Neiman Marcus Impresses

The holiday quarter was golden for Neiman Marcus (NMGa Quote).

Earnings at the chi chi department store retailer rose 78% in the quarter, thanks to strong sales, cost controls and a gain from a legal dispute.

In the company's fiscal second quarter, Neiman Marcus earned $59.17 million, or $1.21 a share, compared to $32.48 million, or 68 cents a share, a year earlier. However, without the one-time gain from a tax settlement of $7.5 million, or 15 cents a share, the company's net earnings in the just-completed quarter would have been $1.06 a share. ...