Big Lots Reports Record Q1 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported a strong first quarter for fiscal 2021, with net income of $94.6 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, significantly exceeding prior guidance of $1.30 to $1.45. Net sales rose 13% to $1,626 million, driven by an 11.3% increase in comparable sales. Strength was noted across merchandise categories and online sales grew by 30%. The company's cash and cash equivalents reached $613 million, alongside a strategic share repurchase of $78 million for 1.1 million shares. A quarterly dividend of $0.30 was also declared. However, guidance for Q2 indicates a potential earnings decline, with expected EPS between $1.00 and $1.15.

Positive

• Net income increased to $94.6 million from $49.3 million YoY.
• Net sales rose 13% to $1,626 million.
• Comparable sales increased by 11.3%.
• E-commerce sales grew by 30%.
• Cash and cash equivalents increased to $613 million.
• Share repurchases totaled $78 million in Q1.
• Quarterly dividend declared at $0.30 per share.

Negative

• Guidance for Q2 suggests a potential decline in comparable sales.
• Expected diluted EPS for Q2 is lower at $1.00 to $1.15.
• Supply chain and freight headwinds are expected to persist.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today reported net income of $94.6 million, or $2.62 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 ended May 1, 2021, which compares to the company's guidance, as provided on March 5, 2021, of $1.30 to $1.45 per diluted share. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $49.3 million, or $1.26 per diluted share. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 totaled $1,626 million, a 13% increase compared to $1,439 million for the same period last year, with the growth resulting from an 11.3% increase in comparable sales and sales growth from new and relocated non-comp stores.

Remarking on today's announcement, Bruce Thorn, President and CEO of Big Lots stated, "We have completed a record first quarter that was driven both by our underlying Operation North Star strategic initiatives and by customer response to a third round of stimulus distributions that began in March. For the quarter, we saw double digit growth across all merchandise categories other than Food and Consumables, which were greatly bolstered last year by quarantine-related stock-up spending early in the pandemic. We also saw notable strength in our Seasonal assortment, particularly lawn & garden, while Broyhill, launched just last year, drove $225 million in sales for the quarter across our Furniture and Home assortments, continuing its rapid progress toward becoming an established $1 billion brand. Additionally, our ecommerce business grew 30%, and our Rewards program reached a record high number of active members.

Our outstanding results for the quarter were achieved despite significant supply chain and freight headwinds, which we expect to continue through the balance of the year. Meanwhile, we are taking other important steps to strengthen our business. These include rolling out our forward distribution center strategy to relieve pressure at our regional distribution centers and more efficiently process bulk items such as furniture; strengthening our vendor partnerships to create even greater value for our customers and improve assortment availability; and investing in data-driven space planning technology designed to enhance our customer satisfaction and per-store productivity through more relevant location- based assortments. We are excited by our results, but know that we still have many opportunities for growth and improvement across the business."

Mr. Thorn further remarked, "Big Lots is growing in a productive and sustainable manner and we are doing so knowing that our goal is to create the best value for our customer so that she can Live Big and Save Lots.  Our growth is driven by our Operation North Star, but is fulfilled by our 37,000 associates across our stores, the distribution centers, and in our home office. I am so proud to be a member of this team and I am deeply thankful for their unwavering commitment."

Inventory and Cash Management
Inventory ended the first quarter of fiscal 2021 at $901.5 million compared to $806.6 million for the same period last year, an increase of 11.8%. Excluding in-transit, on-hand inventory was up approximately 3.0% to the prior year.

The company ended the first quarter of fiscal 2021 with $613 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $32 million of Long-term Debt, compared to $312 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents and $437 million of Long-term Debt as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Share Repurchase Authorization
As previously announced, on August 27, 2020 the company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $500 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. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we invested $78 million to repurchase 1.1 million shares at an average cost of $67.45. Through the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021, we had utilized $250 million under this authorization to repurchase 4.9 million shares, at an average cost of $51.07.

Dividend
As announced in a separate press release, on May 26, 2021 the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. This dividend payment of approximately $10.5 million will be payable on June 25, 2021, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 11, 2021.

Company Outlook
The Company continues to believe it does not have sufficient visibility to provide full year guidance. Based on currently available information, for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 the Company expects to achieve diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.00 to $1.15, based on a low double digit comparable sales decline which equates to a two-year stacked comparable sales increase of around 20%. The foregoing second quarter guidance does not incorporate further anticipated share repurchases pursuant to the remaining $250 million available under the $500 million share repurchase authorization approved by the Company's Board of Directors on August 27, 2020.

Conference Call/Webcast
The company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. to discuss the financial results for the first 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 http://www.biglots.com/after 12:00 p.m. today and will remain available through midnight on Friday, June 11, 2021. A replay of this call will also be available beginning today at 12:00 p.m. through June 11 by dialing 877.660.6853 (Toll Free) or 201.612.7415 (Toll) and entering Replay Conference ID 13719566 All times are Eastern Time.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a neighborhood discount retailer operating 1,414 stores in 47 states, as well as a best-in-class ecommerce platform with expanded capabilities via BOPIS, curbside pickup, Instacart and Big Lots NOW with 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, 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 unmatched value to customers through the ultimate treasure hunt shopping experience, being a "best place to work" culture for associates, rewarding shareholders with consistent growth and top-tier returns, and doing good in local communities. For more information about the company, visit www.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)
			MAY 1		MAY 2
			2021		2020
			(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
	ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$613,329		$311,872
	Inventories		901,482		806,559
	Other current assets		114,001		75,978
	Total current assets		1,628,812		1,194,409
Operating lease right-of-use assets			1,631,817		1,206,133
Property and equipment - net			723,158		849,857
Deferred income taxes			17,741		6,161
Other assets			36,008		65,226
			$4,037,536		$3,321,786
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$380,942		$275,461
	Current operating lease liabilities		219,367		207,899
	Property, payroll and other taxes		112,532		96,248
	Accrued operating expenses		158,136		138,212
	Insurance reserves		34,803		35,572
	Accrued salaries and wages		73,799		34,622
	Income taxes payable		70,340		16,903
	Total current liabilities		1,049,919		804,917
Long-term debt			32,063		436,684
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities			1,466,090		1,046,711
Deferred income taxes			3,805		41,171
Insurance reserves			59,379		56,759
Unrecognized tax benefits			10,601		10,279
Other liabilities			147,177		41,332
Shareholders' equity			1,268,502		883,933
			$4,037,536		$3,321,786

 

BIG LOTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
			13 WEEKS ENDED			13 WEEKS ENDED
			MAY 1, 2021			MAY 2, 2020
				%			%
			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Net sales			$1,625,552	100.0		$1,439,149	100.0

FAQ

What are the Q1 2021 financial results for Big Lots (NYSE: BIG)?

Big Lots reported Q1 2021 net income of $94.6 million ($2.62 per diluted share) and net sales of $1,626 million.

How much did Big Lots increase its e-commerce sales in Q1 2021?

E-commerce sales for Big Lots grew by 30% in Q1 2021.

What is Big Lots' dividend announcement for Q2 2021?

Big Lots declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share, payable on June 25, 2021.

What is the outlook for Big Lots' second quarter of fiscal 2021?

Big Lots expects diluted EPS for Q2 2021 to be between $1.00 and $1.15, with a low double digit comparable sales decline.

What challenges is Big Lots facing according to the recent press release?

Big Lots noted ongoing supply chain and freight headwinds affecting its operations.