Finance & Capital Management

DALLAS — Although J.C. Penney reported a wider-than-expected loss in the second quarter on a nearly 12% drop in revenue, small signs suggest that interim CEO Myron Ullman may be starting to turn things around.

The quarter was the first entirely under Ullman’s watch. Ullman returned to the retailer in April to undo the strategy put in place by Ron Johnson, who planned to transform J.C. Penney stores into a series of branded in-store shops.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — TJX’s net income for the second quarter ended Aug. 3 rose a better-than-expected 14%. The off-price retailer also increased its profit outlook for the year.

The company earned $479.6 million for the quarter, which ended on Aug. 3, up from $421.1 million in the same quarter last year.

Barnes & Noble’s founder, chairman and largest shareholder, Leonard Riggio, is calling off his offer to buy the company’s retail business, following a worse-than-expected net loss of $87 million for the first quarter, compared to a loss of $39.8 million in the year-ago period. 

DALLAS — Closeout retailer Tuesday Morning has named Michael Rouleau as the company’s CEO. Rouleau, who was appointed interim chief executive in March 2013, will also continue to serve on the company's board of directors, which he joined November 2012.

SIDNEY, Neb. — Cabela’s Inc. announced that its Cabela’s Credit Card Master Note Trust successfully completed the sale of $350 million of Asset-Backed Notes, Series 2013-II.

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters’ second-quarter net income jumped to $76 million for the three months ended July 31, 2013.

Total company net sales for the second quarter increased 12% to a record $759 million. Same—store sales, including the company’s direct-to-consumer channel, increased 9%.

Comparable retail segment net sales increased 38% at Free People, 9% at Anthropologie and 5% at Urban Outfitters. Wholesale segment net sales rose 17%.

New York -- Saks Inc. on Monday reported a worse than expected second-quarter loss amid disappointing sales of shoes and handbags. 

Saks, which last month reached a deal to be acquired by Canada's Hudson's Bay Co., had a net loss of $19.6 million for the quarter ended Aug. 3, compared with a net loss of $12.3 million a year earlier.

Overall sales rose 0.5% to $707.8 million for the quarter. Same-store sales rose 1.5%, below the 4.5% increase analysts had expected.

Minneapolis -- Target announced plans to open a store in King of Prussia, Pa., in July 2014. 

The new store, located on West DeKalb Pike, will be part of the Valley Forge Shopping Center. This will be the first Target store in the city of King of Prussia.

“Pennsylvania continues to be a strong market for Target, and we’re eager to expand our presence in the state this year,” said Samir Shah, Target’s senior VP of stores, Northeast. 

Strengths in several merchandise categories, including women’s contemporary and advanced designer apparel; fragrances; children’s apparel; and men’s accessories, shoes and contemporary apparel contributed to a comparable store sales increase of 1.5% in the second quarter ended August 3 at Saks Incorporated.

PHILADELPHIA — A favorable customer response to product offerings at Urban Outfitters contributed to the retailer’s net income of $76 million for the three months ended July 31.

Total company net sales for the second quarter increased 12% to a record $759 million. Same-store sales, including the company’s direct-to-consumer channel, increased 9%.

Comparable retail segment net sales increased 38% at Free People, 9% at Anthropologie and 5% at Urban Outfitters. Wholesale segment net sales rose 17%.