Stage Stores reports 2Q net income increase

HOUSTON Stage Stores reported net income for the second quarter ended Aug. 2 of $9.7 million, or 25 cents per diluted share, compared to $9.9 million, or 23 cents per diluted share, for the prior year second quarter ended Aug. 4, 2007.

As previously reported by the company, sales for the second quarter were $372.7 million as compared to sales of $359.2 million last year. Comparable-store sales for the second quarter decreased 1.4% versus an increase of 0.5% in the prior year period.

The company said it is maintaining its guidance for comparable-store sales to be down between 1% and 3% during the final two quarters of the year.