Sears, Kohl's, Vivus are market movers

[February 24, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:

NYSE

Safeway Inc., down $1.72 at $20.95

The grocery chain said that its fourth-quarter profit slipped 6 percent due to the higher costs for the products on its shelves.

Kohl's Corp., down $3.08 at $49.11

The department store chain said that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell as sales suffered during the holiday selling season.

Dillard's Inc., up $5.63 at $57.83

The department store operator said its fourth-quarter profit rose 29 percent thanks to a tax credit and unchanged expenses.

Principal Financial Group Inc., up 88 cents at $27.89

A Sterne Agee analyst upgraded the insurer's stock to a "Buy" rating, saying the company has "solid long-term" growth potential.

OfficeMax Inc., up 52 cents at $6.04

The office supplies retailer's fiscal fourth-quarter profit fell 76 percent, but its adjusted earnings and revenue topped estimates.

Nasdaq

Vivus Inc., up $8.18 at $18.73

A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers gave a strong endorsement to the drugmaker's potential weight loss drug Qnexa.

Sears Holdings Corp., up $9.72 at $61.80

The operator of Sears and Kmart said it will spin off some stores and sell others as it seeks to regain profitability.

HSN Inc., up 58 cents at $36.94

The company, which runs a television shopping channel and companion website, said that its fourth-quarter profit climbed 13 percent.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.