Goody’s 4Q Profit Flat

Knoxville, Tenn., Goody’s Family Clothing Inc. said fourth-quarter earnings were roughly flat with the year-ago period and did not meet its expectations.

Quarterly income was $7.1 million, or 21? a share, compared with $7 million, or 21? a share, last year. Sales rose to $384.7 million from $369.2 million. Same-store sales fell 0.4%. Analysts had expected Goody’s to earn 16? a share on sales of $394.1 million.

For the full year, earnings declined to $15.7 million, or 46? a share, from $17.7 million, or 53? a share, in 2003. Total sales edged up to $1.27 billion from $1.23 billion. Same store sales fell 0.3%.