Less Than Charmed

Charming Shoppes Inc. (Bensalem, Pa.) report flat first-quarterearnings, despite cost cuts and increased sales. The women's apparelretailer reported net income at $8.4 million for the first quarter,ending May 5 (eight cents per share). A year ago the results were .1million less.

Still, the company forecasts second-quarter earnings at 26 or 27 centsper share. The Thomas Financial/First Call estimate is also 27 cents.

Charming Shoppes operates 1,230 Fashion Bug stores across the U.S., aswell as over 500 other stores, such as Catherines and Added Dimensions.