Easily beating analysts' estimates, the parent of Sears and Kmart stores posted net income of $430 million for the quarter, or $3.74 per share, up from $190 million in the 2008 period. But while Kmart sales perked up, those at Sears stores still lag.
News that could affect stock prices today: Pfizer and India's Strides Arcolab reached an agreement that will expand the off-patent generic drugs in the U.S. drug maker's portfolio; Kraft's hostile takeover bid for Cadbury received conditional antitrust approval by the European Union.
It looks like Walmart is fixing to do for video games what it's already done for toys and books this season. Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) announced it has cut the prices of popular video games like Halo 3: ODST; Rock Band: Beatles; and Left 4 Dead 2 by up to 20 percent.




























