It reported an earnings per share figure that exceeded the consensus view, had total sales up 8.5 percent year over year and a surprising 4.5 percent growth in sales at established stores. Mark Miller, analyst at William Blair & Co., said that if KSS shares bounced back to their historic price earnings levels, their price would be 20 percent higher than current levels. They closed Friday at $53.82. Analyst Erika Maschmeyer at Robert W. Baird & Co had a similar take on KSS and a target of $68 on the shares. Speaking of targets, big boxer Target (TGT) had earnings that beat Wall Street's outlook while reporting increased store traffic and lower charge offs for bad credit. 
Share:  It reported an earnings per share figure that exceeded the consensus view, had total sales up 8.5 percent year over year and a surprising 4.5 percent growth in sales at established stores. Mark Miller, analyst at William Blair & Co., said that if <span class="company">KSS</span> shares bounced back to their historic price earnings levels, their price would be 20 percent higher than current levels. They closed Friday at $53.82.<span class="sent"> Analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> at Robert W. Baird & Co had a similar take on <span class="company">KSS</span> and a target of $68 on the shares. Speaking of targets, big boxer Target (TGT) had earnings that beat Wall Street's outlook while reporting increased store traffic and lower charge offs for bad credit.</span>...It reported an earnings per share figure that exceeded the consensus view, had total sales up 8.5 percent year over year and a surprising 4.5 percent growth in sales at established stores. Mark Miller, analyst at William Blair & Co., said that if <span class="company">KSS</span> shares bounced back to their historic price earnings levels, their price would be 20 percent higher than current levels. They closed Friday at $53.82.<span class="sent"> Analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> at Robert W. Baird & Co had a similar take on <span class="company">KSS</span> and a target of $68 on the shares. Speaking of targets, big boxer Target (TGT) had earnings that beat Wall Street's outlook while reporting increased store tr Tweet this 

So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said Erika Maschmeyer, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC Penney has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up" Penney's plans for 2010 
Share:  <span class="sent">So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC <span class="company">Penney</span> has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up"</span> <span class="company">Penney</span>'s plans for 2010...<span class="sent">So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC <span class="company">Penney</span> has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up"</span> <span class="company">Penney</span>'s plans for 2010 Tweet this 

saw their sales shoot up. "Last year there was a lot of concern around the fact that they were focusing on gross margins rather than growing sales and market share, which was the opposite strategy of Kohl's So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said Erika Maschmeyer, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC Penney has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up" Department store stocks have fallen since October after a 7 month rally But Penney fell further than its rivals, setting it up for the bounce seen today, Maschmeyer said 
Share:  saw their sales shoot up. "Last year there was a lot of concern around the fact that they were focusing on gross margins rather than growing sales and market share, which was the opposite strategy of <span class="company">Kohl</span>'s<span class="sent"> So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC Penney has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up" Department store stocks have fallen since October after a 7 month rally</span> But Penney fell further than its rivals, setting it up for the bounce seen today, Maschmeyer said...saw their sales shoot up. "Last year there was a lot of concern around the fact that they were focusing on gross margins rather than growing sales and market share, which was the opposite strategy of <span class="company">Kohl</span>'s<span class="sent"> So the fact that they say they can get positive comp sales this year is significant," said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co "JC Penney has been a laggard as a stock and on the comp performance side, so a little bit of this is sort of catch up" Department store stocks have fallen since October after a 7 month rally</span> But Penney fell further than its rivals, setting it up for the bounce seen today, Maschmeyer said Tweet this 

[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst Erika Maschmeyer said Beauty companies like Regis and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into consumers' spending, and forced shoppers to become thrifty when it comes to hair cuts and personal grooming HIGHER MARGINS, LOWER COSTS Gross margins at the company improved by 70 basis points during the second quarter, due to better salon pay plans and commission plans for new stylists Operating expenses slumped more than 8 percent to $5433 million during the quarter 
Share:  <span class="sent">[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> said</span> <span class="company">Beauty</span> companies like Regis and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into consumers' spending, and forced shoppers to become thrifty when it comes to hair cuts and personal grooming HIGHER MARGINS, LOWER COSTS Gross margins at the company improved by 70 basis points during the second quarter, due to better salon pay plans and commission plans for new stylists Operating expenses slumped more than 8 percent to $5433 million during the quarter...<span class="sent">[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> said</span> <span class="company">Beauty</span> companies like Regis and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deepl Tweet this 

[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst Erika Maschmeyer said Beauty companies like Regis and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into consumers' spending, and forced shoppers to become thrifty when it comes to hair cuts and personal grooming HIGHER MARGINS, LOWER COSTS Gross margins at the company improved by 70 basis points during the second quarter, due to better salon pay plans and commission plans for new stylists Operating expenses slumped more than 8 percent to $5433 million during the quarter 
Share:  <span class="sent">[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> said</span> Beauty companies like Regis and larger rival <span class="company">Ulta</span> Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into consumers' spending, and forced shoppers to become thrifty when it comes to hair cuts and personal grooming HIGHER MARGINS, LOWER COSTS Gross margins at the company improved by 70 basis points during the second quarter, due to better salon pay plans and commission plans for new stylists Operating expenses slumped more than 8 percent to $5433 million during the quarter...<span class="sent">[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> said</span> Beauty companies like Regis and larger rival <span class="company">Ulta</span> Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted r Tweet this 

[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst Erika Maschmeyer said Beauty companies like Regis and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into consumers' spending, and forced shoppers to become thrifty when it comes to hair cuts and personal grooming HIGHER MARGINS, LOWER COSTS Gross margins at the company improved by 70 basis points during the second quarter, due to better salon pay plans and commission plans for new stylists Operating expenses slumped more than 8 percent to $5433 million during the quarter 
Share:  <span class="sent">[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> said</span> Beauty companies like <span class="company">Regis</span> and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into consumers' spending, and forced shoppers to become thrifty when it comes to hair cuts and personal grooming HIGHER MARGINS, LOWER COSTS Gross margins at the company improved by 70 basis points during the second quarter, due to better salon pay plans and commission plans for new stylists Operating expenses slumped more than 8 percent to $5433 million during the quarter...<span class="sent">[ID:nWNAB9086] "While we are encouraged by gross margin improvement and expense discipline, as well as improvement in top line trends in January, we anticipate slow traffic to limit results over the near term," Robert W Baird analyst <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span> said</span> Beauty companies like <span class="company">Regis</span> and larger rival Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc ( ULTAO ) have been hurt by the protracted recession, which has cut deeply into cons Tweet this 

The hot air could give stocks a lift TRY IT ON: Buy Urban Outfitters (URBN), said Erika Maschmeyer, analyst at Robert W Baird The company operates several apparel chains besides those with the Urban Outfitters name, such as Anthropologie, and she said most of those posted better than expected results for the fourth quarter She said the company is expanding and getting better leases from landlords In addition, she said, the boutique style of stores is a hit with shoppers, who spend more time time there on average on average than other stores report 
Share:  The hot air could give stocks a lift<span class="sent"> TRY IT ON: Buy Urban Outfitters (<span class="company">URBN</span>), said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, analyst at Robert W Baird The company operates several apparel chains besides those with the Urban Outfitters name, such as Anthropologie, and she said most of those posted better than expected results for the fourth quarter</span> She said the company is expanding and getting better leases from landlords In addition, she said, the boutique style of stores is a hit with shoppers, who spend more time time there on average on average than other stores report...The hot air could give stocks a lift<span class="sent"> TRY IT ON: Buy Urban Outfitters (<span class="company">URBN</span>), said <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, analyst at Robert W Baird The company operates several apparel chains besides those with the Urban Outfitters name, such as Anthropologie, and she said most of those posted better than expected results for the fourth quarter</span> She said the company is expanding and getting better leases from landlords In addition, she said, the boutique style of stores is a hit with shoppers, who spend more time time there on average on average than other stores report Tweet this 

Investors continue to like Kohl's prospects as its stock price never suffered the embarrassing lows of most companies in March and has recovered nicely to the mid 50s this week Despite the recession, Kohl's continues to invest in its stores, adding exclusive product lines, including LC by Lauren Conrad, noted Erika Maschmeyer, an analyst with Milwaukee based Robert W Baird & Co Inc 
Share:  Investors continue to like <span class="company">Kohl</span>'s prospects as its stock price never suffered the embarrassing lows of most companies in March and has recovered nicely to the mid 50s this week<span class="sent"> Despite the recession, <span class="company">Kohl</span>'s continues to invest in its stores, adding exclusive product lines, including LC by Lauren Conrad, noted <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, an analyst with Milwaukee based Robert W Baird & Co Inc</span>...Investors continue to like <span class="company">Kohl</span>'s prospects as its stock price never suffered the embarrassing lows of most companies in March and has recovered nicely to the mid 50s this week<span class="sent"> Despite the recession, <span class="company">Kohl</span>'s continues to invest in its stores, adding exclusive product lines, including LC by Lauren Conrad, noted <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, an analyst with Milwaukee based Robert W Baird & Co Inc</span> Tweet this 

The storm's impact could affect the fortunes of some individual retailers, helping those with strong websites and hurting chains with heavy store exposure on the East Coast Erika Maschmeyer, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co, said that Gap Inc may have suffered from the weekend's weather disruptions because of its heavy presence on the East Coast, while Nordstrom Inc only has about 14 percent of its stores in the region 
Share:  The storm's impact could affect the fortunes of some individual retailers, helping those with strong websites and hurting chains with heavy store exposure on the East Coast<span class="sent"> <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co, said that <span class="company">Gap</span> Inc may have suffered from the weekend's weather disruptions because of its heavy presence on the East Coast, while Nordstrom Inc only has about 14 percent of its stores in the region</span>...The storm's impact could affect the fortunes of some individual retailers, helping those with strong websites and hurting chains with heavy store exposure on the East Coast<span class="sent"> <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co, said that <span class="company">Gap</span> Inc may have suffered from the weekend's weather disruptions because of its heavy presence on the East Coast, while Nordstrom Inc only has about 14 percent of its stores in the region</span> Tweet this 

The storm's impact could affect the fortunes of some individual retailers, helping those with strong websites and hurting chains with heavy store exposure on the East Coast Erika Maschmeyer, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co, said that Gap Inc may have suffered from the weekend's weather disruptions because of its heavy presence on the East Coast, while Nordstrom Inc only has about 14 percent of its stores in the region 
Share:  The storm's impact could affect the fortunes of some individual retailers, helping those with strong websites and hurting chains with heavy store exposure on the East Coast<span class="sent"> <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co, said that Gap Inc may have suffered from the weekend's weather disruptions because of its heavy presence on the East Coast, while <span class="company">Nordstrom</span> Inc only has about 14 percent of its stores in the region</span>...The storm's impact could affect the fortunes of some individual retailers, helping those with strong websites and hurting chains with heavy store exposure on the East Coast<span class="sent"> <span class="analyst">Erika Maschmeyer</span>, a senior research analyst with Robert W Baird & Co, said that Gap Inc may have suffered from the weekend's weather disruptions because of its heavy presence on the East Coast, while <span class="company">Nordstrom</span> Inc only has about 14 percent of its stores in the region</span> Tweet this