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Sales may have risen only slightly on Black Friday as U.S. shoppers sought deals on electronics, toys and clothes, but retailers appeared to have been better-prepared to protect margins against tepid results.

Sales may have risen only slightly on Black Friday as U.S. shoppers sought deals on electronics, toys and clothes, but retailers appeared to have been better-prepared to protect margins against tepid results.

Even before the U.S. economy headed south over a year ago, many U.S. women eschewed clothing purchases for themselves, given tight budgets, a clampdown on credit limits and merchandise that offered little dazzle.

Top U.S. booksellers Barnes & Noble Inc and Borders Group Inc will pay a price for coming late to market with electronic book readers, analysts said..

Up to 134 million U.S. consumers could venture out to shop for holiday gifts this weekend, although many are testing the waters for bargains before they commit, according to a new report.

Philippine power producer Energy Development Corp said on Tuesday it has raised 12 billion pesos ($255 million) from the sale of fixed rate bonds to refinance maturing debt.

As the economy shows signs of stabilizing, major retail brokers are increasingly comfortable with leaving the largest brokerage houses and setting out on their own, according to a company that provides services to the brokers.

U.S. commercial properties getting clobbered today are likely to hit bottom in 2010 then claw back a third or more of their lost valuations over three years, according to a report by Maximus Advisors.

The Canadian dollar was firmer on Monday ahead of key Canadian retail sales data, helped by stronger equity and commodity prices, including a record level for gold, and broad-based U.S. dollar weakness.

When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened, but even more bargain-hungry customers cross their thresholds.

When the U.S. holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened but even more bargain hungry customers cross their thresholds.

The recent deep economic downturn has had a pronounced impact on commercial real estate sectors, but credit availability is the big unknown that will determine how soon commercial markets recover, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

French retail and luxury group PPR is raising upto 1 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to cut group debt by listing its Africa-focused CFAO distribution business in Paris next month.

U.S. retail sales grew more than expected last month as vehicle purchases bounced back, but non-auto sales rose modestly, suggesting consumers remained too cautious to drive a robust economic recovery.

U.S. mall owner Developers Diversified Realty Corp snapped a dry spell of nearly a year and a half by selling $400 million of new commercial mortgage bonds on Monday, with help from an emergency Federal Reserve lending program.

U.S. retail sales rebounded in October as vehicle purchases rose even without support from government incentives, a Reuters survey predicted, which could allay some fears over the strength of the economy's recovery.

U.S. stocks rose sharply on Monday, adding to two weeks of gains, as data showed consumers spent more than expected in October and a decline in the U.S. dollar helped lift commodity prices and boost natural resource stocks.

U.S. stocks opened higher on Monday, adding to two weeks of gains, as a decline in the U.S. dollar helped lift commodity prices and boost natural resource stocks, while data showed consumers spent more than expected in October.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than expected in October as consumers bought more motor vehicles and other goods, but the previous month's figures were revised sharply downward, a government report showed on Monday.

U.S. retail sales rebounded in October as vehicle purchases rose even without support from government incentives, a Reuters survey predicted, which could allay some fears over the strength of the economy's recovery.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the S&P 500 up 0.84 percent, Dow Jones futures up 0.57 percent and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.55 percent at 0925 GMT (4:25 a.m. EST).