Vitamin Shoppe Pops over 15% on Stellar Earnings

Shares of Vitamin Shoppe (NYSE: VSI) are seeing much strength during Tuesday's trading session after the company announced first quarter results which impressed investors.

Vitamin Shoppe announced preliminary results for its fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Net sales in fiscal first quarter 2012 advanced 14.4% while operating income rose 46.1%.

During the period, the company reported fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.61, a 53% increase from $0.40 in fiscal first quarter 2011, or a 30% increase from $0.47 per share when excluding the one-time expense reported in fiscal first quarter 2011.

Tony Truesdale, Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, "I am very pleased with our first quarter financial performance which exceeded our expectations on both top line sales and bottom line profitability. Demand for our products remains healthy both in our stores and online."

Added, Mr. Truesdale, "Our strong financial results reflect the successful execution of our strategies and our disciplined approach to growing our business. In delivering another quarter of solid performance we have again demonstrated the consistency of our business model."

Currently, shares of Vitamin Shoppe are trading about 13% higher at $50.63 per share.

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