By Nivedita Bhattacharjee

(Reuters) – At least one cold-weather clothing maker was able to keep its cool during the unusually warm winter this year.

VF Corp (VFC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), whose outdoor gear brands include The North Face and Smartwool, posted higher-than-expected quarterly earnings on Thursday as last year’s Timberland acquisition helped drive sales up 37 percent.

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee

(Reuters) – For all the questions over whether Gap Inc (GPS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) can turn around its business after years of disappointing sales, it might still be a good retail stock to bet on this year.

Some analysts and investors say Gap’s thick stash of cash and cheap valuation make it a good investment even if sales continue to decline a few percentage points this year, pointing to $500 million in costs that were taken out from fiscal 2007 through 2010.

Feb 7 (Reuters) – For all the questions over whether
Gap Inc (GPS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) can turn around its business after years of
disappointing sales, it might still be a good retail stock to
bet on this year.

Some analysts and investors say Gap’s thick stash of cash
and cheap valuation make it a good investment even if sales
continue to decline a few percentage points this year, pointing
to $500 million in costs that were taken out from fiscal 2007
through 2010.