Thomas B. Heacock
Good morning, and thanks for joining us this morning. Our August 22, 2025, press release reported that net income for the 13-week second quarter ended August 2, 2025, was $45 million or $0.89 per share on a diluted basis, which compares to net income of $39.3 million or $0.78 per share on a diluted basis for the prior year 13-week second quarter, which ended August 3, 2024. Year-to-date net income for the 26-week period ended August 2, 2025, was $80.2 million or $1.59 per share on a diluted basis, which compares net income of $74.1 million or $1.48 per share on a diluted basis for the prior year 26-week period ended August 3, 2024. Net sales for the 13-week second quarter increased 8.3% to $305.7 million compared to net sales of $282.4 million for the prior year 13-week second quarter. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 7.3% in comparison to the same 13-week period in the prior year, and online sales increased 17.7% to $43.6 million. Year-to-date, net sales increased 6.1% to $577.9 million compared to net sales of $544.9 million for the prior year 26-week fiscal period. Comparable store sales for the year-to-date period increased 5.2% in comparison to the same 26- week period in the prior year, and our online sales increased 10.5% to $90 million. For the quarter, UPTs decreased approximately 1.5%, the average unit retail increased approximately 3% and the average transaction value increased about 1.5%. Year-to-date, UPTs decreased approximately 1%, the average unit retail increased approximately 2% and the average transaction value increased approximately 1.5%. Gross margin for the quarter was 47.4% a 50 basis point increase from 46.9% in the second quarter of 2024. The current quarter margin expansion was the result of a 10 basis point increase in merchandise margin, along with 40 basis points of leverage buying distribution and occupancy expenses. Year-to-date gross margin was 47.1%, up 60 basis points from 46.5% for the same period in the prior year, and the year-to-date increase was the result of a 30 basis point increase in merchandise margin, along with 30 basis points of leverage buying distribution and occupancy expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter were 29% of sales compared to 29.8% for the second quarter of 2024, and year-to-date SG&A was 29.8% of sales compared to 29.9% for the same period in the prior year. The second quarter decrease was due to a 65 basis point reduction related to nonrecurring digital commerce investments made a year ago, a 45 basis point decrease in store labor-related expenses and a 55 basis point decrease in other SG&A expense categories. And these increases were partially offset by an 85 basis point increase in incentive compensation accruals. Our operating margin for the quarter was 18.4% compared to 17.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. And for the year-to-date period, our operating margin was 17.3% compared to 16.6% for the same period last year. Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax net income for both the current and prior year fiscal quarter was 24.5%, bringing second quarter net income to $45 million for fiscal 2025 compared to $39.3 million for fiscal 2024. Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax net income for both the current and prior year year-to-date periods was also 24.5%, bringing year-to-date net income to $80.2 million for fiscal 2025 compared to $74.1 million for fiscal 2024. Our press release also included a balance sheet as of August 2, 2025, which included the following: inventory of $142.5 million, which was up 8.4% from the same time a year ago and $349.6 million of total cash and investments. We ended the quarter with $158.8 million in fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation. Our capital expenditures for the quarter were $12 million and depreciation expense was $6.1 million. For the year-to-date period, capital expenditures were $23.4 million and depreciation expense was $12 million. Year-to-date capital spending is broken down as follows: $20.2 million for new store construction, store remodels and technology upgrades and $3.2 million for capital spending at the corporate headquarters and distribution center. During the quarter, we opened 2 new stores, completed 4 full store remodels, one of which was a relocation into a new outdoor shopping center and closed 1 store, which brings our year-to-date counts to 2 new stores, 9 full remodels and 3 store closures. For the remainder of the year, we now anticipate opening 4 additional new stores and completing 12 more full remodeling projects. Buckle ended the quarter with 440 retail stores in 42 states, which is consistent with the store count as of a year ago. And now I'll turn it over to Adam Akerson, Vice President of Finance.