Big 5 enjoys positive sales trends

04 Mar '10

5 min read

Mr. Miller continued, "We have enjoyed positive sales trends during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 to date, as we have benefitted from favorable weather conditions in many of our markets. While we are encouraged by the start of our current quarter, we recognize that the economy remains challenging and the uncertainty experienced in the consumer environment over the last few years has continued into 2010. We remain confident in our overall business approach, and plan to continue to focus on driving sales and managing expenses while strategically increasing our store growth during the year ahead."

Quarterly Cash Dividend

The Company's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share of outstanding common stock, which will be paid on March 22, 2010 to stockholders of record as of March 8, 2010.

Guidance

For the fiscal 2010 first quarter, the Company expects same store sales in the positive low single-digit range and earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.17 to $0.23. For comparative purposes, the Company's earnings per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $0.13.

Store Openings

The Company opened two new stores during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, bringing its store count at the end of fiscal 2009 to 384 stores, from 381 stores at the end of fiscal 2008. During the fiscal 2010 first quarter, the Company anticipates opening three new stores, including one relocation. The Company currently anticipates opening between 10 and 15 new stores, net of relocations, during fiscal 2010.

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation

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