Research Desk Line-up: Barnes & Noble Post Earnings Coverage

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 2017 / Pro-Trader Daily has just published a free post-earnings coverage on Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), which can be viewed by registering at http://protraderdaily.com/optin/?symbol=SPLS, following the Company's release of its second quarter fiscal 2017 financial results on August 24, 2017. The office supply chain met earnings expectations for the 5th consecutive quarter. Our daily stock reports are accessible for free, and with those to look forward today you also will be signing up for a complimentary member's account at:

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Get more of our free earnings reports coverage from other constituents of the Specialty Retail, Other industry. Pro-TD has currently selected Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) for due-diligence and potential coverage as the Company reported on September 07, 2017, its financial results for Q1 FY18 which ended on July 29, 2017. Register for a free membership today, and be among the early birds that get access to our report on Barnes & Noble when we publish it.

At Pro-TD, we make it our mission to bring you news that matter about the stock you follow. Today, our research desk covers a blog story on SPLS; also brushing on BKS. With the links below you can directly download the report of your stock of interest free of charge at:

http://protraderdaily.com/optin/?symbol=SPLS

http://protraderdaily.com/optin/?symbol=BKS

Earnings Reviewed

For its second quarter ended July 29, 2017, Staples' total Company sales were $3.91 billion, reflecting a decrease of 3% compared to Q2 2016 sales of $4.03 billion. The Company's sales numbers beat analysts' expectations of $3.87 billion. Staples' comparable sales for the reported quarter declined 1% on a y-o-y basis.

Staples recorded GAAP operating income of $106 million compared to GAAP operating loss of $167 million. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company reported operating income of $116 million versus $136 million in the year ago corresponding period.

On a GAAP basis, Staples net income from continuing operations was $63 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for Q2 2017, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $107 million, or $0.17 per share, for Q2 2016. The Company's reported quarter results from continuing operations included pre-tax charges of $10 million primarily related to the proposed acquisition of the Company by funds managed by Sycamore Partners. Excluding the impact of certain charges taken during Q2 2017, Staples reported non-GAAP net income from continuing operations of $76 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, meeting Wall Street's expectations for earnings of $0.12 per share.

Highlights

During Q2 2017, Staples' grew mid-market sales in Staples Business Advantage, the Company's North American contract business, by 11% on a y-o-y basis. Staples' profitability in North American Retail improved with operating loss rate down 30 basis points compared to the year ago same period.

Cash Matters

During Q2 2017, Staples generated $279 million of cash provided by operating activities, and spent $89 million in capital expenditures, resulting in $190 million of free cash flow. As of July 29, 2017, Staples had cash and cash equivalents worth $1.20 billion compared to cash of $1.14 billion as on January 28, 2017.

Completed Acquisition

On September 12, 2017, Sycamore Partners announced that it has completed its acquisition of Staples. On June 28, 2017, Staples and Sycamore Partners, a leading private equity firm, announced that they have entered into a merger agreement in which investment funds managed by Sycamore Partners will acquire the Company in a transaction that values Staples at an equity value of approximately $6.9 billion. Under terms of the merger agreement, all Staples' stockholders will receive $10.25 per share in cash for each share of common stock they own.

Stock Performance

At the closing bell, on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, Staples' stock ended the trading session flat at $10.25 with an average volume of 12.78 million shares. The Company's stock price rallied 12.02% in the last three months, 18.22% in the past six months, and 17.68% in the previous twelve months. Moreover, the stock surged 13.26% since the start of the year. The stock has a dividend yield of 4.68% and currently has a market cap of $6.72 billion.

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SOURCE: Pro-Trader Daily