AP - Inflation will be the focus of U.S. stock trading Tuesday, ahead of data expected to show a decline in core wholesale prices and testimony from the nominee to head up the Federal Reserve.

Reuters - Wall Street geared for a mixed start on Tuesday as investors await key inflation data for clues on the U.S. interest rate outlook, with retailers in focus as monthly retail sales are released and Home Depot reports.

AP - The Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest home improvement store chain, reported a nearly 17 percent jump in third-quarter earnings on strong sales, beating Wall Street expectations. The company boosted its earnings per share growth guidance for the year.

Reuters - Charles Schwab Corp. the largest U.S. discount brokerage, on Tuesday said it expects fourth-quarter profit to fall short of analyst forecasts, citing fee waivers, the costs of a new national advertising campaign, and severance charges.

AP - Inflation will be the focus of U.S. stock trading Tuesday, ahead of testimony from the nominee to head up the Federal Reserve.

Reuters - Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., the broker-dealer unit of Charles Schwab Corp. , will pay $1 million to settle charges that it failed to supervise and protect customer assets, the New York Stock Exchange Regulation said on Tuesday.

AP - Inflation will be the focus of U.S. stock trading Tuesday, ahead of testimony from the nominee to head up the Federal Reserve.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Global indicators were mostly negative for North American stock markets Tuesday, while crude oil prices eased ahead of a U.S. inflation report.

AP - Staples Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit grew 14 percent as gains in the office products seller's delivery business and copying services offset slow sales overseas.

Reuters - Off-price apparel and home- goods retailer TJX Cos. Inc. on Tuesday posted a decline in third-quarter earnings, hurt by warm weather early in the quarter.

AP - J.C. Penney Co. Inc., one of the nation's biggest department store chains, on Tuesday reported its third-quarter profit surged 57 percent, which the retailer credited to an improved operating performance and lower interest expense.

Reuters - American Eagle Outfitters Inc. on Tuesday posted a 26.6 percent increase in quarterly earnings, but forecast earnings for the fourth quarter, which includes the key holiday selling season, below the average analyst estimate.

Reuters - J.C. Penney Co. Inc. on Tuesday reported quarterly profit jumped 57 percent on stronger sales and lower interest expense.

AP - BJ's Wholesale Club Inc., the nation's third-largest membership warehouse club, said Thursday its third-quarter profit grew 20 percent on strong sales growth.

AP - Stocks traded mixed but were mostly higher Tuesday as investors juggled a jump in wholesale prices and better-than-expected retail sales.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto stock market had trouble finding traction Tuesday morning as higher energy stocks were trumped by lower telecom and financial issues.

Reuters - Charles Schwab Corp. the largest U.S. discount brokerage, on Tuesday forecast fourth-quarter earnings below market expectations, and was fined $1 million by the New York Stock Exchange for failing to protect customers from corrupt investment advisers.

AP - Starting early in 2007, the Nasdaq Stock Market will be able to display symbols with one, two or three letters for its listed stocks, which now are basically limited to four-letter symbols.

AP - Lawyers for New York Stock Exchange seat owners fighting the NYSE's proposed acquisition of electronic rival Archipelago Holdings Inc. tried to show in court Tuesday that exchange Chief Executive John Thain pushed the deal through his board of directors with little debate.

AP - Upscale department store chain Saks Inc. said Tuesday it eked out a slight third-quarter profit, aided by a gain from insurance proceeds for a New Orleans store damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

AP - Staples Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit grew 14 percent as gains in the office products seller's delivery business and copying services offset slow sales overseas.

Reuters - J.C. Penney Co. Inc. on Tuesday reported quarterly profit jumped 57 percent on stronger sales, but investors were disappointed by a muted holiday outlook, sending shares lower.

The Motley Fool - The rocky road that Ruth's Chris Steak House (Nasdaq: RUTH - News) has endured since going public over the summer continues to pay off. In its second quarter as a public company, the upscale steakhouse chain reversed a year-ago loss to earn $0.02 a share, or $0.11 a stub on a pro forma basis.

AP - Stocks rose moderately Tuesday as conflicting retail sales and inflation data left investors uncertain about the strength of consumer spending as the key holiday shopping season nears.

AP - The New York Stock Exchange said Tuesday that it has fined discount brokerage Charles Schwab Corp. $1 million for failing to supervise and protect customer assets that were managed by non-employee investment advisers.

AP - Department-store chain J.C. Penney Co. Inc. turned a small increase in sales into a 57 percent jump in third-quarter profit, helped by lower interest rate costs and a huge cut in its number of shares, which made the earnings on each share look better.

Reuters - Home Depot Inc. , the world's largest home improvement retailer, on Tuesday reported a 17 percent rise in third-quarter profit, topping estimates, as its installation business grew.

AP - Nervous stock investors collected profits and sold stocks lower Tuesday, wiping out an early advance amid conflicting signals about inflation and consumer spending.

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - Stock markets were lower Tuesday afternoon as investors gave a tepid reception to a smaller-than-expected decline in U.S. October retail sales and suggesting that wholesale inflation is under control.

Canadian Press - NEW YORK (AP) - William Higgins, the lead seat owner suing the New York Stock Exchange to halt its proposed $6 billion US acquisition of electronic rival Archipelago Holdings Inc., said Tuesday his group has agreed to settle the case and drop their attempt to block the deal.

AP - Nervous investors collected profits and sent stocks lower Tuesday, wiping out an early advance amid conflicting signals about inflation and consumer spending.

Reuters - Analog Devices Inc. said on Tuesday quarterly profit fell on charges for repatriating taxes and transferring some of its production.

AP - Teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said Tuesday that its third-quarter earnings rose 79 percent, and the company raised its profit guidance for the year.

Reuters - Abercrombie & Fitch Co on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings that topped Wall Street estimates and raised its profit outlook for the year as fewer markdowns of its teen-oriented clothing boosted sales, sending shares up 4 percent.

AP - The Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest home improvement store chain, reported a nearly 17 percent jump in third-quarter earnings on strong sales, beating Wall Street expectations. The company boosted its earnings per share growth guidance for the year.

AP - Borders Group Inc. on Tuesday reported a third-quarter loss within the bookseller's own lowered expectations, reflecting weaker sales trends.

AP - Staples Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit grew 14 percent as gains in the office products seller's delivery business and copying services offset slow sales overseas.

AP - Off-price retailer TJX Cos. said Tuesday that its third-quarter profit declined by nearly 15 percent, hurt by warmer weather and weak performance of women's sportswear.