New York, NY (March 19, 2009) — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, today reported sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and the full year ended January 31, 2009.
2008 RESULTS
Barnes & Noble store sales were $1,439 million for the quarter and $4,525 million for the full year. Barnes & Noble store sales decreased 4.8% for the quarter and 2.7% for the full year as compared to fiscal 2007. Comparable store sales decreased 7.3% for the quarter and 5.4% for the year, in-line with guidance.
Barnes & Noble.com sales were $157 million for the quarter and $466 million for the full year. Barnes & Noble.com comparable sales decreased 10.4% for the quarter and 1.3% for the full year as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2007.
Consolidated sales decreased 6% to $1,632 million for the quarter and decreased 3% to $5,122 million for the full year, as compared to the prior year periods.
The company previously announced two charges which impacted fourth quarter and full-year results. An after-tax charge of $2.5 million, or $0.04 per share, was recorded for severance on the elimination of corporate positions. The company also sold its majority interest in Calendar Club, recording a non-cash after-tax charge of $9.7 million, or $0.17 per share. The results of Calendar Club, along with this charge, are classified as discontinued operations.
Net earnings were $81.2 million, or $1.46 per share for the fourth quarter, and $75.9 million, or $1.32 per share for the full year. Excluding the two charges noted above, net earnings were $93.3 million, or $1.67 per share for the fourth quarter, and $88.1 million, or $1.54 per share for the full year, in-line with guidance issued on November 20, 2008.
“While 2008 proved to be the most challenging year that the company and the industry have ever experienced, we are proud of our financial results in light of the macro retail environment,” said Steve Riggio, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “Despite a sales decrease of 3%, gross margins improved by 50 basis points, inventory levels were reduced by 11%, and our focus on expense control and capital expenditures enabled us to generate operating free cash flow of $150 million, exceeding our expectations. As we look to 2009, we expect the challenging environment to continue. Sales forecasts have been planned accordingly and expenses have been cut. The strength of our balance sheet remains a top priority. And, while we are reducing overall expense levels where appropriate, we will continue to invest in the growth areas of the business, as evidenced in our recent acquisition of Fictionwise.”
2009 GUIDANCE
While it is difficult to forecast sales with any certainty in the current environment, based on current trends, the company expects first quarter comparable store sales at Barnes & Noble stores to decrease in a range of 6% to 9%, and full-year comparable store sales to decrease in a range of 4% to 6%.
Barnes & Noble, Inc.’s first quarter loss is expected to range from $0.10 to $0.20 per share. Full-year earnings per share are expected to range from $0.95 to $1.25.
The share count used in the computation of earnings per share is based on a basic weighted average share count of 55 million shares for the first quarter, and a diluted weighted average share count of 57 million shares for the full year.
As of January 31, 2009, the company operated 726 Barnes & Noble stores and 52 B. Dalton stores. During the fourth quarter, five Barnes & Noble stores were opened and seven were closed. Nineteen B. Dalton stores were closed during the quarter.
A conference call with Barnes & Noble, Inc.’s senior management will be webcast beginning at 10:00 A.M. ET on Thursday, March 19, 2009, and is accessible at www.barnesandnobleinc.com/webcasts. The call will also be archived at www.earnings.com for one year.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. will report first quarter earnings on or about May 21, 2009.
FINANCIAL TABLES
Download financial tables related to the sales and earnings for the fourth quarter and the full year ended January 31, 2009:
Consolidated Statements of Operations (14 KB)
Consolidated Balance Sheets (11 KB)
To read the tables, you will need Adobe Reader, available at no charge from Adobe. Click here to download Adobe Reader, and follow the step-by-step instructions.
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