S&P 500 (NYSE:SPY) component Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE:BIG) will unveil its latest earnings on Friday, December 2, 2011. Big Lots operates as a broadline closeout retailer through its subsidiaries in the United States. It sells a number of products, including food, home decor, and furniture.

Big Lots, Inc. Earnings Preview Cheat Sheet

Wall St. Earnings Expectations: The average estimate of analysts is for profit of 10 cents per share, a decline of 56.5% from the company’s actual earnings for the same quarter a year ago. During the past three months, the average estimate has moved up from 9 cents. Between one and three months ago, the average estimate moved down. It has risen from 8 cents during the last month. Analysts are projecting profit to rise by 2.1% versus last year to $2.89.

Past Earnings Performance: Last quarter, the company reported net income of 50 cents per share versus a mean estimate of profit of. The company has beaten estimates for the past three quarters.

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Wall St. Revenue Expectations: On average, analysts predict $1.13 billion in revenue this quarter, a rise of 6.6% from the year ago quarter. Analysts are forecasting total revenue of $5.13 billion for the year, a rise of 3.6% from last year’s revenue of $4.95 billion.

Analyst Ratings: Analysts seem relatively indifferent about Big Lots with eight of 15 analysts surveyed maintaining a hold rating.

A Look Back: In the second quarter, profit fell 8.2% to $35.7 million (50 cents a share) from $38.9 million (48 cents a share) the year earlier, but exceeded analyst expectations. Revenue rose 2.2% to $1.17 billion from $1.14 billion.

Key Stats:

The company has seen net income fall in each of the last two quarters. Net income dropped 6.1% in the first quarter.

Revenue rose in the second quarter after seeing a drop the quarter before. In the first quarter, revenue fell 0.6%.

Competitors to Watch: Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO), Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG), 99 Cents Only Stores (NYSE:NDN), Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR), Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc (NASDAQ:DUCK), Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), Fred’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRED), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:COST), and Cost Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPWM).

Stock Price Performance: During September 6, 2011 to November 30, 2011, the stock price had risen $8.23 (25.8%) from $31.88 to $40.11. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between October 13, 2011 and October 24, 2011 when shares rose for eight-straight days, rising 11.2% (+$3.88) over that span. It saw one of its worst periods between July 26, 2011 and August 8, 2011 when shares fell for 10-straight days, falling 20.1% (-$7.32) over that span. Shares are up $9.65 (+31.7%) year to date.

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)

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