Financial/Banking

PHOENIX — Ahead of its analyst and investor presentation Thursday, PetSmart announced that it is raising its third quarter guidance.

The company said it now expects earnings per share for the third quarter to range from 46 cents to 48 cents. Initial guidance called for an EPS range of 41 cents to 45 cents. For the full year, earnings per share guidance is increasing to $2.46 to $2.52 from a previous range of $2.40 to $2.48.

Armonk, N.Y. -- Jewelry will be one of the brightest categories for U.S. retailers this holiday season, according to a new analytics-based forecast by IBM. Jewelry sales are set to hit $2.6 billion In November, up 7.7% over the year-ago period, IBM reported, and $5.4 billion in December, up 4% over last year.

ST. LOUIS — Ralcorp Holdings announced that Robert Vitale will serve as CFO Post Holdings in conjunction with the previously announced separation of Ralcorp and the Post cereal business.  Vitale will join Post effective Nov. 1.

Columbia, S.C. -- Edens & Avant announced Tuesday that it has closed on the refinancing of its $350 million unsecured revolving credit facility and $30 million unsecured working capital line.

Both will mature in September 2014, but include two, one-year extensions that could extend both facilities through September 2016.

Norwalk, Conn. -- A report released Wednesday by GE Capital found that the majority of retail CFOs are fairly optimistic about their industry, even though the outlook for the economy has soured.

According to the GE Capital Middle-Market CFO Survey, 58% of retail CFOs believe their revenues will increase in 2011. However, that has dropped from 80% in the first quarter. Less than half – 42% -- expect to increase capital expenditures, up from 38% in the first quarter.

Dallas -- Zale Corp. said Wednesday that it has named Thomas A. Haubenstricker as senior VP and CFO, effective Oct. 17.

Haubenstricker joins Zale from Turnberry Advisors where he served as a managing director.

Commerce, Calif. -- Discounter 99 Cents Only Stores said Tuesday it has agreed to be acquired by a group of investors including its founding family, Ares Management and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board for $1.6 billion in cash.

The announcement ends a months-long sales process, which started with a takeover offer from Leonard Green & Partners in March.

New York City -- The Conference Board Employment Trends Index, released Tuesday, showed a decrease in September to 100.95, down from the revised figure of 101.37 in August. The September figure is up 4.4% from the same month a year ago.