Business Analytics

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Stores said its fourth-quarter profit rose 15%, boosted by higher sales.
   
For the three months ended Feb. 2, the company said net income rose to $112 million, up from $97 million in the year ago period.

Revenue rose 9% to $1.52 billion, helped by an extra week in the quarter. Same-store sales increased 1.7%, with a 2.3% increase in the average ticket.

For the year, net sales increased 15% to $4.41 billion. Net income totaled $214 million, up from $176 million in fiscal 2011.

IRVING, Texas — Michaels Stores reported that net sales for the fourth quarter increased 8.5% to $1.5 billion from $1.4 billion for the same period last year. Quarterly same-store sales increased 1.7% driven by a 2.3% increase in average ticket and a 0.6% decrease in transactions. 

The company reported that operating income increased 13.7% to $266 million, and as a percent of net sales increased 80 basis points to 17.5%. Net income increased to $112 million, and as a percent of net sales, increased 40 basis points to 7.3%.

PHILADELPHIA — Net income rose to $83 million at Urban Outfitters for its fourth quarter from $39.26 million in the year-ago period, on strong same-store sales and higher revenue.

Total company net sales for the quarter increased 17% to $857 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which include comparable direct-to-consumer channel, increased 11% for the quarter, while comparable-store net sales were flat.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The EPA's Center for Corporate Climate Leadership recognized Office Depot with a Climate Leadership Goal Achievement Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management. The award was also presented by the Association of Climate Change Officers the Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot has been recognized with a Climate Leadership Goal Achievement Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership, the Association of Climate Change Officers the Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry.

Second quarter sales increased 8% to $24.3 billion and profits, aided by a sizable tax benefit, increased 39% to $547 million, or $1.24 a share.

The surge is profits for the 12 week quarterly period ended February 17 was driven by a $62 million, or 14 cent a share, tax benefit that resulted from the portion of a special dividend payment made in December to participants in the company’s 401(K) program. Costco authorized a one time special dividend of $7 a share last year to return cash to shareholders in advance of a 2013 tax hike on dividend income.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp posted a better-than expected 39% increase in quarterly profit, helped by increasing sales and a rise in membership fees.

Net income was $547 million in the fiscal second quarter ended on Feb. 17, compared with $394 million a year ago.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters reported net income of $83 million for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2013, up from $39.26 million in the year-ago period, on strong same-store sales and higher revenue.

Total company net sales for the quarter increased 17% to $857 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which include comparable direct-to-consumer channel, increased 11% for the quarter, while comparable store net sales were flat.