RTT - Top Story

RTT - Top Storyhttp://www.rttnews.comGlobal financial news, market analysis, economics and forex newsen-usFri, 04 Feb 2012 04:00:02 GMTMicron CEO Appleton Dies In Plane Crash Memory chip maker Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) said Friday that its chairman and chief executive officer Steve Appleton died this morning in a small plane accident in Boise. He was 51.http://www.rttnews.com/1812894/Micron-CEO-Appleton-Dies-In-Plane-Crash.aspx?type=tsSat, 04 Feb 2012 00:24:57 GMTUpbeat Jobs Data Leads To Rally On Wall Street After turning in a lackluster performance in the previous session, stocks showed a substantial upward move during trading on Friday, as traders reacted positively to a much better than expected report on the employment situation in the month of January. The major averages moved roughly sideways in afternoon trading, closing firmly in positive territory. With the gains, the Dow ended the session at its best closing level in over three years, while the Nasdaq reached an eleven-year closing high.http://www.rttnews.com/1812753/Upbeat-Jobs-Data-Leads-To-Rally-On-Wall-Street.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 21:32:20 GMTObama Warns Congress Against Actions That Could Hamper Economic Recovery President Barack Obama seemed pleased with the better than expected employment numbers released Friday but warned Congress about actions that could slow down the recovery. Speaking at a fire station in Arlington, Virginia, Obama said, "This morning, we received more good news about our economy. In January, American businesses added another 257,000 jobs. The unemployment rate came down because more people found work."http://www.rttnews.com/1812692/Obama-Warns-Congress-Against-Actions-That-Could-Hamper-Economic-Recovery.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 19:39:22 GMTWegmans Recalls Hard-Cooked Eggs, Prepared Foods On Listeria Risk Wegmans Food Markets Inc. is recalling hard-cooked eggs and prepared foods that contain such eggs, due to fears of contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. The products were sold between January 23 and February 1, 2012. The affected products sold in Wegmans prepared foods and deli departments include Hard-Cooked Eggs, Cobb Salad, Garden Salad, Baby Spinach Salad, Chef Salad, Egg Salad, Egg Salad Sub, Kosher Macaroni Salad and Kosher Pickled Eggs.http://www.rttnews.com/1812675/Wegmans-Recalls-Hard-Cooked-Eggs-Prepared-Foods-On-Listeria-Risk.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:48:49 GMTAllison's Recalls Salads Containing Eggs Due To Listeria Concerns Oklahoma-based Allison's Gourmet Kitchens is recalling a variety of Prepared Salads containing cooked eggs, which the company fears may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The recall follows notification by the company's egg supplier Michael Foods Inc. that they are withdrawing numerous lots of their hard cooked eggs due to a possibility of Listeria contamination. Those eggs may have entered into the company's manufacturing process, Allison said.http://www.rttnews.com/1812660/Allison-s-Recalls-Salads-Containing-Eggs-Due-To-Listeria-Concerns.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:16:27 GMTNY Attorney General Sues Wells Fargo, BofA, J.P. Morgan Over MERS New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has sued several major U.S. banks charging that the creation and use of a private national mortgage electronic registry system known as MERS has resulted in a wide range of deceptive and fraudulent foreclosure filings in New York state and federal courts.http://www.rttnews.com/1812652/NY-Attorney-General-Sues-Wells-Fargo-BofA-J-P-Morgan-Over-MERS.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 18:03:07 GMTU.S. Factory Orders Rise 1.1% In December, Less Than Expected While figures released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed a notable increase in new orders for manufactured goods in the month of December, the pace of growth fell short of economist estimates. The report showed that factory orders rose by 1.1 percent in December following an upwardly revised 2.2 percent increase in November. Economists had expected orders to increase by 1.5 percent compared to the 1.8 percent growth that had been reported for the previous month.http://www.rttnews.com/1812590/U-S-Factory-Orders-Rise-1-1-In-December-Less-Than-Expected.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:59:24 GMTU.S. Service Index Jumps To Eleven-Month High In January Activity in the U.S. service sector expanded at a faster than expected rate in the month of January, according to a report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Friday, with the index of activity in the sector rising to an eleven-month high. The ISM said its non-manufacturing index rose to 56.8 in January from a revised 53.0 in December, with a reading above 50 indicating growth in the service sector. Economists had expected the index to edge up to 53.3.http://www.rttnews.com/1812586/U-S-Service-Index-Jumps-To-Eleven-Month-High-In-January.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:48:49 GMTU.S. Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Drops To 8.3% In January The U.S. economy added far more jobs than were expected in the month of January, according to new government statistics released Friday, with the job growth unexpectedly pushing the unemployment rate down to its lowest level in almost 3 years. The Labor Department report showed that the non-farm payroll employment jumped by 243,000 jobs in January following a revised increase of 203,000 jobs in December. Economists had expected employment to increase by about 140,000 jobs.http://www.rttnews.com/1812574/U-S-Unemployment-Rate-Unexpectedly-Drops-To-8-3-In-January.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:36:16 GMTClorox Q2 Profit Tops View, Lifts 2012 Revenue Outlook - Update Consumer products maker Clorox Co. on Friday reported a fivefold increase in profit for the second quarter from last year, as the benefit of price increases and cost savings more than offset higher raw material costs. Additionally, the prior year results included a goodwill impairment charge. Both adjusted earnings per share and revenues topped analysts' expectations. Looking ahead, Clorox reaffirmed its earnings outlook for fiscal year 2012 and raised its revenue growth forecast.http://www.rttnews.com/1812539/Clorox-Q2-Profit-Tops-View-Lifts-2012-Revenue-Outlook-Update.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:55:07 GMTEstée Lauder Q2 Profit Rises, Sees Q3 Below View; Cuts FY12 EPS Outlook - Update Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Friday reported a higher second-quarter profit, as sales rose 10 percent, with growth in all of its product categories and geographic regions, particularly in Asia/Pacific. Adjusted earnings matched analysts' expectations, while revenues missed their view. For the full year 2012, the company reduced its earnings forecast, and the third quarter earnings outlook came in below Street view. Currently shares are down about seven percent.http://www.rttnews.com/1812518/Estée-Lauder-Q2-Profit-Rises-Sees-Q3-Below-View-Cuts-FY12-EPS-Outlook-Update.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:30:53 GMTWalgreens January Comp. Sales Down 4.6% Drugstore chain Walgreens (WAG) announced Monday that comparable store sales, or sales at stores open for one year or more, declined 4.6 percent in January, with total sales, including stores open less than a year, also dropping 2.3 percent. Meanwhile, comparable store front-end sales were up 1.6 percent, but comparable pharmacy sales plunged 7.9 percent. The company noted that it anticipated a very challenging month of January due to its exit from Express Scrip network from this year.http://www.rttnews.com/1812509/Walgreens-January-Comp-Sales-Down-4-6-.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:18:01 GMTFuriex Pharma - How Sweet Will The Tidings Be? Shares of Furiex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (FURX) have gained more than 15 percent in the last three months and trade around $16. This drug development company helps drug developers lower development costs and deliver products to the market more efficiently using its unique and flexible risk-sharing model.http://www.rttnews.com/1812382/Furiex-Pharma-How-Sweet-Will-The-Tidings-Be-.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 12:15:28 GMTWall Street Keeps Job Hopes Alive Wall Street may start Friday's session on a nervous note, as has been characteristic of a session coinciding with the day of the release of the non-farm payrolls report. Nevertheless, the index futures suggest a firm opening. The recent economic optimism has a lot to do with the upturn we have been seeing in some labor market indicators, and incremental evidence fortifying deduction of strength in the labor market may augur well for the markets.http://www.rttnews.com/1812335/Wall-Street-Keeps-Job-Hopes-Alive.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:33:45 GMTEurozone December Retail Sales Drop Unexpectedly Eurozone retail sales declined unexpectedly in December as consumers were reluctant to spend even during the Christmas season, official data revealed Friday.http://www.rttnews.com/1812318/Eurozone-December-Retail-Sales-Drop-Unexpectedly.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 11:14:52 GMTU.K. Service Sector Expands Most Since March 2011 The U.K. service sector expanded at the strongest pace in ten months in January, reviving hopes that the economy could avoid a recession and rebound in the first quarter of this year.http://www.rttnews.com/1812288/U-K-Service-Sector-Expands-Most-Since-March-2011.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 10:40:05 GMTDr. Reddy's Group Q3 Indian GAAP Profit Zooms Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., a global pharmaceutical company, reported the highest-ever consolidated net profit, as per Indian GAAP basis, for the third-quarter on a significant growth in revenues, especially from global generics. On a stand-alone basis, the it posted lower net profit for the quarter.http://www.rttnews.com/1812275/Dr-Reddy-s-Group-Q3-Indian-GAAP-Profit-Zooms.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 10:22:57 GMTPanasonic Now Forecasts $10 Bln Annual Loss - Update Panasonic Corp. Friday said it now expects to report a loss of about 780 billion yen ($10.2 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 31, nearly double its earlier loss forecast. The company cited sales declines in its digital products, global economic slowdown, the European debt crisis and Thailand flooding for the outlook deterioration. The Japanese electronics firm has slipped to a loss in the third quarter of the fiscal, hurt by higher business restructuring expenses.http://www.rttnews.com/1812223/Panasonic-Now-Forecasts-10-Bln-Annual-Loss-Update.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 08:52:18 GMTBT Group Q3 Profit Rises; Advances Profit Goal - Update Internet service provider BT Group Plc on Friday reported an increase in profit for the third quarter, as benefits from reduction in its cost base more than offset a 5 percent drop in revenue. The British company also said it expects to achieve its EBITDA target of above 6 billion pounds set for 2013 a year earlier than planned. Ian Livingston, Chief Executive of the company, said, "We have delivered another quarter of growth in profits and cash flow despite the economic headwinds."http://www.rttnews.com/1812187/BT-Group-Q3-Profit-Rises-Advances-Profit-Goal-Update.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 08:03:18 GMTVolvo Profit Climbs On Higher Demand, But Orders Decline - Update Swedish automaker AB Volvo reported Friday a 46 percent increase in fourth-quarter profit that reflected higher deliveries of trucks and buses and improved construction equipment demand despite a weak European economy. Meanwhile, order intake declined in the quarter amid challenges in Europe and Brazil, even though the company is seeing positive momentum in North America.http://www.rttnews.com/1812175/Volvo-Profit-Climbs-On-Higher-Demand-But-Orders-Decline-Update.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 07:52:09 GMTChina Non-Manufacturing Growth Slows In January Growth in China's non-manufacturing sector eased notably in January due to significant decline in construction activities during the New Year holidays, the latest survey by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP) revealed Friday.http://www.rttnews.com/1812089/China-Non-Manufacturing-Growth-Slows-In-January.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 03:46:26 GMTEdwards Lifesciences Profit Declines, But Tops Estimate; Details Weak Q1 Outlook Edwards Lifesciences Corp. reported a lower profit for the fourth quarter due mainly to one-time charges, which largely offset a 10 percent sales growth. Excluding items, earnings for the quarter improved from last year and topped Street estimates. Revenues also came in ahead of expectations. The company, however, has forecast first-quarter outlook below Street estimates, while reaffirming its guidance for the full year 2012.http://www.rttnews.com/1811991/Edwards-Lifesciences-Profit-Declines-But-Tops-Estimate-Details-Weak-Q1-Outlook.aspx?type=tsFri, 03 Feb 2012 00:08:49 GMTGilead Sciences Profit Rises, But Below Street Gilead Sciences Inc. said its profit for the fourth quarter increased from last year, when results were weighed down by impairments. Revenues for the quarter rose 10 percent driven by higher sales of its antiviral drugs Atripla and Truvada in the US and Europe, but thinner margins clouded the topline growth. Nevertheless, earnings missed Street estimates, while revenues topped expectations.http://www.rttnews.com/1811980/Gilead-Sciences-Profit-Rises-But-Below-Street.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 23:48:07 GMTFiserv Profit Rises 23% Payment processor Fiserv, Inc. (FISV) said Thursday after the markets closed that its fourth quarter profit rose 23% from last year, as revenue grew amid an expanding client base. The company's quarterly earnings per share, excluding items, came in line with analysts' expectations. At the same time, the company forecast 2012 earnings roughly in line with analysts' current expectations.http://www.rttnews.com/1811937/Fiserv-Profit-Rises-23-.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 22:56:48 GMTWynn Resorts Profit Rises <I>Corrects trading range in last paragraph</I>http://www.rttnews.com/1811932/Wynn-Resorts-Profit-Rises.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 22:54:14 GMTTake-Two Profit Falls Yet Tops Estimate; Cuts Outlook Video-game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. said Thursday after the markets closed that its third quarter profit fell 66% from last year, as revenue dropped amid fewer new releases. However, the company's quarterly earnings per share, excluding items, came in above analysts' expectations. At the same time, the company cut its fiscal 2012 outlook, citing postponement of the planned release of Max Payne 3 from fourth quarter to first quarter of its next fiscal year.http://www.rttnews.com/1811909/Take-Two-Profit-Falls-Yet-Tops-Estimate-Cuts-Outlook.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 22:21:06 GMTChoppy Trading Leads To Mixed Close Ahead Of Jobs Report With traders seemingly reluctant to make any significant moves ahead of tomorrow's closely watched monthly jobs report, stocks turned in a lackluster performance throughout the trading day on Thursday, eventually ending the day mixed. The major averages closed on opposite sides of the unchanged line, with the Dow posting a modest loss.http://www.rttnews.com/1811788/Choppy-Trading-Leads-To-Mixed-Close-Ahead-Of-Jobs-Report.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 21:28:34 GMTMost US Retailers Report Higher January Comps, Many Top Estimates US retailers reported Thursday sales performances for January at stores open for at least a year. Most of them, including Limited Brands, Target, TJX, Ross Stores, Nordstrom, Kohl's, and Macy's reported increases in sales providing a strong start to the year, with exceptions being Gap and Wet Seal. The results were largely higher than analysts' estimates, while Nordstrom, Macy's, and Wet Seal missed.http://www.rttnews.com/1811583/Most-US-Retailers-Report-Higher-January-Comps-Many-Top-Estimates.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:55 GMTMasterCard Q4 Profit Plunges On Litigation Charges, Adj. Earnings Top View Payment card processor MasterCard Inc. reported Thursday a sharp decline in fourth-quarter profit, as it recorded $495 million charge for the settlement of U.S. Merchant litigation. On a per share basis, adjusted earnings topped analysts' expectations. Revenues grew about 20 percent on improved volumes and matched Street view. The company's shares rose more than 5 percent in the morning trade on the NYSE.http://www.rttnews.com/1811578/MasterCard-Q4-Profit-Plunges-On-Litigation-Charges-Adj-Earnings-Top-View.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 14:55:11 GMTViacom Q1 Profit Falls, But Tops View - Update Entertainment content company Viacom Inc. on Thursday reported a 65 percent decline in profit for the first quarter, reflecting higher expenses and lower advertising revenues. Net earnings for the quarter were $212 million or $0.38 per share, down from $610 million or $1.00 per share in the prior-year period. Earnings per share beat analysts' estimates by a penny, while revenues missed their expectations.http://www.rttnews.com/1811561/Viacom-Q1-Profit-Falls-But-Tops-View-Update.aspx?type=tsThu, 02 Feb 2012 14:35:08 GMT �