NEW YORK, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Cosmetics maker Elizabeth Arden Inc (RDEN.O) posted a surprising quarterly profit on Thursday 29 October, citing improved sales trends at duty-free shops and more favorable foreign currency rates.

Photo: shop.elizabetharden.com

The maker of Britney Spears fragrances and Prevage anti-aging cream earned $40 million, or nil per share, in its fiscal first quarter that ended on Sept. 30, versus a year-earlier loss of $12.5 million, or 45 cents per share.

Analysts on average expected a loss of 6 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Sales fell to $265.2 million from $284.2 million a year earlier.

Excluding restructuring and other expenses, earnings were 5 cents per share. The company forecast second-quarter earnings of 65 cents to 75 cents per share and net sales of $380 million to $390 million.

For the full fiscal year, Elizabeth Arden said it expects earnings of 55 cents to 65 cents per share on net sales expected to rise 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent. (Reporting by Martinne Geller, editing by Maureen Bavdek)