Data & Analytics

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending in the United States rose more than forecast in February as incomes climbed.

Bloomberg News estimated spending would advance 0.5%.

Purchases increased 0.7%, the most since October, after advancing 0.3% the prior month. Incomes increased 0.3%, less than the 0.4% projected.

Atlanta -- Home Depot said Monday it is returning to the corporate bond market for the second time in less than seven months to rebuild its cash stockpile and finance share buybacks.

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company plans to sell 10- and 30-year bonds. It is offering $1 billion of each maturity.

Home Depot is replacing $1 billion of 5.2% notes issued in 2006 that matured March 1, and raising money to buy its own stock. The notes may be sold as soon as Monday.

SEATTLE -- REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) announced 2010 sales of $1.66 billion, up 14% from $1.46 billion the previous year, proving that even in a down economy outdoor enthusiasts will find ways to support their passion. Net income in 2010 was $30.2 million, up 1.4% from $29.8 million in the previous year. The company’s direct sales channel, which includes online and catalog sales, grew by 22.9%. Comp-store sales grew by 8.1%, up from negative 3.5% in 2009.

QUINCY, Mass. -- Stop & Shop announced that it has launched its first mobile application for iPhone and Android devices. 

SAN JOSE, Calif. & KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.  -- Ebay Inc. announced that it has agreed to acquire GSI Commerce, a leading provider of e-commerce and interactive marketing services, for $29.25 a share, or total consideration of approximately $2.4 billion. The acquisition, which will be financed with cash and debt, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2011.

By Kenneth H. Marks, [email protected]

Great news! After a long drought of M & A activity, the market for private companies is showing signs of life and recovery. If you own, operate or advise a middle market company, $5 million to $500 million in revenue, what does this mean for you and your clients when thinking about shareholder liquidity or selling the business? And how can you improve the odds of getting a deal done?

BOSTON -- Sports Authority has been named the official partner of Major League Lacrosse, the league announced. 

Under terms of the agreement, Sports Authority will become the exclusive national sporting goods retailer of the MLL.

In a decision that is sending waves across the national retail industry, the California Supreme Court recently held that ZIP codes constitute “personal identification information” under the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act. The decision, Pineda v. Williams-Sonoma Stores Inc., generally will expose retailers who request such information from customers paying with a credit card to penalties of up to $1,000 per request.