Dress Barn, Inc. (DBRN), the specialty clothing retailer, recently surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second consecutive quarter as sales jumped 4% in the fiscal-fourth quarter.

On Sep 16, the company reported earnings per share of 39 cents, or 3 cents higher, than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This was a 5 cent improvement over the fourth quarter of the prior year.

Out of the company's two divisions, dressbarn and maurice stores, it was dressbarn that saw the better performance. Sales rose 6% to $253.7 million from $238.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. Same store sales jumped 4%.

Maurice stores grew sales by 1% to $145.2 million from $143.8 million a year ago. Same store sales fell 5% but new stores offset the decrease.

For the full fiscal year, comparable store sales were flat while net sales rose 3%.

The company is in the key

...

Consumer sentiment is on the rise, but should it be? “Trend” investors are being led into a trap by some sneaky bears. Pay attention or they will get you too.

The power of the consumer is amazing. Before today’s opening bell, equity futures looked bleak.

Nuclear testing in North Korea spooked global markets. Housing data showed yet another double-digit decline in home prices. And we are down to the last few days before General Motors’ (NYSE:GM) big June 1 deadline.

But all it took was good news from consumers to get the markets surging by more than 2%. Even though the economic data does not show many signs of a long-term improvement, evangelical announcements of “green shoots” appear more than enough to convince Americans the worst is behind us.

With American sentiment on the rise, it is no wonder one of New York’s biggest movers is smack dab in the thick

...

These days, times are tough in the middle market of the retail business. Luxury companies like Louis Vitton are doing just fine, as the rich keep spending regardless of the economic climate. And discount retailers like Wal-Mart are benefiting big-time from tight budgets in the lower and middle classes as consumers look to cut costs on discretionary items as their gas and food bills soar. But the middle men - companies like American Eagle Outfitters, The Gap, and Tween Brands - are suffering as their customers choose low cost alternatives, or make do with last year’s wardrobe. View the TWB WikiChart on Wikinvest On Tuesday, Tween Brands announced that it will shift its focus from its more established Limited Too stores to its newer, cheaper Justice Brand. In response, investors crushed Tween’s stock price - it fell 17% in that day’s ...