Michaels Stores, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2012 Results

IRVING, Texas, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Michaels Stores, Inc. (the "Company") today reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 2, 2013.

(Logo:  https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121114/MM13787LOGO)

Quarterly same-store sales increased 1.7% driven by a 2.3% increase in average ticket and a 0.6% decrease in transactions. The fluctuation in exchange rates between the Canadian and US dollar favorably affected average ticket for the quarter by approximately 30 basis points. The Company experienced its strongest sales increase for the quarter in custom framing products.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

• Net sales, including an estimated $66 million from the 53^rd week of fiscal 2012, increased 8.5% to $1.524 billion from $1.404 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.
• Gross profit increased to $622 million; gross margin increased 80 basis points to 40.8%.
• Operating income increased 13.7% to $266 million, and as a percent of net sales increased 80 basis points to 17.5%.
• Net income increased to $112 million, and as a percent of net sales, increased 40 basis points to 7.3%.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 14.9% to $308 million and as a percent of net sales, increased 110 basis point to 20.2%.
• During the quarter, the Company prepaid the remaining $292 million of its B-1 Term Loan,  redeemed the remaining $180 million of its 13% Subordinated Discount Notes and refinanced its B-2 and B-3 Term Loans with an amended and restated $1.64 billion Term Loan. The Company also issued an irrevocable call on $137 million of its 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes for settlement on February 27, 2013.

Fiscal 2012 Financial Highlights

• Net sales, including an estimated $66 million from the 53^rd week of fiscal 2012, increased 4.7% to $4.408 billion from $4.210 billion in fiscal 2011.
• Same-store sales increased 1.5% driven by a 0.8% increase in transactions and a 0.7% increase in the average ticket.
• Gross profit increased 5.5% to $1.776 billion; gross margin increased 30 basis points over prior year to 40.3%.
• Operating income increased 8.1% to $615 million, and as a percent of net sales, increased 50 basis points to 14.0%.
• Net Income increased to $214 million, and as a percent of net sales, increased 70 basis points to 4.9%.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $753 million and increased 30 basis points to 17.1% of net sales.
• The Company ended the year with $56 million in cash and $3.041 billion in debt which is a decrease of $449 million from fiscal 2011.  There was approximately $587 million in availability under its revolving credit facility.
• Inventory at the end of the year was $865 million. Average Michaels store inventory, inclusive of distribution centers, was $754,000, a decrease from $757,000 last year.
• The Company opened 38, closed three, and relocated 13 Michaels stores and closed eight Aaron Brothers stores during fiscal 2012. The Company opened 25, closed six, and relocated 15 Michaels stores and closed three Aaron Brothers stores during fiscal 2011.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter financial results at 8:00 a.m. Central time today. Those who wish to participate in the call may do so by dialing 866-425-6198, conference ID# 36219948. Due to the quiet period associated with our S-1 filing, there will not be a question and answer session at the end of the call. The conference call will also be webcast at www.michaels.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. The webcast will be accessible for 30 days after the call.

Michaels Stores, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator. As of March 13, 2013, the Company owns and operates 1,106 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada, and 123 Aaron Brothers stores.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Any statements contained herein (including, but not limited to, statements to the effect that the Company or its management "plans," "estimates," "believes" and other similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are more fully described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specific examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, forecasts of same-store sales growth, operating income, planned capital expenditures, new store openings and other financial performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to: risks related to the effect of economic uncertainty; our reliance on foreign suppliers increases our risk of obtaining adequate, timely, and cost-effective product supplies; risks related to our substantial indebtedness; our growth depends on our ability to open new stores; damage to the reputation of the Michaels brand or our private and exclusive brands could adversely affect our sales; our suppliers may fail us; risks associated with the vendors from whom our products are sourced could materially adversely affect our revenue and gross profit; product recalls and/or product liability, as well as changes in product safety and other consumer protection laws, may adversely impact our operations, merchandise offering, reputation and financial position; significant increases in inflation or commodity prices such as petroleum, natural gas, electricity, steel and paper may adversely affect our costs, including cost of merchandise; unexpected or unfavorable consumer responses to our promotional or merchandising programs could materially adversely affect our sales, operating results and cash flow; improvements to our supply chain may not be fully successful; changes in customer demand could materially adversely affect our sales, operating results and cash flow; our success will depend on how well we manage our business; competition, including internet-based competition, could negatively impact our business; failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to our electronic and other confidential information and data breaches could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results; we may be subject to information technology system failures or network disruptions, or our information systems may prove inadequate, resulting in damage to our reputation, business operations, and financial conditions; we are dependent upon the services of our senior management team and the failure to attract and retain such individuals could adversely affect our operations; a weak fourth quarter would materially adversely affect our operating results; changes in newspaper subscription rates may result in reduced exposure to our circular advertisements; changes in regulations or enforcement, or our failure to comply with existing or future regulations, may adversely impact our business; our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business; disruptions in the capital markets could increase our costs of doing business; our real estate leases generally obligate us for long periods, which subjects us to various financial risks; we have co-sourced certain of our information technology, accounts payable, payroll, accounting and human resources functions and may co-source other administrative functions, which make us more dependent upon third parties; we are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollar, which is the functional currency of our Canadian subsidiary; failure to attract and retain quality sales, distribution center or experienced buying and management personnel could adversely affect our performance; catastrophic events, including geo-political events and weather, may adversely impact our results; the interests of our controlling stockholders may conflict with the interests of our creditors; and other factors as set forth in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We intend these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

This press release is also available on the Michaels Stores, Inc. website (www.michaels.com).

Michaels Stores, Inc.

Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information

The following table sets forth the Company's Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt. ("EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt)").  The Company defines EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and losses on early extinguishment of debt. Additionally, the table presents Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA").  The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) adjusted for certain defined amounts that are added to, or subtracted from, EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) (collectively, the "Adjustments") in accordance with the Company's $1.6 billion Senior secured term loan and $650 million Asset-based revolving credit facility. The Adjustments are described in further detail in the footnotes to the table below.

The Company has presented EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA in this press release to provide investors with additional information to evaluate our operating performance and our ability to service our debt.  The Company uses EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt), among other metrics, to evaluate operating performance, to plan and forecast future periods' operating performance and as an element of its incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel. Adjusted EBITDA is a required calculation under the Company's Senior secured term loan and its Asset-based revolving credit facility. As it relates to the Senior secured term loan, Adjusted EBITDA is used in the calculations of fixed charge coverage and leverage ratios, which, under certain circumstances, may result in limitations on the Company's ability to make restricted payments as well as the determination of mandatory repayments of the loans. Under the Asset-based revolving facility, Adjusted EBITDA is used in the calculation of fixed charge coverage ratios, which, under certain circumstances, may restrict the Company's ability to make certain payments (characterized as restricted payments), investments (including acquisitions) and debt repayments.

As EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of operating performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, these measures should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income, as an indicator of operating performance, or net cash provided by operating activities as an indicator of liquidity.  Our computation of EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. As EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA exclude certain financial information compared with net income and net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are excluded. The table below shows a reconciliation of EBITDA (excluding refinancing costs and losses on early extinguishments of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA to net income and net cash provided by operating activities.

Thomas Melito
Vice President - Treasurer
(972) 409-1527

SOURCE Michaels Stores, Inc.