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HHGregg shares tumble on profit warning

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HHGregg shares tumbled 10 percent in early trading Monday after the Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics retailer slashed its 2013 profit forecast  almost 25 percent on a sharper-than-expected drop in television sales.

The company said it expects to report that same-store sales fell 9.7 percent for the quarter ended Dec. 31, led by an ugly 24.6-percent decline in the video category. Same-store sales figures are a key measure of a retailer's health.

HHGregg said it expects to earn from 70 cents to 80 cents per share for the 2013 fiscal year, which ends March 31. That compares to previous guidance in the range of 90 cents to $1.05. The chain is scheduled to report its official third-quarter results Jan. 31.

HHGregg said same-store sales of appliances likely rose 6.1 percent in the third quarter, and computing and mobile phone sales gained 16.2 percent. But that was not enough to offset the big drop in television sales, along with a 24-percent sales drop in an "other" category, which includeds audio, mattresses and personal electronics.

The chain has been moving aggressively away from relying on sales of flat-panel televisions, which have become a low-margin commodity. In recent months, stores have added furniture, exercise equipment and Apple products.

CEO Dennis May said in Monday's filing that the chain continues to test new product categories "that further diversify our business and reduce our dependence on new product innovations in the video sector."

He also pointed to appliances as a point of strength, noting the category has grown for HHGregg for six consecutive quarters. Last year, appliances overtook video as HHGregg's largest sales category, making up almost 50 percent of sales.

In its updated guidance, HHGregg said it expects to spend $35 million to $40 million on capital expenditures in fiscal 2013, down from an earlier target of $50 million to $55 million, suggesting a further reduction in store-count growth. The company, which operates 228 stores in 20 states, has been on a growth binge the last few years.

It expects fiscal 2013 same-store sales to fall from 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent and overall sales to stay flat or rise 1 percent.

HHGregg, which has no debt, also noted Monday that it has spent $30 million so far this fiscal year to repurchase 3.6 million shares. That works out to an average of about $8.33 per share, a premium of almost 20 percent to the trading price early Monday.

Shares dropped to as low as $6.95 each Monday morning, a fall of 95 cents.

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  1. Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.

  2. Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.

  3. I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.

  4. The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.

  5. I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!

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