K mart Corp.’s earnings rose 4.6% to...

K mart Corp.’s earnings rose 4.6% to $120.8 million for its first quarter, compared to $115.5 million for the year-ago period, the company said. The Troy, Mich.-based retailer attributed its performance to cooler than normal weather, which adversely affected its sales of patio goods and plants, “both very important seasonal lines for K mart.” The company said its earnings rose despite the difficult sales environment because of “tight cost control and a lower effective tax rate.”