Teen apparel retailers shares rise

Teen apparel retailers shares jump as September results top expectations

• On 2:30 pm EDT, Thursday October 8, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of teen apparel retailers rose on Thursday, after reporting sales in stores open at least one year, a key measure of a retailer's fiscal health. Many surpassed analyst expectations.

Aeropostale Inc. sales in stores open at least one year rose 19 percent in September, ahead of analyst expectations of a 12.4 percent rise. Shares rose 22 cents to $43.19 during afternoon trading.

Sales in stores open at least one year were flat at American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and fell 18 percent at Abercrombie & Fitch Inc. Both retailers beat predictions. American Eagle shares rose $1.40, or 8.4 percent, to $18.06, while Abercrombie shares rose $1.77, or 5.4 percent, to $34.43, setting a new 52-week high of $35.20 intraday.

Sales in stores open at least a year fell 4.5 percent at Wet Seal and fell 4 percent at Hot Topic Inc., both smaller declines than analysts expected.

Wet Seal shares rose 22 cents, or 6.2 percent, to $3.75. Hot Topic shares gained 43 cents, or 5.6 percent, to $8.13.

Usually an outperformer, The Buckle Inc.'s sales in stores open at least one year rose 5.1 percent, just short of analyst expectations. Shares rose 29 cents to $35.99.