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May brought lackluster sales results for U.S. retailers, with discount chains turning in the strongest performance, as consumers again showed their cautious side in a seasonally weak period for spending.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher opening on Thursday as two reports on the labor market reinforced optimism that Friday's monthly payrolls data would be strong.

May brought mixed sales results for retailers, with early reports on Thursday suggesting an erratic recovery in consumer spending during a seasonally weaker period of shopping.

Retailers are expected to show a sizable increase in sales for the month of May, but erratic trends of consumer spending could grow more pronounced over a seasonally weaker period for shopping.

Warehouse club operator Costco Wholesale Corp and close-out retailer Big Lots Inc both posted higher-than-expected quarterly profits as consumers were willing to spend on more than just essentials.

Stocks declined, but sharply cut losses late on Tuesday that drove the Dow back above 10,000 as gains in the retail and materials sectors helped offset concerns about the euro zone's banking problems.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 were down 2.2 to 2.5 percent at 0915 GMT (5:15 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, pointing to a steep decline on Wall Street.

IBM plans to buy Sterling Commerce from AT&T Inc for about $1.4 billion in cash to expand its portfolio of software for companies in financial services, manufacturing and retail.

The Associated Press story on cadmium in Miley Cyrus jewelry has created a scare about adverse health effects of jewelry in both children and adults. However, Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association (FJATA) has come out against the story stating that the agency has relied on private testing conducted by Prof Jeffrey Weidenhamer which they are not willing to share with FJATA.

Chocolate lovers may have something rare to sink their teeth into with the issue of the UK's first ever chocolate bond, where investors can make significant returns in the form of chocolate rather than cash.

Lush green fields greet visitors to the agricultural heartland in India's northwest, some dotted with tall bundles of paddy covered with black tarpaulin, exposed to the sun, the occasional thundershower and rodents.

Discount retailer Target Corp and warehouse club operator BJ's Wholesale Club Inc posted higher-than-expected quarterly earnings as consumers began to spend on more than just necessities.

Discount retailer Target Corp and warehouse club operator BJ's Wholesale Club Inc posted higher-than-expected quarterly earnings as consumers began to spend on more than just everyday basics.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc's quarterly results beat Wall Street expectations, as a curb on costs helped the world's largest retailer overcome weaker U.S. same-store sales, sending shares up 3 percent.

Sears Holdings Corp , which expanded its layaway program to help cash-strapped consumers pay for purchases during the recession, is now helping its customers exchange their jewelry for cash as gold prices soar.

Retail sales rose and industrial production powered ahead in April, further evidence the economic recovery was strengthening and broadening out.

U.S. retail sales rose and industrial production powered ahead in April, further evidence the economic recovery was strengthening and broadening out.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than expected in April, lifted by a surprise gain in motor vehicle purchases, government data showed on Friday.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose more than expected in April, raising cautious optimism that a recent bounce in consumer spending can be sustained.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc is expected to show it is losing shoppers to other retailers in an improving economy when it reports first-quarter earnings next week.

Macy's Inc posted improved quarterly results on Wednesday as the department store operator benefited from a strong recovery in consumer spending and efforts to cater merchandise to local tastes.