UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 2, 2010

BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		000-49850 (Commission File Number)		95-4388794 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
2525 East El Segundo Boulevard, El Segundo, California (Address of principal executive offices)				90245   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 536-0611

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2):

        o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

        o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

        o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

        o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (7 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     The information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, “Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to liability under that Section, except as specifically incorporated by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

     On November 2, 2010, Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation issued a press release in which, among other things, it reported financial results for its fiscal 2010 third quarter. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release, dated November 2, 2010, issued by Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
Date: November 2, 2010
		/s/ Steven G. Miller
		Steven G. Miller
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Contact:
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation
Barry Emerson
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(310) 536-0611

ICR, Inc.
John Mills
Senior Managing Director
(310) 954-1105

BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FISCAL 2010 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

	•		Reports Third Quarter Same Store Sales Increase of 2.0%
	•		Achieves Third Quarter Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.31, In Line with EPS Guidance
	•		Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.05 per Share

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., November 2, 2010 — Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation (NASDAQ: BGFV), a leading sporting goods retailer, today reported financial results for the fiscal 2010 third quarter ended October 3, 2010.

For the fiscal 2010 third quarter, net sales increased to $231.8 million from net sales of $231.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Same store sales increased 2.0% for the third quarter versus the comparable period last year. The net sales comparison to the prior year was negatively impacted by a calendar shift as the Company transitioned to a 52-week fiscal year in 2010 from a 53-week fiscal year in 2009. As a result, a high volume sales week, which included the Fourth of July holiday, shifted out of the third fiscal quarter into the second quarter and a lower volume sales week at the beginning of October shifted into the third fiscal quarter of 2010. The effect of the calendar shift is not reflected in the Company’s third quarter same store sales comparison to the prior year because the Company reports same store sales on a comparable calendar day basis as opposed to a fiscal period basis.

Gross profit for the fiscal 2010 third quarter was $77.4 million, compared to $78.5 million in the third quarter of the prior year. The Company’s gross profit margin was 33.4% in the fiscal 2010 third quarter versus 33.9% in the third quarter of the prior year. The decrease in gross profit margin was driven primarily by a decrease in merchandise margins of approximately 50 basis points reflecting a shift in the Company’s product sales mix, as well as higher store occupancy costs reflecting the expense for new store openings.

Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales was 28.6% in the fiscal 2010 third quarter versus 28.2% in the third quarter of the prior year. Overall selling and administrative expense increased $1.0 million for the quarter from the same period last year due primarily to higher store-related expenses as a result of new store openings.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was $6.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, versus net income of $8.0 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

For the 39-week period ended October 3, 2010, net sales increased to $670.1 million from net sales of $657.9 million for the 39-week period last year. Same store sales increased 1.3% in the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2010 versus the comparable period last year. Net income was $16.6 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, for the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2010, up from net income of $15.4 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

“The third quarter represented another solid financial performance for Big 5 Sporting Goods,” said Steven G. Miller, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We produced positive same store sales over each month of the period, as we benefitted from increased customer traffic. These positive metrics were on top of the positive comps and increased traffic we reported for the same period last year. As anticipated, our sales and bottom line fiscal comparisons to the prior year were significantly impacted by the calendar shift that moved a high volume sales week out of the third quarter and a lower volume sales week into the third quarter.”

Mr. Miller continued, “We are pleased with the consistency of our business as sales have continued to trend positively into the fourth quarter. While the important holiday selling season lies ahead and the economy and consumer spending habits remain unpredictable, we believe that our ability to provide exceptional value on quality merchandise will position us well as we conclude the year.”

Quarterly Cash Dividend
The Company’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share of outstanding common stock, which will be paid on December 15, 2010 to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2010.

Guidance
For the fiscal 2010 fourth quarter, the Company expects same store sales in the positive low single-digit range and earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.25 to $0.33. As a result of the fiscal year calendar, the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter included 14 weeks and the fiscal fourth quarter this year includes 13 weeks. The Company’s same store sales guidance reflects comparable 13-week periods.

Store Openings
The Company opened three new stores during the third quarter of fiscal 2010, bringing its store count at the end of the quarter to 391 stores. The Company has opened two new stores during the fourth quarter to date, and anticipates opening an additional five new stores over the remainder of the fourth quarter. Three of the seven stores that are anticipated to open in the fourth quarter are part of relocations that are expected to result in existing stores closing in early 2011. For the fiscal 2010 full year, the Company currently anticipates opening 11 new stores, plus four relocations. Of the four relocations, one replaced store has closed and three existing stores are currently scheduled to close in early 2011.

Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast today, November 2, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. ET) to discuss financial results for the fiscal 2010 third quarter. To access the conference call, participants in North America should dial (877) 718-5108, and international participants should dial (719) 325-4808. Participants are encouraged to dial in to the conference call ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and accessible through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.big5sportinggoods.com. Visitors to the website should select the “Investor Relations” link to access the webcast. The webcast will be archived and accessible on the same website for 30 days following the call. A telephone replay will be available through November 16, 2010 by calling (877) 870-5176; passcode is 7933476.

About Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation
Big 5 is a leading sporting goods retailer in the western United States, operating 393 stores in 12 states under the “Big 5 Sporting Goods” name. Big 5 provides a full-line product offering in a traditional sporting goods store format that averages 11,000 square feet. Big 5’s product mix includes athletic shoes, apparel and accessories, as well as a broad selection of outdoor and athletic equipment for team sports, fitness, camping, hunting, fishing, tennis, golf, snowboarding and in-line skating.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause Big 5’s actual results in current or future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, continued or worsening weakness in the consumer spending environment and the U.S. financial and credit markets, the competitive environment in the sporting goods industry in general and in Big 5’s specific market areas, inflation, product availability and growth opportunities, seasonal fluctuations, weather conditions, changes in cost of goods, operating expense fluctuations, disruption in product flow, changes in interest rates, credit availability, and higher costs associated with sources of credit resulting from uncertainty in financial markets and economic conditions in general. Those and other risks

and uncertainties are more fully described in Big 5’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 4, 2010. Big 5 conducts its business in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment. Accordingly, new risk factors may arise. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor to assess the impact of all such risk factors on Big 5’s business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Big 5 undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by it or on its behalf.

# # #

BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

		October 3,				January 3,
		2010				2010
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,140			$	5,765
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $93 and $223, respectively			8,628				13,398
Merchandise inventories, net			251,310				230,911
Prepaid expenses			10,336				9,683
Deferred income taxes			8,330				7,723
Total current assets			282,744				267,480
Property and equipment, net			79,976				81,817
Deferred income taxes			13,697				11,327
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $0 and $346, respectively			1,491				1,065
Goodwill			4,433				4,433
Total assets		$	382,341			$	366,122
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	90,817			$	85,721
Accrued expenses			54,388				59,314
Current portion of capital lease obligations			2,060				1,904
Total current liabilities			147,265				146,939
Deferred rent, less current portion			24,092				23,832
Capital lease obligations, less current portion			1,886				2,278
Long-term revolving credit borrowings			55,228				54,955
Other long-term liabilities			6,538				6,257
Total liabilities			235,009				234,261
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 23,299,657 and 23,050,061 shares, respectively; outstanding 21,816,362 and 21,566,766 shares, respectively			233				230
Additional paid-in capital			97,379				95,259
Retained earnings			71,086				57,738
Less: Treasury stock, at cost; 1,483,295 shares			(21,366	)			(21,366	)
Total stockholders’ equity			147,332				131,861
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	382,341			$	366,122

BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)

		13 Weeks Ended								39 Weeks Ended
		October 3,				September 27,				October 3,				September 27,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Net sales		$	231,753			$	231,582			$	670,102			$	657,913
Cost of sales			154,337				153,073				448,170				441,002
Gross profit			77,416				78,509				221,932				216,911
Selling and administrative expense			66,301				65,327				194,366				190,194
Operating income			11,115				13,182				27,566				26,717
Interest expense			603				562				1,370				1,883
Income before income taxes			10,512				12,620				26,196				24,834
Income taxes			3,689				4,609				9,588				9,409
Net income		$	6,823			$	8,011			$	16,608			$	15,425
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.32			$	0.37			$	0.77			$	0.72
Diluted		$	0.31			$	0.37			$	0.76			$	0.72
Dividends per share		$	0.05			$	0.05			$	0.15			$	0.15
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic			21,580				21,435				21,539				21,426
Diluted			21,845				21,747				21,873				21,545