Big Lots Reports Q3 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Big Lots reported a net loss of $4.3 million or $0.14 per share for Q3 2021, missing last year's net income of $29.9 million. Net sales decreased by 3.1% to $1,336 million, with a 4.7% drop in comparable sales compared to last year. The company anticipates a strong Q4, forecasting diluted EPS between $2.05 and $2.20. However, gross margin is expected to decline by 150 basis points due to freight headwinds. Big Lots announced a new share repurchase authorization of $250 million and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on December 29, 2021.

Positive

• New share repurchase authorization of up to $250 million.
• Declared quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, totaling approximately $9 million.
• Anticipated sales growth due to new store openings and e-commerce capabilities.
• Strong performance in November with a 10% increase in two-year comparable sales.

Negative

• Net loss of $4.3 million in Q3 2021, compared to $29.9 million profit in Q3 2020.
• Net sales down 3.1% year-over-year.
• Comparable sales decreased by 4.7% from the previous year.
• Expected gross margin decline of approximately 150 basis points in Q4 due to freight issues.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported a net loss of $4.3 million, or $0.14 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 ended October 30, 2021, which compares to the company's guidance for the third quarter, as provided on August 27, 2021, of a $0.10 to $0.20 loss per share. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was $29.9 million, or $0.76 per diluted share.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 totaled $1,336 million, a 3.1% decrease compared to $1,378 million for the same period last year, and an increase of 14.4% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The decline to last year was driven by a comparable sales decrease of 4.7%, as the company lapped a 17.8% comparable sales increase last year. Net new stores and relocations contributed approximately 160 basis points of sales growth. On a two-year basis, comparable sales increased 12.3%.

Commenting on today's results announcement, Bruce Thorn, President and CEO of Big Lots stated, "We are pleased to have delivered the quarter in line with our guidance, and to have sustained double-digit two-year comps despite supply chain challenges and the expiration of stimulus benefits. Our absolute focus coming into Q4 has been to position ourselves appropriately with inventory and deliver an excellent Holiday for our customers, and our fourth quarter is off to a strong start with November comps up 10% on a two-year basis, including record Thanksgiving and Black Friday week sales. Supply chain challenges will continue in the near-term, but we are aggressively managing through them by partnering closely with our manufacturing and transportation partners, strategically prioritizing receipts, creating new capacity with our forward distribution centers and DC by-pass program, and ensuring we are competitive in recruiting and retaining DC associates. In addition, we have taken pricing actions and will continue to do so in response to volatile supply chain costs, while continuing to deliver great value for our customers.

Looking forward, we expect to post a new record sales year in 2022, and we have ever-increasing confidence that our key growth drivers under Operation North Star – materially growing merchandise productivity, accelerating new store growth, and continuing to ramp up our ecommerce capabilities – represent a huge white space opportunity for us. In addition, we expect to see gross margin expansion in 2022 driven by promotional and pricing optimization, the deployment of new planning capabilities, and favorable mix effects. As we look towards closing out 2021 and beginning a new year, we are primed, pumped and laser focused on being the best destination home discount store."

Commenting on today's share repurchase authorization announcement, Bruce Thorn added, "Returning capital to shareholders is a key component of our long-term value creation model. We are pleased to have this new repurchase authorization in place, alongside our continuing quarterly dividend, and that we can deliver capital return while continuing to invest in our high-return internal growth strategies."

Inventory and Cash Management
Inventory ended the third quarter of fiscal 2021 at $1,277 million compared to $1,089 million for the same period last year. The 17% increase resulted from the lapping of atypically low inventory levels at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2020, planned inventory builds to support key growth categories, and elevated inventory costs.

The company ended the third quarter of fiscal 2021 with $71 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and no Long-term Debt, compared to $548 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $39 million of Long-term Debt as of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

Share Repurchase Authorization
On December 1, 2021, the company's Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase of up to $250 million of the company's outstanding common shares. The authorization may be utilized to repurchase shares in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions at the company's discretion, subject to market conditions and other factors. Pursuant to the authorization, shares may be repurchased commencing December 8, 2021, and the authorization is open-ended.

During the third quarter, the company completed the $500 million share repurchase authorized by its Board of Directors on August 27, 2020, investing the remaining $97 million under the authorization to repurchase 2.0 million shares at an average cost of $47.43. In total, the company repurchased approximately 9.3 million shares at an average cost of $53.49 under the August 2020 authorization.

Dividend
As also announced in a separate press release, on December 1, 2021, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. This dividend payment of approximately $9 million will be payable on December 29, 2021, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2021.

Company Outlook
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 the company expects to report diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.05 to $2.20, based on a slightly positive comparable sales increase, which equates to a high single digit two-year comparable sales increase. The company expects fourth quarter gross margin to be down approximately 150 basis points to last year, driven by freight headwinds. For the full year, the company expects a negative low single digit decrease in comparable sales, equating to a double-digit positive comparable sales increase on a two year basis. The company expects a sales benefit of approximately 180 basis points for the fourth quarter as a result of net new store openings. The impact of freight headwinds for the full year is expected to result in a 120 basis point decline in full year gross margin compared to last year. Reflecting the above, the company expects full year diluted earnings per share in the range of $5.70 to $5.85. The foregoing guidance does not incorporate further potential share repurchases in the fiscal year.

Conference Call/Webcast
The company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. to discuss the financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2021. A webcast of the conference call is available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website http://www.biglots.com. An archive of the call will be available through the Investor Relations section of the company's website after 12:00 p.m. today and will remain available through midnight on Friday, December 17, 2021. A replay of this call will also be available beginning today at 12:00 p.m. through December 17 by dialing 877.660.6853 (Toll Free) or 201.612.7415 (Toll) and entering Replay Conference ID 13725023. All times are Eastern Time.

About Big Lots, Inc.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a neighborhood discount retailer and a Fortune 500 company, operating 1,428 stores in 47 states, as well as a best-in-class ecommerce platform with expanded capabilities via BOPIS, curbside pickup, Instacart and same day delivery. The company's product assortment is focused on home essentials: Furniture, Seasonal, Soft Home, Food, Consumables and Hard Home. Ranked #1 on Total Retail's 2020 Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers list and the recipient of Home Textiles Today's 2021 Retail Titan Award, Big Lots' mission is to help people Live BIG and Save Lots. The company strives to be the BIG difference for a better life by delivering exceptional value to customers through the ultimate treasure hunt shopping experience, building a "best places to grow" culture, rewarding shareholders with consistent growth and top-tier returns, and doing good in local communities. For more information about the company, visit biglots.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "approximate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking statements that the company makes herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, developments related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, the inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on customers and the company, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the company makes on related subjects in public announcements and SEC filings.

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
			OCTOBER 30		OCTOBER 31
			2021		2020
			(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
	ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$70,596		$547,831
	Inventories		1,277,225		1,089,068
	Other current assets		148,959		84,814
	Total current assets		1,496,780		1,721,713
Operating lease right-of-use assets			1,745,291		1,679,054
Property and equipment - net			738,673		721,668
Deferred income taxes			16,055		15,428
Other assets			35,524		66,533
			$4,032,323		$4,204,396
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$605,336		$569,434
	Current operating lease liabilities		235,473		215,027
	Property, payroll and other taxes		104,806		99,399
	Accrued operating expenses		123,304		142,162
	Insurance reserves		35,616		34,094
	Accrued salaries and wages		74,648		40,049
	Income taxes payable		508		52,813
	Total current liabilities		1,179,691		1,152,978
Long-term debt			0		39,434
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities			1,579,209		1,491,571
Deferred income taxes			8,504		9,303
Insurance reserves			58,330		55,089
Unrecognized tax benefits			10,415		10,073
Other liabilities			146,334		189,646
Shareholders' equity			1,049,840		1,256,302
			$4,032,323		$4,204,396

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
			13 WEEKS ENDED			13 WEEKS ENDED
			OCTOBER 30, 2021			OCTOBER 31, 2020
				%			%
			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net sales			$1,335,656	100.0		$1,377,925	100.0
	Gross margin		519,181	38.9		557,893	40.5
	Selling and administrative expenses		487,378	36.5		482,307	35.0
	Depreciation expense		35,930	2.7		33,086	2.4
Operating (loss) profit			(4,127)	(0.3)		42,500	3.1
	Interest expense		(2,284)	(0.2)		(2,586)	(0.2)
	Other income (expense)		285	0.0		(484)	(0.0)
(Loss) income before income taxes			(6,126)	(0.5)		39,430	2.9
	Income tax (benefit) expense		(1,796)	(0.1)		9,520	0.7
Net (loss) income			($4,330)	(0.3)		$29,910	2.2
Earnings (loss) per common share
	Basic		($0.14)			$0.79
	Diluted		($0.14)			$0.76
Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		31,679			38,054
	Dilutive effect of share-based awards		-			1,137
	Diluted		31,679			39,191
Cash dividends declared per common share			$0.30			$0.30

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
			39 WEEKS ENDED			39 WEEKS ENDED
			OCTOBER 30, 2021			OCTOBER 31, 2020
				%			%
			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net sales			$4,418,582	100.0		$4,461,271	100.0
	Gross margin		1,750,925	39.6		1,812,213	40.6
	Selling and administrative expenses		1,473,454	33.3		1,444,938	32.4
	Depreciation expense		105,196	2.4		104,750	2.3
	Gain on sale of distribution centers		0	0.0		(463,053)	(10.4)
Operating profit			172,275	3.9		725,578	16.3
	Interest expense		(7,148)	(0.2)		(8,456)	(0.2)
	Other income (expense)		1,112	0.0		(2,444)	(0.1)
Income before income taxes			166,239	3.8		714,678	16.0
	Income tax expense		38,299	0.9		183,473	4.1
Net income			$127,940	2.9		$531,205	11.9
Earnings per common share
	Basic		$3.80			$13.69
	Diluted		$3.73			$13.46
Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		33,677			38,807
	Dilutive effect of share-based awards		617			659
	Diluted		34,294			39,466
Cash dividends declared per common share			$0.90			$0.90

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
			13 WEEKS ENDED		13 WEEKS ENDED
			OCTOBER 30, 2021		OCTOBER 31, 2020
			(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
	Net cash used in operating activities		($66,452)		($200,974)
	Net cash used in investing activities		(45,459)		(32,377)
	Net cash used in financing activities		(110,815)		(117,378)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(222,726)		(350,729)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Beginning of period		293,322		898,560
	End of period		$70,596		$547,831

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
			39 WEEKS ENDED		39 WEEKS ENDED
			OCTOBER 30, 2021		OCTOBER 31, 2020
			(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
	Net cash provided by operating activities		$75,706		$267,410
	Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(122,545)		485,209
	Net cash used in financing activities		(442,121)		(257,509)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(488,960)		495,110
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Beginning of period		559,556		52,721
	End of period		$70,596		$547,831

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The following tables reconcile: selling and administrative expenses, selling and administrative expense rate, gain on sale of distribution centers, gain on sale of distribution centers rate, operating profit, operating profit rate, income tax expense, effective income tax rate, net income, and diluted earnings per share for the year-to-date 2020 and the full year 2020 (GAAP financial measures) to adjusted selling and administrative expenses, adjusted selling and administrative expense rate, adjusted gain on sale of distribution centers, adjusted gain on sale of distribution centers rate, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit rate, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP financial measures).

Year-to-date 2020 - Thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2020
			As Reported		Adjustment to exclude gain on sale of distribution centers and related expenses		As Adjusted (non- GAAP)
Selling and administrative expenses			$           1,444,938		$                     (3,956)		$           1,440,982
Selling and administrative expense rate			32.4%		(0.1%)		32.3%
Gain on sale of distribution centers			(463,053)		463,053		-
Gain on sale of distribution centers rate			(10.4%)		10.4%		-
Operating profit			725,578		(459,097)		266,481
Operating profit rate			16.3%		(10.3%)		6.0%
Income tax expense			183,473		(117,194)		66,279
Effective income tax rate			25.7%		0.3%		25.9%
Net income			531,205		(341,903)		189,302
Diluted earnings per share			$                  13.46		$                       (8.66)		$                    4.80

The above adjusted selling and administrative expenses, adjusted selling and administrative expense rate, adjusted gain on sale of distribution centers, adjusted gain on sale of distribution centers rate, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit rate, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share are "non-GAAP financial measures" as that term is defined by Rule 101 of Regulation G (17 CFR Part 244) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR Part 229). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude from the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") a gain resulting from the sale of our Columbus, OH; Durant, OK; Montgomery, AL; and Tremont, PA distribution centers and the related expenses of $459,097 ($341,903, net of tax).

Full Year 2020 - Fifty-two weeks ended January 30, 2021
			As Reported		Adjustment to exclude gain on sale of distribution centers and related expenses		As Adjusted (non-GAAP)
Selling and administrative expenses			$           2,497,386		$                     (3,956)		$           2,493,430
Selling and administrative expense rate			40.3%		(0.1%)		40.2%
Gain on sale of distribution centers			(463,053)		463,053		-
Gain on sale of distribution centers rate			(7.5%)		7.5%		-
Operating profit			856,548		(459,097)		397,451
Operating profit rate			13.8%		(7.4%)		6.4%
Income tax expense			215,415		(117,194)		98,221
Effective income tax rate			25.5%		(0.0%)		25.5%
Net income			629,191		(341,903)		287,288
Diluted earnings per share			$                  16.11		$                       (8.75)		$                    7.35

The above adjusted selling and administrative expenses, adjusted selling and administrative expense rate, adjusted gain on sale of distribution centers, adjusted gain on sale of distribution centers rate, adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit rate, adjusted income tax expense, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted earnings per share are "non-GAAP financial measures" as that term is defined by Rule 101 of Regulation G (17 CFR Part 244) and Item 10 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR Part 229). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude from the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP a gain resulting from the sale of our Columbus, OH; Durant, OK; Montgomery, AL; and Tremont, PA distribution centers and the related expenses of $459,097 ($341,903, net of tax).

Our management believes that the disclosure of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors because the non-GAAP financial measures present an alternative and more relevant method for measuring our operating performance, excluding special items included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, that management believes is more indicative of our on-going operating results and financial condition. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating performance.

 

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SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.

FAQ

What were Big Lots' Q3 financial results for 2021?

Big Lots reported a net loss of $4.3 million or $0.14 per share for Q3 2021, compared to a net income of $29.9 million in Q3 2020.

How did Big Lots' sales performance change in Q3 2021?

Net sales for Q3 2021 decreased by 3.1% to $1,336 million, with comparable sales down 4.7% from last year.

What is Big Lots' outlook for Q4 2021?

Big Lots expects diluted EPS to range from $2.05 to $2.20 for Q4 2021, with a projected gross margin decline of 150 basis points.

What new actions has Big Lots taken regarding shareholder returns?

The Board authorized a $250 million share repurchase and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share.

What challenges is Big Lots facing related to its supply chain?

Big Lots is experiencing ongoing supply chain challenges, which are expected to impact gross margins.