Big 5’s net income rises 8.1% on increased sales

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp., which operates 336 stores in 10 states, said its third-quarter profit rose 8.1% on a similar increase in revenue.

Big 5 earned $7.8 million, or 34 cents a share, compared with $7.2 million, or 32 cents, a year earlier. Sales grew to $223.3 million from $206.8 million.

The results included a charge of $4 million, or 2 cents a share, in stock option expenses this year. The 2005 quarter included a $1.8-million gain related to an eminent-domain action.

The results were in line with Wall Street predictions.

El Segundo-based Big 5 said it expected to post a fourth-quarter profit of 34 cents to 40 cents a share, including 2 cents a share in stock option expenses. Analysts on average expect a profit of 40 cents a share, including stock option expenses.

For the full year, the company said it expected to earn $1.27 to $1.33 a share, including about 6 cents a share in stock option expenses. Analysts expect a profit of $1.32 a share.