“We are very pleased to begin 2006 with excellent top and bottom line growth, exceeding expectations and building on the strong growth momentum we saw in 2005.”
“We are especially encouraged by the 110 basis point improvement in gross profit margin during the quarter, to an all-time record and the largest quarterly gross profit increase in over three years.”
“Despite sharply rising energy costs, we expect our gross profit margin, before restructuring charges, to be up nicely for the year as a result of our ongoing cost-savings initiatives, improved pricing, restructuring and promotional savings.”
“We project double-digit earnings, and our expectation is we will be there for the year, wherever oil settles, because if it goes out of sight, our expectation is that we will be able to raise prices. Beyond that, we are less dependent on oil than many.”
