<div id="subtitle">Macy's posts 3.4 percent rise in January sales, credits local management strategy</div><div><p>Macy's Inc. raised its earnings outlook Thursday after posting improved sales in January, a sign that shoppers are returning to the department store after it suffered more than many retailers in the recession.</p><p>The department store operator said Thursday that sales in stores open at least a year rose 3.4 percent in January, helped by its strategy of localizing store management.</p><p>The improvement was better than Wall Street expected. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters projected flat sales.</p><p>Macy's net sales rose 3.4 percent to about $1.26 billion.</p><p>The company also raised its fourth quarter earnings outlook to between $1.35 and $1.37 per share. Analysts expect $1.18.</p><p>The department store's stock jumped 76 cents, or 4.7 percent, to $17 in premarket trading.</p><p>Macy's full-year sales at stores open more than a year fell 5.3 percent, while net sales fell 5.6 percent to $23.49 billion.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68439890&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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