Sales in Europe boost Guess

Guess Inc., the U.S. clothing maker whose stock has more than tripled in the last three years, said fourth-quarter profit and sales climbed more than analysts estimated on higher revenue in Europe.

Guess gained more than 1% after the close of trading on the news.

Net income rose 20% to $55.2 million, or 59 cents a share, from $45.9 million, or 49 cents, a year earlier, Guess said.

Revenue in the three months ended Feb. 2 increased 30% to a record $514.6 million. Profit beat analysts’ estimates by 3 cents a share, and the company reaffirmed its forecast for the coming year.

European sales at Guess, known for its ad campaign with model Claudia Schiffer, surged 75%, the biggest gain of all its divisions.

The retailer is opening stores and boosted distribution of its jeans and handbags in faster-growing markets outside the U.S.

First-quarter profit may advance to 44 cents to 46 cents a share on revenue of $445 million to $460 million, Guess said.

Analysts estimated profit of 47 cents a share, the average of projections compiled by Bloomberg.

Analysts predict sales of $447.7 million.

The stock fell $1.55, or 4.3%, to $34.17 in regular trading. Guess has dropped 9.8% this year.

The retailer reiterated its forecast for profit in the year ending Jan. 31 to climb to as much as $2.45 a share.

Revenue may rise to as much as $2.05 billion.