ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Ingles Markets, Incorporated (NASDAQ: IMKTA) today reported an overall increase in sales of 4.5% to $841.0 million for its first fiscal quarter ended December 26, 2009. For the December 2009 quarter, net income totaled $6.0 million compared with net income of $11.1 million for the quarter ended December 2008.
Commenting on the results, Robert P. Ingle, chief executive officer, said, Were pleased with the growth in sales and the number of customer visits. The current operating environment is very competitive and thats had an effect on our bottom line.
Financial Results
Net sales totaled $841.0 million for the quarter ended December 26, 2009, compared with $804.9 million for the comparable quarter ended December 2008. Comparable store sales increased $26.5 million, or 3.4%. Excluding gasoline sales, comparable store sales increased $5.6 million, or 0.8%. Price deflation in many staple items and the continued recession has affected non-gasoline sales growth. Average weekly customer visits increased by 11.6%, but the average purchase amount decreased 9.8% when comparing the December 2009 and December 2008 quarters.
Gross profit for the three-month period ended December 26, 2009, decreased $0.3 million to $185.3 million, or 22.0% of sales, compared to $185.6 million, or 23.1% of sales, for the three-month period ended December 27, 2008.
Grocery segment gross profit as a percentage of total sales was affected by lower margins on gasoline, competitive factors and by the effect of price deflation on certain of the Companys products. The Companys emphasis on sales growth, market share and customer satisfaction has affected its prices and margins. Comparing the December 2009 and 2008 quarters, per-gallon gasoline prices were higher, but margins were lower. Excluding gasoline sales, grocery segment gross profit as a percentage of sales was relatively constant at 25.0% for the three months ended December 26, 2009, compared with 24.9% for the three months ended December 27, 2008.
Total operating expenses were $160.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared with $156.3 million for the comparable fiscal 2009 quarter. Excluding gasoline sales and associated operating expenses, operating and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales, were 21.7% and 21.5% for the three months ended December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, respectively. The growth in operating expenses was comprised primarily of increases in depreciation, insurance, and payroll arising from stores opened or remodeled since the first quarter of last year.
Net rental income, losses on asset disposals and other income totaled $0.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared with $1.9 million for the 2009 first fiscal quarter, primarily due to the lower rental income and lower income from sales of scrap cardboard and packaging materials. Asset disposal transactions were insignificant for the comparative fiscal quarters.
Interest expense increased $3.2 million for the three-month period ended December 26, 2009, to $16.2 million from $13.0 million for the three-month period ended December 27, 2008. Total debt at December 26, 2009, was $841.7 million compared to $753.4 million at December 27, 2008. The increases in interest expense and total debt were due to the Companys comprehensive refinancing that took place in May 2009. This refinancing included the issuance of $575 million principal amount of senior notes due in 2017, the repayment of certain debt outstanding at the time of the issuance, and an increase in cash reserves. The Company currently has lines of credit totaling $185.0 million, with no amounts borrowed at December 26, 2009. Cash on hand totaled $50.2 million at December 26, 2009. The Company believes its financial resources, including these lines of credit and other internal and anticipated external sources of funds, will be sufficient to meet planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.
Net income for the December 2009 quarter totaled $6.0 million compared with net income of $11.1 million for the December 2008 quarter. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the Companys publicly traded Class A common stock were $0.26 and $0.25 per share, respectively, for the December 2009 quarter compared with $0.47 and $0.45 per share, respectively, for the December 2008 quarter.
Capital expenditures totaled $17.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. During the first quarter, Ingles opened one new and one remodeled store. Following a period of increased store development in fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the Company is being more cautious in its development plans until economic conditions improve. The Companys capital expenditure plans for fiscal year 2010 include investments of approximately $120 million to $150 million. At the present time, the Company intends to open seven new, replacement or remodeled stores and add approximately four new fuel stations at either new or existing stores during the remainder of fiscal 2010.
Source: Ingles Markets, Inc.