U.S. Movers: Groupon, J. C. Penney, Kohl

Mukesh Buch
28 Feb, 2013
New York City

Ansys fourth quarter net soared 18% and Chico

[R]10:30 AM New York – Ansys fourth quarter net soared 18% and Chico’s net climbed 30%. Net losses at Groupon and J. C. Penney widened. Kohl’s net declined 17% and Limited Brands net jumped 14%. Sears net loss narrowed to $489 million.[/R]

Ansys, Inc ((ANSS)) increased 1.6% or $1.22 to $76.38 after the engineering software maker said total revenue in the fourth quarter ending in December declined 11% to $220.7 million from $198.2 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter soared 18% to $56.1 million or 59 cents a diluted share compared to $47.5 million or 50 cents a share a year ago earlier.

The software maker expects first quarter revenue in the range of $198.2 million to $204.2 million and diluted earnings per share between 48 cents and 53 cents.

For the year, the Ansys expects revenue in the range of $875.4 million to $900.4 million and diluted earnings per share between $2.25 and $2.41.

Chico’s FAS, Inc ((CHS)) gained 3.6% or 58 cents to $16.98 after the specialty retailer reported total net sale in the fourth quarter ending on February 2 jumped 14.5% to $651.9 million from $569.2 million in the same period of last year. Comparable store sales in the quarter gained 3.7%.

Net income in the quarter climbed 29.8% to $32.7 million or 20 cents a diluted share compared to $25.2 million or 15 cents a share a year ago earlier.

Chico’s said for the quarter, gross margin surged 53.2% to $346.7 million a 90 basis point improvement from last year.

Groupon, Inc. ((GRPN)) tumbled 20.5% or $1.23 to $4.75 after the retail service provider said total revenue in the fourth quarter ending in December surged 30% to $638.3 million from $492.2 million in the same period of last year. Net loss in the quarter widened to $81.1 million or 12 cents a diluted share compared to $65.4 million or 12 cents a share a year ago.

For the first quarter, revenue expected between $560 million and $610 million, an increase of between zero and 9% and operating income in the range of $10 million loss or $10 million profit.

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ((JCP)) plunged 19.2% or $4.09 to $17.08 after the holding company reported total net sale in the fourth quarter ending on February 2 declined 28% to $3.88 billion from $5.43 billion in the same period of last year. Comparable store sales in the quarter plunged 31.7%.

Net loss in the quarter widened to $552 million or $2.51 a diluted share compared to $87 million or 41 cents a share a year ago earlier.

Kohl’s Corporation ((KSS)) slipped 1.9% or 91 cents to $45.70 after the home fashion stores operator stated total net sale in the fourth quarter ending on February 2 grew 5% to $6.34 billion from $6.02 billion in the same period of last year. Comparable store sales for the quarter increased 2.5%.

Net income in the quarter declined 17% to $378 million or $1.66 a diluted share compared to $455 million or $1.81 a share a year ago earlier.

Kohl’s expects earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2013 between $4.15 and $4.45 and for the first quarter diluted earnings per share of 55 cents to 63 cents per diluted share.

Limited Brands, Inc. ((LTD)) advanced 2.7% or $1.24 to $45.73 after the specialty retailer stated total net sales in the fourth quarter ending on February 2 increased 3% to $3.86 billion from $3.52 billion in the same period of last year. Comparable store sales in the quarter jumped 5%.

Net income in the quarter jumped 14% to $411.4 million or $1.39 a diluted share compared to $359.5 million or $1.17 a share a year ago period.

The retailer expects full year earnings per share in the range of $2.92 to $3.12 and for the first quarter earnings per share between 40 cents and 45 cents.

Monster Beverage Corporation ((MNST)) climbed 3.7% or $1.89 to $51.51 after the holding company reported net sales in the fourth quarter ending in December jumped 15% to $471.5 million from $410 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter increased 5% to $68 million or 39 cents a diluted share compared to $65 million or 35 cents a share a year ago earlier.

Mylan, Inc. ((MYL)) soared 5.6% or $1.62 to $30.17 after the generic drugs maker stated total revenues in the fourth quarter ending in December soared 13% to $1.72 billion from $1.53 billion in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter surged 15% to $162 million or 39 cents a diluted share compared to $129.5 million or 30 cents a share a year ago earlier.

In a separate note, Mylan said it agreed to acquire India based Strides Arcolab Ltd for $1.6 billion in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Pall Corporation ((PLL)) rose 9 cents to $67.75 after the filtration products maker said net sales in the second quarter ending in January increased 4% to $662.5 million from $640 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter rose 9% to $76.8 million or 67 cents a diluted share compared to $84.7 million or 72 cents a share a year ago earlier.

Sears Holdings Corporation ((SHLD)) slumped 2.3% or $1.03 to $46.34 after the specialty retailer reported revenue in the fourth quarter ending on February 2 climbed 15% to $12.26 billion from $12.48 billion in the same period of last year. Net loss in the quarter narrowed to $489 million or $4.61 a diluted share compared to $2.40 billion or $22.63 a share a year ago period.

Sears Domestic''s comparable store sales in the quarter rose 0.8% and decreased 1.4% in the year. Kmart''s comparable store sales for the quarter dropped 3.7%.

For the quarter, Sears Canada''s comparable store sales declined 3.8% and 5.6% in the year.