• Comparable store sales increased 1.0%, including the negative impact of approximately 80 basis points related to lost sales from hurricanes
• Operating income of $153.9 million
• Diluted EPS of $0.44, including the negative impact of approximately $0.01 related to hurricanes

IRVING, Texas, 2017-Dec-04 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Michaels Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIK) today (2017-11-30) announced financial results for the third quarter ended October 28, 2017.

“We are pleased we delivered third quarter operating income in-line with our guidance and diluted EPS above our guidance. We are seeing nice momentum in our business, excluding the disruption from the hurricanes, and we are encouraged by the customer’s response to the improvements we have made, both in-stores and online, to make it easier for customers to MAKE,” said Chuck Rubin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As we turn to the fourth quarter, we believe our holiday assortment is bigger and better than ever, and our teams are ready to serve customers, both in stores and online. We are pleased with the start to the quarter, although we recognize the heart of the season still lies ahead. We are excited about our plans, and we are confident the investments we’ve made to create an easier, more integrated omnichannel experience will drive continued momentum and deliver stronger financial results.”

Third Quarter Highlights

• Net sales increased 1.1% to $1,240.2 million, from $1,227.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, inclusive of an estimated $10 million in lost sales related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The increase in net sales was primarily a result of a 1.0% increase in comparable store sales (0.5% on a constant currency basis), and sales from the operation of 16 new Michaels stores (net of closures) in fiscal 2017. As expected, this increase was partially offset by lower wholesale revenues.
• Gross profit increased 3.8% to $484.1 million, from $466.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased 100 basis points to 39.0% compared to 38.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase, as a percentage of net sales, was due to higher merchandise margin resulting from our ongoing sourcing initiatives, the timing of distribution-related costs and the comparison against $0.7 million of net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 related to the acquisition of Lamrite West. These benefits were partially offset by higher inventory shrinkage.
• Selling, general and administrative expense, including store pre-opening costs, (“SG&A”) increased 3.1% to $330.3 million, or 26.6% of sales, from $320.3 million, or 26.1% of sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase in SG&A was primarily due to an increase in incentive-based compensation, marketing expenses and healthcare expenses. The increase was partially offset by a comparison against $1.6 million of net non-recurring integration expenses recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 related to the acquisition of Lamrite West.
• Operating income increased 5.1% to $153.9 million, or 12.4% of sales, compared to $146.3 million, or 11.9% of sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses associated with the acquisition of Lamrite West, adjusted operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was $148.6 million.
• Interest expense increased $1.3 million to $32.8 million, from $31.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 primarily due to higher interest rates on the Company’s variable rate asset-based revolving credit facility and term loan credit facility.
• The effective tax rate was 34.3% for the third quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to 29.0% for the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The higher effective tax rate was primarily due to certain federal tax credits recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and an increase in state taxes, partially offset by benefits realized from the Company’s direct sourcing initiatives.
• Net income increased 4.3% to $79.8 million, compared to $76.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments, integration expenses associated with the acquisition of Lamrite West, and losses on early extinguishment of debt and refinancing costs, less related tax adjustments, adjusted net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was $82.1 million.
• Diluted earnings per share increased 18.9% to $0.44, from $0.37 in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding for the quarter were 182.0 million compared with 205.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments, integration expenses associated with the acquisition of Lamrite West, and losses on early extinguishment of debt and refinancing costs, less related tax adjustments, adjusted diluted earnings per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was $0.40.
• During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company opened eight new Michaels stores and one new Pat Catan’s store. The Company also closed one Michaels store and three Aaron Brothers stores during the quarter. In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company opened 14 new Michaels stores and closed two Michaels stores. At the end of the third quarter, the Company operated 1,237 Michaels stores, 98 Aaron Brothers stores, and 36 Pat Catan’s stores.
• The Company ended the third quarter of fiscal 2017 with $176.8 million in cash, $2.9 billion in total debt and $675.7 million in availability under its asset-based revolving credit facility.
• Total merchandise inventory at the end of the third quarter was $1,404.2 million compared to $1,394.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Average Michaels inventory on a per store basis, inclusive of distribution centers, in transit and inventory for the Company’s e-commerce site, decreased 1.2% to $1,028,000, compared to $1,040,000 at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2016.
• During the quarter, the Company purchased 2.4 million shares, or $48.6 million, under its share repurchase authorization. The total remaining authorization for future repurchases is approximately $350.0 million. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date, and the timing and number of repurchase transactions under the program will depend on market conditions, corporate considerations, debt agreements, and regulatory requirements.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Outlook:

For fiscal 2017, a 53-week year, the Company expects:

• total net sales growth of 2.9% to 3.2%, or 2.7% to 3.0% on a constant currency basis, including the impact of the 53rd week, which is planned to be approximately $80 million;
• comparable store sales to increase 0.6% to 0.9%, or 0.4% to 0.7% on a constant currency basis;
• to open 18 new stores, including 17 new Michaels stores and one new Pat Catan’s store; relocate 12 Michaels stores; and close 17 stores, including 15 Aaron Brothers stores and two Michaels stores;
• operating income to be in the range of $735 million to $745 million;
• interest expense to be approximately $130 million;
• the effective tax rate to be between 34% and 35%;
• diluted earnings per common share to be between $2.13 and $2.16, based on diluted weighted average common shares of approximately 186 million; and
• capital expenditures to be approximately $120 million.

The outlook for fiscal 2017 includes approximately $0.01 of favorable earnings per share impact related to 2.4 million shares repurchased in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and approximately $0.01 of favorable earnings per share impact related to a stronger Canadian Dollar. The Company now expects the Canadian exchange rate will average $1.29 for the full year.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company expects:

• comparable store sales to increase 1.5% to 2.5%, or 1.0% to 2.0% on a constant currency basis;
• to open one new Michaels store and close four Aaron Brothers stores;
• operating income to be between $354 million and $364 million;
• interest expense to be approximately $35 million;
• the effective tax rate to be between 34% and 35%; and
• diluted earnings per common share to be between $1.15 and $1.18, based on diluted weighted average common shares of 182 million.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss third quarter financial results is scheduled for today, November 30, 2017, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time. Investors who would like to join the conference call are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call using the following link: http://dpregister.com/10113759. Callers who pre-register will be given a phone number and a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

Investors without internet access or who are unable to pre-register can join the call by dialing (844) 340-4762 or (412) 717-9617.

The conference call will also be webcast at http://investors.michaels.com/. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin to register and download any necessary audio software. The webcast will be accessible for 30 days after the call. Additionally, a telephone replay will be available until December 14, 2017, by dialing (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, access code 10113759.

Non-GAAP Information

This press release includes non-GAAP measures including operating income excluding net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses associated with the acquisition of Lamrite West (“Adjusted operating income”); net income excluding net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses associated with the acquisition of Lamrite West and losses on early extinguishment of debt and refinancing costs, less related tax adjustments, (“Adjusted net income”); and diluted earnings per share excluding net non-recurring, inventory-related purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses associated with the acquisition of Lamrite West and losses on early extinguishment of debt and refinancing costs, less related tax adjustments (“Adjusted diluted earnings per share”). The Company has reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in a table accompanying this release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures not only provide its management with comparable financial data for internal financial analysis but also provide meaningful supplemental information to investors. Specifically, these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to better understand the performance of the Company’s business and facilitate a meaningful evaluation of its quarterly and fiscal 2017 diluted earnings per common share and actual results on a comparable basis with its quarterly and fiscal 2016 results.

In evaluating these non-GAAP financial measures, investors should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses or be involved in transactions that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. The Company’s presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed to imply that its future results will be unaffected by any such adjustments. The Company has provided this information as a means to evaluate the results of its ongoing operations. Other companies in the Company’s industry may calculate these items differently than it does. Each of these measures is not a measure of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements which reflect management’s current views and estimates regarding the Company’s industry, business strategy, goals, and expectations concerning its market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, share repurchases, liquidity and capital resources, and other financial and operating information. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “guidance,” “imply,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The Company cannot assure investors that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it has anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to risks relating to the effect of economic uncertainty; substantial changes to fiscal and tax policies; our reliance on foreign suppliers; regulatory changes; the seasonality of our business; changes in customer demand; damage to the reputation of the Michaels brand or our private and exclusive brands; unexpected or unfavorable consumer responses to our promotional or merchandising programs; our failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to electronic and other confidential information; increased competition including internet-based competition from other retailers; and other risks and uncertainties including those identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which is available at www.sec.gov, and other filings that the Company may make with the SEC in the future. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, the Company’s actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this news release speaks only as of the date on which the Company makes it. Factors or events that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

About The Michaels Companies, Inc.:

A Fortune 500® Company, The Michaels Companies, Inc. is North America’s largest specialty provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for Makers and do-it-yourself home decorators.

As of October 28, 2017, the Company owned and operated 1,371 stores in 49 states and Canada under the brands Michaels, Aaron Brothers and Pat Catan’s. The Michaels Companies, Inc., also owns Artistree, a manufacturer of high quality custom and specialty framing merchandise, and Darice, a premier wholesale distributor in the craft, gift and decor industry. The Michaels Companies, Inc. produces a number of private brands including Recollections®, Studio Decor®, Bead Landing®, Creatology®, Ashland®, Celebrate It®, ArtMinds®, Artist’s Loft®, Craft Smart®, Loops & Threads®, Make Market®, Foamies®, LockerLookz®, Imagin8®, and Sticky Sticks®. Learn more about Michaels at www.michaels.com.

Investor Contact:
Kiley F. Rawlins
CFA
972-409-7404
Kiley.Rawlins@michaels.com

ICR, Inc.
Farah Soi
CFA
203-682-8200
Farah.Soi@icrinc.com

Caitlin Morahan
203-682-8200
Caitlin.Morahan@icrinc.com

Financial Media Contact:
ICR, Inc.
Jessica Liddell/ Julia Young
203-682-8200
Michaels@icrinc.com

Source: The Michaels Companies, Inc.