Teen Apparel Retailers Mixed On August Results

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of teen apparel retailers were mixed Thursday, when several reported on their sales in August, when consumers limited their back-to-school shopping.

The Buckle Inc., which offers trendy national brands and typically does better than others in the sector, said sales at its established stores rose 3.6 percent from a year earlier. That missed analyst expectations of a 4.8 percent rise, but its shares rose 14 cents to $26.89 during afternoon trading.

Aeropostale Inc., which focuses on lower-priced trendy jeans and T-shirts, said sales at established stores rose 9 percent, beating expectations. The retailer raised its third-quarter earnings guidance. Shares rose $2.28, or 5.9 percent, to $40.86.

Wet Seal reported an 11.2 percent decline in sales at established stores, but its Arden B chain saw only a 1.8 percent drop.

"In our opinion, results at Arden suggest that customers like what they see and thus validate the brand's new merchandising and pricing strategy," wrote Roth Capital Partners analyst Elizabeth Pierce in a client note. She rates the company "Buy."