Finance & Capital Management

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter surged 21% to $208.6 million, from $173 million in the same period last year.

Sales increased 14% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales rose 9%.

“We believe that favorable weather across many of our markets also contributed to our above-plan performance," said Michael Balmuth, CEO, about the results.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter slid 19% to $23.6 million from $29.1 million last year, but beat Wall Street forecasts and prompted the retailer to raise the low end of its full-year outlook.

Revenue rose 2% to $438.5 million from $430.8 million, widely missing Wall Street’s expected $447.7 million in revenue, and same-store sales dipped 0.7%.
 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 slid 26% to $11.8 million, compared with $15.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue was basically flat at $303.4 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $303.9 million in revenue, and same-store sales dipped 0.4%.

The company said it expects to open four new stores, relocate four stores and close four stores during the second half of 2012.
 

New York -- Aeropostale said Thursday that net income for the first quarter narrowed to $10.6 million, from $16.4 million in the same period last year.

Sales for the quarter ended April 28 rose 6% to $497.2 million, from $469.2 million, and same-store sales edged up 2% on the strength of its online performance. Without e-commerce results, same-store sales for the quarter were flat.
 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings posted net income of $189 million in the quarter, compared with a loss of $165 million in the prior-year period.

After several rounds of closings of Kmart and Sears full-line stores in the past months, revenues decreased $270 million to $9.3 billion for the quarter ended April 28. Domestic comp-store sales declined 1.3% -- 1.0% at Sears Domestic and 1.6% at Kmart. Sears also saw declines in its home appliances and consumer electronics categories.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- First quarter profits at Walmart exceeded analysts’ estimates as same-store sales increased 2.6% and the company said it strategy of low prices on a broad merchandise assortment is resonating again with shoppers.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands Inc. reported Wednesday a first-quarter profit of $124.6 million, compared with $165.2 million in the year-ago period. Results topped Wall Street estimates.

Net sales slipped to $2.15 billion from $2.22 billion, and same-store sales increased 7%.
 

Does J.C. Penney have time on its side? Or to put it another way: How long will investors wait for J.C. Penney’s transformation? Because, based on the chain’s awful first quarter, it doesn’t appear to have even taken root yet. I’m not surprised.