Shares in fashion retailer French Connection have soared after it said profits would be higher than its prior expectations regardless of the tricky conditions on the high street.
The company said pre-tax profits would be least ?6.8 million in the year to January 31, which was easily ahead of town forecasts and previous direction from French that profits would be between ?2.6 million and ?5.1 million.
The profits surge is due to wholesale outlets and licensing, while its own stores, which account for about 55 percent of money, have performed in line with prior direction in Nov, when sales were down by virtually 8%.
The group posted bottom-line losses of ?24.9 million in the year before but restructured the business by taking measures including the sale of the loss-making Nicole Farhi brand and the closing of its Japanese business and some stores in North America and Europe.
The shake-up left French Connection with its UK and western european retail and wholesale operations, the Great plains wholesale-only women wear range and Toast, its mail-order fashion and homeware brand.
Shares have risen 22% as analysts upgraded their forecasts for this year and next.
source: clothing uk