St. John Knits Income Rises 31%

IRVINE — St. John Knits Inc., designer, manufacturer and marketer of women’s clothing and accessories, reported a 31% increase in net income for the second fiscal quarter on a 19% gain in sales.

Net income for the three months ended May 4 rose to $8.9 million, or 52 cents a share, from $6.8 million, or 40 cents a share, for the same period last year. Sales were up 19% to $59.6 million from $50 million. For the first six months, net income totaled $16.3 million, or 95 cents a share, 30% higher than the $12.5 million, or 73 cents a share, recorded for the same period in 1996. Sales gained 21% to $115.7 million from $95.3 million.