- GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.69
- Non-GAAP Diluted EPS Increased 19% to $0.44
- Domestic Segment Comparable Sales Essentially Flat
MINNEAPOLIS, 2016-May-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) today announced results for the first quarter ended April 30, 2016 (“Q1 FY17”), as compared to the first quarter ended May 2, 2015 (“Q1 FY16”). The company reported GAAP diluted earnings from continuing operations of $0.69, an increase from $0.10 in Q1 FY16. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.44, an increase of 19% from $0.37 in Q1 FY16.
| Q1 FY17 | Q1 FY16 | |||||
| Revenue ($ in millions)1 | ||||||
| Enterprise | $8,443 | $8,558 | ||||
| Domestic segment | $7,829 | $7,890 | ||||
| International segment | $614 | $668 | ||||
| Enterprise comparable sales % change | (0.1%) | 0.6% | ||||
| Domestic comparable sales % change | (0.1%) | 0.6% | ||||
| Domestic comparable online sales % change | 23.9% | 5.3% | ||||
| International revenue % change | (8.1%) | (22.1%) | ||||
| International revenue % change on a constant currency basis | (1.2%) | (12.1%) | ||||
| Operating Income: | ||||||
| GAAP operating income as a % of revenue | 4.4% | 1.0% | ||||
| Non-GAAP operating income as a % of revenue | 2.9% | 2.6% | ||||
| Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS): | ||||||
| GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations | $0.69 | $0.10 | ||||
| Non-GAAP diluted EPS from continuing operations | $0.44 | $0.37 | ||||
| For GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations, please refer to the attached supporting schedule titled “Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures.” | ||||||
“Our teams delivered a strong first quarter, with better-than-expected revenue, improved profitability and progress against our fiscal 2017 initiatives,” said Best Buy Chairman and CEO Hubert Joly. “We are reaffirming our previously provided full year financial outlook which includes approximately flat revenue and non-GAAP operating income, with non-GAAP EPS growth driven by share repurchases. Although we are reporting better-than-expected results today, we are not raising our full year outlook as the first quarter represents less than 15% of full year earnings and at this stage we have no new material information as it relates to product launches throughout the year.”
Joly continued, “In our Domestic business, we are reporting essentially flat comparable sales versus guidance of a 1% to 2% decline driven by strong year-over-year sales growth in health & wearables, home theater and appliances offset by continued softness in mobile phones and tablets. Contributing to these better-than-expected results was the strong performance in our online channel, which grew 24% in the quarter.”
Joly concluded, “As we look forward, we remain focused on our FY17 priorities. These priorities are (1) to build on our strong industry position and multi-channel capabilities to drive the existing business; (2) to drive cost reductions and efficiencies; and (3) to advance key initiatives to drive future growth and differentiation. We are investing to make it easy for customers to learn about and enjoy the latest technology as they pursue their passions and take care of what is important to them in their lives. With our combination of digital, store and in-home assets, we feel we have a great opportunity to address key customer pain points, build stronger ongoing relationships with our customers and unleash growth opportunities.”
Sharon McCollam, Best Buy EVP, CAO and CFO, commented, “As Hubert said, we are reaffirming our previously provided full year financial outlook of approximately flat revenue and non-GAAP operating income, including lapping the significant periodic profit sharing benefits from our services plan portfolio that we earned in FY16. A key element to achieve this will be the delivery of our cost reduction and gross profit optimization initiatives. Based on current industry dynamics and how we see the various product cycles playing out, we are expecting slight declines in revenue in the first half followed by growth in the back half. As discussed in our last earnings release, we recognize this will be challenging without a strong mobile cycle and improvements in the NPD-reported categories overall.”
McCollam continued, “For Q2 FY17, our guidance is Enterprise revenue in the range of $8.35 billion to $8.45 billion and both Enterprise and Domestic comparable sales of approximately flat. We expect our Q2 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.38 to $0.42, assuming a diluted weighted average share count of approximately 325 million and a non-GAAP effective income tax rate in the range of 36.0% to 36.5%.”
McCollam concluded, “In line with our original expectations, there are two factors impacting our year-over-year non-GAAP EPS guidance for the second quarter. First, we are expecting an approximate $0.03 net negative impact from the lapping of the periodic profit sharing benefit from our services plan portfolio that we received in the second quarter of last year. Second, we are expecting an approximate $0.06 negative impact from the carryover of last September’s services pricing investment. In addition, in digital imaging, we are now expecting an approximate $0.03 to $0.04negative impact due to the April 2016 earthquake in Japan, which is impacting inventory availability in this high-margin category. Combined, these are putting $0.12 to $0.13 of pressure on Q2 FY17, which will be partially offset by an approximate $0.04 benefit from share repurchases.”
Domestic Segment First Quarter Results
Domestic Revenue
Domestic revenue of $7.8 billion decreased 0.8% versus last year. This decrease was primarily driven by the loss of revenue from 13 large format and 24 Best Buy Mobile store closures. Comparable sales were essentially flat against a backdrop where the NPD-reported categories were down 1.9%.2
From a merchandising perspective, comparable sales growth in health & wearables, home theater, major appliances and computing was offset by declines in mobile phones, tablets and gaming. As expected, television sales related to the shift of the Super Bowl into Q1 FY17 positively impacted the Domestic segment by approximately 70 basis points. The company also saw continued revenue declines in services due to investments in services pricing and the reduction of frequency of claims on extended warranties which has reduced repair revenue.
Domestic online revenue of $832 million increased 23.9% on a comparable basis primarily due to higher conversion rates and increased traffic. As a percentage of total Domestic revenue, online revenue increased 210 basis points to 10.6% versus 8.5% last year.
Domestic Gross Profit Rate
Domestic gross profit rate was 25.4% versus 23.9% last year. On a non-GAAP basis, gross profit rate was 23.0% versus 22.9% last year. Both the GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit rates increased 10 basis points primarily due to (1) a prior-year reserve on non-iconic phone inventory which did not recur this year; and (2) improved rates primarily driven by our more disciplined promotional strategy across product categories. These increases were partially offset by our investments in services pricing. The GAAP gross profit rate was also positively impacted by $183 million in CRT settlement proceeds.
Domestic Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)
Domestic SG&A expenses were $1.59 billion, or 20.3% of revenue, versus $1.58 billion, or 20.1% of revenue, last year. On a non-GAAP basis, SG&A expenses were $1.56 billion, or 19.9% of revenue, versus $1.56 billion, or 19.8% of revenue, last year. Non-GAAP SG&A was flat as investments in the business were offset by the flow-through of Renew Blue Phase 2 cost reductions. GAAP SG&A increased year over year due primarily to $22 million in legal fees and costs associated with the CRT settlement proceeds.
International Segment First Quarter Results
International Revenue
International revenue of $614 million declined 8.1%. This decline was primarily driven by (1) approximately 690 basis points of negative foreign currency impact; and (2) the loss of revenue associated with closed stores as part of the Canadian brand consolidation. On a constant currency basis, International revenue declined 1.2%.
International Gross Profit Rate
International gross profit rate was 25.9% versus 21.6% last year. On a non-GAAP basis, gross profit rate was 25.9% versus 22.8% last year. Both the GAAP and non-GAAP gross profit rates increased 310 basis points primarily driven by a higher year-over-year gross profit rate in Canada as the company (1) lapped the significant disruption and corresponding increased promotional activity related to the brand consolidation in Q1 FY16; and (2) received a higher periodic profit sharing payment in the services business. The GAAP gross profit rate increase was also impacted by the prior year impact of COGS restructuring charges.
International SG&A
International SG&A expenses were $157 million, or 25.6% of revenue, versus $182 million, or 27.2% of revenue, last year. On a non-GAAP basis, SG&A expenses were $156 million, or 25.4% of revenue, versus $179 million, or 26.8% of revenue, last year. This $23 million, or 140-basis point, decrease in GAAP and non-GAAP SG&A was primarily driven by the elimination of expenses associated with closed stores as part of the Canadian brand consolidation and the positive impact of foreign exchange rates. GAAP SG&A decreased an additional $2 million due primarily to lower Canadian brand consolidation charges.
Income Taxes
In Q1 FY17, the GAAP continuing operations effective income tax rate decreased 1,300 basis points to 37.3% versus 50.3% last year. On a non-GAAP basis, the continuing operations effective income tax rate increased 130 basis points to 37.7% versus 36.4% last year.
Q2 FY17 Financial Guidance
Best Buy is providing the following Q2 FY17 financial guidance:
- Enterprise revenue in the range of $8.35 to $8.45 billion, a decline of (2.1%) to (0.9%)
- International revenue decline of (5%) to (10%)
- Enterprise and Domestic comparable sales of approximately flat
- Non-GAAP effective income tax rate of approximately 36.0% to 36.5% versus 37.1% last year
- Diluted weighted average share count of 325 million versus 354 million last year, resulting in a positive $0.04year-over-year non-GAAP EPS impact
- Non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.38 to $0.42 versus $0.49 last year
Note: Enterprise comparable sales are currently equal to Domestic comparable sales due to the impacts of the Canadian brand consolidation.1 The company’s non-GAAP financial guidance does not reflect the potential impact of non-GAAP adjustments, which include (but, in future periods, may not be limited to) restructuring charges, CRT and LCD settlements, asset impairments, gains and losses on investments, other brand consolidation costs and the tax effect of such items. The company cannot reliably predict or estimate if and when these types of transactions or adjustments may occur or their impact to its financial statements.
Share Repurchases and Dividends
On February 25, 2016, the company announced the intent to repurchase $1 billion of its shares over a two-year period. In Q1 FY17, the company repurchased 3.2 million shares for a total of $97 million. The company’s cumulative share repurchases positively benefitted non-GAAP diluted EPS by $0.04 in Q1 FY17.
On April 07, 2016, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per common share outstanding, or $90 million, and a special one-time dividend of $0.45 per common share outstanding, or $145 million.
Restructuring Charges
During Q1 FY17, the company made decisions to cease certain operations and restructure certain teams. As such, restructuring charges of $29 million were recorded primarily relating to asset impairments and severance. In Q1 FY16, restructuring charges of $186 million were recorded primarily in relation to the Canadian brand consolidation.
Reminder: Discontinuation of Holiday Sales Press Release in FY17
Beginning in January FY17, the company will no longer issue an interim Holiday press release due to the increasing significance of the month of January to the company’s overall fourth quarter financial results.
Conference Call
Best Buy is scheduled to conduct an earnings conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (7:00 a.m. Central Time) onMay 24, 2016. A webcast of the call is expected to be available at www.investors.bestbuy.com both live and after the call.
(1) On March 28, 2015, the company consolidated the Future Shop and Best Buy stores and websites in Canada under the Best Buy brand. This resulted in the permanent closure of 66 Future Shop stores, the conversion of 65 Future Shop stores to Best Buy stores and the elimination of the Future Shop website. The Canadian brand consolidation has a material impact on a year-over-year basis on the Canadian retail stores and the website. As such, all store and website revenue has been removed from the comparable sales base and International (comprised of Canada andMexico) no longer has a comparable metric until International revenue is comparable on a year-over-year basis. Therefore, Enterprise comparable sales will be equal to Domestic comparable sales until International revenue is again comparable on a year-over-year basis. Additionally, the company is no longer reporting comparable sales excluding the impact of installment billing as the mix of installment billing plans is comparable on a year-over-year basis.
The term constant currency represents results adjusted to exclude foreign currency impacts. Foreign currency impact represents the difference in results that is attributable to fluctuations in currency exchanges rates the company uses to convert the results of its International segment where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. The company calculates the impact as the difference between the current period results translated using the current period currency exchange rates and using the comparable prior period’s currency exchange rates. The company believes the disclosure of revenue changes in constant currency provides useful supplementary information to investors in light of significant fluctuations in currency rates and ongoing inability to report comparable store sales for the International segment as a result of the Canadian brand consolidation.
(2) According to The NPD Group’s Weekly Retail Tracking Service as published May 9, 2016, revenue for the CE (Consumer Electronics) industry declined 1.9% during the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 compared to the 13 weeks ended May 2, 2015. The CE industry, as defined by The NPD Group, includes TVs, desktop and notebook computers, tablets not including Kindle, digital imaging and other categories. Sales of these products represent approximately 65% of the company’s Domestic revenue. The CE industry, as defined by The NPD Group, does not include mobile phones, appliances, services, gaming, Apple Watch, movies or music.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements:
This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that reflect management’s current views and estimates regarding future market conditions, company performance and financial results, business prospects, new strategies, the competitive environment and other events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” ”assume,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “guidance,” “plan,” “outlook,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements are the following: macro-economic conditions (including fluctuations in housing prices, oil markets and jobless rates), conditions in the industries and categories in which we operate, changes in consumer preferences, changes in consumer confidence, consumer spending and debt levels, online sales levels and trends, average ticket size, the mix of products and services offered for sale in our physical stores and online, credit market changes and constraints, product availability, competitive initiatives of competitors (including pricing actions and promotional activities of competitors), strategic and business decisions of our vendors (including actions that could impact promotional support, product margin and/or supply), the success of new product launches, the impact of pricing investments and promotional activity, weather, natural or man-made disasters, attacks on our data systems, the company’s ability to prevent or react to a disaster recovery situation, changes in law or regulations, changes in tax rates, changes in taxable income in each jurisdiction, tax audit developments and resolution of other discrete tax matters, foreign currency fluctuation, availability of suitable real estate locations, the company’s ability to manage its property portfolio, the impact of labor markets, the company’s ability to retain qualified employees and changes in senior management, failure to achieve anticipated expense and cost reductions from operational and restructuring changes, disruptions in our supply chain, the costs of procuring goods the company sells, failure to achieve anticipated revenue and profitability increases from operational and restructuring changes (including investments in our multi-channel capabilities and brand consolidations), inability to secure or maintain favorable vendor terms, failure to accurately predict the duration over which we will incur costs, acquisitions and development of new businesses, divestitures of existing businesses, failure to complete or achieve anticipated benefits of announced transactions, integration challenges relating to new ventures, and our ability to protect information relating to our employees and customers. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the company’s annual report and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including, but not limited to, Best Buy’s Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2016. Best Buy cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete, and any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Best Buy assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement that it may make.
Source: Best Buy Co., Inc.
Best Buy Co., Inc.
Investor Contact:
Mollie O’Brien, 612-291-7735
mollie.obrien@bestbuy.com
or
Media Contact:
Jeff Shelman, 612-291-6114
jeffrey.shelman@bestbuy.com