Third quarter total company sales advanced 26% to $478 million, the largest gain in the history of the company. Earnings increased 31% to a record $59 million, resulting in earnings per share of 35 cents during the quarter. The management reported that total company comparable sales grew by 10% with Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters achieving Q3 comp increases of 2%, 4% and 17% respectively.

DHT Maritime Inc, the ocean freight carrier said third quarter revenues rose 54% to $31.0 million and net income rose 78% to $12.3 million or 31 cents a share. The Home Depot Inc third quarter revenues fell 6% to $17.8 billion and net income fell 31% to $756 million or 45 cents a share.

The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods fell 2.8% in October, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This decrease followed a 0.4% decline in September and a 0.9% fall in August.

October same store sales declined at a faster pace as consumers hold tight control on spending. Apparel and department store sales declined the most. Wal-Mart sales rose as more consumers look for bargains. Domestic sales at Costco and BJs gain but discretionary sales decline.

Visa Inc., the largest payment processor reported third quarter revenue rise of 18% to $1.613 billion and net income surge of 41.1% to $422 million as more people use debit and credit cards for purchases. Earnings per share jumped to 51 cents and adjusted earnings rose to 59 cents per share. Visa raised its outlook for operating margins for the fiscal 2008 to mid 40% and in the years 2009 and 2010 to mid-to-high 40%.