Barnes & Noble Reports 2nd-Quarter Profit

Barnes & Noble Inc. reported a turnaround profit for its fiscal second quarter on growth in sales at its retail shops and a smaller loss from its Internet business. The bookseller had profit from operations of $5.3 million, or 8 cents a share, a penny higher than forecasts, contrasted with a loss of $5.7 million, or 8 cents, a year earlier. Revenue was up 9.8% to $727.2 million. Separately, Barnesandnoble.com announced plans to open a distribution center in Memphis, Tenn., that will employ more than 600 workers. Barnes & Noble shares fell 63 cents to close at $24.13 on the NYSE, while Barnesandnoble.com fell 75 cents to close at $18.50 on Nasdaq.