Release Details

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 14, 2012-- The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX), the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide, today announced sales and earnings results for the second quarter ended July 28, 2012. Net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2013 increased 9% to $5.9 billion and consolidated comparable store sales increased 7%. Net income for the second quarter was $421 million and diluted earnings per share were $.56, a 24% increase over $.45 per share last year.

For the first half of Fiscal 2013, net sales were $11.7 billion, a 10% increase over last year, and consolidated comparable store sales increased 8% over the same period last year. Net income was $840 million, and diluted earnings per share were $1.11 compared to $.79 in the same period last year. Last year's results include a number of items (detailed under "Items Impacting Comparability" below) that impacted the comparability of earnings per share. Excluding these items, diluted earnings per share for the first six months of Fiscal 2013 increased 32% over the adjusted $.84 last year.

Carol Meyrowitz, Chief Executive Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, "We are extremely pleased that our strong momentum continued in the second quarter. Our 24% increase in earnings per share and 7% consolidated comparable store sales growth both significantly exceeded our original expectations, with every business posting excellent results. We are raising our full-year guidance to reflect our second quarter earnings per share. In addition, this marks the seventh consecutive year of very strong second quarter operating performance, which we believe demonstrates the sustainability of our sales and profit growth in both strong and weak economies. Customer traffic was up substantially at all divisions in the U.S., Canada and Europe and drove most of the comparable store sales increase, reflecting our on-point fashions and brands at great values. We are convinced that we will continue to attract more new and loyal customers in the U.S. and internationally with the power of our values, brand and fashion content, and wide customer demographic appeal. August is off to a strong start and we have many exciting opportunities for the second half of 2012. Our inventories are in excellent shape, we see a marketplace full of terrific brands and fashions, and we have great marketing campaigns and in-store initiatives planned. It's important to note that TJX is a company with a business model that enables us to succeed in most macro environments and, at the same time, has terrific growth potential. We are leveraging our four powerful divisions and have deep confidence in our ability to continue delivering profitable growth and high financial returns in the near and long term!"

Sales by Business Segment

The Company's comparable store sales and net sales by division, in the second quarter, were as follows:

¹Comparable store sales outside the U.S. calculated on a constant currency basis, which removes the effect of changes in currency exchange rates. ²Sales in Canada and Europe were impacted by foreign currency exchange rates. See below. ³Figures may not foot due to rounding. ⁴Combination of T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect the translation of sales and earnings of the Company's international businesses into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. In addition, ordinary-course inventory-related hedging instruments are marked to market at the end of each quarter. Changes in currency exchange rates affect the magnitude of these translations and adjustments, and can have a material impact when there is significant volatility in currency exchange rates.

The movement in foreign currency exchange rates had a one percentage point negative impact on consolidated net sales growth in the second quarter of Fiscal 2013 versus the prior year's second quarter. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates on earnings per share is discussed below under "Items Impacting Comparability."

A table detailing the impact of foreign currency on TJX pretax earnings and margins, as well as those of its international businesses, can be found in the Investor Information section of the Company's website, http://www.tjx.com.

Items Impacting Comparability

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2013 the earnings per share impact of foreign currency exchange rates was neutral, compared with a $.01 per share positive impact last year.

For the first six months of Fiscal 2013, comparability to the prior year was impacted by the A.J. Wright consolidation in Fiscal 2012, detailed in the table below:

*Figures do not foot due to rounding.

The first six months of Fiscal 2012 included first quarter costs associated with the A.J. Wright consolidation, primarily additional lease obligations for store closings and additional operating losses as well as the costs related to the conversion and grand re-opening of certain former A.J. Wright stores to T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods banners.

On a reported basis, diluted earnings per share for the first six months of Fiscal 2013 were $1.11 compared to $.79 last year. On an adjusted basis, excluding the items detailed above, diluted earnings per share for the first six months of Fiscal 2013 represented a 32% increase over last year's adjusted $.84.

For the first six months of Fiscal 2013, foreign currency exchange rates had a $.01 negative impact on earnings per share, the same as the $.01 per share negative impact during the same period last year.

Margins

For the second quarter of Fiscal 2013, the Company's consolidated pretax profit margin was 11.5%, up 1.3 percentage points over the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by merchandise margin improvement and expense leverage.

The gross profit margin for the second quarter of Fiscal 2013 was 28.1%, 0.8 percentage points above the prior year. Strong merchandise margin growth as well as buying and occupancy leverage on above-plan sales, partially offset by a negative impact from mark-to-market adjustments on the Company's inventory-related hedges, drove the favorability.

Selling, general and administrative costs as a percent of sales were 16.5% in the second quarter, a 0.4 percentage point improvement over the prior year's ratio of 16.9%, primarily driven by expense leverage on above-plan sales growth.

Inventory

Total inventories as of July 28, 2012, were $3.0 billion, compared with $3.4 billion at the end of the second quarter last year. Consolidated inventories on a per-store basis, including the distribution centers, at July 28, 2012, were down 12% (down 11% on a constant currency basis) versus being up 16% at the end of the second quarter last year. Further, the Company's store inventory turns were faster than the prior year during the quarter. The Company enters the third quarter with excellent inventory levels and is very well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities in the marketplace and continue shipping ever-changing merchandise selections to its stores.

Share Repurchases

During the second quarter, the Company spent a total of $300 million in repurchases of TJX stock, retiring 7.1 million shares. For the first half of Fiscal 2013, the Company has spent a total of $550 million in repurchases of TJX stock, retiring 13.6 million shares, and it continues to expect to repurchase approximately $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion of TJX stock in Fiscal 2013. The Company may adjust the amount of this spending up or down.

Third Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2013 Outlook

For the third quarter of Fiscal 2013, the Company expects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $.56 to $.59, which represents a 6% to 11% increase over $.53 per share last year. This outlook is based upon estimated consolidated comparable store sales growth of 2% to 4%.

As mentioned above, for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2013, the Company is raising its guidance for diluted earnings per share by $.01 to reflect the Company's second quarter earnings. The Company now expects diluted earnings per share for the full year, on a GAAP basis, to be in the range of $2.39 to $2.45, compared with $1.93 in Fiscal 2012. This guidance represents a 20% to 23% increase over the prior year's adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.99 (detailed below) and is based upon estimated consolidated comparable store sales growth of 4% to 5%.

The Company's full-year guidance includes an expected $.07 per share benefit from the 53^rd week in the Company's Fiscal 2013 calendar. Excluding this estimated benefit, this guidance represents a 17% to 20% increase over the prior year's adjusted earnings per share.

The Company's earnings guidance for the third quarter and full year Fiscal 2013 assumes that currency exchange rates will remain unchanged from current levels.

Stores by Concept

During the second quarter ended July 28, 2012, the Company increased its store count by a net of 32 stores. The Company increased its square footage by 4% over the same period last year.

About The TJX Companies, Inc.

The TJX Companies, Inc. is the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and worldwide. The Company operates 1,005 T.J. Maxx, 891 Marshalls, and 393 HomeGoods stores in the United States; 220 Winners, 87 HomeSense, and 12 Marshalls stores in Canada; and 338 T.K. Maxx and 24 HomeSense stores in Europe. TJX's press releases and financial information are also available at http://www.tjx.com.

Fiscal 2013 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call

At 11:00 a.m. ET today, Carol Meyrowitz, Chief Executive Officer of TJX, will hold a conference call with stock analysts to discuss the Company's second quarter Fiscal 2013 results, operations and business trends. A real-time webcast of the call will be available at http://www.tjx.com. A replay of the call will also be available by dialing (866) 367-5577 through Tuesday, August 21, 2012 or at http://www.tjx.com.

August Fiscal 2013 Sales Recorded Call

Additionally, the Company expects to release its August 2012 sales results on Thursday, August 30, 2012, at approximately 8:15 a.m. ET. Concurrent with that press release, a recorded message with more detailed information regarding TJX's August sales results, operations and business trends will be available at http://www.tjx.com, or by calling (703) 736-7248 through Thursday, September 6, 2012.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

The Company has used non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. The Company uses the term "reported" to refer to financial measures prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and the term "adjusted" to refer to non-GAAP financial information adjusted to exclude a number of identified items. The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted financial results provides additional information on comparisons between periods including underlying trends of its business by excluding certain items that affect overall comparability. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Important Information at Website

Archived versions of the Company's recorded messages and conference calls are available at the Investor Information section of http://www.tjx.com after they are no longer available by telephone as well as reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures, and other financial information. The Company routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the Investor Information section at http://www.tjx.com. The Company encourages investors to consult that section of its website regularly.

Forward-looking Statement

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995: Various statements made in this release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect or believe may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements: buying and inventory management; operational expansion and management of large size and scale; customer trends and preferences; market, banner, geographic and category expansion; marketing, advertising and promotional programs; competition; personnel recruitment and retention; global economic conditions and consumer spending; data security; information systems and technology; seasonal influences; adverse or unseasonable weather; serious disruptions and catastrophic events; corporate and banner reputation; merchandise quality and safety; international operations; merchandise importing; commodity pricing; foreign currency exchange rates; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; market expectations; acquisitions and divestitures; compliance with laws, regulations and orders; changes in laws and regulations; outcomes of litigation, legal matters and proceedings; tax matters; real estate leasing; cash flow and other factors that may be described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied in such statements will not be realized.

The TJX Companies, Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Statements

1. On January 5, 2012, TJX announced that its Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split of the Company's common stock in the form of a stock dividend, payable February 2, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 17, 2012. The stock split resulted in the issuance of 373 million shares of common stock. All historical per share amounts and references to common stock activity, as well as basic and diluted share amounts, have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split.
2. During the second quarter ended July 28, 2012, TJX repurchased 7.1 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $300 million. During the six months ended July 28, 2012, TJX repurchased 13.6 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $550 million, with $225 million under the $1 billion stock repurchase plan approved in February 2011, completing the plan, and $325 million under the $2 billion stock repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors early in fiscal 2013. TJX records the repurchase of its stock on a cash basis, and the amounts reflected in the financial statements may vary from the above amounts due to the timing of settlement of repurchases.
3. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, TJX's Board of Directors approved the consolidation of its A.J. Wright division whereby 90 A.J. Wright stores were converted into T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods stores and the remaining 72 stores, its two distribution centers and home office were closed. The majority of the costs to consolidate A.J. Wright were recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 but due to the timing of the store closings the additional closing costs (primarily lease related obligations) and additional operating losses were reported as a $49 million A.J. Wright segment loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. In addition, the first quarter of fiscal 2012 included costs related to the conversion of the 90 A.J. Wright stores to other banners (primarily store payroll and occupancy costs during the approximate eight to twelve-week period in which the stores were closed) and costs related to grand opening events when the stores re-opened. These costs totaled $20 million, with $17 million reflected in the Marmaxx segment and $3 million in the HomeGoods segment for the six months ended July 30, 2011.

Source: The TJX Companies, Inc.

The TJX Companies, Inc.
Sherry Lang
Senior Vice President
Global Communications
(508) 390-2323