For 28 consecutive periods, including a 0.4% increasein Q4, the retailer has posted positive gains in same-store sales. That willchange in Q1 if Big 5 is unable to top the low end of its comp guidance of “lowsingle digit negative to slightly positive.” Q1 EPS is projected at 15-18¢ ($3.3-$4.0 mm). For the remainingthree quarters, the 275-door retailer is forecasting positive comps in lowsingle digits. The current FY03 EPS outlook is $1.18-1.23 ($26.2-27.3 mm and a20-30 basis point increase in gross margin.

In Q4, Big 5 reported a 111% increase in net income to$8.8 million for the period ended Dec. 29. ... Log in to view full article.