Finish Line EPS Up 25%, Outlook Weak; Gart Steps In

Finish Line (

) stayed on the fast track in the fourth quarter as consumers continued to spend freely on pricey athletic shoes, but the coming fiscal year looks bumpy. The athletic shoe retailer reported earnings before the bell Friday of 81 cents a share, up 25% vs. a year earlier and in line with views. It was the fourth straight quarter of double-digit profit growth. Sales rose nearly 19% to $456.3 million, above analyst forecasts.