Content about Financial ratios

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW reported that its fourth quarter sales increased 15.7% to $594.3 million from $513.7 million for the same period last year. Comparable sales increased 3.6%.

The company reported that fourth quarter adjusted EPS rose to 69 cents per share, an increase of 35.3% per share.

Full year sales increased 11.5% to $2.3 billion, and comparable sales increase 5.5%.

Adjusted EPS for the year rose to $3.35 per share for the full year, up from $3.00 per share in 2011.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Corporation reported fourth quarter diluted earnings per share of $1.66 compared with $1.81 for the fourth quarter of 2011. Net income for the fourth quarter was $378 million compared with $455 million a year ago. For the year, net income was $1 billion ($4.17 per diluted share) compared with $1.2 billion ($4.30 per diluted share) for fiscal 2011.

Total sales for the quarter were $6.3 billion, an increase of 5.4% over sales of $6 billion for the same period last year. Same-store sales for the quarter were up 1.9%.

One of the largest dividend increases in Walmart’s history helped shareholders look past, temporarily at least, yesterday’s release of sales results that show a disturbing trend at U.S. stores.

Costco will pay a $7 a share special dividend before year end as it looks to return cash to shareholders in advance of what is expected to be a 2013 tax increase on dividend payments.

The total payout will amount to about $3 billion and is extraordinarily generous. Especially considering Costco’s net cash provided by operating activities for its fiscal year ended September 2, was only slightly more than $3 billion and cash, cash equivalents and short term investments totaled $4.854 billion.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Collective Brands reported net earnings of $9.7 million, or 16 cents per share, for its second quarter compared with a loss of $35 million, or 58 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2011.

Net sales increased 0.4% to $886 million, driven by a 2.9% comparable-store sales ncrease and sales growth of 6.1% in the Performance + Lifestyle Group  Wholesale segment, offset in part by operating 375 fewer stores.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dillard's posted an impressive 97% increase in earnings per share for its second quarter ended July 28. Net income for the quarter was $31 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $17.6 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Net sales for the quarter were $1.5 billion compared with net sales for the prior year period of $1.442 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 3%.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets reported that it's net income increased 12.7% to $23.2 million in net income while its earnings per share increased 11.7% to 86 cents per share, compared with 77 cents per share for the same period in 2011. Second quarter operating income increased 11.4% to $35.3 million.

Second quarter sales increased 0.1% to $677.1 million while comparable-store sales increased 0.4%.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. raised its full year guidance Thursday after reporting first quarter sales and earnings per share growth. For the quarter ended April 28, sales increased 6% to $3.5 billion compared with $3.3 billion for the first quarter last year. The company’s first quarter comparable sales increased 4%. Net income for the first quarter was $233 million, flat compared with the first quarter last year. First quarter diluted earnings per share increased 18% to 47 cents compared with 40 cents last year.

CINCINNATI — Macy's continues to see improved financial performance, reporting fourth-quarter sales and earnings today that exceeded management’s expectations.

The company reported fourth-quarter earnings per diluted share of $1.74, compared with diluted earnings per share of $1.59 for the fourth quarter of 2010. Sales for the quarter increased 5.5% to $8.7 billion from $8.3 billion last year. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 5.2%.

There is some debate as to whether paying dividends or buying back stock is a more desirable method of returning cash to shareholders. Those in the dividend camp would prefer to have the cash in their pocket, whereas share repurchase advocates argue that retiring shares through buyback activity improves profits as net income is spread over a smaller number of outstanding shares.

Walmart beat analysts’ second quarter earnings estimates by a penny when it reported earnings per share of $1.09. The company also touted the fact that it was raising its full year profit forecast, although it did so by the one cent of additional profit it had already banked during the second quarter. Walmart said it now expects full year profits to total between $4.41 and $4.51 versus prior guidance of $4.35 to $4.50.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree reported 34.4% year-over-year EPS growth for the first quarter of 2011. Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter were 82 cents, compared with earnings per diluted share of 49 cents reported for the quarter ended May 1, 2010, which included a non-recurring, non-cash charge of $26.3 million relating to a retail inventory accounting change in the first quarter 2010.