St. John Knits Inc.: The Irvine manufacturer...

St. John Knits Inc.: The Irvine manufacturer of women’s clothing and accessories said profit for its second fiscal quarter, which ended May 1, increased 30% from the same period a year earlier. The company posted earnings of $3.5 million, or 43 cents a share, up from $2.7 million, or 33 cents a share. Sales were also up 30%, to $32.2 million from $24.8 million. For the first six months of its fiscal year, the company’s profit rose 34% to $6.3 million, or 77 cents a share, from $4.7 million, or 57 cents a share, for the same period a year earlier. Six-month sales gained 30% to $59.5 million from $45.7 million.