St. John Knits Inc.: The Irvine designer...

St. John Knits Inc.: The Irvine designer and manufacturer of women’s clothing and accessories said profit for its third fiscal quarter increased 40% to $3.5 million, or 43 cents a share, from $2.5 million, or 31 cents a share, for the same period a year earlier. Sales for the quarter ended July 31 showed a 19% gain to $29.7 million from $25 million. For the first nine months of its fiscal year, the company reported a profit of $9.9 million, or $1.20 a share, up 38% from earnings of $7.2 million, or 88 cents a share, reported for the corresponding period a year earlier. Nine-month sales rose 26% to $89.2 million from $70.7 million.