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

After-tax profits for retail corporations with assets of $50 million and 
over averaged 1.4 cents per dollar of sales for the third quarter of 1993, 
down 0.5 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 third quarter of 1993, these large retail corporations reported
after-tax profits of $2.6 billion, down $1.0 billion from the preceding
quarter and up $1.1 billion from the same quarter a year ago.  The annual 
rate of after-tax return on stockholders' equity was 8.7 percent, compared 
to 12.2 percent in the second quarter of 1993 and 5.8 percent in the third
quarter of 1992.

Third quarter 1993 sales were $190.7 billion, up $1.9 billion or
1.0 percent from last quarter.  Third quarter sales on a year-to-year 
basis were up $11.1 billion or 6.2 percent. 

These data are based on quarterly financial reports obtained from 
667 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--Fourth Quarter 1993.
Fourth quarter 1993 advance data are scheduled for release on
April 4, 1994.

Schedule of Advance Data Release Dates--1994

Quarter    Manufacturing, Mining, and Wholesale Trade  Retail Trade

Fourth                    April 4, 1994                April 4, 1994
First                     June 13, 1994                July 13, 1994
Second                    September 12, 1994           October 12, 1994
Third                     December 13, 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

                                                     3Q       2Q       3Q
                                                   1993     1993     1992(1)
                                                      (million dollars)

Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues.... 190,709  188,841  179,580
Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization   3,946    3,959    3,770
Less: All other operating costs and expenses... 180,045  177,674  169,591
                                                
  Income (or loss) from operations.............   6,717    7,207    6,220

Net nonoperating income (expense).............. (2,355)  (1,705)  (3,147)

  Income (or loss) before income taxes.........   4,362    5,503    3,073

Less: Provision for current and deferred
  domestic income taxes........................   1,756    1,937    1,522

  Income (or loss) after income taxes..........   2,606    3,565    1,551
                                                
Cash dividends charged to retained earnings     
  in current quarter...........................   1,182    1,187    1,235

  Net income retained in business..............   1,424    2,379      315

Retained earnings at beginning of quarter......  69,613   70,365   63,908 
Other direct credits (or charges) to
  retained earnings (net)......................   1,499  (2,989)      291 

Retained earnings at end of quarter............  72,536   69,756   64,514

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

                                                     3Q      2Q      3Q
                                                   1993    1993    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...    94.4    94.1    94.4

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

Net nonoperating income (expense)..............   (1.2)   (0.9)   (1.8)

  Income (or loss) before income taxes.........     2.3     2.9     1.7
                                                  
Less: Provision for current and deferred
  domestic income taxes........................     0.9     1.0     0.8

  Income (or loss) after income taxes..........     1.4     1.9     0.9
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TABLE 3.  OPERATING RATIOS FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF 
$50 MILLION AND OVER

                                                     3Q      2Q      3Q
                                                   1993    1993    1992(1)
                                                          (percent)

Annual rate of profit on stockholders' equity
  at end of period:
    Before income taxes.........................  14.52   18.88   11.41
    After income taxes..........................   8.67   12.24    5.76

Annual rate of profit on total assets:
    Before income taxes.........................   4.33     5.70   3.18
    After income taxes..........................   2.59     3.69   1.60

(1) Revised.

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