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Nordstrom Earnings Up Sharply: The apparel retailer said its earnings soared 48% in the second quarter, though sales rose only 6%. Analysts say Nordstrom Inc. has been able to boost earnings largely by improving its inventory control, which had limited the volume of merchandise the stores could sell at discount prices. The Seattle-based chain posted earnings of $62 million, or 77 cents a share, for the quarter, up from $42.7 million, or 52 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose to $1.08 billion from $1.02 billion. A spokeswoman for Nordstrom said the retailer has seen improvement in every area, including the crucial California market. Nordstrom’s stock closed 31 cents higher at $43.875 a share on Nasdaq before the earnings report was released.