San Francisco, CA, November 17, 2005--Home-goods retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. reported third quarter earnings that rose 30% to $37.1 million, or $0.31 a share, from $28.5 million, or $0.24, in the year-earlier period.
Analysts had forecast earnings per share of $0.30.
Sales for the three months ended Oct. 30 advanced 15% to $827.6 million from $722.8 million.
Same-store sales rose 4.4%, with four of the company's five nameplates posting same-store sales gains.
The company raised the low end of its fiscal 2005 earnings outlook. The company now forecasts earnings at $1.86 to $1.88 a share, up from $1.84 to $1.88 previously. Analysts' average estimate stands at $1.88 a share.
