-=Citi Trends (CTRN) reported earnings on Fri 16 March 18 (b/o)

Citi Trends beats by $0.06, reports revs in-line; guides FY19 EPS above estimate, revs above estimate; authorizes $25 mln share repurchase program  

• Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $0.50 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.06 better thanthe single analyst estimate of $0.44; revenues rose 14.4% year/year to $212.14 mln vs the $211 mln single analyst estimate.
• Fourth quarter comparable store sales increased 5.6%, comparing the 14 weeks ended February 3, 2018 with the 14 weeks ended February 4, 2017.
• As the next step in the Company's expanded capital return program announced in April 2017, the Company's Board of Directors today announced the authorization of another $25 million share repurchase program, which the Company expects to fund from cash on hand.
• Co issues upside guidancefor FY19, sees EPS of $1.55-1.70 vs. $1.50 single analyst estimate; sees FY19 revs of $777.9-785.5 (+3-4%) vs. $777.10 mln single analyst estimate; expects comparable store sales to increase in the range of 2% to 3%