Ingles Markets, Incorporated Reports Results for Second Quarter and First Six Months of Fiscal 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Ingles Markets, Incorporated reported net sales of $1.37 billion for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, with a decrease in sales compared to the previous year. The company's gross profit, operating expenses, interest expenses, and net income also saw changes. Additionally, for the first half of fiscal 2024, net sales were $2.85 billion, showing a slight decrease from the previous year. The company's financial results for the quarter and six-month period display a mixed performance.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Ingles Markets, Incorporated's report of a slight decrease in net sales of 0.95% for the quarter and 0.88% for the first half of the fiscal year might initially seem negligible, but it's important to assess this in the context of the broader grocery industry and economic trends. The gross profit margin has experienced a slight compression, which could indicate increased cost pressures or discounting to drive sales. Operational efficiency seems to be challenged, as is evident from the rise in operating and administrative expenses. This could signal heavier investments in labor or other administrative tasks that could either be a strategic move to improve quality of service or could reflect increasing costs that are not being passed on to the consumers. The reduction in total debt is a positive sign, showing that the company is on a path to reducing its leverage, which could be attractive to risk-averse investors. However, the decrease in net income raises questions about profitability and efficiency in operations. Examining the capital expenditures, which have increased year-over-year, investors should consider whether this spending aligns with potential growth opportunities that Ingles Markets is capturing, such as market expansion or technological investments.

Market Research Analyst

Ingles Markets operates in the highly competitive grocery sector, where small changes in sales and profit margins can have a significant impact on market share. The slight decline in net sales and gross profit as a percentage of sales might reflect an industry-wide challenge or specific strategic choices made by Ingles. Given that the company has no outstanding borrowings on its line of credit, it appears financially stable and capable of self-funding its capital expenditures, which is reassuring for potential investors. However, the company's performance should be monitored for trends in sales growth and profitability, as well as compared against its peers to truly understand its competitive position. The grocery industry is sensitive to economic cycles, consumer trends and competitive pricing strategies, all of which need to be considered when assessing Ingles Markets’ future performance.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ingles Markets, Incorporated (NASDAQ: IMKTA) today reported sales for the three and six months ended March 30, 2024.

Robert P. Ingle II, Chairman of the Board, stated, “We are pleased with our results and thank all our associates for their continued service to our customers and company.”

Second Quarter 2024 Results

Net sales totaled $1.37 billion for the quarter ended March 30, 2024, a decrease of 0.95% compared with $1.38 billion for the quarter ended March 25, 2023.

Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $321.9 million, or 23.5% of sales. Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 was $325.9 million, or 23.6% of sales.

Operating and administrative expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $284.8 million, as compared with $268.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023.

Interest expense totaled $5.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared with $5.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023.

Net income totaled $31.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared with $40.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share for Class A Common Stock were $1.72 and $1.68, respectively, for the quarter ended March 30, 2024, as compared with $2.18 and $2.13, respectively, for the quarter ended March 25, 2023.

First Half Fiscal 2024 Results

First half fiscal 2024 net sales totaled $2.85 billion, a decrease of 0.88% compared with $2.87 billion in the first half of fiscal 2023.

Gross profit for the six months ended March 30, 2024, totaled $670.7 million, as compared with $697.1 million for the first six months of last fiscal year. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 23.5% for the first half of fiscal 2024, compared with 24.3% for the first half of fiscal 2023.

Operating and administrative expenses totaled $574.6 million for the six months ended March 30, 2024, as compared to $545.1 million for the six months ended March 25, 2023.

Interest expense increased to $11.3 million for the six-month period ended March 30, 2024, as compared with $10.7 million for the six-month period ended March 25, 2023. Total debt as of March 30, 2024, was $539.1 million compared with $556.7 million as of March 25, 2023.

Net income totaled $75.3 million for the six-month period ended March 30, 2024, as compared with $109.9 million for the six-month period ended March 25, 2023. Basic and diluted earnings per share for Class A Common Stock were $4.05 and $3.96, respectively, for the six months ended March 30, 2024, as compared to $5.92 and $5.79, respectively, for the six months ended March 25, 2023.

Capital expenditures for the first half of fiscal 2024 totaled $98.4 million compared with $91.4 million for the first half of fiscal 2023.

The Company currently has no outstanding borrowings under its $150.0 million line of credit. The Company believes its financial resources, including its line of credit and other internal and external sources of funds, will be sufficient to meet planned capital expenditures, debt service and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

About Ingles Markets, Incorporated

Ingles Markets, Incorporated is a leading grocer with operations in six southeastern states. Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, the Company operates 198 supermarkets. In conjunction with its supermarket operations, the Company operates neighborhood shopping centers, most of which contain an Ingles supermarket. The Company also owns a fluid dairy facility that supplies Ingles supermarkets and unaffiliated customers. To learn more about Ingles Markets visit ingles-markets.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying our expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “anticipate,” “aim,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to, among other things: business and economic conditions generally in the Company’s operating area, including inflation or deflation; shortages of labor, distribution capacity, and some product shortages; inflation in food, labor and gasoline prices; the Company’s ability to successfully implement our expansion and operating strategies; pricing pressures and other competitive factors, including online-based procurement of products the Company sells; sudden or significant changes in the availability of gasoline and retail gasoline prices; the maturation of new and expanded stores; general concerns about food safety; the Company’s ability to manage technology and data security; the availability and terms of financing; and increases in costs, including food, utilities, labor and other goods and services significant to the Company’s operations. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable law.

INGLES MARKETS, INCORPORATED
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)
Unaudited Financial Highlights
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		March 30,			March 25,			March 30,			March 25,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
Net sales		$	1,367,480		$	1,380,604		$	2,848,542		$	2,873,918
Gross profit			321,885			325,940			670,686			697,095
Operating and administrative expenses			284,762			268,890			574,589			545,069
Gain from sale or disposal of assets			7,686			597			8,339			1,377
Income from operations			44,809			57,647			104,436			153,403
Other income, net			3,381			1,734			6,988			3,176
Interest expense			5,587			5,344			11,294			10,692
Income tax expense			10,704			13,497			24,838			35,976
Net income		$	31,899		$	40,540		$	75,292		$	109,911
Basic earnings per common share – Class A		$	1.72		$	2.18		$	4.05		$	5.92
Diluted earnings per common share – Class A		$	1.68		$	2.13		$	3.96		$	5.79
Basic earnings per common share – Class B		$	1.56		$	1.98		$	3.68		$	5.38
Diluted earnings per common share – Class B		$	1.56		$	1.98		$	3.68		$	5.38
Additional selected information:
Depreciation and amortization expense		$	29,249		$	28,864		$	58,023		$	57,970
Rent expense		$	2,664		$	2,740		$	5,057		$	5,329
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
		March 30,						Sept. 30,
		2024						2023
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	302,018					$	328,540
Receivables-net			109,444						107,571
Inventories			479,130						493,860
Other current assets			26,530						22,586
Property and equipment-net			1,480,038						1,431,872
Other assets			89,148						89,417
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,486,308					$	2,473,846
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	17,521					$	17,527
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and current portion of other long-term liabilities			269,440						313,007
Deferred income taxes			63,561						67,187
Long-term debt			521,597						532,632
Other long-term liabilities			88,747						84,521
Total Liabilities			960,866						1,014,874
Stockholders' equity			1,525,442						1,458,972
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$	2,486,308					$	2,473,846

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240509931458/en/

Pat Jackson, Chief Financial Officer

pjackson@ingles-markets.com

(828) 669-2941 (Ext. 223)

Source: Ingles Markets, Incorporated

FAQ

What were the net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 for Ingles Markets?

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were $1.37 billion for Ingles Markets.

Where is Ingles Markets headquartered?

Ingles Markets is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina.

How many supermarkets does Ingles Markets operate?

Ingles Markets operates 198 supermarkets across six southeastern states.