The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that the Rona home-improvement retail chain says efforts to fix up its business are showing results. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says Rona's adjusted net income for the third quarter rose to $42.9-million or 40 cents per share, up 11.5 per cent compared with $38.5-million or 33 cents per share during the comparable period last year. However, a one-time expense related to Rona's acquisition of its 20 franchised stores pushed down net income to $8.6-million from $41.5-million in last year's third quarter. Rona's purchase of the franchise locations also reduced distribution sales and was the main reason for a decline in third-quarter revenue to $1.16-billion from $1.17-billion. Same-store sales rose for a fifth consecutive quarter, up 1.1 per cent from a year ago. Dominique Boies, Rona's chief financial officer, said the company is getting a sustained improvement in its earnings from sales growth and growth in sales of higher-margin merchandise. Rona closed Tuesday at $12.63, down 25 cents on the Toronto Stock Exchange.