News Details

Systemax Reports All-Time Record Sales for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009

March 8, 2010
Company Release - 3/8/2010 4:01 PM ET

-- Sales Up 15% for the Quarter; Up 24% on an Equivalent Weeks Basis --

-- Earnings Per Share $0.49; Up 81% --

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Systemax Inc. (NYSE:SYX) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009. The Company's fourth quarter and full year 2009 included 13 and 52 weeks, respectively, compared to 14 and 53 weeks during 2008.

Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Highlights:

    --  Consolidated sales grew 15% to $938.2 million in U.S. dollars, an
        all-time record. Adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks, sales
        grew 24%. On a constant currency basis, sales grew 14%.
    --  Consumer channel sales grew 9% to $537.6 million in U.S. dollars.
        Adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks, sales grew 18%. On a
        constant currency basis, sales grew 8%.
    --  Business to business channel sales grew 25% to $400.6 million in U.S.
        dollars. Adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks, sales grew
        34%. On a constant currency basis, sales grew 22%.
    --  "Same store" (as defined below) consumer channel sales grew 12%; same
        store business to business channel sales grew 11%.
    --  Diluted earnings per share (EPS) grew 81% to $0.49. This included a gain
        of $1.8 million or $0.03 per diluted share, after tax, related to a
        favorable lawsuit settlement.

Full Year 2009 Financial Highlights:

    --  Consolidated sales grew 4% to $3.2 billion in U.S. dollars, an all-time
        record. Adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks, sales grew 6%.
        On a constant currency basis, sales grew 8%.
    --  Consumer channel sales grew 12% to $1.8 billion in U.S. dollars.
        Adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks, sales grew 15%. On a
        constant currency basis, sales grew 14%.
    --  Business to business channel sales were $1.3 billion in U.S. dollars, a
        5% decline. Adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks, sales
        declined 3%. On a constant currency basis, sales increased 1%.
    --  Diluted EPS was $1.24 compared to $1.40.

Performance Summary

(U.S dollars in millions, except per share data)

Highlights                 Quarter Ended Dec 31,  Full Year Ended Dec 31,

                             2009       2008        2009         2008

Sales                      $ 938.2    $ 812.7     $ 3,166.0    $ 3,033.0

Gross profit               $ 132.9    $ 114.6     $ 460.2      $ 458.6

Gross margin                 14.2  %    14.1  %     14.5    %    15.1    %

Operating income           $ 30.3     $ 15.8      $ 73.4       $ 83.4

Operating margin             3.2   %    1.9   %     2.3     %    2.7     %

Diluted earnings per share $ 0.49     $ 0.27      $ 1.24       $ 1.40



Richard Leeds, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Systemax posted all-time record sales, with over 24% growth in the fourth quarter on an equivalent weeks basis. Our business to business sales growth was the highest, driven by the impact of the WStore acquisition which was completed in September 2009 and modestly improving economic conditions in certain of the geographies in which we sell. Our consumer channel sales benefited from a robust holiday season that saw consumers shopping for lower priced products such as netbook computers, digital cameras and smaller flat screen televisions both online and at our retail stores, as well as the Circuit City asset purchase which was completed in May 2009. The market share growth strategy we have followed since the beginning of the economic downturn is beginning to pay off for us. Our diligent cost controls, coupled with the strong top-line sales growth, resulted in our growing operating income by 92% and diluted EPS by 81%. Looking ahead, we believe our capacity to capture value and deliver it to customers through our recognized brands, including TigerDirect, CompUSA, Circuit City, MISCO, WStore and Global Industrial, positions us well for 2010."

Supplemental Channel Sales Summary

(in millions)

                       Quarter Ended Dec 31,  Full Year Ended Dec 31,
Channel
                         2009     2008          2009       2008

Consumer1              $ 537.6  $ 491.3       $ 1,845.6  $ 1,645.1

Business to business2  $ 400.6  $ 321.4       $ 1,320.4  $ 1,387.9

Consolidated sales     $ 938.2  $ 812.7       $ 3,166.0  $ 3,033.0



1Includes sales from retail stores, consumer websites, inbound call centers and television shopping

2Includes sales from managed business relationships, including outbound call centers and extranets, and the entire Industrial Products segment

Supplemental "Same Store" channel growth3- Q4 2009 vs Q4 2008

Channel              Change

Consumer             12%

Business to business 11%



3Comprised of revenue at retail stores, websites and call centers operating for at least 14 full months and adjusting for the impact of the number of weeks in the quarter. The calculation of the comparable store sales percentage change excludes the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The method of calculating comparable store and channel sales varies across the retail and direct marketing industry. As a result, Systemax's method of calculating comparable sales may not be the same as other companies' methods.

Supplemental Product Category Sales Summary

(in millions)

                                 Quarter Ended Dec 31,  Full Year Ended Dec 31,
Product Category
                                   2009     2008          2009       2008

Computers                        $ 208.4  $ 155.4       $ 730.8    $ 525.0

Consumer electronics             $ 251.7  $ 217.7       $ 779.5    $ 727.1

Computer components              $ 145.9  $ 140.2       $ 538.2    $ 552.0

Computer accessories & software  $ 257.0  $ 228.8       $ 852.1    $ 925.1

Industrial products              $ 49.6   $ 54.8        $ 196.1    $ 237.0

Other                            $ 25.6   $ 15.8        $ 69.3     $ 66.8

Consolidated sales               $ 938.2  $ 812.7       $ 3,166.0  $ 3,033.0



Supplemental Business Unit Sales Summary

(in millions)

                              Quarter Ended Dec 31,  Full Year Ended Dec 31,
Business Unit
                                2009     2008          2009       2008

Technology Products - North   $ 618.7  $ 540.8       $ 2,119.4  $ 1,854.9
America

Technology Products - Europe  $ 269.2  $ 216.9       $ 848.5    $ 940.6

Industrial Products           $ 49.6   $ 54.8        $ 196.1    $ 237.0

Software Solutions            $ 0.7    $ 0.2         $ 2.0      $ 0.5

Consolidated Sales            $ 938.2  $ 812.7       $ 3,166.0  $ 3,033.0



Working capital as of December 31, 2009 was $252.5 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $58.3 million. Cash for the year was impacted by the Circuit City asset purchase, the WStore acquisition, the payment of the 2009 special dividend, higher inventory levels to support a growing retail store base and increasing sales volume from the Company's e-commerce consumer business, and higher accounts receivable from growth in open account business to business sales. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had an undrawn credit facility of $120.0 million and total cash and available liquidity of over $150.0 million. Short term debt totaled approximately $15.2 million at December 31, 2009 and included approximately $14.2 million in revolving debt assumed as part of the WStore acquisition as well as capitalized lease obligations. The Company's effective tax rate for the full year 2009 was 36.8%, essentially flat with last year. Included in the 2009 rate is a reversal of tax reserves of approximately $1.2 million as the result of statute expirations. Excluding this reserve reversal, the Company's 2009 effective tax rate would have been 38.4%.

Earnings Conference Call Details

Systemax Inc. will host a teleconference to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2009 results today, March 8, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the teleconference, please dial 877-881-2609 (U.S. callers) or 970-315-0463 (Int'l callers) and reference passcode 58388671 ten minutes prior to the start time. The teleconferencing will also be available via live webcast on the Company's Web site at www.systemax.com. A replay of the conference call will be available through March 15, 2010. It can be accessed by dialing 800-642-1687 (U.S. callers) or 706-645-9291 (Int'l callers), passcode 58388671. The webcast will also be archived on www.systemax.com for approximately 90 days.

About Systemax Inc.

Systemax Inc. (http://www.systemax.com), a Fortune 1000 company, sells personal computers, computer components and supplies, consumer electronics and industrial products through a system of branded e-Commerce web sites, retail stores, relationship marketers and direct mail catalogs in North America and Europe. The primary brands are TigerDirect, CompUSA, Circuit City, MISCO, WStore and Global Industrial.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's performance. These statements are based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update these statements. Actual results may differ materially from results expressed or implied in these statements as the result of risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to: (a) unanticipated variations in sales volume, (b) economic conditions and exchange rates, (c) actions by competitors, (d) the continuation of key vendor relationships, (e) the ability to maintain satisfactory loan agreements with lenders, (f) risks associated with the delivery of merchandise to customers utilizing common carriers, (g) the operation of the Company's management information systems, and (h) unanticipated legal and administrative proceedings. Please refer to "Risk Factors" and the Forward Looking Statements sections contained in the Company's Form 10-K for a more detailed explanation of the inherent limitations in such forward-looking statements.

SYSTEMAX INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

                        Quarter Ended             Year Ended

                        December 31*              December 31*

                          2009         2008         2009           2008

Net sales               $ 938,248    $ 812,710    $ 3,165,995    $ 3,032,961

Cost of sales             805,367      698,073      2,705,747      2,574,402

Gross profit              132,881      114,637      460,248        458,559

Gross margin              14.2    %    14.1    %    14.5      %    15.1      %

Selling, general and      102,548      98,843       386,857        375,192
administrative expenses

Operating income          30,333       15,794       73,391         83,367

Operating margin          3.2     %    1.9     %    2.3       %    2.7       %

Interest and other        895          467          306            (376      )
expense (income), net

Income before income      29,438       15,327       73,085         83,743
taxes

Provision for income      11,040       5,359        26,900         30,900
taxes

Effective tax rate        37.5    %    35.0    %    36.8      %    36.9      %

Net income              $ 18,398     $ 9,968      $ 46,185       $ 52,843

Net margin                2.0     %    1.2     %    1.5       %    1.7       %

Net income per common
share:

Basic                   $ 0.50       $ 0.27       $ 1.26           1.43

Diluted                 $ 0.49       $ 0.27       $ 1.24           1.40

Weighted average common and

common equivalent shares:

Basic                     36,817       36,893       36,706         36,950

Diluted                   37,432       37,497       37,343         37,705



SYSTEMAX INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited

(In thousands)

                                           December 31*

                                           2009      2008

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents                  $58,309   $115,967

Accounts receivable, net                   241,860   182,841

Inventories                                365,725   290,594

Prepaid expenses and other current assets  29,154    22,225

Total current assets                       695,048   611,627

Property, plant and equipment, net         65,598    48,465

Goodwill, intangibles and other assets     56,255    42,361

Total assets                               $816,901  $702,453

Current liabilities:

Short-term debt                            $15,197   $773

Accounts payable and accrued expenses      427,307   357,762

Total current liabilities                  442,504   358,535

Long-term debt                             1,194     1,411

Other liabilities                          8,518     8,552

Shareholders' equity                       364,685   333,955

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $816,901  $702,453



* Systemax manages its business and reports using a 52-53 week fiscal year that ends at midnight on the Saturday closest to December 31. For clarity of presentation, fiscal years and quarters are described as if they ended on the last day of the respective calendar month. The actual fiscal year and quarter ended on January 2, 2010. The fourth quarter of 2009 and 2008 included 13 and 14 weeks, respectively, and the fiscal year 2009 and 2008 included 52 and 53 weeks, respectively.

 

    Source: Systemax Inc.
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