Lowe's 4th-quarter profit rises as company predicts stabilization in 2010, but 1Q view weakConsumers responded to Lowe's rebates for higher-priced items such as cabinets and countertops, a sign home owners are starting to consider bigger remodeling projects as the economy stabilizes. Modestly higher sales and cost cutting helped ...

REUTERS FORECAST: * The median forecast is for the S&P composite index of 20 metropolitan areas to be unchanged in December from November, non-seasonally adjusted, and down 3.2 percent from December 2008. This would follow a 0.2 percent November monthly decline and 5.3 percent annual drop ...

<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. home improvement chains Home Depot <HD.N> and Lowe's Cos <LOW.N> must find a quick fix for their sagging sales to retain investor confidence in 2010.</p&gt ...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - No. 2 U.S. home improvement chain Lowe's Cos <LOW.N> reported better-than-expected quarterly results and said sales would improve in 2010 as demand for remodeling projects picks up. The company also said it would buy back up to $5 billion of its stock ...