KSS Kohls Corporation

Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE:KSS) today reported results for the quarter and year ended January 28, 2012.

Fourth Quarter Results

Kohl’s Corporation reported fourth quarter diluted earnings per share increased 9% to $1.81. Net income for the quarter decreased 8% to $455 million, compared to $494 million ($1.66 per diluted share) a year ago. Net sales were $6.0 billion, a decrease of 0.3 percent from the prior year quarter. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 2.1%.

Fiscal 2011 Results

For the year, diluted earnings per share increased 17% to $4.30 and net income increased 4% to $1,167 million. Net sales were $18.8 billion, an increase of 2.2%. Comparable store sales increased 0.5%.

Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, “I am pleased that 2011 was another year of profitability and earnings per share growth for our shareholders. With the commitment of each of our 140,000 associates, we were able to navigate a difficult holiday sales season through strong expense and inventory management. We achieved a major milestone in 2011 with our E-Commerce business reporting $1 billion in revenues. We are starting 2012 with considerable brand excitement, with the launch of Rock and Republic, continued excitement from our Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony brands, and expansion of the successful ELLE and Simply Vera Vera Wang brands into new categories.”

The Company increased its free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) by 27% to $1.1 billion and returned approximately $2.6 billion to shareholders in 2011 with its first-ever dividend and share repurchases.

Quarterly Dividend Declared

On February 22, 2012, Kohl's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share of Kohl’s common stock; a $0.07 per share and 28% increase over previous quarterly dividends. The dividend is payable March 28, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2012.

Store Update

Kohl’s opened 40 stores during 2011 and now has 1,127 stores in 49 states, compared with 1,089 stores at the same time last year. The Company remodeled 100 stores in 2011.

Earnings Guidance

The Company issued its initial guidance for fiscal 2012. Based on assumptions of a total sales increase of 4.5% and a comparable store sales increase of 2%, the Company expects earnings per diluted share of $4.75 for the year. For the first fiscal quarter, the Company expects earnings per diluted share of $0.60 based on assumptions of a total sales increase of 3% and a comparable store sales increase of 1%.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Earnings

Kohl’s will host a fourth quarter earnings conference call at 8:30 am ET on February 23, 2012. The phone number for the conference call is (706) 902-0486 and the conference ID is 41360705. Replays of the call will be available for 30 days by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 and referencing Conference ID 41360705. The conference call is also accessible via the Company's web site at http://www.kohlscorporation.com/InvestorRelations/event-calendar.htm.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which we define as net cash provided by operating activities and proceeds from financing obligations (which generally represent landlord reimbursements of construction costs) less acquisition of property & equipment and capital lease & financing obligation payments. Free cash flow should be evaluated in addition to, and not considered a substitute for, other financial measures such as net income and cash flow provided by operations. We believe that free cash flow represents our ability to generate additional cash flow from our business operations.

The following table reconciles net cash provided by operating activities (a GAAP measure) to free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure) for fiscal 2011.

(in millions)   Net cash provided by operating activities $ 2,143 Acquisition of property & equipment (927 ) Capital lease & financing obligation payments (91 ) Proceeds from financing obligations   14   Free cash flow $ 1,139  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including guidance on Kohl’s targeted sales, earnings and other operating metrics. Kohl's intends forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “plans,” or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause Kohl's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those described in Item 1A in Kohl’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in Kohl's filings with the SEC.

About Kohl’s

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl’s operates 1,127 stores in 49 states with a commitment to environmental leadership. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $208 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

KOHL'S CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In Millions, except per share data) (Unaudited) Subject to Reclassification           Three Months Twelve Months Ended Ended Jan. 28, Jan. 29, Jan. 28, Jan. 29, 2012 2011 2012 2011 (Restated)   Net sales $ 6,018 $ 6,038 $ 18,804 $ 18,391 Cost of merchandise sold   3,841     3,815     11,625     11,359     Gross margin 2,177 2,223 7,179 7,032   Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 1,178 1,173 4,243 4,190 Depreciation and amortization   194     189     778     750     Operating income 805 861 2,158 2,092   Interest expense, net   76     71     299     304     Income before income taxes 729 790 1,859 1,788 Provision for income taxes   274     296     692     668       Net income $ 455   $ 494   $ 1,167   $ 1,120       Basic net income per share $ 1.82 $ 1.68 $ 4.33 $ 3.69 Average number of shares 251 295 270 304   Diluted net income per share $ 1.81 $ 1.66 $ 4.30 $ 3.66 Average number of shares 252 297 271 306   As a percent of net sales: Gross margin 36.2 % 36.8 % 38.2 % 38.2 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 19.6 % 19.4 % 22.6 % 22.8 % Operating income 13.4 % 14.3 % 11.5 % 11.4 % Net income 7.6 % 8.2 % 6.2 % 6.1 % KOHL'S CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars In Millions) (Unaudited) Subject to Reclassification         Jan. 28, Jan. 29, 2012 2011

Assets

Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,205 $ 2,277 Merchandise inventories 3,199 3,036 Deferred income taxes 72 77 Other   299   252   Total current assets 4,775 5,642   Property and equipment, net 8,905 8,692 Long-term investments 153 277 Other assets   261   238   Total assets $ 14,094 $ 14,849  

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

  Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 1,233 $ 1,138 Accrued liabilities 1,130 1,030 Income taxes payable 133 127 Current portion of long-term debt - 400 Current portion of capital lease and financing obligations   94   86   Total current liabilities 2,590 2,781   Long-term debt 2,141 1,494 Capital lease and financing obligations 2,009 2,018 Deferred income taxes 386 256 Other long-term liabilities 460 450 Shareholders' equity   6,508   7,850   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 14,094 $ 14,849 KOHL'S CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Millions) (Unaudited) Subject to Reclassification     2011 2010 Operating activities Net income $ 1,167 $ 1,120 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 778 750 Share-based compensation 57 66 Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation 2 3 Deferred income taxes 144 39 Other non-cash revenues and expenses 39 35 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Merchandise inventories (158 ) (107 ) Other current and long-term assets (42 ) (50 ) Accounts payable 96 (50 ) Accrued and other long-term liabilities 61 13 Income taxes   (1 )   (63 )   Net cash provided by operating activities   2,143     1,756     Investing activities Acquisition of property and equipment (927 ) (801 ) Sales of investments in auction rate securities 145 42 Other   (20 )   2     Net cash used in investing activities   (802 )   (757 )   Financing activities Treasury stock purchases (2,311 ) (1,004 ) Long-term debt payments (400 ) - Capital lease and financing obligation payments (91 ) (84 ) Proceeds from financing obligations 14 27 Proceeds from issuance of debt 646 - Interest rate hedge payment (48 ) - Deferred financing costs (8 ) - Proceeds from stock option exercises 58 75 Dividends paid (271 ) - Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation   (2 )   (3 )   Net cash used in financing activities   (2,413 )   (989 )   Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (1,072 ) 10 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   2,277     2,267     Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 1,205   $ 2,277