Ross Stores
ROST
#388
Rank
$61.35 B
Marketcap
$188.65
Share price
1.15%
Change (1 day)
24.12%
Change (1 year)

Ross Stores - 10-Q quarterly report FY


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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q


(Mark one)
_X_ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended May 4, 1996


OR


___ 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 0-14678


ROSS STORES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of 94-1390387
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

8333 Central Avenue, Newark, California 94560-3433
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code (510) 505-4400


Former name, former address N/A
former fiscal year, if changed since
last report.

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 __

The number of shares of Common Stock, with $.01 par value, outstanding
on June 1, 1996 was 25,296,480.
2
<TABLE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

ROSS STORES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>

($000) May 4, February 3, April 29,
ASSETS 1996 1996 1995

(Unaudited) (Note A) (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $35,036 $23,426 $ 25,093
Accounts receivable 16,883 9,901 8,058
Merchandise inventory 332,623 295,965 320,831
Prepaid expenses and other 13,001 13,474 12,357
_______ _______ _______
Total Current Assets 397,543 342,766 366,339

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land and buildings 24,102 24,102 23,932
Fixtures and equipment 152,625 156,811 145,099
Leasehold improvements 122,489 123,829 113,928
Construction-in-progress 17,833 16,808 6,472
______ _______ _______
317,049 321,550 289,431
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 137,674 140,174 122,285
_______ _______ _______
179,375 181,376 167,146
Other assets 16,979 17,010 18,407
________ ________ ________
$593,897 $541,152 $551,892

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $165,036 $137,653 $145,563
Accrued expenses and other 42,498 42,944 41,868
Accrued payroll and benefits 29,322 30,064 17,959
Income taxes payable 12,137 10,555 4,612
_______ _______ _______
Total Current Liabilities 248,993 221,216 210,002
Long-term debt 19,736 9,806 61,004
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities 18,651 18,614 21,323

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock 252 246 246
Additional paid-in capital 148,861 133,409 126,590
Retained earnings 157,404 157,861 132,727
_______ _______ _______
306,517 291,516 259,563
________ ________ ________
$593,897 $541,152 $551,892


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
3


<TABLE>

ROSS STORES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended

May 4, April 29,
($000 except per share data, unaudited) 1996 1995

<S> <C> <C>
SALES $370,948 $297,435

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Cost of goods sold and occupancy 264,058 218,618
General, selling and administrative 76,219 64,659
Depreciation and amortization 7,261 6,685
Interest 184 1,029
________ ________
$347,722 $290,991

Earnings before taxes 23,226 6,444
Provision for taxes on earnings 9,290 2,578
_______ _________
Net earnings $13,936 $ 3,866

==============================================================================
Net earnings per share:

Primary $.54 $.16

Fully diluted $.54 $.16
==============================================================================
Weighted average shares outstanding:

Primary 25,647 24,653

Fully diluted 25,808 24,653
==============================================================================
Stores open at end of period 296 278

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>
4

<TABLE>
ROSS STORES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
May 4, April 29,
($000, unaudited) 1996 1995
<S> <C> <C>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings $13,936 $ 3,866
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 7,261 6,685
Other amortization 1,515 1,258
Change in current assets and current liabilities:
Merchandise inventory (36,658) (45,648)
Other current assets - net (6,509) (2,899)
Accounts payable 29,119 37,445
Other current liabilities - net 4,013 (3,173)
Other 322 1,320
______ _______
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 12,999 (1,146)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property and equipment (9,334) (10,929)
------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (9,334) (10,929)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowing under line of credit agreement 10,000 15,000
(Repayment) of long-term debt (110) (63)
Issuance of common stock related to stock plans 18,130 116
Repurchase of common stock (18,327) 0
Dividends paid (1,748) (1,466)
________ ________
Net cash provided by financing activities 7,945 13,587
________ ________
NET INCREASE IN CASH 11,610 1,512
Cash
Beginning of year 23,426 23,581
________ ________
End of quarter $35,036 $25,093

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
5

ROSS STORES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended May 4, 1996 and April 29, 1995
(Unaudited)



NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
have been prepared from the records of the company without audit and,
in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of
only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the
financial position at May 4, 1996 and April 29, 1995; the interim
results of operations for the three months ended May 4, 1996 and April
29, 1995; and changes in cash flows for the three months then ended.
The balance sheet at February 3, 1996, presented herein, has been
derived from the audited financial statements of the company for the
fiscal year then ended.

Accounting policies followed by the company are described in Note A to
the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ended February 3, 1996. Certain information and footnote disclosures
normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or
omitted for purposes of the condensed consolidated interim financial
statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
statements, including notes thereto, for the year ended February 3,
1996.

The results of operations for the three month periods herein presented
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full year.

The condensed consolidated financial statements at May 4, 1996 and
April 29, 1995, and for the three months then ended have been
reviewed, prior to filing, by the registrant's independent accountants
whose report covering their review of the financial statements is
included in this report on page 6.


NOTE B - STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES

Total cash paid for interest and income taxes is as follows:


Three Months Ended
($000, unaudited) May 4, 1996 April 29, 1995

Interest $267 $1,103
Income Taxes $7,709 $2,704
6
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REVIEW REPORT


Board of Directors and Stockholders of Ross Stores, Inc.
Newark, California

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance
sheets of Ross Stores, Inc. (the "Company") as of May 4, 1996 and
April 29, 1995, and the related condensed consolidated statements
of earnings and cash flows for the three-month periods then ended.
These condensed consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established
by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A
review of interim financial information consists principally of
applying analytical procedures to financial data, and making
inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting
matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion
regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly,
we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material
modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated
financial statements for them to be in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Ross Stores,
Inc. as of February 3, 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of earnings, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report
dated March 15, 1996, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the
information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheet as of February 3, 1996 is fairly stated, in all
material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet
from which it has been derived.


Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Francisco, CA


May 24, 1996
7

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Percentage Of Sales

Three Months Ended

May 4, April 29,
1996 1995
SALES
Sales ($000) $370,948 $297,435
Sales growth 24.7% 12.5%
Comparable store sales growth 14% 0%

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of goods sold and occupancy 71.2% 73.5%
General, selling and administrative 20.5% 21.7%
Depreciation and amortization 2.0% 2.2%
Interest 0% .3%

NET EARNINGS 3.8% 1.3%



Sales

The results of operations for the three months ended May 4, 1996, over
the same period last year, reflect an increase in the level of sales
which was due to the increase in comparable store sales as well as a
greater number of open stores during the current period.

Costs and Expenses

The decline from the prior year in the cost of goods sold and
occupancy percentage for the three month period was primarily due to
(i) an increase in the initial mark-up from purchasing more
opportunistically; (ii) lower markdowns as a percentage of sales; and
(iii) leverage on occupancy costs.

General, selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales
also declined from the comparable quarter in the prior year. This
improvement was due to the company's continued focus on strict expense
controls and the leverage realized from the strong comparable store
sales gain of 14%.

Net earnings for the three months ended May 4, 1996, totaled $13.9
million, or $.54 per share, compared to net earnings of $3.9 million,
or $.16 per share, for the three months ended April 29, 1995.

Taxes on Earnings

The company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 1996 and
1995 was 40%. The rate for both periods reflects the applicable
statutory tax rates.
8
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The primary uses of cash, other than for operating expenses, during
the first three months of fiscal 1996 were for (i) purchase of
inventory, (ii) repurchase of the company's common stock, and (iii)
capital expenditures for new stores and improvements to existing
locations.

Total consolidated inventories were up only 3.7% at the end of the
first quarter from last year driven primarily by an increase in the
number of open stores over the prior year. The strength of sales
during the first quarter ended May 4, 1996 produced faster inventory
turnover which in turn increased accounts payable.

The increase in the accounts receivable was due in part to increased
credit card sales which were in line with the higher volume in
business relative to last year. Cash received from stock option
exercises offset the expenditures for the company's stock repurchase
program. The decline in interest expense reflects lower interest
rates and the decline in borrowings resulting primarily from the
higher earnings levels and the items mentioned above.

The company believes it can fund its capital needs for the remainder
of the fiscal year and the current stock repurchase program through
internally generated cash, trade credit, established bank lines and
lease financing.
9
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits

Incorporated herein by reference to the list of Exhibits
contained in the Exhibit Index which begins on page 10 of this
Report.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

None.




SIGNATURES




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




ROSS STORES, INC.
Registrant




Date: June 17, 1996 /s/John M. Vuko
John M. Vuko, Senior Vice President,
Controller and Principal Accounting
Officer
10

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number Exhibit

3.1 Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on
Form 8-B (the "Form 8-B") filed September 1, 1989 by Ross
Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ross Stores").

3.2 Amended By-laws, dated August 25, 1994, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross
Stores for its quarter ended July 30, 1994.

10.1 Agreement of Lease, dated November 24, 1986, for Ross
Stores' corporate headquarters and distribution center in
Newark, CA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to
the Form 8-B.

10.2 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated July 31, 1993, among Ross
Stores, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of
America, National Trust and Savings Association, and
Security Pacific National Bank ("Banks"); and Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association, as agent for Banks,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 on the Form 10-Q
filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended July 31, 1993.

10.3 First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, effective on
July 31, 1994, by and among Ross Stores, Banks and Wells
Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent for Banks,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10-Q
filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended July 30, 1994.

10.4 Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, effective
on June 15, 1995, by and among Ross Stores, Banks and Wells
Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent for Banks,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10-Q
filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended July 29, 1995.

10.5 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 22, 1994, among Ross
Stores, Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association as Agent, the Industrial Bank of Japan as Co-
Agent and the other financial institutions party thereto,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-Q
filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended July 30, 1994.

10.6 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 20,
1995, among Ross Stores, Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association as Agent, the Industrial Bank of Japan
as Co-Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
the Form 10-Q filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended
July 29, 1995.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS AND COMPENSATORY PLANS
(EXHIBITS 10.7 - 10.26)

10.7 Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan, incorporated
by reference to the appendix to the Proxy Statement filed
by Ross Stores on April 24, 1995 for its Annual
Stockholders Meeting held May 25, 1995 ("1995 Proxy
Statement").

10.8 Third Amended and Restated Ross Stores Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, incorporated by reference to the appendix to
the 1995 Proxy Statement.
11
Exhibit
Number Exhibit

10.9 Third Amended and Restated Ross Stores 1988 Restricted
Stock Plan, incorporated by reference to the appendix to
the Proxy Statement filed by Ross Stores on April 24, 1996
for its Annual Stockholders Meeting held May 30, 1996
("1996 Proxy Statement").

10.10 1991 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan, incorporated by
reference to the appendix to the 1996 Proxy Statement.

10.11 Ross Stores Executive Medical Plan, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the 1993 Form 10-K filed by
Ross Stores for its year ended January 29, 1994 ("1993 Form
10-K").

10.12 Third Amended and Restated Ross Stores Executive
Supplemental Retirement Plan, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.14 to the 1993 Form 10-K.

10.13 Ross Stores Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the 1993 Form
10-K.

10.14 Ross Stores Incentive Compensation Plan, incorporated by
reference to the appendix to the 1996 Proxy Statement.

10.15 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Ross
Stores, Inc. and Norman A. Ferber, effective as of June 1,
1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
Form 10-Q filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended
October 28, 1995.

10.16 Agreement between Ross Stores, Inc. and Norman A. Ferber,
dated August 22, 1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.18 to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross Stores for its quarter
ended October 28, 1995.

10.17 Employment Agreement between Ross Stores and Melvin A.
Wilmore, effective as of March 15, 1994, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross
Stores for its quarter ended April 30, 1994.

10.18 Amendment to Employment and Stock Grant Agreement by and
between Ross Stores and Melvin A. Wilmore, effective as of
March 16, 1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20
to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended
October 28, 1995.

10.19 Second Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between
Ross Stores and Melvin A. Wilmore, effective as of June 1,
1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the
Form 10-Q filed by Ross Stores for its quarter ended
October 28, 1995.

10.20 Agreement between Ross Stores, Inc. and Melvin A. Wilmore,
dated August 22, 1995, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.22 to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross Stores for its quarter
ended October 28, 1995.

10.21 Employment Agreement between Ross Stores and Michael
Balmuth, effective as of February 1, 1995, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross
Stores for its quarter ended April 29, 1995.
12
Exhibit
Number Exhibit

10.22 Amendment to Employment Agreement between Ross Stores and
Michael Balmuth, effective as of June 1, 1995, incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Form 10-Q filed by
Ross Stores for its quarter ended October 28, 1995.

10.23 Employment Agreement between Ross Stores and Barry S.
Gluck, effective as of March 1, 1996.

10.24 Employment Agreement between Ross Stores and Irene S.
Jamieson, effective as of March 1, 1996.

10.25 Employment Agreement between Ross Stores and Barbara Levy,
effective as of March 1, 1996.

10.26 Consulting Agreement between Ross Stores and Stuart G.
Moldaw, effective as of March 16, 1995, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Form 10-Q filed by Ross
Stores for its quarter ended April 29, 1995.

11 Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.

15 Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

27 Financial Data Schedules (submitted for SEC use only).