FRAMINGHAM, Mass.-- The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX), the leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the U.S. and worldwide, today announced sales and operating results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2020. Net sales for the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 were $10.1 billion. Overall open-only comp store sales (defined below) were down 5% versus last year. Net income for the third quarter was $867 million and diluted earnings per share were $.71 versus $.68 in the prior year. The Company’s lower tax rate in the third quarter of Fiscal 2021 resulted in an increase in earnings per share of approximately $.09 compared to the prior year. The lower tax rate was primarily due to a true-up of the Company’s year-to-date tax rate as well as the shifting of income and loss positions across the Company’s operating jurisdictions.
For the first nine months of Fiscal 2021, net sales were $21.2 billion. Net loss was ($235) million and loss per share was ($.20). The Company’s results for the first nine months of Fiscal 2021 were negatively impacted by the temporary closure of its stores for approximately 27% of the first nine months of the year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
CEO and President Comments
Ernie Herrman, Chief Executive Officer and President of The TJX Companies, Inc., stated, “Our third quarter results significantly exceeded our plans on both the top and bottom lines as consumers were drawn to our compelling brands and values. This is such a great testament to our global Associates. I am particularly proud of their dedication to our health and safety protocols for Associates and customers, and grateful to our store, distribution and fulfillment center Associates who are physically coming into work to keep our business open. All of our divisions drove sales above our plans, and our home, beauty, and activewear businesses outperformed at Marmaxx, TJX Canada, and TJX International.
"At HomeGoods, we delivered another quarter of double-digit open-only comp store sales growth. To both leverage our strength in the home category and capitalize on our market share growth opportunities, we are pleased to share that we plan to rollout e-commerce on HomeGoods.com later next year. As we begin the fourth quarter, while significant uncertainty around COVID-19 remains, we are as focused as ever on bringing consumers exciting gift selections at excellent values. We plan to ship fresh assortments to our stores and online throughout the holiday selling season. Longer term, when we are past this health crisis, we are very confident that we will continue to gain more customers and drive the successful growth of TJX well into the future.”