Raises Expected Fourth Quarter Comparable Store Sales Growth to
Approximately 10%
Raises Fiscal Year 2009 Diluted EPS Range to $1.17 to $1.20
Initiates Fiscal Year 2010 Diluted EPS Guidance Range of $1.30 to
$1.45
ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. (Nasdaq:MNRO), a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and tire services, today announced that the Company has raised its guidance for fiscal year 2009. It now anticipates fiscal 2009 sales to range between $475 million to $477 million, with a comparable store sales increase of approximately 7%. This compares to the Company's previously anticipated sales range of $467 million to $471 million and comparable store sales growth range of 5% to 6%. In addition, the Company now conservatively expects diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2009 to be in the range of $1.17 to $1.20, up from its previously anticipated range of $1.14 to $1.19. This estimate compares to fiscal 2008 earnings per diluted share of $1.00.
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company expects a comparable store sales increase of approximately 10%. The Company now expects diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2009 to be in the range of $0.12 to $0.15, up from its previously expected range of $0.09 to $0.14. This estimate compares to $0.10 in the prior year quarter.
Based on current visibility and economic trends, the Company anticipates full year 2010 comparable store sales growth in the range of 4% to 7% and full year 2010 diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.30 to $1.45. This estimate includes an expected 100 basis point gross margin improvement related to declining oil and tire costs.
Robert G. Gross, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased that we are able to raise our sales and earnings estimates for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2009 and deliver our eighth consecutive year of positive same-store sales growth. Further, we expect to record very strong monthly comparable store sales increases in all three months of the fourth quarter, which is especially gratifying given the challenging economy. We also expect that we will achieve earnings leverage lower than originally anticipated for the quarter, as we aggressively advertised and promoted tire and maintenance services in order to opportunistically gain market share from some of our direct competitors and dealerships. The result is an expected strong 5% increase in traffic for the quarter which we expect will help us to drive return business and establish long-term customer relationships."
Mr. Gross continued, "As we move toward the next fiscal year, we remain cautiously optimistic, despite macro factors, and expect continued positive momentum and improved operating leverage driven by strong comparable store sales growth and margin expansion."
The data provided for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2009 is based on preliminary unaudited internal results and is subject to change as the Company completes the preparation of full consolidated financials statements for the period. The Company plans to release its fourth quarter and fiscal 2009 results on May 28, 2009.
Investor Conference
The Company announced that Mr. Gross will participate in the Sidoti & Co. Emerging Growth Institutional Investor Forum, today, March 24, 2009. The live presentation will not be webcast. The Company's investor presentation will be available via the Investor Info section of the Company's website, www.monro.com.
About Monro Muffler Brake
Monro Muffler Brake operates a chain of stores providing automotive undercar repair and tire services in the United States, operating under the brand names of Monro Muffler Brake and Service, Mr. Tire and Tread Quarters Discount Tires. The Company currently operates 711 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maine and Michigan. Monro's stores provide a full range of services for brake systems, steering and suspension systems, tires, exhaust systems and many vehicle maintenance services.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may contain statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed. These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, product demand, dependence on and competition within the primary markets in which the Company's stores are located, the need for and costs associated with store renovations and other capital expenditures, the effect of economic conditions, the impact of competitive services and pricing, product development, parts supply restraints or difficulties, industry regulation, risks relating to leverage and debt service (including sensitivity to fluctuations in interest rates), continued availability of capital resources and financing, risks relating to integration of acquired businesses and other factors set forth elsewhere herein and in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2008.