Based on fourth quarter earnings per share guidance, the Company expects to achieve full year fiscal 2007 earnings in the range of $1.60 to $1.62 per diluted share. With this guidance, the company is poised to significantly exceed its objective of annual earnings per share growth of approximately 20% for fiscal 2007.
Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, continued, "The sales and margin momentum from our strong third quarter has carried over into our initial performance in the fourth quarter. Over the important Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving Day, we achieved mid-single digit comparable store sales increases compared to a mid-single digit increase last year.
We currently expect our November comparable store sales to increase in the mid-single digits range. The reaction to our holiday merchandise assortment has been positive and we remain focused on executing our strategies for the peak holiday selling season."
The Company believes that the disclosure of sales on a pro-forma basis due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2006, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, provides investors useful information to help them better understand the Company's results.