Signet Jewelers Limited reported sales results for the nine weeks ended December 30, 2017. For the nine weeks, the company's total sales were $1,881.7 million, down $59.2 million or 3.1%, compared to $1,940.9 million in prior year. Same store sales were decreased 5.3%. Sales declines were primarily driven by weakness in the Sterling division, impacted predominantly by the credit outsourcing transition which accounted for approximately two-thirds of the decrease.

For the fiscal year 2018, the company now expects earnings per share (excluding U.S. tax reform) to be $6.17 to $6.22 and earnings per share (including U.S. tax reform) to be $6.45 to $6.50 against $6.10 to $6.50 previously expected. The company now expects effective tax rate (excluding U.S. tax reform) to be 18% and effective tax rate (including U.S. tax reform) to be 14% to 15% against 22% previously expected. The company now expects capital expenditures (excluding U.S. tax reform) to be $230 million to $240 million and capital expenditures (including U.S. tax reform) to be $230 million to $240 million against $245 million to $260 million previously expected. The company expects same store sales to be down mid-single-digit%.