Chico's FAS sales rise 14.5% in Q4 FY'13

For the fourteen-weeks ended February 2, 2013 (the fourth quarter), when excluding non-recurring acquisition and integration costs related to the Boston Proper acquisition, the Company reported net income of $32.7 million, an increase of 29.8% compared to net income of $25.2 million in last year's thirteen-week fourth quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.20, an increase of 33.3% compared to $0.15 per diluted share in last year's fourth quarter.

Including non-recurring acquisition and integration costs, the Company reported net income of $31.5 million, an increase of 25.6% compared to net income of $25.1 million in last year's fourth quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.19, an increase of 26.7% compared to $0.15 per diluted share in last year's fourth quarter. These results represent the highest fourth quarter earnings per share since 2005.

For the fifty-three weeks ended February 2, 2013 (fiscal 2012), when excluding non-recurring acquisition and integration costs, the Company reported net income of $182.2 million, an increase of 26.1% compared to net income of $144.4 million for the fifty-two week year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), and record earnings per diluted share of $1.09, an increase of 29.8% compared to $0.84 per diluted share in fiscal 2011.

Including non-recurring acquisition and integration costs, the Company reported net income of $180.2 million, an increase of 27.9% compared to net income of $140.9 million in fiscal 2011, and earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2012 of a record $1.08, an increase of 31.7% compared to $0.82 per diluted share in fiscal 2011.

Net Sales

For the fourth quarter, net sales were $651.9 million, an increase of 14.5% compared to $569.2 million in last year's fourth quarter, primarily reflecting comparable sales growth of 3.7% and 101 net new stores for a square footage increase of 8.1%. The 3.7% increase in comparable sales for the fourth quarter followed an 8.7% increase in last year's fourth quarter, for a two-year stack of 12.4%, and reflected increases in both average dollar sale and transaction count.

The comparable sales growth primarily reflected a positive customer response to the fashion assortments and the effectiveness of the Company's innovative marketing plans. The fifty-third week is excluded from comparable sales calculations.

The Chico's/Soma Intimates brands' comparable sales increased 2.3%, which followed a 5.5% increase in last year's fourth quarter for a two-year stack of 7.8%, and the White House | Black Market ("WH|BM") brand's comparable sales increased 6.3%, which followed a 15.4% increase in last year's fourth quarter for a two-year stack of 21.7%.