MOORESVILE, N.C. — Lowe's fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 6 percent, as the home-improvement retailer continued to benefit from the housing market's recovery.

The Mooresville, N.C., company also announced a new $5 billion stock repurchase program on Wednesday.

NEW YORK — Macy’s Inc.’s fourth-quarter profit rose 11 percent, but the department store chain suffered a sales shortfall because a string of winter storms chilled business in January.The results, released Tuesday, come on the heels of a solid but fiercely competitive holiday shopping season for the Cincinnati-based company.