Sterling Group (HKG:1825) expects a net loss of between HK$7.2 million and HK$8 million for the six months ended Sept. 30, compared with a net profit of HK$3.2 million a year prior, a Wednesday Hong Kong bourse filing said.

Shares of the apparel manufacturer were up 13% in Thursday afternoon trading.

The firm attributed the forecast to a drop in sales and gross profit.