Ross ups Q4 outlook after strong December

Pleasanton, Calif. Ross Stores boosted its fourth-quarter outlook Thursday after posting sharply higher December sales than expected. Ross said its December same-store sales climbed 12% from 2008, nearly twice analysts’ estimates.

Executives of the chain said same-store sales will likely climb 6% to 7% in January, up from a previous forecast for a rise of 4% to 5%