Big Lots reports 2Q income increase

COLUMBUS, Ohio Big Lots reported second quarter fiscal 2008 income from continuing operations of $26.1 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $22.1 million, or 21 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 1.9% to $1.1 billion, compared to $1.08 billion for the same period in fiscal 2007. Comparable-store sales increased 2.8% for the quarter, on top of a 5.2% comparable-store sales increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

Big Lots said it expects income from continuing operations to be between 15 cents and 19 cents per diluted share versus income from continuing operations of 14 cents per diluted share for the same period last year.