Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE:M) today reported results for the second quarter of 2018 and provided updated annual sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2018.

For the second quarter, the company achieved earnings per diluted share of $0.53, or $0.70 excluding impairment and other costs, settlement charges and losses on the early retirement of debt. This compares to $0.36 per share in the second quarter of 2017, or $0.46 excluding settlement charges and gains on the early retirement of debt. When also excluding asset sale gains, earnings per diluted share were $0.59 in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $0.37 per share in the second quarter of 2017.

The company reported comparable sales on an owned basis that were flat in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the second quarter of 2017. On an owned plus licensed basis, comparable sales were up 0.5 percent for the second quarter of 2018. Due to the 53-week calendar in fiscal 2017, there have been some timing adjustments in the company’s typical promotional calendar, including the shift in the spring Friends & Family promotion. As reported earlier, this shift caused a positive impact in the first quarter of 2018 of approximately 250 basis points. The shift also caused a negative impact of approximately 240 basis points in the second quarter, as compared to 2017. Adjusting for this shift, the company estimates that comparable sales on an owned plus licensed basis were up 2.9 percent for the second quarter.

When looking at the first half of 2018, comparable sales on an owned basis were up 1.9 percent compared to the first half of 2017. On an owned plus licensed basis, comparable sales were up 2.3 percent for the first half of 2018.

“Macy's, Inc. delivered strong performance in the first half of the year, and we are pleased to report our third consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth. Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury all performed well. It is encouraging to see the continued strengthening of our brick & mortar business where we saw trend improvements across the portfolio, led by our Growth50 stores. The combination of healthy stores, robust e-commerce and a great mobile experience is Macy's recipe for success. We are focused on improving our customer journey every step of the way because we know that our customers expect a great experience whenever and wherever they engage with our brands,” said Jeff Gennette, Macy's, Inc. chairman and chief executive officer. “We also continue to be disciplined with inventory management, which allows us to give our customers more fashion and freshness, while increasing sales and improving gross margin.”

“Our strategic initiatives are gaining traction. They contributed to our first half results and will continue to have a positive impact on our performance in the back half of the year. This, combined with continued strong execution and a healthy consumer spending environment, gives us confidence to raise sales and earnings guidance for fiscal 2018,” continued Gennette. “We have momentum in the business, powered by our 130,000 colleagues who are focused on how best to serve our customers every day.”

Sales

Net sales in the second quarter of 2018 totaled $5.572 billion, a decrease of 1.1 percent, compared with net sales of $5.636 billion in the second quarter of 2017.

For the first half of 2018, Macy’s, Inc. net sales totaled $11.112 billion, up 1.1 percent from net sales of $10.986 billion in the first half of 2017.

Operating Income and Net Income

Macy’s, Inc. operating income for the second quarter of 2018 totaled $303 million, or 5.4 percent of sales, compared to $282 million, or 5.0 percent of sales, for the second quarter of 2017. Excluding impairment and other costs of $17 million, operating income for the second quarter of 2018 totaled $320 million, or 5.7 percent of sales. There were no impairment and other costs in the second quarter of 2017.

For the first half of 2018, Macy’s, Inc. operating income totaled $541 million, or 4.9 percent of sales, compared to $501 million, or 4.6 percent of sales, for the first half of 2017. Excluding impairment and other costs of $36 million, operating income for the first half of 2018 totaled $577 million, or 5.2 percent of sales. There were no impairment and other costs in the first half of 2017.

Net income attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders for the second quarter of 2018 totaled $166 million, or 3.0 percent of sales, compared to $111 million, or 2.0 percent of sales, for the second quarter of 2017. Excluding impairment and other costs, settlement charges and losses on the early retirement of debt, net income for the second quarter of 2018 totaled $219 million, or 3.9 percent of sales. Excluding settlement charges and gains on the early retirement of debt, net income for the second quarter of 2017 totaled $141 million, or 2.5 percent of sales. When also excluding asset sale gains, net income for the second quarter of 2018 totaled $185 million, or 3.3 percent of sales, compared to $114 million, or 2.0 percent of sales, in the second quarter of 2017.

For the first half of 2018, Macy’s, Inc. net income totaled $306 million, or 2.8 percent of sales, compared to $189 million, or 1.7 percent of sales for the first half of 2017. Excluding impairment and other costs, settlement charges and losses on the early retirement of debt, net income for the first half of 2018 totaled $369 million, or 3.3 percent of sales. Excluding settlement charges and losses on the early retirement of debt, net income for the first half of 2017 totaled $221 million, or 2.0 percent of sales. When also excluding asset sale gains, net income for the first half of 2018 totaled $316 million, or 2.8 percent of sales, compared to $152 million or 1.4 percent of sales, in the first half of 2017.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities was $544 million in the first half of 2018, compared with $546 million in the first half of 2017. Net cash used by investing activities in the first half of 2018 was $312 million, compared with $210 million in the first half of 2017. Operating cash flows net of investing were $232 million in the first half of 2018, compared with $336 million in the first half of 2017.

The company repurchased approximately $344 million face value of senior notes and debentures in the second quarter of 2018. The debt repurchases were made in the open market for a total cost of approximately $354 million, including premium expenses and other fees related to the transactions.

In the first half of 2018, the company's asset sales totaled $88 million in cash proceeds, compared with $150 million in the first half of 2017.

Looking Ahead - Raising Earnings and Sales Guidance

Macy's, Inc. is updating its guidance for fiscal 2018. The company now expects adjusted earnings per diluted share of $3.95 to $4.15 in fiscal 2018, excluding anticipated settlement charges related to the company’s defined benefit plans as well as impairment and other costs.

Total sales are expected to range from flat to a 0.7 percent increase in fiscal 2018. Comparable sales on an owned plus licensed basis are expected to increase between 2.0 and 2.5 percent for the second half of 2018, which translates to an annual increase of between 2.1 and 2.5 percent. Comparable sales on an owned basis are expected to be 20-30 basis points below comparable sales on an owned plus licensed basis in fiscal 2018, which is consistent with prior guidance.

Total sales guidance is provided on a 52-week basis in 2018 compared to a 53-week basis in 2017. Comparable sales guidance is provided on a 52-week basis in both 2018 and 2017.

The company's 2018 results, 2017 results and guidance for fiscal 2018 reflect the new accounting standards related to revenue recognition and retirement benefits. Macy's, Inc. has recast its quarterly income statements and balance sheets for 2016 and 2017 to reflect adoption of these new standards. These documents can be found on the investor relations page at www.macysinc.com.

Important Information Regarding Financial Measures

Please see the final pages of this news release for important information regarding the calculation of the company’s non-GAAP financial measures.

Macy’s, Inc. is one of the nation’s premier retailers. With fiscal 2017 sales of $24.837 billion and approximately 130,000 employees, the company operates approximately 690 department stores under the nameplates Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, and more than 170 specialty stores that include Bloomingdale’s The Outlet, Bluemercury, Macy’s Backstage and STORY. Macy’s, Inc. operates stores in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. Bloomingdale’s stores in Dubai and Kuwait are operated by Al Tayer Group LLC under license agreements. Macy’s, Inc. has corporate offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, and New York, New York.

All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Macy’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this release because of a variety of factors, including conditions to, or changes in the timing of, proposed real estate and other transactions, prevailing interest rates and non-recurring charges, the effect of federal tax reform, store closings, competitive pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores, off-price and discount stores, manufacturers’ outlets, the Internet, mail-order catalogs and television shopping and general consumer spending levels, including the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, the effect of weather and other factors identified in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Macy’s disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

NOTE: Additional information on Macy’s, Inc., including past news releases, is available at www.macysinc.com/pressroom. A webcast of Macy's, Inc.’s call with analysts and investors will be held today (August 15, 2018) at 9:30 a.m. ET. The webcast is accessible to the media and general public via the company's website at www.macysinc.com. Analysts and investors may call in on 1-800-239-9838, passcode 1925865. A replay of the conference call can be accessed on the website or by calling 1-888-203-1112 (same passcode), about two hours after the conclusion of the call.

Macy's, Inc. is scheduled to present at the Goldman Sachs Annual Global Retailing Conference at 8:05 a.m. ET on Thursday, September 6, 2018, in New York City. Media and investors may access a live audio webcast of the presentation at www.macysinc.com/ir on September 6, 2018. A replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website.

MACY’S, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

MACY’S, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

Note: The prior year's amounts reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09 on February 4, 2018.

Note: The prior period's amounts reflect the retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2016-18 (ASU 2016-18), Restricted Cash, and ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, on February 4, 2018. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-18, restricted cash of $41 million and $40 million have been included with cash and cash equivalents above for the 26 weeks ended August 4, 2018 and July 29, 2017, respectively. Further, certain reclassifications were made to the prior period's amounts to conform with the classifications of such amounts in the most recent period.

MACY’S, INC.

Important Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users of the company's financial information with additional useful information in evaluating operating performance. Management believes that providing supplemental changes in comparable sales on an owned plus licensed basis, which includes adjusting for growth in comparable sales of departments licensed to third parties and certain promotional events, assists in evaluating the company's ability to generate sales growth, whether through owned businesses or departments licensed to third parties, and in evaluating the impact of changes in the manner in which certain departments are operated. In addition, management believes that excluding certain items from operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy's, Inc. shareholders that are not associated with the company’s core operations and that may vary substantially in frequency and magnitude period-to-period provides useful supplemental measures that assist in evaluating the company's ability to generate earnings and to more readily compare these metrics between past and future periods. Further, providing cash flow from operating activities net of cash used in investing activities is a useful measure in evaluating the company’s ability to generate cash from operations after giving effect to cash used by investing activities.

The reconciliation of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure of changes in comparable sales on an owned plus licensed basis to GAAP comparable sales (i.e., on an owned basis) is in the same manner as illustrated below, except that the impact of growth in comparable sales of departments licensed to third parties is the only reconciling item. In addition, the company does not provide the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure of net income and diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy’s, Inc. shareholders excluding certain items because the timing and amount of excluded items are unreasonably difficult to fully and accurately estimate.

Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplementing, and not as an alternative or substitute for, the company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain of the items that may be excluded or included in non-GAAP financial measures may be significant items that could impact the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows and should therefore be considered in assessing the company's actual and future financial condition and performance. Additionally, the amounts received by the company on account of sales of departments licensed to third parties are limited to commissions received on such sales. The methods used by the company to calculate its non-GAAP financial measures may differ significantly from methods used by other companies to compute similar measures. As a result, any non-GAAP financial measures presented herein may not be comparable to similar measures provided by other companies.

MACY’S, INC.

Important Information Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Macy's, Inc. Shareholders, Excluding Certain Items

The following is a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures of net income and diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy’s, Inc. shareholders, excluding certain items identified below, to GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share attributable to Macy’s, Inc., shareholders, which the company believes to be the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

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