Businessweek

Zale Corporation announced that Richard Golden has been appointed senior vice president of real estate. In this role, Mr. Golden will have overall responsibility for the company's real estate strategy as well as all leasing, design, construction and maintenance of retail and corporate facilities. He will report to Matt Appel, chief administrative officer. Mr. Golden most recently served as director of real estate, development and land acquisition at H-E-B Grocery Company.

Zale Corporation announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the second quarter and six months ended Jan. 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported revenues of $670,752,000, operating earnings of $51,273,000, earnings before income taxes of $45,185,000, earnings from continuing operations of $41,208,000 or $1.02 per diluted share, net earnings of $41,208,000 or $1.02 per diluted share as compared to revenues of $663,762,000, operating earnings of $43,192,000, earnings before income taxes of $32,763,000, earnings from continuing operations of $28,930,000 or $0.78 per diluted share, net earnings of $28,838,000 or $0.77 per diluted share for the same period prior year. For the six months, the company reported revenues of $1,028,220,000, operating earnings of $28,270,000, earnings before income taxes of $16,340,000, earnings from continuing operations of $12,944,000 or $0.32 per diluted share, net earnings of $12,944,000 or $0.32 per diluted share as compared to revenues of $1,014,745,000, operating earnings of $20,706,000, earnings before income taxes of $346,000, loss from continuing operations of $2,792,000 or $0.09 per diluted share, net loss of $3,036,000 or $0.09 per diluted share for the same period prior year. For the first half of the fiscal year, capital expenditures totaled $13 million compared to $10 million in the prior year first half. As previously announced, the company expects to achieve positive net earnings for fiscal year 2013. The company expects overall gross margin rate in fiscal 2013 to be consistent with fiscal 2012. The company expects the reduction in interest expense relative to the prior year to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year. For the year, the company now believes capital expenditures to be in the range of $25 million to $30 million.

Zale Corporation Presents at 2013 Consumer & Retail Conference, Mar-12-2013 02:50 PM. Venue: The Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, United States. Speakers: Matthew W. Appel, Chief Administrative Officer, Thomas A. Haubenstricker, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President.

Zale Corporation, Q2 2013 Earnings Call, Feb 21, 2013

Zale Corporation announced sales results for the combined months of November and December 2012. For the period, the company announced that comparable store sales increased 2.3% for the combined months of November and December 2012, encompassing the entire holiday selling period. This increase follows a 5.9% rise in the same period last year. At constant exchange rates, which exclude the effect of translating Canadian currency denominated sales into U.S. dollars, comparable store sales increased 1.6% for the holiday selling period, compared to an increase of 6.2% in the prior year period. Revenues for the two-month period were $567 million, an increase of $3 million compared to $564 million in the same period last year. The increase in revenues is primarily due to the comparable same store sales growth partially offset by revenues associated with the net decrease of 50 stores compared to last year. The company provided earnings guidance for the second quarter ending January 31, 2013. For the quarter ending January 31, 2012, the company expects to be in line with the prior year quarter's gross margin of 50.5%. Operating margin is expected to be approximately 7.5%, or 100 basis points higher than the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of improved leverage on selling, general and administrative. For fiscal year 2013, the company expects to achieve positive net income.