Research Topic

Phoenix -- PetSmart Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 rose 22% to $56.2 million, from $45.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose nearly 8% to $1.5 billion from $1.4 billion, just beating Wall Street’s expected $1.49 billion in revenue. Same-store sales increased 6.1%. 
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter ended Oct. 29 increased 39% to 25 cents compared with earnings per share of 18 cents for the quarter ended Oct. 30, 2010, which exclude an income tax benefit in 2011 of $16.7 million, or 6 cents per share. Third quarter operating income was $186.1 million compared with operating income of $149.1 million last year, and adjusted net income was $77.6 million compared to net income of $61.3 million last year.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported Thursday its third straight quarter of profits, as net income rose 18.6% to $144 million, from $121.4 million a year earlier. Results met Wall Street expectations.

“Operating our business on lower in-store inventories is driving faster turns and lower markdowns, which continues to benefit profit margins,” noted Michael Balmuth, CEO.

Revenue rose 9.2% to $2.05 billion, beating analysts’ predicted $2.03 billion in revenue.

New York City -- Mattress retailer Mattress Firm Holding Corp. expects to raise about $100 million in an initial public offering to pay down its debt, the Associated Press reported.

The company is offering 5.6 million shares, and expects them to price from $17 to $19 each. After expenses the company anticipates net proceeds of about $90 million.

Most of the proceeds will go toward repaying $84.4 million in debt outstanding under a loan.

Mattress Firm and its franchisees run 757 stores in 25 states.

New York City -- Excitement over unexpected in-store deals has diminished as discounted prices become an anticipated part of the consumer products shopping experience, according to the Deloitte/Harrison Group annual American Pantry Survey.

NEW YORK — Shoppers today are more knowledgeable than ever when it comes to finding deals on their favorite products, and many won't even set foot in store until they have an idea of their potential savings, according to the Deloitte/Harrison Group annual American Pantry Survey.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch earnings rose 1.7% in the third quarter, well short of analysts’ estimates, as rising costs pressures offset a big jump in sales.

For the quarter ended Oct. 30, the chain reported $50.9 million in earnings, up from $50 million in the same period last year. Total sales rose 21% to $1.08 billion, more or less in line with Wall Street estimates.

Total international sales including e-commerce rose 56% to $255.7 million. In the United States, sales rose 14% to $820.2 million.
 

New York City -- Holiday sales growth will lag behind last year’s robust gains as consumers hold back in an uncertain economy. The roughly 3% growth will be driven by high prices due to inflation, rather than any increase in demand, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.