DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
GameStop Corp. (GME) named Catherine R. Smith, the former
financial chief of home builder Centex Corp., as its new chief
financial officer, replacing David W. Carlson, who plans to retire
in March.
Carlson helped guide the videogame and console retailer through
multiple mergers and acquisitions and has been with GameStop since
its spinoff from Barnes & Noble Inc. (BKS) about 13 years ago.
He will assist the company during the transition period.
Meanwhile, Centex was taken over last week by Pulte Homes Inc.
(PHM) in a deal worth $1.4 billion in stock that creates the
largest home-building company in the U.S.
"David has been one of my closest partners at GameStop," Chief
Executive Daniel D. DeMatteo said. "We have shared the difficulties
of a small start-up and the accomplishments associated with the
building of a multi-billion-dollar company."
Last week, GameStop said its fiscal second-quarter earnings fell
32% amid slowing sales of video consoles, tough comparisons owing
to prior-year releases of hit videogames, and higher expenses. The
retailer also cut its 2009 earnings forecast and projected
third-quarter earnings below analysts' expectations.
Shares rose 4 cents to $22.60 in after-hours trading and are up
4.2% so far this year through Monday's close.
-By Lauren Pollock, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2356;
lauren.pollock@dowjones.com