Apparel Retail

Pre-open moversUS stock futures are higher this morning, as investors are awaiting nonfarm payrolls for February. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 24 points to 12,263.00 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index gained 1.50 points to 1,331.20. Nasdaq 100 futures rose 1.25 points...

Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported earnings from continuing operations of $31.4 million, or $1.34 per diluted share for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2011, compared to earnings from continuing operations of $25.8 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended January...

JP Morgan has raised the price target on Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) from $55 to $59 and maintains its Neutral rating.

Shoe Carnival, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCVL) a leading retailer of value-priced footwear and accessories, today announced fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010 earnings results will be released on Thursday, March 17, 2011 after the market close. The Company will host its quarterly conference call to discuss...

Citi Investment Research is reiterating its Buy rating and $27 price target on shares of AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN). In a note to clients, Citi writes, "We're maintaining our $0.39 estimate for 1Q11 (vs the $0.36 consensus) and our Buy rating on Ann shares. We continue to believe that...

Analysts at Sterne Agee upgrade Foot Locker Inc (NYSE: FL) from “neutral” to “buy.” The target price for FL is set to $26. FL shares gained 0.88% to close at $19.59 yesterday. More Analyst Ratings here

On CNBC's Fast Money, Guy Adami said that Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) posted a great quarter. He added that it seems that this stock is breaking out, but in order to do that it will have to jump above $30.50. He believes that Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) will manage to move above $30....

Shares of Zumiez (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) have jumped 6% to $27.49 on heavy volume during Thursday's trading session. The company reported a 12.8% jump in its February same-store sales, which was more than 3 times analysts' estimates. The move is coming on heavy volume with more than 650,000 ZUMZ shares...

The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TJX) today reported February 2011 sales results. Sales for the four-week period ended February 26, 2011, were $1.5 billion, up 3% over the $1.4 billion achieved during the four-week period ended February 27, 2010. Consolidated comparable store sales for the four-...

Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported that sales increased 7% to $595 million for the four weeks ended February 26, 2011, up from $554 million for the four weeks ended February 27, 2010. Comparable store sales for the month grew 3% on top of a very strong 11% gain last year.

8am comps today were pretty disappointing for the retail sector. Dillard's (NYSE: DDS) failed to meet comps estimates of +2.4%, coming in at -1%. Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) failed to beat comps estimates of +3.6%, coming in at +3.1%. Target (NYSE: TGT) failed to beat comps estimates of +2.0%, coming in...

  Stein Mart, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMRT) today reported comparable store sales for the four-week period ended February 26, 2011 increased 8.2 percent. Total sales for the period were $80.4 million, an increase of 7.9 percent from $74.5 million in the same period in 2010. 

  Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today reported that February 2011 net sales decreased 2 percent compared with last year. Net sales for the four-week period ended February 26, 2011 were $821 million compared with net sales of $838 million for the four-week period ended February 27, 2010. The...

  The Wet Seal, Inc. (Nasdaq: WTSLA) reported net sales and comparable store sales for the four-week period ended February 26, 2011, or fiscal February, as follows:    Wetseal SSS up 7.6%   Arden B SSS up 3.0%   Total SSS up 10.0%

Limited Brands, Inc. (NYSE: LTD) reported a comparable store sales increase of 12 percent for the four weeks ended Feb. 26, 2011, compared to the four weeks ended Feb. 27, 2010.  The company reported net sales of $670.9 million for the four weeks ended Feb. 26, 2011, compared to net sales of...