J.Crew Group, Inc announced financial results for the three months and fiscal year ended January 30, 2010.
Fourth Quarter highlights:
• Revenues increased 19% to $460.6 million. Store sales increased 23% to $311.1 million, with comparable store sales increasing 17%. Comparable store sales decreased 13% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Direct sales (Internet and Phone) increased 13% to $139.2 million. Direct sales decreased 2% to $123.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. • Gross margin increased to 43.9% of revenues from 27.6% of revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The increase in gross margin is primarily due to decreased markdowns and promotional selling in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to 2008. • Operating income increased to $68.6 million, or 14.9% of revenues, compared with an operating loss of $20.4 million, or 5.3% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. • Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was $40.4 million, or $0.61 per diluted share. Net loss was $13.5 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.
Millard Drexler, J.Crew's Chairman and CEO stated: "We are extremely pleased with all we achieved in 2009. Our bar has been set high and it is our continued mission to be creative, to be innovative, and to emotionally connect with our customers."
Fiscal 2009 highlights:
• Revenues increased 11% to $1,578.0 million. Store sales increased 14% to $1,110.9 million, with comparable store sales increasing 4%. Comparable store sales decreased 4% in fiscal 2008. Direct sales increased 5% to $428.2 million. Direct sales increased 8% to $408.9 million in fiscal 2008. • Gross margin increased to 44.1% of revenues from 38.9% of revenues in fiscal 2008. • Operating income increased to $211.3 million, or 13.4% of revenues, compared to $96.7 million, or 6.8% of revenues, in fiscal 2008. • Net income for fiscal 2009 was $123.4 million, or $1.91 per diluted share. Net income was $54.1 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, in fiscal 2008.
Balance Sheet highlights as of January 30, 2010:
• Cash and cash equivalents were $298.1 million at the end of the fourth quarter and after a voluntary principal payment of debt of $50 million made during fiscal 2009. Cash and cash equivalents were $146.4 million at the end of fiscal 2008. • Inventories at the end of the fourth quarter were $190.2 million, compared to $187.0 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Inventory per square foot at the end of fiscal 2009 decreased 3%, compared to the end of fiscal 2008.
Guidance
The Company currently expects first quarter fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.48 to $0.53 and fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per share in the range of $2.20 to $2.30.