US apparel company The Warnaco Group, Inc. has reported improved results for the first quarter ended March 31, as net revenues improved 20.7% to $547.2 million from $453.2 million in the prior-year quarter.

Operating income rose 71.3% to $63.2 million from $36.9 million, whilst income from continuing operations reached $38.1 million compared with $18.2 million.

Revenues for the Sportswear Group increased 40.2% to $235.4 million including the recently acquired international Calvin Klein business, the Intimate Apparel Group's revenues rose 15.9% to $175 million, whilst revenues at the Swimwear Group improved 1.8% to $136.8 million.

In light of the better than expected first quarter performance, the company now expects net revenues for fiscal 2007 to improve 6%-8% over fiscal 2006 levels.

Headquartered in New York, Warnaco designs and sells intimate apparel, menswear, jeanswear, swimwear, men's and women's sportswear and accessories under brands such as Lejaby, Speedo, Chaps, Ocean Pacific, Nautica swimwear, and Calvin Klein.