Whole Foods Meets on Q1, but EPS Guidance Falls Short

By Eric Volkman – Feb 13, 2013 at 5:50PM

NASDAQ: WFM

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

The supermarket chain shows top- and bottom-line growth, but its EPS projection is lower than analyst estimates.

Whole Foods Market's (WFM) results for Q1 2013 were broadly in line with analysts' expectations. For the quarter, the company's sales grew by 14% on a year-over-year basis to $3.9 billion. Net profit advanced to $146 million ($0.78 per diluted share), a 24% gain over Q1 2012's result of $118 million ($0.65). Comparable-store sales grew by 7% over that period, and the company opened 10 new stores during the quarter.

Whole Foods also updated its forward guidance for fiscal 2013. The company expects EPS of $2.83 to $2.87 for the year, below the average analyst estimate of $2.90.

Fool contributor Eric Volkman has no position in Whole Foods Market. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Whole Foods Market. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.