Mr. Balmuth also noted, "Our balance sheet and cash flows remained healthy as we ended the third quarter. We continued to return capital to stockholders through our stock repurchase and dividend programs. During the first nine months of 2007, we repurchased 5.0 million shares of common stock for an aggregate of $153 million. We are on track to complete by year end the remaining $47 million of our two-year $400 million stock repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors."
Mr. Balmuth continued, "Looking ahead, for the 13 weeks ending February 2, 2008, we continue to project same store sales growth of 1% to 3% and earnings per share in the range of $.62 to $.68. Based on these projections, earnings per share for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2008 are forecast to be in the range of $1.83 to $1.89.
This compares to $.66 and $1.70 of earnings per share for the 2006 fourth quarter and fiscal year, respectively. Last year's fourth quarter and fiscal year results included income equivalent to about $.07 per share related to the 53rd week in fiscal 2006. On a comparable 52-week basis, our annual forecast represents 12% to 16% earnings per share growth over the prior year."
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
