Macy’s Q1 earnings rise 38%, beat Street but outlook disappoints

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. reported a better-than-expected 38% increase in its first-quarter profit as the chain continues to benefit from its move to target its offerings to local markets. However, the retailer disappointed the Street by failing to up its guidance for the year.



Macy's said that its net income rose to $181 million for the three-month period ended April 28, up from $131 million a year ago.



Revenue increased 4.3% to $6.14 billion, from $5.89 billion a year ago. Same-store sales were up 4.4%.



Online sales (macys.com and bloomingdales.com combined) were up 33.7% in first quarter 2012. (Online sales are included in the same-store sales calculation for Macy's.)



“The momentum in our business at Macy's and Bloomingdale's continued to build in the first quarter, with sales and earnings exceeding our expectations going into the year,” Terry J. Lundgren, Macy's chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement. “The quarterly data clearly demonstrates the strength of our results as we continue to implement our strategies.”