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Nordstrom Reports 2008 Second Quarter Earnings Per Share of 65 Cents

SEATTLE, Aug. 14, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today reported net earnings of $143 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended August 2, 2008. For the same quarter last year, Nordstrom reported net earnings of $180 million and earnings per diluted share of $0.71.

Total sales in the second quarter were $2.29 billion, a decrease of 4.3 percent compared to sales of $2.39 billion during the same period in fiscal 2007. Second quarter same-store sales decreased 6.0 percent.

Second Quarter Highlights

The recently ended quarter is the second largest of the year for Nordstrom, with three of the company's five annual sales events held during the second quarter. Second quarter earnings per share decreased 8.5 percent, mainly due to lower sales and higher levels of discounts in the quarter. Second quarter highlights include:

-- Nordstrom Inc. same-store sales decreased 6.0 percent for the quarter, within the company's planned 5 to 7 percent same-store sales decline. Results in full-line stores continued to be challenging, as same-store sales decreased 9.0 percent in the quarter. Nordstrom Rack continued its multi-year run of strong sales growth, with same-same store sales increasing 6.3 percent for the quarter. Sales for Nordstrom Direct were also strong, increasing 14.6 percent in the quarter.

-- Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, decreased 168 basis points compared to last year's second quarter. Although inventories remained in line with plan, the overall operating environment was challenging and highly promotional. Quarter-end inventory per square foot was down 12.8 percent from the prior year. Approximately 3 percent of the decline was due to the company's sale of Faconnable in the third quarter of 2007.

-- Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 5 percent, or $32 million, compared to last year's second quarter as we continue to execute against the revised expense plan we shared in the first quarter. The decrease in expense from last year was driven by this continued focus on controlling expenses and reduced incentives tied to company performance.

-- In the second quarter of 2008, Nordstrom repurchased 1.5 million shares of stock totaling $50 million, with an average price of $32.42. Second quarter share repurchases had a minimal impact on second quarter earnings per diluted share.

Expansion Update

In the third quarter of 2008, Nordstrom plans to open three full-line stores:

-- On September 5, 2008, a 138,000 square-foot store at The Oaks Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks, Calif.;

-- On September 19, 2008, a 131,000-square-foot store at Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis, Ind.;

-- On October 24, 2008, a 138,000-square foot-store at Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh, Pa.

On October 3, 2008, Nordstrom plans to relocate and open a new full-line store at the Tacoma Mall in Tacoma, Wash. In the third quarter of 2008, Nordstrom also plans to open four new Rack stores at City Center Shopping Center in White Plains, N.Y., the Laguna Hills Mall in Laguna Hills, Calif., the Springbrook Prairie Pavilion in Naperville, Ill., and Legacy Village Shopping Center in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

Fiscal Year 2008 Outlook

Based on the current operating environment, the company has reviewed its outlook for the second half of the year. For the full year, gross profit margin is expected to be 110 to 140 basis points lower than fiscal 2007, down from the previously announced 60 to 90 basis point decrease. As a result, the company anticipates earnings per diluted share for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009, to be in the range of $2.55 to $2.65, decreased from the previously announced range of $2.65 to $2.80. All other assumptions remain unchanged from the outlook shared at the end of the first quarter. The company's expectations for fiscal year 2008 are as follows:



                                              Fiscal 2008
                                             ------------
    Same-store Sales                       4% to 6% decrease
    Gross Profit (%)                       110 to 140 basis point decrease
    Selling, General and
     Admin. Expense (%)                    25 to 60 basis point increase
    Interest Expense, net                  $55 to $60 million increase
    Finance Charges and
     Other, net                            $30 to $40 million increase
    Effective Tax Rate                     39.0%
    Earnings per Diluted Share             $2.55 to $2.65
    Diluted Shares Outstanding             220 million



    Third Quarter 2008 Outlook

For the third quarter of 2008, earnings per diluted share are expected in the range of $0.49 to $0.54, based on the company's plan of 4 to 6 percent same-store sales decline.

Conference Call Information:

The company's senior management will host a conference call to discuss second quarter results at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today. To listen, please dial 888-820-8951 or 210-234-0001 (passcode: NORD). A telephone replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call by dialing 866-463-4105 or 203-369-1381 until the close of business on August 21, 2008. Interested parties may also listen to the live call over the Internet by visiting the Investor Relations section of the company's corporate Web site at http://investor.nordstrom.com. An archived webcast will be available at this location in the Webcasts section until the close of business on November 13, 2008.

Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 159 U.S. stores located in 28 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 105 full-line stores, 50 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques, and two clearance stores. In addition, Nordstrom serves customers through its online presence at http://www.nordstrom.com and through its catalogs. Nordstrom, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking" information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including anticipated results for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2009 and its third quarter, anticipated quarterly and annual same-store sales rate, anticipated store openings and trends in company operations. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or current expectations depending upon factors including, but not limited to the impact of economic and market conditions and the resultant impact on consumer spending patterns, the company's ability to respond to the business environment and fashion trends, the competitive pricing environment within the retail sector, effective inventory management, successful execution of the company's store growth strategy including the timely completion of construction associated with newly planned stores, relocations, and remodels, the effectiveness of planned advertising, marketing, and promotional campaigns, the company's compliance with applicable banking and related laws and regulations impacting the company's ability to extend credit to its customers, the company's compliance with information security and privacy laws and regulations, employment laws and regulations and other laws and regulations applicable to the company, successful execution of the company's multi-channel strategy, the company's ability to safeguard its brand and reputation, efficient and proper allocation of the company's capital resources, successful execution of the company's technology strategy, trends in personal bankruptcies and bad debt write-offs, changes in interest rates, the company's ability to maintain its relationships with company employees and to effectively train and develop its future leaders, the company's ability to control costs, risks related to fluctuations in world currencies, weather conditions and hazards of nature that affect consumer traffic and consumers' purchasing patterns, and the timing and amounts of share repurchases by the company. Our SEC reports, including our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008, contain other information on these and other factors that could affect our financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information we may provide. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances.

     INVESTOR CONTACT:   Chris Holloway
                         Nordstrom, Inc.
                         (206) 303-3290

     MEDIA CONTACT:      Michael Boyd
                         Nordstrom, Inc.
                         (206) 373-3038



                               NORDSTROM, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - 2nd Quarter
             ---------------------------------------------------
   (unaudited; amounts in millions, except per share data and percentages)

                           Quarter   % of sales(1)   Quarter    % of sales(1)
                             ended    (except as      ended      (except as
                            8/2/08     indicated)     8/4/07      indicated)
                          ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

    Net sales               $2,287       100.0%       $2,390       100.0%
    Cost of sales and
     related buying
     & occupancy costs      (1,488)      (65.0%)      (1,514)      (63.4%)
                          ----------                ----------
    Gross profit               799        35.0%          876        36.6%
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses  (604)      (26.4%)        (636)      (26.6%)
    Finance charges and
     other, net                 74         3.2%           70         2.9%
                          ----------                ----------
    Earnings before interest
     and income taxes          269        11.8%          310        13.0%
    Interest expense, net      (34)       (1.5%)         (17)       (0.7%)
                          ----------                ----------
    Earnings before income
     taxes                     235        10.3%          293        12.3%
    Income tax expense        (92)       (39.2%)(2)     (113)      (38.4%)(2)
                          ----------                ----------
    Net earnings              $143         6.3%         $180         7.6%
                          ==========                ==========
    Earnings per share
      Basic                  $0.66                     $0.72
      Diluted                $0.65                     $0.71

    ADDITIONAL DATA
    Weighted average
     shares outstanding
      Basic                  216.5                     251.0
      Diluted                219.5                     255.4


    (1) Subtotals and totals may not foot due to rounding.
    (2) Percent of earnings before income taxes.



                               NORDSTROM, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - Year-to-Date
             ----------------------------------------------------
   (unaudited; amounts in millions, except per share data and percentages)

                          Six Months  % of sales(1) Six Months  % of sales(1)
                            ended     (except as      ended     (except as
                            8/2/08     indicated)     8/4/07     indicated)
                          ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

    Net sales               $4,166       100.0%       $4,344       100.0%
    Cost of sales and
     related buying
     & occupancy costs      (2,667)      (64.0%)      (2,729)      (62.8%)
                          ----------                ----------
    Gross profit             1,499        36.0%        1,615        37.2%
    Selling, general
     and administrative
     expenses               (1,149)      (27.6%)      (1,170)      (26.9%)
    Finance charges
     and other, net            146         3.5%          126         2.9%
                          ----------                ----------
    Earnings before
     interest and income
     taxes                     496        11.9%          571        13.1%
    Interest expense, net      (65)       (1.6%)         (24)       (0.6%)
                          ----------                ----------
    Earnings before income
     taxes                     431        10.4%          547        12.6%
    Income tax expense        (169)      (39.2%)(2)     (210)      (38.3%)(2)
                          ----------                ----------
    Net earnings              $262         6.3%         $337         7.8%
                          ==========                ==========
    Earnings per share
      Basic                  $1.21                     $1.33
      Diluted                $1.19                     $1.30

    ADDITIONAL DATA
    Weighted average
     shares outstanding
      Basic                  217.6                     254.5
      Diluted                220.6                     259.1

    (1) Subtotals and totals may not foot due to rounding.
    (2) Percent of earnings before income taxes.



                               NORDSTROM, INC.
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        -----------------------------
                      (unaudited; amounts in millions)


                                     8/2/08          2/2/08        8/4/07
                                    --------        --------      --------

    Assets
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents         $92            $358          $179
      Accounts receivable, net        2,045           1,788         1,803
      Merchandise inventories         1,000             956         1,053
      Current deferred tax assets,
       net                              196             181           178
      Prepaid expenses and other         65              78            66
      Assets held for sale                -               -           229
                                    --------        --------      --------
    Total current assets              3,398           3,361         3,508
    Land, buildings and equipment,
     net                              2,139           1,983         1,823
    Goodwill                             53              53            53
    Other assets                        219             203           182
                                    --------        --------      --------
    Total assets                     $5,809          $5,600        $5,566
                                    ========        ========      ========

    Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity
    Current liabilities:
      Commercial paper                  $79             $ -           $ -
      Accounts payable                  724             556           777
      Accrued salaries, wages and
       related benefits                 226             268           217
      Other current liabilities         492             492           439
      Income taxes payable               22              58            80
      Current portion of long-term
       debt                             260             261             8
      Liabilities related to assets
       held for sale                      -               -            40
                                    --------        --------      --------
    Total current liabilities         1,803           1,635         1,561
    Long-term debt, net               2,234           2,236         1,492
    Deferred property incentives, net   399             369           357
    Other liabilities                   244             245           250
    Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock, no par value:
       1,000 shares authorized;
       215.6, 220.9, and 247.5
       shares issued and outstanding    969             936           892
      Retained earnings                 181             201         1,025
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       loss                             (21)            (22)          (11)
                                    --------        --------      --------
    Total shareholders' equity        1,129           1,115         1,906
                                    --------        --------      --------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity            $5,809          $5,600        $5,566
                                    ========        ========      ========



                               NORDSTROM, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                   ---------------------------------------
                      (unaudited; amounts in millions)
                                                    Six Months     Six Months
                                                       ended          ended
    Operating Activities                               8/2/08         8/4/07
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Net earnings                                        $262           $337
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
     cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization of buildings
       and equipment                                     146            137
      Amortization of deferred property incentives
       and other, net                                    (20)           (21)
      Stock-based compensation expense                    15             14
      Deferred income taxes, net                         (30)           (27)
      Tax benefit of stock-based payments                  2             18
      Excess tax benefit from stock-based payments        (2)           (17)
      Provision for bad debt expense                      56             42
      Change in operating assets and liabilities:
        Accounts receivable                             (138)        (1,073)
        Investment in asset backed securities              -            420
        Merchandise inventories                          (67)          (115)
        Prepaid expenses                                  12             (9)
        Other assets                                      (4)           (25)
        Accounts payable                                 161            136
        Accrued salaries, wages and related benefits     (42)          (114)
        Other current liabilities                          -              8
        Income taxes payable                             (35)            16
        Deferred property incentives                      57             26
        Other liabilities                                 (2)            (1)
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating
     activities                                          371           (248)
                                                     ----------     ----------

    Investing Activities

    Capital expenditures                                (295)          (222)
    Change in accounts receivable originated
     at third parties                                   (174)          (105)
    Proceeds from sale of assets                           -             12
    Other, net                                             1              4
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Net cash used in investing activities               (468)          (311)
                                                     ----------     ----------

    Financing Activities

    Proceeds from commercial paper                        79              -
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt               -          1,000
    Principal payments on long-term debt                  (3)          (152)
    Increase in cash book overdrafts                      44            102
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options                7             22
    Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan             9              9
    Excess tax benefit from stock-based payments           2             17
    Cash dividends paid                                  (70)           (70)
    Repurchase of common stock                          (238)          (590)
    Other, net                                             1             (3)
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing
     activities                                         (169)           335
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents           (266)          (224)
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     358            403
                                                     ----------     ----------
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period           $92           $179
                                                     ==========     ==========

    (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO)

SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc.
08/14/2008
CONTACT: INVESTORS, Chris Holloway, +1-206-303-3290, or MEDIA, Michael
Boyd, +1-206-373-3038, both of Nordstrom, Inc.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.nordstrom.com