Retailers: Three retailers blamed the weak economy...

Retailers: Three retailers blamed the weak economy for lower first-quarter earnings. St. Louis-based May Department Stores said its profit totaled $76 million, down 5% from the same period a year ago. Revenue rose 6.5% to $2.3 billion. Dallas-based J.C. Penney Co. said earnings fell 48% to $80 million on revenue of $3.7 billion, down 2%. The Limited Inc., the Columbus, Ohio, clothing retailer, said first-quarter net income eased 18% to $50.9 million, while revenue increased 16% to $1.28 billion.