Article: Guitar Center takes $73 mill. write-off on Music & Arts: write-down reflects ongoing losses in B&O Division. Management says it remains "committed" to Music & Arts. Slow guitar sales impact other divisions as well.(RETAILER UPDATE: NEWS FROM THE RETAIL FRONT LINES)

GUITAR CENTER'S FOURTH quarter was marked by a $73.2 million after-tax write-down of goodwill associated with the Music & Arts division, reflecting ongoing financial challenges at the school music operation. For the quarter, the company posted an 11.7% net increase in sales to $628.5 million, compared with $562.8 million for the same period a year ago. However, the goodwill charge caused a $40.0 million loss for the quarter, versus net income of $33.5 million a year ago. Excluding the special charge, earnings were $33.2 million. For the full year, consolidated net sales increased 13.9% to $2.030 billion for the full year 2006 from $1.782 billion in 2005. Net income for the ...

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