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News Breaks December 13, 2012 09:53 EDT VRA Vera Bradley rises after Jefferies ups rating to Buy Apparel designer and retailer Vera Bradley (VRA) is climbing after Jefferies analyst Randal Konik upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold in a note to investors earlier today. There are several reasons why investors should buy Vera Bradley's stock, Konik wrote. The company's comparative sales should continue to increase by mid single digit percentage levels in coming quarters, while the designer's margins should rise this quarter, according to the analyst. Moreover, Vera Bradley can quadruple the number of stores it owns, expand its wholesale business, and widen its footprint in underpenetrated markets, Konik contended. Finally, the retailer's stock trades at a multiple well below that of its peers, according to the analyst, who hiked his price target on the shares to $35 from $22 while maintaining a Buy rating. In early trading, Vera Bradley rose 58c, or 2.40%, to $24.72. News For VRA From The Last 14 Days Check below for free stories on VRA the last two weeks. Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing. June 7, 2013 10:11 EDT VRA On The Fly: Analyst Upgrade Summary Subscribe for More Information 06:39 EDT VRA Vera Bradley upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Sterne Agee Sterne Agee upgraded Vera Bradley to Neutral due to valuation. June 6, 2013 16:22 EDT VRA On The Fly: Closing Wrap Subscribe for More Information 12:40 EDT VRA On The Fly: Midday Wrap Subscribe for More Information 10:46 EDT VRA Vera Bradley sinks after guidance misses expectations Shares of apparel maker Vera Bradley (VRA) are sinking after the company last night provided weaker than expected guidance and announced that its CEO would retire. WHAT'S NEW: Vera Bradley reported stronger than expected first quarter results last night, but its second quarter and full year guidance came in below analysts' consensus estimates. Vera Bradley said that some of its independent partners had previously bought too many of its products, and are now trying to reduce the amount of Vera Bradley merchandise that they carry. In addition, sales of some of Vera Bradley's products by its retail partners have been slow, the company explained. Meanwhile, Vera Bradley's CEO, Mike Ray, will retire, the company added. Vera Bradley's board is searching for a successor, and Ray will remain CEO until his replacement is found ANALYST REACTION: Research firms Piper Jaffray and Wells Fargo responded to the company's news by downgrading the stock earlier today. Piper Jaffray, which downgraded the stock to Neutral from Overweight, cited the company's decelerating sales and management changes as reasons for the downgrade. Wells Fargo dropped the stock to Market Perform from Outperform, citing uncertainty from merchandise assortment challenges and management changes. Piper lowered its price target on the shares to $24 from $32, while Wells Fargo reduced its price target range on the stock to $23-$25 from $29-$32. TODAY'S PRICE ACTION: In mid-morning trading, Vera Bradley dropped $2.35, or 10.5%, to $19.90. 10:14 EDT VRA Vera Bradley falls after results and guidance, levels to watch Subscribe for More Information 09:13 EDT VRA On The Fly: Pre-market Movers Subscribe for More Information 07:06 EDT VRA Vera Bradley downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at RW Baird Baird downgraded Vera Bradley due to lowered 2014 guidance and the CEO departure. 05:54 EDT VRA Vera Bradley downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray Subscribe for More Information 05:48 EDT VRA Vera Bradley downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo Subscribe for More Information June 5, 2013 18:48 EDT VRA On The Fly: After Hours Movers Subscribe for More Information 16:16 EDT VRA Vera Bradley to resume trading at 16:35 ET Quotes resume at 16:30 ET. 16:07 EDT VRA Vera Bradley sees FY14 EPS $1.74-$1.78, consensus $1.81 Subscribe for More Information 16:05 EDT VRA Vera Bradley sees Q2 EPS 31c-33c, consensus 39c Subscribe for More Information 16:05 EDT VRA Vera Bradley sees Q2 revenue $123M-$126M, consensus $136.2M Subscribe for More Information 16:04 EDT VRA Vera Bradley reports Q1 EPS 23c, consensus 21c Reports Q1 revenue $123M, consensus $121.01M. 16:03 EDT VRA Vera Bradley CEO Michael Ray to retire Subscribe for More Information 16:00 EDT VRA Vera Bradley trading halted, pending news Subscribe for More Information 15:26 EDT VRA Notable companies reporting after the market close Subscribe for More Information Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing.