Chico´s misses analysts´expectations

Chico´s FAS reported first quarter’s net income of $53.6 million,

or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to net income of $45.9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share for last year's first quarter, reflecting an earnings per share increase of 23%.

Chico's said Q1 EPS rose 23% to 32 cents, beating expectations by 2 cents, its ninth quarter of double-digit EPS growth. Sales rose 21% to $650.8 million, above views of $630.4 million, and its best gain in years, reported ‘Investors.com’.

For the first three months of the year, net sales were $650.8 million, an increase of 21.2% compared to $537.2 million in last year's first quarter. The increase reflects a consolidated comparable sales increase of 9.6%, an 8.0% increase in square footage and $33.7 million in sales for Boston Proper.
The consolidated comparable sales increase of 9.6% for the first quarter was on top of a 7.7% increase for last year's first quarter, and reflects increases in both average dollar sale and transaction count.

The Chico's/Soma Intimates brands' comparable sales increased 8.8% on top of a 7.8% increase in last year's first quarter and the White House | Black Market ("WH|BM") brand's comparable sales increased 11.3% on top of a 7.4% increase in last year's first quarter.

Gross margin was $378.6 million, an increase of 19.2% compared to $317.7 million in last year's first quarter. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 58.2%, a 90 basis point decrease from last year's first quarter, reflecting the cycling of 2011's four-year record gross margin rate, a more promotional environment, and the inclusion of Boston Proper's results.