American Eagle Outfitters Inc. reported this morning that sales at its stores open at least a year rose 6 percent during February, an improvement over the same month last year when the South Side teen retailer reported a 7 percent drop. Total sales for the month, including newer locations, rose to $188 million in the four weeks ended Feb. 27, compared to $177 million last year. The company said customers have responded well to new spring assortments, but the addition of certain value-priced items and clearance sales for cold-weather items also contributed to sales. American Eagle reiterated fourth quarter earnings guidance in the range of 32 to 33 cents per share, excluding potential one-time charges. Overall, a broad array of national retailers from Nordstrom to Macy's to Target reported better-than-expected sales increases for February.

Del Monte Foods Co. reported third-quarter net income of $59.4 million, or 29 cents per share, compared with $60.5 million, or 30 cents per share, in the same quarter last year. The San Francisco producer of pet foods and canned fruits and vegetables said the most recent quarter's earnings took a hit from refinancing costs. Net sales for the three months ended Jan. 31 were $1.01 billion vs. $942.3 million last year. The company raised its guidance for the earnings from continuing operations for the full fiscal year to a range of $1.07 to $1.11 per share from earlier projections of 93 to 97 cents. Analysts were looking for $1.06 per share, according to Thomson Financial. Del Monte has an office on the North Shore.

The snow from last month's storms has begun to melt, but not where it matters most for airlines -- their financial ledgers. US Airways and Continental Airlines say the storms cost them a combined $55 million in lost revenue from canceled flights and other problems. Others, including the two biggest U.S. airlines, Delta and American, say they don't have figures yet on the storms' impact or won't disclose them. For US Airways and Continental, the storm-related losses amount to about 1 percent of each carrier's revenue in the first quarter, analysts said.

Five local companies earned spots on Fortune magazine's annual list of the "World's Most Admired Companies." PPG Industries and Bayer ranked among chemicals companies; PNC Financial Services Group and Bank of New York Mellon were among the super-regional banks; and Alcoa was among the metals companies on the list. Apple Computer topped the overall list for the third consecutive year.

The number of buyers who agreed to purchase previously occupied homes fell sharply in January, a sign that demand for housing is sinking this winter, especially after stormy weather hit much of the country. The National Association of Realtors said its seasonally adjusted index of sales agreements fell 7.6 percent from December to a January reading of 90.4. It was the lowest reading since April. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected the index would rise to 97.6. The index is considered a barometer for future sales because typically there is a one- to two-month lag between a signed sales contract and a completed deal. A reading of 100 is equal to the average level of sales activity in 2001, when the index started.

Greece raised badly needed cash with a new bond issue Thursday, passing a key test of its ability to avoid a disastrous debt default and dig out of a financial crisis that has shaken the European Union. The government took in about $6.8 billion, offering a 6.3 percent yield. The ministry said the high level of offers "shows that despite the extremely difficult circumstances, investor confidence in the Greek economy remains strong."

TiVo Inc. prevailed again in a long-running dispute with Dish Network Corp. over patents for digital video recorders, as a federal appeals court cleared the way Thursday for TiVo to collect hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite repeated losses, Dish said it would seek a review of the three-judge panel's decision by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. ... The Federal Trade Commission Thursday proposed requiring that EnergyGuide labels appear on televisions sold in the United States so consumers have more information about the energy use of different models. The labels currently are required on many consumer appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators.

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