<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001193125-06-098948
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20060503
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20060504
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20060503
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>HOT TOPIC INC /CA/
<CIK>0001017712
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5600
<IRS-NUMBER>770198182
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>CA
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0130
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-28784
<FILM-NUMBER>06805858
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>18305 EAST SAN JOSE AVENUE
<CITY>CITY OF INDUSTRY
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>91748
<PHONE>6268394681
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>18305 EAST SAN JOSE AVENUE
<CITY>CITY OF INDUSTRY
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>91768
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

<HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Current Report Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May&nbsp;3, 2006 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>Hot Topic, Inc. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="34%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>California</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>0-28784</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>77-0198182</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other<BR>jurisdiction of<BR>incorporation)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission File<BR>Number)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(I.R.S. Employer<BR>Identification No.)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>18305 E. San Jose Avenue</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>City of Industry, California</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>91748</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (626)&nbsp;839-4681 </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Not Applicable. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or
former address, if changed since last report.) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing
obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left">

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;2.02</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Results of Operations and Financial Condition. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of a press release that Hot Topic, Inc. issued on May&nbsp;3, 2006 containing certain financial information for the first quarter ended April&nbsp;29, 2006. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The information in this Item&nbsp;2.02 and the corresponding exhibit are being furnished and shall not be deemed &#147;filed&#148; for the purposes of
Section&nbsp;18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Exhibits: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="83%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="90%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-right:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release of Hot Topic, Inc. dated May 3, 2006.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature on following page.] </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">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 hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>HOT TOPIC, INC.</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ JAMES MCGINTY</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">James McGinty <I></I></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><I>Chief Financial Officer</I></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date: May&nbsp;3, 2006 </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="90%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press Release issued by Hot Topic, Inc. on May 3, 2006.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE OF HOT TOPIC, INC.
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Press Release of Hot Topic, Inc.</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>** NEWS RELEASE ** </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>HOT TOPIC, INC. REPORTS APRIL COMP STORE SALES DOWN 6.5% </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">CITY of INDUSTRY, CA, May&nbsp;3, 2006 &#151; Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq National Market: HOTT) today announced the following sales results for its fiscal
month of April (four weeks ended April&nbsp;29, 2006): </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="81%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="4" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Net Sales</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="4" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Comparable<BR>Store Sales<BR>% Change</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>$<BR>Millions</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>%<BR>Change<BR>to Last<BR>Year</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>This</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Year</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Last<BR>Year</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">April</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">46.4</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-6.5</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-4.1</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">First Quarter</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">154.0</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">-9.6</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="right" COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">0.9</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN="1" NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">%</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The company reiterated its previously issued first quarter earnings guidance of a loss in the
range of $0.01 to $0.04 per diluted share. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For more detailed information on April sales results, please call 626-709-1209 to listen to a
recorded commentary. Additionally, a conference call to discuss first quarter results, business trends, guidance and other matters is scheduled for May&nbsp;17, 2006 at 4:30 PM (ET). The conference call number is 800-659-1942, pass code &#147;Hot
Topic&#148;, and will be accessible to all interested parties. It will also be webcast at www.companyboardroom.com. A replay will be available at 888-286-8010, pass code 76186881, for approximately two weeks. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">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&#146;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 April&nbsp;29, 2006 the company operated 671 Hot
Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 123 Torrid stores, and Internet stores www.hottopic.com and www.torrid.com. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition to
historical information, this news release and the aforementioned prerecorded commentary contain forward-looking statements, which include statements relating to financial results, guidance, projections and other financial performance and managing
growth. 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&#146;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&#146;s SEC reports including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January&nbsp;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. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Contact: </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Hot Topic, Inc., City of Industry, CA </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr.&nbsp;Jim McGinty, CFO 626-839-4681 x2675 </FONT></P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ms.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Megan Hall, Manager of I.R. 626-839-4681 x2173 </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
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