department

The four-week average of new claims rose by 4,500 to 436,750, which is the highest level since November.

The number of workers who continue to receive state compensation increased by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 3.76 million.

The Labor Department reported that applications in the U.S. for unemployment compensation fell by 44,000 to 434,000. Economists had expected applications to decline to a seasonally adjusted 428,000 from an upwardly revised 478,000

The new estimate includes the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, as well as other Federal Reserve and government programs.

The U.S. Treasury announced on Wednesday that government financial rescue programs have begun to turn a profit, and estimates a total profit of about $24 billion based on current market conditions.

The U.S. arm of HSBC announced Monday received two subpoenas from the SEC. The commission is seeking documents and information relating to HSBC's private-label residential mortgage-backed securities transactions. The first subpoe

Revenue at stores open at least a year rose 4.3%.

The company sees 2011 EPS of $4.05 to $4.25, vs. consensus estimates of $4.37 per share. For Q1, it sees EPS of $0.68 to $0.73, vs.

Kohl's Corp.'s (NYSE:KSS) reported Q4 EPS of $1.66, ahead of consensus estimates $1.65 per share. Revenues for the quarter rose 6% year-over-year to $6.04 billion, in line with consensus estimates.

One of the new, wholly-owned subsidiaries will operate as a real estate investment trust, allowing DDS to better access debt and preferred stock, improving liquidity.

The other subsidiary will be a captive insurance company intended to more efficiently manage risk and provide access into the reinsurance markets.

Shares of department store operator Dillard's Inc (DDS) are getting a big boost, climbing more than 17%, after saying it is forming a pair of new units to better manage risk and improve liquidity.

The firm made the call after the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice approved its acquisition of the controlling interest in NBC Universal from General Electric (GE).

Shares of Comcast (CMCSA) are higher in early trading after the company is reportedly upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Collins Stewart.

Permits for new construction jumped to an annualized rate of 635,000 in December, which is the highest level since last March, from a revised 544,000 in November. Permits for new construction is considered a more accurate gauge of

Housing starts in November were little changed.

The Commerce Department reported that construction of new U.S. homes fell 4.3% to an annualized rate of 529,000 in December, but permits jumped 16.7%. Economists expected housing starts in December to drop to 545,000 on a seasonal

The warrant sale "would represent Treasury's disposition of its remaining holdings," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Citigroup shares are up 1.5%.

Shares of Citigroup (C) are higher following news that the bank will sell warrants this quarter in bank, Bloomberg reports. The warrants were given to taxpayers in return for bailing out the bank during the financial crisis.

As part of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill probe, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board has requested that the Department of Justice impose subpoenas, Bloomberg reports Thursday, citing the Associated Press. The move stems from the fact tha

The Labor Department reported Friday that unemployment rates jumped in 21 states in the nation in November. However, 15 states reported a decline in unemployment rates last month and 14 states reported no change in activity. The