Top 5 Retail Stocks For 2015

Top 5 Retail Stocks For 2015: Big Lots Inc (BIG)

Big Lots, Inc., incorporated in May 2001, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a North America's closeout retailer. At January 28, 2012, the Company operated a total of 1,533 stores in two countries: the United States and Canada. The Company operates in two segments: U.S. and Canada. The merchandising categories include Consumables, Furniture, Home, Seasonal, Play n' Wear, and Hardlines & Other. The Consumables category includes the food, health and beauty, plastics, paper, chemical, and pet departments. The Furniture category includes the upholstery, mattresses, ready-to-assemble, and case goods departments. The Home category includes the domestics, stationery, and home decorative departments. The Seasonal category includes the lawn and garden, Christmas, summer, and other holiday departments. The Play n' Wear category includes the electronics, toys, jewelry, infant accessories, and apparel departments. The Hardlines & Other category includes the appliances, tools, p aint, and home maintenance departments. On July 18, 2011, the Company acquired Liquidation World Inc. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), the Company opened 92 stores, acquired 89 stores and closed 46 stores.

All of the Companys stores are located in North America and has an average store size of approximately 29,900 square feet, of which an average of 21,600 square feet is selling square feet. The 54 owned stores are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. At January 28, 2012, the Company owned or leased approximately 9.4 million square feet of distribution center and warehouse space. The Company leases and operates two regional distribution centers in Canada located in British Columbia and Ontario. Of its 1,533 stores, 33% operate in four states California, Texas, Ohio, and Florida, and net sales from stores in these states represented 36% of its fiscal 2011 net sales.

Advisors! ' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Notable earnings released on Friday included:

  W&T Offshore(NYSE: WTI) reported a fourth quarter loss of $0.09 per share on revenue of $244.90 million, compared to last years EPS of $0.26 on revenue of $237.15 million. Footlocker(NYSE: FL) reported fourth quarter EPS of $0.82 on revenue of $1.79 billion, compared to last years EPS of $0.73 on revenue of $1.71 billion. Big Lots(NYSE: BIG) reported fourth quarter EPS of $1.39 on revenue of $1.64 billion, compared to last years EPS of $2.09 on revenue of $1.75 billion.

  Pre-Market Movers

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports including FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX), Thor Industries, Inc. (NYSE: THO), American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO), and Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG).

• [By Jake L'Ecuyer]

  Top Headline
  Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. For the new fiscal year, Big Lots expects earnings from continuing operations of $2.25 to $2.45 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $2.44 per share. Big Lots posted its quarterly profit of $84.4 million, or $1.45 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $120.3 million, or $2.09 per share. Analysts were expecting earnings of $1.40 per share. Its revenue slipped 6.2% to $1.64 billion, versus analysts' expectations for $1.61 billion. Big Lots' gross margin declined to 38.2% from 39.7%.

• [By Brian Pacampara]

  What: Shares of discount retailer Big Lots (NYSE: BIG  ) sank 10% today after its current-quarter and full-year guidance disappointed Wall Street.

source from Top Penny Stocks For 2015:http://www.seekpennystocks.com/top-5-retail-stocks-for-2015-2.html