NEW YORK (MarketWatch)-- Retail stocks rose on Wednesday after growth in private-sector payrolls saw the biggest gain since last December and almost twice the average increase in recent months. That sent a positive note to consumer spending after shoppers spent a record amount the Black Friday weekend to kick off retailers' biggest selling season. Teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc. shares rose almost 4% after it reported a 59% increase in its third quarter and its fourth-quarter forecast also exceeded analysts' estimates. Other gainers include Urban Outfitters Inc. , up 3.2%. Limited Brands Inc. rose 3.1%. Gap Inc. was up 2.8%. Nordstrom Inc. climbed 2.6%. Among the decliners, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. fell 3.7% after the men's clothing retailer said fourth-quarter has started out more slowly than it anticipated with a decline in November comparable sales. (Adds Jos. A. Bank's share performance.)
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