By Denny Jacob
J.Jill posted lower sales in its latest quarter, but the top-line decline wasn't as steep as Wall Street expected.
The women's apparel company logged net income of $2.2 million, or 14 cents a share, for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1., compared with $4.8 million, or 33 cents a share, in the prior-year period.
Stripping out certain one-time items, earnings came in at 32 cents a share. Analysts polled by FactSet expected 21 cents a share.
Sales declined to $142.8 million from $150.3 million. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $142.3 million.
Comparable sales, which includes comparable-store and direct-to-consumer sales, increased 1.9% in the quarter compared with the prior-year period.
Chief Executive Claire Spofford said the company was confident in its ability to operate and position itself for long-term success despite the uncertain near-term outlook with a slow start in the current quarter and ongoing price sensitivity from customers.
For the first quarter of fiscal 2025, J.Jill forecast sales to decline between 1% and 4% compared to the year-earlier period, while comparable sales are expected to decline between 2% and 5% over the same period last year.
J.Jill guided for sales to grow between 1% and 3% in fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. Comparable sales are expected to be flat to up 2% over the same period.
Write to Denny Jacob at denny.jacob@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 19, 2025 07:14 ET (11:14 GMT)
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