OfficeMax Leads Sector Gain; Skechers Tumbles

NEW YORK -- Retail stocks edged higher on Thursday after the number of people who filed new claims for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since early July. Among the gainers, OfficeMax Inc. shares jumped 14% after its third-quarter profit more than tripled and exceeded Wall Street expectations. Among the decliners, AutoNation Inc. shares fell 2.6% after the largest U.S. car retailer's third-quarter profit fell short of Wall Street expectations. Avon Products Inc. shares dropped 9.2% after the world's largest direct seller of beauty products reported smaller-than-expected third-quarter profit and sales amid weak demand in North America. Skechers