Apparel

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores reported Thursday earnings for the quarter ended Oct. 30 rose 16% to a record $121.4 million, compared with $105.1 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 7% to $1.874 billion, with same-store sales up 3% on top of a strong 8% gain in the prior year.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 was $33 million, compared with $59.2 million in the year-ago period. The drop was largely a result of investment losses and a prior-year tax benefit, and masked growth in sales and margins.

Total sales for the quarter increased to $752 million, compared with $736 million last year.

Same-store sales increased 1%.

Charlotte, N.C. -- The Cato Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 30 surged 123% to $6.7 million, compared with net income of $3 million for the third quarter ended October 31, 2009.

Sales increased 4% to $198 million, compared with $191 million for the year-ago period.

Same-store sales for the quarter increased 2%.

The retailer operated 1,281 stores in 31 states, compared with 1,291 stores in 31 states as of October 31, 2009.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter dropped to $31.2 million, compared with net income of $38.2 million in the prior year.

Net sales declined 2.1% to $453.4 million, compared with $463.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Same-store sales decreased 5.7%.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter was $34.4 million, compared with a profit of $33.3 million a year earlier.

Net sales increased 5.2% to $243.3 million, from net sales of $231.2 million for the prior year.

Same-store sales edged up 0.5%.

Buckle currently operates 422 retail stores in 41 states.

Houston -- Stage Stores said Thursday it narrowed its fiscal third-quarter net loss to $6.9 million, from $7.3 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Sales rose 2.1% to $331.9 million, from $324.9 million. The retailer is projecting that fourth-quarter same-store sales will rise 1% to 3%.