Williams-Sonoma has recipe for earnings success

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma reported that fourth-quarter EPS grew 15% to $1.34 and that quarterly revenuegrew to $1.406 billion versus $1.268 billion in 2011 with comparable brand revenue growth of 4%.

Fiscal 2012EPS grew 14% to $2.54. Net revenues for the year grew to $4.043 billion versus $3.721 billion in FY 11 with comparable brand revenue growth of 6.1%.

Laura Alber, president and CEO, commented, “Today’s announcements reflect the power of our multi-channel, multi-brand operating model and confirm our confidence in the growth potential and cash-generating ability of our brands as we look forward to 2013 and beyond. We finished 2012 above our expectations, and our strategies for 2013 are strong. We are pleased that we are able to significantly escalate our commitment to return excess cash to stockholders through a balanced program of share repurchases and dividend increases.”

For the first quarter of 2013, the company expects net revenues to be in the range of$850 million to $870 million.Comparable brand revenue growth in the first quarter is expected to be in the range of 4% to 6%.