Businessweek

Aéropostale, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and year ended February 2, 2013. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, net sales decreased 1% to $797.7 million, from $808.4 million in the year ago period. Fourth quarter comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, decreased 8% compared to a 7% decrease for the corresponding 14-week period of the prior year. Fourth quarter comparable store sales, excluding the e-commerce channel, decreased 9%, compared to a decrease of 9% for the corresponding 14-week period of the prior year. The company reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 of $0.7 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, which included an after-tax charge of $19.7 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, resulting from store asset impairment charges. The Company reported net income of $26.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2011, which included an after-tax charge of $9.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, resulting from store asset impairment charges. For the quarter, the company's loss from operations was $0.3 million compared with income of $40.3 million a year ago. Loss before income taxes was $0.4 million compared with income of $40.7 million a year ago. The company reported adjusted net income of $35.6 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of the prior year. Net sales for fiscal 2012 increased 2% to $2.386 billion, from $2.342 billion in the year ago period. Fiscal 2012 comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, decreased 2% compared to an 8% decrease for the comparable 53-week period of the prior year. Fiscal 2012 comparable store sales, excluding the e-commerce channel, decreased 4%, compared to a decrease of 9% for the comparable 53-week period of the prior year. Net income for fiscal 2012 was $34.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, which included an after-tax charge of $19.7 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, resulting from store asset impairment charges. Net income for fiscal 2011 was $69.5 million, or $0.85 per diluted share, which included the following items: store asset impairment charges of $9.1 million after tax, or $0.11 per diluted, recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, partially offset by a benefit of $5.3 million after tax, or $0.06 per diluted share, from the previously disclosed resolution of a dispute with one of the company's sourcing agents related to prior period allowances in the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Adjusted net income for fiscal 2012 was $54.7 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income for fiscal 2011 of $73.3 million, or $0.90 per diluted share. For the year, the company's income from operations was $59.5 million compared with $113.5 million a year ago. Income before income taxes was $59.0 million compared with $113.1 million a year ago. For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the company expects to report a loss in the range of $0.15 to $0.20 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $0.13 per diluted share last year. For the year 2013, the company expects to invest approximately $89.0 million in its store growth and certain information technology. This compares to capital expenditures of approximately $72.3 million in fiscal 2012. The tax rate will be approximately 40.5% for the full year. For fiscal 2013, the company plans to open approximately 14 Aeropostale stores, approximately 60 P.S. from Aeropostale stores, remodel approximately 30 stores, and close approximately 15 to 20 Aeropostale stores. Store asset impairment charges of $9.1 million after tax, or $0.11 per diluted, recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

Aéropostale, Inc. announced the retirement of President Michael Cunningham, effective March 29, 2013. Mr. Thomas P. Johnson will assume responsibilities over information technology, Marc D. Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will assume responsibilities over planning and allocation and Mary Jo Pile, Executive Vice President, Customer Engagement will assume responsibilities over construction, logistics and real estate.

Aéropostale, Inc. announced sales results for the nine week period ended December 29, 2012. The company announced that total net sales for the nine-week period ended December 29, 2012 decreased 6% to $645.0 million, from $682.6 million for the nine-week period ended December 31, 2011. Comparable sales, including the e-commerce channel, for the nine-week period ended December 29, 2012 decreased 8% compared to a 9% decrease last year. Comparable store sales, excluding the e-commerce channel, decreased 9%, compared to a 10% decrease last year. Based on the lower than expected sales and margins for the quarter, the company expects net earnings to be in the range of approximately $0.20 to $0.24 per diluted share, versus its previously issued guidance of approximately $0.36 to $0.41 per diluted share. The revised earnings guidance does not include the impact of any potential store asset impairment charges.

Aéropostale, Inc. announced that they will report Q4, 2012 results at 4:15 PM, US Eastern Standard Time on Mar 14, 2013

Aéropostale, Inc. Presents at 15th Annual ICR XChange Conference 2013, Jan-15-2013 through Jan-17-2013. Venue: Fontainebleau Miami Beach, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140, United States. Presentation Date(s): Jan-17-2013.