Whole Foods Market Hits +9% On Earnings (WFMI)

Whole Foods WFMI is sharply higher today in post-market trading following the release of strong earnings numbers. Whole Foods announced a Street-estimate-beating EPS of $0.51/share. It also beat revenue consensus: $3B versus $2.99B consensus. The shares were trading sharply higher in post-market trading on heavy volume, hitting levels over 9% higher than at the close of regular market hours. Whole Foods Market today reported results for the 16-week first quarter ended January 16, 2011. Sales for the quarter increased 14% to $3.0 billion. Comparable and identical store sales increased 9.1%, or 12.6% and 11.6% on a two-year stacked basis, respectively. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") increased 26% from the prior year to $234.3 million, income available to common shareholders increased 79% to $88.7 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 59% to $0.51. Results included a LIFO charge of $2.0 million versus $0.2 million in the prior year; relocation, store closure and lease termination costs of $3.1 million versus $12.4 million in the prior year; and net interest income of $0.3 million versus net interest expense of $8.8 million in the prior year. "Our identical store sales growth continued to gain momentum for the fifth consecutive quarter on both a one- and two-year basis and at 9.1% is the highest we have produced in over four years," said Walter Robb, co-chief executive officer of Whole Foods Market. "Based on our consistently strong top- and bottom-line results, along with ongoing signs of increasing consumer confidence, we are raising our sales and earnings outlook for the year. Our new range for identical store sales growth of 7% to 9% appropriately reflects that we have yet to cycle over our toughest comparisons, while also allowing for the possibility that our 9% year-to-date results could be sustainable especially given the likelihood of some positive impact from inflation."