Nov 7, 2012 5 min read

NEW YORK – Macy’s Inc. sent out a mixed message: It raised its annual profit guidance, but told investors Wednesday Superstorm Sandy would temper the start of the holiday season.

The department store chain’s fourth-quarter profit forecast was below analysts’ expectations and noted this month’s business would be negatively impacted by Sandy. That puts more pressure on December and January to achieve its sales goals.

The guidance came as Macy’s posted a 4.3 percent increase in third-quarter net income, helped by its efforts to tailor merchandise to local markets and bring in trendy exclusive brands.

“Were it not for Hurricane Sandy, we would be even more optimistic about the fourth quarter than what you’re hearing today,” Karen Hoguet, Macy’s chief financial officer, told investors during a call. The company closed the book on the third quarter two days before Sandy steamed through the densely populated Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

As a result of Sandy, Macy’s extended a sale for customers living in the hard-hit region and was issuing coupons on home goods for those who have experienced damage to their homes.

The company, which operates upscale Bloomingdale’s in addition to its namesake chain, temporarily closed 200 stores at one point last week because of Sandy. But the impact goes beyond that. Hoguet said customers in the hard-hit areas of Long Island and New Jersey “have other priorities right now.”

Many are dealing with transportation issues to power outages to more serious problems, such as the loss of personal property, she noted.

Macy’s Inc., a standout among its peers throughout the economic recovery, is the first of the major retailers to report third-quarter results that should provide insight into Americans’ mind-set heading into the crucial holiday season. Shoppers already are dealing with a slow economic recovery. Sandy is adding to their troubles.

The fear: Consumers who are now being forced to buy cleanup supplies and pay for expensive repairs in the aftermath of the storm may feel less inclined to spend for the holidays. The storm hit a densely packed region, which accounts for about 24 percent of total U.S. retail sales excluding autos, according to MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse.

Still, Hoguet told investors she is confident Macy’s business will remain resilient despite the disruptions to business.

“We have no intention of deviating from this path of growth,” Hoguet told investors. “Hurricane Sandy was a terrible disaster and has affected our business in the short term. We are sensitive to the interruption it has caused to our customers and to our associates. But we, along with our communities, are bouncing back and look forward to a very good fourth quarter.”

To attract holiday shoppers, Macy’s said it will be offering “new and fresh merchandise” assortments and “an engaging shopping experience” throughout the November and December period, which accounts for as much as 40 percent of merchants’ annual sales. Macy’s again will be opening its doors at midnight following Thanksgiving for the official start of the holiday season.

Macy’s has been catering to local customers in a way that had been lacking since the chain ditched its numerous regional nameplates such as Marshall Field’s and Hecht’s. That means focusing on tailoring merchandise to local markets, like offering more business suits in Washington, D.C.

The company also has been doing well with its exclusive brands, including Material Girl, a teen brand that is a collaboration with Madonna’s teenage daughter, Lola.

Analysts also say Macy’s is benefiting from the troubles at rival J.C. Penney, which Feb. 1 implemented a pricing plan that hasn’t yet resonated with shoppers. The plan involves dumping hundreds of sales events in favor of everyday lower pricing. Penney’s is expected to report its third consecutive quarter of losses and slumping sales Friday, when it reports its third-quarter results.

Hoguet didn’t comment Wednesday on how Penney’s troubles were affecting its business.

Macy’s Inc. earned $145 million, or 36 cents per share, for the three-month period ended Oct. 27. That compares with $139 million, or 32 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 3.7 percent to $6.07 billion. Revenue at stores open at least a year rose 3.7 percent and is considered a key indicator of a retailer’s health.

Analysts polled by FactSet had expected 29 cents per share on revenue of $6.07 billion.

Macy’s said it expects to post earnings for the full year of $3.35 to $3.40 per share. This is the second time Macy’s has raised its profit guidance. In August, it had upgraded its earnings projections to $3.30 to 3.35, from an earlier projection of $3.25 per share to $3.30 per share.

Analysts expected $3.39 per share for the year.

For the fourth quarter, Macy’s said it expects to earn $1.94 to $1.99 per share. Analysts expected $2.05 per share.

Macy’s said last week that revenue at stores open at least a year should rise 4 percent in the second half of the year, up slightly from prior guidance of a 3.7 percent increase. It expects the figure to climb 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

Shares slipped 36 cents to $41.02 in afternoon trading Wednesday. They are near their 52-week high of $42.17 set in early May.