Finance & Capital Management

The Rite Aid Foundation announced Monday a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross Louisiana Capital Area to help the victims, families and communities across the greater Baton Rouge area that were affected by the historic rainfall and flooding over the weekend.   

Urban Outfitter Inc. turned in a better-than-expected performance in the second quarter amid increased sales and fewer promotions and markdowns.   “Urban has now regained its position as the brand leader for young people,” said Urban Outfitters CEO Richard A. Haynes during the chain’s quarterly conference call.  

Boosted by store growth and crisp sales of outdoor living, paint and lawn and garden, Ace Hardware Corporation Tuesday reported second quarter 2016 revenues of $1.4 billion, an i

Mooresville, North Carolina-based Lowe’s reported modest second-quarter growth. It also had a message for RONA employees in Canada: welcome to the team.

It’s the pizza chain on the rise in the U.S. and in Houston, too, apparently.   MOD Pizza will open 11 new locations in H-town this year, bringing its total in the metro to 15, according to Transwestern, which served as the leasing agent. The fast-casual chain is well on its way to 200 locations, with for 50 new shops in 2016.   MOD Pizza’s $65 million in sales represented a 21% increase in 2015, making it the fastest-growing new food chain in the U.S., according to Nation’s Restaurant News.

Target Corp. on Wednesday reported second quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street expectations, but the discounter lowered its guidance for the full year amid declining sales and what it called a “difficult retail environment.”   Net income for the quarter was $680 million, or $1.16 cents per share, versus $753 million, or $1.18 per share in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted per-share earnings were $1.23, easily outdistancing analysts’ projections of $1.12.   

American Eagle Outfitters’ profit, revenue and same-store sales increased in the second quarter, with its results topping expectations.   The chain posted a profit of $41.6 million for the quarter, up 25% from $33.3 million in the year-ago quarter.   Total net revenue increased 3% to $823 million, from $797 million in the year-ago period.   Consolidated same-store sales increased 3%.   

The big get bigger.   The Home Depot reported record sales and net income as it revised upward its expectations for the full year.   The world’s largest home improvement retailer Tuesday morning posted second quarter sales of $26.5 billion, up 6.6% from the second quarter a year ago. Comparable store sales were up 4.7%, and up 5.4% in the U.S.   Net earnings were $2.4 billion, up from $2.2 billion.