Defying a depressed economy, Hampstead-based Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. posted record sales and earnings for the fifth consecutive quarter yesterday.

Third-quarter earnings for Bank, which owns 159 stores in 30 states, jumped 42 percent to $1.9 million, or 26 cents per diluted share in the three months that ended Nov. 2, compared with $1.3 million, or 21 cents per diluted share in last year's third quarter.

Based on an announcement earlier this month that Bank is partnering with Amazon.com to sell its complete line of men's clothing online, industry experts predict continuing success for the specialty clothing company.

"They beat our earnings estimates by a penny," said Michael M. Via, director of research at Anderson & Strudwick in Richmond, Va. "Their revenue was a little ahead of what we estimated, and their profit margins were up also.

"They are getting bigger; they're aggressively expanding their store base; and their catalog and internet sales are up. Their competition isn't expanding at all. This agreement with Amazon.com will increase sales, too."

Sales in the third quarter also rose 15 percent to $57.9 million, compared with $50.2 million in the year-earlier period. Third-quarter combined catalog and Internet sales rose 14 percent.

Bank, one of the nation's leading retailers of men's classically-styled tailored and casual clothes, expects to open another 30 stores next year.

"I don't think it's a big secret," said Richard Zimmerman, managing director of equity research for specialty retail at Commerce Capital Markets. "They're offering better quality, better assortments from suits to sportswear to outerwear and accessories, and they've been very aggressive about promoting the business."