Hot Topic, Inc. Reports 3rd Quarter Earnings of $0.16 Per Diluted Share


CITY of INDUSTRY, Calif., Nov. 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT), reported results for its third fiscal quarter (13 weeks) ended October 28, 2006.

The company reported net income in the third quarter of $7.1 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to $5.9 million or $0.13 per diluted share for the comparable period last year. The third quarter 2006 results include approximately $0.02 per share of stock-based compensation. Net sales for the third quarter increased 2% to $196.7 million from $192.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

As previously reported, comparable store sales decreased 6.8% for the quarter compared to a decrease of 6.2% during the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

At the end of the quarter, the company operated 693 Hot Topic stores and 129 Torrid stores compared to 648 Hot Topic stores and 114 Torrid stores at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2005. During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, the company opened a total of 11 Hot Topic stores and 3 Torrid stores and closed 1 Torrid store. The company also remodeled or relocated 7 Hot Topic stores during the quarter.

The company also announced that it expects to open 35 new stores in fiscal 2007 (year ending February 2, 2008). This includes opening an estimated 15 new Hot Topic stores and 20 new Torrid stores. In addition, the company plans to remodel approximately 60 to 80 Hot Topic stores.

A conference call to discuss third quarter, business trends, guidance and other matters is scheduled for today at 4:30 PM Eastern time. The conference call number is 800-561-2601, 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 85899277, 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 October 28, 2006 the company operated 693 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 129 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)

                                             Third Quarter Ended
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Oct. 28, 2006   Oct. 29, 2005
                                        -------------   -------------

 Net sales                                   $196,669        $192,747
 Cost of goods sold, including buying,
  distribution and occupancy costs            128,271         129,271
 Gross margin                                  68,398          63,476
 Selling, general & administrative
  expenses                                     56,904          54,043
 Income from operations                        11,494           9,433
 Interest income, net                             277             180
 Income before income taxes                    11,771           9,613
 Provision for income taxes                     4,701           3,682
 Net income                                  $  7,070        $  5,931

 Earnings per share:
  Basic                                      $   0.16        $   0.13
  Diluted                                    $   0.16        $   0.13
 Weighted average shares outstanding
  Basic                                        44,207          45,108
  Diluted                                      44,735          45,738

                                              Nine Months Ended
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Oct. 28, 2006   Oct. 29, 2005
                                        -------------   -------------

 Net sales                                   $511,058        $494,743
 Cost of goods sold, including buying,
  distribution and occupancy costs            343,566         332,479
 Gross margin                                 167,492         162,264
 Selling, general & administrative 
  expenses                                    160,388         143,942
 Income from operations                         7,104          18,322
 Interest income, net                             919             840
 Income before income taxes                     8,023          19,162
 Provision for income taxes                     3,265           7,339
 Net income                                  $  4,758        $ 11,823

 Earnings per share:
  Basic                                         $0.11           $0.26
  Diluted                                       $0.11           $0.26
 Weighted average shares outstanding
  Basic                                        44,150          44,978
  Diluted                                      44,744          46,064

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


                                         Oct. 28, 2006  Oct. 29, 2005
                                         -------------  -------------
 Current Assets:
 Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
  investments                                 $ 37,704       $ 19,917
 Inventory                                     102,030         96,404
 Prepaid expenses and other                      7,007         19,258
 Deferred tax assets                             2,725          2,541
 Total current assets                          149,466        138,120
 Property and equipment, net                   173,457        173,712
 Deposits and other                                387            248
 Total assets                                 $323,310       $312,080

 Current Liabilities:
 Accounts payable                             $ 33,027       $ 29,141
 Accrued liabilities                            34,962         35,545
 Income taxes payable                            1,870             --
 Total current liabilities                      69,859         64,686
 Deferred rent                                  41,411         38,624
 Deferred tax and other                            314          5,994
 Total liabilities                             111,584        109,304
 Shareholders' equity                          211,726        202,776
 Total liabilities and shareholders'
  equity                                      $323,310       $312,080



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

                                              Nine Months Ended
                                         ----------------------------
                                         Oct. 28, 2006  Oct. 29, 2005
                                         -------------  -------------
 Depreciation and amortization                $ 28,398       $ 23,526
 Capital expenditures                         $ 31,522       $ 61,101
 Number of stores open at end of 
  period:
 Hot Topic                                         693            648
 Torrid                                            129            114
 Total store square footage                  1,533,100      1,409,300


            

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