Company News

Zacks Ranks Pantry as Top Performer

Zacks zeroes in on chain's earnings; retailer names Williams senior VP field ops
SANFORD, N.C. -- Zacks Investment Research Inc. has included The Pantry Inc. on its latest list of top-performing Zacks #1 Rank ("strong buy") stocks. The Pantry announced fiscal fourth-quarter results on November 20, which included earnings per share of $1.03 that topped the consensus by almost 29%. The retailer has now beat analysts' expectations for three consecutive quarters, amassing an average surprise of more than 66%. Total revenues increased 24.5% year over year to $2.5 billion. The quarter's results benefited from higher gasoline prices.

Shares of The Pantry (PTRY) [image-nocss] slipped after its fiscal fourth-quarter report, but rose 38.1% last week, which made it a top-performing Zacks #1 Rank company. Earnings estimates for the year ending September 2009 are up 27% in the past 2 months, including a gain of 9.4% in just the past 7 days.

(Click here for previous CSP Daily News coverage.)

Others companies included on the Zacks list were Fuel Systems Solutions Inc., Ladish Co. Inc., JetBlue Airways Corp. and Thoratec Corp. Each of these stocks "easily" outperformed the Standard & Poors (S&P) 500.

Stocks ranked #1 (Strong Buy) by Zacks have produced an average annual return of +30% since inception in 1988. During the 2000-2002 bear market, Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained 43.8% while the S&P 500 tumbled 37.6%.

In other company news, The Pantry has named Brad Williams as senior vice president of field operations. Williams will have operating responsibility for the company's 1,653 c-stores, including the 239 quick-service restaurants at those locations.

Since joining the company in 1998, Williams has held numerous positions in operations management. He has served as vice president of field operations since March 2008, and was previously a division vice president with responsibility for approximately 550 c-stores.

Headquartered in Sanford, N.C., The Pantry is the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States and one of the largest independently operated convenience store chains in the country, with revenues for fiscal 2008 of approximately $9 billion. As of Nov. 13, 2008, the Company operated 1,653 stores in 11 states under select banners, including Kangaroo Express, its primary operating banner.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Foodservice

Opportunities Abound With Limited-Time Offers

For success, complement existing menu offerings, consider product availability and trends, and more, experts say

Snacks & Candy

How Convenience Stores Can Improve Meat Snack, Jerky Sales

Innovation, creative retailers help spark growth in the snack segment

Technology/Services

C-Stores Headed in the Right Direction With Rewards Programs

Convenience operators are working to catch up to the success of loyalty programs in other industries

Trending

More from our partners