Dollar Tree posts 4Q EPS growth

CHESAPEAKE, Va. Dollar Tree reported earnings per diluted share of $1.15, for the fiscal fourth quarter ended Jan. 31, an increase of 10.6% from the $1.04 per diluted share for the fiscal fourth quarter ended Feb. 2, 2008. As previously reported, sales for the quarter were $1.39 billion, a 6.8% increase compared to the $1.3 billion for the same period, one year ago. Comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 2.2%.

For the year, sales totaled $4.64 billion, a 9.5% increase year-over-year, on a comparable store sales increase of 4.1%. Diluted earnings per share were $2.53, an increase of 21.1% from diluted earnings per share of $2.09 in 2007.

The company estimates sales for the first quarter of 2009 to be in the range of $1.13 to $1.16 billion, based on low-to mid-single digit comparable store sales, and 6.5% square footage growth. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of 49 cents to 54 cents.

For the full year, the company estimates sales will range from $4.96 to $5.09 billion. This estimate is based on low to low-mid single digit comparable-store sales, and square footage growth of approximately 6.5% for the year. Fiscal year 2009 diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $2.55 to $2.75.