Federated reports Q1 earnings of 11% per diluted share
17 May '07
3 min read
Federated Department Stores Inc reported diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of 11 cents for the first quarter of 2007, ended May 5, 2007. This compares with a loss of 13 cents per diluted share from continuing operations for the same 13-week period last year.
Excluding May Company merger integration costs of $36 million ($22 million after tax or 5 cents per diluted share), first quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was 16 cents.
This compares with diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of 1 cent for the first quarter of 2006, excluding merger integration costs and related inventory valuation adjustments of $129 million ($81 million after tax or 14 cents per diluted share). The first quarter 2007 earnings per diluted share is within the company's guidance for 15 to 20 cents excluding merger integration costs.
"Sales in the quarter were soft, particularly in April. For the quarter as a whole, we were pleased with sales in the legacy Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores," said Terry J. Lundgren, Federated's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
"However, sales in the new Macy's locations were disappointing in the quarter. In spite of weak sales, we achieved strong gross margin results and reduction in expense as a percent to sales. We are on track to deliver at least $450 million in annual expense savings as a result of the May Company acquisition."
"While April has given us some concern about the consumer and the economic environment, we remain optimistic that our trends will improve particularly in the back half of the year as we reach the first anniversary of the Macy's brand conversion."