $11.8 million of acquisition-related costs from the prior year’s period, selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of sales, remained consistent at 23.6%. Increases in store hourly payroll, as a percent of sales, were offset by lower professional fees and lower depreciation expense, as a percent of sales.

 

Operating income increased 53.1% to $342.4 million compared with $223.7 million in the same period last year. Operating income margin increased to 6.8% in the current quarter from 4.5% in last year’s quarter. This increase in operating income is the result of a $61.2 million increase of operating income in the Dollar Tree segment, and a $57.5 million increase in operating income in the Family Dollar segment.

 

The Company's effective tax rate for the quarter was 25.5% compared to 34.3% in the prior year period. The lower tax rate included an expected one-time tax benefit of $21.4 million, or $0.09 per share, related to a state reduction in corporate tax rate.

 

Net income compared to the prior year's third quarter increased $89.7 million, or 109.5%, to $171.6 million, and diluted earnings per share increased to $0.72.

 

During the quarter, the Company opened 153 stores, expanded or relocated 39 stores, and closed 10 stores. Additionally, as part of its re-banner initiative, the Company opened 42 former Family Dollar store locations as new Dollar Tree stores. Retail selling square footage at the end of the quarter was approximately 112.0 million square feet.

 

First Nine Months Results

 

Consolidated net sales increased 48.9% to $15.08 billion from $10.13 billion in the first nine months of 2015. The $4.95 billion increase was the result of $4.36 billion in incremental net sales from Family Dollar stores, sales from new Dollar Tree stores, and a 1.7% same-store sales increase, on a constant currency basis. Adjusted for the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations, the same-store sales increase was 1.6%.

 

Gross profit increased $1.58 billion, or 52.7%, to $4.59 billion from $3.00 billion in the first nine months of 2015. As a percent of sales, gross margin increased by 80 basis points to 30.4% compared to the prior year period.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.0% of sales compared to 23.9% of sales in the first nine months of 2015.

 

Net income increased $521.0 million, to $574.4 million, compared to the prior year's first nine months, resulting in net income of $2.43 per diluted share.

 

Company Outlook

The Company estimates consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 to range from $5.59 billion to $5.69 billion, based on low single-digit increases in same-store sales for the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar segments. Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $1.24 to $1.33, an increase from the prior implied guidance of $1.21 to $1.30.

Consolidated net sales for full-year 2016 are now expected to range between $20.67 billion and $20.77 billion compared to the Company’s previously expected range of $20.69 billion to $20.87 billion. This estimate is based on a low single-digit increase in same-store sales, and 3.9% square footage growth. The Company now anticipates net income per diluted share for full-year 2016 will range between $3.67 and $3.76. This compares to its previous EPS guidance range of $3.67 to $3.82, which did not include the $0.09 per diluted share of expenses related to our debt refinancing incurred in the third quarter of 2016.

Sasser added, "I am encouraged by our continued progress in building the foundation for a larger, stronger and more profitable Family Dollar business. The stores are cleaner, the values are greater and our customer feedback scores regarding merchandise assortments and in-stocks have improved. As a combined organization, we are uniquely positioned to efficiently grow our businesses to better serve more customers in more markets. We are well-positioned and prepared for the upcoming fourth quarter and holiday selling season.”

Conference Call Information

On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The telephone number for the call is 888-215-7015. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Monday, November 28, 2016 and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112. The access code is 8794832. A webcast of the call is accessible through Dollar Tree's website, and will remain online through Monday, November 28, 2016.

Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 14,284 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 29, 2016. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, or estimate. For example, our forward-looking statements include statements regarding fourth quarter 2016 and full-year 2016 net sales and same-store sales, fourth quarter 2016 and full-year 2016 diluted earnings per share, square footage growth, the benefits, results, and effects of the merger with Family Dollar, including integration plans and synergies, and future financial and operating results and shareholder value. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the "Risk Factors," "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 28, 2016 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward- looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.