Ascena Retail Group, Inc. Reports Unaudited Consolidated Earnings Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended April 28, 2018; Provides Earnings Guidance for Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2018; Provides Capital Expenditures Guidance for the Full Year Fiscal 2018
For nine months, net sales were $4,812.0 million against $4,991.7 million a year ago. Operating income was $18.8 million against $1,305.3 million a year ago. Loss before benefit for income taxes was $99.2 million against $1,381.3 million a year ago. Net loss was $72.9 million against $1,051.5 million a year ago. Net loss per basic and diluted common share was $0.37 against $5.40 a year ago. Total non-GAAP adjusted operating income was $69.5 million against $132.0 million a year ago. Non-GAAP net sales were $4,787.6 million against $4,993.7 million a year ago. Non-GAAP net loss was $19.0 million against profit of $31.9 million a year ago. Non-GAAP diluted net loss per common share was $0.10 against non-GAAP diluted net income per common share of $0.16 a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA was $328.2 million against $394.3 million a year ago.
Fiscal year 2018 fourth quarter non-GAAP loss per share is estimated in the range of negative $0.05 to $0.05, net sales in the range of $1.62 billion to $1.66 billion; Comparable sales in the range of flat to up 2%; Operating income in the range of $22 million to $42 million; Interest expense of approximately $29 million; and minimum taxes of approximately $3 million.
The company continues to expect full year capital expenditures in the range of $190 million to $220 million.