TJX increases 2d-quarter outlook on May-June sales

Discount retailer TJX Cos. raised its adjusted profit forecast for the second quarter, citing stronger-than-expected sales in May and June. The Framingham-based company expects earnings from continuing operations of 44 to 45 cents per share. TJX previously forecast income of 40 to 42 cents per share. Analysts predict income of 42 cents per share, according to a survey by Thomson Financial. TJX also said same-store sales rose 5 percent in June, beating Wall Street's estimates. (AP)

The National Labor Relations Board has accused concessions giant Aramark of intimidating and firing employees involved in union activities at Boston's two convention centers. The Boston Herald reports the labor board made the charges in an unfair labor practice complaint against Aramark Corp. Aramark faces a hearing in October before the board's administrative judges. The Philadelphia-based company is in a contract dispute with Unite Here Local 26. An Aramark spokesman said the company is reviewing the complaint. (AP)

Exact Sciences Corp., a Marlborough company that focuses on technology for the detection of cancer, said it has been notified by the Nasdaq Stock Market that it is not in compliance with a listing requirement to maintain a minimum $50 million market capitalization. Exact Sciences said it has 30 days to regain compliance. (Chris Reidy)

Staples Inc., the Framingham-based office-supplies retailer, said it's postponing the release of second-quarter financial results due to the acquisition of Corporate Express NV. Staples, which last month disclosed an agreement to buy Corporate Express for $2.6 billion, said it will report results for the fiscal quarter ending Aug. 2 on Sept. 3, instead of Aug. 19. Staples said second-quarter results will include the results of Corporate Express for July. (Chris Reidy)

American Airlines Inc. has filed a legally required letter warning that it plans to lay off up to 105 Boston-based flight attendants around Aug. 31 due to soaring fuel costs and a souring economy. The world's largest carrier, which on June 26 said it expected to cut thousands of jobs nationwide, currently employs about 800 flight attendants based at Logan International Airport. The workforce reductions hit days before the airline starts cutting fourth-quarter seat capacity 8 percent, compared to the same period last year. The flight reductions include eliminating service between Boston and San Diego, starting Sept. 3. (Nicole C. Wong)

A lawyer for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation says the tribe won't bargain with the labor union representing table-game dealers at Foxwoods Resort Casino. The tribe, which owns the eastern Connecticut casino, has sent a letter to the United Autoworkers Union, refusing the UAW's request to negotiate a contract on behalf of nearly 3,000 dealers. The National Labor Relations Board last month certified the results of a November election in which dealers voted to unionize. The tribe's lawyer, Jackson King, says the tribe is a sovereign nation and the NLRB did not have jurisdiction to administer the election. (AP)

General Electric Co., the Fairfield, Conn.-based conglomerate whose interests range from making loans, TV shows, and light bulbs to building industrial machinery, reported second-quarter earnings of $5.07 billion, or 51 cents per share, compared with year-earlier profit of $5.38 billion, or 52 cents per share, a 6 percent decline, but still matched analyst's expectations. Revenue rose to $46.89 billion from $42.38 billion a year earlier. Also, GE said it agreed to sell its Japanese consumer finance unit to Shinsei Bank of Japan for $5.4 billion. (AP)