Gap
Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced that its Board of Directors intends
to increase the company’s annual dividend to $0.88 in fiscal year 2014,
a 10 percent increase from the company’s current annualized rate of
$0.80. This represents more than a 75 percent increase in the company’s
annual dividend per share in the last two years.
This is the fifth consecutive year Gap Inc. has increased its annual
dividend, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to
distributing excess cash to shareholders.
The company also announced that its Board of Directors has authorized
the first quarter fiscal year 2014 dividend of $0.22 per share, payable
on or after April 30, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of
business on April 9, 2014.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are
forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," and similar
expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements include statements regarding:
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Future dividends;
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Commitment to distributing excess cash to shareholders.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause the
company's actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation,
the following:
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the risk that changes in general economic conditions or consumer
spending patterns could adversely impact the company’s results of
operations;
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the highly competitive nature of the company’s business in the United
States and internationally;
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the risk that the company or its franchisees will be unsuccessful in
gauging apparel trends and changing consumer preferences;
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the risk to the company’s business associated with global sourcing and
manufacturing, including sourcing costs, events causing disruptions in
product shipment, or an inability to secure sufficient manufacturing
capacity;
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the risk that actual or anticipated cyber attacks, and other
cybersecurity risks, may cause the company to incur increasing costs;
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the risk that natural disasters, public health crises, political
crises, or other catastrophic events could adversely affect the
company’s operations and financial results;
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the risk that acts or omissions by the company’s third-party vendors,
including a failure to comply with the company’s code of vendor
conduct, could have a negative impact on its reputation or operations;
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the risk that the company does not repurchase some or all of the
shares it anticipates purchasing pursuant to its repurchase program;
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the risk that the company will not be successful in defending various
proceedings, lawsuits, disputes, claims, and audits; and
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the risk that changes in the regulatory or administrative landscape
could adversely affect the company’s financial condition, strategies,
and results of operations.
Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to
differ can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended February 2, 2013, as well as the company’s subsequent
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
These forward-looking statements are based on information as of February
27, 2014. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise
its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make
it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will
not be realized.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories,
and personal care products for men, women, children, and babies under
the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta, and Intermix
brands. Fiscal year 2013 net sales were $16.1 billion. Gap Inc. products
are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through
about 3,100 company-operated stores, over 350 franchise stores, and
e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
Copyright Business Wire 2014