Retail Sales Rise in January; Outlook Seems Gloomy for Some (XRT)

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Stocks in the Retail sector are mixed Thursday afternoon following retail sales data for the month of January which came in slightly better than expected. According to Retail Metrics, comparable store sales for the month rose about 4 percent, stronger than the 3 percent rise the market research firm was expecting.

Let's take a look at some of the highlights from this morning's monthly results (all sales are from January unless otherwise noted).

Target (NYSE: TGT) - comps up 4.3 percent, shares up 1.2 percent.
Macy's (NYSE: M) - comps up 2.4 percent, stock up 3.6 percent.
Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) - Q4 comps flat despite 16 percent rise in sales. Sees quarterly adj-EPS of $1.10-$1.15, well below the Street estimate of $1.55. Shares down 12 percent.
Gap (NYSE: GPS) - comps down 4 percent but said Q4 EPS will be around 41-42 cents, much better than the Street's current 35 cent estimate. Shares up 10.4 percent
Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) - comps up 3.4 percent. Raised its Q4 estimate from $1.59-$1.66 to $1.71-$1.74, vs. the consensus of $1.63. Stock up 8.6 percent.
Kirklands (Nasdaq: KIRK) - same-store sales up 1.4 percent during Q4. Sees quarterly EPS of 72-75 cents and FY12 EPS of 88-91 cents. Street currently at 67 cents for the quarter and 86 cents for the year. Shares up 8.4 percent.
Ann (Nasdaq: ANN) - comps up 5 percent. Sees FY12 sales of about $2.212 billion, vs. the consensus of $2.22 billion. Stock down 8 percent as the company also announced Brand President Christine Beauchamp is leaving the retailer.
Wet Seal (Nasdaq: WTSLA) - comps down 13 percent, guides Q4 EPS to about 3 cents, below prior guidance of 3-5 cents and compared to the Street estimate of 10 cents. Shares down 7.5 percent.
Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) - comps up 2.2 percent, shares up 6 percent.
Hot Topic (Nasdaq: HOTT) - comps up 1.3 percent, boosted Q4 EPS guidance form 17-19 cents to 19-20 cents, vs. the consensus of 18 cents. Stock up 5.7 percent.
Limited (NYSE: LTD) - comps up 9 percent, stock up 3.9 percent.
Costco (Nasdaq: COST) - comps up 8 percent, stock up 2.6 percent.

The SPDR S&P Retail ETF (NYSE: XRT) is up 0.2% Thursday afternoon.

Tune in to our Retail Sales category on the first Thursday of each month to see all the breaking retail sales data.

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