Business Analytics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Reading into the Books-A-Million results, its easy to see how the liquidation at Borders took a toll on the book retailer's second quarter. Books-A-Million reported that net sales for its second quarter decreased 11.4% to $106.4 million from net sales of $120 million in the year-earlier period. Comparable-store sales for the second quarter declined 12.9% compared with the 13-week period in the prior year.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma reported Tuesday that profit for the second quarter surged 28% to $39 million, citing online strength and international sales for the improved performance.

Revenue rose 5% to $815 million.

The company has raised its outlook.

There is some debate as to whether paying dividends or buying back stock is a more desirable method of returning cash to shareholders. Those in the dividend camp would prefer to have the cash in their pocket, whereas share repurchase advocates argue that retiring shares through buyback activity improves profits as net income is spread over a smaller number of outstanding shares.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports reported Friday that profit for the quarter ended July 30 surged 48% to $5.9 million, compared with $4 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose more than 9% to $153.1 million, beating Wall Street’s projected $151.9 million in revenue.

 

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop reported a same-store sales decline of 9.1% for the second quarter on slow hardware sales and a lighter software slate than the prior year quarter. Despite the poor performance in new hardware and software, the company said pre-owned sales were strong for the quarter.

Total sales for the second quarter of 2011 were $1.74 billion, a decrease of 3.1% compared to $1.80 billion in the prior year quarter. 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Whirlpool Corp. announced that Roy Templin, EVP and CFO, will retire from the company. As part of the planned transition, Templin will remain in his current capacity until April 2012 to complete Whirlpool's year-end reporting and other transitional items. At that time, Larry Venturelli – currently SVP corporate controller, chief accounting officer and CFO for Whirlpool International – will succeed Templin as EVP and CFO.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter rose a better-than-expected 29% to $231.2 million, compared with $178.7 million in the year-ago period. 

It cited strong full-price sales at Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works for the strong showing.

Revenue rose 10% to $2.46 billion, matching Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales rose 9%.

Walmart beat analysts’ second quarter earnings estimates by a penny when it reported earnings per share of $1.09. The company also touted the fact that it was raising its full year profit forecast, although it did so by the one cent of additional profit it had already banked during the second quarter. Walmart said it now expects full year profits to total between $4.41 and $4.51 versus prior guidance of $4.35 to $4.50.