Key Pre-Market Earnings Nov. 16 (HD, WMT, TJX, ANF, SKS)

The following is a compilation of major earnings results released before the market opened on November 16. The retailers took the center stage, with Home Depot and Wal-Mart reporting higher quarterly profits.

Home Depot Inc. (HD) reported third quarter earnings of $834 million or 51 cents a share, up from last year's $689 million or 41 cents a share. Sales rose 1.4 percent to $16.6 billion. Analysts had expected profit of 48 cents a share on revenue of $16.59 billion.

The retailer increased fiscal 2010 earnings from continuing operations guidance to $1.94 a share from previous estimate of $1.90 a share. The company lowered its sales growth outlook to about 2.2 percent from previous growth forecast of 2.6 percent. Analysts expect profit of $1.90 a share on sales of $67.56 billion, with a 2.4 percent sales growth.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) reported third-quarter profit of $3.4 billion or 95 cents a share, up from $3.1 billion or 81 cents a share last year. Sales rose 2.6 percent to $101.2 billion. Analysts had expected profit of 90 cents a share on revenue of $102.43 billion. For full story please click here.

The TJX Companies Inc. (TJX) reported third quarter profit of $372.3 million or 92 cents a share, up from $347.8 million or 81 cents a share last year. Sales rose to $5.53 billion from $5.24 billion. Analysts had expected profit of 91 cents a share on revenue of $5.52 billion. Comparable store sales increased 1 percent.

TJX Companies expects fourth quarter profit of 89 cents to 94 cents a share and comparable store sales to decline 1 percent to 3 percent. Analysts expect profit of 94 cents a share. The company raised fiscal 2011 adjusted profit guidance to $3.33 to $3.38 a share from previous range of $3.27 to $3.37 a share, while analysts forecast $3.38 a share. TJX still expects full-year comparable store sales growth of about 2 percent to 3 percent.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) reported third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $50.04 million or 56 cents a share, up from $49.22 million or 55 cents a share last year. Sales rose 18 percent to $885.8 million. Analysts had expected profit of 51 cents a share on revenue of $881.26 million. Comparable store sales increased 7 percent.

Abercrombie increased its fiscal 2010 capital expenditures guidance to about $190 million from previous forecast of $200 million. The company still expects to open about 20 international mall-based Hollister stores in fiscal 2010, eleven of which will be opened in the fourth quarter.

Saks Inc. (SKS) reported third quarter adjusted profit of $9.7 million or 6 cents a share, up from $1.9 million or 1 cent a share last year. Sales rose to $658.8 million from $631.4 million. Analysts had expected profit of 3 cents a share on revenue of $655.98 million. Comparable store sales increased 5.7 percent.

Saks expects comparable store sales growth to be in the mid-single digit range for the fourth quarter, second half, and the full fiscal year. The company expects gross margin rate of 37 percent to 37.5 percent for the fourth quarter and 39.8 percent to 40 percent for the fiscal year.

Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS) posted adjusted profit for third quarter of $26.7 million or 22 cents a share, up from $18.9 million or 16 cents a share last year. Sales rose 9 percent to $1.08 billion. Analysts had expected profit of 17 cents a share on revenue of $1.04 billion. Same-store sales rose 5.1 percent.

Dick's Sporting expects fourth quarter earnings of 69 cents to 71 cents a share and same-store sales growth of about 3 percent to 4 percent. Analysts expect profit of 67 cents a share. The company raised full year 2010 adjusted profit guidance to around $1.56 to $1.58 a share from previous range of $1.46 to $1.49 a share. Analysts expect profit of $1.48 a share for full year.

Technical services provider Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC) reported fourth quarter earnings of $77.0 million or 61 cents a share, down from $79.3 million or 63 cents a share last year. Revenue declined to $2.3 billion from $2.6 billion. Analysts had expected profit of 62 cents a share on revenue of $2.53 billion. Jacobs expects fiscal 2011 earnings of $2.30 to $2.80 a share, while analysts forecast $2.58 a share.

Food wholesaler Nash Finch Co.'s (NAFC) third quarter earnings were $15.35 million or $1.18 a share, lower than $21.93 million or $1.64 a share last year. Sales fell 7.5 percent to $1.51 billion. Analysts had expected profit of $1.05 a share on sales of $1.57 billion.

Defense electronics company Elbit Systems Ltd. (ESLT) posted profit for third quarter of $45.3 million or $1.05 a share, down from $58.3 million or $1.35 a share last year. Revenue declined to $649.9 million from $732.5 million. Analysts had expected profit of $1.20 a share on revenue of $710.8 million.

ArvinMeritor Inc. (ARM) posted fourth quarter adjusted income from continuing operations of $8 million or 8 cents a share, compared to a loss of $11 million or 16 cents a share last year. Sales grew 37 percent to $956 million. Analysts had expected a loss of 2 cents a share on revenue of $942.94 million.

ArvinMeritor expects seasonally flat revenue and adjusted income from continuing operations to be slightly lower for the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Analysts expect profit of 16 cents a share on revenue of $938.83 million.

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.'s (NM) third quarter adjusted profit was $18.7 million or 18 cents a share, down from $21.3 million or 21 cents a share last year. Revenue rose to $170.2 million from $160.6 million. Analysts had expected profit of 16 cents a share on revenue of $153.29 million.