<div id="subtitle">Department stores sales stronger in December, stocks remain mixed</div><div><p>Department stores reported higher sales in stores open at least a year this December than last, and many raised their fourth-quarter forecasts.</p><p>But the chains' shares were mixed as investors worried about the rising dollar and the government's upcoming monthly employment report.</p><p>Overall, stores reporting sales at locations open at least a year saw a 2.9 percent increase, more than the 2 percent uptick analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters predicted.</p><p>The figure is an important measure of retailers' fiscal health because it excludes the performance of stores that opened or closed during the year.</p><p>The increase at department stores was weaker — 0.7 percent — but also beat the forecast of analysts, who expected a 0.3 percent decline.</p><p>At Macy's, the key figure rose 1 percent for December, helped by strong online sales; analysts predicted an 0.8 percent rise for Macy's. The company raised its fourth-quarter profit forecast to $1.14 to $1.18 per share, above analyst expectations, and its shares rose 34 cents to $17.44 during midday trading.</p><p>Kohl's said its sales at stores open at least a year rose 4.7 percent, above expectations, and it forecast fourth-quarter profit of $1.28 to $1.30 per share, while analysts predict $1.28 per share.</p><p>Still, Kohl's shares fell $1.70, or 3.1 percent, to $53 during midday trading. They have traded between $32.50 and $60.89 over the past year.</p><p>Saks Inc. said its sales in stores open at least a year rose 9.9 percent in December, helped by moving a designer clearance event; analysts predicted a 2.8 percent rise. Its shares fell 17 cents to $7.27.</p><p>At Nordstrom Inc., the key figure rose 7.4 percent, while analysts forecast a 2.5 percent increase. The company said it now expects to beat its previous forecast for 2009 profit of $1.83 to $1.88 per share; analysts expect $1.83 per share.</p><p>Nordstrom shares rose $1.13, or 3 percent, to $38.56; they have traded between $11.19 and $38.74 over the past year.</p><p>J.C. Penney Co., meanwhile, reported sales in its stores that have been open at least a year fell 3.8 percent in December, slightly less than analysts predicted. But it lowered its forecast for fourth-quarter profit to 77 cents to 82 cents per share; analysts expect 83 cents per share.</p><p>J.C. Penney shares fell $1.29, or 4.7 percent, to $26.34 Thursday. The stock has traded between $13.71 and $37.21 over the past year.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66507035&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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