HIBBETT INC - Quarter Report: 2015 October (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2015

OR

For the transition period from  __________________________ to __________________________

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding as of December 3, 2015, were 22,786,340 shares.

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share information)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Hibbett Sports, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (including the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2015, which has been derived from audited financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  References to "we," "our," "us" and the "Company" refer to Hibbett Sports, Inc. and its subsidiaries as well as its predecessors.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 filed on March 31, 2015.  In our opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position as of October 31, 2015 and the results of our operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 filed on March 31, 2015.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that expands disclosure requirements and requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.  In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year.  The new pronouncement will now be effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Accordingly, we will adopt this ASU in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on our results of operations and cash flows; however, it is not expected to be material.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  This update requires an entity to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent within a classified statement of financial position.  ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  This update may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented.  Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the interim or annual reporting period.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on our balance sheet; although we expect a significant reclassification between current and long-term assets.

We continuously monitor and review all current accounting pronouncements and standards from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) of U.S. GAAP for applicability to our operations.  As of October 31, 2015, there were no other new pronouncements, interpretations or staff positions that had or were expected to have a significant impact on our operations since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 filed on March 31, 2015.

 

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Subtopic 820, Fair Value Measurement, establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level I – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level II – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level I.

Level III – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The table below segregates all financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value as of October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015 (in thousands):

Short-term investments are reported in other current assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Long-term investments are reported in other assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

At October 31, 2015, we had two unsecured credit facilities, which are renewable annually in August and November.  The August facility allows for borrowings up to $30.0 million at a rate equal to the higher of prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or LIBOR.  The November facility allows for borrowings up to $50.0 million at a rate of prime plus 2%.  Under the provisions of both facilities, we do not pay commitment fees and are not subject to covenant requirements.  We did not have any borrowings against either of these facilities during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, nor was there any debt outstanding under either of these facilities at October 31, 2015.  At October 31, 2015, a total of $80.0 million was available to us from these facilities.

At January 31, 2015, we had the same two unsecured facilities and corresponding terms as listed above.  We did not have any borrowings against either of these facilities during Fiscal 2015, nor was there any debt outstanding under either of these facilities at January 31, 2015.

Subsequent to October 31, 2015, we renewed our existing November facility of $50.0 million with an interest rate of prime plus 2%.  The renewal was effective November 18, 2015 and will expire on November 18, 2016.  The facility is unsecured and does not require a commitment or agency fee nor are there any covenant restrictions.

 

The compensation costs that have been charged against income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

In the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, we granted the following equity awards:

 

Under the 2012 Non-Employee Director Equity Plan (2012 Plan), no shares of our common stock were awarded during the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014.  A total of 1,981 and 1,759 shares of our common stock were awarded during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, respectively, as part of the annual equity award to directors in the first quarter.  In addition, under our employee stock purchase plan, our employees purchased 3,114 and 2,115 shares of our common stock during the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, respectively, and 8,605 and 6,796 shares of our common stock during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, respectively.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 was $10.52 and $17.23 per share, respectively.  The weighted-average grant date fair value of shares of stock purchased through our employee stock purchase plan was $10.01 and $10.35, and the weighted-average price paid by our employees for shares of our common stock was $29.76 and $36.66, during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, respectively.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014 was $15.36 and $23.38 per share, respectively.  The weighted-average grant date fair value of shares of stock purchased through our employee stock purchase plan was $9.50 and $11.16, and the weighted-average price paid by our employees for shares of our common stock was $36.24 and $42.35, during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014, respectively.

At October 31, 2015, the total compensation costs related to nonvested restricted stock unit awards not yet recognized was $8.6 million and the weighted-average period over which such awards are expected to be recognized was 2.5 years.  There are no future compensation costs related to nonvested stock options to be recognized at October 31, 2015.

The computation of basic earnings per share (EPS) is based on the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.  The computation of diluted EPS is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the incremental shares that would be outstanding assuming exercise of dilutive stock options and issuance of restricted stock.  The number of incremental shares is calculated by applying the treasury stock method.  The following table sets forth the weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):

For the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, we excluded 104,091 options from the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because of their anti-dilutive effect.  For the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2014, no options were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because of their anti-dilutive effect.

We excluded 54,250 nonvested stock awards granted to certain employees from the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because they are subject to certain performance-based annual vesting conditions which had not been achieved by October 31, 2015.  Assuming the performance-criteria had been achieved as of October 31, 2015, the incremental dilutive impact would have been 33,619 shares.

In November 2012, the Board of Directors (Board) authorized a Stock Repurchase Program (Program) of $250.0 million to repurchase our common stock through January 29, 2016.  The Program replaced an existing program (Former Program) and authorizes repurchases of our common stock in open market or negotiated transactions, with the amount and timing of repurchases dependent on market conditions and at the discretion of our management.  In addition to the Program, we also acquire shares of our common stock from holders of restricted stock unit awards to satisfy tax withholding requirements due at vesting.  Shares acquired from holders of restricted stock unit awards to satisfy tax withholding requirements do not reduce the Program authorization.

During the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, we repurchased 1,341,170 shares of our common stock at a cost of $50.5 million.  During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, we repurchased 2,137,389 shares of our common stock at a cost of $87.9 million, including 42,877 shares acquired from holders of restricted stock unit awards to satisfy tax withholding requirements of $2.1 million.

During the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2014, we repurchased 371,589 shares of our common stock at a cost of $16.7 million, including 689 shares acquired from holders of restricted stock unit awards to satisfy tax withholding requirements of $31,000.  During the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014, we repurchased 1,072,295 shares of our common stock at a cost of $54.6 million, including 81,895 shares acquired from holders of restricted stock unit awards to satisfy tax withholding requirements of $4.7 million.

As of October 31, 2015, we had approximately $87.5 million remaining under the Program for stock repurchases.

Subsequent to October 31, 2015, our Board authorized a stock repurchase program of $300.0 million through February 2, 2019 effective November 19, 2015.  The new program replaces the authorization that was in place at October 31, 2015.  Stock repurchases may be made in the open market or in negotiated transactions with the amount and timing of repurchases dependent on market conditions and at the discretion of our management.

 

Lease Commitments.

We have entered into capital leases for certain property.  At October 31, 2015, the total capital lease obligations were $3.1 million, of which $0.5 million was included in short-term capital lease obligations and $2.6 million was included in other liabilities, net, on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.  At January 31, 2015, the total capital lease obligations were $3.5 million, of which $0.4 million was included in short-term capital lease obligations and $3.1 million was included in other liabilities, net, on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

During the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, we opened 20 stores and closed 3 stores increasing our lease commitments by a net of 17 retail stores. The stores we opened have initial lease termination dates between October 2020 and October 2026.

Annual Bonuses and Equity Incentive Awards.

Specified officers and corporate employees of our Company are eligible to receive annual bonuses, based on measures of Company operating performance.  At October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015, there was $2.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of annual bonus related expenses included in accrued payroll expenses on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In addition, the Compensation Committee of the Board has placed performance criteria on awards of restricted stock units (PSUs) to our "named executive officers" as determined in accordance with Item 402(a) of Regulation S-K.  The performance criteria are tied to performance targets with respect to future return on invested capital and earnings before interest and taxes over a specified period of time.  These PSUs are expensed under the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, and are evaluated each quarter to determine the probability that the performance conditions set within will be met.

Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies.

No material amounts were accrued at October 31, 2015 or January 31, 2015 pertaining to legal proceedings or other contingencies.  The thirteen week period ended October 31, 2015, included a favorable legal settlement of $1.9 million.

 

Our effective tax rate is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate.  For interim financial reporting, we estimate the annual effective tax rate based on expected taxable income for the full year and record a quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the anticipated annual effective rate and adjust for discrete items.  We update the estimates of the taxable income throughout the year as new information becomes available, including year-to-date financial results.  This process often results in a change to our expected effective tax rate for the year.  When this occurs, we adjust the income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that the year-to-date provision reflects the expected annual effective tax rate.  Significant judgment is required in determining our effective tax rate and in evaluating our tax positions.

We apply the provisions of ASC Subtopic 740-10 in accounting for uncertainty in income taxes.  In accordance with ASC Subtopic 740-10, we recognize a tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority.  For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority.  Our liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation.  Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified.  Our effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management.

At October 31, 2015, we had a liability of $1.3 million associated with unrecognized tax benefits.  We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions.  Generally, we are not subject to changes in income taxes by the U.S. federal taxing jurisdiction for years prior to Fiscal 2013 or by most state taxing jurisdictions for years prior to Fiscal 2012.

ITEM 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments and results. They include statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "plan" or "estimate."  For example, our forward-looking statements would include:

·

our expectations concerning store locations, types and size;

·

our expectations concerning cash needs and capital expenditures, including our intentions and ability to fund our new stores and other future capital expenditures and working capital requirements;

·

our ability and plans to renew or increase our revolving credit facilities;

·

our estimates, assumptions and expectations as they relate to the preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements including, without limitation, our estimates of economic and useful lives of depreciable assets and leases and our anticipated annual effective tax rate based on expected taxable income or changes in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits;

·

our assumptions as they relate to pending legal actions and other contingencies; and

·

seasonality and the effect of inflation.

You should assume that the information appearing in this report is accurate only as of the date it was issued.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.  For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully consider the risk factors described from time to time in our other documents and reports, including the factors described under "Risk Factors," "Business" and "Properties" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015.  You should also read such information in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this report.

Our forward-looking statements could be wrong in light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  The future events, developments or results described in this report could turn out to be materially different.  We have no obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report and you should not expect us to do so.  Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts and others, we do not, by policy, selectively disclose to them any material non-public information with any statement or report issued by any analyst regardless of the content of the statement or report.  We do not, by policy, confirm forecasts or projections issued by others.  Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.

Investor Access to Company Filings

General Overview

Hibbett Sports, Inc. is an athletic specialty retailer operating in small to mid-sized markets, predominantly in the South, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States.  Hibbett Sports stores provide an extensive selection of premium brand footwear, apparel and team sports equipment, emphasizing convenient locations and a high level of customer service.  As of October 31, 2015, we operated a total of 1,031 retail stores in 33 states composed of 1,011 Hibbett Sports stores and 20 Sports Additions athletic shoe stores.  We became a public company in October 1996.

The Hibbett Sports store is our primary retail format and growth vehicle and is an approximately 5,000 square foot store located primarily in strip centers which are frequently influenced by a Wal-Mart store.  Approximately 82% of our Hibbett Sports store base is located in strip centers, which include free-standing stores, while approximately 18% of our Hibbett Sports store base is located in enclosed malls.  We expect to continue our store base growth in strip centers versus enclosed malls.

Our merchandising strategy is to provide a broad assortment of quality brand name footwear, apparel, accessories and athletic equipment at competitive prices in a full service environment.  We believe that the breadth and depth of our brand name merchandise consistently exceeds the product selection carried by most of our competitors, particularly in our smaller markets.  Many of these brand name products are highly technical and require expert sales assistance.  We continuously educate our sales staff on new products and trends through coordinated efforts with our vendors.

We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to January 31 of each year. The consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year ending January 30, 2016 and January 31, 2015 will include 52 weeks of operations.

Comparable store sales data for the periods presented reflects sales for our traditional format Hibbett Sports and Sports Additions stores open throughout the period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  If a store remodel, relocation or expansion results in the store being closed for a significant period of time, its sales are removed from the comparable store sales base until it has been open a full 12 months.  During the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, we included 931 stores in comparable store sales.  During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, we included 899 stores in comparable store sales.

Executive Summary

Net sales for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, increased 4.6% to $228.3 million compared with $218.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2014.  Comparable store sales increased 0.6%, resulting from strong sales in footwear, offset by a significant decline in our colder weather apparel and equipment categories.  Gross profit was 36.1% of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, compared with 36.3% for the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2014.  The decline in gross profit was mainly due to store occupancy and logistics costs, as these expenses increased as a percentage of net sales due to lower comparable store sales.

Net sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, increased 3.5% to $697.4 million compared with $674.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014.  Comparable store sales decreased 0.5%, with strong sales in footwear offset by softer sales in apparel and equipment.  Additionally, sales were negatively impacted by weather-related store closure days in the first quarter and a significant decline in our colder apparel and equipment weather categories in the third quarter.  Gross profit was 35.5% of net sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, compared with 35.9% for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014.  The decline was partially due to promotional activity and markdowns taken to liquidate excess inventory.  Gross profit was also affected by store occupancy costs, as these expenses increased as a percentage of net sales due to lower comparable store sales.

During the third quarter of Fiscal 2016, we opened 20 new stores, expanded one high performing store and closed three underperforming stores, bringing the store base to 1,031 in 33 states as of October 31, 2015.  In addition, we opened our first store in the state of New York during the quarter.  We ended the third quarter of Fiscal 2016 with $45.5 million of available cash and cash equivalents on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and full availability under our credit facilities.  We also acquired 1.3 million shares of our common stock for a total expenditure of $50.5 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015.  Net income included a favorable legal settlement of $1.9 million.

Significant Accounting Estimates

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.  The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.  Our significant accounting policies and estimates are described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015, as filed on March 31, 2015.  There have been no changes in our accounting policies in the current period that had a material impact on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2015, for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

Results of Operations

Summarized Unaudited Information

Thirteen Weeks Ended October 31, 2015 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended November 1, 2014

Net sales.  Net sales increased $10.0 million, or 4.6%, to $228.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015 from $218.3 million for the comparable period in the prior year.  Furthermore:

·

We opened 20 Hibbett Sports stores, expanded one high performing store and closed three underperforming stores.

·

New stores drove the increase in net sales, while comparable stores increased 0.6% resulting from strong sales in footwear offset by a decline in our colder weather apparel and equipment categories.

·

Footwear achieved positive results with strong sales in casual, lifestyle and basketball.

·

Cleats achieved positive results driven by football, partially offset by soccer due to the comparison to last year's World Cup.  Equipment had weaker results due to slower sales in soccer, football and baseball. Soccer was negatively impacted by the comparison to last year's sales due to the World Cup and football sales were weaker primarily due to slower sales of cold weather gear.

·

We experienced continued softness in licensed products, partially offset by increases in branded accessories and branded headwear.  Branded apparel also had weaker results and strategic initiatives are being executed to improve merchandise assortments and replenishment in this category.

Gross profit.  Cost of goods sold includes the cost of inventory, wholesale and logistics expenses and store occupancy costs.  Gross profit was $82.4 million, or 36.1% of net sales, in the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, compared with $79.2 million, or 36.3% of net sales, in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  Furthermore:

·

Product margin was basically flat, increasing 1 basis point as a percentage of net sales due to effectively managing promotions and markdowns, while keeping aged inventory below last year's levels.

·

Wholesale and logistics expenses increased 6 basis points as a percentage of net sales.  An increase in salary and benefit expenses was partially offset by decreased fuel costs.

·

Store occupancy expense increased 12 basis points as a percentage of net sales mainly due to decreased leverage associated with lower comparable store sales and increased new store expansion.

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses.  Store operating, selling and administrative expenses were $48.3 million, or 21.1% of net sales, for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015, compared to $48.2 million, or 22.1% of net sales, for the comparable period a year ago.  For the third quarter:

·

A favorable legal settlement of $1.9 million resulted in a decrease of 82 basis points as a percentage of net sales for the period.

·

Store labor cost increased 25 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to decreased leverage associated with lower comparable store sales.  Administrative salaries and benefits decreased 19 basis points as a percentage of net sales mainly due to lower benefit costs.

·

Stock-based compensation increased 29 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to less forfeitures this period versus the same period last year.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization decreased 3 basis points as a percentage of net sales for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014.

Provision for income taxes.  The combined federal, state and local effective income tax rate as a percentage of pre-tax income was 37.3% and 36.8% for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, respectively.  The increase in rate included a favorable settlement with a state taxing authority during the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2014.

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 31, 2015 Compared to Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended November 1, 2014

Net sales.  Net sales increased $23.2 million, or 3.5%, to $697.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 from $674.1 million for the comparable period in the prior year.  Furthermore:

·

We opened 51 Hibbett Sports stores, expanded 8 high performing stores and closed 8 underperforming stores.

·

New stores drove the increase in net sales, while comparable stores declined 0.5% due to slower sales in apparel and equipment.  This was partially due to the impact of weather-related store closure days in the first quarter and a sales decline in our cold weather categories in the third quarter.

·

Sales growth in footwear was driven by the basketball division, including NIKE's signature products and Jordan footwear, as well as strong sales in our lifestyle and casual categories.

·

Cleats and equipment were negatively impacted by a decline in baseball due to weather-related store closure days in February, a decline in soccer due to sales related to last year's World Cup, and a decline in football due to slower sales of colder weather merchandise in the third quarter.

·

We experienced continued softness in licensed products, socks and branded apparel, partially offset by strong sales in branded accessories and branded headwear.

Gross profit.  Cost of goods sold includes the cost of inventory, wholesale and logistics expenses and store occupancy costs.  Gross profit was $247.2 million, or 35.5% of net sales, in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, compared with $241.8 million, or 35.9% of net sales, in the same period of the prior fiscal year.  Furthermore:

·

Product margin decreased 18 basis points as a percentage of net sales primarily due to markdowns related to slow selling and aged inventory.

·

Wholesale and logistics expenses decreased 2 basis points as a percentage of net sales.  Occupancy costs declined 11 basis points as a percent of net sales due to the elimination of expenses associated with our former distribution facility.  Fuel cost savings resulting from the drop in oil prices contributed 10 basis points as a percentage of net sales.  Labor costs increased due to increased staffing related to strategic initiatives, including ramping up the quick replenishment capability to our stores.

·

Store occupancy expense increased 25 basis points as a percentage of net sales mainly due to decreased leverage associated with lower comparable store sales and increased store expansion.

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses.  Store operating, selling and administrative expenses were $150.2 million, or 21.5% of net sales, for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, compared to $143.8 million, or 21.3% of net sales, for the comparable period a year ago.  For the period:

·

A favorable legal settlement of $1.9 million resulted in a decrease of 27 basis points as a percentage of net sales for the period.

·

Store labor costs increased 30 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to decreased leverage associated with lower comparable store sales.

·

Stock-based compensation increased 11 basis points as a percentage of net sales due to less forfeitures recognized this year versus the same period last year.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization increased 6 basis points as a percentage of net sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015.  This increase was mainly due to our new wholesale and logistics facility, the capitalization of IT initiatives, and an increased number of new stores.

Provision for income taxes.  The combined federal, state and local effective income tax rate as a percentage of pre-tax income was 36.9% and 37.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, respectively.  The decrease in rate included a favorable adjustment in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015, related to the filing of the January 31, 2015, federal and state income tax returns and from additional utilization of tax credits associated with our wholesale and logistics facility.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our cash outlays relate primarily to new store openings, stock repurchases, IT systems and working capital requirements.  Historically, we have funded our cash requirements primarily through our cash flow from operations and occasionally from borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.  Due to the low interest rates currently available, we are using excess cash on deposit to offset bank fees versus investing such funds in interest-bearing deposits.

Our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Operating Activities.

We use cash flow from operations to increase inventory in advance of peak selling seasons, such as spring sports, back-to-school and winter holidays.  Inventory levels are reduced following peak selling seasons and this inventory reduction, combined with proportionately higher net income, typically produces a positive cash flow.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $59.2 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $75.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014.  The primary use of cash was an increase in inventory of $36.5 million due to planned positioning for holiday sales and opportunity buys.  Prepaid expenses used cash of $4.5 million and were affected by the annual adjustment to income tax related accruals.  Net income and an increase in accounts payable of $26.2 million were the significant providers of cash.  Increases in accounts payable and net inventories from fiscal year end are typical in the third quarter due to the seasonality of purchases.

Investing Activities.

Net cash used in investing activities in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 totaled $15.3 million compared with net cash used in investing activities of $18.8 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014.  Capital expenditures used $15.6 million of cash in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 versus $19.0 million of cash in the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014.  We also use cash to open new stores and remodel, expand or relocate existing stores.  We opened 51 new stores and relocated, expanded or remodeled 10 existing stores during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 as compared to opening 58 new stores and remodeling, relocating or expanding 8 existing stores during the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2014.

We estimate the cash outlay for capital expenditures in the fiscal year ending January 30, 2016 will be approximately $33.0 million, which relates to expenditures for information system infrastructure and project initiatives, the opening of 80 to 85 new stores; the remodeling, relocation or expansion of selected existing stores, and other departmental needs.  Of the total budgeted dollars for capital expenditures for Fiscal 2016, we anticipate that approximately 43% will be related to the information infrastructure and project initiatives.  Approximately 36% will be related to the opening new stores, store expansions and relocations and store remodels.  The remaining 21% relates primarily to specific department expenditures and includes technology and facility upgrades, automobiles and security equipment for our stores.

Financing Activities.

Net cash used in financing activities was $86.9 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $51.2 million in the prior year period.  The increase was primarily due to higher share repurchases when compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended October 31, 2015.

At October 31, 2015, we had two unsecured revolving credit facilities that allow borrowings up to $30.0 million and $50.0 million, and which renew annually in August and November, respectively.  The facilities do not require a commitment or agency fee nor are there any covenant restrictions.  We had no debt outstanding under either of these facilities as of October 31, 2015.  Subsequent to October 31, 2015, we renewed our existing November facility of $50.0 million which was effective November 18, 2015 and will expire on November 18, 2016.  The facility is unsecured and does not require a commitment or agency fee nor are there any covenant restrictions.

Based on our current operating plans, store plans, plans for the repurchase of our common stock and budgeted capital expenditures, we believe that we can fund our cash needs for the foreseeable future through cash generated from operations and, if necessary, through periodic future borrowings against our credit facilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

We have not provided any financial guarantees as of October 31, 2015.  All merchandise purchase obligations are cancelable.  We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business.  We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Quarterly and Seasonal Fluctuations

We experience seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and results of operations.  Customer buying patterns during the spring sales period and winter holiday season historically result in higher first and fourth quarter net sales.  Over the past few years, our third quarter has experienced higher than historical net sales, resulting from back-to-school shopping combined with tax-free holidays in many of our markets.  In addition, our quarterly results of operations may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new store openings, the amount and timing of net sales contributed by new stores, merchandise mix, demand for apparel and accessories driven by local interest in sporting events and timing of sales tax holidays.

Although our operations are influenced by general economic conditions, we do not believe that, historically, inflation has had a material impact on our results of operations as we are generally able to pass along inflationary increases in costs to our customers.

 

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Investment and Credit Availability Risk

We manage cash and cash equivalents in various institutions at levels beyond federally insured limits per institution, and we purchase investments not guaranteed by the FDIC.  Accordingly, there is a risk that we will not recover the full principal of our investments or that their liquidity may be diminished.  In an attempt to mitigate this risk, our investment policy emphasizes preservation of principal and liquidity.

We also have financial institutions that are committed to provide loans under our revolving credit facilities.  There is a risk that these institutions cannot deliver against these obligations.  For a further discussion of this risk and risks related to our deposits, see "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risks results primarily from fluctuations in interest rates.  There have been no material changes to our exposure to market risks from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2015.

 

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of October 31, 2015.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

We have not identified any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period ended October 31, 2015, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings.

We are a party to various legal proceedings incidental to our business.  Where we are able to reasonably estimate an amount of probable loss in these matters based on known facts, we have accrued that amount as a current liability on our balance sheet.  We are not able to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued for these proceedings based on the information currently available to us, including, among others, (i) uncertainties as to the outcome of pending proceedings (including motions and appeals) and (ii) uncertainties as to the likelihood of settlement and the outcome of any negotiations with respect thereto.  We do not believe that any of these matters will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on our business or financial condition.  We cannot give assurance, however, that one or more of these proceedings will not have a material effect on our results of operations for the period in which they are resolved.  No material amounts were accrued at October 31, 2015 or January 31, 2015.

 

ITEM 1A.   Risk Factors.

We operate in an environment that involves a number of risks and uncertainties which are described in our Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2015.  If any of the risks described in our Fiscal 2015 Form 10-K were to actually occur, our business, operating results and financial results could be adversely affected.  There were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.

ITEM 2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table presents our stock repurchase activity for the thirteen weeks ended October 31, 2015 (1):

(1)

In November 2012, the Board authorized a Stock Repurchase Program (Program) of $250.0 million to repurchase our common stock through January 29, 2016.  As of October 31, 2015, we had approximately $87.5 million remaining available under the Program for stock repurchases.  See Note 7, "Stock Repurchase Activity".

(2)

Subsequent to October 31, 2015, our Board authorized a stock repurchase program of $300.0 million through February 2, 2019 effective November 19, 2015.  The new program replaces the authorization that was in place at October 31, 2015.  See Note 7, "Stock Repurchase Activity".

ITEM 6.

Exhibits.

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such exhibits, which is incorporated herein by reference, are filed or furnished as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index

19