Midday Report: Kohl's Joins Retail in Rally; U.S. Stocks Climb

U.S. stocks added to gains after a series of positive earnings from retail companies and another increase in crude prices. Department store Macy's  (M) - Get Report and e-commerce site Alibaba (BABA) - Get Report exceeded quarterly estimates. Kohl's  (KSS) - Get Report also joined in on the retail rally after topping estimates in its recent quarter. Though sales exceeded consensus, the department store chain said its performance was below its own expectations and expects lower full-year earnings than previous forecast. Brinker International (EAT) - Get Report surged as analysts looked past an expected decrease in same-store sales. The owner of Chili's also issued profit guidance in line with consensus. SeaWorld (SEAS) - Get Report was upgraded to NEUTRAL from UNDERPERFORM at Credit Suisse. The firm said the move was a valuation call, based on a $12 price target, as the stock has fallen sharply since May. TheStreet's Keris Lahiff reports from Wall Street.