Business/Technology News - Daffodil Valley Times

Paperwork nightmare: A struggle to fix new law: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:46:08 PDT - Tucked into the nation's massive new health care law is a requirement that could become a paperwork nightmare for nearly 40 million businesses.
House approves oil spill bill; stalled in Senate: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:43:06 PDT - The House has approved a bill to boost safety standards for offshore drilling and remove a liability cap for oil spills, but a partisan fight in the Senate will likely delay action on a response to the Gulf oil spill until Congress returns from its summer recess.
Debt crisis failed to impede Emirates' growth: Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:06:03 PDT - Last year the global financial crisis finally burst the economic bubble of Dubai, hitting mainly the real-estate, construction and financial...
Cleanup of Mich. river oil spill will take months: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:02:07 PDT - Officials investigating the cause of a huge oil spill along a major river in southern Michigan say it will take months to clean up the mess, and damage to wetlands and wildlife may last considerably longer.
Economic growth slowed sharply in 2nd quarter, signaling more pain for many: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:16:04 PDT - U.S. economic growth slowed sharply in the spring, the government reported Friday, adding to prospects for continuing financial pressures on millions of American families and a long, drawn-out struggle for the unemployed.
Money-fund assets rise; yields are unchanged: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:03 PDT - Total money-market mutual-fund assets rose by $3.57 billion to $2.802 trillion for the week, the Investment Company Institute said this...
Video chat comes closer to the mainstream: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:31:02 PDT - Cellphones, video-game consoles and hotel meeting rooms are offering real-time video communication that is far more sophisticated than the glitchy, computer-bound webcams of yore. The question is whether anyone wants to use it.
Housing market still a worry as Weyerhaeuser posts profit: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:03 PDT - Weyerhaeuser Co., a homebuilder and the second-largest owner of U.S. timberlands, said the timing of a recovery in demand for new ...
Local mortgage rates: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:03 PDT -
'Hutch' names AIDS expert as its new leader: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:01:03 PDT - The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has selected an AIDS expert as its new president.
Target buys space for retail store downtown: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:31:03 PDT - Target, the national discount department store, will open a store at the base of the 24-story Newmark condo tower on Second Avenue between Pike and Union streets.
Out of pilots, Philippine airline grounds flights: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:46:02 PDT - Good morning, passengers, and welcome aboard. We're expecting clear skies today, but we're out of pilots.
Regulators close Cowlitz Bank: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:46:02 PDT - State regulators closed Cowlitz Bank late Friday afternoon, making the Longview-based institution the eighth Washington bank to fail this year.
Magic Trackpad an excellent mouse alternative: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:31:03 PDT - The Magic Trackpad, a wireless, stand-alone input device, may be the most simply designed object Apple has ever developed. It's a flat surface...
Mass. legislative leaders OK deal on casino bill: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:46:03 PDT - Massachusetts House and Senate leaders agreed Friday to the state's most sweeping expansion of gambling in four decades - drawing immediate criticism from Gov. Deval Patrick, who said he can't sign the bill.
Wealthy Dallas brothers become SEC fraud target: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:46:03 PDT - Brothers Charles and Sam Wyly, born a year apart during the Great Depression, almost always have been joined at the hip.
Regulators close banks in Fla., Ga., Ore., Wash.: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:16:03 PDT - Regulators on Friday shut banks in Florida, Georgia, Oregon and Washington, lifting to 108 the number of U.S. banks to fail this year as the industry has struggled to cope with mounting loan defaults and recession.
Schnitzer sells two big properties for more than $300M: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:01:04 PDT - Schnitzer West, one of the region's biggest developers, sold two major holdings in Bellevue and Seattle Friday for a total of more than $300 million.
TransCanada: 'Multiple bids' for Alaska gas line: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:01:03 PDT - TransCanada Corp. has received multiple bids from "major industry players and others" that want to use its proposed pipeline to transport natural gas from Alaska's North Slope to market, a company official said Friday.
Group sues over Wyoming-to-Oregon gas pipeline: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:46:04 PDT - An environmental group that wants to block construction of a $3 billion gas pipeline from Wyoming to Oregon filed a lawsuit Friday, saying the pipeline will cut across pristine land and harm endangered fish.
Movement in Western oil-gas lease backlog in Wyo.: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:31:03 PDT - A more than 2-year-old backlog of federal oil and gas leases in Wyoming began breaking loose Friday as the U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced it finally will issue 145 leases sold in June 2008.
Road work begins for massive Tukwila development: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:01:03 PDT - Tukwila South, a 500-acre master-planned development in South King County, moved a step closer to reality Friday as construction of a five-lane road began.
Merck's 2Q net drops on higher costs, charges: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:16:03 PDT - Drugmaker Merck & Co. on Friday reported a 52 percent drop in second-quarter net income, weighed down by big restructuring charges from buying Schering-Plough Corp., generic competition and other factors.
Tax study default leaves Nevada lawmakers upset: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:16:03 PDT - State lawmakers expressed frustration and anger Friday after an international research firm defaulted on a tax study, leaving legislators without an updated playbook as they face a budget deficit that could top $3 billion going into the 2011 session.
PricewaterhouseCoopers laying off 500 employees: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:01:04 PDT - PricewaterhouseCoopers is laying off about 500 in-house information technology employees - most from its offices in Tampa.
Motorola spent $880,000 lobbying in second quarter: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:46:03 PDT - Motorola Inc., the maker of cell phones and other telecommunications equipment, spent $880,000 in the first quarter to lobby the federal government on laws such as those that sought to discourage electronics manufacturers from using minerals from rebel-held mines in the Congo, according to a disclosure report.
Bernanke financial disclosure shows no-frills plan: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:31:04 PDT - By day, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke weighs dramatic acts to stabilize the U.S. economy. At home, he takes a more passive approach to finance.
Google's 2010 shopping spree has cost $1.1B so far: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:31:03 PDT - Google Inc. has spent $1.1 billion during the first half of the year buying up 22 companies, with more than half of the amount going toward its recently completed acquisition of mobile ad service AdMob.
Judge lets paper publish info on juicemaker probe: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:16:03 PDT - A judge has lifted an order that prevented a legal newspaper from publishing information found in court records that were supposed to have been shielded from public view.
Jury weighs B-2 engineer's alleged secret-selling: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:16:03 PDT - A federal jury in Hawaii has started deliberating in the trial of a former B-2 stealth bomber engineer accused of selling military secrets to China.
Stocks are mixed but had best month since July '09: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:16:03 PDT - WHAT A MONTH: The Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's had their best month since July 2009 and their first winning month since this past April. Strong earnings were behind the big gains.
Open season for Alaska gas pipeline closes Friday: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:01:03 PDT - Alaskans should know by the end of Friday whether natural gas producers have any interest in building a major pipeline in the state. But few other details will likely be released when TransCanada Corp. officially ends its 90-day process of seeking shipping commitments for its proposed line.
Dynavax posts 2Q loss, weighed down by expenses: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:01:03 PDT - Drug developer Dynavax Technologies Corp. said Friday that higher operating expenses, weak revenue and costs linked to a stock offering drove it to a second-quarter loss, reversing a year-ago profit.
Stocks end July with big gain; Dow gains 7.1 pct: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:01:02 PDT - Stocks had a fitting end to a choppy July as prices seesawed their way to a narrowly mixed finish. The market still had its best month in a year.
Boyd Gaming gives up on Station Casinos deal: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:46:04 PDT - Boyd Gaming Corp. said Friday it is no longer interested in buying certain assets of its rival regional casino operator, Station Casinos Inc.
Split ruling from NY judge on cigarette regulation: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:46:03 PDT - Seneca Indians in the mail-order cigarette business can no longer use the post office to ship cigarettes while they fight to have a new law banning the practice struck down in court, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Summary Box: GDP report drags Treasury yields down: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:46:03 PDT - SLOWING ECONOMY: Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of the economy, grew at an annual pace of 2.4 percent in the second quarter. That's less than the 2.5 percent forecast of economists polled by Thomson Reuters.
Petters defense asks appeals court for retrial: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:46:03 PDT - Lawyers for Minnesota businessman Tom Petters are asking a federal appeals court to order a new trial for him after he was convicted last December of running a $3.7 billion Ponzi scheme.
GDP report drags on Treasury yields, boosts prices: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:46:03 PDT - Interest rates dropped in the Treasury market Friday after the government said economic growth slowed during the spring.
Genworth slides on disappointing 2Q results: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:46:03 PDT - Shares of Genworth Financial Inc. plunged Friday, a day after the insurer and financial-services company's second-quarter results widely missed Wall Street's expectations.
MasterCard names execs to new roles: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:31:03 PDT - Payment processing company MasterCard Inc. said it promoted two executives to new roles.
Lottery makes last call for private manager bids: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:16:03 PDT - The Illinois Lottery made a last call for bids Friday from private companies looking to manage the agency's operations in a deal that officials say could boost revenue and bring in a new group of gamers.
How the major stock indexes fared on Friday: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:16:03 PDT - Stocks had a fitting end to a choppy July as prices seesawed their way to a narrowly mixed finish. Dspite the turbulence, it was the market's best month in a year. Investors had an ambivalent response to the government's gross domestic product report, which showed that economic growth slowed in the April-June quarter. The Dow Jones industrial average fell almost 120 points in early trading, then ratcheted up and down until the close. The Dow ended down just a point, and the other big indexes had similarly small moves.
Obama hails auto bailout as good news in Michigan: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:01:03 PDT - A year after the government's big auto-industry bailouts, President Barack Obama on Friday trumpeted increased car sales and progress on battery-powered vehicles as a beacon of success in his administration's battle to revive a hurting U.S. economy. But his upbeat assessment can't mask daunting challenges for U.S. automakers and painfully high unemployment.
Delta fined $38M for Northwest cargo price-fixing: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:03 PDT - Delta Air Lines will pay a $38 million fine to settle criminal accusations that the cargo unit of Northwest Airlines conspired to fixed prices, the Justice Department said on Friday.
Fitch puts Avis on ratings watch: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:03 PDT - Fitch Ratings said Friday that it has put Avis Budget Group Inc. on ratings watch to due Avis's $1.38 billion offer for Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group.
Wheat prices end July with huge monthly gain: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:03 PDT - WHEAT SURGE: Wheat prices rose in July by the biggest amount in more than a half century as a severe drought in Russia damaged crops there and rains damaged crops in Canada.
Wheat prices end July with huge monthly gain: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:01:03 PDT - Wheat prices surged in July by the biggest amount in more than a half century as severe drought conditions in Russia and other former Soviet republics destroyed grain crops.
RIM spent $719,000 lobbying in second quarter: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:46:02 PDT - Research In Motion Ltd., the maker of the BlackBerry, spent $719,000 in the second quarter to lobby the U.S. government on patent reform and other issues, according to a disclosure report.
Dollar sinks to 8-month low vs yen as growth slows: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:46:02 PDT - Weakening U.S. economic growth and worried comments from Federal Reserve officials drove the dollar to an 8-month low Friday against the Japanese yen.
Bombardier to build Learjet 85 in Kansas, add jobs: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:46:02 PDT - Bombardier Aerospace will build its new midsize Learjet 85 in Wichita, investing $600 million to expand its facilities and adding hundreds jobs in exchange for millions in bond financing from the state.
Ill. penalizes employers who shortchange workers: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:31:04 PDT - Employers who shortchange or don't pay their employees will face stiffer penalties and workers will have more rights under a bill Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law Friday, which experts say makes Illinois' wage theft laws among the strongest in the country.
Chevron 2Q income triples on higher energy prices: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:31:03 PDT - Chevron's second-quarter earnings tripled on better refining margins and higher prices for oil and natural gas, the company said Friday.
Maxim Integrated fiscal 4Q results beat Street: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:16:03 PDT - Shares of Maxim Integrated Products Inc. dipped Friday even after its fiscal fourth-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations, and the chip maker provided an optimistic forecast.
Nokia spent $150,000 on lobbying in second quarter: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:16:03 PDT - Nokia Inc., the world's largest maker of cell phones, spent $150,000 in the second quarter to lobby the U.S. federal government on patents, the use of minerals from rebel-held mines in the Congo and other issues, according to a disclosure report.
Varian Semi posts 3Q profit, revenue growth: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:01:03 PDT - Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc. said it returned to profit in the fiscal third quarter, reversing a year-ago loss, on strong revenue growth linked to recovering demand for computer chips.
Everglades, Madagascar rain forest on UNESCO list: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:01:03 PDT - The United Nations has added Florida's Everglades National Park and rain forests in Madagascar to its list of World Heritage sites in danger.
Applied Micro shares rise after 1Q beats Street: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:01:02 PDT - Shares of Applied Micro Circuits Corp. advanced Friday after the communications chip maker posted better-than-expected results for its fiscal first quarter as demand for its products improved.
Atlas Air signs leasing deal with British Airways: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:31:05 PDT - Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. said its UK subsidiary has signed a five-year leasing agreement with British Airways to operate three Boeing 747-8 freighters on behalf of British Airways World Cargo starting next year.
Caterpillar picks NC for equipment plant, 500 jobs: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:31:05 PDT - Heavy-equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. said Friday it will build a parts plant for large mining machines and it expects to employ about 510 full-time and contract workers in five years.
Sierra Wireless shares surge after 2Q results: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:31:04 PDT - Shares of Sierra Wireless Inc. jumped Friday after the Canadian wireless modem maker posted better-than-expected second-quarter results, prompting at least one analyst to upgrade its shares.
Summary Box: Recovery loses traction in the spring: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:31:05 PDT - RECOVERY LOSES SPEED: The economy grew at a 2.4 percent pace this spring, its most sluggish showing in nearly a year. Growth is probably even slower now, economists said.
The government's revisions to GDP, at a glance: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:16:03 PDT - A look at the government's revisions to gross domestic product on a quarterly basis. GDP measures the value of all goods and services made in the United States. It is the best gauge of the nation's economic health. The first number is the new estimate of GDP growth, the second number the old estimate.
Trouble keeping PC in hibernation: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:03 PDT - Q: Whenever I set my computer to go into hibernation mode when I close the lid (both when plugged in or on battery), the machine will turn...
Starwood Property Trust CFO Anderson resigns: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:05 PDT - Real estate investment trust Starwood Property Trust said its chief financial officer, Barbara Anderson, has resigned.
Ingram Micro shares up after 2Q results: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:05 PDT - Shares of technology marketer and distributor Ingram Micro Inc. rose Friday after its second-quarter results exceeded Wall Street expectations.
GM hikes production capacity for Volt by 50 pct: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:04 PDT - General Motors said Friday that it is boosting production capacity for its new Chevrolet Volt due to strong public interest in the electric car that goes on sale this year.
Geron says FDA lifts hold on stem cell trial: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:46:03 PDT - Regulators on Friday gave the all-clear to a clinical trial that will test embryonic stem cells as a treatment for spinal cord injury, potentially the first time embryonic stem cells are tested on humans.
S&P revises Euronet outlook to 'positive': Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:46:03 PDT - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said Friday it has revised its outlook on Euronet Worldwide Inc. to "positive" from "stable" and affirmed its "BB" counterparty credit rating on electronic payments provider.
US rig count increases by 1: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:46:03 PDT - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by one this week to 1,586.
Cisco spent $370,000 to lobby government in 2Q: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:31:04 PDT - Cisco Systems Inc., the world's largest maker of computer networking gear, spent $370,000 in the second quarter to lobby on patent reform, cybersecurity and other issues, according to a recent disclosure form.
Summary Box: Merck's 2Q result a bit disappointing: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:31:04 PDT - WEIGHED DOWN: Nearly $2 billion in restructuring costs after buying Schering-Plough, plus other charges, drive Merck's second-quarter profit down 52 percent to $752 million.
AT&T spent $3.09M on lobbying in 2nd quarter: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:31:04 PDT - Phone company AT&T Inc. spent $3.09 million in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on a wide array of issues, including retiree health care and taxes on cell phone service, according to a disclosure report.
Digimarc reports wider 2Q loss on joint venture: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:16:03 PDT - Digimarc Corp., which develops digital watermarking technology for images, reported a wider second-quarter loss on Friday as it booked development costs for joint venture investments with The Nielsen Co.
Quest Software shares jump after solid 2Q results: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:07 PDT - Shares of Quest Software Inc. got a boost Friday after the business software maker posted better-than-expected second-quarter results.
Curtiss-Wright gets contract worth up to $20M: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:06 PDT - Curtiss-Wright Corp., which makes motion control products for military and commercial use, said Friday that it has received a contract worth up to $20 million from Moog Inc. to supply components for the flight control system of Boeing Co.'s new 787 aircraft.
Arch Coal 2Q profit surges on global sales: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:06 PDT - Arch Coal Inc. said Friday it reversed losses from a year ago during the second quarter, handily beating Wall Street's expectations on the strength of global markets and a nearly 40 percent jump in sales.
Glimcher offering raises $96M after costs: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:06 PDT - Real estate investment trust Glimcher Realty Trust said Friday a recently completed public offering of 16.1 million common shares generated about $96 million, after commissions, discounts and expenses.
Correction: Michigan River-Oil Spill story: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:05 PDT - In stories July 28 and July 29 about an oil spill on the Kalamazoo River, The Associated Press reported erroneously how deep the oil would be if put in a walled-in football field. The roughly 800,000 gallons of oil would fill a walled-in football field, including the end zones, with just under 2 feet of oil, not 14 feet.
Guyana to sell needy 90,000 computers at discount: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:05 PDT - Guyana has pledged to spend $30 million in the next three years to buy 90,000 laptops and resell them at a discount to the poor.
Correction: Brown Publishing story: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:05 PDT - In a July 29 story about a bankruptcy court proceeding involving Brown Publishing Co., two Ohio newspapers being bought by the Delphos Herald Inc. were misidentified. The Ada Herald is a weekly newspaper, not a daily, and the name of the daily newspaper in Van Wert is the Van Wert Times-Bulletin, not the Van Wert Times.
FBI access to e-mail, Web data raises privacy fear: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:05 PDT - Invasion of privacy in the Internet age. Expanding the reach of law enforcement to snoop on e-mail traffic or on Web surfing. Those are among the criticisms being aimed at the FBI as it tries to update a key surveillance law.
Areva net profit soars despite new EPR charge: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:01:03 PDT - France's state-owned nuclear reactor builder Areva SA said Friday its net profit soared in the first half after it booked a euro1.3 billion (US$1.7 billion) gain selling its electric transmission and distribution division to French engineering firms Alstom SA and Schneider Electric SA.
J. Crew CEO steered away from Starbucks in Seattle: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:01:03 PDT - The Four Seasons employee who directed Mickey Drexler away from Starbucks this week might have spoken too quickly.
U.S. Chamber report blasts Chinese trade policies: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:04 PDT - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce isn't afraid to pick a fight with any attempt at government regulation or taxes, but it moved into less familiar territory this week with a report criticizing Chinese trade policies. It especially faults the so-called indigenous innovation rules that aim to corner certain key global industries and force foreign companies to transfer advanced technologies to Chinese firms.
La. foundation will administer oil workers fund: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:31:03 PDT - BP is giving a Louisiana charity $100 million to hand out to oil rig workers struggling because of the federal moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, the company said Friday.
Nissan to unveil Rogue crossover: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:31:03 PDT - Nissan's North American division planned to unveil a redesigned 2011 model of its Rogue crossover SUV at an auto show in Tennessee.
Earnings Preview: MasterCard to post 2Q results: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:16:02 PDT - Payment processing company MasterCard Inc. reports its second-quarter results before the market opens Tuesday.
Brookfield Homes in merger talks with Carma: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:01:03 PDT - Brookfield Homes Corp. said Friday it's discussing a possible merger with Carma Developers LP, the North American residential and housing division of Brookfield Properties Corp.
Sanofi CEO targeting everything but blockbusters: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:01:03 PDT - After 20 months running drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA, Chris Viehbacher wants to end the roller coaster of revenue peaks and valleys as blockbuster drugs climb to billions in sales and suddenly plummet when generic competition hits.
Job and cost cuts sends AEP profits down 57 pct: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:01:03 PDT - American Electric Power Inc. said Friday its second-quarter earnings dropped 57 percent, mainly from charges as the company slashed 11.5 percent of its work force and cut costs.
Motorists can expect fairly steady pump prices: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:31:03 PDT - Motorists heading out on vacation in the next month should expect gasoline prices to remain fairly constant, give or take a few cents.
American Axle turns to 2Q profit: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:46:03 PDT - American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. reported a second-quarter profit on Friday after a big loss a year ago on charges. Its revenue more than doubled on a resurgence of the auto industry.
On the Call: AEP Chairman-CEO Michael Morris: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:31:03 PDT - Power companies have struggled since the recession with soft demand, particularly from the industrial sector, where they have some of their biggest customers. American Electric Power Inc.'s chairman and CEO, Michael Morris, said demand from those clients was up during the second quarter. Credit Suisse analyst Daniel Eggers wanted to know if it's a trend that has legs.
France's Total Q2 profit up 43 percent: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:31:03 PDT - French oil company Total SA said Friday its second-quarter profit jumped 43 percent thanks to rising production and improving refinery activity after a rough 2009, and said it is reviewing drilling and accident policies after the BP spill.
Subdued US growth weighs on world markets: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:04 PDT - European and U.S. stock markets dropped sharply Friday after figures showed the U.S. economy slowed faster than expected in the second quarter, further eroding confidence in the recovery in the world's largest economy.
Cell phone shipments continue to recover: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:01:04 PDT - The number of cell phones shipped worldwide rose 14.5 percent in the second quarter compared with a year earlier, with much of the growth coming from smaller challengers like the iPhone and BlackBerry, according to research firm IDC.
Summary Box: Arch reverses 2Q loss, ups outlook: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:46:03 PDT - THE COMPANY: St. Louis-based Arch Coal Inc., one of the world's biggest coal producers, fuels about 8 percent of all U.S. electrical generation.
Fortune Brands 2Q profit more than doubles: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:46:03 PDT - Fortune Brands Inc., whose products range from tequila to golf clubs, said Friday that its second-quarter profit more than doubled as revenue increased and costs fell.
Australia govt expands proposed broadband network: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:31:03 PDT - Australia's government expanded its ambitious plan to bring broadband to much of the vast country, adding 300,000 homes and businesses to the coverage area Friday in hopes of winning votes in next month's federal election.
Glance: AEP's 2Q and carbon capture costs: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:16:03 PDT - WHAT: American Electric Power said in its Friday earnings release that a 57 percent drop in its second-quarter numbers was partly due to a charge related to a carbon capture project at its Mountaineer Plant in W.Va., serving that state and Virginia through AEP's Appalachian Power unit.
Slovene police, FBI hail ties in cyber crime probe: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:01:03 PDT - An FBI official said Friday a two-year-long multinational investigation led them to nab a 23-year-old Slovenian, who allegedly created a malicious software code that infected 12 million computers worldwide.
ITT posts higher 2Q earnings, flat revenue: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:01:03 PDT - Defense contractor ITT Corp. said Friday its second-quarter net income got a boost from better operating margins with revenue nearly flat.
EdF gets $9B bid for UK unit as profits dive: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:01:02 PDT - Electricite de France announced a plunge in profits Friday but was boosted by a surprisingly high euro6.9 billion ($9.02 billion) bid by East Asia's richest businessman for the utility's British electricity grid.
Ahead of the Bell: Charles River Labs rises: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:01:02 PDT - Shares of Charles River Laboratories International Inc. rose in premarket trading Friday after the company said it was ending an agreement to buy WuXi PharmaTech Inc.
Recession was deeper than gov't previously thought: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:47:52 PDT - The recession was deeper than the government previously thought.
Newell Rubbermaid 2Q profit rises, revenue mixed: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:31:03 PDT - Newell Rubbermaid Inc., which makes consumer products ranging from storage containers and strollers to Sharpie pens, said Friday that its second-quarter profit climbed 23 percent. Overall revenue dipped but revenue from its key products edged up.
EADS raises outlook despite 61% drop in Q2 profit: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:31:03 PDT - EADS NV, the parent company of plane-maker Airbus, raised its outlook for 2010 - despite a 61 percent drop in second quarter earnings - as a rash of new aircraft orders boosted hopes that a painful two-year downturn is over.
Charles River Labs calls off WuXi Pharmatech buy: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:16:03 PDT - Charles River Laboratories International Inc., a U.S. medical research equipment and services company, said Friday it is canceling a $1.6 billion acquisition of WuXi PharmaTech after shareholder objections.
British Airways posts Q1 loss of $190 mln: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:01:03 PDT - British Airways PLC on Friday said its losses widened 15 percent to 122 million pounds ($190 million) in the three months ending June 30 as operations were disrupted by cabin crew strikes and a cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland.
Sanofi-Aventis CEO Viehbacher at a glance: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:46:03 PDT - SANOFI-AVENTIS SA CEO Christopher A. Viehbacher.
Philippines swimming in rice amid high imports: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:46:02 PDT - The world's biggest rice importer, the Philippines, is now "swimming" in the staple grain because of massive imports by the previous government that drove world prices to record highs and possibly enriched corrupt officials.
Kia Motors says 2Q net profit rises 61 percent: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:31:03 PDT - Kia Motors announced Friday that net profit rose 61 percent in the second quarter amid an increase in sales.
US gas stations: Stay BP or change name to Amoco?: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:31:03 PDT - BP gas station owners across the country are divided over whether the oil giant stained by its handling of the Gulf spill should rebrand U.S. outlets as Amoco or another name as part of its effort to repair the company's badly damaged reputation.
World stocks fall as data takes shine off earnings: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:16:03 PDT - World markets fell Friday despite another batch of positive earnings statements in Asia and Europe as investors fretted about a key U.S. economic growth report due later.
YouTube boosts upload limit to 15 minutes: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:01:03 PDT - In case 10 minutes isn't enough to show off your guitar solo skills or Lady Gaga impersonation, YouTube has raised the limit it places on video uploads to 15 minutes.
Disney sells Miramax to investor for $660 million: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:01:03 PDT - The Walt Disney Co. has agreed to sell its Miramax Films to an investor group for about $660 million, ending a 17-year association with the studio and a six-month bidding process.
Economic growth likely slowed in second quarter: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:16:07 PDT - The already fragile economic recovery may be getting weaker.
Honda posts record quarterly profit on sales rise: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:16:06 PDT - Honda's quarterly profit ballooned to a record 272.4 billion yen ($3.2 billion) and the carmaker raised its full year earnings forecast as sales grew in North America, Japan and the rest of Asia.
More Japan workers lose jobs, factory output falls: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:16:14 PDT - Japan received a sobering reminder Friday of its fragile recovery: The jobless rate rose, deflation deepened, and factories made fewer cars and mobile phones.

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