This article is also featured on America's Baby

The company reported on Thursday a 7.9 percent rise inoperating profit for the quarter ended in November and kept itsforecast for the year, as its convenience stores attractedthrifty consumers. The wave of downward revisions that has hit exporters has nowreached the retail sector as shoppers become more concerned aboutincome prospects and job security. Aeon Co Ltd (8267.T), Seven & I's closest rival, cut itsoutlook on Wednesday and warned it may post its first annual netloss in seven years, hit by flagging sales, a writedown at U.S.unit Talbots (TLB.N) and accounting changes ID:nT366933 Aeon was down 2.7 percent at 815 yen. TECH TROUBLES TDK's woes were emphasised by a report by brokerage GoldmanSachs that maintained its neutral rating on the electronicscomponent maker but said more gloom may lie ahead. "We take a positive view of the timing of the reformannouncement, but the business environment is worse thenexpected, and we do not see upside from our forecasts despite thereforms," Goldman analyst Daiki Takayama wrote. "The shares seem overvalued after a rebound, and we expect ashort-term correction." Industrial robot maker Fanuc (6954.T) fell 7 percent to 6,250yen and Advantest Corp (6857.T) lost 4.1 percent to to 1,380 yen.Kyocera Corp (6971.T), which began the day higher, erased thosegains to fall 1 percent to 6,670 yen. However, losses were braked by gains in defensive shares suchas Kao, which climbed 3.1 percent to 2,630 yen, and cosmeticsmaker Shiseido (4911.T), which rose 1.1 percent to 1,813 yen.

Trade slowed on the Tokyo exchange's first section, with 953million shares changing hands, compared with Thursday morning's1.1 billion. (Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Chris Gallagher) Stocks. While Derek Jetermay have missed out on winning the American League MVP Award to Joe Mauer, this is one award no one can take away from him. It was announced today that Jeter will be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year.This is the first time that a Yankee has won the award in the 56 years of its existence, and the first time a baseball player has won since 2004, when the entire Boston Red Soxteam was honored. Jeter had one of the best years of his career in 2009, as he was ranked in the top 10 of several major American League categories. This led to the claiming of his fourth AL Silver Slugger Award and fourth AL Gold Glove.

But, as Sports Illustrated points out, the award does not simply recognize great accomplishments on the field, but off the field as well. Jeter has been seen working with many charities, particularly with his Turn-2 Foundation, which he founded in 1996. The organization concentrates on encouraging children to avoid abusive drugs and alcohol while improving social skills, such as leadership. It truly makes me happy to see one of my childhood idols win this award. I myself have tried to emulate Jeter in many ways since I was probably about 10 years old, both while playing baseball and while presenting myself around other people. Whether you are trying to copy his batting stance or help others in need, the Yankee captain is certainly a great example of what a person should strive to be. Award well deserved. This article is also featured on America's Baby.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - It's not a completely open road to box office glory, but Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino" holds the pole position this weekend as the urban drama expands nationally after four rounds in limited release. FilmWith some $10 million already in the tank, the film could pump another $20 million into its total this session and top the domestic box office in the process.The gradual rollout is in keeping with distributor Warner Bros.' established pattern in catering to the older moviegoers who tend to support Eastwood's films. But in relative terms, the "Torino" expansion has even easier on the gas pedal than some of the filmmaker's previous releases. For instance, Warners broadened 2003's "Mystic River" wide after a single session in limited release, and Universal was similarly quick to expand "Changeling" last year."Clint and I spent a lot of time talking about 'Gran Torino,' (and) we thought this was a film that was going to be well-received not only critically but through word-of-mouth," Warners distribution president Dan Fellman said. "We thought the best plan in a crowded marketplace during the holiday was to let it go out more quietly and then build into a wide release."The strategy seems to be working: "Torino" has grossed more than any previous film released in fewer than 100 theaters.