DALLAS, April 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tuesday Morning Corporation (Nasdaq:TUES) today reported that, as previously announced, net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 were $174.3 million compared to $172.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, an increase of 1.3%. Comparable store sales increased 0.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to the same period last year. The increase in comparable store sales was comprised of a 3.9% increase in average ticket offset by a 3.2% decrease in traffic. Net loss for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $3.6 million, or $0.08 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $4.3 million, or $0.10 loss per share, for the same period last year.
For the nine months ended March 31, 2011, net sales were $626.4 million compared to $627.5 million for the same period last year, a decrease of 0.2%. Comparable store sales decreased 0.1% for the nine month period ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period last year. The decrease in comparable store sales was comprised of a 0.4% increase in average ticket offset by a 0.5% decrease in traffic. For the nine months ended March 31, 2011, the Company had earnings per diluted share of $0.25 versus $0.22 for the same period in fiscal 2010.
Kathleen Mason, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We achieved increases in total sales and comparable store sales for the third quarter. Our year to date earnings have improved by 16%. Inventory is well positioned by category as we move into the final quarter of our fiscal 2011 year. We continue to generate cash flow, enhance profitability, and maintain our strong balance sheet."
Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended March 31, 2011
Gross Profit - Gross profit increased $2.1 million, or 3.3%, to $66.7 million for the third quarter ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the same quarter last year of $64.6 million. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 38.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to 37.5% for the same period in fiscal 2010. This increase of 0.8% in gross profit percentage was primarily due to the sell through of merchandise acquired at more favorable pricing.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A") - SG&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $71.9 million versus $70.8 million in the same quarter last year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased by 0.1% to 41.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 from 41.2% in the same quarter last year.
Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2011
Gross Profit - Gross profit increased $3.3 million, or 1.4%, to $240.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same nine month period last year of $237.4 million. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 38.4% for the nine month period ended March 31, 2011 compared to 37.8% in the same period last year. This increase of 0.6% in gross profit percentage was primarily due to the sell through of merchandise acquired at more favorable pricing.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses - SG&A for the nine months ended March 31, 2011 was $221.0 million versus $220.4 million for the same period last year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased slightly by 0.2% to 35.3% in the nine month period ended March 31, 2011 from 35.1% in the same period last year.
Balance Sheet
Inventory was $286.0 million at March 31, 2011 compared to $258.0 million at March 31, 2010, an increase of $28.0 million, or 10.9%. Included in this increase are opportunistic buys that became available in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 that are selling through as planned. Net property and equipment was $77.3 million at March 31, 2011, an increase of $4.8 million compared to March 31, 2010. This increase resulted from planned capital expenditures related to systems, equipment and store fixtures.
Accounts payable was lower at March 31, 2011 by $9.8 million versus the same period last year primarily due to the payment of opportunistic receipts during the second fiscal quarter of 2011. There were no significant changes to our vendor payment policy during this time. At March 31, 2011, we had $13.8 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Outstanding letters of credit, primarily for insurance programs, were $7.8 million at March 31, 2011 compared to $9.3 million at the same time last year. At March 31, 2011, we had availability of $123.4 million and we were in compliance with the terms of our credit facility.
Store Activity
We operated 840 stores in 41 states as of March 31, 2011. During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, we opened 11 stores, relocated 11 stores and closed 16 stores. During the nine months ended March 31, 2011, we opened 21 stores, closed 33 stores and relocated 26 stores.
Fiscal Year 2011 Guidance:
Based upon the above results, we are maintaining our April 12, 2011 revised guidance for the full fiscal year ending on June 30, 2011. Net sales are expected to be in the range of $830 million to $836 million. Comparable store sales are expected to be flat and earnings per diluted share are expected to be in the range of $0.30 to $0.34 compared to $0.25 in the prior fiscal year ended June 30, 2010. Capital expenditures are expected to be $19 million, and we expect to end this fiscal year with 10 to 13 more stores than we had at the end of the previous year.
About Tuesday Morning
As previously announced, Tuesday Morning is a leading closeout retailer of upscale, decorative home accessories, housewares and famous-maker gifts in the United States. The Company opened its first store in 1974 and currently operates 840 stores in 41 states. Tuesday Morning is nationally known for bringing its more than 9.0 million loyal customers a unique treasure hunt of high-end, first quality, brand name merchandise...never seconds or irregulars...at prices well below those of department and specialty stores and catalogues.
Conference Call Information
Tuesday Morning Corporation's management will hold a conference call to review third quarter fiscal 2011 financial results today, April 25, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A real-time webcast of the call will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http:// , or you may dial into the conference at 1-877-312-5376 (no access code required). A replay of the webcast will also be accessible through the Company's website or by dialing (800) 642-1687, conference ID number 51997017, until May 8, 2011.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should carefully consider statements that contain these words because they describe our expectations, plans, strategies and goals and our beliefs concerning future business conditions, our future results of operations, our future financial position, and our business outlook or state other "forward-looking" information.
Reference is hereby made to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2010 for examples of risks, uncertainties and events that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and events also include, but are not limited to, the following: uncertainties regarding our ability to open stores in new and existing markets and operate these stores on a profitable basis; conditions affecting consumer spending and the impact, depth and duration of current economic conditions; inclement weather; changes in our merchandise mix; timing and type of sales events, promotional activities and other advertising; increased or new competition; loss or departure of one or more members of our senior management or experienced buying and management personnel; an increase in the cost or a disruption in the flow of our products; seasonal and quarterly fluctuations; fluctuations in our comparable store results; our ability to operate in highly competitive markets and to compete effectively; our ability to operate information systems and implement new technologies effectively; our ability to generate strong cash flows from our operations; our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing consumer demands and preferences; and our ability to generate strong holiday season sales. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements were made. Except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligations to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events and circumstances after the date on which the statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
CONTACT: Stephanie Bowman Chief Financial Officer TUESDAY MORNING CORPORATION 972-934-7251 Farah Soi ICR, LLC 203-682-8200