Bassett Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2004 Earnings

    Business Editors/Consumer Products Writers

    BASSETT, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2005--Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: BSET) announced today its earnings for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended November 27, 2004.
    Sales for the fourth quarter of 2004 were $80.1 million, down 3% from fourth quarter 2003 levels, reflecting the continued transition from traditional channels of distribution to the Company's Bassett Furniture Direct (BFD) stores. For the year, 2004 sales of $315.7 million, were basically flat with 2003 sales levels. Shipments to the BFD channel were up $20.3 million or 13% over 2003, offsetting attrition in other channels (including a $10.6 million decrease with JCPenney and a $9.7 million decrease with smaller independent furniture stores). Sales to BFD stores were 60% of total wholesale shipments in 2004 compared to 53% in 2003.
    The Bassett Furniture Direct retail store program continues to grow with 116 stores in operation at the end of 2004. The Company expects licensees to open 20 to 25 additional BFD stores in fiscal year 2005, spread fairly evenly throughout the year. The Company expects sales growth from these stores will outpace sales attrition from other channels in 2005.
    The Company reported net income for the quarter of $2.9 million or $.24 per share as compared to $3.2 million or $.28 per share for the fourth quarter of 2003. For the year, the Company recorded net income of $8.2 million or $.69 per diluted share, after both realizing a $3.9 million gain on the sale of its former California upholstery facility and recognizing $4.1 million in restructuring and impaired asset charges in 2004. This compares to a $.5 million net loss in 2003. Excluding restructuring and impaired asset charges and the gain on sale of the California upholstery facility, and in 2003, the cumulative effect of an accounting change, net income for 2004 was $8.4 million or $.70 per diluted share compared to $6.7 million or $.58 per share in 2003.* A reconciliation to the net income and earnings per share for such periods has been set forth below.
    Fourth quarter 2004 operating income was lower than fourth quarter 2003 operating earnings due to the sales decline, costs associated with closing the Company's former wood manufacturing facility in Macon, Ga., and to inventory LIFO reserve adjustments (related to inventory level reductions) in 2003 which did not occur in 2004. Other income improved in the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to the fourth quarter of 2003 primarily due to the performance of the Company's investment portfolio and gains from sales of investments in 2004.
    The 2004 full year earnings improvement resulted from a combination of BFD sales growth, an increased mix of imported product and improved retail performance from LRG and the Company-owned BFD stores. The retail improvement was primarily due to a reduction in selling, general, and administrative expenses, resulting from actions taken in 2003 that lowered the expense structure of these stores.
    "Overall retail conditions were fairly spotty throughout most of our fourth quarter and as a result we did not achieve our targeted sales or operating earnings for the quarter," said Robert H. Spilman, Jr., president and chief executive officer. "For the year, we were pleased with the improvement in our retail results, the growth of our import division, and the growth of our BFD store program," continued Spilman. "The success of new product introductions in bedroom, dining, juvenile, and leather were instrumental to our improvement in 2004. We expect to see continued earnings improvement in 2005 through a combination of the 20 to 25 new BFD stores that will open this year, initiatives in place to improve our domestic wood business, and the continued growth of our import division. Additionally, we believe our manufacturing capacity is now aligned with our BFD business and with current demand. Our primary focus in 2005 will be continuing to improve every aspect of our BFD store program."
    The Company increased inventories $10.8 million during the year to support the introduction of new collections and provide better service levels for key imported items. The 2004 increase follows an $11 million decrease in inventories in 2003. For the year, the Company utilized over $11 million in cash, reflecting in part the increased inventories and the Company's ongoing support of its quarterly dividend. Additionally, the proceeds of selling former manufacturing properties were reinvested in the business, primarily in retail real estate. The Company also increased its investment portfolio during the year.
    Bassett also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.20 per share payable on March 1, 2005, to shareholders of record on February 14, 2005, and announced that its annual meeting for stockholders has been scheduled for February 22, 2005.
    Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. With 116 Bassett Furniture Direct stores, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a growing network of licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. While the Company continues to sell its products to other retailers, the most significant growth vehicle for Bassett continues to be the Company's dedicated retail store program. Bassett's retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that is ready for delivery in the home within 30 days. The stores also feature the latest on-trend furniture styles, more than 1,000 upholstery fabrics, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. For more information, visit the Company's website at www.bassettfurniture.com.

    *The Company has included the "as adjusted" information because it uses, and believes that others may use, such information in comparing the Company's operating results from period to period. However, the items excluded in determining the "as adjusted" information are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company's overall financial performance for the periods covered.

    Certain of the statements contained in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "should," "estimates," or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results for periods beyond fiscal year 2004, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward looking statements: economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings.

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Unaudited (In thousands, except for per share data)

13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended November 27, 2004 November 29, 2003 ------------------------------------------- Percent of Percent of Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales ------------------------------------------- Net sales $80,146 100.0% $82,944 100.0%

Cost of sales 59,280 74.0% 60,535 73.0% ---------------------- ------------------ Gross profit 20,866 26.0% 22,409 27.0% --------------------- ------------------ Selling, general and administrative 19,857 24.7% 20,025 24.0% Income from operations 1,009 1.3% 2,384 3.0% Other income, net 2,624 3.3% 1,367 1.6% ---------------------- ------------------ Income before income taxes 3,633 4.6% 3,751 4.6% Income tax provision (765) -1.0% (546) -0.7% ---------------------- ------------------ Net income $2,868 3.6% $3,205 3.9% ======================= ================== Basic earnings per share: $0.24 $0.28 ======== ========= Diluted earnings per share: $0.24 $0.28 ======== =========

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Unaudited (In thousands, except for per share data)

52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended November 27, 2004 November 29, 2003 ---------------------------------------- Percent of Percent of Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales ---------------------------------------- Net sales $315,654 100.0% $316,857 100.0% Cost of sales 234,612 74.3% 234,861 74.1% -------------------- ------------------- Gross profit 81,042 25.7% 81,996 25.9% -------------------- ------------------- Selling, general and administrative 77,145 24.4% 80,026 25.3% Gain on sale of property (3,890) -1.2% - 0.0% Restructuring and impaired asset charges 4,060 1.3% 3,200 1.0% -------------------- ------------------- 77,315 24.5% 83,226 26.3% -------------------- ------------------- Income (loss) from operations 3,727 1.2% (1,230) -0.4% Other income, net 7,123 2.2% 6,097 1.9% -------------------- ------------------- Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change 10,850 3.4% 4,867 1.5% Income tax provision (2,641) -0.8% (462) -0.1% -------------------- ------------------- Income before cumulative effect of accounting change 8,209 2.6% 4,405 1.4% -------------------- ------------------- Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax of $3,200 - 0.0% (4,875) -1.5% -------------------- ------------------- Net income (loss) $8,209 2.6% $(470) -0.1% ==================== =================== Basic earnings (loss) per share: Income before cumulative effect of accounting change $0.70 $0.38 Cumulative effect of accounting change - (0.42) --------- --------- Net income (loss) per share $0.70 $(0.04) ========= =========

Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Income before cumulative effect of accounting change 0.69 0.38 Cumulative effect of accounting change - (0.42) --------- --------- Net income (loss) per share $0.69 $(0.04) ========= =========

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) as Reported to Net Income as Adjusted (Unaudited) (In thousands, except for per share data)

52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended November 27, 2004 November 29, 2003 ------------------ -------------------

Net income (loss) as reported $8,209 $(470) Gain on sale of property, net of income taxes (2,840) - Restructuring and impaired asset charges, net of income taxes 3,004 2,304 Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes - 4,875 ------------------ ----------------- Net income as adjusted $8,373 $6,709 ================== =================

Reconciliation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share as Reported to Earnings Per Share as Adjusted (Unaudited) 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended November 27, 2004 November 29, 2003 ------------------ ------------------ Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.69 $(0.04) Gain on sale of property, net of income taxes (0.24) - Restructuring and impaired asset charge, net of income taxes 0.25 0.20 Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes - 0.42 ----------------- -------------- Diluted earnings per share as adjusted $0.70 $0.58 ================ ==============

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited) Assets November 27, 2004 November 29, 2003 ------------------- ------------------

Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $4,022 $15,181 Accounts receivable, net 40,507 39,230 Inventories 47,285 36,454 Deferred income taxes 4,130 5,307 Assets held for sale, net 2,753 1,881 Other current assets 3,980 4,525 ------------------- ------------------ Total current assets 102,677 102,578 ------------------- ------------------ Property and equipment, net 40,243 48,800 ------------------- ------------------ Investments 73,520 65,151 Retail real estate, net 53,085 32,930 Notes receivable, net 14,642 14,799 Other, net 13,199 15,522 ------------------- ------------------- 154,446 128,402 ------------------- ------------------- Total assets $297,366 $279,780 =================== ===================

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities Accounts payable $19,948 $15,127 Accrued liabilities 18,601 21,741 ---------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 38,549 36,868 ---------------- ------------- Long-term liabilities Employee benefits 9,423 9,824 Real estate notes payable 15,604 - Distributions in excess of affiliate earnings 12,578 13,070 ---------------- ------------- 37,605 22,894 ---------------- -------------

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders' equity

Common stock, par value $5 a share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding - 11,735,967 in 2004 and 11,599,936 in 2003 58,680 58,000 Retained earnings 159,714 159,487 Accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized holding gains, net of income tax 2,818 2,531 ---------------- ------------- Total stockholders' equity 221,212 220,018 ---------------- ------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $297,366 $279,780 ================ =============

BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Unaudited (In thousands) 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended November 27, 2004 November 29, 2003 ------------------ ----------------- Operating Activities Net income (loss) $8,209 $(470) Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 10,151 10,521 Equity in undistributed income of investments (10,708) (11,234) Provision for write-down of property and equipment 2,353 1,530 Cumulative effect of accounting change, net - 4,875 Provision for losses on trade accounts receivable 1,430 604 Net gain from sales of investments (1,188) (289) Net gain from sales of property and equipment (3,890) (60) Deferred income taxes 1,876 (1,154) Changes in employee benefit liabilities (401) (328) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, exclusive of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination: Trade accounts receivable (2,707) 307 Inventories (10,831) 11,144 Refundable income taxes - 2,924 Other current assets (1,491) 3,563 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,682 628 --------------- --------------- Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (5,515) 22,561 -------------- ---------------

Investing Activities Purchases of property and equipment, net (11,043) (6,215) Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 8,362 729 Proceeds from sales of investments 24,019 26,776 Purchases of investments (24,979) (21,776) Dividends from an affiliate 5,623 5,154 Other, net 115 499 --------------- --------------- Net cash provided by investing activities 2,097 5,167 --------------- ---------------

Financing Activities Repayments under revolving credit arrangement - (3,000) Repayments of real estate notes payable (201) (783) Issuance of common stock, net 2,587 319 Repurchases of common stock (772) (1,193) Cash dividends (9,355) (9,261) --------------- --------------- Net cash used in financing activities (7,741) (13,918) ------------ --------------- Net change in cash and cash equivalents (11,159) 13,810 ------------ --------------- Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 15,181 1,371 ------------ --------------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $4,022 $15,181 ============ ===============

Note - Purchases of property and equipment, net for 2004 includes the acquisition of five store properties acquired through cash payments totaling $3,397 and non-cash assumption of $16,231 of real estate notes payable.

--30--TS/ch*

CONTACT: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. Barry C. Safrit, 276-629-6757 Fax: 276-629-6332 or Jay S. Moore, 276-629-6450 Fax: 276-629-6418

KEYWORD: VIRGINIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD RETAIL MANUFACTURING APPAREL/TEXTILES EARNINGS SOURCE: Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005