The North West Company Inc. announced unaudited earnings results for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company's sales decreased 2.8% to $386.6 million compared to the fourth quarter last year primarily due to weaker performance from general merchandise categories and the impact of previously announced store closures. Sales excluding the foreign exchange impact were down 1.9% and were down 1.2% on a same store basis. Food sales decreased 0.3% but were up 0.6% on a same store basis and general merchandise sales decreased 7.3% and were down 6.8% on a same store basis. Earnings from operations increased 8.3% to $22.8 million compared to $21.1 million in the fourth quarter last year due to gross profit rate improvements and lower selling, operating and administrative expenses. Earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 4.7% to $32.1 million compared to $30.6 million last year as gains within Canadian operations more than offset a decrease in the International operations. Excluding the foreign exchange impact, trading profit increased $1.7 million or 5.5% and was 8.3% as a percentage to sales compared to 7.7% last year. Net earnings were $15.8 million, an increase of 17.3% compared to last year's fourth quarter net earnings of $13.5 million, and diluted earnings per share were $0.32 compared to $0.27 per share last year. The company announced that the board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share, an increase of $0.02 per share or 7.7%, to shareholders of record on March 28, 2013, to be paid on April 15, 2013.

North West Company Inc., Q4 2013 Earnings Call, Mar 14, 2013

North West Company Inc. reported earnings results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2012. Sales decreased 0.2% to $377.7 million compared to the third quarter last year as food sales growth was offset by a decrease in general merchandise sales. Earnings from operations increased 3.6% to $26.4 million compared to $25.4 million in the third quarter last year as gross profit rate improvements more than offset higher selling, operating and administrative expenses. Third quarter net earnings were $17.5 million, an increase of 2.9% compared to last year's third quarter net earnings of $17.0 million, and diluted earnings per share were $0.36 compared to $0.35 per share last year. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment provision, earnings per share was $0.38 in the quarter. It also announced that the Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.26 per share to shareholders of record on December 31, 2012, to be paid on January 15, 2013.