priced department store chain, added 0.3 percent, or 13 cents, to $49.20 on the NYSE. Upscale department store operator Nordstrom Inc. gained 0.6 percent, or 24 cents, to $38.20, also in NYSE trading. The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is expected to report preliminary November sales data on Saturday. Wal-Mart sees a 3 percent to 5 percent sales increase at its U.S. stores open at least a year. Wal-Mart's stock, however, dipped 0.2 percent, or 8 cents, to $50.49 on the NYSE. On NASDAQ, shares of house wares retailer Bed Bath & Beyond advanced 0.2 percent, or 10 cents, to $43.18. --More 2320 Local Time 2020 GMT
