New Store Openings, Direct Marketing, and Brand Experience Push Revenue Growth - Research Report on Francesca's, JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Ascena, Vera Bradley, and rue21

NEW YORK, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Wall Street Reports announced new research reports highlighting Francesca's Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: FRAN), JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (NASDAQ: JOSB), Ascena Retail Group Inc. (NASDAQ: ASNA), Vera Bradley, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRA), and rue21, inc. (NASDAQ: RUE). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Francesca's Holdings Corp. Research Report

On June 5, 2013, Francesca's Holdings Corp. (Francesca's) reported its financial results for Q1 FY 2013 (period ended May 4, 2013). The Company's net sales increased 28.8% YoY to $79 million. Net income was $10.9 million or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to net income of $8.7 million or $0.20 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2012. Commenting on the results, Neill Davis, Francesca's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We delivered on our earnings expectations as well as several strategic goals in the first quarter. We opened 56 new boutiques increasing our market presence to 416 boutiques, achieved record direct-to-consumer sales now representing 2.1% of total Company sales for the quarter, and successfully completed the rollout of our new point-of-sale system in our boutiques. Our continued execution on key growth initiatives combined with our differentiated business model and unique brand experience position us well for long term growth." The Full Research Report on Francesca's Holdings Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/bc7b_FRAN]

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JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. Research Report

On June 5, 2013, JoS A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (JoS. A. Bank Clothiers) reported its Q1 FY 2013 financial results (period ended May 4, 2013). Net income was down 45.5% YoY to $8.1 million. Diluted EPS was $0.29 per share, as compared with diluted EPS of $0.53 in Q1 FY 2012. Total sales decreased 2.6% YoY to $196.1 million. Commenting on the results, R. Neal Black, President and Chief Executive Officer of JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, said, "While we were able to control our expenses and improve our advertising efficiency in the quarter, our sales declined 2.6%, primarily in April. In addition, our gross profit margin was down primarily due to higher inventory sourcing costs and lower average selling prices due mostly to an increased percentage of sales of winter and other clearance products. Like many other retailers, we were also affected by the unseasonably cool weather which adversely impacted both our sales and gross profit margin. On the positive side, our Direct Marketing business, driven primarily by the Internet, continued to perform well, with double-digit sales growth." The Full Research Report on JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/3322_JOSB]

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Ascena Retail Group Inc. Research Report

On June 5, 2013, Ascena Retail Group Inc. (Ascena) reported financial results for Q3 FY 2013 (period ended April 27, 2013). Net sales increased 45.8% YoY to $1.1 billion, driven by the inclusion of the recently acquired Lane Bryant and Catherine's businesses, slightly offset by a total comparable store sales decrease of 1% YoY. Net income was $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $0.31 per diluted share in Q3 FY 2012. For full-year FY 2013, the Company expects adjusted EPS from continuing operations in the range of $1.10 to $1.15. The Full Research Report on Ascena Retail Group Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/5cf6_ASNA]

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Vera Bradley, Inc. Research Report

On June 5, 2013, Vera Bradley, Inc. (Vera Bradley) announced its financial results for Q1 FY 2014 (period ended May 4, 2013). Net revenues increased 4.9% YoY to $123 million. Net income was $9.2 million or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $12.6 million or $0.31 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2013. Commenting on the results, Mike Ray, Vera Bradley's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We delivered on our expectations for the first quarter. Net revenue slightly exceeded our guidance, with comparable store sales growth of 0.9%, and indirect performance in line with expectations, while gross margin was slightly ahead." For full-year FY 2014, the Company expects revenues to be in the range of $570 and $575 million. The Full Research Report on Vera Bradley, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/f08d_VRA]

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rue21, inc. Research Report

On June 5, 2013, rue21, inc. (rue21) announced its financial results for Q1 FY 2013 (period ended May 4, 2013). Net sales increased 9.1% YoY to $224.4 million. Net income was $10.8 million or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $11.6 million or $0.46 per diluted share in Q1 FY 2012. Commenting on the results, Bob Fisch, rue21's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Despite a challenging environment which impacted our first quarter financial results, we are proud to have achieved another 41 successful new store openings, gross margin expansion of 120 basis points, and an increase in gross profit. We also feel positive about the continued progress we made this past quarter on our long term goals, which include opening profitable new stores in underserved markets and moving up the launch of our e-commerce site to the fourth quarter." The Full Research Report on rue21, inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.wsreports.com/r/full_research_report/e310_RUE]

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SOURCE Wall Street Reports