Financial/Banking

Bentonville, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation announced Tuesday the launch of its Partnership for Women’s Prosperity, a move to help economically vulnerable women gain financial and economic security through education, job training and employment opportunities.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot reported Tuesday that it lost $64.3 million in the second quarter, widened from a $29.3 million loss in the same period last year.

Weakened sales in North America and Europe, along with a $23.9 million impairment charge and other restructuring charges, contributed to the weakened performance.

Revenue dropped 7% to $2.51 billion, compared with $2.71 in the year-ago period and missing analysts’ expected $2.6 billion in revenue. Sales in North America fell 8%, and same-store sales dropped 4%.

DALLAS and ATLANTA — The Home Depot bolstered its home improvement selection with the acquisition of U.S. Home Systems, a manufacturer of kitchen, bathroom and other remodeling products, as well as storage organization systems for closets and garages. Currently, USHS serves as the exclusive provider of kitchen and bath refacing products and services as well as closet and garage organizational systems to The Home Depot.

Cary, N.C. -- The Pantry reported Tuesday that net income dipped to $14.8 million in the third quarter, compared with $19 million in the same quarter last year.

Total revenue fell to $2.14 billion from $2.26 billion. Wall Street expected revenue of $2.15 million.

By Merrick Theobald, [email protected]

NAPLES, Fla. — ACI Worldwide, an international provider of payment systems, has named Daniel Frate as EVP global markets and product management.

Frate most recently served as EVP and head of products and pricing at PNC Bank. Building on ACI's product leadership position, Frate will be charged with delivering customer satisfaction through tight alignment of product roadmaps with market needs. He will be based out of the company's Naples, Florida headquarters.

Westlake, Ohio -- Truck-stop operator TravelCenters of America reported Tuesday that net income for the second quarter leaped 37% to $29.9 million, from $21.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue dipped nearly 3% to $2.04 billion from $2.09 billion.

Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the second quarter surged 38.8% to $16.6 million, compared with $12 million in the year-ago period and marking the third straight quarter of profit increases.

Revenue rose 13.4% to $245 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $241.8 million in revenue.

The company said it is on track to open 52 stores in fiscal 2012.