Ross Stores Inc. (ROST:NASDAQ)

Ross Stores Inc. said Thursday that third-quarter profits soared 83 percent higher than the year before, beating Wall Street's expectations by a comfy margin. Still, the dreary economy has clouded the outlook for the discount retailer of clothes and shoes. But the problem is the guidance is below Wall Street's expectations.

Ross Stores Inc. said Thursday that third-quarter profits soared 83 percent higher than the year before, beating Wall Street's expectations by a comfy margin. Still, the dreary economy has clouded the outlook for the discount retailer of clothes and shoes. But the problem is the guidance is below Wall Street's expectations.

Ross Stores Inc. said third-quarter profits zoomed 83 percent higher than the year before, earnings that topped Wall Street's expectations by a wide margin. Pleasanton-based Ross earned $105 million, or 84 cents a share, on sales of $1.74 billion.

Ross Stores Inc. said third-quarter profits zoomed 84 percent higher than the year before, earnings that topped Wall Street's expectations by a wide margin. Pleasanton-based Ross earned $105 million, or 84 cents a share, on sales of $1.74 billion.

Ross Stores, Inc. today reported that earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended October 31, 2009 increased 91% to $.84, from $.44 for the 13 weeks ended November 1, 2008. For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, earnings per share increased 52% to $2.39, from $1.57 for the nine months ended November 1, 2008.

Ross Stores, Inc. announced today that the Company's Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.11 per common share, payable on December 31, 2009 to stockholders of record as of December 8, 2009.

Ross Stores, Inc. will announce its third quarter 2009 earnings results on Thursday, November 19, 2009. The Company will provide additional details concerning its third quarter results and business outlook on a conference call to be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. Ginger Jeffers 925-965-4535 ginger.jeffers@ros.com. SOURCE Ross Stores, Inc.

Buyer beware: Before you select a holiday gift, check out a store's return policy. Some 15.9 percent of retailers surveyed said return policies would be tighter this holiday season compared to a year ago, according to the National Retail Federation. "A lot of stores have gotten tougher in recent years on returns. And if it's something you bought for yourself, that advice is just as important.

Buyer beware: Before you select a holiday gift, check out a store's return policy. Some 15.9 percent of retailers surveyed said return policies would be tighter this holiday season compared to a year ago, according to the National Retail Federation. "A lot of stores have gotten tougher in recent years on returns. And if it's something you bought for yourself, that advice is just as important.