http://66.225.205.104/SG20100222.mp3
Mooresville-based Lowe's says earnings jumped in the company's fiscal 4th quarter. In its latest earnings report released this morning, Lowe's says it earnings totaled $205 million in November, December in January. That represents a 27 percent increase over the same period the year before. Per-share earnings were 14 cents, which exceeded analysts predictions. Lowe's CEO Robert Niblock says the results likely reflect that the economy is improving and that consumers are willing to do take on more discretionary spending. The stronger-than-expected 4th quarter figures were not enough to offset a weak year. For the full year that ended in January, Lowe's earnings were down 19 percent.