Financial/Banking

Dallas -- Edge Realty Partners has announced the launch of Edge Realty Capital Markets, which will focus on the investment sales of retail, multi-family and healthcare properties.

Brandon Beeson and Mart Martindale will lead Edge Capital Markets as principals. Steven Smith is also joining the firm as an executive VP.

Beeson previously was senior director with Berkadia where he focused on representing owners in sale of retail assets.   

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe's rebranding efforts and focus on delivering a better customer experience seem to be paying off as the company ended the year with strong fourth-quarter sales and earnings.

The company reported net earnings of $322 million for the fourth quarter, a 13% increase over the same period a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased 23.8% to 26 cents from 21 cents in the fourth quarter of 2010. 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Two months after Sears Holdings Corp. received a $150 million Illinois tax credit for cementing its plans to keep its home base in the state, it announced Monday that it would close six stores in Illinois.

The retailer had already announced in December – two weeks after the tax credit – that it would close 100 to 120 stores, but no Illinois stores were on the initial list.

Office Depot, Staples and Target were among the companies honored as America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises. Produced by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), this award recognizes corporations for world class programs that level the playing field for women's business enterprises (WBEs) to compete for corporate business, according to the council. 

Other companies honored include:

• Accenture

• Alcatel-Lucent

• Avis Budget Group

New York City -- Kenneth Cole Productions' board of directors has formed a special committee of independent directors to consider a non-binding proposal from Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer, that would take the company private.

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Dillard's ended its fiscal year with higher income and increased sales, and heads into 2012 on the heels of a record-setting performance.

The company reported income for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28 of $141.5 million, or $2.77 per share. For the prior year fourth quarter, Dillard's reported net income of $109.6 million, or $1.75 per share.

Mahwah, N.J. -- The Home Furnishings Independents Association said Friday it has selected TD Retail Card Services’ Renovate Card private-label credit card program for use by its 1,100 retail members nationwide.

Dallas -- Blockbuster parent Dish Network confirmed Thursday that it will close 500 underperforming Blockbuster video stores in the first quarter, which equates to about a third of its stores.

The company, which acquired Blockbuster in 2011, said it plans to expand Dish Services offerings in the remaining Blockbuster stores. It currently offers the services in 150 stores.