Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Burger King Worldwide is in discussions to buy Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons. The two companies said in a joint statement on Monday that the new publicly listed entity would be based in Canada. The move comes as the White House is calling on Congress to take steps to prevent U.S. companies from moving outside the country (“tax inversions”).

The two restaurant companies are currently worth a combined total of about $18 billion, according to media reports.

New York – Ann Inc. is being urged to explore options, including a sale, by activist investor Engine Capital and Red Alder. The two firms, who collectively own more than 1% of the outstanding shares of Ann Inc., are publicly urging the company to sell at a substantial premium above current stock price.

New York - Imports to the U.S. were up in July from June, and there was a measurable year-over-year increase. According to a new report from supply chain research firm Panjiva, July 2014 showed levels of imports 2% higher than imports in July 2013.

Orlando, Fla. -- Florida's retail development market is moving indoors. According to JLL research, nearly half of all retail commercial construction in Florida in the half of 2014 is taking place in malls and shopping centers.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue will open a three-level, 107,000-sq.-ft. store in Brickell City Centre, Miami.

The store, scheduled to open in fall 2016, will help anchor the mixed-use development, which is currently under construction. The project includes residential, office and hotel space, along with a 565,000-sq.-ft. shopping center.

New York -- Foot Locker on Friday turned in another winning performance, posting sales and income for the second quarter that topped analysts’ estimates.

Net income for the quarter increased to $92 million, from $66 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales increased 12.9%, to $1.64 billion, compared with $1.45 billion for the corresponding prior-year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the second quarter increased 11.7%.  

New York -- Ann Inc. on Friday reported earnings of $32.7 million in its fiscal second quarter, down from $35.6 million in the second quarter of 2013. Its results were in line Wall Street expectations. Looking ahead, the company forecast revenue for the third quarter below Street estimates and also lowered its revenue outlook for fiscal 2014.

Total net sales for quarter were $648.7 million, compared with net sales of $638.2 million in the year ago period.

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. on Thursday reported a second-quarter loss that was less than the Wall Street expected. It also forecast a bigger-than-expected loss for the current quarter.
 
Aeropostale, which has lost money for seven consecutive quarters, reported a net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $63.8 million, compared to a loss of $33.7 million in the year-ago period.