Final Glance: Specialty Retail companies (AP via Yahoo! Finance) NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of some top specialty retail companies were up at the close of trading: AutoZone rose $.23 or .1 percent, to $168.09. Gap rose $.13 or .6 percent, to $22.37. Home Depot rose $.03 or .1 percent, to $31.71. Lowes rose $.28 or 1.2 percent, to $24.29. OfficeMax rose $.14 or .9 percent, to $16.55. TJX Companies rose $.21 or .5 percent, to $41.87.

Final Glance: Broadline Retail companies (AP via Yahoo! Finance) Shares of some top broadline retail companies were mixed at the close of trading: BJ's Wholesale rose $.14 or .4 percent, to $34.09.

Security to be stepped up at Writers' Building (The Hindu) KOLKATA: The West Bengal government is examining measures to step up the security at the Writers' Building, Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said. This follows changing threat perceptions to the city and the State leading to the government's decision to revamp security at the seat of the government.

Strong retail sales boost profit at Standard Life (Investment Executive) Strong sales in Standard Life Financial Inc.’s retail business throughout 2009 helped the company boost annual net income to $109 million from $3 million in 2008, the company reported on Wednesday.

Border Security Questioned in Indonesia (New York Times) A fugitive Islamic militant killed by Indonesian security forces traveled to Indonesia from the Philippines within the last few months, police officals said.

Centro Retail appoints Tsenin as CEO (Brisbane Times) Centro Retail Trust (CER) has appointed Robert Tsenin as its new chief executive, following the departure of Glenn Rufrano.

Barclays' shareholders warn bank against deal for a US retail bank (Daily Telegraph) Barclays shareholders warned the bank against buying a retail bank in the US, which has been a graveyard in the past for British lenders.