Finance & Capital Management

So maybe the Walmart U.S. isn’t lighting things up on the same-store sales front just yet; the division did manage to grow total sales by 0.6% to $62.7 billion and increase operating profits by 0.8% to $4.65 billion. This despite the fact that division president and CEO Bill Simon noted the paycheck cycle remains pronounced, and higher year-over-year gas prices are eating into the disposable income of the company’s core shoppers who are consolidating trips.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 edged up 1% to $4.2 million.

Revenue increased 1% to $95.8 million from $95 million, missing Wall Street's estimate of $97.4 million. Same-store sales rose 2.2%.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma reported that net income for the quarter ended May 1 jumped 62% to $31.6 million, from $19.5 million a year earlier, topping company expectations.

Revenue rose 7.4% to $770.8 million, better than expected.

Same-store sales, which includes direct-to-consumer revenue, rose 9%. Same-store sales rose 3.1% at the namesake brand, 7.9% at Pottery Barn and a record 11% at Pottery Barn Kids.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence fell last week to the lowest level in nine months as the cost of fuel pinched U.S. household budgets.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index declined to minus 49.4 in the period to May 15, the worst reading since August, from the prior week’s minus 46.9. A gauge of personal finances plunged to the weakest level since October 2009, and a monthly measure of economic expectations held at a seven-month low.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter ended April 30, were 40 cents compared with adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents for the quarter ended May 1.  First quarter adjusted net income was $129.8 million compared with adjusted net income of $82.9 million last year, the company reported. 

Limited Brands reported that comparable-store sales for the first quarter increased 15%, and net sales were $2.217 billion compared to $1.932 billion last year.  

New York City -- New York & Co. reported Thursday a loss of $3.7 million in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $4.9 million a year ago.

Sales rose to $239.4 million from $237 million. Same-store sales increased 2.5%.

The company said it expects to close eight stores and remodel six existing locations, ending the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 with 545 stores, including 24 outlet stores.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores said Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 surged 22% to $173 million, compared with $142.3 million a year earlier.

Sales increased 7% to $2.1 billion, and same-store sales rose 3% on top of a 10% gain in 2010.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Wednesday that strong sales boosted its first-quarter profit to $165.2 million, up 47% over its prior-year profit of $112.5 million. The company warned that rising costs will hurt its margins this year.

The parent of Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret and La Senza previously reported a revenue increase of 15% to $2.22 billion. Same-store sales rose 15%.