The U.S. dollar advanced against other major counterparts. The euro was quoted at $1.1761, down from $1.1790. The dollar bought 121.16 yen, up from 120.79. The British pound traded at $1.7321, down from $1.7421.

EARNINGS NEWS

Kroger Co (KR: chart), supermarket chain, announced that Q3 profit advanced to 25 cents a share, from 19 cents a year earlier, matching analysts'' estimate. Sales rose to $14.02 billion from $12.85 billion in last year''s third quarter. Identical supermarket sales rose 6.6% with fuel and 3.7% without fuel.

Brocade Communications Systems, (BRCD: chart), server and storage company, posted Q4 earnings of 8 cents a share, breakeven on a per share basis in the same period a year earlier. If not for non-recurring items, earnings would have been 7 cents a share, topping the analysts’ estimate of 5 cents a share.

Sears Holdings, (SHLD: chart), retailer, announced that Q3 net income fell to 35 cents a share, from $5.45 a share in the same time last year, despite revenue growth. On a proforma basis Sears stated earnings dropped to 35 cents a share from 93 cents a share in the comparable period last year, with revenue down 5%. Analysts were waiting for earnings of 28 cents a share.