Hot Topic, Inc. Reports 2nd Quarter Loss of $0.02 Per Diluted Share; Provides Guidance For the Third and Fourth Quarters of 2006


CITY of INDUSTRY, Calif., Aug. 16, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT) reported results for its second fiscal quarter (13 weeks) ended July 29, 2006.

The company incurred a net loss in the second quarter of $0.9 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.9 million or $0.02 per diluted share for the comparable period last year. The second quarter 2006 results include approximately $0.02 per share of stock option expense. Net sales for the second quarter increased 5% to $160.3 million from $152.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2005.

As previously reported, comparable store sales decreased 5.5% for the quarter compared to a decrease of 3.5% during the second quarter of fiscal 2005.

At the end of the quarter, the company operated 682 Hot Topic stores and 127 Torrid stores compared to 628 Hot Topic stores and 100 Torrid stores at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2005. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the company opened a total of 11 Hot Topic stores and 4 Torrid stores. The company also remodeled or relocated 8 Hot Topic stores during the quarter.

The company estimates that third quarter earnings will be in the range of $0.16 to $0.18 per diluted share based upon a mid-single digit comp store sales decline. For the fourth quarter, the company estimates earnings in the range of $0.44 to $0.48 per diluted share based upon flat comp sales.

A conference call to discuss second quarter, business trends, guidance and other matters is scheduled for today at 4:30 PM Eastern time. The conference call number is 866-202-4367, pass code "Hot Topic", 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 888-286-8010, pass code 10660381, for approximately two weeks.

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 29, 2006 the company operated 682 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 127 Torrid stores, and Internet stores 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, managing growth, and litigation matters and contingent liabilities. 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, litigation proceedings and contingent liabilities, 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 28, 2006. 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 INCOME
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (Unaudited)

                                                  Second Quarter Ended
                                                 ---------------------
                                                 July 29,     July 30,
                                                   2006         2005
                                                 --------     --------

 Net sales                                       $160,348     $152,234
 Cost of goods sold, including buying,
  distribution and occupancy costs                109,514      104,612
 Gross margin                                      50,834       47,622
 Selling, general & administrative
  expenses                                         52,540       46,498
 (Loss) Income from operations                     (1,706)       1,124
 Interest income-net                                  239          323
 (Loss) Income before income taxes                 (1,467)       1,447
 (Benefit) Provision for income taxes                (562)         554
 Net (loss) income                               $   (905)     $   893

 Net (loss) income per share
    Basic                                        $  (0.02)     $  0.02
    Diluted                                      $  (0.02)     $  0.02
 Shares used in computing net (loss)
  income per share:

    Basic                                          44,180       45,065
    Diluted                                        44,180       46,246


                                                    Six Months Ended
                                                 ---------------------
                                                 July 29,     July 30,
                                                   2006         2005
                                                 --------     --------

 Net sales                                       $314,389     $301,996
 Cost of goods sold, including buying,
  distribution and occupancy costs                215,295      203,208
 Gross margin                                      99,094       98,788
 Selling, general & administrative
  expenses                                        103,485       89,899
 (Loss) Income from operations                     (4,391)       8,889
 Interest income-net                                  642          660
 (Loss) Income before income taxes                 (3,749)       9,549
 (Benefit) Provision for income taxes              (1,436)       3,657
 Net (loss) income                                 (2,313)    $  5,892

 Net (loss) income per share
    Basic                                        $  (0.05)    $   0.13
    Diluted                                      $  (0.05)    $   0.13
 Shares used in computing net (loss)
  income per share:

    Basic                                          44,122       44,907
    Diluted                                        44,122       46,207



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


                                                 July 29,     July 30,
                                                   2006         2005
                                                 --------     --------
 Current Assets:
 Cash, cash equivalents and
  short-term investments                         $ 19,883     $ 33,760
 Inventory                                        106,227       94,524
 Prepaid expenses and other                        17,277       18,330
 Deferred tax assets                                2,487        2,541
 Total current assets                             145,874      149,155
 Property and equipment, net                      174,070      171,022
 Deposits and other                                   249          247
 Total assets                                    $320,193     $320,424

 Current Liabilities:
 Accounts payable and overdraft                  $ 47,429     $ 44,138
 Accrued liabilities                               27,595       32,350
 Income taxes payable                                 --           76
 Total current liabilities                         75,024       76,564
 Deferred rent                                     41,224       35,664
 Deferred tax liability                               209        6,076
 Total liabilities                                116,457      118,304
 Shareholders' equity                             203,736      202,120
 Total liabilities and shareholders'
  equity                                         $320,193     $320,424


                            HOT TOPIC, INC.
                              OTHER DATA
                        (Dollars in thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                                                  Six Months Ended
                                               -----------------------
                                                July 29,     July 30,
                                                  2006         2005
                                               ----------   ----------
 Depreciation and amortization                 $   18,693   $   14,587
 Capital expenditures                             $21,753   $   49,421
 Number of stores open at end of
  period:
 Hot Topic                                            682          628
 Torrid                                               127          100
 Total store square footage                     1,505,200    1,338,000


            

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