Autozone; Macy's; Target; Domino's; Office Depot; Radio Shack; Nordstrom; IBM

Does anyone see the common thread in all these earnings reports? Tough times and getting worse...

Less DIY, more commercial repairs... Autozone, topped by a nickel; the largest U.S. auto-parts retailer,

said Q3 profit rose 3.6% and revenue +3%, as it offset a soft retail market (same store sales -0.3%) with more sales to commercial repair shops. .

Lower sales, higher cuts & profits... Macy's topped by a nickel, as revenue fell 6.2% and same store sales declined 2%.

The #2 US department store chain cut costs and reduced inventories of holiday merchandise.

Macy's will shut nine stores before March and is combining regional divisions, the moves will eliminate nearly 3,200 jobs.

More borrowing, less spending... Target, topped by a penny...

Q4 net income fell 8.1% as growth in credit card operations couldn't offset weakness in core retail sales.

Higher rates, less dough... Dominos Pizza net income

declined 47.9% for Q4 and 64.3% for the full year. Domestic sales -3.5% in Q4 and -1.7% for the year.

Net income was negatively impacted versus the prior year by increased interest expense as a result of higher borrowing costs and lower domestic sales.

Less dough, less spending... Last week, OfficeMax Q4 sales -2.6%.

Today, Office Depot, the world's 2nd largest office supplies retailer, Q4 sales -3%;

same store sales -7% and net income declined 85% as small businesses and consumers in curbed spending.

Less spending & sales, more cuts... Radio Shack posted a 19.5% increase in Q4 profit on

cost cutting (store closings and staff layoffs) and better gross margins.

Sales declined for a 6th straight quarter as same store sales declined 6.7%

Needful Markdowns.. Nordstrom reported

their 1st decline in profit in over five years, on increased merchandise markdowns.

Net income declined 8.6% as Q4 sales fell 4.4%. Nordstrom sees a decline in sales at stores of 3 to 5% this quarter.

Needful cuts and buy backs... cuts in expenditures and stock buy backs raise IBM EPS...

IBM raised its outlook and authorized an additional $15 billion in funds to buy back shares.

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