Sputtering along

Signet stock tumbled again after it said the sale of its credit portfolio was affecting its business. It was the latest in a list of problems for the jewelry retailer. $160 130 100 70 40 Automakers report their November U.S. sales Friday.

Auto sales have been lagging, and increased demand from rental car companies, strong truck and SUV sales, and recovery from hurricanes in Florida and Texas weren’t enough to drive them into positive territory for October. Slowing demand makes it almost certain that 2017 will be the first year with declining sales in seven years. Signet Jewelers’ rough year got worse this week when the jewelry retailer said the sale of its credit portfolio is hurting its sales. The company’s woes also hurt Alliance Data Systems and Aaron’s, which have made deals to handle parts of the company’s credit.

Signet stock has tumbled from

$150 in late 2015 to around $50 as investors worry about its sales, a lawsuit over sexual harassment and discrimination at its Sterling Jewelers business.

In October Signet sold its highest-quality loans to

Alliance Data, while Genesis

Financial Solutions will service Oct 1, 2015: Aaron’s, will run a lease-payment program for customers who didn’t qualify for credit or didn’t want to use it. Signet said the deals would allow it to reduce debt and return cash to shareholders.

On Tuesday the company said it expects a smaller annual profit and weaker sales because the changes were causing “disruptions” that hurt its business, especially at Kay Jewelers. Signet ended the week down 35 percent following a plunge of 30.4 percent Tuesday.

Friday’s close: