UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

_________________________

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

June 3, 2014
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

_________________________

 

ASCENA RETAIL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 0-11736 30-0641353
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
incorporation)   Identification Number)

 

933 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(551) 777-6700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))

 

 

 

 
 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On June 3, 2014, Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release disclosing material non-public information regarding its results of operations for its fiscal third quarter ended April 26, 2014. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

 

The information in Item 2.02 of this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
99.1   Press Release dated June 3, 2014.

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

ASCENA RETAIL GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)

 

Date: June 3, 2014

 

By: /s/ Dirk Montgomery  
Dirk Montgomery  
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Financial Officer)  

  

 



 

Exhibit 99.1

 

News Release

 

ascena retail group, Inc. reports

THIRD quarter 2014 results

 

– GAAP EPS $0.20; adjusted eps $0.27 –

– Total COMPARABLE SALES (1%) –

– fISCAL 2014 EPS GUIDANCE REAFFIRMED

BETWEEN $1.00 - $1.05 –

 

MAHWAH, NJ – June 3, 2014Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ – ASNA) (the “Company”) today reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended April 26, 2014.

 

For the third quarter of Fiscal 2014, earnings from continuing operations were $0.22 per diluted share. This compares to earnings from continuing operations of $0.20 per diluted share in the same period of Fiscal 2013. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations in the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 were $0.27 per diluted share, compared to $0.26 per diluted share in the prior year’s third quarter. Growth in diluted earnings per share came from improved gross margin rate performance, which was mostly offset by increases in Buying, Distribution and Occupancy (“BD&O”) costs and Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses. Reference should be made to Note 2 in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial information for a discussion of the use of “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

David Jaffe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., commented, “Third quarter EPS was above our expectations and slightly above last year primarily due to lower than anticipated SG&A and tax expense.  Q3 sales were challenging, and that trend continued into the start of Q4.   As a result, we are implementing promotional strategies and receipt flow adjustments to ensure our inventories are conservatively positioned for the Fall season.”

 

Jaffe further commented, “We continue to make good progress on our longer range strategic priorities.  Four of our five brands are now operating in our retail distribution center in Ohio, and we expect all brands to be operating out of that DC by Fall, on schedule.  In addition, our new e-commerce fulfillment center opened in the third quarter and we are on track to migrate all brands into operations in that facility by Spring of calendar 2015.”

 

About Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA) is a leading specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes, and accessories for missy and plus-size women under the Lane Bryant, Cacique, maurices, dressbarn and Catherines brands; and for tween girls and boys, under the Justice and Brothers brands. Ascena Retail Group, Inc. operates through its subsidiaries approximately 3,900 stores throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. 

 

For more information about Ascena Retail Group, Inc. and its brands, visit www.ascenaretail.com, www.lanebryant.com, www.maurices.com, www.dressbarn.com, www.catherines.com, www.cacique.com, www.shopjustice.com, and www.shopbrothers.com

 

 

 
 

 

Fiscal Third Quarter Results

 

Net sales for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 increased 0.3% to $1.145 billion, compared to $1.142 billion in the third quarter of Fiscal 2013. This increase was driven by new store growth at Justice and maurices, along with higher comparable sales at Lane Bryant, maurices and Catherines, mostly offset by comparable sales declines at Justice and dressbarn.

 

The Company’s comparable sales data for the fiscal third quarter is summarized below:

 

ascena store comparable sales   (3)%
ascena e-commerce comparable sales   19%

 

   Total   Net Sales (millions) 
   Comparable
Sales
   April 26,
2014
   April 27,
2013
 
Justice   (4)%  $291.7   $298.0 
Lane Bryant   1%   269.3    267.2 
maurices   2%   251.7    235.7 
dressbarn   (4)%   246.7    257.3 
Catherines   4%   85.7    84.0 
Total Company   (1)%  $1,145.1   $1,142.2 

 

Gross margin for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 increased to $675.0 million, or 58.9% of sales, compared to $657.8 million, or 57.6% of third quarter sales last year. The gross margin rate increase was primarily due to a lower level of markdown activity across most of our brands.

 

Buying, Distribution and Occupancy (“BD&O”) costs for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 were $219.6 million, or 19.2% of sales, compared to $208.1 million, or 18.2% of third quarter sales last year. The increase was primarily related to investments in merchandising and design functions, increased freight and fulfillment costs supporting strong e-commerce growth, and the impact of new store growth at Justice and maurices. The Company continues to anticipate the capture of certain integration-related efficiencies in its distribution structure over time as it implements its centralized logistics and distribution strategy.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 were $340.4 million, or 29.7% of sales, compared to $332.4 million, or 29.1% of third quarter sales last year. The growth in total expense to last year was due to increased marketing and headcount to support top line growth and synergy initiatives.

 

Operating income for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 was $53.7 million, or 4.7% of sales, compared to $65.8 million, or 5.8% of sales last year. On an adjusted basis, operating income for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 was $68.1 million, or 5.9% of sales compared to $72.7 million, or 6.4% of sales last year.

 

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 was 30.6%, which was lower than the Company’s expectations.  Favorability was driven by our revised full year earnings estimate, along with the impact of permanent international investments in the current fiscal year. The effective tax rate was 40.3% in the third quarter last year.

 

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 was $35.6 million as compared to $32.9 million in the prior year’s third quarter. On an adjusted basis, income from continuing operations for the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 was $44.8 million, as compared to $42.2 million in the prior year’s third quarter.

 

 2
 

 

The Company reported earnings from continuing operations of $0.22 per diluted share, a loss from discontinued operations of $0.02 per diluted share and net income of $0.20 per diluted share.

 

Fiscal Third Quarter Balance Sheet Highlights

 

The Company ended the third quarter of Fiscal 2014 with cash and investments of $216.8 million and total debt of $225 million, compared to $189.4 million of cash and investments and $135.6 million of debt at the end of Fiscal 2013.

 

Fiscal Year 2014 Guidance

 

The Company reaffirmed annual EPS guidance between $1.00 and $1.05. This guidance excludes any one-time, acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs that may be incurred during the fiscal year. The Company noted that its guidance is based upon the following key assumptions:

-Total comparable sales are expected to be up slightly
-The Company’s effective tax rate is expected to be 35%
-Investment in capital expenditures in the range of $475 to $500 million
-Net new store growth in the range of 40 to 60 units

 

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will conduct a conference call today, June 3, 2014, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time to review its third quarter Fiscal 2014 results, followed by a question and answer session. Parties interested in participating in this call should dial in at (617) 399-5124 prior to the start time, the passcode is 60779538. The call will also be simultaneously broadcast at www.ascenaretail.com. A recording of the call will be available shortly after its conclusion and until July 3, 2014 by dialing (617) 801-6888, the passcode is 61852488.

 

 3
 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements made within this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or review its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that our projected results expressed or implied will not be achieved. Detailed information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the information contained herein is readily available in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Results

 

Ascena’s financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended April 26, 2014 reflect certain acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs. Additionally, the Company also incurred in Fiscal 2014 certain charges related to accelerated depreciation of certain assets that will ultimately be displaced by the Company’s supply chain and technology integration efforts. Management believes that all of such costs are not indicative of the Company’s underlying operating performance. As such, adjusted results for the third quarter of both Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013, which exclude the effect of such costs, have been presented to supplement the reported results for each period. Reference should be made to Note 2 of the unaudited consolidated financial information included elsewhere in this release for a reconciliation of adjusted, non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

 

CONTACT: Ascena Retail Group, Inc.
  Investor Relations
  (551) 777-6780
   
  ICR, Inc.
  James Palczynski
  Senior Managing Director
  (203) 682-8229
  jp@icrinc.com

 

 4
 

 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(millions, except per share data)

 

   Third Quarter Ended 
   April 26, 
2014
   % of Net
Sales
   April 27,
2013
   % of Net
Sales
 
Net sales  $1,145.1    100.0%  $1,142.2    100.0%
Cost of goods sold   (470.1)   (41.1)%   (484.4)   (42.4)%
Gross margin   675.0    58.9%   657.8    57.6%
Other costs and expenses:                    
Buying, distribution and occupancy costs   (219.6)   (19.2)%   (208.1)   (18.2)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (340.4)   (29.7)%   (332.4)   (29.1)%
Acquisition-related, integration and restructuring costs   (12.7)   (1.1)%   (6.9)   (0.6)%
Depreciation and amortization expense   (48.6)   (4.2)%   (44.6)   (3.9)%
Operating income   53.7    4.7%   65.8    5.8%
Interest expense   (1.7)   (0.1)%   (2.9)   (0.2)%
Interest and other (expense) income, net   (0.7)   (0.1)%   0.1     
Loss on extinguishment of debt           (7.9)   (0.7)%
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes   51.3    4.5%   55.1    4.8%
Provision for income taxes from continuing operations   (15.7)   (1.4)%   (22.2)   (1.9)%
Income from continuing operations   35.6    3.1%   32.9    2.9%
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes   (2.4)   (0.2)%   (1.7)   (0.1)%
Net income  $33.2    2.9%  $31.2    2.7%
Net income per common share - basic:                    
Continuing operations  $0.22        $0.21      
Discontinued operations   (0.02)        (0.01)     
Total net income per basic common share  $0.20        $0.20      
                     
Net income per common share - diluted:                    
Continuing operations  $0.22        $0.20      
Discontinued operations   (0.02)        (0.01)     
Total net income per diluted common share  $0.20        $0.19      
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   161.4         158.0      
Diluted   164.7         163.3      

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 5
 

 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(millions, except per share data)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   April 26,
2014
   % of Net
Sales
   April 27,
2013
   % of Net
Sales
 
Net sales  $3,608.2    100.0%  $3,517.2    100.0%
Cost of goods sold   (1,534.9)   (42.5)%   (1,540.7)   (43.8)%
Gross margin   2,073.3    57.5%   1,976.5    56.2%
Other costs and expenses:                    
Buying, distribution and occupancy costs   (670.9)   (18.6)%   (613.0)   (17.4)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses   (1,048.2)   (29.1)%   (1,013.9)   (28.8)%
Acquisition-related, integration and restructuring costs   (24.9)   (0.7)%   (20.1)   (0.6)%
Depreciation and amortization expense   (141.0)   (3.9)%   (122.5)   (3.5)%
Operating income   188.3    5.2%   207.0    5.9%
Interest expense   (4.8)   (0.1)%   (12.5)   (0.4)%
Interest and other (expense) income, net   (1.2)       0.6     
Loss on extinguishment of debt           (9.3)   (0.3)%
                     
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes   182.3    5.1%   185.8    5.3%
Provision for income taxes from continuing operations   (60.0)   (1.7)%   (68.9)   (2.0)%
Income from continuing operations   122.3    3.4%   116.9    3.3%
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes   (4.6)   (0.1)%   4.6    0.1%
Net income  $117.7    3.3%  $121.5    3.5%
                     
Net income per common share - basic:                    
Continuing operations  $0.76        $0.74      
Discontinued operations   (0.03)        0.03      
Total net income per basic common share  $0.73        $0.77      
                     
Net income per common share - diluted:                    
Continuing operations  $0.74        $0.72      
Discontinued operations   (0.03)        0.03      
Total net income per diluted common share  $0.71        $0.75      
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   160.4         156.9      
Diluted   164.9         162.8      

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 6
 

 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(millions)

 

   April 26, 
2014
   July 27, 
2013
 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $213.2   $186.4 
Short-term investments   3.6    3.0 
Inventories   564.7    540.9 
Assets related to discontinued operations       38.8 
Deferred tax assets   52.1    53.0 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   126.6    120.7 
Total current assets   960.2    942.8 
Property and equipment, net   1,044.0    824.8 
Goodwill   581.4    581.4 
Other intangible assets, net   449.2    451.1 
Other assets   74.9    71.6 
Total assets  $3,109.7   $2,871.7 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $224.0   $259.2 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   305.3    301.4 
Deferred income   72.0    61.2 
Liabilities related to discontinued operations   3.0    21.5 
Income taxes payable   7.5    8.7 
Current portion of long-term debt   0.6    0.6 
Total current liabilities   612.4    652.6 
Long-term debt   224.4    135.0 
Lease-related liabilities   243.8    242.9 
Deferred income taxes   156.2    131.7 
Other non-current liabilities   159.0    153.1 
Total liabilities   1,395.8    1,315.3 
Equity   1,713.9    1,556.4 
Total liabilities and equity  $3,109.7   $2,871.7 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 7
 

 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

Segment Information (Unaudited)

(millions)

 

   Third Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   April 26,
2014
   April 27,
2013
   April 26,
2014
   April 27,
2013
 
Net sales:                    
Justice  $291.7   $298.0   $1,098.2   $1,098.2 
Lane Bryant   269.3    267.2    795.7    756.4 
maurices   251.7    235.7    744.3    701.0 
dressbarn   246.7    257.3    728.7    730.7 
Catherines   85.7    84.0    241.3    230.9 
Total net sales  $1,145.1   $1,142.2   $3,608.2   $3,517.2 

 

   Third Quarter Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   April 26,
2014
   April 27,
2013
   April 26,
2014
   April 27,
2013
 
Operating income (loss):                    
Justice  $14.2   $20.8   $114.3   $168.1 
Lane Bryant   5.4    4.8    (1.9)   (27.7)
maurices   33.4    35.0    85.2    92.3 
dressbarn   3.7    6.5    (1.5)   (9.7)
Catherines   9.7    5.6    17.1    4.1 
Unallocated acquisition-related, integration and restructuring costs   (12.7)   (6.9)   (24.9)   (20.1)
Total operating income  $53.7   $65.8   $188.3   $207.0 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 8
 

 

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited)

 

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Contemporaneously with the June 2012 acquisition of Charming Shoppes, Inc. (the “Charming Acquisition”), the Company announced its intent to cease operating the acquired Fashion Bug business and its intent to sell the acquired Figi’s business. The Fashion Bug business ceased operations in February 2013 and the Company closed on the sale of the net assets of the Figi’s business in October 2013.

 

Those businesses have been classified as discontinued operations within the unaudited consolidated financial statements. As such, assets and liabilities relating to discontinued operations have been segregated and separately disclosed in the balance sheet as of the end of each period. In turn, operating results for those businesses have also been segregated and reported separately in the statement of operations for Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013.

 

Note 2. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

To provide investors information to assist them in assessing the Company’s ongoing operations on a comparable basis, the Company has provided Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013 financial measures in this press release that reflect certain acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs in connection with the Charming Acquisition. Additionally, the Company also incurred certain charges for the accelerated depreciation of certain assets that will ultimately be displaced by the Company’s supply chain and technology integration efforts. Management believes that all of such costs are not indicative of the Company’s underlying operating performance. Throughout this release, the term “reported” refers to information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), while the term “adjusted” refers to non-GAAP financial information adjusted to exclude certain costs. All information below is presented for the Company’s continuing operations.

 

 9
 

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)  Third Quarter 
   FY 2014 
   Income
before
income
taxes
   Income
taxes
   Net 
income
   Diluted net
income per
common
share
 
Reported basis – continuing operations  $51.3   $(15.7)  $35.6   $0.22 
Adjustments:                    
Acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs   12.7    (4.5)   8.2    0.05 
Accelerated depreciation related to integration   1.7    (0.7)   1.0    0.00 
Adjusted basis – continuing operations  $65.7   $(20.9)  $44.8   $0.27 

 

   Third Quarter 
   FY 2013 
   Income
before
income
taxes
   Income
taxes
   Net 
income
   Diluted net
income per
common
share
 
Reported basis – continuing operations  $55.1   $(22.2)  $32.9   $0.20 
Adjustments:                    
Acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs   6.9    (2.6)   4.3    0.03 
Loss on extinguishment of debt   7.9    (2.9)   5.0    0.03 
Adjusted basis – continuing operations  $69.9   $(27.7)  $42.2   $0.26 

 

   Third Quarter 
Operating Income:        
(in millions)  FY 2014   FY 2013 
Reported basis – continuing operations  $53.7   $65.8 
Adjustments:          
Acquisition-related integration and restructuring costs   12.7    6.9 
Accelerated depreciation related to integration   1.7     
Adjusted basis – continuing operations  $68.1   $72.7 

 

 10

 

 

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