Blue Nile Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results Sales Total $66.9 Million, Representing Growth of 2.4%

SEATTLE, Nov 05, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA Increases 17.4%, Reaching Record Third Quarter Level --Earnings Per Diluted Share Increase to $0.17 from $0.15 --Company Raises Financial Guidance Blue Nile, Inc. (Nasdaq:NILE), the leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended October 4, 2009.

Net sales of $66.9 million increased 2.4% compared to the third quarter of 2008 on strength in bridal jewelry sales and growth in international markets.

Operating income for the quarter grew 17.6% to $3.9 million compared to $3.3 million in the third quarter last year. Operating margin expanded 80 basis points to 5.8% of net sales compared to 5.0% of net sales in the third quarter of 2008. Net income improved 10.3% to $2.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share compared to $2.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter totaled $6.3 million, an increase of 17.4% over the same quarter in 2008 and a record level for any third quarter in the Company's history. As a percent of sales, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA improved to 9.5% compared to 8.3% in the third quarter of 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $23.4 million for the trailing twelve month period ended October 4, 2009. Non-GAAP free cash flow for the trailing twelve month period ended October 4, 2009 increased to $20.9 million from $20.1 million a year ago.

"Our third quarter results were excellent and reflect continued positive momentum in the business. We returned to top line growth and delivered strong profitability," said Diane Irvine, Chief Executive Officer. "The Blue Nile brand is resonating with consumers in the current environment, and we are gaining market share. As we look toward the important holiday season, we are well positioned with a broad selection of diamond engagement rings and fine jewelry and a newly redesigned website to showcase these products." Selected Financial Highlights -- International sales grew 27.5% in the quarter to a record level $8.8 million compared to $6.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding the impact from changes in foreign exchange rates, international sales increased 34.8%.

-- Gross profit for the quarter totaled $14.8 million. As a percent of sales, gross profit improved 180 basis points to 22.1% compared to 20.3% for the third quarter of 2008. The Company continued to achieve year over year gross margin improvement due largely to improved product sourcing in both diamonds and jewelry.

-- Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were $10.9 million, compared to $10.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase was due to lower expenses in the third quarter of 2008 related to forfeited options and a reduction in incentive accruals. In addition, 2009 includes expenses related to technology investments in support of key initiatives such as the website redesign. Selling, general and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $1.6 million in the third quarter last year.

-- Net income per diluted share for the quarter includes stock-based compensation expense of $0.08 compared to $0.07 for the third quarter of 2008.

-- Cash and cash equivalents plus short-term investments at the end of the third quarter totaled $47.5 million compared to $26.6 million at the end of the third quarter last year.

Financial Guidance "The trends in the business during the third quarter improved sequentially, and we project that trend to continue in the fourth quarter. Based on our third quarter results and our expectations for the fourth quarter, we are raising our guidance," said Marc Stolzman, Chief Financial Officer. "We are projecting fourth quarter net sales between $100 million and $109 million, and diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.35 to $0.39." Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, all statements related to future financial and business performance, market opportunity and plans to grow our business. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "project," "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 general economic conditions, 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, 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 January 4, 2009. Additional information will also be set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 4, 2009, which we expect to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before November 13, 2009.

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 The Company will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter financial results today at 2:00 p.m. PT/5:00 p.m. ET. 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. The Company reports sales information in accordance with GAAP. Internally, management monitors its sales performance on a non-GAAP basis that eliminates the positive or negative effects that result from translating international sales into U.S. dollars (the "constant exchange rate basis"). 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 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 these 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, as well as international sales on a constant exchange rate basis 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. Management believes the constant exchange rate measurement provides a more representative assessment of the sales performance and provides better comparability between reporting periods.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA to net income is as follows (in thousands): Quarter ended Quarter ended October 4, 2009 September 28, 2008 Net income $ 2,575 $ 2,335 Income tax expense 1,386 1,226 Other income, net (100 ) (279 ) Depreciation and amortization 655 559 Stock-based compensation 1,827 1,560 Adjusted EBITDA $ 6,343 $ 5,401 Year to date ended Year to date ended October 4, 2009 September 28, 2008 Net income $ 7,359 $ 8,111 Income tax expense 3,962 4,332 Other income, net (218 ) (1,770 ) Depreciation and amortization 1,868 1,512 Stock-based compensation 5,495 5,208 Adjusted EBITDA $ 18,466 $ 17,393 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 October 4, 2009 September 28, 2008 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (263 ) $ 1,454 Purchases of fixed assets, including internal- (855 ) (673 ) use software and website development Non-GAAP free cash flow $ (1,118 ) $ 781 Twelve months ended Twelve months ended October 4, 2009 September 28, 2008 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 23,381 $ 23,003 Purchases of fixed assets, including internal- (2,520 ) (2,873 ) use software and website development Non-GAAP free cash flow $ 20,861 $ 20,130 The following table reconciles year-over-year international sales percentage increases (decreases) from the GAAP sales measures to the non-GAAP constant exchange rate basis: Quarter ended Year over year growth Effect of foreign exchange movements Year over year growth on constant exchange rate basis October 4, 2009 International Sales 27.5% (7.3%) 34.8% 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 (Unaudited) (in thousands) October 4, January 4, 2009 2009 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 32,494 $ 54,451 Short-term investments 15,000 - Trade accounts receivable 1,236 984 Other accounts receivable 142 725 Inventories 17,846 18,834 Deferred income taxes 223 670 Prepaids and other current assets 1,078 1,069 Total current assets 68,019 76,733 Property and equipment, net 7,711 7,558 Intangible assets, net 338 271 Deferred income taxes 6,228 5,014 Other assets 144 89 Total assets $ 82,440 $ 89,665 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 42,334 $ 62,291 Accrued liabilities 4,976 6,607 Current portion of long-term financing obligation 43 41 Current portion of deferred rent 205 205 Total current liabilities 47,558 69,144 Long-term financing obligation, less current portion 807 839 Deferred rent, less current portion 226 374 Stockholders' equity: Common stock 20 20 Additional paid-in capital 152,017 144,913 Accumulated other comprehensive income 95 17 Retained earnings 43,558 36,199 Treasury stock (161,841 ) (161,841 ) Total stockholders' equity 33,849 19,308 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 82,440 $ 89,665 BLUE NILE, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data) Quarter ended Year to date ended October 4, September 28, October 4, September 28, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Net sales $ 66,943 $ 65,376 $ 199,198 $ 209,542 Cost of sales 52,146 52,114 156,168 167,233 Gross profit 14,797 13,262 43,030 42,309 Selling, general and administrative expenses 10,936 9,980 31,927 31,636 Operating income 3,861 3,282 11,103 10,673 Other income, net: Interest income, net 23 184 101 1,299 Other income, net 77 95 117 471 Total other income, net 100 279 218 1,770 Income before income taxes 3,961 3,561 11,321 12,443 Income tax expense 1,386 1,226 3,962 4,332 Net income $ 2,575 $ 2,335 $ 7,359 $ 8,111 Basic net income per share $ 0.18 $ 0.16 $ 0.51 $ 0.54 Diluted net income per share $ 0.17 $ 0.15 $ 0.49 $ 0.52 Shares used for computation: Basic 14,538 14,621 14,515 15,080 Diluted 15,377 15,200 15,152 15,723 BLUE NILE, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited) (in thousands) Year to date ended October 4, September 28, 2009 2008 Operating activities: Net income $ 7,359 $ 8,111 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,868 1,512 Loss on disposal of property and equipment 62 20 Stock-based compensation 5,615 5,298 Deferred income taxes (767 ) (981 ) Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 214 511 Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options (47 ) (141 ) Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivables 331 1,195 Inventories 988 2,944 Prepaid federal income taxes - (440 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets (64 ) 30 Accounts payable (19,964 ) (45,380 ) Accrued liabilities (1,632 ) (5,093 ) Deferred rent and other (147 ) (78 ) Net cash used in operating activities (6,184 ) (32,492 ) Investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (2,063 ) (1,553 ) Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment - 10 Purchase of short-term investments (15,000 ) - Net cash used in investing activities (17,063 ) (1,543 ) Financing activities: Repurchase of common stock - (65,273 ) Proceeds from stock option exercises 1,195 2,984 Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options 47 141 Principal payments under long-term financing obligation (30 ) (28 ) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,212 (62,176 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 78 9 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (21,957 ) (96,202 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 54,451 122,793 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 32,494 $ 26,591 SOURCE: Blue Nile, Inc.

CONTACT: Blue Nile, Inc. Eileen Askew, 206.336.6745 (Investors) [e-mail] or John Baird, 206.336.6805 (Media) [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

North America

Washington INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Technology

Luxury

Online Retail

Internet

Retail

Specialty SUBJECT CODE: Earnings

Conference Call

Webcast