Tiffany profit falls on items, tops view

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The revised guidance topped Wall Street expectations, and its shares climbed almost 13 percent.

"Despite the slowdown in our U.S. business in the latter part of the year, our international business in total performed very well," said Chief Executive Michael Kowalski during a conference call with analysts on Monday.

Tiffany earned $118.3 million, or 89 cents per share, in the quarter ended Jan. 31, down from $140.5 million, or $1.02 per share, a year ago. Excluding one-time charges, profit was $1.27 per share, above the $1.21 analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected.

One-time items include a charge of 22 cents per share for loans to Tahera Diamond Corp., which sought protection from creditors in January, a charge of 9 cents per share for discontinuing some watches ahead of a licensing deal with Swatch Group Ltd. and an impairment charge of 7 cents per share related to lower-than-expected results from the company's Iridesse subsidiary.

Revenue rose to $1.05 billion from $958.9 million last year, matching analysts' predictions.

U.S. retail sales rose 4 percent to $527.9 million and same-store sales, or sales in stores open at least one year, fell 1 percent. Foreign tourist spending represented 14 percent of U.S. sales, up from 11 percent last year.

"Similar to what we have heard from many other retailers, we believe that fourth-quarter performance was affected by customers exhibiting some caution, tied to various macroeconomic factors," said Mark Aaron, Tiffany & Co. vice president of investor relations, during the conference call.

International retail sales rose 21 percent to $422.6 million, while same-store sales rose 6 percent.

Aaron said overall, sales were stronger in higher-priced categories. For example, fine jewelry sales from $10,000 to $50,000 were stronger than sales in the $1,000 to $10,000 range.

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