The TJX Companies, Inc. Reports Above-Plan Second Quarter Earnings Growth; Raises Full Year Guidance

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX), the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide, today announced sales and earnings results for the second quarter ended July 30, 2011.

Net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2012 increased 8% to $5.5 billion and consolidated comparable store sales increased 4%. Net income for the second quarter was $348 million and diluted earnings per share were $.90, compared with $.74 per share last year. Last year’s results included the positive impact from a non-operating item (detailed under “Items Impacting Comparability” below). Excluding this item, diluted earnings per share for the second quarter increased 23% over the prior year’s $.73 adjusted diluted earnings per share. Current year results also include a $.03 per share positive impact related to foreign currency exchange, which is further discussed below.

For the first half of Fiscal 2012, net sales were $10.7 billion, a 6% increase over last year, and consolidated comparable store sales increased 3% over the prior year. Net income was $614 million, and diluted earnings per share were $1.57 compared to $1.54 in the same period last year. A number of items (detailed under “Items Impacting Comparability” below) impact the comparability of earnings per share for both periods. Excluding these items, adjusted diluted earnings per share for the first six months of Fiscal 2012 were $1.68, a 10% increase over the adjusted $1.53 in the prior year.

Carol Meyrowitz, Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, “I am very pleased with our strong second quarter performance as our 23% increase in adjusted earnings per share exceeded the high end of our already raised expectations. Further, these results mark the sixth consecutive year of very strong second quarter operating performance. We believe that this speaks to the consistency of TJX and the great flexibility of our business model, which has enabled us to succeed year after year, through both strong and weak economic environments. Customer traffic continues to be up over large increases in the last two years, as our tremendous values attract new and loyal customers. As we enter the third quarter, we see a marketplace full of fabulous brands and fashions and we will be utilizing the flexibility in our inventory position to take advantage of these opportunities. In addition, we will be significantly increasing our marketing penetration in the second half of the year, leveraging our marketing spend, which we believe will also draw consumers to our stores. We are confident in our prospects for the second half of 2011 and our ability to drive sales and profits in the short and long term, through various economic and retail cycles.”

Sales by Business Segment

The Company’s comparable store sales and net sales by division, in the second quarter, were as follows:

Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Changes in foreign exchange rates affect the translation of sales and earnings of the Company’s international businesses into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. In addition, ordinary-course inventory-related hedging instruments are marked to market at the end of each quarter. Changes in currency exchange rates affect the magnitude of these translations and adjustments, and can have a material impact when there is significant volatility in currency exchange rates, as there was in the second quarter.

The movement in foreign currency exchange rates had a 2 percentage point positive impact on consolidated net sales growth in both the second quarter of Fiscal 2012 and for the first half of Fiscal 2012. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates on earnings per share is discussed below under “Items Impacting Comparability.”

A table detailing the impact of foreign currency on TJX pretax earnings and margins, as well as those of its international businesses, can be found in the Investor Information section of the Company’s website, www.tjx.com.

Items Impacting Comparability

There were no items impacting comparability in the second quarter of Fiscal 2012. However, the prior year’s second quarter earnings per share included a $.01 positive impact from a reduction in the Company’s provision related to the computer intrusion(s) that took place over four years ago. Excluding this non-operating item, the Company’s $.90 second quarter diluted earnings per share represents a 23% increase over last year’s adjusted $.73. Additionally, the overall net impact of foreign currency exchange rates had a $.03 positive impact on second quarter Fiscal 2012 earnings per share compared with a neutral impact last year.

For the first six months of Fiscal 2012, certain items that impact comparability to the prior year are detailed in the table below:

The Fiscal 2012 costs associated with closing A.J. Wright stores, distribution centers and home office, and the sales, operating expenses and operating losses associated with those closures, which are recorded in the A.J. Wright segment, have a significant effect on the comparability of the first six months of Fiscal 2012 to the prior year six-month period. Additionally, the first quarter costs related to the conversion and grand re-opening of certain former A.J. Wright stores to T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods banners, which are recorded in the Marmaxx and HomeGoods segments, also impact year-over-year comparability for the Fiscal 2012 six-month period.

On a reported basis, diluted earnings per share for the first six months of Fiscal 2012 were $1.57 compared to $1.54 last year. On an adjusted basis, which excludes the negative impact of $.08 per share from the A.J. Wright segment loss in the first quarter of Fiscal 2012 and the $.03 per share negative impact of costs related to the conversion and grand re-opening of former A.J. Wright stores to T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods banners in the first quarter of Fiscal 2012, as well as the $.01 positive impact from the reduction to the computer intrusion(s) provision (see above) in the second quarter of Fiscal 2011, adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first six months of Fiscal 2012 were $1.68, a 10% increase over last year’s adjusted $1.53.

To provide investors information to assist them in assessing the Company’s ongoing operations on a comparable basis, the Company is providing financial measures in this press release that exclude these items from the Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 reported results. 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 the impact of the items mentioned above as applicable. Adjusted financial information, along with reconciliations of this information to financial information prepared under GAAP is attached to this release and available in the investor information section of the Company’s website, www.tjx.com.

Foreign currency exchange rates also impacted the comparability of earnings per share for the first six months of Fiscal 2012 to the prior year’s first six months. The overall net impact of foreign currency exchange rates was neutral on earnings per share in the first six months of Fiscal 2012, compared with a $.01 per share negative impact last year.

Margins

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company’s consolidated pretax profit margin was 10.2%, up 0.6 percentage points compared to the adjusted pretax profit margin in the prior year. The year-over-year impact of foreign currency exchange rates detailed above contributed 0.1 percentage points to this increase.

The gross profit margin for the second quarter of Fiscal 2012 was 27.3%, 0.7 percentage points above the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to buying and occupancy expense leverage as well as the positive impact of mark-to-market adjustments on the Company’s inventory-related hedges. Merchandise margins were flat on top of significant increases in each of the past four years, and up versus prior year at the Company’s North American businesses.

Selling, general and administrative costs as a percent of sales were 16.9% in the second quarter, a 0.1 percentage point increase versus the prior year. This increase, which was favorable to what we had planned, primarily reflects the Company’s increased advertising investment.

Inventory

Total inventories as of July 30, 2011, were $3.4 billion, compared with $2.9 billion at the end of the second quarter of the prior year. Consolidated inventories on a per-store basis, including the warehouses, at July 30, 2011, were up 16% (up 15% on a constant currency basis) versus being down 13% at the end of the second quarter last year. This increase, which is similar to the end of the first quarter of Fiscal 2012, continues to be primarily due to the Company’s having taken advantage of much larger quantities of branded, end-of-season pack-away product earlier this year, versus very low quantities in the prior year. These goods will not begin flowing to the stores until the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. It’s important to note that this overall inventory increase is primarily due to timing as the Company’s forward inventory purchase commitments for the second half of Fiscal 2012 are significantly lower than at this time last year. Further, the increase is entirely in the Company’s distribution centers, as inventories in the stores were lower than last year and store inventory turns continued to increase over prior year during the quarter. The Company enters the third quarter with very liquid inventory levels, positioning it very well to take advantage of the excellent buying opportunities that it sees in the marketplace.

Share Repurchases

During the second quarter, the Company spent a total of $311 million in repurchases of TJX stock, retiring 5.9 million shares. For the first half of Fiscal 2012, the Company has spent a total of $673 million in repurchases of TJX stock, retiring 13.1 million shares, and continues to expect to repurchase approximately $1.2 billion of TJX stock in Fiscal 2012. The Company may adjust the amount of this spending up or down depending on various factors.

Full Year and Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Outlook

For the full year Fiscal 2012, the Company is raising its outlook for earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, to be in the range of $3.78 to $3.86, compared with $3.30 in earnings per share from continuing operations in Fiscal 2011. Excluding the costs associated with the A.J. Wright consolidation in Fiscal 2012, adjusted diluted earnings per share for the full year are expected to be in the range of $3.89 to $3.97, which represents an 11% to 14% increase over the prior year’s adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $3.49 (adjusted to exclude the impact of the A.J. Wright consolidation in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2011 as well as the benefit from the reduction in the provision related to the computer intrusion(s) in the Fiscal 2011 second quarter). This outlook is based upon consolidated comparable store sales growth in the range of 2% to 3%.

For the third quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company expects diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis to be in the range of $1.03 to $1.07, which would represent a 12% to 16% increase over $.92 per share last year. This outlook is based upon estimated consolidated comparable store sales growth of 2% to 3%.

The Company’s earnings guidance assumes that currency exchange rates will remain unchanged from current levels.

More detailed information on the effects of the A.J. Wright consolidation including store closings and costs related to converting former A.J. Wright stores to other banners (including grand re-opening costs) on Fiscal 2012 guidance is available in the investor information section of the Company’s website, www.tjx.com. Such information includes reconciliations to guidance for financial information in accordance with GAAP.

Stores by Concept

During the second quarter ended July 30, 2011, the Company increased its store count by a net of 32 stores, including the conversion of certain former A.J. Wright stores into other TJX banners during the quarter. The Company increased square footage by 2% over the same period last year.

About The TJX Companies, Inc.

The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The Company operates 963 T.J. Maxx, 875 Marshalls, and 366 HomeGoods stores in the United States, 213 Winners, 82 HomeSense, 5 Marshalls, and 3 STYLESENSE stores in Canada, and 322 T.K. Maxx and 24 HomeSense stores in Europe. TJX’s press releases and financial information are also available at www.tjx.com.

Fiscal 2012 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call

At 11:00 a.m. ET today, Carol Meyrowitz, Chief Executive Officer of TJX, will hold a conference call with stock analysts to discuss the Company’s second quarter Fiscal 2012 results, operations and business trends. A real-time webcast of the call will be available at www.tjx.com. A replay of the call will also be available by dialing (866) 367-5577 through Tuesday, August 23, 2011 or at www.tjx.com.

August 2011 Sales Recorded Call

Additionally, the Company expects to release its August 2011 sales results on Thursday, September 1, 2011, at approximately 8:15 a.m. ET. Concurrent with that press release, a recorded message with more detailed information regarding TJX’s August sales results, operations and business trends will be available at www.tjx.com, or by calling (703) 736-7248 through Thursday, September 8, 2011.

Important Information at Website

Archived versions of the Company’s recorded messages and conference calls are available at the Investor Information section of www.tjx.com after they are no longer available by telephone as well as reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures, and other financial information. The Company routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the Investor Information section at www.tjx.com. The Company encourages investors to consult that section of its website regularly.

Forward-looking Statement

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: Various statements made in this release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect or believe may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements: global economies and credit and financial markets; foreign currency exchange rates; buying and inventory management; market, geographic and category expansion; customer trends and preferences; quarterly operating results; marketing, advertising and promotional programs; data security; seasonal influences; large size and scale; unseasonable weather; serious disruptions and catastrophic events; competition; personnel recruitment and retention; acquisitions and divestitures; information systems and technology; cash flows; consumer spending; merchandise quality and safety; merchandise importing; international operations; commodity prices; compliance with laws, regulations and orders; changes in laws and regulations; outcomes of litigation and proceedings; real estate leasing; market expectations; tax matters and other factors that may be described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.

The TJX Companies, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Statements

1. During the second quarter ended July 30, 2011, TJX repurchased 5.9 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $311 million. For the six months ended July 30, 2011, TJX repurchased 13.1 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $673 million. In June 2011, TJX completed the $1 billion stock repurchase program authorized in February 2010 under which TJX repurchased 20.6 million shares of common stock and began repurchasing its stock under the repurchase program approved by TJX’s Board of Directors in February 2011. TJX records the repurchase of its stock on a cash basis, and the amounts reflected in the financial statements may vary from the above amounts due to the timing of settlement of repurchases.
2. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, TJX’s Board of Directors approved the consolidation of its A.J. Wright division whereby 90 A.J. Wright stores were converted into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and the remaining 72 stores, its two distribution centers and home office were closed. TJX commenced the liquidation process in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter and 20 stores had been closed as of January 29, 2011. All of the remaining stores ceased operation by February 13, 2011. The majority of the costs to consolidate A.J. Wright were recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. Because of the timing of the store closings the remainder of the closing costs (primarily lease related obligations) and additional operating losses were reported as a $49 million A.J. Wright segment loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. In addition, the first quarter of fiscal 2012 includes costs related to the conversion of the 90 A.J. Wright stores to other banners (primarily store payroll and occupancy costs during the approximate eight to twelve week period in which the stores were closed) and costs related to grand opening events when the stores re-opened. These costs totaled $20 million with $17 million reflected in the Marmaxx segment and $3 million in the HomeGoods year to date segment results.

Appendix

The TJX Companies, Inc.

Reconciliation of Reported results to Non-GAAP measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures used in managing the business may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods and expectations for future periods. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures can provide additional meaningful reflection of underlying trends of the business because they provide a comparison of historical information that excludes certain items that impact overall comparability. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's performance. The Tables below provide supplemental non-GAAP financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

In order to compare Q2 FY12 to Q2 FY11, Q2 FY11 has been Adjusted to exclude a positive benefit of $11.5M due to a reduction in the Company's provision related to the previously announced computer intrusion(s).

The following table shows the reconciliation of Q2 FY11 GAAP measures and the adjusted non-GAAP measures which include these items.

The TJX Companies, Inc.

Reconciliation of Reported results to Non-GAAP measures

Results for First 6 Months FY12 reflect expenses related to the A.J. Wright consolidation, including closing costs and additional operating losses related to the closure of A.J. Wright stores not closed in Q4 FY11, the costs related to the conversion of the former A.J. Wright stores to other TJX banners and the costs related to grand re-opening events when the stores re-opened. The Marmaxx and HomeGoods segments reflect costs related to store conversions and grand re-openings. In order to compare 1H FY12 to 1H FY11, 1H FY11 has been Adjusted to exclude a positive benefit of $11.5M due to a reduction in the Company's provision related to the previously announced computer intrusion(s).

The following tables show the reconciliation between First 6 Months GAAP measures and the adjusted non-GAAP measures for FY12 and FY11, which include these items.