Bon-Ton Stores Inc., the department store operator, released its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2009 on Wednesday. The company reported a profitable quarter after posting a loss in seven consecutive quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the company was benefitted by the lower charges and serious cost control efforts by the management.

In the quarter ended January 30, the company posted a net income of $80.3 million or $4.34 per share, comparing with a net loss of $87.7 million or $5.22 per share for the same period last year. However, the net income in the fourth quarter could not manage to meet the market expectations as the analysts were expecting a net income of $4.66 per share for the fourth quarter.

Total sales in the period were reported of $1 billion, decreasing by 3% while sales were posted $1.03 billion for the same quarter last year.

In the fourth quarter, the company reported a lower impairment charge of $5.4 million, comparing with the $25.9 million charge for impairment in the same quarter last year.

In full year 2009, Bon-Ton posted a net loss of $4.1 million or 24 cents per share, comparing with a net loss of $169.9 million or $10.12 per share in FY 2008.