DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Cato Corp. (NYSE:CTR) (CTR) said April sales at stores open at least one year rose 5%.

Total sales for the four weeks ended May 3 rose 8% to$69.4 million from $64.2 million.

The retailer said it expects first-quarter earnings of 58 to 61 cents a share, compared to the year-earlier 59 cents, and maintained its prior guidance for the rest of the year.

-Michelle Donley; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   05-08-08 0747   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.