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* Lowe’s Cos. said its earnings rose 27% in the fiscal second quarter to $230.2 million, or 60 cents a share, 2 cents higher than estimates. The home improvement retailer’s sales rose 19% to $4.44 billion, and sales at stores open at least a year grew 5.6%. Lowe’s also said it will stop selling less-profitable electronics by year-end to free up space for better-selling kitchen appliances and cabinets.