MetroCity Bankshares (MCBS) increases quarterly cash dividend to $0.23/share

MetroCity Bankshares increases quarterly cash dividend to $0.23/share from $0.20/share and announces the continuation of its share repurchase program 

• The Company approves the continuation of its share repurchase program that expired on September 30, 2024 and authorized the Company to repurchase up to 925,250 shares of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock, which is the number of remaining shares authorized for repurchase from the Prior Share Repurchase Plan.
• The share repurchase program will begin on October 17, 2024 and end on September 30, 2025.

Earnings Date	Oct 18, 2024
Forward Dividend & Yield	0.80 (2.58%)
Ex-Dividend Date	Jul 31, 2024

Dividend Payable Date    Aug 9, 2024

X: Oct 10, vol. 17K

 

 

 

M&T Bank (MTB) increases quarterly cash dividend 4% to $1.35/share from $1.30/share

Earnings Date	Jul 18, 2024
Forward Dividend & Yield	5.40 (3.58%)
Ex-Dividend Date	Jun 03, 2024

Realty Income (O) increases quarterly cash dividend 2.1% to $0.2625/share

 Realty Income increases quarterly cash dividend 2.1% to $0.2625/share from $0.257/share

Forward Dividend & Yield	3.08 (5.59%)
Ex-Dividend Date	Apr 30, 2024

 

 

Targa Resources increases its quarterly dividend by 50% to $0.75; 2.6% annual yield

Forward Dividend & Yield 3.00 (2.63%)

Ex-Dividend Date Apr 29, 2024

-=Accenture (ACN) reported earnings on Thur 21 March 24 (b/o)

 

Accenture beats by $0.11, reports revs in-line; guides Q3 revs below consensus; lowers FY24 guidance

• Reports Q2 (Feb) earnings of $2.77 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.11 better than the FactSet Consensus of $2.66; revenues fell 0.1% year/year to $15.8 bln vs the $15.85 bln FactSet Consensus.
• Co issues downside guidance for Q3, sees Q3 revs of $16.25 billion to $16.85 billion, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $17.02 bln FactSet Consensus.
• Co issues lowered guidance for FY24, sees EPS of $11.97-12.20 from $11.97 to $12.32, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $12.24 FactSet Consensus. For fiscal 2024, the company now expects revenue growth to be in the range of 1% to 3% in local currency, compared to 2% to 5% previously (Factset consensus calls for revenue growth of +3.2%).
• For fiscal 2024, the company continues to expect operating cash flow to be in the range of $9.3 billion to $9.9 billion; property and equipment additions to be $600 million; and free cash flow to be in the range of $8.7 billion to $9.3 billion.
• Accenture plc has declared another quarterly cash dividend of $1.29 per share for shareholders of record at the close of business on April 11, 2024. This dividend, which is payable on May 15, 2024, represents a 15% increase over the quarterly dividend rate of $1.12 per share in fiscal 2023.

• What led to downbeat guidance? ACN is traversing an uncertain macroeconomic environment, underscored by geopolitical, economic, and industry-specific headwinds. As a result, the company is noticing customers thoughtfully prioritizing larger business transformations.
• Meanwhile, even though AI is nearly universally recognized as a crucial piece of technology, ACN's clients face challenges utilizing AI at scale as the technology is merely a small subset of what is needed.
  • For example, organizations must have the right digital core, change their processes, and upskill their workforce to build new capabilities around AI.
  • Additionally, AI remains in its early stages, leading to some lack of knowledge about how it can be leveraged to improve operations.
• Because of the formidable economic landscape, ACN noted that it is hard to predict the current IT services spending cycle. Management mentioned that at the turn of the new year, spending was further tightened, particularly on smaller projects. As such, budgets look slightly more constrained for CY24 than last year.
• On a lighter note, ACN remarked that it continues taking market share. It also witnesses upward momentum as its clients understand the importance of a technology-led transformation.
• Nevertheless, the near term continues to contain multiple hurdles despite early interest in AI as businesses operate conservatively in light of elevated macroeconomic uncertainty.

===Suncor Energy (SU) reported earnings on Thur 22 Feb 24 (b/o)

Forward Dividend & Yield	1.64 (4.89%)
Ex-Dividend Date	Mar 01, 2024

Suncor Energy beats by CAD0.18, beats on revs; raises dividend 

• Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of CAD1.26 per share, CAD0.18 better than the FactSet Consensus of CAD1.08; revenues fell 2.3% year/year to CAD13.6 bln vs the CAD13.15 bln FactSet Consensus.
  • Adjusted funds from operations of CAD4.0 billion, including a one-time tax benefit of CAD880 million.
  • Total upstream production of 808,100 barrels of oil equivalent (boe/d); second highest quarter in company history.
  • Best-ever Oil Sands production of 757,400 barrels per day (bbls/d) with upgrader utilization over 100% outside maintenance period.
  • Strong downstream performance with refining throughput of 455,900 bbls/d and utilization at 98%.
• Quarterly dividend per share increased by approximately 5% to CAD0.545 per share.

===Best Buy (BBY) reported earnings on Thur 2 March 23 (b/o)

 

Best Buy beats by $0.47, reports revs in-line, comps -9.3%; guides FY24 EPS and revs below consensus; also increases dividend by 5%

• Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $2.61 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.47 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $2.14; revenues fell 10.0% year/year to $14.73 bln vs the $14.80 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
  • Comparable sales declined -9.3%.
• Co issues downside guidance for FY24, sees EPS of $5.70-6.50, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $6.67 S&P Capital IQ Consensus; sees FY24 revs of $43.80-45.20 bln vs. $45.76 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
  • Co guides to FY24 comps of -6% to -3% with the most sales pressure in Q1 (Apr), as year-over-year comparisons ease through the year.
• Co also increases quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.92/sh, new yield is 4.5%.
• "Today we are reporting Q4 sales that were in line with our expectations and profitability that was better than expected...We believe the macro and industry backdrop will continue to be pressured in FY24 and we will continue to adjust."
• "As we enter FY24, the consumer electronics industry continues to feel the effects of the broader macro environment and its impact on consumers...During FY24, we expect to expand our gross profit rate approximately 40 to 70 basis points versus the past year as we evolve our membership program and realize benefits from our cost optimization efforts."

-=Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reported earnings on Thur 9 July 20 (b/o)

Quarterly Div / Yield
0.4575 / 4.73%  (now 0.4675)


Walgreens Boots Alliance misses by $0.39, reports revs in-line; guides FY20 EPS below consensus; raises dividend

Reports Q3 (May) earnings of $0.83 per share, $0.39 worse than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $1.22; revenues rose 0.1% year/year to $34.63 bln vs the $34.32 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

• Co experienced adverse sales impact of approximately $700 million to $750 million, almost entirely from the company's non-U.S. businesses
• Both operating income and adjusted operating income included an adverse impact of $700 million to $750 million from the above items, or $0.61 to $0.65 per share, excluding impairment charges

Co issues downside guidance for FY20, sees EPS of $4.65-4.75 vs. $5.49 S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

• Guidance includes estimated adverse COVID-19 impacts of $1.03 to $1.14 per share.

Dividend Increase and Share Repurchase Program Update

• On July 8, 2020 the WBA board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 46.75 cents per share, an increase of 2.2 percent. The increased dividend is payable September 11, 2020 to stockholders of record as of August 19, 2020, and raises the annual rate from $1.83 per share to $1.87 per share.
• The company also announced that it was suspending activity under its share repurchase program.

-=Advance Auto (AAP) reported earnings on Tue 18 Feb 20 (b/o)

Advance Auto increases quarterly dividend by $0.06 to $0.25 per share
This dividend is payable April 3, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2020.

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.64 per share, $0.29 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $1.35; revenues rose 0.4% year/year to $2.11 bln vs the $2.12 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

• Same store comps were +0.1%.
• Gross margin decreased by 19 bps to 44.0%.

Co issues in-line guidance for FY20, sees FY20 revs of $9.88 bln to $10.10 bln vs. $9.93 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

• Comparable store sales expected to increase up to 2.0%.

Nu Skin (NUS) reported earnings on Wed 12 Feb 20 (a/h)

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Nu Skin increases quarterly cash dividend to $0.375/share from $0.370/share

Nu Skin reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY20 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus

Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.72 per share, in-line with the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $0.72; revenues fell 14.6% year/year to $583.36 mln vs the $582.49 mln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.23-0.33 vs. $0.74 S&P Capital IQ Consensus; sees Q1 revs of $480-510 mln vs. $596.6 mln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

Co issues downside guidance for FY20, sees EPS of $2.00-2.40 vs. $3.31 S&P Capital IQ Consensus; sees FY20 revs of $2.17-2.30 bln vs. $2.47 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

Coronavirus Impact: Following the recent coronavirus outbreak, co has placed a temporary hold on all in-person meetings with its sales force and customers in Mainland China. While co expects the outbreak to significantly impact its business in the near term, co remains confident in its long-term opportunity in Mainland China and around the world. Its guidance reflects our current understanding of the situation.

AbbVie (ABBV) reported earnings on Fri 1 Nov 2019 (b/o)

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AbbVie topped third-quarter estimates and announced a 10.3% increase to its dividend in 2020.

During the third quarter, AbbVie earned $2.33 per share, minus certain items. AbbVie earnings increased roughly 9% year over year and beat the forecast of analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research for $2.29 per share. Sales grew 3% to $8.48 billion, above estimates for $8.41 billion.

Chief Executive Richard Gonzalez credited the third-quarter strength to AbbVie's immunology unit and blood cancer treatments.

"We are also making excellent progress with several key strategic priorities, including the recent launch of our two new immunology therapies — Rinvoq and Skyrizi — both of which are off to an impressive start, as well as continued progress toward the completion of our planned acquisition of Allergan (AGN)," he said in a written statement.

AbbVie Earnings, Sales Top Estimates
Sales of AbbVie's most important product, Humira, were mixed. Humira, which treats forms of arthritis and psoriasis as well as Crohn's disease, is facing biosimilar competition in Europe. As a result, global Humira sales slipped 3.7% to $4.94 billion.

The pain was acute in international business. Humira sales plunged 33.5% to $1.05 billion. The Street expected this, however. In the U.S., Humira continued its momentum and sales increased 9.6% to $3.89 billion. Biosimilars will launch in the U.S. in 2023.

Revenue from blood cancer treatments jumped 38.3% to $1.48 billion. But sales from hepatitis C drugs tumbled 19% to $698 million. The market for hepatitis C treatments is maturing in the U.S. and Europe. There's also plenty of competition.

AbbVie Stock Rises On Dividend Boost
Based on the results, AbbVie raised its full-year earnings outlook to $8.90-$8.92, up 4 cents at the midpoint from its prior guidance. Analysts projected AbbVie earnings of $8.93. So, AbbVie's guidance was slightly short.

The pharmaceutical company also announced a plan to increase its quarterly cash dividend to $1.18 per share, up from $1.07 previously. This will begin with the dividend payable Feb. 14 to investors who own AbbVie stock as of Jan. 15.

Fastenal (FAST) reported earnings on Fri 11 Oct 19 (b/o)

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Fastenal beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line 
Fastenal increases quarterly dividend to $0.22/share from $0.215/share

Forward Dividend & Yield

0.88 (2.84%)

Reports Q3 (Sep) earnings of $0.37 per share, $0.01 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $0.36; revenues rose 7.8% year/year to $1.38 bln vs the $1.38 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.

"We continue to expect our net capital expenditures in 2019 to be within a range of $195.0 to $225.0, an increase from $166.8 in 2018. This increase is a result of higher spending for property and equipment to expand our hub capacity, vending devices, and hub vehicles. The progress of our investments in hub capacity will likely be the primary determinant of where we fall within our range."

Long trade : Antero Midstream (AM) +8% (7/19)

• Antero Midstream increases its quarterly cash dividend to $0.3075 per share from $0.3025 per share

Antero Midstream Corporation owns and operates midstream energy assets servicing rich gas production in North America. It owns and operates an integrated system of natural gas gathering pipelines, compression stations, processing and fractionation plants, and water handling and treatment assets in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale basins. 

Sector: Energy

Industry: Oil & Gas Midstream
Founded in 2013
HQ in Denver, Colorado
Subsidiaries: Antero Midstream Partners LP, Antero Midstream Partners GP LLC
http://www.anteromidstream.com

 

Fastenal (FAST) reported earnings on Thur 11 July 19 (b/o)

• Fastenal (FAST) as a distributor—and as one of the first industrial companies to report numbers this earnings season—its numbers will hold a lot of clues for investors regarding the health of the industrial economy

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Fastenal increases quarterly dividend to $0.22/share from $0.215/share (split adjusted)
Fastenal misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line

• Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.36 per share, $0.01 worse than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $0.37; revenues rose 7.9% year/year to $1.37 bln vs the $1.38 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
• "Our gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, declined 180 basis points to 46.9% in the second quarter of 2019 from 48.7% in the second quarter of 2018. The most significant factors behind the decline in our gross profit percentage in the period were the impacts of customer and product mix and net inflation on product margins, the latter of which had a larger negative impact on our margin than in the first quarter of 2019. While we successfully raised prices as one element of our strategy to offset tariffs placed to date on products sourced from China, those increases were not sufficient to also counter general inflation in the marketplace. We have taken additional actions in the third quarter of 2019 to counter the broader pressures we are experiencing on our costs as well as the additional tariffs that were levied on China-sourced products in May 2019."

Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) reported earnings on Wed 10 Apr 2019 (a/h)

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Bed Bath & Beyond beats by $0.10, reports revs in-line; guides FY20 EPS above consensus; sees double digit EPS growth thereafter; raises dividend 6%; names Patrick Gaston Lead Independent Director

• Reports Q4 (Feb) earnings of $1.20 per share, $0.10 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $1.10 -- GAAP EPS was ($1.92), which included a non-cash goodwill and tradename impairments charge; revenues fell 11.0% year/year to $3.31 bln vs the $3.33 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
• Comparable sales in the fiscal 2018 fourth quarter declined ~1.4% and included strong sales growth from the Company's customer-facing digital channels, and sales from stores that declined in the mid-single-digit percentage range.
• Co issues upside guidance for FY20, sees EPS of $2.11-2.20, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $1.81 S&P Capital IQ Consensus. 
• In 2020 and long term, incorporating the cumulative effects of its comprehensive transformation plan; its capital allocation strategy; and operating margin improvement of over 300 basis points, the co expects to achieve double-digit growth rates in net earnings per diluted share.
• The Company's Board of Directors today declared an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.17 per share from $0.16 per share, payable on July 16, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 14, 2019.
• During the fiscal 2018 fourth quarter, the Company repurchased ~$78 million of its common stock, representing ~5.2 million shares.
• The Company's ongoing efforts to implement and execute on organization-wide foundational initiatives are intended to drive four key objectives:
  • Mid-and-long-term revenue growth from portfolio strategy alignment across product assortment, customer experience and customer engagement, including greater focus on growing destinational categories (bed, bath, kitchen, windows and tabletop) and proprietary and private-label brands; the learnings from Next Generation Lab store experiences to enhance the in-store customer experience; an enhanced online experience; as well as efforts to assure that our customers are getting the right value for the products they want and need most.
  • Near-term and ongoing gross margin improvements through changes in assortment mix to drive sales to better margin categories; modifications in pricing algorithms; further optimization of coupon strategy; and supply chain improvements.
  • Near-term and ongoing SG&A improvements from improvements in store labor model; marketing efficiencies; and reductions in occupancy expense relating to ongoing store lease negotiations.
  • Current and sustainable world-class operational support through investments in human capital, data and analytics and process improvements; repositioning and articulating Bed Bath & Beyond brand in the marketplace across all customer interactions including assortment, store and digital experience and marketing; and enhancements in global sourcing capabilities.
• the Board has named Patrick Gaston as Lead Independent Director and has
  reconstituted its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In addition,
  the Board is accelerating its refreshment program, which has already resulted in
  the addition of three new directors in the past two years.

-=Devon Energy (DVN) reported earnings on Tue 19 Feb 2019 (a/h)

Devon Energy misses by $0.23; to pursue separation of Canadian and Barnett Shale assets, adds to repurchase authorization, boosts dividend

• Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.10 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.23 worse than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $0.33.
• Overall, Devon's reported net production averaged 532,000 Boe per day during the fourth quarter of 2018, exceeding midpoint guidance by 3,000 Boe per day. Of this total, oil production accounted for the largest component of the product mix at 47 percent of total volumes.
• Devon announced that its board of directors has authorized the company to pursue the separation of its Canadian and Barnett Shale assets to complete the transformation to a high-return U.S. oil growth business. The company will evaluate multiple methods of separating the assets, including a potential sale or spin-off. The separation will allow Devon to focus on its top-tier, high-return U.S. oil assets and is aligned with the company's previously announced long-term strategic plan.
• Devon also announced today that its board of directors authorized a $1 billion increase to the company's previously announced $4 billion share-repurchase program, bringing the total repurchase program to $5 billion.
• Additionally, the company's board of directors approved a 13 percent increase in its quarterly common stock dividend beginning in the second quarter of 2019. The new quarterly dividend rate will be $0.09 per share, compared to the prior quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share.

--=Wal-Mart (WMT) reported earnings on Tue 19 Feb 2019 (b/o)

Wal-Mart beats by $0.08, reports revs in-line; reaffirms FY20 guidance; increases dividend 2% 

• Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $1.41 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.08 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $1.33; revenues rose 1.9% year/year to $137.74 bln vs the $137.63 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus. Walmart U.S. Q4 comp sales grew 4.2% vs. +3.2% ests and Walmart U.S. eCommerce sales grew 43%; Walmart U.S. comp sales on a two-year stack of 6.8% is the strongest growth in 9 years. Walmart U.S. eCommerce continued to benefit from the expansion of grocery pickup and delivery and a broader assortment on Walmart.com. Sam's Club comp sales increased 3.3%, and eCommerce sales grew 21%.
• Co reaffirms guidance for FY20, sees EPS down low-single digits from $4.91, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $4.71 S&P Capital IQ Consensus. Net sales growth of at least 3% in constant currency, affected: Positively by the acquisition of Flipkart, negatively by deconsolidation of Walmart Brazil, negatively by planned tobacco sales reduction at Sam's Club. Comp sales growth: Walmart U.S.: +2.5-3.0%, excluding fuel vs. +2.7% estimates; Sam's Club: around +1%, excluding fuel; around +3%, excluding fuel and tobacco; Walmart U.S. eCommerce net sales growth Around 35%; Walmart International net sales growth Around 5% in constant currency Consolidated Operating Income: Decline by a low single-digit%age range, including Flipkart; Increase by a low single-digit%age range, excluding Flipkart
• Approved an annual cash dividend for fiscal year 2020 of $2.12 per share, an increase of ~two% from the $2.08 per share paid for the last fiscal year.

=Activision Blizzard (ATVI) reported earnings on Tue 12 Feb 2019 (a/h)

Activision Blizzard beats by $0.31, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY19 EPS in-line, revs below consensus

• Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.84 per share, $0.31 better than the S&P Capital IQ Consensus of $0.53; net bookings rose 7.6% year/year to $2.84 bln vs the $3.04 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus. 
  • For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, Activision Blizzard's net bookings were a record $2.84 billion, compared with $2.64 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017, below prior outlook. Net bookings from digital channels were a record $1.88 billion, as compared with $1.62 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017, and in-game net bookingswere a record of $1.2 billion.
• Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.39 vs. $0.73 S&P Capital IQ Consensus; sees Q1 net bookings of $1.18 bln vs. $1.48 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
• Co issues downside guidance for FY19, sees EPS of $1.18 vs. $2.13 S&P Capital IQ Consensus; sees FY19 net bookings of $6.3 bln vs. $7.3 bln S&P Capital IQ Consensus.
• "The number of developers working on Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Overwatch, Warcraft, Hearthstone and Diablo in aggregate will increase approximately 20% over the course of 2019. The company will fund this greater investment by de-prioritizing initiatives that are not meeting expectations and reducing certain non-development and administrative-related costs across the business. The company is also integrating its global and regional sales and go-to-market, partnerships, and sponsorships capabilities. As part of these restructuring actions, the company expects to incur a GAAP-only pre-tax charge of approximately $150 million, the majority of which is expected to be incurred this year."
• Board increases quarterly dividend to $0.37/share from $0.34/share.
• Additionally, the Board of Directors authorized a new two-year stock repurchase program under which the company is authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of its outstanding common stock during the period.

Activision's results follow weak reports from other rival publishers such as Take-Two Interactive Software Inc and Electronic Arts Inc, adding to fears that competition from free-to-play battle royale games "Fortnite" and "PUBG" was eating into sales.

Even as jettisons workers as some of its revenue evaporates, Activision said it will also boost its stockholder dividend by 9 percent from last year to 37 cents per share.

Activision to lay off 800 workers as video game sales drop

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Video game maker Activision Blizzard is laying off nearly 800 workers as the company braces for a steep downturn in revenue following the best year in its history.

The cutbacks announced Tuesday illustrate the boom-and-bust cycles in an industry whose fortunes are tied to video games that can have a relatively short lives before players move on to the next craze.

Right now, Epic Games' "Fortnite" is a hot fad that has been siphoning attention — and potential sales — from the titles made by other companies.

Although Activision also still owns popular games such as "Call of Duty" and "Candy Crush," it expects its revenue this year to fall by about 20 percent to $6.03 billion.

Activision will cope trimming 8 percent from its workforce of nearly 10,000 people and assigning more of its remaining employees to work on "Call of Duty," ''Candy Crush," and several other of its most popular titles.

The Santa Monica, California, company had already reshuffled its leadership, even though it profits rose last year by more than five-fold to $1.8 billion. Revenue climbed 7 percent to $7.5 billion, the highest since Activision's inception 40 years ago.

At the same time, Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) will increase the number of developers on key franchises by 20 percent, including “Call of Duty” “CandyCrush,” “Overwatch,” “Warcraft,” “Hearthstone” and “Diablo.”

Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) reported earnings on Wed 12 Apr 2018 (b/o)

• (before earnings) Forward Dividend & Yield 0.60 (2.79%)

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Bed Bath & Beyond beats by $0.07, reports revs in-line; guides FY19 EPS below consensus; raises quarterly dividend 6.7% to $0.16/share 

• Reports Q4 (Feb) earnings of $1.48 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.07 better than the Capital IQ Consensus of $1.41; revenues rose 5.1% year/year to $3.72 bln vs the $3.68 bln Capital IQ Consensus. 
• Comparable sales in Q4 (14 weeks) decreased by ~0.6% vs. ests near -2%, and included strong sales growth from the Company's customer-facing digital channels, and sales from stores that declined in the mid-single-digit percentage range.
• Co issues downside guidance for FY19, sees EPS of low-to-mid $2 range vs. $2.78 Capital IQ Consensus Estimate. Co will guide sales guidance on the call.
• The co repurchased ~$45 million of its common stock, representing ~2 million shares, under its existing $2.5 billion share repurchase program.
• As a reflection of the long-term health of the business, and commitment to creating shareholder value, the Company's Board of Directors today declared an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.16 per share from $0.15.