Business Analytics

Purchase, N.Y. -- A report released Wednesday by MasterCard Advisors, the professional services arm of MasterCard in partnership with Wells Fargo, found that spending at small retailers in October slowed to an increase of 4.2% year over year, down from a 5.8% growth rate in September.

This was the slowest year-over-year growth rate for smaller retailers in 2012, falling below the growth rate of total U.S. retail sales by one percentage point.        

Columbus, Ohio -- Abercrombie and Fitch reported Wednesday net income of $71.5 million for the third quarter, compared with $50.9 million in the year-ago period and beating Wall Street expectations. The retailer is forecasting annual earnings above analysts’ estimates.

Revenue rose 9% to $1.17 billion, boosted by a 37% rise in international sales. Same-store sales dipped 3%.

New York -- Saks Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the third quarter climbed 27.2% to $22.6 million, compared with $17.8 million in the same period last year. Results surpassed analysts’ expectations.
 
Revenue edged up 3% to $713.2 million, widely missing Wall Street’s expected $762.6 million in revenue. Same-store sales rose 3.3%.

Atlanta -- An improved housing market boosted Home Depot in its latest quarter, as the home improvement retailer reported Tuesday that net income for the third quarter rose to $947 million from $934 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue climbed 4% to $18.13 billion, edging Wall Street’s estimated $17.92 billion in revenue. Same-store sales rose 4.3% in the U.S. and 4.2% overall.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 surged 21% to $50.1 million, compared with $41.5 million in the same period last year. The retailer cited strong online sales for the improved performance.

Revenue rose 11% to $1.31 billion, just edging Wall Street’s expected $1.3 billion, and same-store sales rose 5.1%. Online sales soared 46.7%

Toronto -- Sears Canada Inc. reported Tuesday a loss of $21.85 million, compared with a loss of $44 million in the same period last year.

Revenue dropped 6.8% to $1.04 billion, and same-store sales slid 5.7%.

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 rose to $461.5 million, from $406.5 million last year.

Sales rose 10.7% to $6.41 billion; same-store sales climbed 7%.

The parent to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls said it expects same-store sales during the holiday quarter to be flat to up 2%.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 surged 21% to $50.1 million, compared with $41.5 million in the same period last year. The retailer cited strong online sales for the improved performance.

Revenue rose 11% to $1.31 billion, just edging Wall Street’s expected $1.3 billion, and same-store sales rose 5.1%. Online sales soared 46.7% in the quarter, comprised of a 3.9% jump at namesake stores and a 2.3% increase at Golf Galaxy.
 

New York -- Saks Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the third quarter climbed 27.2% to $22.6 million, compared with $17.8 million in the same period last year. Results surpassed analysts’ expectations.
 
Revenue edged up 3% to $713.2 million, widely missing Wall Street’s expected $762.6 million in revenue. Same-store sales rose 3.3%.

Dallas -- J.C. Penney Co. Inc. on Friday reported a 26.1% decline in third-quarter same-store sales, more than the 17.9% that Wall Street analysts were expecting.

Overall sales fell 26.6% to $2.93 billion. Internet sales fell 37.3% to $214 million.

The company said that its net loss narrowed to $123 million in the third quarter ended Oct. 27, from $143 million a year earlier. The loss was wider than analysts had expected.