Earnings Guidance:
The Company issued its initial guidance for the third and fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Assuming a comparable sales increase of 2% to 4%, the Company would expect earnings per diluted share of $0.67 to $0.71 in the third quarter.
For the fourth quarter, assuming comparable sales of 1% to 3%, the Company would expect earnings per diluted share of $1.63 to $1.69. This would result in earnings per diluted share of $3.77 to $3.87 for fiscal 2007 versus its previous guidance of $3.75 to $3.87 per diluted share.
Expansion Update:
During the first half of the 2007 fiscal year, the Company successfully opened 17 new stores, including its entry into the Idaho market with three stores.
The Company now operates 834 stores in 46 states, compared with 749 stores in 43 states at the same time last year.
The Company will open 95 stores in the third and fourth quarters for a total of 112 new stores for fiscal 2007.
marketing@alchempro.com
