Earnings Roundup: Staples, Chico's

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, May 27, from AP Financial News:

CHICAGO (AP) — Office-supply chain Staples Inc. said Wednesday its profit sank by a third in the first quarter as higher operating expenses and one-time costs more than outweighed the benefit from last summer's acquisition of a massive European rival.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Chico's FAS Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 14 percent as the clothing retailer reduced expenses and saw increased sales at its White House Black Market stores.

NEW YORK (AP) — Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit dropped 57 percent, weighed down by restructuring and impairment charges and higher expenses. Still, adjusted results handily beat analysts' estimates.

THOMASVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Bakery goods company Flowers Foods Inc. said Wednesday its first-quarter profit rose almost 5 percent, helped by more consumers eating at home to save cash.