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Staples, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2011 Performance


    Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today the results for its second quarter ended July 30, 2011. Total company sales for the second quarter of 2011 increased 5.2 percent to $5.8 billion compared to the second quarter of 2010. Net income for the second quarter of 2011 increased 36 percent year over year to $176 million, and diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, increased 39 percent to $0.25 from $0.18 in the second quarter of 2010.

    Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.22 for the second quarter of 2011 increased 10 percent compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.20 achieved in the second quarter of 2010. These adjusted results exclude a $21 million cash tax refund during the second quarter of 2011 and pre-tax integration and restructuring expense of $22 million during the second quarter of 2010.

    "Our second quarter results show that our team´s hard work continues to pay off," said Ron Sargent, Staples´ chairman and chief executive officer. "Our core business is solid, our growth initiatives are building momentum, and we delivered better than expected earnings and cash flows."

    On a GAAP basis, second quarter 2011 operating income rate decreased 7 basis points to 4.78 percent compared to the second quarter of 2010. Excluding the impact of integration and restructuring expense in the prior year period, second quarter 2011 operating income rate decreased 46 basis points to 4.78 percent. This decrease primarily reflects investments in labor and marketing in North America to support growth initiatives, partially offset by improved product margins in North America and reduced overhead in the European Office Products business.

    The company´s effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2011 was 25.7 percent, compared to 37.5 percent for the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in the effective tax rate was due to the collection of tax receivables in the International business during the second quarter of 2011, as well as the renewal of tax provisions during the fourth quarter of 2010 that allow for the deferral of income tax on certain foreign earnings. The tax receivables collected in the second quarter of 2011 were related to the Corporate Express business in Europe.

    The company generated operating cash flow of $302 million and invested $164 million in capital expenditures year to date, resulting in free cash flow of $138 million for the first half of 2011. At the end of the second quarter, the company had $1.8 billion in liquidity, including $823 million in cash and cash equivalents.

    The company repurchased 12 million shares of its stock for $199 million during the second quarter and has repurchased 19 million shares for $346 million year to date.

    North American Delivery

    North American Delivery sales for the second quarter of 2011 were $2.4 billion, an increase of 3.1 percent compared to the second quarter of 2010. The top line benefited from double digit sales growth in facilities and breakroom supplies, strong customer acquisition, and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Operating income rate decreased 33 basis points to 8.42 percent compared to the second quarter 2010. This decrease primarily reflects increased labor to support growth initiatives, higher fuel costs, and investments in website development and other information systems, partially offset by reduced marketing expenses and improvements in supply chain.

    North American Retail

    North American Retail sales for the second quarter of 2011 were $2.0 billion, an increase of 1.7 percent in U.S. dollars and 0.1 percent on a local currency basis compared to the second quarter of 2010. Second quarter 2011 comparable store sales were flat versus the second quarter of 2010, reflecting a one percent decrease in customer traffic, offset by a one percent increase in average order size. Operating income rate decreased 23 basis points to 5.03 percent compared to the second quarter of 2010. This primarily reflects higher marketing and labor expense to drive growth in Copy & Print and technology solutions, partially offset by improved product margins and reduced rent and occupancy costs. The company opened four stores and closed two stores in the U.S. and opened four stores in Canada, ending the second quarter of 2011 with 1,907 stores in North America.

    International

    International sales for the second quarter of 2011 were $1.3 billion, an increase of 15.2 percent in U.S. dollars, and a decrease of 0.1 percent on a local currency basis compared to the second quarter of 2010. Mid single-digit sales growth in the European Delivery business was offset by a five percent decrease in comparable store sales in Europe, as well as weak sales in the Printing Systems Division. Operating income rate increased 7 basis points to 1.24 percent compared to the second quarter of 2010. This increase primarily reflects strong general and administrative expense controls in Europe, offset by deleverage in supply chain and labor expense in European Delivery and Australia. The company opened one store in Germany and closed one store in China during the second quarter of 2011. The International business ended the quarter with 378 stores.

    Outlook

    For the third quarter of 2011, the company expects sales to increase in the low single-digits compared to the same period of 2010 and expects to achieve diluted earnings per share on a U.S. GAAP basis in the range of $0.46 to $0.48. For the full year 2011, the company expects sales to increase in the low single-digits compared to 2010 and expects to achieve diluted earnings per share on a U.S. GAAP basis in the range of $1.42 to $1.48. Excluding the tax refund in the second quarter of approximately $21 million, or $0.03 per share, the company expects to achieve adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year in the range of $1.39 to $1.45. Staples now anticipates its effective tax rate for the full year will be 34 percent, excluding the second quarter tax refund.

    In 2011, the company expects to generate more than $1 billion of free cash flow after spending approximately $400 million in capital expenditures for investments in growth initiatives, systems, the integration of distribution networks in North America and Europe, remodels, and new stores.

    Presentation of Non-GAAP Information

    This press release presents certain results both with and without the integration and restructuring expense associated with Corporate Express in 2010, certain results for 2010 and 2011 both with and without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and certain results with and without the impact of the tax refund in 2011. The presentation of results that excludes these items, as well as the presentation of free cash flow, are non-GAAP financial measures that should be considered in addition to, and should not be considered superior to, or as a substitute for, the presentation of results determined in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided below. Management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented provide a meaningful comparison to prior periods because the adjustments do not affect the on-going operations of the combined businesses. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the operating results of the company´s business against prior year results and its operating plan, and to forecast and analyze future periods. Management recognizes there are limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as they may reduce comparability with other companies that use different methods to calculate similar non-GAAP measures. Management generally compensates for the limitations resulting from the exclusion of these items by considering the impact of these items separately in GAAP as well as non-GAAP results. In addition, Management presents the most comparable GAAP measures ahead of non-GAAP measures and provides a reconciliation that indicates and describes the adjustments made.

    Today´s Conference Call

    The company will host a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. (ET) to review these results and its outlook. Investors may listen to the call at http://investor.staples.com.

    About Staples

    Staples is the world´s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

    Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to, the information set forth under "Outlook" and other statements regarding our future business and financial performance. Any statements contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "may", "will", "would", "intends", "estimates", and other similar expressions, whether in the negative of affirmative. Forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections which involve substantial uncertainty and risk, including the review of our assessments by our outside auditor and changes in management´s assumptions and projections. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: global economic conditions could adversely affect our business and financial performance; our market is highly competitive and we may not be able to continue to compete successfully; our growth may strain our operations; we may be unable to continue to enter new markets successfully; our expanding international operations expose us to risk inherent in foreign operations; our effective tax rate may fluctuate; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates could lead to lower earnings; we may be unable to attract and retain qualified associates; our quarterly operating results are subject to significant fluctuation; if we are unable to manage our debt, it could materially harm our business and financial condition and restrict our operating flexibility; our business may be adversely affected by the actions of and risks associated with our third party vendors; our expanded offering of proprietary branded products may not improve our financial performance and may expose us to intellectual property and product liability claims; problems in our information systems and technologies may disrupt our operations; compromises of our information systems or unauthorized access to confidential information or our customers´ or associates´ personal information may materially harm our business or damage our reputation; various legal proceedings, third party claims, investigations or audits may adversely affect our business and financial performance; and those factors discussed or referenced in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere, and any subsequent periodic or current reports filed by us with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of the date such statements are made (unless another date is indicated) and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

    Financial information follows.

              STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data) (Unaudited)                          

    July 30,
    2011

      January 29,
    2011             ASSETS         Current assets:           Cash and cash equivalents   $ 823,124     $ 1,461,257     Receivables, net     1,965,860       1,970,483     Merchandise inventories, net     2,683,876       2,359,173     Deferred income tax assets     293,710       295,232     Prepaid expenses and other current assets     418,845       382,022         Total current assets     6,185,415       6,468,167                   Property and equipment:           Land and buildings     1,079,954       1,064,981     Leasehold improvements     1,374,242       1,328,397     Equipment     2,336,928       2,287,505     Furniture and fixtures     1,074,943       1,032,502         Total property and equipment     5,866,067       5,713,385     Less accumulated depreciation and amortization     3,735,916       3,565,614         Net property and equipment     2,130,151       2,147,771                     Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization     500,107       522,722     Goodwill     4,171,531       4,073,162     Other assets     694,016       699,845         Total assets   $ 13,681,220     $ 13,911,667                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS´ EQUITY         Current liabilities:           Accounts payable   $ 2,300,633     $ 2,208,386     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     1,274,667       1,497,851     Debt maturing within one year     360,725       587,356         Total current liabilities     3,936,025       4,293,593                   Long-term debt     1,930,616       2,014,407   Other long-term obligations     694,927       652,486                   Stockholders´ Equity:           Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued     -       -     Common stock, $.0006 par value, 2,100,000,000 shares authorized;               issued 918,499,281 shares at July 30, 2011 and 908,449,980 shares at January 29, 2011     551       545     Additional paid-in capital     4,447,869       4,334,735     Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     90,056       (96,933 )   Retained earnings     6,726,380       6,492,340     Less: treasury stock at cost, 208,275,541 shares at July 30, 2011               and 187,536,869 shares at January 29, 2011     (4,152,180 )     (3,786,977 )       Total Staples, Inc. stockholders´ equity     7,112,676       6,943,710         Noncontrolling interests     6,976       7,471       Total stockholders´ equity     7,119,652       6,951,181         Total liabilities and stockholders´ equity   $ 13,681,220     $ 13,911,667                  

     

                      STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data) (Unaudited)                       13 Weeks Ended   26 Weeks Ended    

    July 30,
    2011

      July 31,
    2010   July 30,
    2011   July 31,
    2010                             Sales   $ 5,819,612     $ 5,534,240     $ 11,992,550     $ 11,592,035   Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs     4,279,232       4,071,532       8,815,777       8,510,272   Gross profit     1,540,380       1,462,708       3,176,773       3,081,763                     Operating and other expenses:               Selling, general and administrative     1,246,047       1,158,025       2,516,821       2,378,493   Amortization of intangibles     16,194       14,886       33,486       30,285   Integration and restructuring costs     -       21,644       -       42,526  

    Total operating and other expenses

        1,262,241       1,194,555       2,550,307       2,451,304                   Operating income     278,139       268,153       626,466       630,459                   Other (expense) income:                 Interest income     1,519       1,891       3,978       3,662   Interest expense     (41,885 )     (53,169 )     (90,678 )     (108,643 ) Other expense     (369 )     (4,604 )     (557 )     (5,235 ) Consolidated income before income taxes     237,404       212,271       539,209       520,243   Income tax expense     61,104       79,602       165,227       195,092   Consolidated net income     176,300       132,669       373,982       325,151   (Loss) income attributed to noncontrolling interests     (138 )     2,913       (701 )     6,625   Net income attributed to Staples, Inc.   $ 176,438     $ 129,756     $ 374,683     $ 318,526                   Earnings Per Share:                 Basic earnings per common share   $ 0.25     $ 0.18     $ 0.53     $ 0.44   Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.25     $ 0.18     $ 0.53     $ 0.44                     Dividends declared per common share   $ 0.10     $ 0.09     $ 0.20     $ 0.18                     Weighted average shares outstanding:                 Basic     698,917,409       719,485,888       702,617,764       719,140,537   Diluted     708,671,474       729,735,085       713,037,114       730,942,077                    

     

      STAPLES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollar Amounts in Thousands) (Unaudited)               26 Weeks Ended     July 30,
    2011   July 31,
    2010       Operating Activities:         Consolidated net income, including (loss) income from the noncontrolling interests   $ 373,982     $ 325,151   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:         Depreciation and amortization     245,036       247,965   Stock-based compensation     81,470       69,629   Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements     (942 )     -   Deferred income tax expense     54,170       6,209   Other     9,901       (1,904 ) Changes in assets and liabilities:         Decrease in receivables     58,957       15,993   Increase in merchandise inventories     (276,649 )     (253,211 ) Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets     (38,399 )     (77,651 ) Increase in accounts payable     45,794       80,583   Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities     (264,790 )     (237,590 ) Increase in other long-term obligations     13,634       70,252   Net cash provided by operating activities     302,164       245,426             Investing Activities:         Acquisition of property and equipment     (164,149 )     (150,719 ) Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired     -       (39,270 ) Net cash used in investing activities     (164,149 )     (189,989 )           Financing Activities:         Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the sale of stock under employee stock
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