PLEASANTON, Calif.-- Discount-store operator Ross Stores Inc. said Thursday that a key retail figure rose 7 percent during April, helped by consumer demand for its low-price clothing and accessories. Ross and other discount stores such as TJX Cos.' Marshall's and T.J. Maxx have captured consumer demand for low-priced goods.
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.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, the lowest level since January 2008, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
WASHINGTON, May 9- The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless aid fell last week to its lowest level in nearly 5-1/ 2 years, signaling labor market resilience in the face of fiscal austerity. The claims data provide another set of confirmation that the labor market is healing, "said Michael Strauss, chief economist at Commonfund in Wilton, Connecticut.
*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.
The Buckle Inc. 6.2 pct. Ross Stores Inc. 7 pct. Wet Seal Inc. -2.9 pct.
*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.
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.
*Angry scenes as building owner brought to Dhaka court. DHAKA, April 30- Rescue officials in Bangladesh said on Tuesday they had given up hope of finding more survivors from a garment factory complex that collapsed killing hundreds, as the government came under pressure to do more to enforce building safety standards.
*Angry scenes as building owner brought to Dhaka court. The pledge from Britain's Primark and Canada's Loblaw came after the owner of the collapsed Rana Plaza was brought before a court in Dhaka on Monday, where lawyers and protesters chanted "hang him, hang him".
*Third major industrial disaster in five months in Bangladesh. *Public anger sparks days of protests By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir.
*Third major industrial disaster in five months in Bangladesh. *Public anger sparks days of protests By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir.
By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir. DHAKA, April 29- Rescue officials in Bangladesh said on Monday they were unlikely to find more survivors in the rubble of a factory building that collapsed last week burying hundreds of garment workers in the country's worst industrial accident.
*Owner of collapsed building arrested fleeing to India- police. Rana was arrested by the elite Rapid Action Battalion in the border town of Benapole, Dhaka District Police Chief Habibur Rahman told Reuters, ending a four-day manhunt that began after Rana Plaza, which housed factories making low-cost garments for Western retailers, caved in on Wednesday.
DHAKA, April 28- The owner of a factory building that collapsed in Bangladesh killing hundreds of garment workers was arrested on Sunday trying to flee to India, as hopes of finding more survivors from the country's worst industrial accident began to fade.
*Owner of collapsed building arrested fleeing to India- police* More than 900 missing, police say* Four pulled from rubble alive, four days after disaster By Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir.