Operator
Good afternoon and welcome to the Ross Stores First Quarter 2021 Earnings Release Conference Call. The call will begin with prepared comments by management followed by a question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions]
Before we get started, on behalf of Ross Stores, I would like to note that the comments made on this call will contain forward-looking statements regarding expectations about future growth and financial results, including sales and earnings forecasts, new store openings, COVID-related costs and other matters that are based on the company s current forecast of aspects of its future business. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical performance or current expectations. Risk factors are included in today s press release and the company s fiscal 2020 Form 10-K and fiscal 2021 Form 8-Ks on file with the SEC.
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Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Express Inc. Q4 2020 Earnings Call.
[Operator Instructions]
It is now my pleasure to turn the call over to your speaker today, Mr. Dan Aldridge, VP, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Dan Aldridge
Thank you, and good morning, and welcome to our call.
I d like to open by reminding you of the company s safe harbor provisions. Any statements made during this conference call, except those containing historical facts may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual future results may differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties, all of which are described in the company s filings with the SEC, including today s press release. Express assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.
nasdaq rose 2.4%. the fed assured it would remain patient with interest rates. double digit gains. more analysts expect more gains. a cnn money poll of analysts are expecting 8% gain for the s&p next year. christmas is just days away. retailers are betting super saturday will save the shopping season. the weekend of black friday were down 11% from last year. so shopper track predicted sales this past weekend would hit nearly $10 billion. only time will tell if retailers hopes come true. a survey by america s research group, another retail tracker found that 44.6% of consumers did not buy anything this past weekend. that is the largest share american consumers ever not shopping. interesting. the holidays are a big time for movie business, but guess what? 2014 was a box office flop.