British winners to cheer markets: Ted Baker, Burberry, SuperGroup, ASOS...

The FashionUnited Index closed Thursday on 1,221.55 with a rise of up to 27.99 points in a session clearly led by British companies among which Ted Baker stands on its own thanks a 16.6% increase in sales to £103m

Ted Baker, well known for its quirky and relatively expensive approach to younger professionals, and quirky men's suits and tailored women's dresses, posted a 16.6pc increase in sales to £103m in the 28 weeks to the middle of August, with pre-tax profits climbing from £7.5m to £8.5m.The posh high street brand closed in negative with a loss of -3.87%, as gathered in the FU Top 100 Index.

Seymour Pierce has kept its buy rating and 1,650p target price for British luxury brand Burberry, saying that the premium valuation to its peer group is justified, reported ShareCast. "Despite the recent sell off in Burberry shares and the sector generally driven by macro concerns over a potential global slowdown and a hard China landing, we expect Burberry to report strong Q2 trading after a faultless Q1 performance. Focus will be on China's performance and for any evidence that US department stores will cut back wholesale orders for spring/summer 2012," said analyst Kate Calvert. Lately, the quintessentially British label´s  shares are trading on 16.7 times forwards earnings, and while this is above the peer group's (excluding Hermes) average multiple of 15, Seymour Pierce believes that this still "undervalues its long term growth potential."

Meantime, close competitor Mulberry –coined as the new Burberry- left -1.23% at the trading floor on Thursday after the luxury accessories retailer fell more than 7 per cent on Tuesday as the market reacted coolly to its latest expansion. As featured in the Financial Times, the company plans to nearly double its Asian presence to 60 stores by extending a licensing agreement with Club 21, which is controlled by its majority.