Advance Data on Large Retailers' Profits for the Third Quarter 1995 After-tax profits for retail corporations with assets of $50 million and over averaged 1.6 cents per dollar of sales for the third quarter of 1995, down 0.1 cents from the preceding quarter, and down 0.2 cents from the same quarter in 1994, according to advance data from the Commerce Department's Bureau of the Census. For the third quarter of 1995, these large retail corporations reported after-tax profits of $3.5 billion, down $0.1 billion from the preceding quarter, and down $0.3 billion from the same quarter a year ago. The annual rate of after-tax return on stockholders' equity was 9.8 percent, compared to 10.4 percent in the second quarter of 1995, and 11.5 percent in the third quarter of 1994. Third quarter 1995 sales were $219.5 billion, up $1.8 billion or 0.8 percent from last quarter. Third quarter sales compared to the same quarter a year ago were up $13.0 billion or 6.3 percent. These data are based on quarterly financial reports obtained from 723 corporations. The figures in this release are not seasonally adjusted. More detailed information on the retail trade sector for the third quarter will be published in the Quarterly Financial Report for Manufacturing, Mining, and Trade Corporations--Fourth Quarter 1995. Fourth quarter 1995 advance data are scheduled for release on April 8, 1996. Schedule of Advance Data Release Dates--1996 Quarter Manufacturing, Mining, and Wholesale Trade Retail Trade Fourth 1995 April 8, 1996 April 8, 1996 First 1996 June 17 1996 July 10, 1996 Second 1996 September 13, 1996 October 16, 1996 Third 1996 December 16, 1996 This report is available on the day of issue through the Department of Commerce's on-line Economic Bulletin Board (N-8-1) (202-377-3870) and through the Census Bureau's on-line information service--CENDATA. Further information about accessing CENDATA can be obtained from Dialog Information Services, Inc. (1-800-334-2564) and CompuServe (1-800-848-8199). The CENDATA staff at the Bureau of the Census (301-457-1214) can provide content information and general guidance. TABLE 1. INCOME STATEMENT FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF $50 MILLION AND OVER 3Q 2Q 3Q 1995 1995(1) 1994(1) (million dollars) Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues.... 219,456 217,632 206,430 Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 4,533 4,512 4,232 Less: All other operating costs and expenses... 207,369 205,251 193,985 Income (or loss) from operations............. 7,554 7,869 8,213 Net nonoperating income (expense).............. (1,849) (1,940) (1,896) Income (or loss) before income taxes......... 5,705 5,929 6,317 Less: Provision for current and deferred domestic income taxes........................ 2,207 2,287 2,512 Income (or loss) after income taxes.......... 3,498 3,642 3,805 Cash dividends charged to retained earnings 1,110 1,399 1,280 in current quarter........................... Net income retained in business.............. 2,388 2,243 2,524 Retained earnings at beginning of quarter...... 89,141 94,204 82,757 Other direct credits (or charges) to retained earnings (net)...................... 794 (7,883) (411) Retained earnings at end of quarter............ 92,322 88,563 84,871 (1) Revised. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE 2. INCOME STATEMENT IN RATIO FORMAT FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF $50 MILLION AND OVER 3Q 2Q 3Q 1995 1995(1) 1994(1) (cents) Net sales, receipts, and operating revenues.... 100.0 100.0 100.0 Less: Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 2.1 2.1 2.0 Less: All other operating costs and expenses... 94.5 94.3 94.0 Income (or loss) from operations............. 3.4 3.6 4.0 Net nonoperating income (expense).............. (0.8) (0.9) (0.9) Income (or loss) before income taxes......... 2.6 2.7 3.1 Less: Provision for current and deferred domestic income taxes........................ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Income (or loss) after income taxes.......... 1.6 1.7 1.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE 3. OPERATING RATIOS FOR RETAIL TRADE CORPORATIONS WITH ASSETS OF $50 MILLION AND OVER 3Q 2Q 3Q 1995 1995(1) 1994(1) (percent) Annual rate of profit on stockholders' equity at end of period: Before income taxes......................... 15.92 16.95 19.06 After income taxes.......................... 9.76 10.41 11.48 Annual rate of profit on total assets: Before income taxes......................... 5.03 5.49 5.82 After income taxes.......................... 3.08 3.37 3.50 (1) Revised. Questions concerning this advance report should be directed to Ronald Lee (301) 763-5435 or Frank Hartman (301) 763-7182.