Reuters - Blockbuster Inc , the largest U.S. movie rental chain, posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as it cut costs by closing stores, reducing advertising and overhead expenses.

Reuters - J.C. Penney Co Inc said on Thursday its first-quarter profit dropped 50 percent as the retailer cut prices to clear unsold merchandise, and it forecast a similar profit drop for its current quarter.

AP - Luxury retailer Nordstrom Inc. said Thursday its profit fell 24 percent in the first quarter, as recession rumblings in the U.S. crimped even wealthier consumers' shopping habits.

AP - Department store stalwarts J.C. Penney Co., Nordstrom Inc. and Kohl's Inc. all reported steep drops in first-quarter profits on Thursday as Americans snub apparel to focus on basic necessities at discounters in a challenging economy.

AFP - British Airways said Friday that its annual net profit more than doubled as it cut costs to help offset record high fuel prices while the group offered its first dividend in seven years.

AFP - Aerospace group EADS, hit by fresh setbacks at plane-making unit Airbus, reported a robust return to profit Wednesday and said it hoped to save 750 million euros this year to counter the rise of the euro.

Reuters - Deere & Co reported higher quarterly earnings on Wednesday as soaring crop prices boosted global demand for its agricultural equipment.

Reuters - Sony Corp (6758.T) posted a surprise quarterly loss on Wednesday after a weak stock market ate into the value of securities held by its financial arm, but forecast a bigger-than-expected profit this year.

Reuters - Macy's Inc reported a quarterly loss on Wednesday, hurt by restructuring costs and falling sales, but the department store operator stood by its full-year earnings forecast and its shares rose as much as 8 percent.

AP - Sony punctuated its recovery by swinging to a profit for the January-March quarter from a loss a year ago on its way to a record performance for the fiscal year as it reduced losses from its PlayStation 3 video game business.