Better weather and more customers in the stores helped American Eagle Outfitters produce a 2 percent increase in sales at established stores in April, the first positive same-store sales number this year.

Beating last year's results might have been helped by the fact that the retailer saw sales in stores that were open at least a year dip 10 percent last April. Although the South Side retailer continued to take markdowns last month, the company believes it can meet first-quarter earnings guidance of 18 to 20 cents per share. During the same period last year, American Eagle earned 35 cents per share.

Total sales for the four weeks ended May 3 rose 15 percent to $197.7 million. The men's clothing business has continued to be strong. Areas that are not doing as well include the women's side and accessories.

Online sales rose 44 percent through a combination of more visitors and more of them actually buying, said Judy Meehan, vice president of investor relations, in a recorded sales report.

-- Teresa Lindeman