Last week, No. 2 off-price chain Ross Stores (NASDAQ: ROST) reported better second-quarter results than larger rival TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX). Ross Stores posted a solid 3% comp sales gain last quarter, driving a roughly 10% increase in earnings per share. By contrast, comp sales rose 2% at TJX, with growth coming in slightly below that level in the U.S. TJX's EPS rose 7% year over year.
On Thursday morning, Burlington Stores (NYSE: BURL) -- the No. 3 off-price retailer in the U.S. -- reported even better business trends than either of its main rivals. Burlington's Q2 results also dramatically exceeded management's guidance and analysts' estimates. As a result, Burlington Stores stock surged 17% as of noon EDT on Thursday, reaching a new all-time high.