=Dillard's (DDS) skyrockets 17% after unexpected earnings beat

Dillard's Inc. (DDS) stock soared 17% in Thursday trading after it reported a surprise profit, and lifted other department store stocks with it. J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (JCP) shares jumped 5%, Macy's Inc. (M) shares climbed nearly 3%, and Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) stock was up almost 2% on Thursday. Many department stores haven't reported their latest quarterly earnings, heading into a holiday season with both bullish forecasts for sales but concerns about the shortened shopping period. Dillard's stock has gained 32% for the year to date, the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) is up 9.1% and the S&P 500 index has gained 23.4% for the period.