EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Nancy Shipp, (Investors) 206.388.3136
nancys@bluenile.com
John Baird, (Media) 206.336.6755
johnb@bluenile.com
Blue Nile Announces First Quarter 2007 Financial Results
Q1 Net Sales Total $67.9 Million, Representing 34.0% Growth Year Over Year
Earnings Per Diluted Share of $0.19 Increase 46.2% from Prior Year
Operating Income of $3.7 Million Grows 38.3% from Prior Year
Financial Guidance Raised for 2007
SEATTLE, May 7, 2007 – Blue Nile, Inc. (Nasdaq: NILE) reported financial results for its first quarter ended April 1, 2007.
Blue Nile reported that its first quarter net sales increased 34.0% to $67.9 million. During the quarter, operating income rose 38.3% to $3.7 million. Net income in the first quarter totaled $3.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $2.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income per diluted share increased 46.2% year over year.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.7 million for the trailing twelve month period ended April 1, 2007, compared to $31.5 million for the trailing twelve month period ended April 2, 2006. Non-GAAP free cash flow increased to $32.2 million for the trailing twelve month period ended April 1, 2007, compared to $30.0 million for the trailing twelve month period ended April 2, 2006.
“Blue Nile had a terrific first quarter of 2007,” said Mark Vadon, Chief Executive Officer. “We experienced tremendous growth in our business and generated substantial profitability. Our first quarter performance was driven by significant traction with consumers as a result of the appeal of the Blue Nile customer experience and value proposition.”
“Our first quarter results represent a strong start for our business in 2007,” said Diane Irvine, President and Chief Financial Officer. “We are pleased with the robust growth in our net sales, gross profit and earnings. While all product categories were strong in the first quarter, we are particularly enthusiastic about the performance of jewelry at price points above $25,000. Our net sales in these price points rose 84% year over year in the first quarter, representing our fastest growth product category and reflecting the growing appeal of the Blue Nile brand.”
During the quarter, Blue Nile repurchased 344,655 shares of its common stock for $13.5 million. Since the inception of its stock repurchase program in February 2005, the Company has repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares of its common stock, or 15.2% of shares outstanding, at an average price of $32.75.

 


 

Other Financial Highlights
    Cash and marketable securities totaled $59.2 million at April 1, 2007.
 
    Gross profit for the first quarter of 2007 increased 28.1% to $13.2 million, compared to $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2006. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 19.5% in the first quarter of 2007 compared to 20.4% in the first quarter of 2006.
 
    As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expense declined to 14.1% in the first quarter, from 15.1% in the first quarter of 2006. Selling, general and administrative expense for the first quarter of 2007 was $9.6 million, compared to $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2006.
 
    Stock-based compensation expense totaled $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2007, compared to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2006.
 
    International sales, representing the Company’s Canada and U.K. websites, totaled $2.6 million in the first quarter, an increase of 84.1% year over year.
 
    The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter was 34.9%. Blue Nile fully utilized its net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes in the fourth quarter of 2006.
 
    Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2007 totaled $0.2 million, compared to $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2006.

 


 

Financial Guidance
The following forward-looking statements reflect Blue Nile’s expectations as of May 7, 2007. Actual results may be materially affected by many factors, such as consumer spending, economic conditions and the various factors detailed below.
Expectations for the second quarter 2007 (Quarter Ending July 1, 2007):
  Second quarter net sales are expected to be between $65.5 million and $67.5 million.
 
  Net income is expected to be between $0.16 and $0.17 per diluted share. The estimated net income per diluted share includes estimated stock-based compensation expense of $0.05 per diluted share.
Expectations for the full year 2007 (Year Ending December 30, 2007):
  Net sales are expected to be between $295.0 million and $305.0 million.
 
  Net income is expected to be in a range of $0.86 to $0.91 per diluted share. The estimated net income per diluted share includes estimated stock-based compensation expense of $0.24 per diluted share.
 
  The effective tax rate for the remaining quarters of 2007 is expected to be approximately 35.2%.
 
  Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $5.0 million for the year. Capital expenditures for 2007 include investments related to the expansion of the Company’s U.S. fulfillment center and a new international facility.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, all statements related to future financial performance, estimated stock-based compensation expense, anticipated effective tax rate, anticipated capital expenditures and plans to grow our business. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to our fluctuating operating results, seasonality in our business, our ability to acquire products on reasonable terms, our online business model, demand for our products, our ability to attract customers in a cost effective manner, our limited operating history, the strength of our brand, competition, fraud, system interruptions, our ability to fulfill orders and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Additional information will also be set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 1, 2007, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before May 10, 2007. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Blue Nile undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

 


 

Conference Call
Blue Nile will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2007 financial results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time today. A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed at http://investor.bluenile.com. Following the completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days at the same Internet address. This call will contain forward-looking statements and other material information regarding the Company’s financial and operating results. In the event that any non-GAAP financial measure is discussed on the conference call that is not described in this release, related complementary information will be made available at http://investor.bluenile.com as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the conference call.

 


 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement Blue Nile’s consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), Blue Nile uses non-GAAP free cash flow as a measure of certain components of financial performance. Blue Nile defines non-GAAP free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less cash outflows for purchases of fixed assets, including internal use software and website development. Blue Nile’s management does not itself, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measure in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should also note that the non-GAAP financial measure used by Blue Nile may not be the same non-GAAP financial measure, and may not be calculated in the same manner, as that of other companies. Whenever Blue Nile uses such non-GAAP financial measure, it provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measure and the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
Blue Nile’s management believes that non-GAAP free cash flow provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity. Blue Nile believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to this non-GAAP measure in assessing the performance of Blue Nile and when planning and forecasting future periods. Further, management believes that the inclusion of the non-GAAP free cash flow calculation provides consistency in Blue Nile’s financial reporting and comparability with similar companies in Blue Nile’s industry.
A reconciliation of differences of non-GAAP free cash flow from the comparable GAAP measure of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities is as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    April 1, 2007     April 2, 2006  
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (26,181 )   $ (19,388 )
Purchases of fixed assets, including internal- use software and website development
    (193 )     (608 )
 
           
Non-GAAP free cash flow
  $ (26,374 )   $ (19,996 )
 
           
                 
    Twelve months     Twelve months  
    ended     ended  
    April 1, 2007     April 2, 2006  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 33,727     $ 31,536  
Purchases of fixed assets, including internal- use software and website development
    (1,493 )     (1,523 )
 
           
Non-GAAP free cash flow
  $ 32,234     $ 30,013  
 
           

 


 

About Blue Nile, Inc.
Founded in 1999, Blue Nile is the leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry. It has built a well respected brand by providing consumers with a better way to buy diamonds and fine jewelry. Blue Nile has established some of the highest quality standards in the industry and provides consumers with in-depth educational materials and unique online tools that place consumers in control of the jewelry shopping process. The Blue Nile websites showcase thousands of independently certified diamonds and fine jewelry at prices significantly below traditional retail. Blue Nile can be found online at www.bluenile.com, www.bluenile.ca and www.bluenile.co.uk. Blue Nile’s shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol NILE.

 


 

BLUE NILE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
                 
    April 1,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (Unaudited)          
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,244     $ 78,540  
Restricted cash
    119       117  
Marketable securities
    29,863       19,767  
 
           
Total cash and marketable securities
    59,226       98,424  
Trade accounts receivable
    926       1,484  
Other accounts receivable
    319       156  
Inventories
    15,492       14,616  
Deferred income taxes
    694       598  
Prepaids and other current assets
    567       740  
 
           
Total current assets
    77,224       116,018  
Property and equipment, net
    3,218       3,391  
Intangible assets, net
    311       319  
Deferred income taxes
    2,647       2,285  
Other assets
    63       93  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 83,463     $ 122,106  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 38,200     $ 66,625  
Accrued liabilities
    4,839       7,315  
Current portion of deferred rent
    197       197  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    43,236       74,137  
Deferred rent, less current portion
    610       666  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
    19       19  
Additional paid-in capital
    118,368       115,751  
Deferred compensation
    (115 )     (180 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1 )     (2 )
Retained earnings
    10,273       7,110  
Treasury stock
    (88,927 )     (75,395 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    39,617       47,303  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 83,463     $ 122,106  
 
           
Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.

 


 

BLUE NILE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
                 
    Quarter ended  
    April 1,     April 2,  
    2007     2006  
Net sales
  $ 67,910     $ 50,694  
Cost of sales
    54,661       40,352  
 
           
 
               
Gross profit
    13,249       10,342  
 
               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    9,564       7,677  
 
           
 
               
Operating income
    3,685       2,665  
 
               
Other income (expense), net:
               
Interest income
    973       985  
Other income
    203        
 
           
Total other income (expense), net
    1,176       985  
 
           
 
               
Income before income taxes
    4,861       3,650  
Income tax expense
    1,698       1,295  
 
           
Net income
  $ 3,163     $ 2,355  
 
           
 
               
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.20     $ 0.14  
 
           
 
               
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.13  
 
           
 
               
Shares used for computation (in thousands):
               
Basic
    15,874       17,354  
Diluted
    16,545       18,236  

 


 

BLUE NILE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
                 
    Quarter ended  
    April 1,     April 2,  
    2007     2006  
Operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 3,163     $ 2,355  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    391       468  
Stock-based compensation
    1,304       890  
Deferred income taxes
    (459 )     783  
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    704       437  
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    (48 )     (32 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables, net
    396       1,025  
Inventories
    (876 )     (1,918 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    201       205  
Accounts payable
    (28,425 )     (21,745 )
Accrued liabilities
    (2,476 )     (1,797 )
Deferred rent
    (56 )     (59 )
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (26,181 )     (19,388 )
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (193 )     (608 )
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
          1  
Purchases of marketable securities
    (20,094 )     (20,043 )
Proceeds from the maturity of marketable securities
    10,000       35,000  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (10,287 )     14,350  
 
               
Financing activities:
               
Repurchase of common stock
    (13,532 )     (6,071 )
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    656       976  
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    48       32  
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (12,828 )     (5,063 )
 
           
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (49,296 )     (10,101 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    78,540       71,921  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 29,244     $ 61,820