** Shares of La-Z-Boy LZB.N up 16.9% at $40.99 premarket

** Co posts Q4 adj. EPS of $1.26, beating analyst est. of $0.82

** Co also posts Q4 sales of $570 mln, slightly beating analyst est. of $569.23 mln - LSEG data

** CEO Melinda D. Whittington says retail expansion, new stores and acquisitions drove solid results and market share gains despite soft industry conditions

** LZB also authorizes a $300 mln share repurchase program

** As of last close, LZB stock was down 5.9% YTD