US retailer Kroger has raised its full-year earnings guidance after booking an increase in first-half profits.
In the six months to the end of June, earnings climbed to US$718.4m from $713.1m a year earlier, the company reported today (7 September).
Operating profit was up 3.8% at $1.35bn, while net sales amounted to $50.79bn, a 5% increase on last year.
The company raised its earnings per diluted share guidance for the fiscal year to a range of $2.35 to $2.42. Identical supermarket sales growth for the full year, excluding fuel, is expected to be in the range of 3% to 3.5%.
"Kroger shareholders once again benefited from our Customer 1st strategy. Increased customer loyalty and solid cost controls allowed us to grow sales, profitability, and shareholder value," said CEO David Dillon.
Click here to read further comment from Dillon on the firm's results.
Kroger Reports Record Second Quarter Earnings Per Share
Net Earnings of $0.51 Per Diluted Share; ID Sales Up 3.6% Without Fuel
Company Raises Fiscal 2012 EPS Guidance to $2.35 to $2.42
CINCINNATI, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today reported net earnings of $0.51 per diluted share and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 3.6% in the second quarter. Other highlights of the quarter include:
Increased second quarter earnings per diluted share by 10.9% compared to last year
Raised earnings per diluted share guidance for the fiscal year to a range of $2.35 to $2.42
Increased FIFO operating profit $47 million for the second quarter
Achieved 35th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales,
driven by higher tonnage and loyal and total household growth
Put strong free cash flow to work for shareholders to buy back 23.7 million shares
"We are pleased with Kroger's strong performance in the second quarter," said David B. Dillon, Kroger's chairman and chief executive officer. "Kroger shareholders once again benefited from our Customer 1st strategy. Increased customer loyalty and solid cost controls allowed us to grow sales, profitability, and shareholder value."
Kroger reported total sales, including fuel, increased 3.9% to $21.7 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 compared with $20.9 billion for the same period last year. In the second quarter, which ended August 11, 2012, total sales, excluding fuel, increased 3.8% over the same period last year.
Net earnings for the second quarter totaled $279.1 million, or $0.51 per diluted share. Net earnings in the same period last year were $280.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share. Prior year net earnings benefited from a 27.6 percent tax rate, compared to a tax rate of 34.5 percent in the second quarter this year.
Details of Second Quarter 2012 Results
FIFO gross margin was 20.63% of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Excluding retail fuel operations, FIFO gross margin decreased 43 basis points from the same period last year.
Kroger recorded a $34.7 million LIFO charge in the second quarters of both 2012 and 2011.
Operating, general and administrative (OG&A) costs plus rent and depreciation were 18.01% of sales. Excluding retail fuel operations, OG&A plus rent and depreciation declined 59 basis points as a percent of sales compared with the prior year.
As a result of operating leverage, second quarter FIFO operating profit increased approximately $47 million over the prior year, both with and without fuel. Excluding fuel, on a rolling four quarters basis, the company's FIFO operating margin was 3 basis points lower compared to last year. This is an improvement in the trend from the first quarter. Kroger expects to have a slightly higher FIFO operating margin rate, excluding fuel, for the full 2012 fiscal year.
Financial Strategy
Kroger's strong free cash flow enabled the company to return more than $1.9 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends over the last four quarters. During the second quarter, Kroger repurchased 23.7 million shares for a total investment of $525 million.
Capital investment, excluding acquisitions and purchases of leased facilities, totaled $444.7 million for the second quarter, compared with $428.5 million for the same period last year.
Net total debt was $8.1 billion for the second quarter, an increase of $1.2 billion from a year ago. On a rolling four quarters basis, Kroger's net total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 1.96 compared with 1.71 during the same period last year.
Fiscal 2012 Guidance
As a result of strong first half performance and higher than anticipated share repurchase activity, Kroger is increasing its fiscal 2012 earnings guidance to a range of $2.35 to $2.42 per diluted share. The company continues to expect identical supermarket sales growth for the full year, excluding fuel, of 3.0% to 3.5%. Kroger expects to achieve in the upper end of the range for both earnings per share and sales growth. The previous earnings per share guidance was a range of $2.33 to $2.40.
"Every day, our associates are delivering a better shopping experience for our customers," Mr. Dillon said. "Kroger's increased earnings per share guidance for the year reflects our confidence that our Customer 1st strategy will continue to create value for our customers and shareholders alike."
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,425 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 788 convenience stores, 342 fine jewelry stores, 1,124 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves.
