Retail results mixed

Consumers overcame some of their reluctance to shop in April, giving the nation’s retailers sales that modestly beat expectations. Results varied widely among merchants, reflecting shoppers’ uncertainty about the economy and their struggles with higher gasoline prices.

As stores released their monthly sales figures Thursday, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and rival discounter Target Corp. turned in disappointing performances. But teen retailers, luxury stores and wholesale clubs had substantial sales gains, including Chico’s, above.

Chico’s FAS Inc., a retailer of women’s clothing and accessories, saw its same-store sales grow 15.5 percent in April. The company is opening a store at 643 Mass. in downtown Lawrence.

Banking

Cap Fed profits rise

Capitol Federal Financial reported an 82 percent rise in profits during its second quarter compared with a year ago, bolstered by an increase in dividend income and reduced interest costs.

The Topeka-based holding company of Capitol Federal Savings Bank reported net income of $17.5 million, or 24 cents per share, for the quarter ended March 31. The earnings were up from $9.6 million, or 14 cents per share, a year earlier.

Cap Fed has several banking locations in Lawrence.

Boeing Co.

Northwest Airlines orders Dreamliners

Northwest Airlines is buying 18 Boeing 787 “Dreamliners,” and will become the first North American carrier to put the mid-size, long-range plane into service, the company said Thursday.

The Eagan, Minn.-based carrier said it would take initial deliveries of the 787s in August 2008. It also has options and purchase rights for an additional 50.

Media

U.S. cartoonist to publish in China

An editorial cartoonist known for “pushing commentary to the edge” soon will be the first American cartoonist published in China by a Chinese-language newspaper, Universal Press Syndicate said Thursday.

Pat Oliphant, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1967 and whose work is on permanent display at the Library of Congress, is expected to begin appearing in The Beijing Youth Daily within the next 30 days, Kansas City, Mo.-based Universal said.

With a circulation of 600,000, the newspaper is the second-largest in China’s capital.