nearly 40% over the prior year period, as extraordinarily unfavorable winter weather conditions across the Companys markets weighed heavily on the categorys performance. In connection
with the Companys establishment of a valuation allowance in the fiscal 2024 third quarter related to deferred tax assets, the Company does not anticipate realizing any income tax benefit in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, which will result in
a tax provision of approximately zero for the quarter. On this basis, the Company expects fiscal 2024 fourth quarter net loss per basic share in the range of $0.80 to $1.05. For prior period comparison purposes, assuming an estimated effective tax
rate of 26.3%, the Company expects fiscal 2024 fourth quarter adjusted net loss per basic share in the range of $0.59 to $0.77, which compares to fiscal 2023 fourth quarter net loss per basic share of $0.41, which was not impacted by the deferred
tax asset valuation allowance.
Store Openings
The
Company currently has 423 stores in operation, reflecting six store closures in the 2024 first quarter, two store closures in the 2024 third quarter, and two store closures in the 2024 fourth quarter to date as part of the Companys ongoing
efforts to optimize its store base, as well as one store opening in the 2024 second quarter, one store opening in the 2024 third quarter, and one store opening in the 2024 fourth quarter to date. During the remainder of fiscal 2024, the Company
expects to close approximately one additional store.
Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results and provide additional comments and details. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 2:00
p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. To access the conference call, participants in North America may dial (877) 407-9039 and international participants may dial (201) 689-8470. Participants are encouraged to dial in to the conference call ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
In addition, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet and accessible through the Companys 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 telephonic replay will be available through Tuesday,
November 5, 2024, by calling (844) 512-2921 to access the playback; the passcode is 13749066.
About Big 5
Sporting Goods Corporation
Big 5 is a leading sporting goods retailer in the western United States, currently operating 423 stores under the Big
5 Sporting Goods name. Big 5 provides a full-line product offering in a traditional sporting goods store format that averages 12,000 square feet. Big 5s 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, home recreation, tennis, golf, and winter and summer recreation.