Macy's Profit Slips, Forecast Lowered

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/18/2008 12:00:00 AM

Cincinnati —

Last week, Macy's reported a 1.35% decline in profit to $73 million, or 17 cents per share, and subsequently lowered its outlook for the year.

Results were impacted by $26 million in costs to consolidate three Macy's division, a move announced this past February. The company said the initiative will reduce costs by about $100 million annually beginning in 2009.

Results for the second quarter ended Aug. 2 also included non-cash asset impairment charges of $50 million related to private brand tradenames acquired in the merger with The May Department Stores Company in 2005.

Sales in the second quarter slipped 3.0% to $5.7 billion, with comps down 2.1%.

Macy's cut its profit projection for the year to a range of $1.70 to $1.80 per share. It had previously forecast EPS of $1.70 to $1.85. Macy's also said it expects a comp decline of roughly 1.6% for the year.