Retail Winners & Losers: Aeropostale

Updated from 4:31 p.m. ET

Retailers reported dismal December same-store sales reports after one of the worst holiday seasons in decades, but some teen retailers managed to escape the gloom with positive results.

Overall, same-store sales fell 0.9%, according to Thomson Reuters, the second-worst showing since the company began collecting sales figures in 2000. Same-store sales, or sales in stores open at least one year, are considered a key gauge of a retailers performance because they measure sales at existing stores rather than newly opened ones.

Aeropostale (ARO Quote) was one of the best performers, as same-store sales rose 12%, ahead of the 4.2% decline analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected. The company raised guidance and a Brean, Murray Carret & Co. analyst upgraded the stock to "Hold" from "Sell." Shares rose 71 cents to $20.44 for the day.

The Buckle (BKE Quote), usually a strong performer, also beat expectations. Same-store sales rose 13.5%, even better than the 12% rise analysts expected. Shares rose $1.90, or 9.2% to $22.40....