Shares of women's apparel retailer AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) have been taking a hit today following this morning's earnings release. Citing restructuring expenses and lower sales, AnnTaylor posted a loss of $6.7 million for its fourth-quarter.

For the quarter, the retailer said it swung to a loss of 11 cents per share, compared with a profit of 31 cents in the same period a year ago. Included in the company's earnings figures were 30 cents charge related to its restructuring program. Excluding that, AnnTaylor's earnings numbers would have come at 19 cents a share. Analyst, on average, expected the company to show quarterly earnings of 20 cents per share.

The women's apparel retailer also reported a quarterly revenue decline of 2% to $600.8 million, compared with $610.5 million in the previous year, which included an extra week. The company missed analysts' predictions for a higher revenue of $609 million, according to Thomson Financial.

A trip through any mall in the country shows that corporate America is not shy about satisfying the fashion tastes of younger women. There are, however, relatively few firms that cater to the busy professional woman in need of a coordinated wardrobe. One of them is headquartered on Times Square.

Ann Taylor Stores (NYSE: ANN) is a national specialty apparel retailer for the professional woman. The firm operates 887 stores across the United States, targeting fashion conscious customers with clothes designed exclusively for its own outlets. Most signature Ann Taylor stores are located in malls and upscale retail centers. The chain's Ann Taylor Loft stores offer their own label of mid-priced apparel and Ann Taylor Factory stores offer clearance merchandise. The company also operates a pair of Web sites. Competitors include Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY) and Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ).

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported solid Q2 results, reaffirmed guidance for FY08 earnings and authorized a new $300 million stock buyback program. Management also said that it will be launching a new store concept next month, aimed at what it calls the "modern boomer segment." The new approach will involve an attempt to tap into a demographic that has more disposable income, but fewer shopping options, than its younger counterparts.

Despite the flood of women's fashion stores across the country, there are relatively few that cater to the busy professional in need of a coordinated wardrobe. One of them is headquartered on Times Square.

Ann Taylor Stores (NYSE: ANN) is a national specialty women's apparel retailer. The firm operates 878 stores across the United States, targeting fashion conscious customers with clothes designed exclusively for its own outlets. Most signature Ann Taylor stores are located in malls and upscale retail centers. The chain's Ann Taylor Loft stores offer their own label of mid-priced apparel and Ann Taylor Factory stores offer clearance merchandise. The company also operates a pair of Web sites. Competitors include Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY), Limited Brands (NYSE: LTD) and Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ).

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 46 cents, a result in-line with the average Street estimate. Revenues of $580.3 million had been previously announced. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.15-$2.25, versus consensus of $2.17. The CEO noted that the company had become more efficient, having made significant progress in the areas of sourcing and systems. The ANN share price popped through 30-day, 50-day and 200-day moving average resistance on the news and has since begun to define a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with two "strong buys," four "buys," ten "holds" and two "sells." Analysts expect a 15% average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The ANN P/E ratio (20.40), PEG ratio (1.36), Price to Sales ratio (1.08) and Price to Book ratio (2.75) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.

Institutional investors hold about 95% of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&P 400 MidCap Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $32.25 and $45.15. A stop-loss of $33.75 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.

The landscape is filled with stores catering to ephemeral teen fashion tastes, but where does the busy professional woman go for help in building a reliable, coordinated wardrobe? There's a company based on Times Square that knows what to do.

AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE:ANN) is a national specialty apparel retailer for the professional woman. The firm operates 869 stores across the United States, targeting fashion conscious customers with clothes designed exclusively for its own outlets. Most signature Ann Taylor stores are located in malls and upscale retail centers. The chain's Ann Taylor Loft stores offer their own label of mid-priced apparel and Ann Taylor Factory stores offer clearance merchandise. The company also operates a pair of Web sites.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it announced Q4 EPS of 31 cents and revenues of $610.5 million. Analysts had been expecting 29 cents and $605.6 million. Further, management guided FY08 EPS to $2.15-$2.25 ($2.11 consensus) and the Board of Directors authorized a $300 million share repurchase program.