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Dollar General Corporation Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

May 28, 2020 6:55 AM

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported financial results for its fiscal year 2020 first quarter (13 weeks) ended May 1, 2020.

“These are certainly unprecedented times, and our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer. “We are very grateful for those serving on the front lines, and particularly our store associates, distribution center employees and private fleet drivers for their incredible efforts. In the midst of a very challenging operating environment, our team members have been tirelessly committed to fulfilling the Company’s mission of Serving Others, and we could not be more proud of how they have responded to the needs of our communities. As a result of their efforts, we are very pleased to report strong first-quarter financial results.”

“Looking ahead, we remain committed to our operating priorities and strategic initiatives to drive continued growth and meaningful long-term value for shareholders. As one of America’s essential retailers, we believe our unique brick-and-mortar footprint positions us well to continue delivering value and convenience for our customers, particularly at a time when they need us most.”

First Quarter 2020 Highlights
Net sales increased 27.6% to $8.4 billion in the first quarter of 2020 compared to $6.6 billion in the first quarter of 2019. The net sales increase included positive sales contributions from new stores and growth in same-store sales, modestly offset by the impact of store closures. Same-store sales increased 21.7% compared to the first quarter of 2019, driven by increases in both average transaction amount and customer traffic. Same-store sales increased in each of the consumables, seasonal, home products and apparel categories, with the largest percentage increase in the home products category. The Company believes consumer behavior driven by COVID-19 had a significant positive effect on net sales and same-store sales.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 30.7% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 30.2% in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 49 basis points. This gross profit rate increase was primarily attributable to a reduction in markdowns as a percentage of net sales and higher initial markups on inventory purchases; partially offset by an increase in distribution costs, which were driven by increased volume and discretionary bonus expense. As a result of the significant increase in sales, the Company believes consumer behavior driven by COVID-19 also had a significant positive effect on gross profit dollars.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) as a percentage of net sales were 20.5% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to 22.5% in the first quarter of 2019, a decrease of 204 basis points. Although the Company incurred certain incremental costs related to COVID-19, they were more than offset by the significant increase in net sales discussed above. Expenses that were lower as a percentage of net sales in the current year period include occupancy costs, retail labor, utilities, depreciation and amortization, and taxes and licenses. These items were partially offset by increased incentive compensation expenses.

Operating profit for the first quarter of 2020 increased 69.2% to $866.8 million compared to $512.2 million in the first quarter of 2019.

The effective income tax rate in the first quarter of 2020 was 22.2% compared to 20.8% in the first quarter of 2019. This higher effective income tax rate was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax earnings in the 2020 period compared to the 2019 period while items impacting the effective rate, such as the benefits from stock-based compensation and federal tax credits, remained materially the same in amount in both the 2020 and 2019 periods.

The Company reported net income of $650 million for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $385 million in the first quarter of 2019. Diluted EPS increased 73.0% to $2.56 for the first quarter of 2020 compared to diluted EPS of $1.48 in the first quarter of 2019.

COVID-19 Update
To demonstrate continued appreciation for the exceptional efforts of employees, and to further safeguard the well-being of its team members and customers, Dollar General took the following actions during the quarter:

Merchandise Inventories
As of May 1, 2020, total merchandise inventories, at cost, were $4.1 billion compared to $4.1 billion as of May 3, 2019, a decrease of 5.5% on a per-store basis.

Capital Expenditures
Total additions to property and equipment in the first quarter of 2020 were $195 million, including approximately: $75 million for improvements, upgrades, remodels and relocations of existing stores; $73 million for store facilities, primarily for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment in new stores; $32 million for distribution and transportation related projects; and $12 million for information systems upgrades and technology-related projects. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company opened 250 new stores, remodeled 481 stores and relocated 17 stores.

Share Repurchases
The Company temporarily suspended repurchases of its common stock under its share repurchase program during the first quarter of 2020 to evaluate the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company repurchased $63 million of its common stock, or 0.5 million shares, under the share repurchase program at an average price of $139.83 per share in the first quarter of 2020 prior to the decision to suspend the program. The total remaining authorization for future repurchases was $1.1 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2020. Under the authorization, purchases may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time subject to market and other conditions. The authorization has no expiration date.

Dividend
On May 27, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per share on the Company’s common stock, payable on or before July 21, 2020 to shareholders of record on July 7, 2020. While the Board of Directors intends to continue regular cash dividends, the declaration and amount of future dividends are subject to the sole discretion of the Board and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions, and other factors the Board may deem relevant in its sole discretion.

Liquidity
To further strengthen the Company’s liquidity position during the quarter, the Company issued $1.0 billion of 3.5% Senior Notes due in 2030 and $500.0 million of 4.125% Senior Notes due in 2050. As of May 1, 2020, the Company had $2.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents as well as $1.1 billion of availability under its revolving credit facility.

Fiscal Year 2020 Update
As noted above, the Company realized a significant sales benefit in the first quarter of the fiscal year as a result of COVID-19. In addition, since the end of the first quarter, the Company has continued to experience elevated demand in its stores, albeit with slightly more variability and some moderation in recent days. As a result, through May 26, 2020, same-store sales have increased approximately 22% as compared to the comparable period in the 2019 fiscal year.

Due to the significant uncertainty that continues to exist around the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its impact on the U.S. economy, consumer behavior and the Company’s business, there is a lack of visibility for the remainder of 2020 with many unknowns. As a result, it is difficult to predict specific outcomes. While the Company expects it will exceed the fiscal 2020 net sales, same-store sales and diluted EPS guidance that was issued on March 12, 2020, the Company is not able to forecast the extent of such upside for the reasons mentioned above and accordingly is withdrawing the guidance issued on March 12, 2020.

However, for fiscal year 2020, the Company continues to plan for:

In addition, the Company currently intends to resume share repurchase activity as soon as management determines it is prudent and advisable to do so, which may be as early as the 2020 second quarter.

Conference Call Information
The Company will hold a conference call on May 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. CT/10:00 a.m. ET, hosted by Todd Vasos, chief executive officer, Jeff Owen, chief operating officer, and John Garratt, chief financial officer. To participate via telephone, please call (877) 407-0890 at least 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin. The conference ID is 13702341. There will also be a live webcast of the call available at https://investor.dollargeneral.com under “News & Events, Events & Presentations.” A replay of the conference call will be available through June 25, 2020, and will be accessible via webcast replay or by calling (877) 660-6853. The conference ID for the telephonic replay is 13702341.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements include those regarding the Company’s outlook, strategy, initiatives, plans and intentions including, but not limited to, statements made within the quotation of Mr. Vasos and in the sections entitled “Share Repurchases,” “Dividend,” and “Fiscal Year 2020 Update.” A reader can identify forward-looking statements because they are not limited to historical fact or they use words such as “outlook,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “can,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “assume,” “opportunities,” “intend,” “continue,” ”future,” “long-term,” ”guidance,” “looking ahead,” “subject to,” “committed,” “focus on,” or “likely to,” and similar expressions that concern the Company’s strategy, plans, intentions or beliefs about future occurrences or results. These matters involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual performance of the Company to differ materially from that which the Company expected. Many of these statements are derived from the Company’s operating budgets and forecasts as of the date of this release, which are based on many detailed assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. However, it is very difficult to predict the effect of known factors on the Company’s future results, and the Company cannot anticipate all factors that could affect future results that may be important to an investor. All forward-looking information should be evaluated in the context of these risks, uncertainties and other factors. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by these and other cautionary statements that the Company makes from time to time in its SEC filings and public communications. The Company cannot assure the reader that it will realize the results or developments the Company anticipates or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect the Company or its operations in the way the Company expects. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any duty, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they were made, except as otherwise required by law. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, the Company.

Investors should also be aware that while the Company does, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts and others, it is against the Company’s policy to disclose to them any material, nonpublic information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, shareholders should not assume that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any securities analyst regardless of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, the Company has a policy against confirming projections, forecasts or opinions issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the Company’s responsibility.

About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 80 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 16,500 stores in 46 states as of May 1, 2020. In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer, Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg's, General Mills, and PepsiCo. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

May 1

May 3

January 31

2020

2019

2020

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,673,912

$

271,111

$

240,320

Merchandise inventories

4,107,331

4,109,759

4,676,848

Income taxes receivable

17,191

25,164

76,537

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

194,049

177,735

184,163

Total current assets

6,992,483

4,583,769

5,177,868

Net property and equipment

3,320,141

3,008,425

3,278,359

Operating lease assets

8,960,805

8,140,326

8,796,183

Goodwill

4,338,589

4,338,589

4,338,589

Other intangible assets, net

1,199,961

1,200,164

1,200,006

Other assets, net

36,334

33,011

34,079

Total assets

$

24,848,313

$

21,304,284

$

22,825,084

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations

$

580

$

555

$

555

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

991,054

894,469

964,805

Accounts payable

2,954,361

2,452,898

2,860,682

Accrued expenses and other

791,368

560,007

709,156

Income taxes payable

105,865

48,787

8,362

Total current liabilities

4,843,228

3,956,716

4,543,560

Long-term obligations

3,967,221

2,732,105

2,911,438

Long-term operating lease liabilities

7,956,759

7,238,945

7,819,683

Deferred income taxes

700,098

629,864

675,227

Other liabilities

171,553

173,985

172,676

Total liabilities

17,638,859

14,731,615

16,122,584

Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock

-

-

-

Common stock

220,259

226,032

220,444

Additional paid-in capital

3,332,283

3,275,917

3,322,531

Retained earnings

3,659,804

3,074,584

3,162,660

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,892

)

(3,864

)

(3,135

)

Total shareholders' equity

7,209,454

6,572,669

6,702,500

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

24,848,313

$

21,304,284

$

22,825,084

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

For the Quarter Ended

May 1

% of Net

May 3

% of Net

2020

Sales

2019

Sales

Net sales

$

8,448,449

100.00

%

$

6,623,185

100.00

%

Cost of goods sold

5,852,757

69.28

4,620,909

69.77

Gross profit

2,595,692

30.72

2,002,276

30.23

Selling, general and administrative expenses

1,728,908

20.46

1,490,039

22.50

Operating profit

866,784

10.26

512,237

7.73

Interest expense

30,493

0.36

25,933

0.39

Income before income taxes

836,291

9.90

486,304

7.34

Income tax expense

185,845

2.20

101,291

1.53

Net income

$

650,446

7.70

%

$

385,013

5.81

%

Earnings per share:
Basic

$

2.58

$

1.49

Diluted

$

2.56

$

1.48

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic

251,780

259,021

Diluted

253,627

260,265

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

For the 13 Weeks Ended

May 1

May 3

2020

2019

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income

$

650,446

$

385,013

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization

137,655

122,485

Deferred income taxes

24,784

10,303

Noncash share-based compensation

18,968

13,631

Other noncash (gains) and losses

1,569

3,527

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Merchandise inventories

567,902

(14,252

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(12,000

)

(7,392

)

Accounts payable

110,126

39,707

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

81,113

(47,679

)

Income taxes

156,849

71,394

Other

(1,086

)

(2,542

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

1,736,326

574,195

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment

(195,434

)

(144,757

)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

466

453

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(194,968

)

(144,304

)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term obligations

1,494,315

-

Repayments of long-term obligations

(555

)

(525

)

Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper outstanding

(425,200

)

(121,300

)

Borrowings under revolving credit facilities

300,000

-

Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities

(300,000

)

-

Costs associated with issuance of debt

(13,623

)

-

Repurchases of common stock

(63,080

)

(199,986

)

Payments of cash dividends

(90,617

)

(82,756

)

Other equity and related transactions

(9,006

)

10,300

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

892,234

(394,267

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

2,433,592

35,624

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

240,320

235,487

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

2,673,912

$

271,111

Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for:
Interest

$

48,339

$

48,960

Income taxes

$

4,154

$

19,623

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities

$

418,239

$

358,806

Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for payment, included in Accounts payable

$

93,801

$

91,384

DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Selected Additional Information

(Unaudited)

Sales by Category (in thousands)

For the Quarter Ended

May 1

May 3

2020

2019

% Change

Consumables

$

6,703,449

$

5,213,155

28.6

%

Seasonal

917,912

736,978

24.6

%

Home products

498,282

375,713

32.6

%

Apparel

328,806

297,339

10.6

%

Net sales

$

8,448,449

$

6,623,185

27.6

%

Store Activity

For the Quarter Ended

May 1

May 3

2020

2019

Beginning store count

16,278

15,370

New store openings

250

240

Store closings

(28

)

(13

)

Net new stores

222

227

Ending store count

16,500

15,597

Total selling square footage (000's)

121,930

115,468

Growth rate (square footage)

5.6

%

5.5

%

Investor Contacts:

Donny Lau (615) 855-5591

Kevin Walker (615) 855-4954

Media Contact:

Crystal Ghassemi (615) 855-5210

Source: Dollar General Corporation

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