Deutsche analyst says, "Over the next year Saks plans to invest in inventory, the internet, marketing, and technology to drive financial improvement. 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="analyst">Deutsche</span> analyst says, "Over the next year <span class="company">Saks</span> plans to invest in inventory, the internet, marketing, and technology to drive financial improvement.</span> Tweet this 

While the S&P's retail index has risen 80 percent since last March when the stock markets began rising again, analysts said the retailers' shares remain undervalued Macy's shares rose 167 percent and Saks rose 291 percent in the same period, recovering after shriveling in the preceding months But the current choppiness of the broader stock markets could stop any stock surges in their tracks "The market is dysfunctional right now," said Richard Hastings, an analyst with Global Hunter Securities (Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Gary Hill ) 
Share:  While the S&P's retail index has risen 80 percent since last March when the stock markets began rising again, analysts said the retailers' shares remain undervalued Macy's shares rose 167 percent and <span class="company">Saks</span> rose 291 percent in the same period, recovering after shriveling in the preceding months But the current choppiness of the broader stock markets could stop any stock surges in their tracks<span class="sent"> "The market is dysfunctional right now," said <span class="analyst">Richard Hastings</span>, an analyst with Global Hunter Securities (Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Gary Hill )</span> Tweet this 

While the S&P's retail index has risen 80 percent since last March when the stock markets began rising again, analysts said the retailers' shares remain undervalued Macy's shares rose 167 percent and Saks rose 291 percent in the same period, recovering after shriveling in the preceding months But the current choppiness of the broader stock markets could stop any stock surges in their tracks "The market is dysfunctional right now," said Richard Hastings, an analyst with Global Hunter Securities (Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Gary Hill ) 
Share:  While the S&P's retail index has risen 80 percent since last March when the stock markets began rising again, analysts said the retailers' shares remain undervalued Macy's shares rose 167 percent and <span class="company">Saks</span> rose 291 percent in the same period, recovering after shriveling in the preceding months But the current choppiness of the broader stock markets could stop any stock surges in their tracks<span class="sent"> "The market is dysfunctional right now," said <span class="analyst">Richard Hastings</span>, an analyst with Global Hunter Securities (Reporting by Phil Wahba; Editing by Gary Hill )</span> Tweet this 

Saks Inc ( SKS , Analyst Report ) reported total sales of $393.6 million for the month of , which was 11.1% higher than $354.4 million in the same period a year ago. The company's comparable store sales grew 99% for the five weeks ended , 2010, as it benefited from a designer clearance event During the five week period, the company saw growth in women's designer and "gold range" apparel, men's sportswear, women's shoes, and handbags 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="company">Saks</span> Inc ( SKS , Analyst Report ) reported total sales of $393.6 million for the month of , which was 11.1% higher than $354.4 million in the same period a year ago. </span> The company's comparable store sales grew 99% for the five weeks ended , 2010, as it benefited from a designer clearance event During the five week period, the company saw growth in women's designer and "gold range" apparel, men's sportswear, women's shoes, and handbags Tweet this 

But there are exceptions and Saks ( ) will be one Saks, the high end retailer led by its namesake flagship chain, Saks Fifth Avenue, is fortunate If we were in the midst of a mild pullback in spending, you might expect to see an improvement in sales among mid retail stores first and then high end retailers after that 
Share:  <span class="sent">But there are exceptions and <span class="company">Saks</span> ( ) will be one <span class="company">Saks</span>, the high end retailer led by its namesake flagship chain, <span class="company">Saks</span> Fifth Avenue, is fortunate</span> If we were in the midst of a mild pullback in spending, you might expect to see an improvement in sales among mid retail stores first and then high end retailers after that Tweet this 

The fourth quarter loss, excluding some items, is predicted to narrow to 7 cents a share from 52 cents a year ago, based on analysts' average estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Saks reiterated today its forecast for a "high single digit" decline in fourth quarter comparable sales, in percentage terms. "Saks is on the right track by keeping their inventories lean and returning to exclusivity, and not discounting the product like they did this time last year, which inflated the sales number then," said Bill Dreher , an analyst with Deutsche Bank AG in New York who recommends buying the shares. To contact the reporter on this story: Cotten Timberlake in Washington at ctimberlake@bloomberg.net . 
Share:  The fourth quarter loss, excluding some items, is predicted to narrow to 7 cents a share from 52 cents a year ago, based on analysts' average estimate in a Bloomberg survey. <span class="company">Saks</span> reiterated today its forecast for a "high single digit" decline in fourth quarter comparable sales, in percentage terms. <span class="sent"> "<span class="company">Saks</span> is on the right track by keeping their inventories lean and returning to exclusivity, and not discounting the product like they did this time last year, which inflated the sales number then," said <span class="analyst">Bill Dreher</span> , an analyst with Deutsche Bank AG in New York who recommends buying the shares. </span> To contact the reporter on this story: Cotten Timberlake in Washington at ctimberlake@bloomberg.net . ...<span class="company">Saks</span> reiterated today its forecast for a "high single digit" decline in fourth quarter comparable sales, in percentage terms. <span class="sent"> "<span class="company">Saks</span> is on the right track by keeping their inventories lean and returning to exclusivity, and not discounting the product like they did this time last year, which inflated the sales number then," said <span class="analyst">Bill Dreher</span> , an analyst with Deutsche Bank AG in New York who recommends buying the shares. </span> To contact the reporter on this story: Cotten Timberlake in Washington at ctimberlake@bloomberg.net . Tweet this 

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) , When U.S retail chains report November sales this week, investors will learn whether they have gone far enough to protect profits against a weak start to the holiday shopping season. Early data on weekend shopping from U.S. Thanksgiving Day on Thursday through Sunday showed a slight increase in retail sales, pressuring shares from Wal Mart Stores Inc ( WMT.N ) to J.C. Penney ( JCP.N ) and Saks Inc ( SKS.N ). To get a clearer picture of how holiday sales are faring, analysts said they are waiting for retailers to release their own sales figures on Wednesday and Thursday. "This November, (same store) sales are going to be incredibly important to gauge the state of consumer spending, and thus fourth quarter earnings and stock trajectory, and it's also an important statement about the economic recovery," said Deutsche Bank analyst Bill Dreher.  
Share:  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) , When U.S retail chains report November sales this week, investors will learn whether they have gone far enough to protect profits against a weak start to the holiday shopping season. Early data on weekend shopping from U.S. Thanksgiving Day on Thursday through Sunday showed a slight increase in retail sales, pressuring shares from Wal Mart Stores Inc ( WMT.N ) to J.C. Penney ( JCP.N ) and <span class="company">Saks</span> Inc ( SKS.N ). To get a clearer picture of how holiday sales are faring, analysts said they are waiting for retailers to release their own sales figures on Wednesday and Thursday. <span class="sent"> "This November, (same store) sales are going to be incredibly important to gauge the state of consumer spending, and thus fourth quarter earnings and stock trajectory, and it's also an important statement about the economic recovery," said Deutsche Bank analyst <span class="analyst">Bill Dreher</span>. </span> Tweet this 

"The market has had a negative bias toward the state of consumer spending," said Bill Dreher, senior analyst at Deutsche Bank. "We continue to believe that there are pockets of strength with discount retailing doing very well, with select luxury retailers doing very well, like Nordstrom ( JWN.N ) and Saks, which have brought down their price points." . Specialty apparel chains, however, may face another tough year as they relied on heavy promotions to draw shoppers. "Going through the mall on Friday, the stores that had not been doing as well. 
Share:  <span class="sent">"The market has had a negative bias toward the state of consumer spending," said <span class="analyst">Bill Dreher</span>, senior analyst at Deutsche Bank. "We continue to believe that there are pockets of strength with discount retailing doing very well, with select luxury retailers doing very well, like Nordstrom ( JWN.N ) and <span class="company">Saks</span>, which have brought down their price points." . </span> Specialty apparel chains, however, may face another tough year as they relied on heavy promotions to draw shoppers. "Going through the mall on Friday, the stores that had not been doing as well. Tweet this 

Fitch Ratings director Monica Aggarwal, who tracks high end retailers such as Saks Inc., Nordstrom Inc and Neiman Marcus Inc., thinks holiday sales for luxury stores could be even lower than the 4% year over year decline anticipated for department stores as a whole.  
Share:  <span class="sent">Fitch Ratings director <span class="analyst">Monica Aggarwal</span>, who tracks high end retailers such as <span class="company">Saks</span> Inc., Nordstrom Inc and Neiman Marcus Inc., thinks holiday sales for luxury stores could be even lower than the 4% year over year decline anticipated for department stores as a whole. </span> Tweet this