NxStage Medical trims loss in period

Dialysis device maker NxStage Medical Inc. said yesterday that fourth-quarter losses narrowed on a revenue boost from the sale of home care products and from its critical care unit.

NxStage’s loss was $8.7 million, or 19 cents per share, compared with a loss of $9.8 million, or 21 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 14 percent to $40.5 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a loss of 20 cents per share on revenue of $38 million.

NxStage said revenue for at-home hemodialysis products rose 30 percent to $17.5 million from $13.5 million. Critical care revenue grew 30 percent to $7 million from $5.4 million, and in-center revenue fell 4 percent to $16 million.

For the full year, the Lawrence company lost $43.5 million, or 93 cents per share, compared with a loss of $51.2 million, or $1.23 per share, in 2008. Revenue rose to $148.7 million from $128.8 million.

Looking ahead, the company said it expects a first-quarter loss between 19 cents and 21 cents per share on revenue between $38 million and $39.5 million. Analysts expect a loss of 19 cents per share on revenue of $38.2 million.

Overall in 2010, the company expects a loss of 60 cents to 71 cents per share on revenue of $163 million to $170 million. Analysts expect a loss of 63 cents per share on revenue of $165.4 million.

Gap Inc. said that strong sales at its lower-priced Old Navy chain helped its fourth-quarter profit rise 45 percent.

The San Francisco company also is forecasting brighter days for its fiscal 2011.

Gap has fought against falling sales by cutting its inventory and repositioning Old Navy to attract frugal moms. Also the operator of Banana Republic, and its namesake Gap chain, the company says profit its rose to $352 million, or 51 cents per share, from $243 million, just topping analyst forecasts.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, predicted it would earn 50 cents per share. In the same period a year earlier, it earned 34 cents per share.

Gap’s revenue rose 4 percent to $4.24 billion in fiscal 2010 from $4.08 billion in 2009. Analysts expected fiscal 2010 revenue of $4.23 billion.

Sales at the company’s stores that have been open at least one year fell 2 percent overall, including a 1 percent drop at Gap stores and a 2 percent drop at Banana Republic.

But the figure - considered a key measure of retailer performance because it excludes results from stores that open or close during the year - rose 7 percent at Old Navy.

Gap’s full-year profit rose 14 percent to $1.1 billion, or $1.58 per share, from $967 million, or $1.58 per share last year. For the year, sales in stores open at least one year fell 3 percent, but revenue rose 4 percent to $4.24 billion from $4.08 billion in fiscal 2009.

The company expects to earn $1.70 to $1.75 for the year ending January 2011, while analysts see $1.69 per share.

Kohl’s Corp. saw higher profit and solid sales in the fourth quarter as the department store operator attracted more customers who took advantage of its value-priced store-label brands, but still spent less per trip.

The chain, known for its moderately priced products, also gave a full-year earnings prediction within range of Wall Street’s expectations. But its first-quarter earnings guidance was below analysts’ views, and it offered a cautious sales outlook for the year amid an uncertain economy.

Kohl’s, based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., said it plans to open 30 new stores this year and remodel 90 others, up from its previously planned 65.

Like many retailers, Kohl’s stuck with planned promotions amid a soft economy during the holiday season, but didn’t have to use deep discounts because it was able to keep its inventory levels in line with demand.

For the period ended Jan. 30, earnings rose 28 percent to $431 million, or $1.40 per share, from $336 million, or $1.10 per share, in the same period a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected $1.37 per share.

Sales rose 9 percent to $5.68 billion from $5.23 billion, topping Wall Street’s forecast of $5.67 billion. Executives told analysts consumers continue to be financially strained and are looking to stretch their dollars.

Sales at stores open at least a year grew 4.5 percent during the quarter.

Full-year profit improved to $991 million, or $3.23 per share, from $885 million, or $2.89 per share, in the prior year.

Sales rose 5 percent to $17.18 billion from $16.39 billion in 2009, with sales at stores open at least a year up 0.4 percent.

Kohl’s expects fiscal 2010 earnings of $3.40 to $3.63 per share. Analysts predict income of $3.63 per share.