Blue Nile Q3 Sales Up 10.1%, Net Sales Total $2.9 Million

Blue Nile, Inc. said Thursday that net sales increased 10.1% year-over-year to $98.9 million for the third quarter ended September 29. Operating income for the quarter totaled $2.5 million, representing an operating margin of 2.5% of net sales. Net income for the period totaled $2.9 million (compared with $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2012) or $0.23 per diluted share.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the quarter totaled $4.6 million. 

"These results demonstrate once again that our strategy is working. Our third quarter sales increase of 10.1% is on top of 19.8% in the prior year and is our sixth consecutive quarter of double digit growth," said Harvey Kanter, president and CEO of the diamond and jewelry online retailer. 

Blue Nile's Board of Directors authorized the renewal of the company's share repurchase program. It has the authority to repurchase up to $100 million of its common stock over the next two years. 

Third quarter financial highlights for the Seattle-based company include the following:

* U.S. engagement net sales increased 7.1% to $57.9 million.

* U.S. non-engagement net sales increased 9.6% to $23.9 million.

* International net sales increased nearly 23% to $17.1 million. Excluding the impact from changes in foreign exchange rates, international net sales increased 27.6%.

* Gross profit totaled $18.7 million. As a percent of net sales, gross profit was 18.9% compared to 18.8% for the third quarter of 2012. 

* Selling, general and administrative expenses were $16.2 million, compared to $14.3 million in the third quarter of 2012. These expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $1.2 million, compared to $1.3 million for the third quarter 2012.

* Earnings per diluted share included stock-based compensation expense of $0.06 for the third quarter 2013 and for the third quarter 2012.

At the end of the third quarter 2013, cash and cash equivalents totaled $47.9 million.

In its outlook, Blue Nile said it expects fourth quarter net sales to be between $146 million and $161 million. Earnings per diluted share are projected at $0.37 to $0.46.

For the year, the company said it expects net sales to be between $450 million and $465 million with earnings per diluted share are projected at $0.84 to $0.93.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.