Stein Mart, Inc. Reports 1Q'09 Financial Results

Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended May 2, 2009.

First quarter results
For the first quarter of 2009, the Company earned $16.1 million or $0.38 per diluted share as compared to $7.0 million or $0.17 per diluted share in 2008. As previously reported, net sales for the first quarter decreased 9.2 percent to $319.6 million from $352.1 million the previous year and comparable store sales decreased 8.0 percent from the first quarter of 2008.

Gross profit decreased to $96.8 million from $97.7 million in 2008. As a percent of net sales, gross profit increased to 30.3 percent from 27.8 percent in the same period last year. The increase in the gross profit rate resulted from increased markup and decreased markdowns, slightly offset by higher occupancy costs.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $79.9 million or 25.0 percent of net sales as compared to $91.5 million or 26.0 percent of net sales during the same period last year. The $11.7 million decrease in SG&A resulted primarily from reduced payroll expense in stores and in the corporate office, and from lower depreciation expense.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2009 was 25.8% compared to 40.5% last year. The lower rate in the current quarter resulted from the reversal of a portion of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets using the discrete period method.

"Despite a very difficult sales environment, first quarter earnings improved due to tightly controlled inventories that enhanced merchandise margins, and significant expense reductions; these initiatives produced a positive cash flow of $32 million and allowed us to end the period debt free," commented David H. Stovall, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Stein Mart, Inc. "While our conservative outlook regarding the macro environment persists, we believe our re-focused brand strategy and the new marketing initiatives are beginning to gain traction, and will be key to our long-term success."

Store network

During the first quarter of 2009, a new store opened in Houston, Texas and two existing locations in Atlanta closed. At May 2, 2009, there were 275 stores in operation as compared to 284 stores at the same time last year.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call for investment analysts at 10 a.m. ET this morning to discuss these results. The call may be heard on the investor relations portion of the Company's website at http://ir.steinmart.com. A replay of the presentation will be available on the website until May 29, 2008.

 

About Stein Mart

Stein Mart stores offer the fashion merchandise, service and presentation of a better department or specialty store, at prices up to 60 percent off department and specialty store original prices, every day. Currently with locations from California to Massachusetts, Stein Mart's focused assortment of merchandise features current season, moderate to better fashion apparel for women and men, as well as accessories, gifts, linens and shoes.

 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT>Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release may be forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied will not be realized. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Stein Mart's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted or expected results. Those risks include, without limitation:

 

    --  consumer sensitivity to general economic conditions including continued
        uncertainty in the financial and credit markets
    --  the effectiveness of advertising, marketing and promotional strategies
    --  intense competition from other retailers
    --  changing preferences in apparel
    --  access to additional capital at favorable terms, if required
    --  ability to successfully negotiate advantageous lease terms with current
        landlords
    --  unanticipated weather conditions and unseasonable weather
    --  adequate sources of merchandise at acceptable prices
    --  the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified employees
    --  seasonality, including the importance of the holiday selling season
    --  disruption of the Company's distribution system
    --  acts of terrorism

 

-- fluctuation in results could negatively impact stock price

 

 

and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

SMRT-F

 

Additional information about Stein Mart, Inc. can be found at www.steinmart.com

 

 

 


                                   Stein Mart, Inc.
                             Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                     (Unaudited)
                        (In thousands, except for share data)

                                                 May 2,  January 31, May 3,
                                                  2009      2009      2008
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                    $19,409   $88,903   $22,473
    Trade and other receivables                    8,604     9,011    11,493
    Inventories                                  209,573   207,139   280,573
    Income taxes receivable                       16,895    24,439    10,060
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     13,174    12,089    15,309
       Total current assets                      267,655   341,581   339,908
    Property and equipment, net                   83,042    86,321   109,948
    Other assets                                  17,225    21,988    33,535
       Total assets                             $367,922  $449,890  $483,391

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                             $63,085   $55,683   $80,392
    Accrued liabilities                           77,967    79,794    73,774
       Total current liabilities                 141,052   135,477   154,166
    Notes payable to banks                             -   100,000    40,000
    Other liabilities                             23,637    28,063    28,864
       Total liabilities                         164,689   263,540   223,030

    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock - $.01 par value; 1,000,000
     shares authorized; no shares issued or
     outstanding
    Common stock - $.01 par value; 100,000,000
     shares authorized; 42,656,332, 42,655,544
     and 42,078,878 shares issued and
     outstanding, respectively                       427       427       421
    Additional paid-in capital                    10,791     9,986     6,489
    Retained earnings                            191,238   175,152   253,451
    Accumulated other comprehensive income           777       785         -
       Total stockholders' equity                203,233   186,350   260,361
       Total liabilities and stockholders'
        equity                                  $367,922  $449,890  $483,391



                                   Stein Mart, Inc.
                          Consolidated Statements of Income
                                      (Unaudited)
                         (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                               13 Weeks Ended  13 Weeks Ended
                                                 May 2, 2009     May 3, 2008

    Net sales                                      $319,570      $352,123
    Cost of merchandise sold                        222,740       254,377
    Gross profit                                     96,830        97,746
    Selling, general and administrative expenses     79,856        91,539
    Other income, net                                 4,997         5,930
    Income from operations                           21,971        12,137
    Interest expense, net                               279           367
    Income before income taxes                       21,692        11,770
    Provision for income taxes                        5,606         4,772
    Net income                                      $16,086        $6,998

    Net income per share:
    Basic                                             $0.38         $0.17
    Diluted                                           $0.38         $0.17

    Weighted-average shares outstanding:
    Basic                                            42,676        42,003
    Diluted                                          42,892        42,034



                                   Stein Mart, Inc.
                         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                      (Unaudited)
                                    (In thousands)

                                               13 Weeks Ended  13 Weeks Ended
                                                 May 2, 2009     May 3, 2008
    Cash flows from operating activities:
       Net income                                   $16,086        $6,998
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to
        net cash provided by (used in) operating
        activities:
          Depreciation and amortization               4,939         6,497
          Change in valuation allowance for
           deferred tax assets                       (2,839)            -
          Deferred income taxes                       3,125           271
          Store closing charges                         248           111
          Share-based compensation                      806         1,258
          Changes in assets and liabilities:
             Trade and other receivables                407           879
             Inventories                             (2,434)      (18,077)
             Income taxes receivable                  7,544         4,043
             Prepaid expenses and other current
              assets                                 (1,085)       (1,729)
             Other assets                             4,087        (1,327)
             Accounts payable                         7,402         3,268
             Accrued liabilities                     (1,874)       (2,547)
             Other liabilities                       (4,284)          264
       Net cash provided by (used in) operating
        activities                                   32,128           (91)
    Cash flows from investing activities:
       Capital expenditures                          (1,621)       (5,448)
       Net cash used in investing activities         (1,621)       (5,448)
    Cash flows from financing activities:
       Borrowings under notes payable to banks       57,047       242,212
       Repayments of notes payable to banks        (157,047)     (229,345)
       Repurchase of common stock                        (1)            -
       Net cash (used in) provided by financing
        activities                                 (100,001)       12,867
    Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
     equivalents                                    (69,494)        7,328
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   88,903        15,145
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $19,409       $22,473