Safeway Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2011 Results
Identical-Store Sales Increase 1.5%; Earnings per Share Increase 15%
(firmenpresse) - PLEASANTON, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/13/11 -- Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY)
Results From Operations
Safeway Inc. today reported net income of $130.2 million ($0.38 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $122.8 million ($0.33 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2010.
"Our sales momentum continued to build in the third quarter, and our costs were well controlled," said Steve Burd, Chairman, President and CEO. "At the same time, we continued to innovate throughout the business to meet our customers' needs and build their loyalty. Our just for U™ digital marketing platform and our proprietary Open Nature™ line of 100% natural foods are good examples of these efforts."
Sales and Other Revenue
Total sales were $10.1 billion in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $9.4 billion in the third quarter of 2010, due primarily to higher fuel sales, a 1.5% increase in identical-store sales (excluding fuel), a higher Canadian exchange rate and the impact of reporting Blackhawk commissions on a gross basis.(1)
Gross Profit
Gross profit declined 114 basis points to 27.00% of sales in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 28.14% of sales in the third quarter of 2010. Excluding the 88 basis-point impact from fuel sales and the 26 basis-point impact from the change in reporting gift card commissions, gross profit margin was flat.
Operating and Administrative Expense
Operating and administrative expense as a percentage of sales decreased 103 basis points to 24.53% in the third quarter of 2011 from 25.56% in the third quarter of 2010. Excluding the 71 basis-point impact of higher fuel sales and the 24 basis-point impact from the change in reporting gift card commissions, operating and administrative expense margin decreased eight basis points.
Interest Expense
Interest expense declined to $60.7 million in the third quarter of 2011 from $69.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 due to lower average interest rates and lower average borrowings.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was 33.6% of pre-tax income in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 31.0% in the third quarter of 2010. Income tax expense was lower in 2010 due to the resolution of a number of individually small items.
36-Week Results
Net income for the first 36 weeks of 2011 declined to $301.1 million ($0.85 per diluted share) compared to $360.1 million ($0.94 per diluted share) in the first 36 weeks of 2010 primarily due to the net negative impact from the Canadian dividend paid in the first half of 2011. The gross profit margin was 27.17% in the first 36 weeks of 2011 compared to 28.36% in the first 36 weeks of 2010. Operating and administrative expense margin was 24.70% in the first 36 weeks of 2011 compared to 25.74% in the first 36 weeks of 2010.
Guidance
Safeway is reaffirming earnings per diluted share and free cash flow guidance for the year. Identical-store sales, excluding fuel, are expected to be approximately 1.0% for the year.
Stock Repurchases
During the third quarter of 2011, Safeway purchased 10.1 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $19.30 per share and a total cost of $195.2 million (including commissions). The remaining board authorization for stock repurchases at quarter-end was approximately $0.9 billion.
Capital Expenditures
Safeway invested $288.4 million in capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2011. The company completed five new stores and seven Lifestyle remodels, and closed 11 stores. For the year, Safeway plans to invest approximately $1.0 billion in capital expenditures, while completing 26 new Lifestyle stores and 30 Lifestyle remodels.
Cash Flow
Net cash flow provided by operating activities declined to $710.9 million in the first 36 weeks of 2011 compared to $846.6 million in the first 36 weeks of 2010 due primarily to contributions to pension plans and an increase in inventory, net of payables.
Net cash flow used by investing activities increased to $744.4 million in the first 36 weeks of 2011 compared to $550.6 million in the first 36 weeks of 2010 due primarily to increased cash capital expenditures.
Net cash flow used by financing activities increased to $583.2 million in the first 36 weeks of 2011 from $139.6 million in the first 36 weeks of 2010 due primarily to lower net long-term borrowings and increased purchases of treasury stock in 2011.
About Safeway
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,681 stores in the United States and Canada. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
Safeway Conference Call
Safeway's investor conference call discussing third quarter results will be broadcast live over the internet at at 8:00 a.m. PT on October 13, 2011. Click on Upcoming Events to access the call. A replay will be available via webcast for approximately one week following the conference call.
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements relate to, among other things, estimates of diluted earnings per share, sales growth, capital expenditures, free cash flow, Lifestyle stores, margins and financial and operating results. Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "guidance," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "continuing," "ongoing," and similar words or phrases and the negative of such words and phrases. Forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties which are, in many instances, beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in or contemplated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the following: general business and economic conditions in our operating regions, including the rate of inflation or deflation, consumer spending levels, currency valuations, population, employment and job growth and/or losses in our markets; sales volume levels and price per item trends; pricing pressures and competitive factors, which could include pricing strategies, store openings, remodels or acquisitions by our competitors; results of our programs to control or reduce costs, improve buying practices and control shrink; results of our programs to increase sales; results of our continuing efforts to expand corporate brands; results of our programs to improve our perishables departments; results of our promotional programs; results of our capital program; results of our efforts to improve working capital; results of any ongoing litigation in which we are involved or any litigation in which we may become involved; the resolution of uncertain tax positions; the ability to achieve satisfactory operating results in all geographic areas where we operate; changes in the financial performance of our equity investments; labor costs, including benefit plan costs and severance payments, or labor disputes that may arise from time to time and work stoppages that could occur in areas where certain collective bargaining agreements have expired or are on indefinite extensions or are scheduled to expire in the near future; failure to fully realize or delay in realizing growth prospects for existing or new business ventures, including our Blackhawk and Property Development Centers subsidiaries; legislative, regulatory, tax, accounting or judicial developments, including with respect to Blackhawk; the cost and stability of fuel, energy and other power sources; the impact of the cost of fuel on gross margin and identical-store sales; discount rates used in actuarial calculations for pension obligations and self-insurance reserves; the rate of return on our pension assets; the availability and terms of financing, including interest rates; adverse developments with regard to food and drug safety and quality issues or concerns that may arise; loss of a key member of senior management; data security or other information technology issues that may arise; unanticipated events or changes in real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions and impairments; adverse weather conditions and effects from natural disasters; performance in new business ventures or other opportunities that we pursue; and the capital investment in and financial results from our Lifestyle stores. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect developments or information obtained after the date hereof and disclaim any obligation to do so. Please refer to our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K, for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.
(1) Prior to 2011, Safeway recorded Blackhawk Network distribution commissions on the sale of certain gift cards net of the commissions shared with other retailers. In the first quarter of 2011, Safeway determined that these commissions should be reported on a gross basis. This change increased both revenue and costs of goods sold in 2011, but had no impact on identical-store sales, gross profit dollars or net income. Previously reported results are not adjusted because the impact is immaterial.
Contact:
Melissa Plaisance
(925) 467-3136
Christiane Pelz
(925) 467-3832
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Datum: 13.10.2011 - 07:00 Uhr
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