Macy's profit beats on stronger sales (M) is reporting a stronger-than-expected profit for its latest quarter as the department store chain benefited from stronger sales. Its shares rose more than 5 percent in premarket trading. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based chain says it earned $177 million, or 47 cents per share for the period ended Nov. 2. That compares with $145 million, or 36 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 3 percent to $6.28 billion. Analysts expected earnings per share of 39 cents on revenue of $6.19 billion. Revenue at stores opened at least a year, a key metric, was up 3.5 percent. Macy's, the first of the major retailers to report third-quarter results, has been a standout among its peers throughout the economic recovery. The chain has been reaping the benefits of its strategy of tailoring merchandise to local markets.