GameStop Corp. Comparable Store Sales Up 8.8%

GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME)(NYSE:GME.B), the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, today reported sales and earnings for the third quarter ended October 28, 2006. GameStop sales increased 89% to $1,011.6 million in the third quarter of 2006, compared with $534.2 million in the prior year quarter. Comparable store sales increased 8.8% during the quarter, exceeding our previously indicated guidance. New video game software sales grew 14%, led by titles such as MADDEN NFL 2007 from Electronic Arts, SAINTS ROW by THQ, DEAD RISING by Capcom, and SPLINTER CELL: DOUBLE AGENT by Ubisoft. In addition, hardware sales increased 69% over the prior year quarter, led by Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s DS Lite. GameStop’s net earnings for the third quarter of 2006 were $13.6 million. This includes merger-related expenses of $2.9 million ($1.8 million, net of tax benefits) and debt retirement costs related to the bond buy-back program of $3.4 million ($2.1 million, net of tax benefits). Diluted earnings per share were $0.17, including merger-related expenses and debt retirement costs of $0.05 per diluted share. "Not only did we have an excellent third quarter, but the sales during the period indicate that GameStop is building momentum heading into the holiday season,” reported R. Richard Fontaine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GameStop Corp. "Strong sales of Microsoft’s Xbox 360, an unexpected resilient performance from Sony’s PlayStation 2, and robust sales of Nintendo’s DS Lite reflect a growing installed base of game customers measured by our 69% increase in hardware sales. We have a contemporary platform attracting core customers, a seven year-old platform attracting a value customer, hand-helds attracting a broader demographic gamer, and the latest revolutionary systems just coming to the market. Never before in video game history have we had so many outstanding consoles to energize the existing gamers, entice the upgrade customer, and attract new customers to gaming and GameStop.” Guidance Update For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, comparable store sales are projected to range from +14.0% to +18.0%. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter are expected to range from $1.53 to $1.59. Full year fiscal 2006 diluted earnings per share are now expected to range from $1.98 to $2.04. We continue to believe that full year fiscal 2006 comparable store sales will increase between 7.0% and 9.0%, and total sales will increase between 15.0% and 17.0%, both on a pro forma basis. Note that guidance includes projected stock-based compensation expenses of $0.17 per diluted share for fiscal 2006. In addition, guidance does not include merger costs related to the business combination, which were $0.05 per diluted share for fiscal 2006, nor debt retirement costs, which could range from $0.03 to $0.05 per diluted share for fiscal 2006. Third quarter fiscal 2005 pro forma statements of operations have been provided in Schedule III as if the acquisition of Electronics Boutique Holding Corp. took place at the beginning of fiscal 2005. In addition, the pro forma statements of operations include stock-based compensation expense as if SFAS No. 123(R) was implemented at the beginning of fiscal 2005. GameStop will report holiday sales on or about January 4, 2007. Conference Call and Webcast Information A conference call with GameStop Corp.'s management is scheduled for November 21, 2006 at 11:00 AM EST to discuss the third quarter sales and earnings results. The conference call will be simulcast on the Internet at (http://www.gamestop.com/investor-relations/). The conference call will be archived on the website until December 5, 2006. About GameStop Corp. Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp. is the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer. The company operates 4,633 retail stores across the United States and in fourteen countries worldwide. The company also owns two e-commerce sites, GameStop.com and EBgames.com, and Game Informer(R) magazine, a leading multi-platform video game publication. GameStop Corp. sells new and used video game software, hardware and accessories for next generation video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company’s corporate website: http://www.gamestop.com/corporate. Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the outlook for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and beyond, future financial and operating results, projected store openings, the company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of GameStop's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the risk that the cost savings and other synergies from the combination with Electronics Boutique may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the inability to obtain sufficient quantities of product to meet consumer demand, including Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii; the timing of release of video game titles for next generation consoles; and economic and other events that could reduce or impact consumer demand. Additional factors that could cause GameStop's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in GameStop’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2006 filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. GameStop Corp. Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data)   13 weeks 13 weeks ended ended Oct. 28, 2006 Oct. 29, 2005   Sales $ 1,011,560  $ 534,212  Cost of sales   695,904    357,492    Gross profit 315,656  176,720    Selling, general and administrative expenses 235,389  136,072  Depreciation and amortization 27,281  19,224  Stock-based compensation 5,156  --  Merger-related expenses   2,890    11,329    Operating earnings 44,940  10,095    Interest expense, net 19,648  6,430  Merger-related financing costs --  7,518  Debt extinguishment expense   3,371    --    Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) 21,921  (3,853)   Income tax expense (benefit)   8,352    (1,393)   Net earnings (loss) $ 13,569    (2,460)   Earnings (loss) per common share: Basic $ 0.18  $ (0.04) Diluted $ 0.17  $ (0.04)   Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 75,393  56,630  Diluted 79,291  56,630        Percentage of Sales:   Sales 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales   68.8%   66.9%   Gross profit 31.2% 33.1%   SG&A expenses 23.3% 25.5% Depreciation and amortization 2.7% 3.6% Stock-based compensation 0.5% --  Merger-related expenses   0.3%   2.1%   Operating earnings 4.4% 1.9%   Interest expense, net 1.9% 1.2% Merger-related financing costs --  1.4% Debt extinguishment expense   0.3%   --    Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) 2.2% (0.7)%   Income tax expense (benefit)   0.9%   (0.2)%   Net earnings (loss)   1.3%   (0.5)%   GameStop Corp. Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data)   39 weeks 39 weeks ended ended Oct. 28, 2006 Oct. 29, 2005   Sales $ 3,014,934  $ 1,424,869  Cost of sales   2,097,980    993,957    Gross profit 916,954  430,912    Selling, general and administrative expenses 706,110  339,369  Depreciation and amortization 79,541  40,072  Stock-based compensation 15,706  --  Merger-related expenses   6,788    11,329    Operating earnings 108,809  40,142    Interest expense, net 59,186  6,657  Merger-related financing costs --  7,518  Debt extinguishment expense   3,562    --    Earnings before income tax expense 46,061  25,967    Income tax expense   17,614    10,198    Net earnings $ 28,447  $ 15,769    Earnings per common share: Basic $ 0.38  $ 0.30  Diluted $ 0.36  $ 0.27    Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 74,619  53,092  Diluted 78,864  57,519        Percentage of Sales:   Sales 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales   69.6%   69.8%   Gross profit 30.4% 30.2%   SG&A expenses 23.4% 23.8% Depreciation and amortization 2.7% 2.8% Stock-based compensation 0.5% --  Merger-related expenses   0.2%   0.8%   Operating earnings 3.6% 2.8%   Interest expense, net 2.0% 0.5% Merger-related financing costs --  0.5% Debt extinguishment expense   0.1%   --    Earnings before income tax expense 1.5% 1.8%   Income tax expense   0.6%   0.7%   Net earnings   0.9%   1.1%   GameStop Corp. Balance Sheets (in thousands, except per share data)   October 28, October 29, 2006  2005  ASSETS: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 180,948  $ 81,031  Receivables, net 32,841  34,662  Merchandise inventories 844,979  746,563  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 33,346  35,953  Prepaid taxes 68,307  48,929  Deferred taxes 48,391  38,622  Total current assets 1,208,812  985,760    Property and equipment: Land 10,106  10,008  Buildings & leasehold improvements 291,692  252,243  Fixtures and equipment 394,712  325,387  696,510  587,638  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 257,981  162,141  Net property and equipment 438,529  425,497    Goodwill, net 1,395,824  1,440,939  Assets to be disposed of --  19,190  Other noncurrent assets 43,605  54,446  Total assets $ 3,086,770  $ 2,925,832      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 605,773  519,972  Accrued liabilities 308,125  297,799  Note payable, current portion 12,240  12,936  Total current liabilities 926,138  830,707    Deferred taxes 11,300  69,491  Other long-term liabilities 38,756  42,458  Notes payable, long-term portion 412  22,171  Senior floating and fixed rate notes payable, net of discount 876,592  941,557      Total liabilities 1,853,198  1,906,384    Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock - authorized 5,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding --  --  Class A common stock - $.001 par value; authorized 300,000 shares; 45,908 and 42,404 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 46  42  Class B common stock - $.001 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 29,902 shares issued and outstanding 30  30  Additional paid-in-capital 1,006,811  911,886  Accumulated other comprehensive income 5,833  100  Retained earnings 220,852  107,390  Total stockholders' equity 1,233,572  1,019,448  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,086,770  $ 2,925,832    Schedule I GameStop Corp. Sales Mix     13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended Oct. 28, 2006 Oct. 29, 2005 Percent Percent Sales of Total Sales of Total Sales (in millions):   New video game hardware $ 150.5  14.9% $ 48.4  9.0% New video game software 401.8  39.7% 216.2  40.5% Used video game products 295.4  29.2% 170.2  31.9% Other 163.9  16.2% 99.4  18.6%         Total $ 1,011.6  100.0% $ 534.2  100.0%     Schedule II GameStop Corp. Gross Profit Mix     13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended Oct. 28, 2006 Oct. 29, 2005 Gross Gross Gross Profit Gross Profit Profit Percent Profit Percent   Gross Profit (in millions):   New video game hardware $ 16.5  11.0% $ 5.2  10.7% New video game software 94.0  23.4% 53.8  24.9% Used video game products 143.9  48.7% 77.2  45.4% Other 61.3  37.4% 40.5  40.7%     Total $ 315.7  31.2% $ 176.7  33.1% Schedule III GAMESTOP CORP. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data)           For the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2005 Historical GameStop Corp. October 29, 2005 (a)   Historical Electronics Boutique October 8, 2005 (a) Pro Forma Adjustments GameStop Corp Pro Forma   Sales $ 534,212  $ 350,691  $ --  $ 884,903    Cost of sales 357,492  248,738  --  606,230  Gross profit 176,720  101,953  --  278,673      Selling, general and administrative expenses 136,072  96,992  --  233,064  Depreciation and amortization 19,224  8,203  (4,271) (c) 23,156  Merger-related expenses 11,329  --  (11,329) (b) --  Stock based compensation --  --  2,798  (j) 2,798  Operating earnings (loss) 10,095  (3,242) 12,802  19,655    Interest expense, net 6,430  (335) 14,176  (d),(e) 20,271  Merger-related interest expense 7,518  --  (7,518) (b) --  Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) (3,853) (2,907) 6,144  (616)   Income tax expense (benefit) (1,393) (1,057) 2,212  (f) (238)   Net earnings (loss) $ (2,460) $ (1,850) $ 3,932  $ (378)     Net loss per common share-basic $ (0.04) (h) $ (0.07) $ (0.01) (i)     Weighted average shares of common stock-basic 56,630  25,504  (9,943) (g) 72,191    Net loss per common share-diluted $ (0.04) (h) $ (0.07) $ (0.01) (i)     Weighted average shares of common stock-diluted 56,630  25,715  (10,154) (g),(k) 72,191  Schedule III GAMESTOP CORP. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data)         For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2005 Historical GameStop Corp. October 29, 2005 (a)   Historical Electronics Boutique October 8, 2005 (a) Pro Forma Adjustments GameStop Corp. Pro Forma   Sales $ 1,424,869  $ 1,302,107  $ --  $ 2,726,976    Cost of sales 993,957  935,175  --  1,929,132  Gross profit 430,912  366,932  --  797,844      Selling, general and administrative expenses 339,369  331,424  --  670,793  Depreciation and amortization 40,072  30,573  (2,640) (c) 68,005  Merger-related expenses 11,329  2,900  (14,229) (b) --  Stock based compensation --  --  8,159  (j) 8,159  Operating earnings 40,142  2,035  8,710  50,887    Interest expense, net 6,657  (1,927) 54,974  (d),(e) 59,704  Merger-related interest expense 7,518  --  (7,518) (b) --  Earnings (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) 25,967  3,962  (38,746) (8,817)   Income tax expense (benefit) 10,198  1,415  (14,877) (f) (3,264)   Net earnings (loss) $ 15,769  $ 2,547  $ (23,869) $ (5,553)     Net earnings (loss) per common share-basic $ 0.30  (h) $ 0.10  $ (0.08) (i)     Weighted average shares of common stock-basic 53,092  25,098  (6,426) (g) 71,764    Net earnings (loss) per common share-diluted $ 0.27  (h) $ 0.10  $ (0.08) (i)     Weighted average shares of common stock-diluted 57,519  25,420  (11,175) (g),(k) 71,764  GAMESTOP CORP. NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (a) Certain reclassifications have been made to the historical presentation of GameStop and EB to conform to the presentation used in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations. (b) To give effect to the exclusion of certain expenses of $11,329 and $14,229 for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively, ended October 29, 2005 and financing costs of $7,518 which are directly attributable to the merger and are believed to be of a one-time or short-term nature. (c) To give effect to the intangible asset amortization and depreciation on the property and equipment adjustment based on the preliminary allocation of the purchase price over estimated useful lives. (d) To give effect to the interest expense incurred related to the receipt of $941,472 resulting from issuance of $650,000 in senior notes, at an interest rate of 8.0% and $300,000 in senior floating rate notes at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.875%. The senior notes were issued at a discount of $8,528 and interest expense includes the amortization of this discount over seven years. (e) To give effect to the amortization of deferred financing fees relating to the $400 million revolving credit facility, the senior floating rate notes and the senior notes over five, six and seven years to match the terms, respectively. (f) Represents the aggregate pro forma effective income tax effect of Notes (b), (c), (d), (e) and (i) above. (g) The pro forma earnings per share have been adjusted to reflect the issuance of 20,229 shares of GameStop Class A common stock to EB common stockholders as if they were issued on January 30, 2005 and to reflect the elimination of the outstanding shares of Electronics Boutique. (h) The holders of Historical GameStop Class A and Class B common stock generally had identical rights, except that the holders of Historical GameStop Class A common stock were entitled to one vote per share and the holders of Historical GameStop Class B common stock were entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Earnings per common share amounts represent per share amounts for both classes of common stock. (i) The holders of GameStop Class A and Class B common stock generally have identical rights, except that the holders of GameStop Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and the holders of GameStop Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Earnings per common share amounts represent per share amounts for both classes of common stock. (j) To give effect to the stock-based compensation expense as if SFAS 123(R) had been adopted as of January 30, 2005. (k) To remove the effect of securities that are anti-dilutive in nature due to the pro forma loss in the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended October 29, 2005.