Shares of Buckle Inc. (BKE) plunged 5.25% in Friday's pre-market trading session, despite the company meeting earnings expectations for the first quarter ended April 30. The fashion retailer reported quarterly adjusted earnings of $0.70 per share, in line with analyst estimates and slightly higher than the $0.69 per share reported in the same quarter last year.

Buckle's revenue rose 3.7% to $272.12 million, surpassing the expected $268.06 million. However, the modest growth and flat earnings per share appear to have disappointed investors who may have been anticipating stronger performance. The company's gross profit for the quarter stood at $126.976 million, with net income reaching $35.193 million.

While Buckle's results showed some positive signs, including a 3% gain in comparable sales, the market reaction suggests that investors were looking for more robust growth and profitability improvements. The lack of forward guidance from the company, as noted by analysts, may have also contributed to the negative sentiment. As the retail sector faces ongoing challenges, Buckle's performance and the subsequent stock drop highlight the high expectations and scrutiny faced by fashion retailers in the current market environment.