Is It Safe? VF, Polo, Coach Face Stinginess

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U.S. apparel and accessories companies have risen at twice the pace of the S&P 500 index's 30% increase since a stock market rally started March 9.

Investors thought a bottoming of consumer confidence meant VF Corp.(VFC Quote), Polo Ralph Lauren(RL Quote) and Coach(COH Quote) were ripe for stock picking, given that the clothing companies' shares had been crushed. Coach, a maker of luxury handbags, has more than doubled since March 9. Polo and VF Corp., the maker of Lee jeans and the The North Face winter gear, also surged. But then VF Corp. cut its 2009 outlook Tuesday, and its stock tumbled. All three companies will face stingy customers for the rest of the year.

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