Ascena Retail Group Q3 profit down 37% amid charges

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group Inc. reported its fiscal third-quarter net income dropped nearly 37% amid costs related to its acquisition of Charming Shoppes and a charge tied to debt extinguishment. The chain also lowered its full-year earnings forecast.



Net income slipped to $31.2 million for the quarter that ended April 27, from $49.4 million in the same quarter a year ago.



Revenue rose nearly 46% to $1.14 billion, boosted by the company’s acquisitions of the Lane Bryant and Catherines chains. Same-store sales fell 4%.



David Jaffe, president and CEO of Ascena Retail Group stated: “Our soft third quarter top line performance reflects lower than expected traffic driven by continued economic challenges for our customers and unseasonably cold weather as well as merchandising misses at Lane Bryant and Dressbarn.”