Prospects are bright for these two retailers

Article Excerpt

REITMANS (CANADA) LTD. $16.09 (Toronto symbol RET.A; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (514-384-1140; www.reitmans.com; Shares outstanding: 70.8 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion) owns 971 women’s clothing stores across Canada. The chain consists of 368 Reitmans, 164 Smart Set, 162 Penningtons, 123 Addition Elle, 76 Thyme Maternity, 62 RW & Co. and 16 Cassis stores. Reitmans continues to monitor its regional markets, and open and close stores as necessary. In the three months ended August 1, 2009, Reitmans’ revenue fell 1.3%, to $286.1 million from $289.5 million a year earlier. Same-store sales declined 2.2%. Earnings fell 25.3%, to $26.4 million, or $0.38 a share, from $35.4 million, or $0.50 a share. Canadian dollar’s rise helps profits The recession and rising unemployment in Ontario and Alberta hurt Reitmans’ sales and profits in the latest quarter. As well, cooler-than-usual summer weather in central Canada meant that the company sold less seasonal clothing than it did a year earlier. However, an improving economy and a rising Canadian dollar will…