Finish Line Shares Tank As Q3 EPS, Outlook Disappoints Investors

Finish Line Inc FINL reported results Friday for its third quarter ended November 29, 2014. Consolidated net sales were $395.8 million, above estimates of $390.95 million and an increase of 8.6 percent over the prior year period.

Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, which excludes the impact of impairment charges and store closing costs, employee resignation costs and the recognition of a one-time tax benefit were $(0.02), below analyst estimates of $0.02.

Finish Line comparable store sales increased 4.5 percent over the year-ago period.

"Third quarter comparable sales rebounded from second quarter trends, however merchandise margin pressure kept us from achieving our profitability plan," said Glenn Lyon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finish Line. "We remain confident in the strategic course we have set for the company and we’ll continue to invest in the omnichannel initiatives focused on delivering the long-term financial goals we have previously outlined. That said, we are adjusting our near-term capital spending plans and creating a more flexible expense structure to protect profitability until stronger full price selling trends reemerge."

For the fiscal year ending February 28, 2015, Finish Line expected non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be flat to fiscal year 2014 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.67. Analysts had expected EPS of $1.79.

The company expected Finish Line comparable store sales to increase low to mid-single digits.  

Finish Line traded at $25.25 in the premarket, down 12.6 percent.