CTRN Citi Trends Inc

Fourth quarter 2015 pretax income increased 15%

Fourth quarter 2015 net income per diluted share of $0.24 compared with $0.31 last year

Full year net income per diluted share of $1.03 compared with $0.60 last year

Citi Trends, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTRN) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 30, 2016.

Financial Highlights – 13-week fourth quarter ended January 30, 2016

Total sales in the 13 weeks ended January 30, 2016 decreased 2.8% to $176.1 million compared with $181.1 million in the 13 weeks ended January 31, 2015. Comparable store sales decreased 5.0% in the fourth quarter.

Net income was $3.5 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared with $4.7 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, in last year’s fourth quarter. While net income declined in the fourth quarter of 2015, pretax income increased 15% to $6.0 million from $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The significant difference between the improvement in pretax income and the decline in net income was attributable to an unusually low effective income tax rate in 2014’s fourth quarter due to a benefit from income tax credits.

Financial Highlights – 52-week fiscal year ended January 30, 2016

Total sales in the 52 weeks ended January 30, 2016 increased 1.9% to $683.8 million compared with $670.8 million in the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2015. Comparable store sales decreased 0.1% for the full year.

Net income was $15.5 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in fiscal 2015 compared with $9.0 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in fiscal 2014.

The Company opened 13 stores, relocated or expanded 13 others, and closed three stores in fiscal 2015.

As previously announced, the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend payment of $0.06 per share, which will be paid on March 15, 2016 to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2016.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

Citi Trends will host a conference call today at 9:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for the live interactive teleconference is (212) 231-2912. A replay of the conference call will be available until March 18, 2016, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the passcode, 21803639.

The live broadcast of Citi Trends’ conference call will be available online at the Company’s website, www.cititrends.com, under the Investor Relations section, beginning today at 9:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and will be available for replay for one year.

During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends that have occurred after quarter-end. 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. The Company operates 526 stores located in 31 states. Citi Trends’ website address is www.cititrends.com. CTRN-G

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 year-end 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. Any forward-looking statements by the Company, with respect to earnings guidance, the declaration and payment of dividends, the Company’s share repurchase program, or otherwise, are intended to speak only as of the date such statements are made. 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 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)   Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 176,063 $ 181,143   Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) (108,526 ) (113,567 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (57,087 ) (57,515 ) Depreciation   (4,555 )   (4,871 ) Income from operations 5,895 5,190 Interest income 117 52 Interest expense   (41 )   (48 ) Income before income taxes 5,971 5,194 Income tax expense   (2,499 )   (521 ) Net income $ 3,472   $ 4,673     Basic net income per common share $ 0.24   $ 0.31   Diluted net income per common share $ 0.24   $ 0.31       Weighted average shares used to compute basic net income per share   14,651     14,989   Weighted average shares used to compute diluted net income per share   14,723     15,128           Fifty-Two Weeks Ended Fifty-Two Weeks Ended January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Net sales $ 683,791 $ 670,840   Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) (416,779 ) (418,416 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (224,218 ) (221,041 ) Depreciation (18,577 ) (20,177 ) Asset impairment   -     (83 ) Income (loss) from operations 24,217 11,123 Interest income 339 187 Interest expense   (242 )   (200 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 24,314 11,110 Income tax (expense) benefit   (8,787 )   (2,144 ) Net income $ 15,527   $ 8,966     Basic net income per common share $ 1.04   $ 0.60   Diluted net income per common share $ 1.03   $ 0.60       Weighted average shares used to compute basic net income per share   14,996     14,961   Weighted average shares used to compute diluted net income per share   15,056     15,020           CITI TRENDS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (in thousands)   January 30, 2016 January 31, 2015 (unaudited) (unaudited) Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 39,116 $ 74,514 Short-term investment securities 32,671 15,850 Inventory 137,020 131,057 Other current assets 18,321 19,936 Property and equipment, net 50,632 47,603 Long-term investment securities 30,890 22,447 Other noncurrent assets   5,858     6,966   Total assets $ 314,508   $ 318,373    

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

Accounts payable $ 67,419 $ 72,245 Accrued liabilities 27,742 29,172 Other current liabilities 497 585 Noncurrent liabilities   6,616     5,749   Total liabilities 102,274 107,751  

Total stockholders’ equity

  212,234     210,622  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 314,508   $ 318,373  

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Citi Trends, Inc.Bruce Smith, 912-443-2075Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial OfficerorJason Mazzola, 912-443-3990President and Chief Executive Officer