Dollar Tree, Inc. Reports Record First Quarter Earnings07:34 EDT Thursday, May 19, 2011 CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Business Wire) -- Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), North America's leading operator of discount variety stores selling everything for $1 or less, reported its results for the quarter ended April 30, 2011 (“first quarter”). Consolidated net sales for the first quarter were $1.55 billion, a 14.3% increase compared to $1.35 billion reported for the quarter ended May 1, 2010 (“first quarter 2010”). Comparable store sales increased 7.1%, on top of a 6.5% increase for the first quarter 2010. Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter were $0.82, compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.49 reported for the quarter ended May 1, 2010, which included a non-recurring, non-cash charge of $26.3 million relating to a retail inventory accounting change in the first quarter 2010. The Company's earnings per diluted share of $0.82 in the first quarter 2011 were an increase of 34.4% compared to the first quarter 2010 earnings per diluted share of $0.61, absent the charge. “I am pleased by Dollar Tree's continuing growth in sales and earnings,” President and CEO Bob Sasser said. “Our business momentum was strong throughout the first quarter. Seasonal performance was outstanding from Valentine's through Easter. Both traffic and ticket increased as more customers continue to rely on Dollar Tree for great merchandise values and a fun, convenient shopping experience. “The 7.1% comp-store sales increase following strong first quarter growth for the past two years is further validation of Dollar Tree's efforts to find more ways to provide more value to more customers every day.” Operating margin for the quarter was 10.5%, a 290 basis point improvement from the 7.6% operating margin in the first quarter 2010, and a 100 basis point improvement from the 9.5% operating margin in the first quarter 2010, absent the aforementioned charge in the first quarter last year. Cash and investments at quarter-end totaled $510.3 million, compared with $390.1 million at the end of the first quarter 2010. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 1.7 million shares for $88.6 million, and has $257.4 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization. The Company continues to grow. During the first quarter, Dollar Tree opened 83 stores, closed 7 stores, and expanded or relocated 41 stores. Retail selling square footage increased 9.0% compared to a year ago, to 36.0 million square feet. Guidance The Company estimates sales for the second quarter of 2011 to be in the range of $1.51 billion to $1.55 billion, based on low –to- mid single digit positive comparable store sales. Diluted earnings per share are estimated to be in the range of $0.68 to $0.75. Full year sales are now estimated to be in the range of $6.50 billion to $6.63 billion. This estimate is based on a range of low –to- mid single digit positive comparable store sales. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be $3.69 to $3.85. The Company reported earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2010 of $3.10, which includes the impact of the aforementioned charge. Excluding the charge, earnings per diluted share were $3.23 for fiscal 2010. On Thursday, May 19, 2011, the Company will host a conference call to discuss its earnings results at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The telephone number for the call is 888-811-5448. A recorded version of the call will be available until midnight Thursday, May 26, and may be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112, and the access code is 9902996. A webcast of the call is accessible through Dollar Tree's website, www.dollartreeinfo.com/investors/news/events and will remain online until midnight Thursday, May 26. Dollar Tree, a Fortune 500 Company, operated 4,177 stores in 48 states and 4 Canadian Provinces as of April 30, 2011, with total retail selling square footage of 36.0 million. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com. A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Our press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments or results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect, intend, plan, forecast, or estimate. For example, our forward-looking statements include statements regarding second quarter and full year sales, second quarter and full year diluted earnings per share, and second quarter comparable store sales. For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the “Risk Factors,” "Business," and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections in our Annual Report on Form 10 - K filed March 17, 2011. We are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not expect us to do so.   DOLLAR TREE, INC.Condensed Consolidated Income Statements(Dollars in millions, except per share data)           First Quarter EndedApril 30,May 1,20112010(unaudited)(unaudited) Net sales $ 1,545.9 $ 1,352.6   Cost of sales, excluding non-cash beginning inventory adjustment 1,005.1 876.1 Non-cash beginning inventory adjustment - 26.3     Gross profit 540.8 450.2 35.0%   33.3%     Selling, general & administrative expenses 379.1 347.6 24.5%   25.7%     Operating income 161.7 102.6 10.5%   7.6%     Interest expense, net 0.9 1.4 Other income, net (0.7 ) (0.9 )   Income before income taxes 161.5 102.1 10.4%   7.5%     Income tax expense 60.5 38.5 Income tax rate 37.5%   37.7%     Net income $ 101.0 $ 63.6 6.5%   4.7%     Net earnings per share: Basic $ 0.82 $ 0.49 Weighted average number of shares 122.6 129.3   Diluted $ 0.82 $ 0.49 Weighted average number of shares 123.5 130.3     DOLLAR TREE, INC.Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(Dollars in millions)(Unaudited)               April 30,  January 29,   May 1,   201120112010   Cash and cash equivalents $ 371.3 $ 311.2 $ 338.6 Short-term investments 139.0 174.8 51.5 Merchandise inventories 771.2 803.1 707.7 Other current assets   44.0   44.2   47.0 Total current assets 1,325.5 1,333.3 1,144.8   Property and equipment, net 760.2 741.1 719.4 Goodwill 175.0 173.1 133.3 Deferred tax assets 25.1 38.0 43.5 Other assets, net   95.5   95.0   101.7   Total assets $ 2,381.3 $ 2,380.5 $ 2,142.7     Current portion of long-term debt $ 16.5 $ 16.5 $ 17.5 Accounts payable 276.0 261.4 258.6 Other current liabilities 170.6 190.5 154.4 Income taxes payable, current   41.6   64.4   37.7 Total current liabilities 504.7 532.8 468.2   Long-term debt, excluding current portion 250.0 250.0 250.0 Income taxes payable, long-term 15.4 15.2 15.0 Other liabilities   124.5   123.5   116.5   Total liabilities   894.6   921.5   849.7   Shareholders' equity   1,486.7   1,459.0   1,293.0   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,381.3 $ 2,380.5 $ 2,142.7   STORE DATA: Number of stores open at end of period 4,177 4,101 3,874 Total selling square footage (in millions) 36.0 35.1 33.0     DOLLAR TREE, INC.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(Dollars in millions)(Unaudited)     Three Months EndedApril 30,       May 1,  20112010   Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 101.0   $ 63.6   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 39.2 39.3 Other non-cash adjustments 23.8 26.3 Changes in working capital   (7.7 )   (93.4 ) Total adjustments   55.3     (27.8 ) Net cash provided by operating activities   156.3     35.8     Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (58.3 ) (45.1 ) Purchase of short-term investments (6.0 ) (29.0 ) Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 41.8 5.4 Purchase of restricted investments - (36.4 ) Proceeds from maturities of restricted investments - 36.4 Other   0.4     -   Net cash used in investing activities   (22.1 )   (68.7 )   Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from stock issued pursuant to stock-based compensation plans 3.9 13.3 Payments for share repurchases (88.6 ) (220.8 ) Tax benefit of stock-based compensation 9.8 7.5 Principal payments under long-term debt and capital lease obligations   (0.1 )   (0.1 ) Net cash used in financing activities   (75.0 )   (200.1 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   0.9     -   Net increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 60.1 (233.0 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   311.2     571.6   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 371.3   $ 338.6   Dollar Tree, Inc., ChesapeakeTimothy J. Reid, 757-321-5284www.DollarTree.com