Big Lots Earnings And Outlook Provide Solace After Dollar's Miss

A day after Dollar General (DG) and Dollar Tree (DLTR) disappointed investors with their quarterly results; Big Lots, Inc. (BIG) provided some comfort to the investors. The company's second quarter earnings topped the estimates and boosted its full year earnings forecast. The retailer's net income increased from $17.64 million to $22.72 million and EPS from $0.35 to $0.51. On an adjusted basis, it would have earned $0.52 a share, which is $0.06 a share more than the analysts' estimates of $0.46. Big Lots' net sales were $1.203 billion compared to $1.209 billion in the previous year quarter. Analysts expected $1.22 billion revenue. Its comparable store sales rose 0.3 percent in the second quarter. The company's CEO and President, David Campisi, commented, "We are pleased to report comps increased for the 10th consecutive quarter and our earnings were above the high end of our guidance range, increasing 27% over Q2 last year. Jennifer is responding positively to our strategic focus on ownable and winnable merchandise categories, improved merchandise presentations and more consistent in-store execution." Going forward, the retailer offered guidance of an adjusted loss of $0.04 a share – adjusted income of $0.01 a share for the third quarter. Street expects the company to suffer a loss per share of $0.01. For the full year, Big Lots boosted its adjusted EPS forecast from $3.35 - $3.45 to $3.45 - $3.55. Analysts are looking for an EPS of $3.47. Following the news, the stock traded up by $0.11, or 0.21 percent, to $53.05.