Gap Inc has offered an upbeat profit outlook for its third quarter as the US clothing chain announced a solid October increase for a key sales yardstick that surpassed analysts’ expectations. Shares of the clothing seller surged in after-hours trading on Thursday after the results were reported. The San Francisco-based chain, which owns the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta and Intermix brands, saw a four per cent increase in revenue at stores open a year. The resul
ts beat expectations for a 0.1 per cent gain, according to Thomson Reuters.
The increase followed an unexpected drop in sales in September that threatened to stall momentum that Gap had enjoyed since early last year.
Gap has been invigorating sales with more brightly coloured clothing, designer collaborations and livelier stores.
For the third quarter, which ended on November 2, net sales increased three per cent to $US3.98 billion ($A4.22 billion).
Revenue at stores open at least a year rose one per cent.
The company’s said that all three of its global brands generated sales gain for October.
By division, Gap’s global division posted a five per cent increase in revenue at stores open at least a year, while Banana Republic’s rose one per cent.
Old Navy had a two per cent increase in revenue at stores opened at least a year.
Gap said it expected earnings per share for the third quarter to be in the range of 70 cents to 71 cents.
That’s above Wall Street analysts’ previous prediction of 66 cents per share, according to FactSet estimates.
Gap is expected to report its final third-quarter results on November 21.
Shares of the company surged nearly eight per cent to $40.75 in after-hours trading on Thursday after the results were announced.
During regular trading, the stock fell 27 cents to $US37.75.
AP
