U.S. And Global Comparable Store Sales Increase For Starbucks

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) reported financial results for its 13-week fiscal fourth quarter and 52-week fiscal year ended October 2, 2011. These results include the impact of non-routine gains related to the sale of corporate real estate and the acquisition of the company’s joint venture operations in Switzerland and Austria. The comparable prior-year periods included 14 and 53 weeks, respectively, as fiscal 2010 contained an extra week. In addition, fiscal 2010 results also included the impact of restructuring charges. A reconciliation of select GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures is available at the end of this document.

“Fiscal 2011 was an extraordinary year in which Starbucks reported record earnings every quarter, and for the full year, and very strong comp store sales growth all around the world”

Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights:

• EPS increased 27% to $0.47 in Q4 FY11, including $0.10 attributable to non-routine gains, compared to $0.37 per share in Q4 FY10, which included approximately $0.05 related to the extra week
  • EPS increased 16% to a record $0.37 from $0.32 per share, excluding the non-routine gains in Q4 FY11, and the impact of restructuring and the extra week in Q4 FY10
• Total net revenues reached a record $3.0 billion, an increase of 7% from the 14-week period in FY10, and an increase of approximately 15% on a comparative 13-week basis
• Global comparable store sales increased 9% on a comparative 13-week basis, driven by a 6% increase in traffic and a 3% increase in average ticket
• Consolidated operating margin reached 14.8%, up 70 basis points over the prior-year period’s GAAP results
  • Operating margin expanded 60 basis points to 13.8% from 13.2% on a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the non-routine gain in Q4 FY11 and the impact of restructuring and the extra week in Q4 FY10
• The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share, a 31% increase from $0.13 per share
• The Board also authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 20 million shares of the company’s common stock

Full-Year 2011 Highlights:

• EPS increased 31% to $1.62 in FY11, including $0.10 attributable to non-routine gains, compared to $1.24 per share in FY10
  • EPS increased 24% to a record $1.52 from $1.23 per share, excluding the non-routine gains in Q4 FY11, and the impact of restructuring and the extra week in Q4 FY10
• Total net revenues reached a record $11.7 billion, an increase of 9% from the 53-week period in FY10, and an increase of approximately 11% on a comparative 52-week basis
• Global comparable store sales increased 8% on a comparative 52-week basis, driven by a 6% increase in traffic and a 2% increase in average ticket
• Consolidated operating margin reached 14.8%, up 150 basis points over the prior-year period’s GAAP results
  • Consolidated operating margin increased 100 basis points to 14.5% from 13.5% on a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the non-routine gains in FY11 and the impact of restructuring and the extra week in FY10
  • U.S. operating margin improved 230 basis points to a record 19.4% on a GAAP basis; U.S. operating margin improved 220 basis points excluding the impact of restructuring and the extra week in FY10
  • International operating margin improved 350 basis points to a record 13.3% on a GAAP basis; International operating margin improved 270 basis points excluding the impact of restructuring and the extra week in FY10
  • Global CPG operating margin was 31.7%
• Operating cash flow totaled $1.6 billion; Free cash flow of $1.1 billion
• Starbucks returned approximately $945 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends, more than doubling the amount returned in FY10

“Fiscal 2011 was an extraordinary year in which Starbucks reported record earnings every quarter, and for the full year, and very strong comp store sales growth all around the world,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo. “Starbucks today is executing in all markets and across all channels, and we have never been better positioned to go hard and go fast after the tremendous opportunity that lies ahead in 2012 and beyond,” Schultz added.

"The record results we reported today for the fourth quarter and the full fiscal year are a testament to the overall health and strength of our global business,” commented Troy Alstead, cfo. “The momentum we have built throughout the year continued in the fourth quarter, with the strength of same store sales growth demonstrating that our product innovation and overall store experience are resonating extremely well with our customers. As a result of the strong finish to fiscal 2011, Starbucks entered the new fiscal year well positioned to continue pursuing significant profitable growth opportunities.”

Consolidated net revenues were a record $3.0 billion in Q4 FY11, an increase of 7% over Q4 FY10. Excluding the impact of the extra week in Q4 FY10, consolidated net revenues increased approximately 15% in Q4 FY11. The increase was primarily due to a 9% increase in global comparable stores sales, growth in CPG revenues and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange. The 9% increase in comparable store sales was comprised of a 6% increase in the number of transactions and a 3% increase in average ticket.

Consolidated operating income increased to $448.3 million in Q4 FY11, compared to $399.3 million for the same period a year ago. Operating margin expanded 70 basis points to 14.8% in Q4 FY11 compared to 14.1% in the prior-year period. Excluding the non-routine gain in Q4 FY11 and the impact of restructuring and the extra week in Q4 FY10, operating margin expanded 60 basis points to 13.8% from 13.2%. This improvement was primarily due to increased sales leverage, partially offset by higher commodity costs. The increase in commodity costs, primarily coffee, negatively impacted operating margin in the quarter by approximately 290 basis points and EPS by $0.07.

U.S. net revenues were $2.0 billion in Q4 FY11, an increase of 3% over Q4 FY10. Excluding the impact of the extra week in Q4 FY10, U.S. net revenues increased approximately 11% in Q4 FY11. The increase was primarily due to a 10% increase in comparable store sales. The 10% increase in comparable stores sales was comprised of a 7% increase in the number of transactions and a 3% increase in average ticket.

U.S. operating income increased to $374.2 million in Q4 FY11, compared to $342.2 million for the same period a year ago. Operating margin expanded 110 basis points to 18.4% in Q4 FY11 compared to 17.3% in the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges and the extra week in Q4 FY10, operating margin expanded 210 basis points to 18.4% from 16.3%. The improvement was primarily due to increased sales leverage, partially offset by higher coffee costs.

International net revenues were a record $717.9 million in Q4 FY11, an increase of 16% over Q4 FY10. Excluding the impact of the extra week in Q4 FY10, International net revenues increased approximately 25% in Q4 FY11. The increase was due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange, a 6% increase in comparable store sales, and the consolidation of the Switzerland and Austria markets. The 6% increase in comparable stores sales was the result of a 5% increase in the number of transactions.

International operating income increased to $93.0 million in Q4 FY11, compared to $85.7 million for the same period a year ago. Operating margin was 13.0% in Q4 FY11 compared to 13.8% in the prior-year period. Excluding the impact of restructuring charges and the extra week in Q4 FY10, operating margin contracted 40 basis points to 13.0% from 13.4%. The margin contraction was primarily driven by higher coffee costs, partially offset by sales leverage.

CPG net revenues were a record $242.2 million in Q4 FY11, an increase of 20% over Q4 FY10. Excluding the impact of the extra week in Q4 FY10, CPG net revenues increased approximately 31% in Q4 FY11. The increase was primarily due to the benefit of recognizing the full revenue from packaged coffee and tea sales under the direct distribution model.

CPG operating income was $76.1 million in Q4 FY11 compared to $79.3 million for the same period a year ago. Operating margin was 31.4% in Q4 FY11 compared to 39.4% in the prior-year period. The margin contraction was primarily due to higher coffee costs.

Consolidated net revenues were a record $11.7 billion in FY11, an increase of 9% over FY10. Excluding the impact of the extra week in FY10, consolidated net revenues increased approximately 11% in FY11. The increase was primarily due to an 8% increase in global comparable stores sales and growth in CPG revenues. The 8% increase in comparable store sales was comprised of a 6% increase in the number of transactions and a 2% increase in average ticket.

Consolidated operating income was $1.7 billion in FY11, compared to $1.4 billion in FY10. Operating margin expanded 150 basis points to 14.8% in FY11 compared to 13.3% in FY10. Excluding the non-routine gain in FY11 and the impact of restructuring charges and the extra week in FY10, operating margin expanded 100 basis points to 14.5% from 13.5%. This improvement was primarily due to sales leverage, partially offset by higher commodity costs. The increase in commodity costs, primarily coffee, negatively impacted operating margin in the year by approximately 220 basis points and EPS by $0.20.

Fiscal 2012 Targets

Starbucks has updated its fiscal 2012 targets as follows:

• Starbucks continues to plan accelerated growth through the opening of approximately 800 net new stores globally. Based on the new business segment organization structure effective in fiscal 2012, the company is now targeting store openings by region as follows:
  • Approximately 400 net new stores in the Americas, with licensed stores comprising approximately one-half of the new additions
  • Approximately 100 net new stores in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Russia and Africa), with licensed stores comprising approximately two-thirds of the new stores
  • Approximately 300 net new stores in China and Asia Pacific, with licensed stores comprising approximately two-thirds of the new additions. One-half of the China and Asia Pacific new stores are planned for China.
• The company continues to target approximately 10% revenue growth, driven by mid-single-digit comparable store sales growth, 800 net new store openings, and strong growth in the CPG business.
• Starbucks is maintaining its full-year operating margin improvement target of 50 to 100 basis points over FY11 non-GAAP results on a consolidated basis.
• The company continues to expect commodity costs will add approximately $0.21 per share of cost pressure to FY12. Of that $0.21, $0.18 is expected to impact the first half of FY12, and $0.03 is expeted to impact the second half of the year.
• The company expects earnings per share of $1.75 to $1.82, representing 15% to 20% growth over the $1.52 EPS in FY11, excluding the non-routine gains, and consistent with its long-term outlook. Given the expected distribution of the unfavorable commodity cost impact throughout the year, EPS growth is expected to be approximately 5% in the first half of FY12, and approximately 25% in the second half of FY12.
• The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 33%.
• Capital expenditures are now expected to be in the range of approximately $800 million to $900 million for the full year, reflecting additional investments in store renovations and in manufacturing capacity.

Company Updates

• The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share, a 31% increase from $0.13 per share, payable on December 2, 2011 to shareholders of record as of November 17, 2011
• The Board also authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 20 million shares of the company’s common stock. This authorization is in addition to approximately 4.4 million shares that remain available for repurchase under previous authorizations.
• In July, Starbucks announced a new leadership structure to accelerate global growth in fiscal 2012 and beyond, moving to a three-region organizational structure for its retail businesses: the Americas, China and Asia Pacific, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Russia and Africa), effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2012.
• In July, the company announced that it had acquired full ownership of its retail operations in Switzerland and Austria, further leveraging its existing EMEA company-operated store infrastructure. The gain resulting from the transaction was recorded in Q4 FY11, and is reported within Interest income and other.

Segment Results

The tables below present reportable segment results net of intersegment eliminations (in millions):

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