The Cato Corporation (CATO) 10-K 2006 FY Annual report

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT

I, John P. D. Cato, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Cato Corporation, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that on the date of this Certification:

1.	the Annual Report onForm 10-K of the Company for the annual period ended January 28, 2006 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: April 11, 2006

/s/  John P. D. Cato

John P. D. Cato

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

52