Black Friday deals may not be as good as they once were as they day evolves into more of a marketing event, but that doesn't stop some shoppers from venturing out.

Shares of department store retailer Dillard's Inc. rose on Friday after an analyst upgraded the stock to "Buy" and said efforts to cut costs and improve merchandise are paying off.

This holiday season, J.C. Penney CEO and Chairman Myron E. Ullman III is armed with a lineup of exclusive fashion brands he helped bring to the department store chain, and he's ready to battle key rivals like Macy's.

Fitch Ratings expects sales at stores open at least a year to rise slightly this holiday season after last year's sharp falloff, the credit rating agency said Monday.

By Phil Wahba

Nordstrom reported earnings that missed analysts expectations by a penny but beat on revenue, causing the company's shares to fall in after-hours trading.

Americans spent about the same amount in October as in August and September, according to figures released by a key data service, and they may be settling into new low-spending habits.

By Phil Wahba

Americans spent about the same amount in October as in August and September, according to figures released Thursday by a key data service, and they may be settling into new low-spending habits.

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, Nov. 11, from AP Financial News:

The recession, along with the swift changes in consumer spending, are forcing retailers to respond just as quickly.

The Dow rose for a sixth straight session Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Fed comments and strong Chinese economic data. Financial, material and IT stocks were the biggest gainers.

Stocks opened higher Wednesday as the dollar fell to its lowest level in 15 months and economic data out of China was strong.

By Phil Wahba

Macy's reported a narrower than expected loss in its third quarter, but shares fell as its forecast for the holiday season fell short.