Buckle 3Q profit rises 9 pct as online sales gain

Associated Press

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Buckle's net income climbed 9 percent in its fiscal third quarter, buoyed by higher online sales and strength in a key revenue figure.

The Kearney, Neb., retailer, which sells clothing, accessories and footwear mainly to teens and young people, reported Thursday that it earned $41.9 million, or 88 cents per share, for the three months ended Oct. 27. That compared with $38.3 million, or 81 cents per share, a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by FactSet, on average, expected 84 cents per share.

Revenue for the period increased 4 percent to $284.1 million from $273.4 million. Wall Street predicted $282.8 million in revenue.

Revenue at stores open at least a year rose 2.4 percent. This is a key measure of a retailer's health, because it measures growth at continuing locations, excluding results from stores recently opened or closed.

Online sales climbed 3.8 percent. These sales are not included in revenue at stores open at least a year.

Buckle Inc. currently has 441 stores in 43 states. Shares closed Wednesday at $47.74, up about 17 percent since the start of the year.