Hastings Entertainment, Inc. Reports Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2009

Hastings Entertainment, Inc. Reports Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal
2009

AMARILLO, Texas, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hastings Entertainment,
Inc. (Nasdaq: HAST), a leading multimedia entertainment retailer, today
reported results for the three and six months ended July 31, 2009. Net loss
was approximately $0.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the second
quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to net income of approximately $0.7 million,
or $0.06 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Net income
was $1.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the six months ended July
31, 2009 compared to net income of $3.6 million, or $0.34 per diluted share,
for the same period in the prior year.

"The recession continued to negatively impact consumer spending through the
second quarter," said John Marmaduke, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.
"Our core customer base remains stable; however, customer purchase behavior
has shifted toward value priced merchandise. We have been very active in
partnering with our key vendors to bring exceptional values while maintaining
or improving our merchandise margin rates. Our movie rental business was
negatively impacted by fewer releases compared to the prior year and the
de-valuing of the price of a rental movie primarily as a result of the growth
of rental kiosks renting movies for a dollar per day. In response we have
implemented a promotion where thousands of movie titles in our stores now rent
for $0.99 per week. This has lowered our rental revenue in the short-term;
however, we are seeing a significant increase in units rented along with
growth in new customer membership sign-ups. We continue to focus on our
balance sheet and reducing costs. Our inventory was approximately $13.5
million less than a year ago and long-term debt was approximately $5.4 million
less than a year ago. Additionally, cash flows from operations increased
approximately $2.2 million over the comparable period last year and capital
expenditures were $4.7 million less than the comparable period last year."

Financial Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2009

Revenues. Total revenues for the second quarter decreased approximately
$8.5 million, or 6.7%, to $117.2 million compared to $125.7 million for the
second quarter of fiscal 2008. The following is a summary of our revenues
results (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended July 31,
2009 2008 (Decrease)
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Percent Percent
Revenues of Total Revenues of Total Dollar Percent
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------ -------
Merchandise
revenue $97,366 83.1% $103,860 82.6% $(6,494) -6.3%
Rental
revenue 19,826 16.9% 21,806 17.4% (1,980) -9.1%
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
Total
revenues $117,192 100.0% $125,666 100.0% $(8,474) -6.7%
======== ====== ======== ====== ======= =====

Comparable-store revenues ("Comp"):
Total -8.1%
Merchandise -7.7%
Rental -10.1%

Below is a summary of the Comp results for our major merchandise categories:

Three Months Ended July 31,
2009 2008
---- ----
Hardback Cafe 17.2% 6.5%
Electronics 3.3% 25.7%
Consumables 3.0% 10.4%
Trends 0.8% 13.6%
Books -1.7% -1.1%
Movies -8.1% 2.6%
Music -15.6% -11.7%
Video Games -20.9% 4.6%

Hardback Cafe Comps increased 17.2% for the quarter, compared to the second
quarter in the prior year, primarily as a result of the opening of an
additional five cafes in existing stores during the quarter and increased
sales of specialty cafe drinks, mugs, and baked goods. Electronics department
Comps increased 3.3% for the quarter, primarily due to strong sales of third
party gift cards, hardware including digital converter boxes and Blu-ray DVD
players, and accessories for iPods and MP3 players, partially offset by lower
sales of refurbished iPods during the quarter. Consumable Comps increased
3.0% for the quarter, primarily resulting from increased sales of assorted
candies and gums. Trends Comps increased 0.8% during the quarter. Strong
sales of novelty items, including barware, magnets, and gag gifts, and
increased sales of sports memorabilia, action figures, children's toys and
t-shirts were offset by lower sales of Webkinz plush products and greeting
cards. Books Comps decreased 1.7% for the quarter, primarily as a result of
lower sales of new hardbacks, new trade paperbacks, and magazines, partially
offset by strong sales of used and value books. Movie Comps decreased 8.1%
for the quarter, primarily due to lower sales of new and used DVDs and lower
sales of DVD boxed sets, partially offset by increased sales of Blu-ray DVDs.
Music Comps decreased 15.6% for the quarter due to lower sales of new CDs,
resulting directly from a continued industry decline and reduced footprint in
thirty-eight stores. Merchandise Comps, excluding the sale of new music,
decreased 5.7% for the quarter. Video Game Comps decreased 20.9% for the
quarter, primarily due to lower sales of video game consoles and lower sales
of older generation video games, partially offset by increased sales of used
video games for the Nintendo, XBOX 360 and Sony Playstation 3.

Rental Comps decreased 10.1% for the quarter, primarily as a result of fewer
rentals of DVDs and increased promotions offered during the current quarter,
partially offset by increased rentals of Blu-ray movies and video games.
Comparable promotional coupons increased significantly, which decreased Rental
Comps by 2.1%. DVD rentals were lower due to fewer titles released with gross
box office revenues in the range of $20 million to $80 million, which
typically represent our strongest rentals. Rental Video Game Comps increased
6.9% for the quarter while Rental Video Comps decreased 12.2%.

Gross Profit - Merchandise. For the second quarter, total merchandise gross
profit dollars decreased approximately $1.1 million, or 3.5%, to $30.6 million
from $31.7 million for the same period last year, primarily as a result of
lower merchandise revenues, partially offset by increased margin rates. As a
percentage of total merchandise revenue, merchandise gross profit increased to
31.4% for the quarter compared to 30.5% for the same period in the prior year
resulting from improved inventory management.

Gross Profit - Rental. For the second quarter, total rental gross profit
dollars decreased approximately $1.3 million, or 9.2%, to $12.9 million from
$14.2 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily due to lower
rental revenues. As a percentage of total revenue, rental gross profit
remained constant at 65.2% for the quarter when compared to the same period in
the prior year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A"). As a percentage of
total revenue, SG&A increased to 37.4% for the second quarter compared to
35.3% for the same quarter in the prior year due to deleveraging resulting
from lower revenues. SG&A decreased approximately $0.4 million during the
quarter, or 0.9%, to $43.9 million compared to $44.3 million for the same
quarter last year. In accordance with our management incentive programs, no
bonuses were earned for the first six months of fiscal 2009, which represents
the majority of the decrease in SG&A from the prior year. Increases in store
occupancy costs associated with the operation of new, expanded, and relocated
stores and increased advertising costs were offset by reductions across most
expense categories resulting from improved expense management.

Interest Expense. For the second quarter, interest expense decreased
approximately $0.2 million, or 40%, to $0.3 million, compared to $0.5 million
during fiscal 2008 resulting primarily from lower interest rates. The average
rate of interest charged for the quarter decreased to 2.53% compared to 4.02%
for the same period in the prior year.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended July 31, 2009

Revenues. Total revenues for the six months ended July 31, 2009 decreased
approximately $14.7 million, or 5.7%, to $242.9 million compared to $257.6
million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Included in fiscal 2008 was
approximately $2.0 million in revenues resulting from an additional day of
sales due to leap year. Excluding this extra day of sales, total revenues for
the six months ended July 31, 2009 decreased approximately $12.7 million, or
5.0%. The following is a summary of our revenues results (dollars in
thousands):

Six Months Ended July 31,
2009 2008 (Decrease)
------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Percent Percent
Revenues of Total Revenues of Total Dollar Percent
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------ -------
Merchandise
revenue $201,462 82.9% $212,177 82.4% $(10,715) -5.1%
Rental
revenue 41,423 17.1% 45,425 17.6% (4,002) -8.8%
Total
revenues $242,885 100.0% $257,602 100.0% $(14,717) -5.7%

Comparable-store revenues ("Comp"):
Fiscal
2009 2008 2009
---- ---- (excludes
leap day)
--------
Total -7.0% 2.3% -6.2%
Merchandise -6.4% 2.2% -5.7%
Rental -9.6% 3.0% -8.7%

Below is a summary of the Comp results for our major merchandise categories:

Six Months Ended July 31,
2009 2008 2009
---- ---- (excludes
leap day)
--------
Hardback Cafe 12.7% 10.4% 13.5%
Electronics 4.5% 26.5% 5.3%
Consumables 3.8% 11.5% 4.8%
Trends 2.8% 23.8% 3.6%
Books -0.8% 2.0% -0.1%
Movies -6.8% 2.8% -6.1%
Video Games -15.4% 16.4% -14.7%
Music -15.4% -14.0% -14.7%

The following discussion of merchandise and rental Comp sales excludes the
additional day of sales due to leap year.

Hardback Cafe Comps increased 13.5% for the period, compared to the same
period in the prior year, primarily as a result of the opening of an
additional five cafes in existing stores during the period, and increased
sales of specialty cafe drinks. Electronics Comps increased 5.3% for the
period, primarily due to strong sales of digital converter boxes and increased
sales of third party gift cards and Blu-ray DVD players, partially offset by
lower sales of refurbished iPods. Consumables Comps increased 4.8% for the
period, resulting primarily from increased sales of assorted candies and gums,
including sales of seasonal candy and candy and snacks cross-merchandised on
our video rental wall. Trends Comps increased 3.6% for the period, as a
result of increased sales of apparel, action figures, toys, novelty items, and
sports memorabilia, partially offset by lower sales of Webkinz plush products,
greeting cards, and collectible trading cards. Key drivers in the apparel
category included t-shirts, sports themed apparel, accessories, and hats. Key
drivers in the novelty item category included barware, magnets, gag gifts, and
key chains. Books Comps decreased 0.1% for the period. Increased sales of
used and value books were offset by decreased sales of new hardbacks, new
trade paperbacks, and magazines. Movies Comps decreased 6.1% for the period,
primarily due to lower sales of new and used DVDs and DVD boxed sets,
partially offset by increased sales of Blu-ray DVDs. Video Game Comps
decreased 14.7% for the period, primarily resulting from lower sales of older
generation video games and lower sales of new video game consoles, partially
offset by increased sales of used games for the Microsoft XBOX 360, Sony
Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii, and increased sales of used video game
consoles. Music Comps decreased 14.7% for the period, primarily due to lower
sales of new and used CDs, resulting directly from a continued industry
decline and reduced footprint in thirty-eight stores. Merchandise Comps,
excluding the sale of new music, decreased 3.6% during the period.

Rental Comps decreased 8.7% for the first six months of fiscal 2009, primarily
resulting from fewer rentals of DVDs and increased promotions offered during
the current period, partially offset by increased rentals of Blu-ray movies
and video games. Comparable promotional coupons increased significantly for
the first six months of fiscal 2009, which led to a 1.7% decrease in Rental
Comps. Rental Video Game Comps increased 5.8% for the period while Rental
Movie Comps decreased 10.5%.

Gross Profit - Merchandise. For the current six months, total merchandise
gross profit dollars decreased approximately $1.3 million, or 2.0%, to $63.7
million from $65.0 million for the same period in the prior year primarily due
to a decrease in merchandise revenues, partially offset by an increase in
merchandise margin rates. As a percentage of total merchandise revenue,
merchandise gross profit increased to 31.6% for the six months ended July 31,
2009 compared to 30.6% for the same period in the prior year, primarily
resulting from improved inventory management.

Gross Profit - Rental. For the current six months, total rental gross profit
dollars decreased approximately $3.1 million, or 10.4%, to $26.8 million from
$29.9 million for the same period in the prior year primarily due to a
decrease in rental revenues as well as lower rental margin rates. As a
percentage of total rental revenue, rental gross profit decreased to 64.7% for
the six months ended July 31, 2009, compared to 65.8% for the same period in
the prior year due primarily to lower revenues.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A"). As a percentage of
total revenue, SG&A increased to 36.1% for the current six months compared to
34.2% for the same period in the prior year due to deleveraging resulting from
lower revenues. SG&A decreased approximately $0.2 million during the six
months ended July 31, 2009, or 0.2%, to $87.8 million compared to $88.0
million for the same period last year. In accordance with our management
incentive programs, no bonuses were earned for the first six months of fiscal
2009, which represents the majority of the decrease in SG&A from the prior
year. This reduction, along with reductions across most expense categories
resulting from improved expense management, were partially offset by increases
in store occupancy costs associated with the operation of new, expanded, and
relocated stores and increased advertising costs.

Interest Expense. For the current six months, interest expense decreased
approximately $0.3 million, or 33.3%, to $0.6 million, compared to $0.9
million during fiscal 2008 resulting primarily from lower interest rates. The
average rate of interest charged for the period decreased to 2.74% compared to
4.37% for the same period in the prior year.

Stock Repurchase

On September 18, 2001, we announced a stock repurchase program of up to $5.0
million of our common stock. Prior to fiscal 2008, the Board of Directors
approved increases in the program totaling $17.5 million, and on December 8,
2008, they approved an additional increase of $5.0 million. During the second
quarter of fiscal 2009, we purchased a total of 79,500 shares of common stock
at a cost of $338,593, or $4.26 per share. As of July 31, 2009, a total of
3,537,133 shares had been repurchased under the program at a cost of
approximately $22.0 million, for an average cost of approximately $6.23 per
share. As of July 31, 2009, approximately $5.3 million remains available
under the stock repurchase program.

Store Activity

Since May 18, 2009, which was the last date we reported store activity, we
have store activity as follows:

-- Store closed in Lubbock, Texas on July 31, 2009.

-- Store closed in Emporia, Kansas on July 31, 2009.

Fiscal Year 2009 Guidance

"Net earnings for the first six months were approximately $0.8 million lower
than our internal forecast, which is the basis for our guidance," said Dan
Crow, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We have revised our
internal forecast for the second half of the year, which has resulted in lower
projected revenues; the net earnings impact of which has been significantly
offset by projected improvements in margin rates along with a reduction in
costs that vary with revenue and expense reductions. We are lowering our
guidance of net earnings per share ranging from $0.40 to $0.45 to a range of
$0.37 to $0.42 for the full fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. The continued
uncertainty in the current retail environment, particularly with respect to
the holiday selling season, makes forecasting very difficult. Accordingly, we
will update our guidance after the third quarter."

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Hastings
Entertainment, Inc. is including this statement for the express purpose of
availing itself of the protections of the safe harbor provided by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on
currently available information and represent the beliefs of the management of
the company. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include, but are
not limited to, consumer appeal of our existing and planned product offerings,
and the related impact of competitor pricing and product offerings; overall
industry performance and the accuracy of our estimates and judgments regarding
trends; our ability to obtain favorable terms from suppliers; our ability to
respond to changing consumer preferences, including with respect to new
technologies and alternative methods of content delivery, and to effectively
adjust our offerings if and as necessary; the application and impact of future
accounting policies or interpretations of existing accounting policies;
unanticipated adverse litigation results or effects; the effects of a
continued deterioration in economic conditions in the U.S. or the markets in
which we operate our stores; and other factors which may be outside of the
company's control. Please refer to the company's annual, quarterly, and
periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a
more detailed discussion of these and other risks that could cause results to
differ materially.

About Hastings

Founded in 1968, Hastings Entertainment, Inc. is a leading multimedia
entertainment retailer that combines the sale of new and used books, videos,
video games and CDs, as well as trends merchandise, with the rental of videos
and video games in a superstore format. We currently operate 151 superstores,
averaging approximately 21,000 square feet, primarily in medium-sized markets
throughout the United States.

We also operate www.goHastings.com, an e-commerce Internet Web site that makes
available to our customers new and used entertainment products and unique,
contemporary gifts and toys. The site features exceptional product and
pricing offers. The Investor Relations section of our web site contains press
releases, a link to request financial and other literature and access our
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)

July 31, July 31, January 31,
2009 2008 2009
---- ---- ----
(unaudited) (unaudited)

Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $4,514 $3,884 $7,449
Merchandise inventories, net 148,555 162,056 147,957
Deferred income taxes 10,385 3,356 11,180
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 9,859 10,119 11,224
----- ------ ------
Total current assets 173,313 179,415 177,810

Rental assets, net 13,763 12,698 15,463
Property and equipment, net 52,423 52,955 56,585
Deferred income taxes 3,872 3,746 2,434
Intangible assets, net 391 391 391
Other assets 1,022 1,034 1,020
----- ----- -----

Total assets $244,784 $250,239 $253,703
======== ======== ========

Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable $57,185 $57,922 $61,823
Accrued expenses and other
liabilities 33,386 33,633 40,614
------ ------ ------
Total current liabilities 90,571 91,555 102,437

Long-term debt, excluding
current maturities 45,535 50,938 44,507
Other liabilities 5,545 4,604 4,723

Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock - - -
Common stock 119 119 119
Additional paid-in capital 36,733 36,894 36,651
Retained earnings 81,257 79,541 79,951
Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) 2 (15) (67)
Treasury stock, at cost (14,978) (13,397) (14,618)
------- ------- -------
Total shareholders' equity 103,133 103,142 102,036
------- ------- -------

Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $244,784 $250,239 $253,703
======== ======== ========

Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)

Merchandise revenue $97,366 $103,860 $201,462 $212,177
Rental revenue 19,826 21,806 41,423 45,425
------ ------ ------ ------
Total revenues 117,192 125,666 242,885 257,602

Merchandise cost of revenue 66,788 72,193 137,782 147,145
Rental cost of revenue 6,892 7,586 14,605 15,557
----- ----- ------ ------
Total cost of revenues 73,680 79,779 152,387 162,702
------ ------ ------- -------
Gross profit 43,512 45,887 90,498 94,900

Selling, general and
administrative expenses 43,878 44,348 87,776 88,042
Pre-opening expenses 1 11 3 13
--- --- --- ---
Operating income (loss) (367) 1,528 2,719 6,845

Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net (272) (455) (567) (927)
Other, net 61 25 79 42
--- --- --- ---
Income (loss) before
income taxes (578) 1,098 2,231 5,960

Income tax expense (benefit) (182) 438 925 2,311
---- --- --- -----
Net income (loss) $(396) $660 $1,306 $3,649
===== ==== ====== ======
Basic income (loss) per share $(0.04) $0.06 $0.13 $0.35
====== ===== ===== =====
Diluted income (loss)
per share $(0.04) $0.06 $0.13 $0.34
====== ===== ===== =====
Weighted-average common
shares outstanding:
Basic 9,672 10,250 9,727 10,305
Dilutive effect of
stock awards - 274 75 285
--- --- --- ---
Diluted 9,672 10,524 9,802 10,590
===== ====== ===== ======

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)

Six Months Ended July 31,
2009 2008
---- ----
(unaudited) (unaudited)

Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net income $1,306 $3,649
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities:
Rental asset depreciation expense 6,464 7,471
Purchases of rental assets (10,105) (13,488)
Property and equipment depreciation
expense 9,583 9,636
Deferred income tax (643) (905)
Loss on rental assets lost, stolen
and defective 466 652
Loss on disposal of other assets 191 269
Noncash stock-based compensation 156 340
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Merchandise inventory 4,276 15,405
Other current assets 1,365 923
Trade accounts payable 2,221 (14,182)
Accrued expenses and other
liabilities (7,228) (2,914)
Excess tax benefit from stock based
compensation - (128)
Other assets and liabilities, net 889 56
--- ---
Net cash provided by operating
activities 8,941 6,784
----- -----

Cash flows from investing
activities:
Purchases of property, equipment
and improvements (5,611) (10,289)
------ -------
Net cash used in investing
activities (5,611) (10,289)
------ -------

Cash flows from financing
activities:
Net borrowings under revolving
credit facility 1,028 10,322
Purchase of treasury stock (434) (3,077)
Change in cash overdraft (6,859) (4,260)
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options - 294
Excess tax benefit from stock based
compensation - 128
--- ---
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (6,265) 3,407
------ -----

Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (2,935) (98)

Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 7,449 3,982
----- -----

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $4,514 $3,884
====== ======

Balance Sheet and Other Ratios ( A )
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

July 31, July 31,
2009 2008
---- ----
Merchandise inventories, net $148,555 $162,056
Inventory turns, trailing 12
months ( B ) 1.70 1.72

Long-term debt $45,535 $50,938
Long-term debt to total
capitalization ( C ) 30.6% 33.1%

Book value ( D ) $103,133 $103,142

Book value per share ( E ) $10.52 $9.74

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
July 31, July 31,
2009
(excludes
2009 2008 2009 2008 leap day)
---- ---- ---- ---- ---------
Comparable-store
revenues ( F ):
Total -8.1% 0.6% -7.0% 2.3% -6.2%
Merchandise -7.7% 0.3% -6.4% 2.2% -5.7%
Rental -10.1% 2.0% -9.6% 3.0% -8.7%

( A ) Calculations may differ in the method employed from similarly titled
measures used by other companies.
( B ) Calculated as merchandise cost of goods sold for the period's
trailing twelve months divided by average merchandise inventory over
the same period.
( C ) Defined as long-term debt divided by long-term debt plus total
shareholders' equity (book value).
( D ) Defined as total shareholders' equity.
( E ) Defined as total shareholders' equity divided by weighted average
diluted shares outstanding for the six month period ended July 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
( F ) Stores included in the comparable-store revenues calculation are
those stores that have been open for a minimum of 60 weeks. Also
included are stores that are remodeled or relocated during the
comparable period. Sales via the Internet are included and closed
stores are removed from each comparable period for the purpose of
calculating comparable-store revenues.

SOURCE Hastings Entertainment, Inc.

Dan Crow, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, +1-806-677-1422