Zale Q4 Loss Narrows - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Specialty jewelry retailer Zale Corp. (ZLC) reported that its fourth-quarter net loss narrowed to $7.98 million or $0.25 per share, from $19.75 million or $0.61 per share in the same quarter last year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss of $0.33 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Interest expense was $6 million, compared to $15 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The 2012 quarter includes a charge of $5 million related to debt refinancing transactions. Revenues for the quarter grew to $417.09 million from $406.96 million in the prior year quarter. Three analysts had consensus revenue estimate of $409.04 million for the quarter.

Comparable store sales for the latest-quarter increased 5.6 percent. This increase follows an 8.3 percent rise in the same period last year. At constant exchange rates, comparable store sales increased 5.8 percent.