Talbots Plunging (TLB)

The Talbots, Inc. TLB is dropping sharply in pre-market trading, and it seems like this column is written almost daily for the embattled women's-wear retailer. Talbots is off almost 20% on a cut in its earnings outlook, on the back of weaker than expected customer response to merchandise, high markdowns and the weather. Revenue in the fourth-quarter is down 7 percent compared to last year the company said. New guidance for earnings is now an adjusted loss of 15-19 cents per share. The company previously expected 5 cents to a loss of 3 cents. Wall Street expects a loss of 2 cents per share. For the full year, Talbots also lowered its guidance, saying it expects 56-60 cents per share. Wall Street expects 73 cents per share. Shares are down $1.46 in early Tuesday trading to $6.11, a loss of 19.3%.