Ann Taylor raises 4Q outlook

NEW YORK -- AnnTaylor Stores announced that, based upon stronger than anticipated fourth quarter sales, including positive comparable sales at both the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands, the company expects to report top-line and bottom-line results for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010 that will exceed the current consensus of analyst expectations and be substantially higher than the fourth quarter of 2009. The company said it also expects to report substantially stronger sales and earnings for fiscal year 2010 over fiscal year 2009. Total company net sales for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010 are expected to be $515