Nov 10, 2:19 PM EST

Fossil 3Q profit falls, but co. raises guidance

Buy AP Photo Reprints

Your Questions Answered
Ask AP: Shuttle complexity, credit union agency

RICHARDSON, Texas (AP) -- Watch maker Fossil Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit fell but sales improved at company-owned stores.

The company raised its fourth-quarter and full-year guidance as a result, and shares rose in premarket activity.

Profit for the 13 weeks ended Oct 3 fell 3 percent to $35.3 million, or 52 cents per share, from $36.5 million, or 54 cents per share, in the same period last year.

Revenue fell 7 percent to $381.4 million from $409.8 million last year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, predicted a profit of 42 cents per share on revenue of $376.9 million.

"Our third-quarter results surpassed our expectations, driven by retail sales stemming from company-owned stores, a more favorable product sales mix and increased expense leverage," said CFO Mike Kovar in a statement.

Fossil, based in Richardson, Texas, now expects fourth-quarter earnings of 82 cents to 86 cents per share, up from previous guidance of 74 cents to 80 cents per share.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, predict profit of 78 cents per share.

Fossil expects sales to rise 7 percent to 9 percent from a year ago, implying sales of $496.6 to $505.9 million. Analysts expect sales of $466.8 million.

For the year, the company now expects earnings of $1.85 to $1.89 per share, up from a prior forecast of $1.63 to $1.73 per share. Analysts predict profit of $1.71 per share.

Shares rose $2.72, or 9.4 percent, to $31.63 in afternoon trading. The stock earlier hit $32.07, eclipsing a 52-week high of $30.85 set Oct. 19.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

[Get Copyright Permissions]Click here for copyright permissions!
Copyright 2008 Associated Press

Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT