Hibbett Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results

November 18, 2016

Comparable Store Sales Increase 0.7%, with Continued High Single-Digit Comps in Footwear
Company Opens First Store in California
Company Updates Guidance

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hibbett Sports, Inc. (NASDAQ/GS: HIBB), an athletic specialty retailer, today announced results for the third quarter ended October 29, 2016.

Third Quarter Results

Net sales for the 13-week period ended October 29, 2016, increased 3.8% to $237.0 million compared with $228.3 million for the 13-week period ended October 31, 2015. Comparable store sales increased 0.7%.

Gross profit was 35.4% of net sales for the 13-week period ended October 29, 2016, compared with 36.1% for the 13-week period ended October 31, 2015. The decrease was mainly due to markdowns taken to reduce inventory, a negative effect of product mix resulting from soft sales in seasonal apparel, and de-leverage of logistics and store occupancy expenses associated with lower comparable store sales.

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses were 23.6% of net sales for the 13-week period ended October 29, 2016, compared with 21.1% of net sales for the 13-week period ended October 31, 2015. These expenses were higher as a percentage of net sales partially due to a low comparable store sales increase. Additionally, the Company incurred increased expenses related to investments in its omni-channel initiative and higher expenses related to employee benefit costs, credit card fees, and store maintenance.

Net income for the 13-week period ended October 29, 2016, was $14.6 million compared with $18.7 million for the 13-week period ended October 31, 2015. Earnings per diluted share was $0.66 for the 13-week period ended October 29, 2016, compared with $0.79 for the 13-week period ended October 31, 2015.

Jeff Rosenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We were pleased with our back-to-school sales and continue to see high single-digit comps in our footwear category. Sales softened in September and October as apparel sales became more challenging, principally in our colder-weather categories. Gross margin rate declined due to a mix shift to footwear as a result of softness in seasonal apparel sales. As expected, expenses were higher in the quarter due to investments in our ongoing omni-channel initiative, but we also experienced higher expenses in other areas against a favorable third quarter last year.

"At the end of the quarter, we opened our first store in California and are excited about the growth opportunity for this state in the future," Rosenthal continued. "Additionally, we are pleased with the progress we are making on our omni-channel initiative and expect to see benefits from our new POS system and store-to-home capability in the first half of Fiscal 2018."

For the quarter, Hibbett opened 13 new stores, expanded two high performing stores and closed five underperforming stores, bringing the store base to 1,067 in 34 states as of October 29, 2016.

Fiscal Year to Date Results

Net sales for the 39-week period ended October 29, 2016, increased 4.1% to $726.0 million compared with $697.4 million for the 39-week period ended October 31, 2015. Comparable store sales increased 1.0%.

Gross profit was 35.4% of net sales for the 39-week period ended October 29, 2016, compared with 35.5% for the 39-week period ended October 31, 2015.

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses were 22.8% of net sales for the 39-week period ended October 29, 2016, compared with 21.5% of net sales for the 39-week period ended October 31, 2015.

Net income for the 39-week period ended October 29, 2016, was $49.0 million compared with $53.1 million for the 39-week period ended October 31, 2015. Earnings per diluted share was $2.18 for the 39-week period ended October 29, 2016, compared with $2.17 for the 39-week period ended October 31, 2015.

Liquidity and Stock Repurchases

Hibbett ended the third quarter of Fiscal 2017 with $41.2 million of available cash and cash equivalents on the unaudited consolidated balance sheet, no bank debt outstanding and full availability under its $80.0 million unsecured credit facilities.

During the third quarter, the Company repurchased 53,519 shares of its common stock for a total expenditure of $1.9 million. Approximately $269.3 million of the total authorization remained for future stock repurchases as of October 29, 2016.

Fiscal 2017 Outlook

The Company is updating its guidance for the 52 weeks ending January 28, 2017, to earnings per diluted share in the range of $2.82 to $2.88 from a previously reported range of $2.93 to $3.02. Additionally, merchandise margin is expected to be relatively flat compared with a previously reported expectation of flat to slightly positive versus the prior year.

Investor Conference Call and Simulcast

Hibbett Sports, Inc. will conduct a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, November 18, 2016, to discuss third quarter Fiscal 2017 results. The number to call for the live interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2905. A replay of the conference call will be available until November 25, 2016, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the passcode, 21818613.

The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of its third quarter Fiscal 2017 conference call. The live broadcast of Hibbett's quarterly conference call will be available online at www.hibbett.com under Investor Relations on November 18, 2016, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and be available for replay for 30 days.

Hibbett Sports, Inc. operates athletic specialty stores in small to mid-sized markets, predominately in the South, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States. The Company's primary store format is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000-square-foot store located in strip centers and enclosed malls.

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, guidance, outlook, or estimate. For example, our forward looking statements include statements regarding earnings per diluted share, sales trends, merchandise margin rates, impact of the omni-channel initiative and store openings and growth opportunities. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including economic conditions, industry trends, merchandise trends, vendor relationships, customer demand, and competition. For a discussion of these factors, as well as others which could affect our business, you should carefully review our Annual Report and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors," "Business" and "MD&A" sections in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2016 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 7, 2016 and September 9, 2016. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the future events, developments or results described by our forward looking statements in this document could be materially and adversely different from those we discuss or imply. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.


HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 29, 2016		October 31, 2015		October 29, 2016		October 31, 2015
Net sales	$	237,006	$	228,301	$	726,031	$	697,385
Cost of goods sold, including wholesale, logistics and store occupancy costs		153,181		145,949		468,947		450,140
Gross profit		83,825		82,352		257,084		247,245
Store operating, selling and administrative expenses		55,853		48,255		165,415		150,206
Depreciation and amortization		4,799		4,238		14,036		12,656
Operating income		23,173		29,859		77,633		84,383
Interest expense, net		60		67		187		201
Income before provision for income taxes		23,113		29,792		77,446		84,182
Provision for income taxes		8,509		11,115		28,426		31,065
Net income	$	14,604	$	18,677	$	49,020	$	53,117

Net income per common share:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.66	$	0.79	$	2.19	$	2.18
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.66	$	0.79	$	2.18	$	2.17

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		21,989		23,607		22,350		24,333
Diluted		22,186		23,777		22,525		24,519


HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)


	October 29, 2016		January 30, 2016
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,195	$	32,274
Inventories, net		292,461		283,099
Other current assets		16,557		14,995
Total current assets		350,213		330,368
Property and equipment, net		106,601		101,389
Other assets		10,087		10,615
Total assets	$	466,901	$	442,372

Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment
Accounts payable	$	85,710	$	88,456
Short-term capital leases		545		478
Accrued expenses		20,877		16,256
Total current liabilities		107,132		105,190
Non-current liabilities		27,596		26,336
Stockholders' investment		332,173		310,846
Total liabilities and stockholders' investment	$	466,901	$	442,372


HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)


	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015			October 29, 2016			October 31, 2015
Sales Information
Net sales increase		3.8	%		4.6	%		4.1	%		3.5	%
Comparable store sales increase (decrease)		0.7	%		0.6	%		1.0	%		-0.5	%

Store Count Information
Beginning of period		1,059			1,014			1,044			988
New stores opened		13			20			44			51
Stores closed		(5	)		(3	)		(21	)		(8	)
End of period		1,067			1,031			1,067			1,031

Stores expanded		2			1			4			8
Estimated square footage at end of period (in thousands)		6,090			5,893

Balance Sheet Information
Average inventory per store	$	274,097		$	268,611

Share Repurchase Activity
Shares		53,519			1,341,170			911,356			2,137,389
Cost (in thousands)	$	1,941		$	50,542		$	31,634		$	87,944

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161118005091/en/

Hibbett Sports, Inc.
Scott J. Bowman, 205-942-4292
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Source: Hibbett Sports, Inc.

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