Women's apparel and accessories company Bebe Stores has met Wall Street forecasts with its first-quarter results, but is taking a cautious approach to second-quarter predictions.

Bebe reported a 22.4 per cent net sales jump to $126.2 million from $103.1m in the third quarter last year, while previously-reported same-store sales rose 17.3 per cent compared to growth of 12.5 per cent a year ago.

First-quarter net earnings totalled $13.6m compared with $11.4m last year.

Bebe expects second-quarter same-store sales to be in the low- to mid-single digits range, with earnings in the range of $0.24-$0.29 per share.

The company expects to spend $33m on new stores, store expansions and renovations, information technology systems and office improvements in 2006.

bebe stores designs, develops and produces contemporary women's apparel and accessories, and currently operates 224 stores in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada.