Hot Topic, Inc. Reports 1st Quarter EPS of $0.03 Per Diluted Share

Provides Guidance for the 2nd Quarter of 2009


CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., May 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT), reported results for its first quarter of fiscal 2009 (13 weeks) ended May 2, 2009.

The company reported net income in the first fiscal quarter of $1.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.03 per share, for the comparable period last year. The first quarter of fiscal 2009 results include approximately $0.02 per share of expense related to ShockHound (www.shockhound.com), the company's online music site.

As previously reported, total sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 10.1% to $175.1 million compared to $159.0 million for the first quarter last year. Total company comparable store sales increased 7.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. A summary of the sales results by division (including internet) is as follows:



                                                     Comparable Store
                                    Net Sales         Sales % Change
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                          % Change
                                   $       To Last    This      Last
                                Millions    Year      Year      Year
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  FIRST QUARTER:
       Hot Topic                  $134.8     11.4%      9.6%     -3.0%

       Torrid                      $40.3      6.2%     -1.7%     -2.0%

       Total Co.                  $175.1     10.1%      7.1%     -2.8%

At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the company operated 679 Hot Topic stores and 158 Torrid stores compared to 686 Hot Topic stores and 154 Torrid stores at the end of first quarter of fiscal 2008. During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the company closed two Hot Topic stores and one Torrid Store. The company also remodeled or relocated three Hot Topic stores during the quarter.

The company issued second quarter guidance (13 weeks ending August 1, 2009) of a loss per share in the range of $0.04 to $0.06, as compared to a loss per share of $0.01 last year. This guidance is based upon a comp sales decline in the mid-single-digit percentage range. Included in the guidance is approximately $0.02 per share of expense related to ShockHound (www.shockhound.com), the company's online music site.

A conference call to discuss first quarter results, business trends, guidance and other matters is scheduled for May 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM (ET). The live conference call number is 866-362-4829, pass code "Hot Topic," and will be accessible to all interested parties. It will also be webcast on the company's Investor Relations website located at http://investorrelations.hottopic.com. A replay of the conference call will be available at 888-286-8010, pass code 59502089, for approximately two weeks. In addition, a webcast replay of the conference call will be available on the company's Investor Relations website for approximately two weeks.

Hot Topic, Inc. is a mall and web based specialty retailer operating the Hot Topic and Torrid concepts, as well as the e-space music discovery concept, ShockHound. Hot Topic offers music/pop culture-licensed and music/pop culture-influenced apparel, accessories, music and gift items for young men and women principally between the ages of 12 and 22. Torrid offers apparel, lingerie, shoes and accessories designed for various lifestyles for plus-size females principally between the ages of 15 and 29. ShockHound (www.shockhound.com) is a one-stop, genre-spanning music website where people of all ages can purchase MP3s and music merchandise, share their music interests and read music news and editorial content. As of May 2, 2009, the company operated 679 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 158 Torrid stores, and Internet stores www.hottopic.com, www.torrid.com and www.shockhound.com.

In addition to historical information, this news release and the aforementioned conference call contain forward-looking statements, which may include statements relating to financial results, guidance, store operations, closures, remodels and relocations, projections and other financial performance. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties associated with meeting expected financial results, fluctuations in sales and comparable store sales results, the online music site, music and fashion trends, competition from other retailers, uncertainties generally associated with specialty retailing, technology and other risks associated with Internet sales, the effect of negative conditions in the global capital and credit markets, the effect of severe weather or natural disasters, political and/or social changes or events that could negatively impact shopping patterns and/or mall traffic, relationships with mall developers and operators, relationships with our vendors, litigation proceedings and contingent liabilities, as well as other risks detailed in the company's SEC reports including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Historical results achieved are not necessarily indicative of the future prospects of the company, and actual results or circumstances could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.



                            HOT TOPIC, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (Unaudited)

                                                  First Quarter Ended
                                                 ---------------------
                                                  May 2,       May 3,
                                                   2009         2008
                                                 --------     --------

 Net sales                                       $175,125     $158,978
 Cost of goods sold, including buying,
  distribution and occupancy costs                114,995      107,353
 Gross margin                                      60,130       51,625
 Selling, general & administrative expenses        58,278       54,313
 Income (loss) from operations                      1,852       (2,688)
 Interest income-net                                  170          374
 Income (loss) before provision (benefit)
  for income taxes                                  2,022       (2,314)
 Provision (benefit) for income taxes                 797         (908)
 Net income (loss)                                 $1,225      $(1,406)

 Earnings (loss) per share:
    Basic                                           $0.03       $(0.03)
    Diluted                                         $0.03       $(0.03)
 Shares used in computing earnings (loss)
  per share:
    Basic                                          44,000       43,717
    Diluted                                        44,679       43,717


                            HOT TOPIC, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)
                              (Unaudited)

                                                  May 2,       May 3,
                                                   2009         2008
                                                 --------     --------
 Current Assets:
 Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
  investments                                     $89,347      $41,933
 Inventory                                         82,152       77,329
 Prepaid expenses and other                        14,707       17,080
 Deferred tax assets                                6,365        4,298
 Total current assets                             192,571      140,640

 Property and equipment, net                      150,811      168,653
 Deposits and other                                 2,455        1,497
 Long-term investments                              8,477       10,328
 Deferred tax assets                                8,289        6,609
 Total assets                                    $362,603     $327,727

 Current Liabilities:
 Accounts payable                                 $26,330      $21,912
 Accrued liabilities                               34,315       28,709
 Income taxes payable                               1,003          984
 Total current liabilities                         61,648       51,605

 Deferred rent                                     35,581       39,424
 Deferred compensation liability                    2,179        1,281
 Income taxes payable                               1,850          844
 Total liabilities                                101,258       93,154

 Total shareholders' equity                       261,345      234,573

 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $362,603     $327,727


                              OTHER DATA
                        (Dollars in thousands)
                              (Unaudited)

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                ----------------------
                                                 May 2,       May 3,
                                                  2009         2008
                                                ---------    ---------
 Depreciation and amortization                     $9,648       $9,935
 Capital expenditures                              $5,495       $7,456

 Total company store square footage             1,587,600    1,589,200
 Hot Topic average store size                       1,757        1,755
 Torrid average store size                          2,496        2,503

            

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