NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Big Lots (BIG) - Get Report shares are climbing, up 2.34% to $48.94, in pre-market trading on Friday following the release of the closeout retailer's fourth quarter earnings results before the opening bell today.

The Columbus, OH-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $94.4 million, or $1.76 per diluted share on an adjusted basis on revenue of $1.59 billion. Analysts on average were expecting the company to report earnings of $1.75 per share on revenue of $1.59 billion.

For the previous year the company reported full year earnings of $114.3 million, or $2.06 per share on revenue of $5.18 billion. For the current year the company expects its per share profit to rise to between $2.75 per share and $2.90 per share.

TheStreet Ratings team rates BIG LOTS INC as a Hold with a ratings score of C+. TheStreet Ratings Team has this to say about their recommendation:

"We rate BIG LOTS INC (BIG) a HOLD. The primary factors that have impacted our rating are mixed - some indicating strength, some showing weaknesses, with little evidence to justify the expectation of either a positive or negative performance for this stock relative to most other stocks. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, increase in net income and revenue growth. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including disappointing return on equity and feeble growth in the company's earnings per share."

Highlights from the analysis by TheStreet Ratings Team goes as follows:

• You can view the full analysis from the report here: BIG Ratings Report

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