More on Francesca's Q4

• Francesca's (NASDAQ:NASDAQ:FRAN) reports comparable-store sales rose 11% in Q4 due to increases in comparable transactions and average transaction value.
• Direct-to-consumer sales increased 38% to $6.1M.
• Merchandise category sales: Apparel: $53.43M (+35%); Jewelry: $29.66M (+23%); Accessories: $24.28M (+8%); Gifts: $26.62M (+26%).
• Gross margin rate increased 340 bps to 49.1%.
• SG&A expense rate -460 bps to 31.2%.
• Adjusted operating margin rate grew 410 bps to 18.4%.
• Inventory +32.5% Y/Y to $31.54M.
• Boutique count -3 Q/Q to 616.
• Q1 Guidance: Net sales: $108M to $112M; Comparable-store sales: mid-single digit increase; EPS: $0.17 to $0.20; New boutiques: 20 to 25.
• FY2016 Guidance: Net sales: $474M to $494M; Comparable-store sales: low-single digit increase; EPS: $0.93 to $1.03; Shares outstanding: 40.2M; Tax rate: 38.1%; Capital expenditure: $28M to $31M; New boutiques: 50 to 60.
• FRAN -4.84% premarket.