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SEATTLE (AP) Department store operator Nordstrom Inc. says its profit rose 17 percent in the fiscal third quarter as affluent shoppers started returning.

The company raised its 2009 profit outlook to a range of $1.83 to $1.88 per share from a previous estimate of $1.50 to $1.65 per share.

The Seattle company, which operates its namesake department stores and the Nordstrom Rack discount chain, says it earned $83 million, or 38 cents per share, in the quarter that ended Oct. 31.

That is up from the $71 million, or 33 cents per share, a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected 39 cents per share.

Revenue rose 4 percent to $1.96 billion from $1.88 billion.

Nordstrom shares fell 41 cents to $34.44 on Thursday.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-12-09 1519CST | save this article / add to your favorites list