Shares in cut-price clothing seller Ross Stores Inc (NASDAQ:ROST) were flying off the pegs in after-hours trading after the company's second quarter trading statement.
The shares were almost 11% higher at US$59.11, after the company posted earnings per share of 82 cents, up 11 cents year-on-year and five cents better than the market had expected.
Revenue rose 7.9% to US$3.43bn from US$3.18bn the year before.
It's more upmarket rival Gap Inc (NYSE:GAP) also cheered the market with its numbers.
Adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter were 58 cents, while the company raised its full-year earnings guidance to a range spanning from US$2.02 to US$2.10.
Gap's shares were 5.8% higher in screen-based trading.
Semiconductor industry services provider Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) grew net sales by 33% in the third quarter of its fiscal year to US$3.74bn, and generated a record US$1.37bn in cash from operations.
“With revenue and profits at all-time highs, Applied has tremendous momentum and a very positive outlook for the future,” said Gary Dickerson, president and chief executive officer.
“Our markets are growing with a broader set of demand drivers, and the breadth of Applied’s technology enables us to play a larger and more valuable role advancing the innovation roadmap in semiconductor and display,” he added.
Net income rose to US$925m from US$505mln.
The shares edged up 3.5% to US$44.63 on the results.
Going the other ways was computer games publisher Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:EA) after Zacks Investment Research downgraded the stock to 'hold' from 'buy'.