Lululemon Profit Tops Estimates as Winter Clothes Lift Sales

VANCOUVER, Canada — Lululemon Athletica Inc., the yogawear retailer, reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped analysts' estimates as winter clothes drew customers during the holiday season.

Net income in the quarter ended Feb. 1 rose to $110.9 million, or 78 cents a share, from $109.7 million, or 75 cents, a year earlier, the Vancouver-based company said in a statement Thursday. Analysts projected 73 cents, the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Full-year profit will be $1.85 to $1.90 a share.

Products including oversized sweaters and puffy coats helped give Lululemon a strong holiday season. Chief Executive Officer Laurent Potdevin is now working to maintain the sales growth by adding more seasonal and streetwear products to the retailer's core mix of yoga pants and athletic tops.

The company is also looking to expand internationally and opened its first men’s store last year, an opportunity that may be worth $1 billion, the company has said.

Lululemon shares fell 3.7 percent to $60.96 at the close in New York Wednesday. The stock has gained 9.3 percent this year.

By: Lindsey Rupp; editors: Nick Turner; James Callan and Thomas Mulier.