Hot Topic, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Financial Results, Revises Guidance for the Second Half of 2005


CITY of INDUSTRY, Calif., Aug. 17, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT) reported net income for the quarter ended July 30, 2005 decreased to $0.9 million or $0.02 per diluted share, from $4.5 million or $0.09 per diluted share for the same period last fiscal year. Net sales for the second quarter increased 12% to $152.2 million, from $136.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

As previously reported, comparable store sales decreased 3.5% for the quarter compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2004. At the end of the quarter, the Company operated 728 stores, including 100 Torrid stores, compared to 613 stores, including 59 Torrid stores, at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

The Company also announced today that comparable store sales month-to-date through August 16, 2005, have decreased approximately 8 percent from the same period last year. As a result, the Company currently expects total sales for the third quarter of 2005, ending October 29, 2005, to be in the range of $192 to $195 million. Based on this sales assumption that incorporates comp sales to be down in the mid-single digit percentage range from a year ago, the Company estimates that third quarter earnings will be in the range of $0.15 to $0.18 per diluted share. In addition, the Company also announced that, based upon the current trends of the business, sales guidance for the fourth quarter is now in the range of $220 to $230 million and comp sales are expected to be down in the low to mid-single digit percentage range from a year ago. Based upon this sales assumption, guidance for the fourth quarter earnings is now in the range of $0.30 to $0.38 per diluted share.

A conference call to discuss second quarter results, business trends, and other matters will be conducted today at 4:30 PM Eastern time. The conference call number is 800-370-0869, and will be accessible to all interested parties. The conference call will also be webcast at www.companyboardroom.com. A replay will be available at 877-519-4471, pass code 6156996, for approximately two weeks.

In addition, the Company will release sales for its fiscal month of August (four weeks ending August 27, 2005) on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 9:00 AM Eastern time.

Hot Topic, Inc. is a national mall-based specialty retailer. Hot Topic offers apparel, accessories and gifts to young men and women principally between the ages of 12 and 22. Torrid, the Company's second concept, provides plus-size fashion-forward apparel and accessories that target young women principally between the ages of 15 and 29. As of July 30, 2005, the Company operated 628 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico and 100 Torrid stores. The Company also operates e-commerce websites at www.hottopic.com and www.torrid.com.

In addition to historical information, this news release and the aforementioned conference call contain forward-looking statements, which include statements relating to financial results, guidance, projections and other financial performance, and managing growth. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties associated with meeting expected financial results, management of growth, relationships with mall developers and operators, the risk that available cash or mall space will not be adequate for planned expansion, fluctuations in sales and comparable store sales results, risks and uncertainties with respect to new store openings including risks associated with the Company's new store concepts and Internet stores, music and fashion trends, competition from other retailers, uncertainties generally associated with specialty retailing, the effect of economic conditions, 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 as well as other risks detailed in the Company's SEC reports, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2005. 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.
                     SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                              (Unaudited)

                                             Second Quarter Ended
                                       -------------------------------
                                       July 30, 2005     July 31, 2004
                                                            (restated)
                                       -------------     -------------
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)                 
                                                          
 Net sales                                  $152,234          $136,263
 Cost of goods sold, including                             
  buying, distribution and                                 
  occupancy costs                            104,612            89,613
 Gross margin                                 47,622            46,650
 Selling, general and                                      
  administrative expenses                     46,498            39,515
 Operating income                              1,124             7,135
 Interest income - net                           323               204
 Income before income taxes                    1,447             7,339
 Provision for income taxes                      554             2,811

 Net income                                 $    893          $  4,528
                                                            
 Earnings per share                                         
   Basic                                    $   0.02          $   0.10
   Diluted                                  $   0.02          $   0.09
 Weighted average shares outstanding                    
   Basic                                      45,065            46,565
   Diluted                                    46,246            48,023

                                               Six Months Ended
                                       -------------------------------
                                       July 30, 2005     July 31, 2004
                                                            (restated)
                                       -------------     -------------
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 Net sales                                  $301,996          $264,406
 Cost of goods sold, including
  buying, distribution and
  occupancy costs                            203,208           173,571
 Gross margin                                 98,788            90,835
 Selling, general and
  administrative expenses                     89,899            75,500
 Operating income                              8,889            15,335
 Interest income-net                             660               556
 Income before income taxes                    9,549            15,891
 Provision for income taxes                    3,657             6,086

 Net income                                 $  5,892          $  9,805
                                                            
 Earnings per share                                         
    Basic                                   $   0.13          $   0.21
    Diluted                                 $   0.13          $   0.20
 Weighted average shares outstanding                        
    Basic                                     44,907            47,242
    Diluted                                   46,207            49,055
                                                      
                            HOT TOPIC, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)
                              (Unaudited)

                                       July 30, 2005     July 31, 2004
                                                            (restated)
                                       -------------     -------------
 Current Assets:
 Cash, cash equivalents and
  short-term investments                    $ 33,760          $ 71,635
 Inventory                                    94,524            80,906
 Prepaid expenses and other                   18,330            11,704
 Deferred tax assets                           2,541             2,259
 Total current assets                        149,155           166,504
 Property and equipment - net                171,022           121,361
 Deposits and other                              247               204
 Total assets                               $320,424          $288,069
                                                             
 Current Liabilities:                                        
 Accounts payable                           $ 44,138          $ 47,060
 Accrued liabilities                          32,350            22,966
 Income taxes payable                             76             1,130
 Total current liabilities                    76,564            71,156
 Deferred rent                                35,664            26,437
 Deferred tax liability                        6,076             1,583
 Total liabilities                           118,304            99,176
 Shareholders' equity                        202,120           188,893
 Total liabilities and                               
  shareholders' equity                      $320,424          $288,069


                            HOT TOPIC, INC.
                              OTHER DATA
                        (Dollars in thousands)
                              (Unaudited)
                                                 Six Months Ended
                                       -------------------------------
                                       July 30, 2005     July 31, 2004
                                                            (restated)
                                       -------------     -------------
 Depreciation and amortization            $   14,587        $   11,496
 Capital expenditures                     $   49,421        $   30,221
 Number of stores open at end of period:                  
 Hot Topic                                       628               554
 Torrid                                          100                59
 Total store square footage                1,338,000         1,107,000


            

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