Burlington Stores(BURL) The Motley Fool·2025-03-06 16:13Core Insights - Burlington Stores' stock surged 13.4% following the release of strong fourth-quarter results, settling at an 11.5% gain by 11 a.m. ET [1] Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter sales increased by 4.8% year over year, reaching $3.28 billion, aligning with analyst expectations despite the quarter being shorter than the previous year [2] - Adjusted earnings rose 12% to $4.13 per diluted share, surpassing the average analyst estimate of $3.77 [2] Store Expansion and Sales Growth - Same-store sales grew by 6% year over year, exceeding management's guidance of flat to a 2% increase [3] - The company added 101 net new stores in 2024 and relocated 31 oversized locations to smaller lots, ending the fourth quarter with 1,108 active stores [3] - Burlington plans to open 100 more locations than it intends to close in 2025 [3] Economic Outlook - CEO Michael O'Sullivan expressed concerns about an "uncertain" economy in 2025, indicating a cautious and flexible management approach moving forward [4] - The company aims to be prepared for potential challenges in the upcoming year, reflecting on the strategies that worked in 2024 [4]