Nordstrom
JWN
#3413
Rank
$4.12 B
Marketcap
$24.66
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0.08%
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Change (1 year)

Nordstrom - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1997

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number 0-6074

Nordstrom, Inc.
______________________________________________________
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington 91-0515058
_______________________________ ___________________
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

1501 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101
____________________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (206) 628-2111


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.





YES X NO
_____ _____

Common stock outstanding as of November 25, 1997: 77,317,994 shares of
common stock.










1 of 9
NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
--------------------------------
INDEX
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
Number
<S> <C>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Three and nine months ended
October 31, 1997 and 1996 3

Consolidated Balance Sheets
October 31, 1997 and 1996 and
January 31, 1997 4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine months ended October 31, 1997 and 1996 5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 7

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 8

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 9
</TABLE>

























2 of 9
NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Three Months Nine Months
Ended October 31, Ended October 31,
--------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $1,089,784 $ 984,440 $3,396,876 $3,131,866
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and related
buying and occupancy 724,081 665,378 2,294,946 2,144,378
Selling, general and
administrative 326,193 288,644 950,843 886,267
Interest, net 7,659 9,151 23,572 31,230
Service charge income
and other, net (27,794) (34,469) (82,165) (102,723)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total costs and expenses 1,030,139 928,704 3,187,196 2,959,152
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

Earnings before income taxes 59,645 55,736 209,680 172,714
Income taxes 23,500 21,700 82,600 68,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 36,145 $ 34,036 $ 127,080 $ 104,714
========== ========== ========== ==========
Net earnings per average share
of common stock outstanding $ .47 $ .42 $ 1.64 $ 1.29
========== ========== ========== ==========
Cash dividends paid per share
of common stock outstanding $ .14 $ .125 $ .39 $ .375
========== ========== ========== ==========
<FN>
These statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and in the Nordstrom
1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.
</TABLE>



















3 of 9
NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
October 31, January 31, October 31,
1997 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,239 $ 28,284 $ 11,343
Accounts receivable, net 648,802 714,589 690,047
Merchandise inventories 1,134,212 719,919 976,488
Prepaid income taxes and other 76,538 69,607 67,755
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current assets 1,878,791 1,532,399 1,745,633
Property, buildings and
equipment, net 1,229,354 1,152,454 1,131,913
Other assets 18,163 17,654 16,875
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $3,126,308 $2,702,507 $2,894,421
========== ========== ==========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable $ 241,348 $ 163,770 $ 190,890
Accounts payable 555,042 310,430 473,843
Accrued salaries, wages
and taxes 203,703 192,750 180,971
Accrued expenses 49,508 56,080 49,642
Accrued income taxes 10,992 13,045 6,662
Current portion
of long-term debt 151,343 51,302 25,220
---------- ---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 1,211,936 787,377 927,228
Long-term debt 320,701 329,330 379,750
Deferred lease credits and
other deferred items 109,642 112,608 125,893
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, without par value:
250,000,000 shares authorized;
77,314,199, 79,634,977 and
80,182,651 shares issued
and outstanding 200,241 183,398 182,662
Retained earnings 1,283,788 1,289,794 1,278,888
---------- ---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 1,484,029 1,473,192 1,461,550
---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY $3,126,308 $2,702,507 $2,894,421
========== ========== ==========
<FN>
These statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and in the Nordstrom
1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.
</TABLE>


4 of 9
NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months
Ended October 31,
------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings $127,080 $104,714
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 116,364 116,878
Change in:
Accounts receivable, net 65,787 17,280
Merchandise inventories (414,293) (350,185)
Prepaid income taxes and other (6,931) 274
Accounts payable 244,612 196,259
Accrued salaries, wages and taxes 10,953 (4,569)
Accrued expenses (6,572) 1,808
Income tax liabilities (4,093) (16,304)
Deferred lease credits (926) 22,614
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 131,981 88,769
-------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property, buildings
and equipment, net (192,697) (144,672)
Other (373) (910)
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (193,070) (145,582)
-------- --------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from accounts receivable
securitization --- 186,600
Increase (decrease) in notes payable 77,578 (41,611)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net 91,647 57,759
Principal payments on long-term debt (938) (92,973)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 16,843 14,222
Cash dividends paid (30,344) (30,447)
Purchase and retirement of common stock (102,742) (49,911)
-------- --------
Net cash provided by
financing activities 52,044 43,639
-------- --------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (9,045) (13,174)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period 28,284 24,517
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 19,239 $ 11,343
======== ========
<FN>
These statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein and in the Nordstrom
1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.
</TABLE>
5 of 9
NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)


Note 1:

The consolidated balance sheets of Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries (the
"Company") as of October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of earnings and cash flows for the periods then ended, have been
prepared from the accounts without audit.

The consolidated financial information is applicable to interim periods
and is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
year ending January 31, 1998.

It is not considered necessary to include detailed footnote information
as of October 31, 1997 and 1996. The financial information should be read
in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Nordstrom 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders.

In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial information
includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of
Nordstrom, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended,
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis.

Note 2: The summarized unaudited combined results of operations of
Nordstrom Credit, Inc. and Nordstrom National Credit Bank are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Nine Months
Ended October 31, Ended October 31,
1997 1996 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total revenue $30,841 $34,780 $93,262 $113,144
Earnings before income
taxes 12,487 14,663 32,160 36,589
Net earnings 7,853 9,573 20,256 23,429
</TABLE>
Note 3:

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, which will be effective for
earnings per share calculations after December 15, 1997, will not significantly
affect the calculation of the Company's earnings per share.










6 of 9
Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Management
Discussion and Analysis section of the Nordstrom 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders.

Results of Operations:
- ----------------------
During the third quarter of 1997, sales increased 10.7% when compared with the
same quarter in 1996. For the nine-month period, sales increased 8.5%
compared to the same period in 1996. Comparable store sales increased by
4.7% for the quarter and 3.6% for the nine-month period, with the remainder of
the increase coming from new units and from the Company's direct sales catalog
division. The positive trend in comparable store sales results reflects steady
improvements in the Company's women's apparel departments. Comparable store
sales increases have remained strong in the fourth quarter.

Cost of sales and related buying and occupancy costs decreased as a percentage
of sales for the quarter and nine-month period as compared to the
corresponding periods in 1996. For the quarter and nine-month period, the
decrease was due primarily to higher merchandise margins resulting from higher
markups and lower markdowns. Occupancy costs decreased as a percentage of
sales for the quarter and nine-month period, due primarily to leverage
achieved through comparable store sales growth, which was partially offset by
increases attributable to new store openings.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of
sales during the quarter as compared to the corresponding period in 1996 due
primarily to higher sales promotion costs for the Company's direct sales
catalog division as well as new store openings. The increase was partially
offset by decreased employee benefit costs and credit expenses. Selling,
general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of sales during
the nine-month period as compared to the corresponding period in 1996. The
decrease is due primarily to reduced bad debt expense as a result of the
securitization of the Company's VISA credit card receivables in August 1996
and a decrease in employee benefit costs. These decreases were partially
offset by higher sales promotion costs for the Company's direct sales catalog
division.

For the quarter and the nine-month period, interest expense decreased as a
percentage of sales when compared to the corresponding periods in 1996, due
primarily to lower levels of short-term debt outstanding as a result of the
securitization of the Company's VISA credit card receivables.

Service charge income and other, net decreased as a percentage of sales for
the quarter compared to the corresponding period in 1996. The decrease is due
primarily to net losses from market value adjustments to the portions of the
securitized VISA receivables owned by the Company, compared to net gains in
the prior year. Also, in 1996 there was a gain on the sale of equipment
totaling $3.1 million ($.02 per share after income taxes). For the nine-month
period, service charge income and other, net decreased as a percentage of
sales when compared to the corresponding period in 1996 due primarily to a
reduction in revenues from the Company's VISA card program as a result of the
securitization of these receivables in August 1996.



7 of 9
Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONT.)


Financial Condition:
- --------------------
During the first quarter of 1997, Nordstrom Credit, Inc. filed a shelf
registration statement on Form S-3 to register up to $250 million in debt
securities, and issued $92.4 million in medium-term notes under the
registration.

On July 24, 1997, the Company entered into a revolving line of credit
agreement with a group of commercial banks which provides for borrowings of up
to $200 million and expires in July 2002. There are no borrowings on the line
of credit at October 31, 1997.

On October 2, 1997, the Company established a new $200 million commercial
paper program. The revolving line of credit is available as liquidity support
for the commercial paper program.

The Company's working capital at October 31, 1997 decreased when compared to
October 31, 1996 due primarily to an increase in the current portion of long-
term debt and short-term debt.

In April, 1997, the Company completed its second repurchase of $100 million of
its outstanding common stock as approved by the Board of Directors at its
November 1996 meeting. To date, the Company has purchased $24.6 million of a
third $100 million stock repurchase authorized in February, 1997.

During the quarter, the Company opened three new full-line stores at Roosevelt
Field on Long Island, New York, Westfarms Mall in West Hartford, Connecticut
and Beachwood Place in Cleveland, Ohio. The Company also opened a Rack at The
Mall at the Source in Hempstead, New York, and two Faconnable boutiques; one
in Beverly Hills, California and another in Costa Mesa, California.
Construction is progressing as planned on new stores scheduled to open in 1998.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1. Legal Proceedings
- --------------------------
The Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings,
other than routine litigation in the ordinary course of business.















8 of 9
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- -----------------------------------------

(a) Exhibits
--------
(10.1) Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between
Registrant and Bancamerica Securities, Inc. is filed herein as
an Exhibit.

(10.2) Commercial Paper Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between
Registrant and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation is filed
herein as an Exhibit.

(10.3) Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated October 2, 1997 between
Registrant and First Trust of New York, N.A. is filed herein as
an Exhibit.

(27.1) Financial Data Schedule is filed herein as an Exhibit.


(b) Reports on Form 8-K
-------------------

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this
report is filed.






SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



NORDSTROM, INC.
(Registrant)


/s/ John A. Goesling
------------------------------------------
John A. Goesling
Executive Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Date: December 9, 1997
- ------------------------





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NORDSTROM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Index

Exhibit Method of Filing
- ------- ----------------
<S> <C>
10.1 Commercial Paper Dealer Filed herewith electronically
Agreement dated October 2, 1997
between Registrant and Bancamerica
Securities, Inc.

10.2 Commercial Paper Agreement Filed herewith electronically
dated October 2, 1997 between
Registrant and Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation

10.3 Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement Filed herewith electronically
dated October 2, 1997 between
Registrant and First Trust of New
York, N.A.

27.1 Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith electronically
</TABLE>