ADVANCE DATA ON LARGE RETAILERS' PROFITS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 1993

After-tax profits for retail corporations with assets of $50 million and 
over averaged 1.9 cents per dollar of sales for the second quarter of 1993, 
up 1.1 cents from the preceding quarter and up 0.5 cents from the same 
quarter in 1992, according to advance data from the Commerce Department's 
Bureau of the Census.

For the second quarter of 1993, these large retail corporations reported
after-tax profits of $3.6 billion, up $2.1 billion from the preceding
quarter and up $1.2 billion from the same quarter a year ago.  The annual 
rate of after-tax return on stockholders' equity was 12.2 percent, compared 
to 5.2 percent in the first quarter of 1993 and 9.1 percent in the second
quarter of 1992.

Second quarter 1993 sales were $188.8 billion, up $9.6 billion or
5.4 percent from last quarter.  Second quarter sales on a year-to-year 
basis were up $10.5 billion or 5.9 percent. 

These data are based on quarterly financial reports obtained from 
673 corporations.  The figures in this release are not seasonally 
adjusted.  More detailed information on the retail trade sector for 
the second quarter will be published in the Quarterly Financial Report 
for Manufacturing, Mining, and Trade Corporations--Third Quarter 1993.
Third quarter 1993 advance data are scheduled for release on
December 13, 1993.

Schedule of Advance Data Release Dates--1993

Quarter    Manufacturing, Mining, and Wholesale Trade  Retail Trade

Third 1993                  December 13, 1993          January 12, 1994

Questions concerning this advance data report should be directed to 
Ronald Lee (301) 763-4270 or Frank Hartman (301) 763-4274.

 
TABLE 1.  INCOME STATEMENT FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF 
$50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     2Q       1Q       2Q
                                                   1993     1993(1)  1992(1)
                                                      (million dollars)

Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues.... 188,841  179,199  178,375
Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization   3,959    3,847    3,777
Less: All other operating costs and expenses... 177,674  169,355  168,270

  Income (or loss) from operations.............   7,207    5,997    6,328

Net nonoperating income (expense).............. (1,705)  (3,109)  (2,072)

  Income (or loss) before income taxes.........   5,503    2,888    4,256

Less: Provision for current and deferred
  domestic income taxes........................   1,937    1,379    1,845

  Income (or loss) after income taxes..........   3,565    1,509    2,411
                                                
Cash dividends charged to retained earnings       
  in current quarter...........................   1,187    1,328    1,141

  Net income retained in business..............   2,379      182    1,270

Retained earnings at beginning of quarter......  70,365   69,070   63,589
Other direct credits (or charges) to
  retained earnings (net)...................... (2,989)    (610)  (1,430)

Retained earnings at end of quarter............  69,756   68,642   63,429

(1) Revised. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

TABLE 2.  INCOME STATEMENT IN RATIO FORMAT FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS 
WITH ASSETS OF $50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     2Q      1Q      2Q
                                                   1993    1993(1) 1992(1)
                                                          (cents)

Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues....   100.0   100.0   100.0
Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization     2.1     2.1     2.1
Less: All other operating costs and expenses...    94.1    94.5    94.3

  Income (or loss) from operations.............     3.8     3.3     3.5

Net nonoperating income (expense)..............   (0.9)   (1.7)   (1.2)

  Income (or loss) before income taxes.........     2.9     1.6     2.4
                                                  
Less: Provision for current and deferred
  domestic income taxes........................     1.0     0.8     1.0

  Income (or loss) after income taxes..........     1.9     0.8     1.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
TABLE 3.  OPERATING RATIOS FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF 
$50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     2Q      1Q      2Q
                                                   1993    1993(1) 1992(1)
                                                          (percent)

Annual rate of profit on stockholders' equity
  at end of period:
    Before income taxes.........................  18.88   10.03   16.01
    After income taxes..........................  12.24    5.24    9.07

Annual rate of profit on total assets:
    Before income taxes.........................   5.70    2.97    4.59
    After income taxes..........................   3.69    1.55    2.60

(1) Revised.

Questions concerning this advance report should be directed to 
Ronald Lee (301) 763-4270 or Frank Hartman (301) 763-4274.