Companies news
HP profit plummets, CEO urges patience
(Reuters)
Reuters - Hewlett-Packard Co's earnings fell nearly 44 percent and the world's No. 1 computer maker forecast a second-quarter profit below Wall Street estimates as it struggles with weak sales of PCs and printers.
HP CEO pleads patience as earnings fall 44 pct
(AP)
AP - Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Meg Whitman pleaded for patience Thursday as she described operational challenges and other internal problems that contributed to a decline in earnings at one of the world's largest technology companies.
Synopsys 1st-quarter results beat estimates
(Reuters)
Reuters - Chip-design software maker Synopsys Inc posted a quarterly profit that beat analysts' estimates, helped by strong demand for its new products, and raised its full-year outlook.
MGM Resorts 4th-quarter loss narrows, revenue up
(AP)
AP - MGM Resorts International said Wednesday that high costs kept it in the red in the fourth quarter, but it lost less than a year earlier as more people stayed at its Las Vegas Strip casinos and visitors spent more on the food, gambling, entertainment and shopping it offers.
Chesapeake posts 4Q earning more than double
(AP)
AP - Chesapeake Energy Corp. said Tuesday that its fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as the company benefited from hedging positions that offset lower prices for oil and gas.
Dell shares fall on earnings miss, outlook
(Reuters)
Reuters - Dell Inc forecast fiscal first-quarter revenue below Wall Street's expectations, stoking fears the PC industry has not fully emerged from its downturn and sending the company's shares more than 4 percent lower.
Saks 4Q profit rises on sale of luxury goods
(AP)
AP - Saks Inc. says its fiscal fourth-quarter net income climbed 48 percent, buoyed by strong sales of handbags, fine jewelry and men's and women's clothing.
Barnes & Noble fiscal 3Q net income falls
(AP)
AP - Barnes & Noble said Tuesday that its fiscal third-quarter net income fell 14 percent, as rising costs offset higher sales. The company also said it will introduce a cheaper Nook Tablet.
Holiday spending pushes Macy's 4Q profit higher
(AP)
AP - A strong holiday shopping season and hearty online sales pushed Macy's Inc.'s fourth quarter net income up 12 percent. That topped Wall Street's expectations, and the department store chain's stock hit a 52-week high.
Wal-Mart's 4Q results show rebounding US business
(AP)
AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s business offers valuable insight into how Americans are reacting in the slow economic recovery: they will spend, but only if they believe they're getting the lowest prices.
Home Depot 4Q net income climbs on sales spike
(AP)
AP - Home Depot Inc. said Tuesday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 32 percent as homeowners spent more on renovation projects in part due to the mild weather in the U.S.
Medco Health Solutions 4Q profit climbs 12 percent
(AP)
AP - Medco Health Solutions Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income rose 12 percent, as gains from generic prescriptions and the pharmacy benefits manager's specialty business helped offset costs from its pending acquisition by Express Scripts Inc.
Summary Box: TNT posts 4Q loss, mum on UPS
(AP)
AP - WHAT'S UPS? TNT Express NV sidestepped questions about an unsolicited UPS takeover bid, announcing instead an abrupt switch in strategy to focus on European operations after posting a large fourth-quarter loss.
Summary Box: Barnes & Noble 3Q net income falls
(AP)
AP - THE NEWS: Barnes & Noble said Tuesday that its fiscal third-quarter net income fell 14 percent, as rising costs offset higher sales. Revenue rose 5 percent to $2.44 billion.
Dow breaks 13,000 but can't hold gains
(AP)
AP - It came and went in a flash each time, a number on a board for mere seconds, but its symbolic power couldn't be dismissed.
Dollar Thrifty 4Q profit soars on lower costs
(AP)
AP - Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. said Tuesday its fourth-quarter profit nearly tripled, as strong demand for used cars boosted the resale values of its vehicles and lowered the company's costs.
Home Depot shines as warm winter helps sales
(Reuters)
Reuters - Strong demand for everything from paint to concrete helped Home Depot Inc report better-than-expected quarterly sales and profit as one of the warmest U.S. winters on record encouraged homeowners to take up home projects earlier than usual.
TNT posts 4th-quarter loss, no mention of UPS
(AP)
AP - TNT Express NV sidestepped questions Monday about an unsolicited UPS takeover bid, announcing instead an abrupt switch in strategy to focus on its European operations after posting a large fourth-quarter loss partly due to problems at its Brazilian arm.
Kraft sees growth despite pruning products
(Reuters)
Reuters - Kraft Foods Inc forecast earnings growth of at least 9 percent this year even as it prunes its portfolio of North American brands.
Carlsberg Q4 profit triple amid focus on cost-cuts
(AP)
AP - Danish brewer Carlsberg said Monday its net profit nearly tripled in the fourth quarter with higher revenues and a focus on cost-cuts, but said the market climate remains challenging.
