Aeropostale Raises Guidance

Aeropostale Inc. (ARO - Snapshot Report) – a specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories, targeting young women, men and children – recently reported sales results for the four-week period ended Aug. 29.

The company’s comparable-store sales for the month of August increased 9% compared to 13% reported in the same period last year. Year-to-date comps climbed 11%, essentially flat with the year-ago period.

August sales jumped 16% to $241.7 million from $207.9 million reported in the same month last year. Year-to-date sales climbed 20% to $1,103 million from $921.4 million in the same period last year.

Better-than-expected monthly results prompted management to boost its third-quarter earnings guidance. It now expects EPS in the range of 78 cents to 80 cents compared to 63 cents delivered in the third quarter 2008. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents lies within the company’s updated guidance range. Earlier, management had forecast EPS in the range of 76 cents to 78 cents.

Aeropostale currently operates 935 stores and principally focuses on young women and men in the age bracket of 14 years to 17 years, and kids in the age group of 7 years to 12 years.

Read the full analyst report on ARO