08/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 04:53
Updates Financial Guidance for Fiscal Year 2024
GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) today reported financial results for its fiscal 2024 second quarter (13 weeks) ended August 2, 2024.
"We made important progress on our Back to Basics plan in the second quarter," said Todd Vasos, Dollar General's chief executive officer. "However, despite advancing several of our operational goals and driving positive traffic growth, we are not satisfied with our financial results, including top line results below our expectations for the quarter."
"While we believe the softer sales trends are partially attributable to a core customer who feels financially constrained, we know the importance of controlling what we can control. With the evolving retail and consumer landscape in mind, we are taking decisive action to further enhance our value and convenience offering, as well as the in-store experience for our associates and customers."
"Dollar General has a long history of serving customers in a variety of macroeconomic environments, and we believe the actions we are taking will allow us to further strengthen our position and build on our Back to Basics progress, as we seek to deliver sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value."
Second Quarter 2024 Highlights
Net sales increased 4.2% to $10.2 billion in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $9.8 billion in the second quarter of 2023. The net sales increase was primarily driven by positive sales contributions from new stores and growth in same-store sales, partially offset by the impact of store closures. Same-store sales increased 0.5% compared to the second quarter of 2023, driven by an increase in customer traffic, partially offset by a decrease in average transaction amount. Same-store sales in the second quarter of 2024 included growth in the consumables category, partially offset by declines in each of the seasonal, home, and apparel categories.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 30.0% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to 31.1% in the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 112 basis points. This gross profit rate decrease was primarily attributable to increased markdowns, increased inventory damages, a greater proportion of sales coming from the consumables category, and increased shrink. These factors were partially offset by a lower LIFO provision.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of net sales were 24.6% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to 24.0% in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of 57 basis points. The primary expenses that were a greater percentage of net sales in the current year period were retail labor, depreciation and amortization, store occupancy costs, and utilities. These factors were partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation.
Operating profit for the second quarter of 2024 decreased 20.6% to $550.0 million compared to $692.3 million in the second quarter of 2023.
Net interest expense for the second quarter of 2024 decreased 19.2% to $68.1 million compared to $84.3 million in the second quarter of 2023.
The effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2024 was 22.3% compared to 22.9% in the second quarter of 2023. This lower effective income tax rate was primarily due to the effect of certain rate-impacting items, such as federal tax credits, on lower earnings before taxes.
The Company reported net income of $374.2 million for the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 20.2% compared to $468.8 million in the second quarter of 2023. Diluted EPS decreased 20.2% to $1.70 for the second quarter of 2024 compared to diluted EPS of $2.13 in the second quarter of 2023.
Merchandise Inventories
As of August 2, 2024, total merchandise inventories, at cost, were $7.0 billion compared to $7.5 billion as of August 4, 2023, a decrease of 11.0% on a per-store basis.
Capital Expenditures
Total additions to property and equipment in the 26-week period ended August 2, 2024 were $696 million, including approximately: $255 million for improvements, upgrades, remodels and relocations of existing stores; $216 million related to store facilities, primarily for leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment in new stores; $199 million for distribution and transportation-related projects; and $20 million for information systems upgrades and technology-related projects. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company opened 213 new stores, remodeled 478 stores, and relocated 25 stores.
Share Repurchases
In the second quarter of 2024, as planned, the Company did not repurchase any shares under its share repurchase program. The total remaining authorization for future repurchases was $1.4 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Under the authorization, repurchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions, including pursuant to trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, manner and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including price, market conditions, compliance with the covenants and restrictions under the Company's debt agreements, cash requirements, excess debt capacity, results of operations, financial condition and other factors. The authorization has no expiration date. See also "Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook."
Dividend
On August 28, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.59 per share on the Company's common stock, payable on or before October 22, 2024 to shareholders of record on October 8, 2024. While the Board of Directors currently 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, excess debt capacity, and other factors the Board may deem relevant in its sole discretion.
Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook
The Company is updating its financial guidance provided on May 30, 2024, primarily to reflect the softer sales trends and related gross margin impacts, which are anticipated to continue through the remainder of the 52-week fiscal year ending January 31, 2025 ("fiscal year 2024").
The Company now expects the following for fiscal year 2024:
The Company continues to expect the following for fiscal year 2024:
The Company's financial guidance also continues to assume no share repurchases in fiscal year 2024.
Conference Call Information
The Company will hold a conference call on August 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CT/10:00 a.m. ET, hosted by Todd Vasos, chief executive officer, and Kelly Dilts, 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 13747555. 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 September 26, 2024, and will be accessible via webcast replay or by calling (877) 660-6853. The conference ID for the telephonic replay is 13747555.
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, intentions or beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements made within the quotation of Mr. Vasos, and in the sections entitled "Share Repurchases," "Dividend," and "Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Guidance and Store Growth Outlook." 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," "project," "expect," "estimate," "target," "forecast," "accelerate," "predict," "position," "assume," "opportunities," "prospects," "investments," "intend," "continue," "future," "beyond," "ongoing," "potential," "long-term," "longer term," "near-term," "guidance," "goal," "outcome," "uncertainty," "look to," "seek," "move into," "moving forward," "looking ahead," "years ahead," "subject to," "committed," "confident," "focus on," or "likely to," and similar expressions that concern the Company's outlook, strategies, plans, initiatives, intentions or beliefs about future occurrences or results. These matters involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may change at any time and may cause actual results to differ materially from those 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 and estimates that the Company believes are reasonable. However, it is very difficult to predict the effect of known factors on 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 as a result of new information, future events or circumstances, or otherwise, 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 (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America's neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of August 2, 2024, the Company's 20,345 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from our high-quality private brands alongside many of the world's most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
|||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|||||||||
(In thousands) |
|||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||
August 2, |
August 4, |
February 2, |
|||||||
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
|||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
1,222,691 |
$ |
353,018 |
$ |
537,283 |
|||
Merchandise inventories |
7,000,569 |
7,531,459 |
6,994,266 |
||||||
Income taxes receivable |
61,495 |
151,730 |
112,262 |
||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
439,487 |
377,772 |
366,913 |
||||||
Total current assets |
8,724,242 |
8,413,979 |
8,010,724 |
||||||
Net property and equipment |
6,269,480 |
5,624,129 |
6,087,722 |
||||||
Operating lease assets |
11,220,287 |
10,755,172 |
11,098,228 |
||||||
Goodwill |
4,338,589 |
4,338,589 |
4,338,589 |
||||||
Other intangible assets, net |
1,199,700 |
1,199,700 |
1,199,700 |
||||||
Other assets, net |
61,467 |
63,988 |
60,628 |
||||||
Total assets |
$ |
31,813,765 |
$ |
30,395,557 |
$ |
30,795,591 |
|||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||
Current portion of long-term obligations |
$ |
769,194 |
$ |
- |
$ |
768,645 |
|||
Current portion of operating lease liabilities |
1,425,680 |
1,331,433 |
1,387,083 |
||||||
Accounts payable |
3,869,267 |
3,681,634 |
3,587,374 |
||||||
Accrued expenses and other |
1,064,845 |
1,013,594 |
971,890 |
||||||
Income taxes payable |
12,201 |
7,261 |
10,709 |
||||||
Total current liabilities |
7,141,187 |
6,033,922 |
6,725,701 |
||||||
Long-term obligations |
6,235,166 |
7,295,215 |
6,231,539 |
||||||
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
9,783,954 |
9,409,193 |
9,703,499 |
||||||
Deferred income taxes |
1,138,829 |
1,119,114 |
1,133,784 |
||||||
Other liabilities |
254,391 |
240,408 |
251,949 |
||||||
Total liabilities |
24,553,527 |
24,097,852 |
24,046,472 |
||||||
Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||
Shareholders' equity: | |||||||||
Preferred stock |
- |
- |
- |
||||||
Common stock |
192,423 |
192,039 |
192,206 |
||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
3,788,091 |
3,724,200 |
3,757,005 |
||||||
Retained earnings |
3,277,439 |
2,380,451 |
2,799,415 |
||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
2,285 |
1,015 |
493 |
||||||
Total shareholders' equity |
7,260,238 |
6,297,705 |
6,749,119 |
||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$ |
31,813,765 |
$ |
30,395,557 |
$ |
30,795,591 |
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
|||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income |
|||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) |
|||||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||||
For the Quarter Ended |
|||||||||||
August 2, |
% of Net |
August 4, |
% of Net |
||||||||
2024 |
Sales |
2023 |
Sales |
||||||||
Net sales |
$ |
10,210,361 |
100.00 |
% |
$ |
9,796,181 |
100.00 |
% |
|||
Cost of goods sold |
7,150,882 |
70.04 |
6,751,495 |
68.92 |
|||||||
Gross profit |
3,059,479 |
29.96 |
3,044,686 |
31.08 |
|||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
2,509,517 |
24.58 |
2,352,372 |
24.01 |
|||||||
Operating profit |
549,962 |
5.39 |
692,314 |
7.07 |
|||||||
Interest expense, net |
68,130 |
0.67 |
84,337 |
0.86 |
|||||||
Income before income taxes |
481,832 |
4.72 |
607,977 |
6.21 |
|||||||
Income tax expense |
107,642 |
1.05 |
139,142 |
1.42 |
|||||||
Net income |
$ |
374,190 |
3.66 |
% |
$ |
468,835 |
4.79 |
% |
|||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
Basic |
$ |
1.70 |
$ |
2.14 |
|||||||
Diluted |
$ |
1.70 |
$ |
2.13 |
|||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
Basic |
219,904 |
219,403 |
|||||||||
Diluted |
220,065 |
219,952 |
|||||||||
For the 26 Weeks Ended |
|||||||||||
August 2, |
% of Net |
August 4, |
% of Net |
||||||||
2024 |
Sales |
2023 |
Sales |
||||||||
Net sales |
$ |
20,124,382 |
100.00 |
% |
$ |
19,139,013 |
100.00 |
% |
|||
Cost of goods sold |
14,072,754 |
69.93 |
13,138,853 |
68.65 |
|||||||
Gross profit |
6,051,628 |
30.07 |
6,000,160 |
31.35 |
|||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
4,955,562 |
24.62 |
4,566,988 |
23.86 |
|||||||
Operating profit |
1,096,066 |
5.45 |
1,433,172 |
7.49 |
|||||||
Interest expense, net |
140,563 |
0.70 |
167,375 |
0.87 |
|||||||
Income before income taxes |
955,503 |
4.75 |
1,265,797 |
6.61 |
|||||||
Income tax expense |
217,996 |
1.08 |
282,582 |
1.48 |
|||||||
Net income |
$ |
737,507 |
3.66 |
% |
$ |
983,215 |
5.14 |
% |
|||
Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
Basic |
$ |
3.35 |
$ |
4.48 |
|||||||
Diluted |
$ |
3.35 |
$ |
4.47 |
|||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||
Basic |
219,826 |
219,298 |
|||||||||
Diluted |
220,059 |
220,029 |
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
||||||||
(In thousands) |
||||||||
(Unaudited) |
||||||||
For the 26 Weeks Ended |
||||||||
August 2, |
August 4, |
|||||||
2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net income |
$ |
737,507 |
$ |
983,215 |
||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
471,079 |
410,287 |
||||||
Deferred income taxes |
5,045 |
58,147 |
||||||
Noncash share-based compensation |
34,641 |
33,893 |
||||||
Other noncash (gains) and losses |
39,876 |
57,367 |
||||||
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Merchandise inventories |
(23,369 |
) |
(817,001 |
) |
||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(75,427 |
) |
(78,358 |
) |
||||
Accounts payable |
306,290 |
107,810 |
||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
109,762 |
(12,438 |
) |
|||||
Income taxes |
52,259 |
(17,613 |
) |
|||||
Other |
(4,934 |
) |
1,412 |
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
1,652,729 |
726,721 |
||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(695,683 |
) |
(767,935 |
) |
||||
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment |
1,525 |
3,234 |
||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
(694,158 |
) |
(764,701 |
) |
||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Issuance of long-term obligations |
- |
1,498,260 |
||||||
Repayments of long-term obligations |
(10,341 |
) |
(8,843 |
) |
||||
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper outstanding |
- |
(1,205,400 |
) |
|||||
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities |
- |
500,000 |
||||||
Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities |
- |
(500,000 |
) |
|||||
Costs associated with issuance of debt |
- |
(12,448 |
) |
|||||
Payments of cash dividends |
(259,482 |
) |
(258,885 |
) |
||||
Other equity and related transactions |
(3,340 |
) |
(3,262 |
) |
||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(273,163 |
) |
9,422 |
|||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
685,408 |
(28,558 |
) |
|||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
537,283 |
381,576 |
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ |
1,222,691 |
$ |
353,018 |
||||
Supplemental cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid for: | ||||||||
Interest |
$ |
167,463 |
$ |
177,063 |
||||
Income taxes |
$ |
159,145 |
$ |
242,052 |
||||
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities |
$ |
842,846 |
$ |
745,786 |
||||
Purchases of property and equipment awaiting processing for payment, included in Accounts payable |
$ |
123,740 |
$ |
171,527 |
DOLLAR GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
|||||||||
Selected Additional Information |
|||||||||
(Unaudited) |
|||||||||
Sales by Category (in thousands) |
|||||||||
For the Quarter Ended |
|||||||||
August 2, |
August 4, |
||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
% Change |
|||||||
Consumables |
$ |
8,397,217 |
$ |
7,921,622 |
6.0 |
% |
|||
Seasonal |
1,054,762 |
1,076,161 |
-2.0 |
% |
|||||
Home products |
480,223 |
516,645 |
-7.0 |
% |
|||||
Apparel |
278,159 |
281,753 |
-1.3 |
% |
|||||
Net sales |
$ |
10,210,361 |
$ |
9,796,181 |
4.2 |
% |
|||
For the 26 Weeks Ended |
|||||||||
August 2, |
August 4, |
||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
% Change |
|||||||
Consumables |
$ |
16,608,067 |
$ |
15,504,504 |
7.1 |
% |
|||
Seasonal |
2,018,276 |
2,038,842 |
-1.0 |
% |
|||||
Home products |
959,014 |
1,047,834 |
-8.5 |
% |
|||||
Apparel |
539,025 |
547,833 |
-1.6 |
% |
|||||
Net sales |
$ |
20,124,382 |
$ |
19,139,013 |
5.1 |
% |
|||
Store Activity |
|||||||||
For the 26 Weeks Ended |
|||||||||
August 2, |
August 4, |
||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
||||||||
Beginning store count |
19,986 |
19,104 |
|||||||
New store openings |
410 |
427 |
|||||||
Store closings |
(51 |
) |
(43 |
) |
|||||
Net new stores |
359 |
384 |
|||||||
Ending store count |
20,345 |
19,488 |
|||||||
Total selling square footage (000's) |
154,478 |
146,422 |
|||||||
Growth rate (square footage) |
5.5 |
% |
5.9 |
% |
|||||
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828246761/en/
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Source: Dollar General Corporation