January sales at major U.S. retailers blew past analysts’ expectations as shoppers braved snowstorms in an unexpected sign of consumer strength.
Some retailers, including Limited Brands Inc., Gap Inc., Aeropostale Inc. and TJX Cos., also raised their profit estimates for the holiday quarter, cheering investors worried about rising costs of cotton and other commodities. The Standard & Poor’s Retail index rose 1.1 percent. Get the full story »
