Earnings Roundup For May 18 (SPLS, CTRN, DE, BJ, TGT, IAPLY, CHS, ANF, LSGOF, SODA, BRC, EXPGF)

Staples Inc SPLS reported downbeat first-quarter results and lowered its profit projections for the year. The group's net profit surged 5% to $198.2 million, or $0.28 per share, from $188.8 million, or $0.26 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its revenue increased 1.9% to $6.17 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.32 per share on revenue of $6.2 billion. The group now projects 2011 earnings of $1.35 to $1.45 per share, down from its earlier projections of $1.50 to $1.60 per share. However, analysts were projecting earnings of $1.53 per share for the year. Citi Trends Inc CTRN reported its Q1 EPS of $0.83, versus the estimates of $0.87. CTRN reported its revenue of $189.2 million, versus the estimates of $204.98 million. Deere & Co DE reported upbeat earnings for its fiscal second-quarter. The company reported its quarterly net income at $904.3 million, or $2.12 per share, versus $547.5 million, or $1.28 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its sales surged to $8.33 billion from $6.55 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $2.06 per share on sales of $8.12 billion. The company projects Q3 sales growth of 20% on year over year basis. BJ's Wholesale Club Inc BJ reported its Q1 profit at $33.67 million, or $0.62 per share, versus $26.1 million, or $0.49 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its sales surged 10% to $2.77 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.56 per share on revenue of $2.77 billion. The company projects Q2 earnings of $0.74 to $0.78 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $0.73 per share. BJ's projects 2011 earnings of $2.68 to $2.88 per share, versus analysts' estimates of $2.80 per share. Target Corp TGT reported a 2.7% rise in its fiscal first-quarter profit. The retailer's Q1 profit surged to $689 million, or $0.99 per share, from $671 million, or $0.90 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its sales climbed 2.8% to $15.6 billion, while credit card revenue dropped 18% to $355 million. The retailer's comparable-store sales increased 2%. However, analysts were estimating earnings of $0.95 per share on sales of $16 billion. ICAP Plc IAPLY reported a 61% rise in its fiscal-year net profit. The group's net profit increased to 187 million pounds ($303.9 million). Its revenue rose 8.5% to 1.74 billion pounds. The group announced its plans to pay a final dividend of 14.68 pence per share, up from 12.44 pence, in the year-ago period. Chico's FAS Inc CHS reported its Q1 EPS of $0.26, versus the estimates of $0.25. CHS reported its revenue of $537.2 million, versus the estimates of $542.88 million. Abercrombie & Fitch Co ANF swung to a FQ1 profit, from a loss in the year-ago period. The company reported its quarterly profit at $25.1 million, or $0.28 per share, versus a loss of $11.8 million, or $0.13 per share, in the year-earlier period. Its sales surged 22% to $836.7 million from $687.8 million. Its total comparable store sales rose 10%. On a continuing operations basis, its profit came in at $0.27 per share. However, analysts were expecting profit of $0.11 per share on sales of $836.7 million. Land Securities Group PLC LSGOF released its results for the year ended March 31. The group's profit rose to 1.24 billion pounds ($2.08 billion), from 1.09 billion pounds. Its revenue dropped 16% to 701.9 million pounds. However, its net asset value per share increased 18% to 885 pence. The group raised its final dividend for the year from 7 pence to 7.2 pence. SodaStream International Ltd SODA reported its Q1 EPS of $0.38, versus the estimates of $0.15. SODA reported its revenue of $64.0 million, versus the estimates of $41.54 million. Brady Corp BRC reported its FQ3 EPS of $0.55, versus the estimates of $0.62. BRC reported its revenue of $337.9 million, versus the estimates of $348.05 million. Experian PLC EXPGF reported a 3.2% drop in its net income attributable to shareholders on 9.3% higher revenue for the year ended March 31. The company's attributable earnings came in at $581 million, versus $600 million, in fiscal 2010. Its earnings per share dropped to $0.57 from $0.58. The company's earnings from continuing operations fell to $0.50 per share from $0.56 per share. Its adjusted earnings came in at $0.70 per share versus $0.64 per share. The company's revenue surged to $4.24 billion from $3.88 billion. Read more from Benzinga's Markets.