Tomorrow's Outlook in Today's Market - Research Report on Ann Inc., Limited Brands, Inc., Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc., Ralph Lauren Corp. and The Home Depot, Inc.

NEW YORK, February 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, National Traders Association announced new research reports highlighting Ann Inc. (NYSE:ANN), Limited Brands, Inc. (NYSE:LTD), Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc. (NYSE:FNP), Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE:RL) and The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Ann Inc. Research Report

Ann Inc., which carries the brands Ann Taylor and Loft, saw increases of 9 percent in overall sales for Q3 of fiscal year 2012 and beat analyst estimates after adopting a multichannel sales approach to increase its customer base. The company bolstered its online stores and its Ann Taylor Factory and Loft Outlet stores in an attempt to regain lost market shares from rivals like Gap and J.Crew. The new e-commerce platform is more efficient with simpler and faster checkouts as well as international shipping, which analysts believe would help cut costs and generate more profit for Ann Inc. More outlet stores are expected to come in the next few years, which are expected to bring more sales due to the higher volumes and margins that they carry. Last year, Ann Inc. opened its first international stores in Canada to "test the international waters" for the brand, according to an analyst from JP Morgan. The company is optimistic for further international expansion. The Street rates Ann Inc. as a "buy," citing strengths in stock price performance, earnings per share growth, net income, revenue growth, and return on equity without any particular weaknesses that could counter the positives. The Full Research Report on Ann Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/f148_ANN]

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Limited Brands, Inc. Research Report

Limited Brands posted big gains in the brands it carries, as indicated in its earnings report for Q3 of fiscal year 2012. Flagship brand Victoria's secret saw a 5 percent increase in overall sales in that period, while Bath & Body Works & The White Barn Candle Co. grew 7 percent in total sales. Sales of La Senza, though, fell 11 percent. The company also announced a quarterly dividend this week of 30 cents per share that will be paid out early next month, a 20 percent boost from its previous quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share. However, The Street still puts Limited Brands' stock at a "hold" rating, citing poor net income and weak operating cash flow. Nevertheless, expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance counters these negatives. The Full Research Report on Limited Brands, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/94e3_LTD]

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Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc. Research Report

There has been a lot of optimism for the retail sector, and it seems like the bullish outlook is here to stay. Analysts are expecting consumer spending to rise amid the recovering global economy. But, Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. seems to be lagging behind because of one of its not-so-juicy brands. However, investors are still jostling to get hold of shares because of its much-celebrated Kate Spade label. Fifth & Pacific's fourth quarter same-store sales for Kate Spade increased by 27% while Lucky Brand jeans increased by 3%. Fifth & Pacific could have received a better valuation, but for its Juicy Couture brand's 2% decline which may have affected the stock. There are reports that the company is considering the divestiture of Juicy Couture, and some analysts say that this may be a good move. Fifth & Pacific's plan to hold separate investor days for Kate Spade, Lucky and Juicy Couture may make its strengths and weaknesses more obvious. The financial community will surely jot March 15, 2013 on their schedule as Kate Spade has been drawing a lot of investors recently. The Full Research Report on Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/5329_FNP]

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Ralph Lauren Corp. Research Report

Ralph Lauren Corporation bolted in a lot of good news as the company reported better-than-expected third quarter fiscal 2013 results. Ralph Lauren's net income for 2013 fiscal third quarter increased to $216 million or $2.31 per diluted share. Although Asian sales slightly went down, the company's new stores and e-commerce performance have proven Ralph Lauren's market growth. US and Europe markets helped boost the company's sales primarily because of winter holidays. But, there are reports which seem to point at a significant decline in expenses and cotton price as the catalysts of Ralph Lauren's bull performance. The Full Research Report on Ralph Lauren Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/49e2_RL]

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The Home Depot, Inc. Research Report

Home Depot saw its shares skyrocket to nearly 47 percent in 2012, as it posted 10 percent more profits in Q4 of fiscal year 2012 year-over-year. It has also been actively buying back shares, purchasing nearly $2.6 million worth of shares in the first 10 months of 2012. With a 0.61 debt to equity ratio and dividend safely covered by its free cash flow, Home Depot presents a low-risk option for income-seeking investors. The company also plans to bring in more than 80,000 seasonal workers in the wake of its busiest season, or 14 percent more than what they hired a year ago. This move is expected to bring in 10 percent more sales for Q4, the biggest quarterly gain since 2007. According to a report from Motley Fool, shareholders should expect substantial gains in the company's upcoming earnings report for the fourth quarter, as the Christmas season and the continuing growth in home prices should help rake in sales and cash flow. The Full Research Report on The Home Depot, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/1771_HD]

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