Abercrombie & Fitch reported third quarter results that topped market expectations pushing the stock price up 17 percent before the opening bell Tuesday morning.

Net sales in the third quarter ended Nov. 1 rose 7 percent to $1.3 billion, from $1.2 billion in the year-ago period. Comparable sales increased 3 percent.

Sales at the Abercrombie brand were down 2 percent to $617.3 million, from $629.8 million in the year ago quarter. But sales at the Hollister brand rose 16 percent to $673.3 million from $579.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

Operating income for the quarter slipped to $155 million from $179 million a year earlier. And operating margin decreased to 12 percent from 14.8 percent.

Net income per diluted share tallied $2.36, down from $2.50 a year earlier.

The New Albany,

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