CTRN Citi Trends Inc

Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRN) today reported results for the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

Financial Highlights – Second quarter ended August 1, 2009

Total sales in the second quarter ended August 1, 2009 decreased 3.5% to $111.6 million compared with $115.7 million in the second quarter ended August 2, 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 12.4% in the second quarter. A net loss of $69,000 was recognized in this year’s second quarter compared with net income of $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2008. Loss per diluted share was $(0.00) in the second quarter of 2009 compared with earnings per diluted share of $0.20 in the second quarter of 2008.

Sales and earnings in this year’s second quarter were adversely affected by a difficult comparison to the second quarter of 2008 when our customers’ spending increased due to the government stimulus checks. As is typical when comparable store sales are negative, gross margin was lower in this year’s second quarter due to higher merchandise markdowns; however, the overall decline in gross margin was limited to 60 basis points due to continued improvement in inventory shrinkage results. Selling, general and administrative expenses were managed tightly, increasing only 5.7%, even with a 13% increase in store selling square footage since last year’s second quarter.

Store activity in the second quarter of 2009 included eight new openings, one expansion and three closings, resulting in a total store count of 370 at the end of the quarter.

Financial Highlights – First half ended August 1, 2009

Total sales in the first half of fiscal 2009 increased 7.6% to $254.7 million compared with $236.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2008. Comparable store sales decreased 2.2% in the first half of this year. Net income was $7.9 million compared with $8.0 million in last year’s first half. Earnings per diluted share were $0.54 in the first half of 2009 compared with $0.56 in 2008’s first half.

Fiscal 2009 Outlook

The Company estimates that 2009 earnings will be in a range of $1.28 to $1.33 per diluted share which includes an anticipated 2009 comparable store sales increase of approximately 1%. For the year, the Company expects to increase selling square footage by at least 15%. The effective tax rate for 2009 is estimated to be in a range of 34% to 35%. An unrealized pretax loss on investments of $728,000 recorded in the first quarter of 2009 was almost entirely reversed in the second quarter through an unrealized pretax gain of $671,000 due to an improvement in the credit spreads and liquidity in the auction rate securities market. Accordingly, the outlook for the full year includes only an insignificant unrealized loss.

The Company reminds investors of the complexity of accurately assessing future results given the difficulty in predicting fashion trends, consumer preferences and general economic conditions and the impact of other business variables. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below for more information regarding these uncertainties.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

Citi Trends will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET. The number to call for the live interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2903. A replay of the conference call will be available until August 26, 2009, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the passcode, 21431697. The live broadcast of Citi Trends’ quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company’s website, www.cititrends.com, as well as http://ir.cititrends.com/events.cfm, beginning today at 5:00 p.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue through August 26, 2009.

During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends. The Company’s responses to questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been disclosed previously.

About Citi Trends

Citi Trends, Inc. is a value-priced retailer of urban fashion apparel and accessories for the entire family. After opening 7 stores thus far in August 2009, the Company currently operates 377 stores located in 24 states in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions and the states of Texas and California. Citi Trends’ website address is www.cititrends.com. CTRN-E

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than historical facts contained in this news release, including statements regarding our future financial results and position, business policy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements that are subject to material risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “may,” “could,” “plans,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to Citi Trends, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements with respect to earnings guidance are forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are subject to the finalization of the Company’s quarterly financial and accounting procedures, are not guarantees of future performance or results and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors which are discussed in Citi Trends, Inc. filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to economic conditions, growth risks, consumer spending patterns, competition within the industry, competition in our markets and the ability to anticipate and respond to fashion trends. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Citi Trends does not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statements in this news release or with respect to matters described herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

        CITI TRENDS, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)     Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended August 1, 2009 August 2, 2008 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 111,605 $ 115,655 Cost of sales   69,011     70,731   Gross profit 42,594 44,924 Selling, general and administrative expenses 38,994 36,877 Depreciation and amortization   4,455     4,078   Income (loss) from operations (855 ) 3,969 Interest income 105 557 Interest expense (28 ) (75 ) Unrealized gain on investment securities   671     -   Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) (107 ) 4,451 Income tax expense (benefit)   (38 )   1,605   Net income (loss) $ (69 ) $ 2,846     Basic net income (loss) per common share $ (0.00 ) $ 0.20   Diluted net income (loss) per common share $ (0.00 ) $ 0.20    

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares(1):

Basic $ (69 ) $ 2,807   Diluted $ (69 ) $ 2,808     Weighted average shares used to compute basic net income (loss) per share   14,365     14,095   Weighted average shares used to compute diluted net income (loss) per share   14,365     14,279               CITI TRENDS, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 2009 August 2, 2008 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 254,702 $ 236,651 Cost of sales   154,920     144,964   Gross profit 99,782 91,687 Selling, general and administrative expenses 79,127 73,118 Depreciation and amortization   8,828     7,781   Income from operations 11,827 10,788 Interest income 244 1,425 Interest expense (69 ) (162 ) Unrealized loss on investment securities   (57 )   -   Income before income tax expense 11,945 12,051 Income tax expense   4,085     4,037   Net income $ 7,860   $ 8,014     Basic net income per common share $ 0.54   $ 0.56   Diluted net income per common share $ 0.54   $ 0.56    

Net income attributable to common shares(1):

Basic $ 7,700   $ 7,927   Diluted $ 7,700   $ 7,928     Weighted average shares used to compute basic net income per share   14,342     14,071   Weighted average shares used to compute diluted net income per share   14,370     14,248     (1) Net of income allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders             CITI TRENDS, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)   (in thousands)   August 1, 2009 August 2, 2008 (unaudited) (unaudited) Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 36,361 $ 7,191 Short-term investment securities 42,468 - Inventory 88,829 85,330 Other current assets 13,199 11,374 Property and equipment, net 59,741 57,165 Long-term investment securities - 50,936 Other noncurrent assets   4,744     6,679   Total assets $ 245,342   $ 218,675     Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: Accounts payable $ 46,129 $ 43,521 Accrued liabilities 20,336 17,461 Other current liabilities 2,370 4,043 Noncurrent liabilities   8,836     7,483   Total liabilities 77,671 72,508   Total stockholders' equity   167,671     146,167   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 245,342   $ 218,675