CTRN Citi Trends Inc

Third quarter total sales increased 10.1%; comparable store sales up 7.4%

Quarterly earnings per share of $0.05 this year versus $(0.06) loss last year

Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTRN) today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

Financial Highlights – Third quarter ended October 28, 2017

Total sales in the third quarter ended October 28, 2017 increased 10.1% to $176.9 million compared with $160.7 million in the third quarter ended October 29, 2016. Comparable store sales increased 7.4% in the quarter.

The Company had net income of $0.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017, compared with a net loss of $(0.8) million, or $(0.06) per diluted share, in last year’s third quarter.

During the third quarter, the Company opened five new stores, relocated or expanded two stores, and closed one store.

Financial Highlights – First three quarters ended October 28, 2017

Total sales in the first three quarters of fiscal 2017 increased 6.6% to $543.1 million compared with $509.7 million in the same period of fiscal 2016. Comparable store sales increased 4.1% in the first three quarters of this year.

The Company had net income of $9.3 million, or $11.1 million when adjusted for proxy contest-related expenses*, in the first three quarters of 2017, compared with $7.8 million in the same period last year. Earnings per diluted share in the first three quarters of 2017 were $0.65, or $0.77 when adjusted for proxy contest-related expenses*, compared with $0.53 in the first three quarters of 2016.

Bruce Smith, Acting Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are extremely pleased to report strong sales and operating results for the third quarter. The momentum that we saw in recent quarters continued at an accelerated pace in the third quarter and is being driven by our delivery of fashion-right, value-priced merchandise to our customers. Comparable store sales growth was consistently strong throughout the quarter, with a 7% increase in August and 8% increases in both September and October. Importantly, all five of our major merchandise categories once again contributed to the sales increases.

“In addition to 10% total sales growth in the third quarter, we were pleased with an improvement in gross margin and significant expense leverage, all of which led to operating margin expansion of 140 basis points and a $1.4 million increase in net income.

“We believe that we have entered the fourth quarter in a high-quality, liquid inventory position. Early reads on the holiday season have been positive, as comparable store sales for the first three weeks of November have been up 7% on top of a 6% increase in the same three weeks last year.”

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

Citi Trends will host a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for the live interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2932. A replay of the conference call will be available until November 28, 2017, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the passcode, 21861316.

The live broadcast of Citi Trends' conference call will be available online at the Company's website, www.cititrends.com, under the Investor Relations section, beginning today at 9:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and will be available for replay for one year.

During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends that have occurred after quarter-end. The Company’s responses to questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been disclosed previously.

About Citi Trends

Citi Trends, Inc. is a value-priced retailer of urban fashion apparel and accessories for the entire family. The Company operates 549 stores located in 31 states. Citi Trends’ website address is www.cititrends.com. CTRN-G

*Non-GAAP Financial Measure

The non-GAAP financial measures discussed herein are reconciled to their corresponding GAAP measures at the end of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than historical facts contained in this news release, including statements regarding our future financial results and position, business policy and plans, objectives of management for future operations and our intentions and ability to pay dividends and complete any share repurchase authorizations, are forward-looking statements that are subject to material risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "may," "could," "plans," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Citi Trends, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such language. Statements with respect to earnings guidance are forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to the finalization of the Company’s quarter-end financial and accounting procedures, are not guarantees of future performance or results and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors which are discussed in Citi Trends, Inc. filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to economic conditions, growth risks, consumer spending patterns, competition within the industry, competition in our markets and the ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends. Any forward-looking statements by the Company, with respect to earnings guidance, the Company’s intention to declare and pay dividends, the repurchase of shares pursuant to a share repurchase program, or otherwise, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Citi Trends does not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statements in this news release or with respect to matters described herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

  CITI TRENDS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)     Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 October 29, 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 176,943 $ 160,716   Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) (110,094 ) (100,386 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (61,118 ) (57,637 ) Depreciation (4,976 ) (4,223 ) Asset impairment   -     (61 ) Income (loss) from operations 755 (1,591 ) Interest income 216 146 Interest expense   (38 )   (39 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 933 (1,484 ) Income tax (expense) benefit   (286 )   648   Net income (loss) $ 647   $ (836 )   Basic net income (loss) per common share $ 0.05   $ (0.06 ) Diluted net income (loss) per common share $ 0.05   $ (0.06 )   Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic   13,563     14,677   Diluted   13,614     14,677       Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 October 29, 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 543,098 $ 509,664   Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) (334,659 ) (313,345 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (181,439 ) (172,073 ) Depreciation (13,863 ) (12,961 ) Asset impairment   (77 )   (282 ) Income from operations 13,060 11,003 Interest income 617 408 Interest expense   (112 )   (120 ) Income before income taxes 13,565 11,291 Income tax expense   (4,238 )   (3,510 ) Net income $ 9,327   $ 7,781     Basic net income per common share $ 0.66   $ 0.53   Diluted net income per common share $ 0.65   $ 0.53     Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic   14,221     14,649   Diluted   14,270     14,652       CITI TRENDS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (in thousands)     October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016 (unaudited) (unaudited) Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 34,866 $ 36,956 Short-term investment securities 30,298 34,132 Inventory 133,245 130,752 Prepaid and other current assets 16,405 18,570 Property and equipment, net 63,571 54,478 Long-term investment securities 26,117 29,183 Other noncurrent assets   8,171   9,211 Total assets $ 312,673 $ 313,282   Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: Accounts payable $ 68,047 $ 59,098 Accrued liabilities 28,921 25,718 Other current liabilities 1,913 1,974 Noncurrent liabilities   8,786   8,130 Total liabilities 107,667 94,920   Total stockholders' equity   205,006   218,362 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 312,673 $ 313,282     CITI TRENDS, INC.   RECONCILIATION OF GAAP BASIS OPERATING RESULTS TO ADJUSTED NON-GAAP OPERATING RESULTS (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)  

The Company makes reference in this release to net income adjusted for proxy contest expenses and earnings per diluted share adjusted for proxy contest expenses. The Company believes that excluding proxy contest expenses and their related tax effects from its financial results reflects operating results that are more indicative of the Company's ongoing operating performance while improving comparability to prior periods, and as such, may provide investors with an enhanced understanding of the Company's past financial performance and prospects for the future. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, earnings per common share, or expense information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

  Thirteen Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 As Reported   Adjustment (1)   As Adjusted (unaudited)   (unaudited)   (unaudited)   Net sales $ 176,943 $ - $ 176,943   Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) (110,094 ) - (110,094 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (61,118 ) - (61,118 ) Depreciation (4,976 ) - (4,976 ) Asset impairment   -       -         -   Income from operations 755 - 755 Interest income 216 - 216 Interest expense   (38 )     -         (38 ) Income before income taxes 933 - 933 Income tax expense   (286 )     -         (286 ) Net income $ 647     $ -       $ 647     Basic net income per common share $ 0.05   $ 0.05   Diluted net income per common share $ 0.05   $ 0.05     Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic   13,563     13,563   Diluted   13,614     13,614       Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 As Reported   Adjustment (1)   As Adjusted (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)   Net sales $ 543,098 $ - $ 543,098   Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) (334,659 ) - (334,659 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (181,439 ) 2,516 (178,923 ) Depreciation (13,863 ) - (13,863 ) Asset impairment   (77 )     -         (77 ) Income from operations 13,060 2,516 15,576 Interest income 617 - 617 Interest expense   (112 )     -         (112 ) Income before income taxes 13,565 2,516 16,081 Income tax expense   (4,238 )     (786

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    (5,024 ) Net income $ 9,327     $ 1,730       $ 11,057     Basic net income per common share $ 0.66   $ 0.78   Diluted net income per common share $ 0.65   $ 0.77     Weighted average number of shares outstanding Basic   14,221     14,221   Diluted   14,270     14,270     (1) Proxy contest expenses and related tax effects

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Citi Trends, Inc.Bruce Smith, (912) 443-2075Acting Chief Executive Officer,Chief Operating Officer andChief Financial Officer