Finish Line profit rises, forecast below estimates

, 7:40 a.m. EDT By Anne Pallivathuckal Finish Line Inc.'s (NASDAQ:FINL) fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 22% as strong digital sales contributed to the athletic outfitter's improved margins. The fortunes of Finish Line and its retailing peer Foot Locker Inc. (FL) have been bolstered of late as new product launches and innovation from Nike Inc. (NKE), Adidas AG (ADDYY, ADS.XE) and Under Armour Inc. (UA) help to drive consumer interest in the running, basketball and lifestyle categories. Analysts had been bullish about Finish Line's prospects heading into fiscal 2013, as they touted an expected focus on licensed apparel, product launches