Hines Horticulture Has Strong Sales in Quarter

Hines Horticulture Inc. said Monday that sales at stores open at least a year increased 7% in the third quarter, including a 13% gain in September. The results exclude the effect of acquisitions.

Total sales for the Irvine commercial nursery operator rose 39% to $63.4 million for the quarter.

Hines said the strong gains were driven largely by store service programs with big-box retailers.

The stock, which has fallen nearly 44% this year, was off 31 cents, closing at $4.75 a share in Nasdaq trading.