FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   EXHIBIT 99.1
For more information, contact:
Eileen Askew (Investors) 206.336.6745
eileena@bluenile.com
Nancy Shipp, (Investors) 206.388.3136
nancys@bluenile.com
Liz Powell (Media) 206.336.6755
lizpo@bluenile.com
Blue Nile Announces Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results
Q3 Net Sales Total $67.4 Million, Representing 26.5% Growth Year Over Year
Earnings Per Diluted Share of $0.18 Increase 63.6% from Prior Year
Operating Income of $3.6 Million Grows 67.3% from Prior Year
Financial Guidance Raised for 2007
SEATTLE, November 6, 2007 — Blue Nile, Inc. (Nasdaq: NILE) reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2007.
Blue Nile reported that its third quarter net sales increased 26.5% to $67.4 million, compared to $53.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. During the quarter, operating income rose 67.3% to $3.6 million, compared to $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net income in the third quarter totaled $3.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $1.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income per diluted share increased 63.6% year over year.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.2 million for the trailing twelve month period ended September 30, 2007, compared to $30.3 million for the trailing twelve month period ended October 1, 2006. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA increased $1.5 million to $5.4 million for the third quarter 2007, compared to $3.9 million for the third quarter 2006.
“Our third quarter performance was excellent, with strong momentum in all product categories,” said Mark Vadon, Chief Executive Officer. “Our results reflect the way in which the Blue Nile brand and experience resonate with our customers. We executed well across all areas of the business and generated exceptional profitability. Our international markets made tremendous progress during the quarter, with 105% year over year growth.”

 


 

Other Financial Highlights
    Cash and cash equivalents totaled $74.3 million at September 30, 2007.
 
    Gross profit for the third quarter of 2007 increased 28.4% to $13.4 million, from $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2006. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 19.8% in the third quarter of 2007 from 19.5% in the third quarter of 2006.
 
    As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expense was 14.5% in the third quarter of 2007, compared to 15.5% in the third quarter of 2006. Selling, general and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2007 was $9.7 million, compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2006.
 
    Selling, general and administrative expense includes stock-based compensation expense of $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net income per diluted share includes stock-based compensation expense of $0.05 for both the third quarter of 2007 and the third quarter of 2006.
 
    International sales, representing the Company’s Canada and U.K. websites, totaled $4.5 million in the third quarter, an increase of 104.5% year over year.
 
    The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter was 35.0%, compared to 35.6% in the third quarter of 2006.
 
    Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2007 totaled $1.5 million, compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2006.
 
    Non-GAAP free cash flow increased to $29.4 million for the trailing twelve month period ended September 30, 2007, compared to $28.3 million for the trailing twelve month period ended October 1, 2006.

 


 

Financial Guidance
The following forward-looking statements reflect Blue Nile’s expectations as of November 6, 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 fourth quarter 2007 (Quarter Ending December 30, 2007):
  Fourth quarter net sales are expected to be between $109 million and $115 million.
 
  Net income is expected to be between $0.40 and $0.45 per diluted share.
 
  The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2007 is expected to be approximately 35.0%.
Expectations for the full year 2007 (Year Ending December 30, 2007):
  Net sales are expected to be between $316 million and $322 million.
 
  Net income is expected to be in a range of $1.00 to $1.05 per diluted share.
 
  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 its new international facility in Ireland.
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 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 1, 2007 and July 1, 2007, and 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 September 30, 2007, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before November 9, 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 third 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 adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP free cash flow as measures of certain components of financial performance. Blue Nile defines non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest and other income, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude the effects of stock-based compensation expense. 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 measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should also note that the non-GAAP financial measures used by Blue Nile may not be the same non-GAAP financial measures, and may not be calculated in the same manner, as that of other companies. Whenever Blue Nile uses such non-GAAP financial measures, it provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most closely applicable GAAP financial measures. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Blue Nile’s management believes that non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP free cash flow, as defined, provide meaningful supplemental information to the company and to investors. Blue Nile believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP measures in assessing the performance of Blue Nile and when planning and forecasting future periods. Further, management believes that the inclusion of the non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP free cash flow calculations provide consistency in Blue Nile’s financial reporting and comparability with similar companies in Blue Nile’s industry.
A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA is as follows (in thousands):
                 
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    September 30, 2007     October 1, 2006  
Net income
  $ 2,972     $ 1,824  
Income tax expense
    1,601       1,007  
Stock-based compensation
    1,385       1,259  
Depreciation/Amortization
    408       490  
Interest and other income, net
    (960 )     (671 )
 
           
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA
  $ 5,406     $ 3,909  
 
           
                 
    Year to date     Year to date  
    period ended     period ended  
    September 30, 2007     October 1, 2006  
Net income
  $ 9,916     $ 7,311  
Income tax expense
    5,367       3,753  
Stock-based compensation
    4,047       3,098  
Depreciation/Amortization
    1,184       1,441  
Interest and other income, net
    (2,951 )     (2,637 )
 
           
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA
  $ 17,563     $ 12,966  
 
           

 


 

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):
                 
    Twelve months     Twelve months  
    ended     ended  
    September 30, 2007     October 1, 2006  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 33,242     $ 30,329  
Purchases of fixed assets, including internal- use software and website development
    (3,795 )     (2,017 )
 
           
Non-GAAP free cash flow
  $ 29,447     $ 28,312  
 
           
About Blue Nile, Inc.
Blue Nile, Inc. is the leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry. The Company delivers the ultimate customer experience, providing consumers with a superior way to buy engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewelry. Blue Nile offers in-depth educational materials and unique online tools that place consumers in control of the jewelry shopping process. The Company has some of the highest quality standards in the industry and offers 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)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2007     2006  
    (Unaudited)          
 
               
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 74,299     $ 78,540  
Restricted cash
          117  
Marketable securities
          19,767  
 
           
Total cash and marketable securities
    74,299       98,424  
Trade accounts receivable
    1,509       1,484  
Other accounts receivable
    695       156  
Inventories
    15,298       14,616  
Deferred income taxes
    740       598  
Prepaid federal income taxes
    2,985        
Other prepaids and current assets
    1,127       740  
 
           
Total current assets
    96,653       116,018  
Property and equipment, net
    5,868       3,391  
Intangible assets, net
    295       319  
Deferred income taxes
    2,951       2,285  
Other assets
    64       93  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 105,831     $ 122,106  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 40,334     $ 66,625  
Accrued liabilities
    5,136       7,315  
Current portion of deferred rent
    244       197  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    45,714       74,137  
Deferred rent, less current portion
    617       666  
Commitments and contingencies
           
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
    19       19  
Additional paid-in capital
    131,348       115,751  
Deferred compensation
    (10 )     (180 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    44       (2 )
Retained earnings
    17,026       7,110  
Treasury stock
    (88,927 )     (75,395 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    59,500       47,303  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 105,831     $ 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     Year to date period ended  
    September 30,     October 1,     September 30,     October 1,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 67,355     $ 53,248     $ 207,358     $ 160,858  
Cost of sales
    53,998       42,842       165,809       128,788  
 
                       
 
                               
Gross profit
    13,357       10,406       41,549       32,070  
 
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    9,744       8,246       29,217       23,643  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    3,613       2,160       12,332       8,427  
 
                               
Other income (expense), net:
                               
Interest income
    947       670       2,723       2,536  
Other income
    13       1       228       101  
 
                       
Total other income (expense), net
    960       671       2,951       2,637  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    4,573       2,831       15,283       11,064  
Income tax expense
    1,601       1,007       5,367       3,753  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 2,972     $ 1,824     $ 9,916     $ 7,311  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.11     $ 0.62     $ 0.44  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.18     $ 0.11     $ 0.59     $ 0.42  
 
                       
 
                               
Shares used for computation (in thousands):
                               
Basic
    15,959       16,014       15,879       16,747  
Diluted
    16,912       16,670       16,756       17,489  

 


 

BLUE NILE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
                 
    Year to date period ended  
    September 30,     October 1,  
    2007     2006  
 
               
Operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 9,916     $ 7,311  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,184       1,441  
(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets
    (6 )     4  
Stock-based compensation
    4,129       3,155  
Deferred income taxes
    (809 )     2,222  
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    6,209       1,007  
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    (1,599 )     (44 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables, net
    (563 )     900  
Inventories
    (683 )     (912 )
Prepaid federal income taxes
    (2,985 )      
Other prepaid expenses and assets
    (360 )     (5 )
Accounts payable
    (26,291 )     (20,312 )
Accrued liabilities
    (2,180 )     (1,378 )
Deferred rent
    (2 )     (151 )
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (14,040 )     (6,762 )
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (3,577 )     (1,690 )
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
    8       1  
Purchases of marketable securities
    (20,230 )     (55,042 )
Proceeds from the maturity of marketable securities
    40,000       68,000  
Transfers of restricted cash
    120          
 
           
Net cash provided by investing activities
    16,321       11,269  
 
               
Financing activities:
               
Repurchase of common stock
    (13,532 )     (54,148 )
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    5,366       1,685  
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    1,599       44  
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (6,567 )     (52,419 )
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    45        
 
           
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,241 )     (47,912 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    78,540       71,921  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 74,299     $ 24,009