10:45 AM New York – AutoZone fourth quarter net climbed 7% to $323.7 million. Ascena Retail fourth quarter profit tumbled 94%. Cracker Barrel fourth quarter net surged 98%. General Mills first quarter net jumped 35% to $548.9 million.

Earnings Review

AutoZone, Inc. (AZO), the automotive parts retailer reported net sales in the fourth quarter ending on August 25 grew 5% to $2.76 billion from $2.64 billion in the same period of last year. Domestic same store sales in the quarter increased 2.1%.

Net income in the quarter climbed 7% to $323.7 million or $8.46 per diluted share compared to $301.5 million or $7.18 per share a year ago earlier.

For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales increased 51.8% and during the quarter the company had opened 72 new stores, out of 24 in Mexico and in total of 5,006.

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (ASNA), the apparel retailer reported revenues in the fourth quarter ending on July 28 advanced 8% to $939.7 million from $725.8 million in the same period of last year. Comparable store sales in the quarter increased 3%.

Net income in the quarter tumbled 94% to $1.6 million or 1 cents per diluted share compared to $28.2 million or 18 cents per share a year ago.

Gross margin for the quarter soared 55.1% to $501.6 million compared to same period of last year.

The retailer expects adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for the fiscal 2013 is in the range of $1.45 to $1.55.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc (CBRL), the restaurant operator reported revenues in the fourth quarter ending on August 3 climbed 14% to $700 million from $612.9 million in the same period of last year.

Comparable store traffic in the quarter grew 1.4% and comparable store restaurant sales increased 3.8%; and comparable store retail sales increased 3.1%.

Net income in the quarter surged 98% to $34.7 million or $1.47 per diluted share compared to $17.5 million or 75 cents per share a year ago period.

For fiscal 2013, the company expected total revenue in the range of $2.6 billion to $2.65 billion and earnings per diluted share between $4.50 and $4.70 and comparable store restaurant and retail sales in a range of 2% to 3%.

For the first quarter, the company expects earnings per diluted share to report between $1 and $1.05.

General Mills, Inc. (GIS), the food products maker reported revenues in the first quarter ending on August 26 increased 5% to $4.05 billion from $3.85 billion in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter jumped 35% to $548.9 million or 82 cents per diluted share compared to $405.6 million or 61 cents per share a year ago.

In the U.S. retail segment net sales fell 1% to $2.49 billion and in the international segment net sales climbed 27% to $1.09 billion and for the bakeries and food service segment slid 2% to $472 million.

The company reaffirmed full year earnings per share of approximately $2.65.