Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. on Thursday said it has named William J. Lynch Jr. president of its online business, Barnes & Noble.com, starting Feb. 2.

Among the earnings projection stories for Thursday, Jan. 8, from AP Financial News:

Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. on Thursday reaffirmed its forecast for full-year earnings between $1.30 and $1.60 per share.

Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. said Thursday that its holiday season same-store sales fell 7.7 percent, while total sales fell 5.2 percent as consumers cut back on discretionary spending.

Weak consumer spending during the important Christmas season likely crimped sales for book seller Barnes & Noble Inc., an analyst said Tuesday.

Book seller Barnes & Noble Inc. could benefit from weakness at rival Borders Group Inc., an analyst said Monday, and upgraded the stock based on its lower share price.

Book retailer Borders Group shook up its top management, naming a new chief executive and chief financial officer, as it reported a more than 11 percent sales drop for the holiday season.

Borders Group Inc., which has struggled along with other booksellers as people buy more books online and from discounters, announced a new CEO and other top managers Monday as it also reported weak holiday sales.

Business magnate Ron Burkle has bought an 8.3 percent stake in bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. through his company Yucaipa American Management, according to a regulatory document filed Friday.

Yucaipa Cos, a private equity firm controlled by billionaire Ron Burkle, said on Friday it had acquired an 8.3 percent stake in bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc <BKS.N>, saying it believed the shares were undervalued.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Yucaipa Cos, a private equity firm controlled by billionaire Ron Burkle, said on Friday it had acquired an 8.3 percent stake in bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc <BKS.N>, saying it believed the shares were undervalued.

US stocks ended mixed Thursday as a jump in oil prices boosted oil stocks and speculation about a government bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and a possible takeover of Lehman Brothers, gave investors some hope that relief is coming.

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it had charged 11 people in connection with the hacking of nine major U.S. retailers and the theft and sale of more than 40 million credit and debit card numbers.

On the first Saturday in August, at midnight, Wordsmiths Books in Decatur, Ga., will be decorated in black and red and packed with teens dressed like vampires and werewolves. What is this festive feast for? To celebrate the release of best-selling author Stephenie Meyer's "Breaking Dawn,” the fourth and final book of her “Twilight” series.