Sears Holdings Q2 Profit Falls; Sees Flat to Modest Comps Decline in Rest Of Year - Update 1
8/28/2008 7:23 AM ET
(RTTNews) -
Thursday, broadline retailer Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD: News ) reported a 62.4% fall in profit for the second quarter, due to lower sales and comparable store sales on increasing competition and slowing economy. Looking ahead, the company expects flat to modest comparable store sales decline for the rest of the year, and higher EBITDA in the second half. Further, the company lowered its full year EBITDA forecast.
Net income was $65 million or $0.50 per share in the second quarter, lower than $173 million or $1.15 per share recorded in the same quarter last year.
The second-quarter 2008 results included the positive impact of the reversal of a $37 million or $0.29 per share reserve. Excluding the item, earnings per share were $0.21 for the second quarter of fiscal 2008.
On average, five analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial expected earnings of $0.33 per share for the quarter.
Bruce Johnson, Sears Holdings' interim chief executive officer and president said, "Our second quarter results reflect the continued effects of a slowing economy which contributed to the earnings declines we have experienced since the third quarter of 2007."
For the quarter, total revenues from merchandise sales and services declined to $11.76 billion from $12.26 billion a year ago, primarily impacted by lower domestic comparable store sales. Three Wall Street analysts' average revenue estimate was $11.71 billion.
Total domestic comparable store sales declined 6.2%. For the quarter, Sears Domestic's comparable store sales declined 6.7%, and Kmart's comparable store sales dropped 5.6%, reflecting increasing competition and weakness in the general economy.
In the quarter, gross margin rate decreased approximately 120 basis points to 26.5% from 27.7% last year. The company's operating income fell to $187 million from $332 million in 2007, despite lower operating expenses, mainly due to lower gross margin generated at both Kmart and Sears Domestic.
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