Burlington Stores announced its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 30, 2016. Q4 comparable store sales increased 0.1%, which follows a comparable store sales increase of 6.7% in Q4 2014.
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Comparable store sales excluding cold weather categories increased 4.0% vs. last year.
Net sales increased 3.7%, or $55.4 million, to $1,540.8 million. This increase includes the 0.1% increase in comparable store sales, as well as an increase of $58.3 million from new and non-comparable stores.
Gross margin declined by 120 basis points to 41.0% during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2015, driven by increased shrink and markdown expense. During the quarter, product sourcing costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), were roughly flat to last year as a percentage of net sales.
SG&A, less product sourcing costs and adjustments consistent with our definition of Adjusted Net Income, as a percentage of net sales was 23.3%, which represented an approximate 100 basis points of improvement compared with the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2014. This improvement was primarily driven by a reduction in incentive compensation and worker’s compensation and general liability insurance, partially offset by an increase in stock based compensation.
Other revenue/Other income decreased $6.7 million from last year to $9.6 million, driven by a reduction in income from third party fragrance sales within our stores as the Company transitions to an owned category. In addition, the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2014 included a favorable $3.2 million one-time legal settlement.
Adjusted EBITDA declined 0.2%, or $0.5 million, to $224.7 million. Gross margin contraction and a reduction of Other revenue/Other income, partially offset by sales growth and the improvement in SG&A as a percentage of net sales contributed to a 60 basis point decrease in Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales.
Depreciation and amortization expense, exclusive of net favorable lease amortization, increased $2.0 million to $38.9 million.
Interest expense improved $0.2 million to $14.8 million from last year, driven by interest savings realized as a result of our term loan debt repayments since January 31, 2015, offset by increased borrowings on our ABL.
Adjusted tax expense was $61.6 million compared to $64.3 million last year. The adjusted effective tax rate was 36.0% vs. 37.1% last year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was the result of an increase in federal hiring credits and a decrease in state tax rate.
Adjusted Net Income increased 0.3% to $109.3 million, or $1.49 per share vs. $1.43 per share last year. Fully diluted shares outstanding were 73.4 million at the end of the quarter compared with 76.3 million outstanding last year.
Fiscal 2015 Operating Results (for the 52 week period ended January 30, 2016 compared with the 52 week period ended January 31, 2015):
Comparable store sales increased 2.1% following a 4.9% increase in Fiscal 2014.
Net sales increased 5.9%, or $284.4 million, to $5,098.9 million. This increase includes the 2.1% increase in comparable store sales, as well as an increase of $198.2 million from new and non-comparable stores.
Gross margin expanded by 30 basis points to 40.0% from 39.7%. This improvement was due to a reduction in markdown rate, which offset an approximate 30 basis point increase in product sourcing costs that are included in SG&A.
SG&A, less product sourcing costs and adjustments consistent with our definition of Adjusted Net Income, as a percentage of net sales was 26.7% vs. 27.2% last year.
The 50 basis point improvement was driven by a reduction of incentive compensation, store payroll and advertising, partially offset by an increase in stock based compensation.
Other Revenue/Other Income decreased $9.1 million from last year to $36.8 million, driven by a reduction in income from third party fragrance sales within our stores as the Company transitions to an owned category. In addition, Fiscal 2014 included a favorable $3.2 million one-time legal settlement.
Adjusted EBITDA improved 8.0%, or $36.0 million, to $484.0 million. The 20 basis point expansion in Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of net sales was driven by sales growth coupled with a decrease in SG&A as a percentage of sales, partially offset by a decline in Other revenue/Other income.
Depreciation and amortization expense, exclusive of net favorable lease amortization, increased $6.3 million to $148.0 million.
Interest Expense improved $24.7 million to $59.0 million from last year, driven by interest savings realized as a result of the 2014 term loan refinancing and debt repayments since January 31, 2015.
Adjusted tax expense was $102.5 million compared with $84.2 million last year. The adjusted effective tax rate was 37.0% vs. 37.8% last year. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by a decrease in state tax rate.
Adjusted Net Income increased 26% to $174.6 million vs. $138.6 million last year, or $2.31 per share vs. $1.83 per share last year. Fully diluted shares outstanding were 75.4 million vs. 75.9 million shares last year. ■