Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF) reported higher profit for the third quarter as revenue showed growth.  Net income for Abercrombie & Fitch rose to $50.9 million (57 cents per share) vs. $50 million (56 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 1.7% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue  rose 21.5% to $1.08 billion from the year earlier quarter. ANF fell short of the mean analyst estimate of 73 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $1.07 billion.

“While our results for the third quarter were impacted by costing challenges combined with greater uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, we remain very confident in our strategy, the underlying strength of our brands and our ability to create long-term shareholder value. Our focus remains on execution against our long-term strategy and roadmap objectives,” said Mike Jeffries, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.

Competitors to Watch: Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN), American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO), The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE:BKE), Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:ARO), The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS), Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. (NASDAQ:PSUN), dELiA*s, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLIA), Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ:ZUMZ), The Wet Seal, Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA), and The Walking Co. Hldgs., Inc. (WALK).

Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE:LTD) reported its results for the third quarter.  Net income for the apparel store rose to $94.3 million (31 cents per share) vs. $61 million (18 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 54.6% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 9.6% to $2.17 billion from the year earlier quarter. LTD reported adjusted net income of 25 cents per share. By that measure, the company beat the mean estimate of 24 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $2.16 billion.

Competitors to Watch: New York & Company, Inc. (NYSE:NWY), Express, Inc. (NYSE:EXPR), The Wet Seal, Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA), Christopher & Banks Corp. (NYSE:CBK), Chico’s FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS), Ann Inc (NYSE:ANN), Coldwater Creek Inc. (NASDAQ:CWTR), Ascena Retail Group Inc (NASDAQ:ASNA), Charming Shoppes, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHRS), and The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE:TLB).

Hot Topic Inc. (NASDAQ:HOTT) from reporting a profit boost in the third quarter. Net income for Hot Topic Inc. rose to $3.1 million (7 cents per share) vs. $390,000 (one cent per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a substantial increase from the year earlier quarter Revenue fell 4% to $175.8 million from the year earlier quarter. HOTT fell in line with the mean analyst estimate of 7 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $179.2 million.

Competitors to Watch: Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ:ZUMZ), Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN), Mecox Lane Limited ADR (NASDAQ:MCOX), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), dELiA*s, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLIA), American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO), Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:ARO), The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE:BKE), Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. (NASDAQ:PSUN), and The Wet Seal, Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA).

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