Quiksilver Gains Most in 6 Months on Europe Sales Relief

Quiksilver Inc. (ZQK), the maker of clothing for skateboarders and surfers, climbed the most in almost six months after avoiding a wipeout in its European sales.

Quiksilver, based in Huntington Beach, California, rose 11 percent to $2.70 at 1:15 p.m. in New York trading, after advancing as much as 13 percent. The intraday gain was the biggest since Dec. 16.

Quiksilver is “quite proud” that its European unit posted second-quarter revenue growth in constant currency while rivals reported declines, Chief Financial Officer Richard Shields said yesterday on a conference call with analysts. The shares, which reached $4.74 in February, had declined as economic turmoil mounted in Europe, Andrew Burns, an analyst with D.A. Davidson & Co., said in an e-mail.

“The report wasn’t as bad as some had feared so it’s a bit of a relief rally,” said Burns, who is based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and rates Quiksilver a buy. He projects the stock will reach $5 within 18 months.

Quiksilver yesterday reported a second-quarter loss, adjusted for some items, of 2 cents a share on revenue of $492.2 million. Analysts had estimated a 1 cent profit on sales of $495.9 million.

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc., an Anaheim, California- based retailer that specializes in surfwear, climbed 4.4 percent to $1.66.

To contact the reporter on this story: Peter J. Brennan in Los Angeles at pbrennan3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net