NEW YORK, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ann Taylor Stores Corporation (NYSE: ANN) today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, ended October 31, 2009.

For the quarter, the Company reported earnings per diluted share of $0.20 excluding after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of $0.17 per diluted share, compared with earnings per diluted share of $0.03 in the third quarter of 2008, excluding after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges totaling $0.27 per diluted share. On a GAAP basis, including the aforementioned restructuring and impairment charges, earnings per diluted share was $0.03 in the third quarter of 2009, compared with a loss per diluted share of $0.24 in the third quarter of 2008.

Kay Krill, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our results for the quarter were a direct result of our strategy to maximize gross margin performance by tightly managing inventories, focusing on full-price selling and controlling costs. I am pleased that our performance also reflects the cumulative benefits of our ongoing restructuring program initiatives. Today, we are a more efficient and effective Company. Our emphasis going forward is to continue the repositioning of the Ann Taylor division and to ensure that LOFT further strengthens its positioning as the destination for casual, feminine and stylish product at great value.

"We have made significant progress on enhancing and differentiating our brands and providing our clients with style, quality and value. LOFT's product offering resonated with our clients, with casual apparel performing particularly well. I am pleased with the response to our newer categories, which expand the LOFT brand to better serve our clients' lifestyle needs. At Ann Taylor, the launch of the new Fall collection was an important first step in our multi-season strategy to reposition the brand. The initial client response has been encouraging, and we look forward to further progress as we continue to test, learn from and refine the assortment. Looking ahead, we expect to build on the product successes we've achieved to date and move forward on our objective of building sales momentum and profitable growth."

Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter Results

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $462.4 million, compared with net sales of $527.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. By division, net sales at Ann Taylor were $112.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared with net sales of $159.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. At LOFT, net sales were $234.0 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared with net sales of $263.0 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Comparable store sales for the quarter declined 13.7% versus the prior year. At Ann Taylor, comparable store sales declined 25.8% and at LOFT, comparable stores sales declined 9.7%.

Gross margin, as a percentage of sales, was 57.3%, 850 basis points higher than the gross margin rate achieved in the third quarter of 2008. This strong gross margin performance reflected the success of the Company's strategy to conservatively position inventory levels across both divisions as well as a lower level of promotional activity in the quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2009 declined by approximately $8.6 million, or 3.4% versus year-ago, to $246.2 million, relative to a 2.5% decline in weighted average square footage for the quarter. This decline in expenses reflected restructuring program savings, as well as continued aggressive management of expenses, partially offset by an increase in performance-based compensation versus the 2008 period.

During the quarter, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $0.6 million associated with its previously announced strategic restructuring program, compared with pre-tax restructuring charges totaling $19.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. On an after-tax basis, third quarter 2009 restructuring charges totaled $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with total restructuring charges of $13.2 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.

The Company also recorded pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges totaling $15.3 million related to stores not included in the Company's restructuring program, compared with pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges totaling $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2008. On an after-tax basis, third quarter 2009 asset impairment charges totaled $10.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared with after-tax asset impairment charges of $1.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.

Excluding restructuring and asset impairment charges, the Company reported operating income of $18.7 million for the quarter, compared with operating income of $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2008. On the same basis, the Company reported net income in the quarter of $12.0 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared with net income of $1.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008. The tax rate used to calculate non-GAAP after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges and non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2009 was adjusted to remove the cumulative impact of an updated full year estimated effective tax rate, and therefore reflects the expected rate for the period.

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported operating income of $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared with an operating loss of $20.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. On the same basis, the Company reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009, compared with a net loss of $13.4 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008.

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company opened one LOFT store and closed one Ann Taylor store and one LOFT store. In addition, we converted one Ann Taylor store to LOFT. The total store count at the end of the third quarter was 932, comprised of 313 Ann Taylor stores, 509 LOFT stores, 92 Ann Taylor Factory stores and 18 LOFT Outlet stores.

Balance Sheet Highlights

During the quarter, the Company paid down the balance of outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit facility, totaling $75 million. Following the debt pay down, the Company ended the third quarter with $134 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Total inventory per square foot at the end of the third quarter of 2009 was down 20.7% versus year-ago, primarily reflecting total inventory declines of 19.4% and 17.0% per square foot at the LOFT and Ann Taylor divisions, respectively.

Fiscal 2009 Nine-Months Results

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $1.4 billion, compared with net sales of $1.7 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. By division, net sales at Ann Taylor were $328.6 million in the first nine months of 2009, compared with net sales of $542.9 million in the first nine months of 2008. At LOFT, net sales were $707.7 million in the first nine months of 2009, compared with net sales of $857.1 million in the first nine months of 2008.

Comparable store sales for the first nine months of 2009 declined 22.6%, with a 36.1% decline at Ann Taylor and a 16.7% decline at LOFT.

Gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, increased 340 basis points to 55.0% in the first nine months of 2009, compared to the first nine months of 2008. Selling, general and administrative expenses declined by approximately $60.2 million, or 7.7% versus year-ago, to $725.0 million in the first nine months of 2009, relative to a weighted average square footage decline of 0.6%.

During the first nine months of 2009, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring charges of $32.7 million, compared with pre-tax restructuring charges totaling $26.8 million in the first nine months of 2008. On an after-tax basis, restructuring charges for the first nine months of 2009 totaled $22.1 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared with total restructuring charges of $16.4 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2008.

The Company also recorded pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges totaling $15.3 million in the first nine months of 2009, related to stores not included in the Company's restructuring program, compared with pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charges totaling $2.8 million in the first nine months of 2008. On an after-tax basis, asset impairment charges in the first nine months of 2009 totaled $10.3 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared with after-tax asset impairment charges of $1.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2008.

Excluding the aforementioned pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges, operating income in the first nine months of 2009 was $22.9 million, compared with operating income of $97.0 million in the first nine months of 2008. On a GAAP basis, including restructuring and asset impairment charges, operating loss in the first nine months of 2009 was $25.2 million, compared with operating income of $67.5 million in the first nine months of 2008.

Net income, excluding the aforementioned after-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges, totaled $14.2 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2009, compared with net income of $59.8 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008. On a GAAP basis, including restructuring and asset impairment charges, net loss for the first nine months of 2009 was $18.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared with net income of $41.7 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008.

Strategic Restructuring Program Update

The Company's Strategic Restructuring Program, which was launched in January 2008, is expected to generate total ongoing annualized savings of $125 million over the 2008-2010 period. Of these, approximately $40 million in savings were realized in fiscal 2008, an incremental $60 million is expected to be generated in fiscal 2009, and the remainder is expected in fiscal 2010.

Costs for the multi-year program are expected to total $130-140 million, of which approximately $80 million are expected to be non-cash costs and $50-60 million are expected to be cash costs. Approximately $125 million of these program costs have already been incurred as of the third quarter of 2009.

Fiscal 2009 Fourth Quarter Outlook

The Company will continue to manage the business with a focus on gross margin performance, tightly managing inventories and expenses, and being competitive in what the Company expects to be a highly promotional retail environment in the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company provided the following outlook:

    --  Total sales dollars are expected to be slightly below those achieved in
        the third quarter of 2009.
    --  Gross margin rate performance is expected to decline from the levels
        achieved in the third quarter of 2009, reflecting anticipated heightened
        promotional activity to drive traffic and sales volume throughout the
        holiday season.  We expect the fourth quarter 2009 gross margin
        performance to be considerably stronger than the levels achieved in the
        fourth quarter of 2008.
    --  Selling, general and administrative expenses are estimated to be
        approximately $245 million.
    --  The Company will continue to focus on maintaining a healthy balance
        sheet and expects to achieve a year-end cash position in excess of its
        fiscal third quarter 2009 cash position.

About Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor Stores Corporation is one of the leading women's specialty retailers for fashionable clothing in the United States, operating 932 Ann Taylor, LOFT, Ann Taylor Factory, and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of October 31, 2009, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFTonline.com. Visit AnnTaylorStoresCorp.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may use the words "expect", "anticipate", "plan", "intend", "project", "may", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include representations of the expectations or beliefs of the Company concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

    --  the Company's ability to achieve the results of its restructuring
        program, including the risk that the benefits expected from the
        restructuring program will not be achieved or may take longer to achieve
        than expected;
    --  changes in management's assumptions and projections concerning costs and
        timing in execution of the restructuring program;
    --  general economic conditions and the current financial crisis, including
        the effect on the Company's liquidity and capital resources, and a
        downturn in the retail industry;
    --  the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest
        rates and the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, or
        restrictions on the transfer of funds;
    --  continuation of lowered levels of consumer spending,  changes in levels
        of store traffic, lowered levels of consumer confidence and higher
        levels of unemployment resulting from the worldwide economic downturn;
    --  the commercial and consumer credit environment;
    --  continued volatility and further deterioration of the capital markets;
    --  fluctuation in the Company's level of sales and earnings growth and
        stock price;
    --  the Company's ability to realize deferred tax assets and the effect of
        external economic factors on the Company's future funding obligations
        for its defined benefit pension plan;
    --  competitive influences and decline in the demand for merchandise offered
        by the Company, and the Company's ability to manage inventory levels;
    --  the Company's ability to manage the profitability of its existing
        stores, effectively renew or re-negotiate the terms of existing store
        leases, or locate new store sites or negotiate favorable lease terms for
        additional stores;
    --  risks associated with the bankruptcy or significant deterioration of one
        or more of our major national retail landlords;
    --  the Company's ability to predict accurately client fashion preferences;
    --  effectiveness of the Company's brand awareness and marketing programs,
        and its ability to maintain the value of its brands;
    --  the Company's ability to successfully execute brand extensions and new
        concepts;
    --  the Company's ability to secure and protect trademarks and other
        intellectual property rights in the United States and/or foreign
        countries;
    --  risks associated with the performance and operations of the Company's
        Internet operations;
    --  a significant change in the regulatory environment applicable to the
        Company's business and the Company's ability to comply with legal and
        regulatory requirements;
    --  risks associated with the possible inability of the Company,
        particularly through its sourcing and logistics functions, to operate
        within production and delivery constraints and the Company's dependence
        on a single distribution facility;
    --  the uncertainties of sourcing associated with the current quota
        environment, including changes in sourcing patterns resulting from
        legislation relating to import quotas, the imposition of duties, or
        other possible trade law or import restrictions;
    --  risks associated with the Company's reliance on foreign sources of
        production, including financial or political instability in any of the
        countries in which the Company's goods are manufactured and supplier
        inability to obtain adequate credit or access to liquidity to finance
        operations;
    --  risks associated with a failure by independent manufacturers to comply
        with the Company's  quality, product safety and social practices
        requirements;
    --  the potential impact of natural disasters and public health concerns,
        including severe infectious diseases, particularly on the Company's
        foreign sourcing offices and manufacturing operations of the Company's
        vendors;
    --  acts of war or terrorism in the United States or worldwide;
    --  work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes;
    --  the Company's ability to hire, retain and train key personnel;
    --  the Company's ability to successfully upgrade and maintain its
        information systems, including adequate system security controls; and
    --  the Company's ability to continue operations in accordance with its
        business continuity plan in the event of an interruption.

Further description of these risks and uncertainties and other important factors are set forth in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, including but not limited to Item 1A - Risk Factors and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations therein, and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Although these forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future events, actual results may differ materially from current expectations or historical results. The Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements at any time for any reason.

                         ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
            For the Quarters and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009
                             and November 1, 2008
                                  (unaudited)

                               Quarters Ended        Nine Months Ended
                               --------------        -----------------
                         October 31, November 1,   October 31, November 1,
                            2009           2008        2009         2008
                            ----           ----        ----         ----
                             (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net sales                $462,410       $527,216   $1,359,386  $1,711,194
Cost of sales             197,555        270,060      611,500     828,911
                          -------        -------      -------     -------
Gross margin              264,855        257,156      747,886     882,283
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses  246,200        254,770      725,019     785,268
Restructuring charges         630         19,893       32,722      26,761
Asset impairment charges   15,318          2,741       15,318       2,764
                           ------          -----       ------       -----
Operating income/(loss)     2,707        (20,248)     (25,173)     67,490
Interest income               186            311          750       1,571
Interest expense              788            325        2,598       1,025
                              ---            ---        -----       -----
Income/(loss) before
 income taxes               2,105        (20,262)     (27,021)     68,036
Income tax provision/
 (benefit)                     36         (6,815)      (8,772)     26,336
                               --         ------       ------      ------
Net income/(loss)          $2,069       $(13,447)    $(18,249)    $41,700
                           ======      =========     ========     =======

Earnings per share:
-------------------
Basic earnings/(loss)
 per share                  $0.04         $(0.24)      $(0.32)      $0.71

Weighted average shares
 outstanding               56,855         56,252       56,727      57,697

Diluted earnings/(loss)
 per share                  $0.03         $(0.24)      $(0.32)      $0.71

Weighted average shares
 outstanding assuming
 dilution                  58,037         56,252       56,727      57,861

Number of stores open
 at beginning of period       933            959          935         929
Number of stores opened
 during period                  1             15           14          63
Number of stores closed
 during period                 (2)            (8)         (17)        (26)
                               --             --          ---         ---
Number of stores open
 at end of period             932            966          932         966
                              ---            ---          ---         ---
Number of stores
 expanded/relocated
 during period *                -              -            1           8
Converted Stores**              1              -            1           -

* Expanded stores are excluded from comparable store sales for the first year following expansion.

** During the quarter ended October 31, 2009, the Company converted one Ann Taylor store to a LOFT store.

                       ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           October 31, 2009, January 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008
                                (unaudited)

                                  October 31,   January 31,   November 1,
                                     2009          2009          2008
                                     ----          ----          ----
           Assets                             (in thousands)
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents       $134,104      $112,320       $80,687
  Short term investments             5,698             -             -
  Accounts receivable               26,283        14,081        23,421
  Refundable income taxes            7,717        35,270             -
  Merchandise inventories          211,194       173,447       274,450
  Deferred income taxes             28,475        25,422        33,925
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                   62,196        63,056        61,406
                                    ------        ------        ------
     Total current assets          475,667       423,596       473,889
Property and equipment, net        388,370       469,687       545,958
Goodwill                                 -             -       286,579
Deferred financing costs, net        1,048         1,275         1,370
Deferred income taxes               42,082        53,253        25,840
Other assets                         7,064        12,628        20,051
                                     -----        ------        ------
     Total assets                 $914,231      $960,439    $1,353,687
                                  ========      ========    ==========

           Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
  Trade notes and accounts
   payable                         $92,228      $109,205      $118,835
  Accrued salaries and bonus        27,426        23,883        26,103
  Accrued tenancy                   44,332        42,710        44,693
  Gift certificates and
   merchandise credits redeemable   35,842        45,605        38,043
  Accrued expenses and other
   current liabilities              81,861        84,180        89,698
                                    ------        ------        ------
     Total current liabilities     281,689       305,583       317,372
Deferred lease costs               194,864       217,614       224,646
Deferred income taxes                1,673         1,898         1,633
Other liabilities                   25,271        18,832        18,560

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity
  Common stock, $.0068 par value;
   200,000,000 shares authorized;
   82,476,328, 82,476,328 and
   82,476,328 shares issued,
   respectively                        561           561           561
  Additional paid-in capital       773,450       791,852       788,638
  Retained earnings                414,253       432,502       808,108
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   loss                             (6,648)       (7,702)       (4,230)
                                    ------        ------        ------
                                 1,181,616     1,217,213     1,593,077
                                 ---------     ---------     ---------
      Treasury stock, 23,695,785,
       25,220,809 and 25,358,195
       shares respectively, at
       cost                       (770,882)     (800,701)     (801,601)
                                  --------      --------      --------
      Total stockholders' equity   410,734       416,512       791,476
                                   -------       -------       -------
      Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity       $914,231      $960,439    $1,353,687
                                  ========      ========    ==========

SOURCE Ann Taylor Stores Corporation

Investors: Judith Pirro, Director, Investor Relations, ext. 3598, or Press: Catherine Fisher, Vice President, Corporate Communications, ext. 2199, both of Ann Taylor Stores Corporation, +1-212-541-3300