Earnings Preview: Whole Foods Market Inc.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Whole Foods Market Inc. is scheduled to report earnings for its fiscal fourth quarter Wednesday. The following is a summary of key developments related to the period.

OVERVIEW: Whole Foods will report whether a recent uptick in its business carried through into its fourth quarter.

The natural and organic goods grocer, which is based in Austin, Texas, struggled when the recession hit and shoppers cut back on their spending and focused on more value-oriented stores. However, the company cut costs, secured a major investor, increased its store brand offerings and promoted its other lower-priced options to draw shoppers.

The actions paid off at some levels: total sales at Whole Foods grew in the third quarter, ending a slump that lasted several quarters, and its profits grew 3 percent — beating expectations.

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey said at the time that the company is seeing early signs of stability but said at the time it was to early to tell where it is going.

BY THE NUMBERS: Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect the company to earn 18 cents per share on revenue of $1.84 billion for the quarter.