Alliance Data Systems 1Q Profit Slips 43 Percent

DALLAS (AP) — Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Wednesday its first-quarter profit fell by 43 percent as the marketing and transaction services company's revenue declined, partly due to the impact of the stronger dollar on overseas revenue.

The company posted earnings of $27.9 million, or 45 cents a share, in the three months ended March 31, compared with net income of $49.3 million, or 61 cents a share, in the same period a year ago.

But cash earnings per share, which strip out certain one-time items, totaled $1.19, up from $1 a year ago and above Wall Street's average forecast of $1.10 per share, according to a Thomson Reuters poll. ...