Barnes & Noble managed to post net income of $3.8 million for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2019, compared to a loss of $125.5 million in fiscal 2018. The improvement came despite a 3.0% revenue decline compared to fiscal 2018, with sales falling to $3.55 billion in fiscal 2019. The improved profit picture was due in part to a $50 million reduction in expenses. Same store sales for the year declined 1.9%.

In its release announcing results for what is certainly B&N’s last full year financial report before it is taken private by Elliott Advisors, the company disclosed little detail about the full year or fourth quarter performance. It also chose not to hold an analysts' conference call.

The company did break out the performance of its retail and Nook operations, however. The retail group, which includes BN.com and Sterling Publishing, had a 2.6% sales decline from fiscal 2018, to $3.48 billion, but had an operating profit of almost $23 million compared to a loss of $119 million a year ago. Nook sales fell 17.1%, to $92.1 million, but its net loss was cut to $6.4 million, from $8.5 million.