Company Earnings - Page 24

AP - Nestle SA, the world's biggest food and drink company, reported at 14 percent increase in 2006 profit Thursday after it increased prices and restructured some parts of the business as it seeks to focus on health and nutrition. More Info...  

AP - Safeway Inc.'s fourth-quarter profit surged 77 percent to cap the grocer's best performance in five years, a comeback driven by contentious cost cutting and a recent makeover that has infused more elegance into its stores. More Info...  

Reuters - Toll Brothers Inc. on Thursday said the weak U.S. housing market drove down its quarterly profit 67 percent after write-downs for lower land values, and the luxury home builder lowered its forecast.

FT.com - Media groupEmap was in focus on Thursday amid speculation that one of its three divisions could soon be put up for sale. Sector watchers said they were not surprised the rumour had surfaced given Emap's problems. More Info...  

Reuters - Safeway Inc. , the No. 3 U.S. grocer, posted a 77 percent rise in quarterly profit on Thursday, helped by a tax benefit in the latest quarter and year-ago results that were hurt by store closures and employee buyouts.

Reuters - PepsiCo Inc. reaffirmed on Thursday its 2007 earnings forecast of at least $3.30 per share. More Info...  

Reuters - (In 10th paragraph, Newmont corrects the period for its reserve additions, giving five-year and one-year figures) More Info...  

Reuters - OfficeMax Inc. , the nation's No. 3 office supply retailer, posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings on Thursday, reversing a year-earlier loss, as both its contract and retail businesses improved. More Info...  

AP - Newmont Mining Corp., one of the world's largest gold producers, said Thursday its fourth-quarter net income jumped more than threefold thanks to higher gold prices although its sales volume dipped. More Info...  

Reuters - Natural gas producer and pipeline company Williams Cos. Inc. posted better-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as higher margins for natural gas liquids offset weaker gas prices.

Reuters - TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. reported a 44 percent drop in quarterly earnings on Thursday under pressure from automaker production cuts in North America, but exceeded average Wall Street forecasts and shares rose as much as 2.2 percent to an all-time high.

AP - Automobile parts supplier TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit fell 44 percent, weighed down by the effect of North American automobile production cuts. More Info...  

Reuters - Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp. said on Thursday that fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled as higher prices for silver and gold offset lower production. More Info...  

Reuters - Sempra Energy said on Thursday its earnings fell in the fourth quarter, hurt by a $221 million charge related to its Argentine utilities. More Info...  

AFP - European stock markets rose on Thursday as investors seized on a flurry of bullish earnings reports, and after Tokyo hit a near seven-year high.

FT.com - London equities regained upward momentum on Thursday as a series of strong earnings reports helped the FTSE 100 back toward the 6,400 level. More Info...  

Earnings News

AP - Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings jumped 20 percent, powered by strong sales as the teen retailer continues to expand its Hollister line of stores that cater to teens with surfer-inspired looks.

AP - Medco Health Solutions Inc., the biggest U.S. prescription-benefit manager, said Wednesday its fourth-quarter earnings soared 29 percent on higher overall revenue and improved results in its key specialty pharmacy business.

Reuters - U.S. drug benefit manager Medco Health Solutions Inc. on Wednesday reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on strong demand for mail-delivered generic medicines and raised its 2007 outlook, sending its shares up more than 11 percent to an all-time high. More Info...  

AP - Zale Corp. said Wednesday that its holiday-quarter sales and earnings were nearly flat as price-cutting squeezed the jewelry retailer's profit margins. More Info...