Ruby gets set to compete

Article Excerpt

RUBY TUESDAY, INC. $5.58 (New York symbol RT; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative) (865-379-5700; www.rubytuesday.com; Shares outstanding: 61.4 million; Market cap: $342.8 million; No dividends paid) reports that its revenue fell 8.0% in its fiscal 2014 second quarter, which ended December 3, 2013, to $276.2 million from $300.1 million a year earlier. That’s mostly because of continued weak consumer spending and intense competition in the casual-dining business. In the latest quarter, Ruby Tuesday lost $25.9 million, or $0.43 a share, compared to a loss of $2.9 million, or $0.05. The company is now moving its restaurants back to a bar-and-grill atmosphere, revamping the menu and launching a major new marketing campaign. Ruby Tuesday is also closing some underperforming restaurants. Ruby Tuesday is still a hold. hold…