STOCKHOLM, April 15 (Reuters) - Swedish fashion retailer Kappahl KAHL.ST posted lower than expected profits for the second quarter of its fiscal year on Thursday.
The firm's operating profit rose to 9 million Swedish crowns ($1.03 mln) from 3 million in the year-ago quarter, lagging the 17 million expected by analysts in a Reuters poll.
Kappahl's gross margin came in at 57.8 percent versus market expectations of 57.9 percent.
Net sales came in at 1.13 billion crowns compared to expectations of 1.11 billion, and corresponding to a 1.8 percent sales rise in comparable stores. ($1 = 8.7031 Swedish crowns)