NEW YORK-- Standard& Poor's Ratings Services said Friday that it assigned a "B" junk-grade status rating to J.C. Penney's new $1.75 billion term loan. J.C. Penney, based in Plano, Texas, has been struggling with weak sales for some time and recent efforts to revitalize the retailer flopped.
WASHINGTON _ Commerce Department releases retail sales data for April, 8:30 a.m. Eastern; Commerce Department releases business inventories data for March, 10 a.m..
Kohl's Corp. rose$. 08 or. 2 percent, to $48.29. Macy's Inc. rose$. 61 or 1.3 percent, to $47.06. Saks rose$. 08 or. 7 percent, to $11.85.
Kohl's Corp. rose$. 27 or. 6 percent, to $48.48. Macy's Inc. rose$. 48 or 1.0 percent, to $46.93. Nordstrom rose$. 51 or. 9 percent, to $59.00.
Wall Street analysts got ahead of themselves with upbeat expectations, said AlixPartners' Managing Director Steve Nevill, noting that unemployment remained high, and consumers were still worried about their prospects.
*Costco, L Brands miss estimates. May 9- Costco Wholesale Corp and Victoria's Secret parent L Brands Inc reported smaller-than-expected sales gains in April, when consumer mood swooned on concerns about the job market recovery.
*Buckle, Zumiez shares rise as sales top views. That was less than the 4.3 percent increase Wall Street expected. Wall Street got ahead of itself with upbeat expectations, said AlixPartners' Managing Director Steve Nevill, noting that unemployment remained high and consumers were still worried about their prospects.
*TJX: Wells Fargo cuts to market perform from outperform-. *Kohl's Corp: Wells Fargo starts with market perform-. *Ross Stores: Wells Fargo transfers coverage with market perform- theflyonthewall.com* Lululemon, Macy's: Wells Fargo starts with market perform- theflyonthewall.com.
*JP Morgan raises price target to $52 from $46. For a summary of rating and price target changes on U.S. companies: Reuters Eikon users, click on RCH/US Reuters 3000 Xtra users, double-click RCH/US Reuters Station users, click. 1568.
CHICAGO, May 3- With consumer stocks blazing this year, it makes sense for investors to focus on retailers as the U.S. economy continues an inchworm-like recovery. But retail is a fickle business. The sectors have gained 14 percent and 17 percent year to date, respectively, through May 1, according to Standard& Poor's.
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew will meet with Wall Street and business executives in New York on Thursday evening to discuss issues, including how to strengthen the U.S. economic recovery and further reduce the deficit, an official said.
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew will meet with Wall Street and business executives in New York on Thursday evening to discuss issues, including how to strengthen the U.S. economic recovery and further reduce the deficit, an official said.
NEW YORK, April 30- An appeals court ruled on Tuesday that J.C. Penney Co Inc can keep selling a line of home goods designed by Martha Stewart, pending a verdict in Macy's Inc lawsuit to stop Penney from selling the products.