Business Reporting

Santander's net profit slips on Spain weakness (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:07:00 +0200

Growth in Latin America compensates for weak home and European markets, though Spain's largest bank says it still expects a full-year profit similar to that of 2009.

Indications: Stock futures rise ahead of jobless claims data (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:04:00 +0200

Stock futures point to opening gains on Wall Street, as strong earnings reports from European companies buoy sentiment.

Earnings Outlook: Videogame publishers on deck for tough quarter (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0200

Three of the largest videogame publishers begin reporting results for the June quarter next week, and all are expected to post declines in sales for what was a relatively downbeat period for the industry.

Volkswagen first-half profit soars (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:56:00 +0200

German automotive giant Volkswagen said Thursday its first-half profit surged on strong demand for its models, cost cutting and favorable exchange rate moves.

AstraZeneca shares up as drug maker lifts outlook (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:49:00 +0200

Shares in AstraZeneca rise as much as 5% after the drug giant announces a 23% rise in its second-quarter profit.

VW Net Soars on Sales, Euro (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:47:42 +0200

Volkswagen posted a sharply higher net profit thanks to higher vehicle sales and the fall in the value of the euro. Volkswagen posted a sharply higher net profit thanks to higher vehicle sales and the fall in the value of the euro.

Siemens Returns to Growth (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:33:56 +0200

Siemens posted a 12% rise in quarterly profit and increased sales and order intake for the first time in seven quarters, marking a return to growth after the recession.Siemens posted a 12% rise in quarterly profit and increased sales and order intake for the first time in seven quarters, marking a return to growth after the recession.

Higher Output Boosts Shell's Net (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:32:09 +0200

Royal Dutch Shell posted a 15% rise in net profit, as oil and gas production rose 5% and cost cutting accelerated. Royal Dutch Shell posted a 15% rise in net profit, as oil and gas production rose 5% and cost cutting accelerated.

Taiwan's CPC Makes Large Gas Discovery (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:24:23 +0200

Taiwan government-owned refiner CPC Corp. said it has made a "large" natural gas discovery northwestern Taiwan.Taiwan government-owned refiner CPC Corp. said it has made a "large" natural gas discovery northwestern Taiwan.

Santander's Net Slips as Spain Weighs (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:23:17 +0200

Banco Santander said that its second-quarter net profit fell 8%, as a drop in profit in continental Europe offset higher earnings at the banking giant's Latin American and U.K. operations.Banco Santander said that its second-quarter net profit fell 8%, as a drop in profit in continental Europe offset higher earnings at the banking giant's Latin American and U.K. operations.

Key Drugs Boost AstraZeneca (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:16:59 +0200

AstraZeneca posted a 23% rise in profit, helped by a strong performance in emerging markets and sales of key drugs like cholesterol product Crestor.AstraZeneca posted a 23% rise in profit, helped by a strong performance in emerging markets and sales of key drugs like cholesterol product Crestor.

Nintendo Posts Loss on Yen (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:07:06 +0200

Nintendo swung to a net loss in the April-June period as the yen's strength hurt overseas operations, which accounted for 87% of revenue.Nintendo swung to a net loss in the April-June period as the yen's strength hurt overseas operations, which accounted for 87% of revenue.

France Télécom Calms Investor Fears (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:07:00 +0200

France Télécom said it will keep its current dividend over the next three years, calming investor concern that it might replace part of its cash dividend with a share buyback. France Télécom said it will keep its current dividend over the next three years, calming investor concern that it might replace part of its cash dividend with a share buyback.

Earnings Watch: Updates, advisories and surprises (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:01:09 +0200

A roundup of the latest corporate earnings reports and what companies are saying about future quarters.

London Markets: AstraZeneca, Reed Elsevier help drive U.K. advance (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:58:00 +0200

British shares post a mild advance, with Reed Elsevier, AstraZeneca, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems all outperforming the broader market after updating investors on earnings.

Latin America Lifts Telefónica (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:57:44 +0200

Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica said net profit rose 16% as revenue growth in its Latin American business compensated for a weaker Spanish market.Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica said net profit rose 16% as revenue growth in its Latin American business compensated for a weaker Spanish market.

Sony swings to profit, raises outlook (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:41:00 +0200

Sony returns to profit in the April-June quarter and raises its full-year net and operating profit outlooks.

Shinsei Bank Back in Black (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:36:13 +0200

Shinsei Bank said it swung into the black in the April-June period due in part to lower credit costs.Shinsei Bank said it swung into the black in the April-June period due in part to lower credit costs.

Sanofi Net Jumps 61% (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:34:19 +0200

Sanofi-Aventis posted a 61% rise in profit as favorable currency movements helped the French drug maker beat sales expectations.Sanofi-Aventis posted a 61% rise in profit as favorable currency movements helped the French drug maker beat sales expectations.

Japan Orders Apple to Explain iPod Problem (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:25:33 +0200

Japan wants Apple to explain why some of its iPod Nano music players overheat, after some cases have resulted in users suffering minor burns. Japan wants Apple to explain why some of its iPod Nano music players overheat, after some cases have resulted in users suffering minor burns.

Conoco Will Sell Lukoil Stake (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:19:00 +0200

ConocoPhillips said it would begin shedding its entire 20% stake in Lukoil, marking an end to one of the premier international investments into Russia's oil and gas sector.ConocoPhillips said it would begin shedding its entire 20% stake in Lukoil, marking an end to one of the premier international investments into Russia's oil and gas sector.

Currencies: Dollar slips vs. major rivals in Asian trade (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:14:00 +0200

Investors fret about the outlook for the U.S. economy, pushing the dollar lower.

Europe Markets: Europe shares advance amid earnings deluge (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:01:00 +0200

Investors welcome results from some of the region’s biggest companies in a busy day for corporate news.

MAN SE's Net Profit Soars (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:53:03 +0200

MAN reported a jump in second-quarter net profit driven by improving demand for new vehicles, and said it expects full-year revenue and orders to rise after a woeful 2009 in the wake of the financial crisis.MAN reported a jump in second-quarter net profit driven by improving demand for new vehicles, and said it expects full-year revenue and orders to rise after a woeful 2009 in the wake of the financial crisis.

Sanofi Nearer to Genyzme Bid (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:49:20 +0200

Sanofi is likely to make a formal bid to Genzyme's board in an effort to win enough support for a deal that could eventually be valued at about $20 billion.Sanofi is likely to make a formal bid to Genzyme's board in an effort to win enough support for a deal that could eventually be valued at about $20 billion.

Cost Savings Lift BASF Profit (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:45:10 +0200

Chemicals giant BASF posted a sharp increase in net profit as it reported growth in most of its units and cost savings due to restructuring.Chemicals giant BASF posted a sharp increase in net profit as it reported growth in most of its units and cost savings due to restructuring.

Nissan Swings to Profit (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:44:01 +0200

Nissan Motor swung to a net profit in the fiscal first quarter, as sales of small cars in Japan, stronger auto demand in the U.S. and cost-cuts offset the yen's strength.Nissan Motor swung to a net profit in the fiscal first quarter, as sales of small cars in Japan, stronger auto demand in the U.S. and cost-cuts offset the yen's strength.

Sharp Swings Back to Profit (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:38:05 +0200

Sharp swung back to a net profit in the fiscal first quarter, benefiting from renewed consumer appetite for products like high-end TVs as the global economy picks up.Sharp swung back to a net profit in the fiscal first quarter, benefiting from renewed consumer appetite for products like high-end TVs as the global economy picks up.

Tech Firms Lobby EU on Data Privacy (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:32:17 +0200

Microsoft, Google and other U.S. tech giants are pushing to streamline Europe's privacy rules in order to offer more remote computing and data-storage services. Some European governments are resisting.Microsoft, Google and other U.S. tech giants are pushing to streamline Europe's privacy rules in order to offer more remote computing and data-storage services. Some European governments are resisting.

Toshiba Ekes Out Profit (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:31:53 +0200

Toshiba said strong demand for flash memory chips used in smartphones helped it eke out a net profit in the fiscal first quarter.Toshiba said strong demand for flash memory chips used in smartphones helped it eke out a net profit in the fiscal first quarter.

Sony Swings to Profit (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:55:21 +0200

Sony swung to a net profit in the April-June quarter, and raised its earnings forecasts despite the yen's strength that could undermine its competitiveness overseas.Sony swung to a net profit in the April-June quarter, and raised its earnings forecasts despite the yen's strength that could undermine its competitiveness overseas.

BSkyB's Net Soars (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:45:24 +0200

U.K. pay-TV operator British Sky Broadcasting Group reported solid fourth-quarter earnings and sales, bolstered by a one-time gain and the take-up of its high-definition television offer.U.K. pay-TV operator British Sky Broadcasting Group reported solid fourth-quarter earnings and sales, bolstered by a one-time gain and the take-up of its high-definition television offer.

TSMC Profit Soars 65% (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:43:51 +0200

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. second-quarter net profit soared 65% to a record, boosted by strong wafer shipments.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. second-quarter net profit soared 65% to a record, boosted by strong wafer shipments.

Hyundai Profit Up 71% (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:02:58 +0200

Hyundai posted a 71% rise in its second-quarter net profit as exports to emerging markets and improved utilization rates helped offset lower domestic demand and a stronger won.Hyundai posted a 71% rise in its second-quarter net profit as exports to emerging markets and improved utilization rates helped offset lower domestic demand and a stronger won.

Asia Markets: Lackluster results cloud outlook for Indian shares (MarketWatch)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:39:00 +0200

A lackluster Indian earnings reporting season so far this month has introduced a sense of caution that some analysts say will make it harder for Indian equities to rise in the near term.

SK Telecom Gains From Smartphone Boom (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:19:07 +0200

The increasing popularity of smartphones has helped Korea's SK Telecom post a 17% increase in its second-quarter net profit.The increasing popularity of smartphones has helped Korea's SK Telecom post a 17% increase in its second-quarter net profit.

Wal-Mart's Fashion Identity Crisis (WSJ.com)

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:59:19 +0200

Wal-Mart cannot seem to find the right fit when it comes to selling clothing, and by quietly ousting its U.S. division apparel chief, the retailer acknowledged that its clothing strategy has been a dud.Wal-Mart cannot seem to find the right fit when it comes to selling clothing, and by quietly ousting its U.S. division apparel chief, the retailer acknowledged that its clothing strategy has been a dud.

Therese Poletti's Tech Tales: Rambus investors still need nerves of steel (MarketWatch)