COMMERCE, Calif., Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart & Final Stores, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: SFS), the value-oriented food and everyday staples retailer, today reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended October 8, 2017.

Third Quarter Highlights:

• Net sales increase of 4.5% to $1,457.4 million
• Comparable store sales increase of 1.5%
• Net income of $5.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share
• Adjusted net income of $12.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $62.9 million, an increase of 10%

"Our third quarter financial performance demonstrates improving fundamentals despite a challenging industry environment," said David Hirz, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are encouraged by our 4.5% increase in net sales and 1.5% growth in comparable store sales, the second consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales in 2017. Our stable gross margin rate and low-cost operating model helped to deliver a 10% increase in adjusted EBITDA over the prior year quarter."

Mr. Hirz continued, "Smart & Final has a long history of business evolution and we're well positioned to support our customers' needs today and in the future. We've invested to provide customers with digital ordering and delivery platforms to allow for greater flexibility in shopping from our unique, value-oriented assortment. Looking forward to 2018, we are planning a disciplined approach to capital investment, with more modest unit growth to realize the benefits of the significant investments made in new stores in the last couple of years. As a result, we expect that our debt-to-EBITDA leverage ratio will continue to improve."

In order to aid understanding of the Company's business performance, it has presented results in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and has also presented EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, and adjusted net income per diluted share, which are non-GAAP measures that are explained and reconciled to the comparable GAAP measures in the tables included in this release. Where applicable, the results below are first presented on a GAAP basis and then on a non-GAAP adjusted basis.

Fiscal Third Quarter 2017 Financial ResultsNet sales were $1,457.4 million in the 16-week quarter ended October 8, 2017, representing a 4.5% increase as compared to $1,394.4 million for the same period of 2016. Net sales growth was driven by a 1.5% increase in comparable store sales and from the net sales contribution of new stores. Comparable store sales growth was comprised of a 1.5% increase in comparable average transaction size and a 0.1% increase in comparable transaction count, including the effect of cannibalization from new stores.

Net sales for Smart & Final banner stores were $1,115.2 million, a 2.9% increase as compared to $1,083.4 million for the same period of 2016. Comparable store sales growth for the Smart & Final banner was 1.0% in the third quarter.

Net sales for Cash & Carry banner stores were $342.1 million, a 10.0% increase as compared to $311.0 million for the same period of 2016. Comparable store sales growth for the Cash & Carry banner was 3.4% in the third quarter.

Gross margin was $213.8 million, a 5.3% increase as compared to $203.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. Gross margin rate was 14.7% as compared to 14.6% for the same period of 2016.

Operating and administrative expenses were $195.3 million, a 6.5% increase as compared to $183.4 million for the same period of 2016. This increase was primarily related to expenses associated with the 15 new stores that opened following the third quarter of 2016 through the end of the third quarter of 2017 and related support costs.

Net income was $5.1 million, including the effect of store development expenses, as compared to $7.0 million for the same period of 2016. Net income per diluted share was $0.07 as compared to $0.09 for the same period of 2016.

Adjusted net income was $12.9 million, as compared to $15.0 million for the same period of 2016. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.17 as compared to $0.19 for the same period of 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA was $62.9 million as compared to $57.2 million for the same period of 2016.

Fiscal Year-to-Date Financial ResultsIn the forty weeks ended October 8, 2017, net sales were $3,502.7 million, an increase of 4.8% as compared to $3,341.2 million for the same period of 2016. Net sales growth was driven by the net sales contribution of new stores, and a 0.4% increase in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales growth was comprised of a 0.5% increase in comparable transaction count, partially offset by a 0.1% decrease in comparable average transaction size.

Net sales for Smart & Final banner stores were $2,716.3 million, an increase of 4.3% as compared to $2,604.5 million for the same period of 2016. Year-to-date comparable store sales for the Smart & Final banner increased 0.1%.

Net sales for Cash & Carry banner stores were $786.3 million, a 6.7% increase as compared to $736.7 million for the same period of 2016. Year-to-date comparable store sales for the Cash & Carry banner increased 1.3%.

Net income was $7.6 million, as compared to $13.2 million for the same period of 2016. Net income per diluted share was $0.10 as compared to $0.17 for the same period of 2016.

Adjusted net income was $22.4 million, as compared to $37.1 million for the same period of 2016. Adjusted net income per diluted share was $0.30 as compared to $0.47 for the same period of 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA was $135.4 million, as compared to $142.9 million for the same period of 2016.

Growth and DevelopmentDuring the fiscal third quarter of 2017, the Company opened one new Smart & Final Extra! store, and completed two conversions of legacy Smart & Final stores to the Extra! store format, including one store relocation. The Company also opened two new Cash & Carry banner stores during the quarter. As of October 8, 2017, the Company operated a total of 316 stores, including 183 Smart & Final Extra! stores, 70 legacy format Smart & Final stores and 63 Cash & Carry stores.

Leverage and LiquidityAs of October 8, 2017, the Company's debt, net of debt issuance costs, was $683.1 million and cash and cash equivalents were $60.9 million.

For the forty weeks ended October 8, 2017, the Company generated cash from operations of $128.0 million and invested $117.6 million in capital expenditures, primarily related to the development of Extra! format stores and to improvements of existing assets.

OutlookThe Company is revising certain elements of its previously issued guidance framework for the full year ending December 31, 2017, as noted in the table below. As a result, the Company is also providing fiscal fourth quarter 2017 guidance.

The above guidance includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (namely adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share), which exclude certain costs and non-cash costs and provide investors with additional financial measures of the expected operating performance of the Company's business. The primary factors in reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP measures include the following: pre-opening costs associated with new stores of approximately $5 million, non-cash rent related to stores of approximately $6 million, share-based compensation expense of approximately $11 million, and $3 million of severance expense. The other amounts needed to reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP measures cannot be quantified and are not available without an unreasonable effort.

Fiscal Third Quarter Conference CallThe Company will host a conference call today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its fiscal third quarter 2017 financial results. To participate in the call, please dial (877) 407-0784 (U.S.) or (201) 689-8560 (International) ten minutes prior to the start time. The conference call can also be accessed on the "For Investors" section of the Company's web site at www.smartandfinal.com.

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a telephonic replay of the call will also be available beginning today at approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, by dialing (844) 512-2921 (U.S.) or (412) 317-6671 (International) and entering the replay pin number: 13671853. The telephonic replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, November 29, 2017.

About Smart & FinalSmart & Final Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SFS), is a value-oriented food and everyday staples retailer, headquartered in Commerce (near Los Angeles), California. The Company offers quality products in a variety of sizes, saving household, nonprofit and business customers time and money. As of October 8, 2017, the Company operated 316 grocery and foodservice stores under the "Smart & Final," "Smart & Final Extra!" and "Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice" banners in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Utah, with an additional 15 stores in Northwestern Mexico operated through a joint venture. In business for over 145 years, the Company remains committed to giving back to local communities through employee volunteer opportunities and Company donations to local nonprofits.

Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this release that are not historical information contain forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. The Company derives many of its forward-looking statements from its operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While the Company believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it is difficult to predict the impact of known factors and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results. These factors are discussed in the special note concerning "Forward-Looking Statements," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and "Business" sections and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by the Company herein, or elsewhere, speaks only as of the date on which made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these events or how they may affect it. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company's financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures (namely EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per share, and adjusted net income per diluted share) to evaluate our operating and financial performance and to compare such performance to that of prior periods. We also use these non-GAAP financial measures in making operational and financial decisions and in establishing operational goals. We believe that providing these non-GAAP financial measures to investors, as a supplement to GAAP financial measures, helps investors to (i) evaluate our operating and financial performance and future prospects, (ii) compare financial results across accounting periods, (iii) better understand the long-term performance of our core business and (iv) evaluate trends in our business, all consistent with how management evaluates such performance and movements. The Company defines EBITDA as net income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense and provision for income tax, and adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for the items set forth in the table below. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the table below. The Company defines adjusted net income per share as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average basic shares outstanding. The Company defines adjusted net income per diluted share as adjusted net income divided by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Use of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. Each of these non-GAAP measures has its limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP.

The following tables present reconciliations of net income to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income, and net income per share to adjusted net income per share and adjusted net income per diluted share, for the sixteen-week and forty-week periods ended October 8, 2017 and October 9, 2016.

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SOURCE Smart & Final Stores, Inc.