Bebe Stores Inc

Gap Inc. on Thursday logged its first earnings gain in seven quarters but joined other California apparel retailers in lowering profit projections more than expected as shoppers looked to bag ever bigger bargains. Taking a cue from customers, many retailers have adopted a cautious mood. Among those trimming forecasts for the current quarter are Anaheim-based Pacific Sunwear of California Inc.

Bebe Stores Inc. shares jumped 20% on Friday to their highest level in almost a year after the women's apparel retailer posted better-than-expected results and forecast fiscal first-quarter profit that could exceed Wall Street's view.

AMONG the many symbolic moments in the history of Rodeo Drive, this was one for the books: Last week, bebe, the women's clothing maker known for $36 rhinestone camisoles, opened a mega store on the former site of Frances Klein Estate Jewels, the elegant boutique where Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra shopped for diamonds and sapphires.

Bebe Stores Inc. said fiscal fourth-quarter profit more than doubled, but it revised a forecast for the current quarter that was at the low end of Wall Street's expectations.

Bebe Stores Inc.'s fiscal third-quarter profit doubled compared with the prior year as teens and young women continued to snap up its slinky clothes.

A year has passed since Gregory Scott ditched Wet Seal Inc.'s Arden B. and ran off with Bebe Stores Inc. The breakup was nasty, but the honeymoon has been very nice.

Women's clothing retailer Bebe Stores Inc. on Thursday posted sharply higher fiscal second-quarter earnings but fell short of Wall Street expectations, sending its shares down 14%.

Wet Seal Inc., which sells trendy clothes to teens and young women, said Tuesday that it had dropped a lawsuit alleging that rival Bebe Stores Inc. improperly hired a former Wet Seal executive.