Market to Williams-Sonoma: Drop Dead (Update)

These days, "less worse than we were expecting" is often enough to buoy a company's shares. Not so for Williams-Sonoma (WSM Quote).

The smaller-than-expected loss that the company posted this morning sent shares of the home-furnishing company down more than 10% to $13.25 in morning trading. The company also announced that, as a result of the uncertain economy, it is maintaining its full-year forecast.

The operator of the Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm chains recorded a loss of $18.7 million, or 18 cents a share, compared with a profit of $10.4 million, or 10 cents per share, in the year-ago period. ...