Improved Productivity, Omni-Channel Initiatives, and Inventory Management Boost Earnings - Research Report on Costco, Big Lots, Express, Guess, and Brown Shoes Company

NEW YORK, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Wall Street Reports announced new research reports highlighting Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST), Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG), Express, Inc. (NYSE: EXPR), Guess?, Inc. (NYSE: GES), and Brown Shoes Company, Inc. (NYSE: BWS). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Costco Wholesale Corporation Research Report

On May 30, 2013, Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) announced its operating results for Q3 FY 2013 (period ended May 12, 2013). For Q3 FY 2013, net sales increased 8% YoY to $23.6 billion, while comparable sales increased 5% YoY. According to the Company, changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange rates negatively impacted comparable sales. Excluding these effects, comparable sales increased 7% YoY in Q3 FY 2013. Net income for the quarter was $459 million or $1.04 per diluted share, compared to $386 million or $0.88 per diluted share in Q3 FY 2012. The Full Research Report on Costco Wholesale Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/f4eb_COST]

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Big Lots, Inc. Research Report

On May 30, 2013, Big Lots, Inc. (Big Lots) reported its financial results for Q1 FY 2013 (period ended May 4, 2013). The Company recorded an adjusted consolidated income from continuing operations of $35.5

million, or $0.61 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2013, compared with $44.2 million, or $0.68 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2012. Consolidated net sales increased 1.3% YoY to $1.3 billion. Consolidated comparable store sales decreased 2.5% YoY, consistent with the Company's guidance of negative low single digits. For Q2 FY 2013, the Company expects consolidated income from continuing operations in the range of $0.17 to $0.27 per diluted share. For full-year FY 2013, the Company expects adjusted consolidated income from continuing operations to range from $2.87 to $3.12 per diluted share. The Full Research Report on Big Lots, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/96c6_BIG]

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Express, Inc. Research Report

On May 30, 2013, Express, Inc. (Express) reported its results for Q1 FY 2013 (period ended May 4, 2013). Net sales rose 3% YoY to $508.5 million. Net income was $32.4 million or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $42.1 million or $0.47 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2012. Commenting on the results, Michael Weiss, Express Inc.'s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The direction of our business is heading is positive. As we start the second quarter, momentum in the business is on the upswing, and conversion, which we often cite as a leading indicator of the business, has been building since relatively early in the first quarter. We are opening several new or remodeled stores in key malls that reflect our intensified focus on prime "hub" locations. Our e-commerce business continued to grow rapidly, and our international presence has expanded, as we added three franchise locations." The Full Research Report on Express, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/1fd0_EXPR]

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Guess?, Inc. Research Report

On May 30, 2013, Guess?, Inc. (Guess) reported financial results for Q1 FY 2014 (period ended May 4, 2013). Adjusted EPS was $0.14 compared to $0.30 in Q1 FY 2013. Total net revenue decreased 5.2% YoY to $548.9 million. Commenting on the results, Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer of Guess, said, "Despite the continued global economic challenges, we are pleased to deliver better than expected first quarter earnings. These earnings reflect the ongoing success within the Company to globally streamline and improve productivity. While we are encouraged by our start to fiscal 2014, the near term outlook for consumer spending remains soft and we are planning our business accordingly. Southern Europe continues to be our main concern going forward." The Full Research Report on Guess?, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/9604_GES]

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Brown Shoes Company, Inc. Research Report

On May 29, 2013, Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (Brown Shoe Company) reported its unaudited Q1 FY 2013 results (period ended May 4, 2013). On a GAAP basis, the Company reported a net loss of $10.8 million or $0.26 per diluted share compared to earnings of $1.7 million or $0.04 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2012. According to the Company, results for Q1 FY 2013 included $28.8 million of costs associated with ongoing portfolio realignment efforts, while earnings for Q1 FY 2012 included $12.8 million of portfolio realignment and ASG integration costs. On an adjusted basis, net earnings were $13.8 million or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to $10 million or $0.23 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2012. Commenting on the results, Diane Sullivan, Brown Shoe Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "In addition to stronger-than-expected adjusted EPS of $0.32, we reported record first quarter operating profit of $29 million at Famous Footwear, as we saw improved consumer conversion related to our strategic real estate, inventory and omni-channel efforts." The Full Research Report on Brown Shoes Company, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/9c3b_BWS]

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SOURCE Wall Street Reports