DUCK Alco Stores, Inc. (MM)

Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. Reports Earnings for Second Quarter and First Half of FY2005 First Prototype Store With Expanded Grocery Opened In Second Quarter ABILENE, Kan., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUCK), which operates 265 full-line discount and hometown variety stores in 21 states in the central U.S., today announced earnings for the second quarter and first half of FY2005. Net sales for the second quarter increased 0.8% to $109.6 million, while same-store sales rose approximately 0.1%. Management believes that sales comparisons to the prior-year quarter were unfavorably impacted by higher gasoline prices that affected discretionary consumer spending, the absence of Federal tax rebates distributed during the summer of last year, the shift in a Texas sales tax "holiday" from July last year to August in 2004, generally much cooler weather patterns that impacted sales of warm weather merchandise (e.g., fans), and the timing of a back-to-school advertising circular for the Duckwall division. Net sales for the first six months of the fiscal year increased 2.1% to $212.4 million, while same-store sales decreased approximately 0.1%. Gross margin for the most recent quarter increased slightly to 32.9% of sales, compared with 32.7% in the second quarter of FY2004, due primarily to lower shrinkage and merchandise acquisition costs. In addition, the Company's logistics department was able to reduce freight expenses, as a percentage of sales, despite significantly higher fuel prices and legislation that increased transportation costs. These improvements were partially offset by slightly higher markdowns, as customers purchased more items on sale. For the first six months of FY2005, gross margin held steady at 33.0% of sales. Operating expenses increased to 30.8% of sales (vs. 30.4%) in the second quarter of FY2005. A significant factor in this increase involved general insurance costs, which rose $625,000 (0.6% of sales) from the prior-year quarter, primarily due to an adjustment in the Company's reserves for workers compensation (for the policy year ended 5/31/04) that followed a revision in actuarial estimates. Higher medical insurance costs, along with increased credit card processing fees (due to higher usage of credit cards by customers) also played a role in raising the Company's operating expense ratio in the most recent quarter. These increased expenses were partially offset by lower depreciation, amortization and store remodeling costs. Additionally, the Company recorded a $275,000 reduction in certain expenses related to "layaways", compared with an adjustment of $0 in the corresponding prior-year period. The Company has already implemented actions to reduce medical insurance and workers compensation costs, and management is evaluating alternatives to further control such expenses. Interest expense declined to $279,000 in the most recent quarter, from $328,000 in the prior-year period, primarily due to lower borrowings. For the first six months of FY2005, interest expense declined to $561,000, compared with $718,000 last year. The Company's effective tax rate for the most recent quarter approximated 38.0%, compared with 36.3% in the second quarter of FY2004. The tax rate was lower in the prior-year quarter due to the availability of a work opportunity tax credit. This tax credit may be renewed again this year by Congress, but it had not been renewed as of the close of the quarter. If legislation is passed to reauthorize such tax credits, the Company's effective tax rate will be lowered at that time. For the quarter ended August 1, 2004, earnings from continuing operations totaled $1,234,000, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with $1,341,000, or $0.31 per diluted share, in the second quarter of FY2004. Net earnings totaled $1,187,000, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the most recent quarter, versus $1,599,000, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the quarter ended August 3, 2003. For the first half of FY2005, earnings from continuing operations totaled $1,938,000, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared with $1,954,000, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Net earnings totaled $1,874,000, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the first half of FY2005, versus with $2,157,000, or $0.50 per diluted share, in the six months ended August 3, 2003. "Our second quarter earnings decline relative to last year was largely attributable to items that are not recurring, such as a gain on the sale of a store in last year's second quarter and a one-time adjustment to workers compensation insurance reserves based on advice from our insurance actuaries, advisors and underwriters," commented Glen L. Shank, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. "These two items, along with unusually high medical insurance costs, reduced second quarter earnings by approximately $0.16 per diluted share from the prior-year period. While the sharp rise in medical insurance and workers compensation costs was particularly disappointing, we were pleased with the Company's ability to reduce expenses that were under the control of management, as a percentage of sales. This was especially important given a sales environment that was challenged by higher gasoline prices that impacted discretionary consumer spending, the absence of Federal income tax rebates that boosted sales in the prior-year quarter, and cooler temperatures this year." "We believe that the greatest potential to achieve the Company's financial goals, while continuing to provide outstanding customer service, involves a stronger emphasis on consumables, and Duckwall-ALCO is well-positioned to pursue this opportunity," continued Shank. "In June, we opened our first prototype 'ALCO Market Place' store with an expanded selection of grocery products. Once we optimize the operational efficiencies of this prototype and evaluate customer response, we plan to aggressively roll out the concept in other markets." "While our long-term business strategy of targeting smaller markets that are not served locally by other national or regional full-line discount retailers has proven successful, we continue to operate in a highly competitive discount retail industry that faces a number of challenges," noted Shank. "Higher gasoline prices, for instance, not only raise the Company's transportation costs, but could reduce discretionary spending by many American families. Under such circumstances, we believe an increased emphasis upon consumable merchandise should cushion the impact of any reduction in consumer spending on higher priced products." "I would like to report that the capabilities of various business advisory firms to advise us on strategic positioning and operating effectiveness have been under evaluation since June of this year. At our Board meeting last Thursday, this search was narrowed to a single candidate, and the Board authorized management to engage this leading business advisory firm once suitable terms of a working relationship are agreed upon. After we have engaged this business advisory firm, they will do a strategic and operational review of our Company. After they have completed their analysis, they will work with the Board and management to develop a revised business plan. The significant elements of our revised business plan will, of course, be communicated to all stockholders. Our Board, management and other advisors will also examine other means of enhancing stockholder value in the coming months", concluded Shank. During the second quarter and first half of FY2005, the Company remodeled 7 and 13 ALCO stores, respectively, as part of an ongoing program to enhance the performance of existing stores. A total of 100 stores have been remodeled since the inception of the remodeling program four years ago. Since March, 2002 the Company has also opened a net total of 19 new ALCO stores that incorporate its latest merchandising concepts, bringing the total number of ALCO stores with the updated format to 119 as of August 1, 2004. During the most recent quarter, the Company opened 2 new ALCO stores (Minnesota and Colorado), converted 1 ALCO store into an ALCO Market Place store (Oklahoma), and opened 2 new Duckwall Stores (Arkansas and Oklahoma). One ALCO store and 2 Duckwall stores were closed during the quarter. Management plans to open a total of approximately 7 new ALCO stores and 2 new Duckwall stores during the current fiscal year. Additionally, the Company expects to convert approximately 2 more locations to the new ALCO Market Place format during the balance of FY2005 (one of which reopened August 3, 2004 in Kansas). About Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. Duckwall-ALCO Stores Inc. is a leading regional retailer that currently operates 265 full-line discount and hometown variety stores in 21 states in the central portion of the United States under the names "ALCO", "ALCO Market Place" and "Duckwall". The Company's strategy is to target smaller markets not served by other regional or national full-line retail discount chains and provide the most convenient access to retail shopping within each market. The Company is headquartered in Abilene, Kansas and its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "DUCK". Forward-looking statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Any forward-looking statements are made by the Company in good faith, pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Act. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and projections regarding economic conditions, retail industry environments and Company performance. Factors, which could significantly change results, include but are not limited to: sales performance, expense levels, competitive activity, interest rates, changes in the Company's financial condition and factors affecting the retail category in general. Additional information regarding these and other factors may be included in the Company's quarterly 10-Q filings and other public documents, copies of which are available from the Company on request. CONTACT: Dick Mansfield Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 785-263-3350 x286 e-mail: internet home page: http://www.duckwall.com/ or RJ Falkner & Company, Inc., Investor Relations Counsel at (800) 377-9893 or via e-mail at DUCKWALL-ALCO STORES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) Unaudited Three Months Ended Six Months Ended August 1, August 3, August 1, August 3, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Net sales $109,601 $108,719 $212,449 $208,029 Cost of sales 73,538 73,188 142,265 139,401 Gross profit 36,063 35,531 70,184 68,628 Selling, general and administrative 32,120 31,228 63,085 61,183 Depreciation and amortization 1,673 1,872 3,412 3,663 Total operating expenses 33,793 33,100 66,497 64,846 Operating income from continuing operations 2,270 2,431 3,687 3,782 Interest expense 279 328 561 718 Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 1,991 2,103 3,126 3,064 Income tax expense 757 762 1,188 1,110 Earnings from continuing operations 1,234 1,341 1,938 1,954 Earnings / (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax (47) 258 (64) 203 Net earnings $1,187 $1,599 $1,874 $2,157 Per share data (diluted): Earnings from continuing operations $0.28 $0.31 $0.44 $0.45 Net earnings $0.27 $0.37 $0.42 $0.50 Weighted-average shares outstanding: Basic 4,367 4,197 4,344 4,228 Diluted 4,465 4,289 4,444 4,303 DUCKWALL-ALCO STORES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheet (In thousands) Unaudited August 1, August 3, 2004 2003 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $2,049 $1,809 Receivables 1,865 2,045 Refundable income tax 295 -- Inventories 133,069 132,067 Prepaid expenses 2,754 2,617 Total current assets 140,032 138,538 Property and equipment 89,449 85,315 Less accumulated amortization 62,558 56,779 Net property and equipment 26,891 28,536 Property under capital leases, net of accum. amortization 2,812 3,345 Other non-current assets 127 202 Deferred income taxes 1,033 557 Total assets $170,895 $171,178 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current Liabilities Current maturities of long-term debt $271 $516 Current maturities of capital lease obligations 802 712 Accounts payable 27,352 28,499 Income taxes payable -- 1,395 Accrued salaries and commissions 4,185 4,593 Accrued taxes other than income 5,099 4,822 Other current liabilities 4,890 2,832 Deferred income taxes 1,667 2,175 Total current liabilities 44,266 45,544 Notes payable under revolving loan credit facility 9,004 14,576 Long-term debt, less current maturities -- 271 Capital lease obligations, less current maturities 4,182 5,028 Other noncurrent liabilities 1,296 1,397 Deferred revenue 210 638 Total liabilities 58,958 67,454 Stockholders' equity Common Stock, $.0001 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares in 2004 and 2003; issued and outstanding 4,380,203 and 4,205,632 shares in 2004 and 2003, respectively 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 50,199 48,216 Retained earnings 61,737 55,507 Total stockholders' equity 111,937 103,724 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $170,895 $171,178 DATASOURCE: Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. CONTACT: Dick Mansfield, Vice President, Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. +1-785-263-3350, ext. 286, ; or RJ Falkner & Company, Inc., Investor Relations Counsel, 1-800-377-9893, , for Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. Web site: http://www.duckwall.com/

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