Finance & Capital Management

Walmart is more than doubling the number of veterans it plans to hire by the year 2020.

A month after being named America's favorite home improvement store, Ace Hardware reported record profit in the first quarter of 2015.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies reported an increase in profit and sales in the first quarter but its performance in both metrics fell short of Wall Street estimates. The home furnishings retailer reported its results a day after rival Home Depot reported earnings and revenue that topped estimates.

Lowe’s net income increased 7.8% to $673 million in the quarter ended May 1, from $624 million a year earlier.

Net sales rose 5.4% to $14.13 billion. Total same-store sales were up 5.2%.

Expenses related to a corporate restructuring led Etsy Inc. to report a huge loss in the first quarter.

Hartford, Conn. -- Cyber risks, medical cost inflation, and legal liability are among the top concerns for American businesses of all sizes, according to results from the second annual Travelers Business Risk Index. The survey polled more than 1,200 business decision makers across the country to better understand what they believe poses the biggest threat to their businesses.

Kohl’s is testing the off-price waters by opening a discount store in Cherry Hill, N.J., this summer called "Off Aisle by Kohl's," the company has confirmed.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea has submitted plans to the city of Joliet, IL for a second distribution center – to accompany the center previously announced and planned to open in summer 2017.

In February 2015, Ikea advanced the development of its previously approved 1.4-million-sq.-ft. Midwest distribution center on 72 acres of land already purchased in Joliet/ The company is now proposing another, similarly sized facility on 62 acres it hopes to purchase adjacent to the west of the currently planned first building.

The rebounding housing market lifted Lowe's financial results in the first quarter, although not as much as Wall Street expected.