May 24, 2012

Michaels Stores, Inc. Reports Record First Quarter Results

IRVING, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 05/24/12 -- Michaels Stores, Inc. (the "Company") today reported unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012.

Same-store sales increased 1.5% driven by a 2.5% increase in transactions, partly offset by a negative 0.9% impact in deferred custom framing revenue. The Company experienced its strongest sales increases for the quarter in painting and art supplies within our general and children's crafts department.

First Quarter Financial Highlights

  • Net sales increased 2.6% to $978 million from $953 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

  • Gross profit for the quarter increased 4.8% to $412 million; gross margin increased 90 basis points to 42.1%.

  • Operating income for the quarter increased 9.6% to $148 million, and as a percent of net sales increased 90 basis points to 15.1%.

  • Net income for the quarter increased 43.2% to $53 million, and as a percent of net sales increased 150 basis points to 5.4%.

  • The Company ended the first quarter with $385 million in cash, $3.49 billion in debt and approximately $494 million in availability under its revolving credit facility. Subsequent to quarter end, the Company redeemed $127 million of its 13% Subordinated Discount Notes.

  • Inventory at the end of the quarter was $874 million. Average Michaels store inventory, inclusive of distribution centers, was $786,000, an increase of 0.8% from last year's balance of $780,000.

  • The Company opened two and relocated six Michaels stores and closed four Aaron Brothers stores during the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss first quarter financial results at 8:00 a.m. Central time today. Those who wish to participate in the call may do so by dialing 866-425-6198, conference ID# 35706129. Due to the quiet period associated with our S-1 filing, there will not be a question and answer session at the end of the call. The conference call will also be webcast at www.michaels.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register and download any necessary audio software. The webcast will be accessible for 30 days after the call.

Michaels Stores, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator. As of May 23, 2012, the Company owns and operates 1,069 Michaels stores in 49 states and Canada, and 130 Aaron Brothers stores.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Any statements contained herein (including, but not limited to, statements to the effect that the Company or its management "plans," "estimates," "believes" and other similar expressions) that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are more fully described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specific examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, forecasts of same-store sales growth, operating income, planned capital expenditures, new store openings and other financial performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to: risks related to the effect of economic uncertainty; our reliance on foreign suppliers increases our risk of obtaining adequate, timely, and cost-effective product supplies; risks related to our substantial indebtedness; our growth depends on our ability to open new stores; damage to the reputation of the Michaels brand or our private and exclusive brands could adversely affect our sales; our suppliers may fail us; risks associated with the vendors from whom our products are sourced could materially adversely affect our revenue and gross profit; product recalls and/or product liability, as well as changes in product safety and other consumer protection laws, may adversely impact our operations, merchandise offering, reputation and financial position; significant increases in inflation or commodity prices such as petroleum, natural gas, electricity, steel and paper may adversely affect our costs, including cost of merchandise; unexpected or unfavorable consumer responses to our promotional or merchandising programs could materially adversely affect our sales, operating results and cash flow; improvements to our supply chain may not be fully successful; changes in customer demand could materially adversely affect our sales, operating results and cash flow; our success will depend on how well we manage our business; competition, including internet-based competition, could negatively impact our business; failure to adequately maintain security and prevent unauthorized access to our electronic and other confidential information and data breaches could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results; we may be subject to information technology system failures or network disruptions, or our information systems may prove inadequate, resulting in damage to our reputation, business operations, and financial conditions; a weak fourth quarter would materially adversely affect our operating results; changes in newspaper subscription rates may result in reduced exposure to our circular advertisements; changes in regulations or enforcement, or our failure to comply with existing or future regulations, may adversely impact our business; our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business; disruptions in the capital markets could increase our costs of doing business; our real estate leases generally obligate us for long periods, which subjects us to various financial risks; we have co-sourced certain of our information technology, accounts payable, payroll, accounting and human resources functions and may co-source other administrative functions, which make us more dependent upon third parties; we are exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. and Canadian dollar, which is the functional currency of our Canadian subsidiary; we are dependent upon the services of our senior management team; failure to attract and retain quality sales, distribution center or experienced buying and management personnel could adversely affect our performance; catastrophic events, including geo-political events and weather, may adversely impact our results; the interests of our controlling stockholders may conflict with the interests of our creditors; and other factors as set forth in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and do not undertake to update or revise them as more information becomes available.

This press release is also available on the Michaels Stores, Inc. website (www.michaels.com).

Michaels Stores, Inc.
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information

The following table sets forth the Company's Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization and loss on early extinguishment of debt. ("EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt)"). The Company defines EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and loss on early extinguishment of debt. Additionally, the table presents Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) adjusted for certain defined amounts that are added to, or subtracted from, EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) (collectively, the "Adjustments") in accordance with the Company's $2.4 billion Senior secured term loan and $850 million Asset-based revolving credit facility. The Adjustments are described in further detail in the footnotes to the table below.

The Company has presented EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA in this press release to provide investors with additional information to evaluate our operating performance and our ability to service our debt. The Company uses EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt), among other metrics, to evaluate operating performance, to plan and forecast future periods' operating performance and as an element of its incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel. Adjusted EBITDA is a required calculation under the Company's Senior secured term loan and its Asset-based revolving credit facility. As it relates to the Senior secured term loan, Adjusted EBITDA is used in the calculations of fixed charge coverage and leverage ratios, which, under certain circumstances, may result in limitations on the Company's ability to make restricted payments as well as the determination of mandatory repayments of the loans. Under the Asset-based revolving facility, Adjusted EBITDA is used in the calculation of fixed charge coverage ratios, which, under certain circumstances, may restrict the Company's ability to make certain payments (characterized as restricted payments), investments (including acquisitions) and debt repayments.

As EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of operating performance or liquidity calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, these measures should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income, as an indicator of operating performance, or net cash provided by operating activities as an indicator of liquidity. Our computation of EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. As EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA exclude certain financial information compared with net income and net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, users of this financial information should consider the types of events and transactions which are excluded. The table below shows a reconciliation of EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of debt) and Adjusted EBITDA to net income and net cash provided by operating activities.


                           Michaels Stores, Inc.
                        Consolidated Balance Sheets
             (In millions, except share and per share amounts)
                                (Unaudited)

Subject to reclassification
                                       April 28,   January 28,   April 30,
                                          2012         2012         2011
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
                ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and equivalents                $       385  $       371  $       157
  Merchandise inventories                     874          840          852
  Prepaid expenses and other                   77           80           79
  Deferred income taxes                        42           42           52
  Income tax receivable                         5            1            4
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total current assets                    1,383        1,334        1,144
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Property and equipment, at cost             1,405        1,391        1,343
Less accumulated depreciation and
 amortization                              (1,095)      (1,079)      (1,047)
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
    Property and equipment, net               310          312          296
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Goodwill                                       95           95           95
Debt issuance costs, net of
 accumulated amortization of $78,
 $74, and $63, respectively                    55           59           67
Deferred income taxes                          18           18           32
Other assets                                    4            4            7
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total non-current assets                  172          176          201
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Total assets                          $     1,865  $     1,822  $     1,641
                                      ===========  ===========  ===========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                    $       280  $       301  $       258
  Accrued liabilities and other               388          389          360
  Current portion of long-term debt           127          127            -
  Deferred income taxes                         1            1            -
  Income taxes payable                         28           19           11
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total current liabilities                 824          837          629
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Long-term debt                              3,363        3,363        3,543
Deferred income taxes                          11           11            4
Other long-term liabilities                    85           85           79
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total long-term liabilities             3,459        3,459        3,626
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total liabilities                     4,283        4,296        4,255
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit:
  Common Stock, $0.10 par value,
   220,000,000 shares authorized;
   118,420,253 shares issued and
   outstanding at April 28, 2012;
   118,265,885 shares issued and
   outstanding at January 28, 2012;
   118,511,580 shares issued and
   outstanding at April 30, 2011               12           12           12
  Additional paid-in capital                   49           48           45
  Accumulated deficit                      (2,487)      (2,540)      (2,679)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income                                       8            6            8
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
    Total stockholders' deficit            (2,418)      (2,474)      (2,614)
                                      -----------  -----------  -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
 deficit                              $     1,865  $     1,822  $     1,641
                                      ===========  ===========  ===========



                           Michaels Stores, Inc.
                   Consolidated Statements of Operations
                               (In millions)
                                (Unaudited)

Subject to reclassification

                                                         Quarter Ended
                                                   ------------------------
                                                    April 28,    April 30,
                                                       2012         2011
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net sales                                          $       978  $       953
Cost of sales and occupancy expense                        566          560
                                                   -----------  -----------
Gross profit                                               412          393
Selling, general, and administrative expense               260          254
Related party expenses                                       3            3
Store pre-opening costs                                      1            1
                                                   -----------  -----------
Operating income                                           148          135
Interest expense                                            66           65
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                         -           11
Other (income) and expense, net                             (1)          (1)
                                                   -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes                                  83           60
Provision for income taxes                                  30           23
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net income                                                  53           37
                                                   ===========  ===========



                           Michaels Stores, Inc.
                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                               (In millions)
                                (Unaudited)
Subject to reclassification
                                                         Quarter Ended
                                                   ------------------------
                                                    April 28,    April 30,
                                                       2012         2011
                                                   -----------  -----------
Operating activities:
  Net income                                       $        53  $        37
  Adjustments:
    Depreciation and amortization                           24           25
    Share-based compensation                                 1            2
    Debt issuance costs amortization                         4            4
    Accretion of long-term debt                              -           13
    Change in fair value of interest rate cap                -            2
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                     -           11
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Merchandise inventories                              (34)         (26)
      Prepaid expenses and other                             3           (6)
      Accounts payable                                     (15)           2
      Accrued interest                                      37           27
      Accrued liabilities and other                        (37)         (54)
      Income taxes payable                                   5          (19)
      Other long-term liabilities                            -            1
                                                   -----------  -----------
        Net cash provided by operating activities           41           19
                                                   -----------  -----------

Investing activities:
  Additions to property and equipment                      (18)         (15)
                                                   -----------  -----------
        Net cash used in investing activities              (18)         (15)
                                                   -----------  -----------

Financing activities:
Repurchase of Subordinated Discount Notes due 2016           -          (97)
  Repayments on senior secured term loan facility            -          (50)
  Repurchase of Common Stock                                (2)          (1)
  Proceeds from stock options exercised                      2            -
  Change in cash overdraft                                  (9)         (18)
                                                   -----------  -----------
        Net cash used in financing activities               (9)        (166)
                                                   -----------  -----------

Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents                 14         (162)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period                371          319
                                                   -----------  -----------
Cash and equivalents at end of period              $       385  $       157
                                                   ===========  ===========

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
  Cash paid for interest                           $        25  $        20
                                                   ===========  ===========
  Cash paid for income taxes                       $        24  $        44
                                                   ===========  ===========



                           Michaels Stores, Inc.
                         Summary of Operating Data
                                (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to net sales of
 each line item of our unaudited consolidated statements of operations:
(Schedule may not foot due to rounding)
                                                         Quarter Ended
                                                   ------------------------
                                                    April 28,    April 30,
                                                       2012         2011
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net sales                                                100.0%       100.0%
Cost of sales and occupancy expense                       57.9         58.8
                                                   -----------  -----------
Gross profit                                              42.1         41.2
Selling, general, and administrative expense              26.6         26.6
Related party expenses                                     0.3          0.3
Store pre-opening costs                                    0.1          0.1
                                                   -----------  -----------
Operating income                                          15.1         14.2
Interest expense                                           6.7          6.8
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                         -          1.2
Other (income) and expense, net                           (0.1)        (0.1)
                                                   -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes                                 8.5          6.3
Provision for income taxes                                 3.1          2.4
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net income                                                 5.4%         3.9%
                                                   ===========  ===========

The following table sets forth certain of our unaudited operating data:

                                                         Quarter Ended
                                                   ------------------------
                                                    April 28,    April 30,
                                                       2012         2011
                                                   -----------  -----------
Michaels stores:
  Retail stores open at beginning of period              1,064        1,045
  Retail stores opened during the period                     2            5
  Retail stores opened (relocations) during the
   period                                                    6            4
  Retail stores closed during the period                     -           (1)
  Retail stores closed (relocations) during the
   period                                                   (6)          (4)
                                                   -----------  -----------
  Retail stores open at end of period                    1,066        1,049

Aaron Brothers stores:
  Retail stores open at beginning of period                134          137
  Retail stores closed during the period                    (4)          (1)
                                                   -----------  -----------
  Retail stores open at end of period                      130          136

                                                   -----------  -----------
Total store count at end of period                       1,196        1,185
                                                   ===========  ===========

Other operating data:
  Average inventory per Michaels store (in
   thousands) (1)                                  $       786  $       780
  Comparable store sales increase (2)                      1.5%         4.3%

(1) Average inventory per Michaels store calculation excludes Aaron
    Brothers.

(2) Comparable store sales increase represents the increase in Net sales for
    stores open the same number of months in the indicated period and the
    comparable period of the previous year, including stores that were
    relocated or expanded during either period. A store is deemed to become
    comparable in its 14th month of operation in order to eliminate grand
    opening sales distortions. A store temporarily closed more than two
    weeks is not considered comparable during the month it closed. If a
    store is closed longer than two weeks but less than two months, it
    becomes comparable in the month in which it reopens, subject to a mid-
    month convention. A store closed longer than two months becomes
    comparable in its 14th month of operation after its reopening.



                           Michaels Stores, Inc.
                     Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
                               (In millions)
                                                         Quarter Ended
                                                   ------------------------
                                                    April 28,    April 30,
                                                       2012         2011
                                                   -----------  -----------

Net cash provided by operating activities          $        41  $        19
Depreciation and amortization                              (24)         (25)
Share-based compensation                                    (1)          (2)
Debt issuance costs amortization                            (4)          (4)
Accretion of long-term debt                                  -          (13)
Change in fair value of interest rate cap                    -           (2)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                         -          (11)
Changes in assets and liabilities                           41           75
                                                   -----------  -----------
Net income                                                  53           37
Interest expense                                            66           65
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                         -           11
Provision for income taxes                                  30           23
Depreciation and amortization                               24           25
                                                   -----------  -----------
EBITDA (excluding loss on early extinguishment of
 debt)                                                     173          161
Adjustments:
  Share-based compensation                                   1            2
  Sponsor fees                                               3            3
  Termination expense                                        -            1
  Store pre-opening costs                                    1            1
  Foreign currency transaction gains                        (1)          (3)
  Loss on interest rate cap                                  -            2
  Other (1)                                                  -            1
                                                   -----------  -----------
Adjusted EBITDA                                    $       177  $       168
                                                   ===========  ===========


(1) Other adjustments relate to items such as the moving & relocation
    expenses, franchise taxes, foreign currency hedge and legal settlements.



Source: Michaels Stores, Inc.