BlueLinx (NYSE:BXC) reported higher second-quarter sales, earnings and free cash flow as the building-products distributor cited share gains and improved pricing despite continued weakness in housing construction and repair-and-remodel activity. Specialty gross margin was 20%, or 18.7% excluding the duty-related benefit, compared with 18.5% a year earlier. Structural gross profit climbed 40% to $27 million, and gross margin improved to 10.9% from 8.2% in the prior-year period. Costs and Margin ManagementTotal gross profit was $140 million, while consolidated gross margin increased to 17.2% from 15.3% in the prior-year quarter. BlueLinx also repurchased $2 million of common stock during the quarter and had $54 million remaining under its repurchase authorizations.