Stage Stores Inc. reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended October 29, 2016. For the quarter, net sales were $317,140,000 against $351,575,000 for the same period of last year. Loss before income tax was $29,369,000 against $16,743,000 for the same period of last year. Net loss was $15,634,000 against $10,183,000 for the same period of last year. Diluted loss per share was $0.32 against $0.16 for the same period of last year. Diluted loss per share was $0.58 against $0.32 for the same period of last year. Adjusted net loss was $15,462,000 against $9,379,000 for the same period of last year. Adjusted diluted loss per share was $0.57 against $0.29 for the same period of last year. Total net debt was $224 million. Capital expenditures for the quarter, net of landlord construction allowances, totaled $9.6 million.

For the nine months, net sales were $988,275,000 against $1,101,804,000 for the same period of last year. Loss before income tax was $54,545,000 against $28,298,000 for the same period of last year. Net loss was $31,053,000 against $17,205,000 for the same period of last year. Diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.54 against $0.19 for the same period of last year. Diluted loss per share was $1.15 against $0.54 for the same period of last year. Net cash provided by operating activities was $5,254,000 against net cash used in operating activities of $30,833,000 for the same period of last year. Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements were $67,934,000 against $69,156,000 for the same period of last year. Adjusted net loss was $29,744,000 against $10,654,000 for the same period of last year. Adjusted diluted loss per share was $1.10 against $0.33 for the same period of last year.

The company anticipates fourth quarter 2016, comparable sales to be in the range of negative 2% to 6% and earnings per diluted share to be between $0.65 and $0.90. Weighted average diluted shares for the fourth quarter are expected to be 28.3 million.

For the full year 2016, the company expects diluted loss per share to be in the range of $0.45 to $0.20 and adjusted diluted loss per share (non-GAAP) to be in the range of $0.40 to $0.15. The company lowered its guidance for the fiscal year with comparable sales expected to be in the range of negative 7% to 8%. Capital expenditures in 2016, net of construction allowances from landlords, are expected to be approximately $65 million, compared to $87 million in 2015. Adjusted net loss - adjusted loss for the year is expected to be between $0.15 and $0.40.