Earnings Update, December 4 (BIG, PBY, CASY)

Discount retailer Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) posted record third quarter earnings. Adjusted EPS for the quarter came in at 27 cents, compared to 15 cents in the same period last year. Net sales in the quarter were up a little over 1%. The company anticipates it will net $1.09-1.14 in 4Q; its guidance for the full year figure is $2.15-2.20.
Investors greeted this news positively – the stock was trading up 16% at $27.38 in late afternoon trading.

Automotive service and retail outlet Pep Boys (NYSE: PBY) is to announce its quarterly earnings after today’s market close. Analysts expect between 1 and 7 cents per share in earnings, and approximately $468.5 million in sales.
The market is cautiously optimistic on PBY today; it is currently trading slightly up 19 cents to $8.75.

Convenience store chain Casey’s (CASY) is to announce earnings after market close on Monday. Analysts tracking the company anticipate CASY will post an EPS of 56-67 cents. Collectively, they believe sales will decline nearly 15% to around $12.2 billion for the quarter. It should be noted, though, that so far this year the company has managed to beat EPS estimates by 16-47%.
Perhaps as a result, Casey’s is trading up on the day. It’s gained 60 cents to $30.53.