Stocks End Mostly Lower Ahead Of July Jobs Report

Stocks ended Thursday’s session mostly on the downside, although selling was limited by hesitation ahead of tomorrow’s landmark jobs data. Some downside in today’s session was generated by a surprise jump in weekly jobless claims and lower than expected comparable store sales growth by a number of major U.S. retailers. The Dow fell by more than 5 points, inching down off of the nearly two-month closing high set on Wednesday.

Obama Pledges $250 Million Loan Guarantee For Ford Exports

President Barack Obama Thursday pledged $250 million in Export-Import Bank loan guarantees to support Ford Motor Co.’s (F) efforts to increase overseas sales.

Speaking to a crowd of workers in a factory in Chicago that Henry Ford built in 1924, Obama said that manufacturing, and auto manufacturing in particular, had long been the backbone of the U.S. economy.

July Comps Higher At Limited Brands, But Decline At Wet Seal, Stein Mart - Update

Limited Brands Inc., a retailer of women’s apparel, beauty and personal care products, Thursday stated that comparable sales, or sales at stores which are open at least a year, and net sales were higher for the month of July, driven by strong sales in its Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works stores. Meanwhile, two other apparel retailers, The Wet Seal, Inc. and Stein Mart Inc. reported lower comparable store sales and net sales for the month of July.

Gap Gives Disappointing Profit Forecast

Specialty apparel retailer Gap Inc. reported Thursday higher comparable store sales and net sales for the month of July as well as second quarter, mainly reflecting increased performance in its three divisions, except Gap North America. Among the apparel retailers, Cato Corp. and Destination Maternity Corp. posted higher sales results, while Buckle Inc.’s sales were down in July as well as second quarter.

Cablevision Systems Profit Falls 30%; But Adds Subscribers

Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC) on Thursday reported a 30% decline in profit for the second quarter, reflecting debt extinguishment and investment losses that offset higher revenues. However, the company added more phone, video and Internet subscribers.

BCE Q2 Profit Rises ; Lifts FY10 EPS Forecast - Update

Communications services provider BCE Inc. (BCE, BCE.TO) Thursday reported an increase in second quarter profit, helped by strong performance from its Bell Canada operations. The company boosted its annual dividend 5% and also lifted its earnings forecast for 2010.

Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Macy’s July Comps Up; Kohl’s Lifts Q2 EPS View - Update

Department store chains Nordstrom Inc. (JWN), Kohl’s Corp. (KSS) and Macy’s Inc. (M) on Thursday posted an increase in comparable store sales and total sales for the month of July 2010. In addition, fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom plans to open one full-line store in California and two Rack stores in Virginia, while Kohl’s lifted its earnings forecast for the second quarter.

Weekly Jobless Claims Show Unexpected Increase

In a report that is likely to lead to renewed concerns about the job market, the Labor Department said Thursday that first-time claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly showed a moderate increase in the week ended July 31st.

The report showed that initial jobless claims rose to 479,000 from the previous week’s revised figured of 460,000. The increase came as a surprise to economists, who had expected jobless claims to edge down to 455,000.

Biovail Q2 Profit Rises On Wellbutrin Sales - Update

Biovail Corp. (BVF, BVF.TO), a specialty pharmaceutical company, Thursday reported a rise in second-quarter profit, as revenues increased 23%, driven by higher sales of its antidepressant Wellbutrin.

Beazer Homes Q3 Loss Narrows On Strong Home Closings - Update

Single-family homebuilder Beazer Homes USA Inc. reported Thursday a narrower third-quarter loss, helped by an increase in home closings and higher gross margins, in a challenging homebuilding environment that put pressure on prices. Third-quarter net loss narrowed to $27.82 million or $0.41 per share from prior year’s loss of $27.98 million or $0.72 per share.