Ahead Of Williams-Sonoma's Q3 Results

(RTTNews) - Home goods retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) is slated to release its third-quarter results after market close on Thursday, November 19th. The company expects third-quarter earnings of $0.68 - $0.73 per share and revenue of $1.19 billion - $1.22 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are expecting earnings of $0.73 per share on revenue of $1.22 billion.

The company's third-quarter results are likely to reflect its plethora of new product launches. The company believes that its strong brands, proprietary product, a multi-channel platform, many opportunities for growth along with the commitment of financial discipline and returning capital to shareholders, enable it to deliver sustainable long-term profitable growth.

For the fiscal year 2015, the company continues to see earnings of $3.35 - $3.45 per share and revenue of $4.95 billion - $5.02 billion. Analysts currently expect earnings of $3.48 per share on revenues of $5.01 billion for 2015.

Q2 Results

In the just bygone quarter, the company reported net income of $53.7 million or $0.58 per share compared to $50.7 million or $0.53 per share last year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.58 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude certain special items.

Williams-Sonoma, the owner of the namesake, Pottery Barn and West Elm home-goods chains, said sales for the quarter rose 8.5% to $1.13 billion from $1.04 billion a year ago. Analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $1.11 billion for the quarter.

Gross margin for the quarter dropped to 36.1% from 36.6% last year. Operating margin improved to 7.4% from 8.2% last year.