Weis Markets Reports Fourth Quarter Results
February 04 2009 - 1:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
SUNBURY, Pa., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Weis Markets, Inc.
(NYSE: WMK) today said its fourth quarter sales increased 2.7% to
$619.4 million while basic and diluted earnings per share increased
$.31 to $.63 per share. For the thirteen-week period ending
December 27, 2008, the Company's comparable store sales increased
2.2% and its net income increased 97.6% to $17.0 million. "Our
fourth quarter sales and net income increases were due to the
continuing success of our targeted promotional and transaction
building programs combined with key improvements in our store
operating practices and increased efficiencies at store and
distribution levels," said David J. Hepfinger, Weis Markets'
President and CEO. "We continue to operate in a tough economic
environment, which is clearly impacting our customers' purchasing
decisions. However, we believe our continuing operational
improvements along with our aggressive merchandising and marketing
programs will help us to make substantial progress with our sales
and profits in 2009." Year to Date Company sales increased 4.5% to
$2.4 billion for the 52-week period ending December 27, 2008, and
comparable store sales increased 4.3%. Basic and diluted earnings
per share declined $.15 to $1.74 per share, while net income
declined 7.8% to $47.0 million. ABOUT WEIS MARKETS Founded in 1912,
Weis Markets is a Mid-Atlantic supermarket company. It currently
operates 154 stores in five Mid-Atlantic States: Pennsylvania,
Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. In addition to
historical information, this news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements
contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. For example, risks and uncertainties can arise with
changes in: general economic conditions, including their impact on
capital expenditures; business conditions in the retail industry;
the regulatory environment; rapidly changing technology and
competitive factors, including increased competition with regional
and national retailers; and price pressures. The Company undertakes
no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the
date hereof other than through its periodic filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission that are available to the
public. WEIS MARKETS, INC. COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED SALES
& EARNINGS Fourth Quarter - 2008 13 Week 13 Week Period Ended
Period Ended Increase Dec. 27, 2008 Dec. 29, 2007 (Decrease)
------------- ------------- ---------- Net Sales $ 619,408,000
$602,977,000 2.7% Income Before Taxes 26,365,000 12,900,000 104.4%
Provision for Income Taxes 9,353,000 4,290,000 118.0% ---------
--------- ------ Net Income $17,012,000 $8,610,000 97.6% ==========
========= ===== Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding 26,966,000
26,986,000 (20,000) Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.63
$0.32 $0.31 52 Week 52 Week Period Ended Period Ended Increase Dec.
27, 2008 Dec. 29, 2007 (Decrease) ------------- -------------
---------- Net Sales $2,422,361,000 $2,318,551,000 4.5% Income
Before Taxes 70,113,000 77,759,000 (9.8%) Provision for Income
Taxes 23,118,000 26,769,000 (13.6%) ---------- ---------- ------
Net Income $46,995,000 $50,990,000 (7.8%) ========== ==========
===== Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding 26,967,000 26,994,000
(27,000) Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.74 $1.89 ($0.15)
DATASOURCE: Weis Markets, Inc. CONTACT: Dennis V. Curtin of Weis
Markets, Inc., +1-570-286-3636,
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