Hilton Hotels Q1 drops 9

Hilton Hotels 1Q profit drops 9 percent (AP)

AP - Hotel operator Hilton Hotels Corp. said Monday its first-quarter profit fell 9 percent on the cost of renovations at a New York property.

Verizon's profit quiets down 8.4%

Verizon 1Q profit falls 8.4 percent (AP)

AP - Verizon Communications Inc.'s first-quarter earnings fell 8.4 percent to $1.5 billion as the loss of income from some divested operations outweighed another strong showing by the telephone company's fast-growing wireless business.

Wrigley rises to 28%

Wrigley 1Q profit rises 28 percent (AP)

AP - Gum and candy maker Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. said Monday that its first-quarter net income rose 28 percent, helped in part by growing international sales. Its shares climbed 9 percent.

Kellogg rises 17%

Kellogg 1Q profit rises 17 percent (AP)

AP - Breakfast and snack food maker Kellogg Co. said Monday its first-quarter earnings rose 17 percent, helped by sales of snacks including cookies and crackers and a tax benefit, and raised its outlook for the full year. Its shares briefly rose to a new 52-week high.

US incomes up, CPI unchanged

March income up 0.7 pct, core prices unchanged (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. incomes rose a greater-than-expected 0.7 percent in March, but core consumer prices were surprisingly unchanged, a Commerce Department report showed on Monday.

GMA Network sets IPO price

GMA Network sets IPO price

MANILA, Philippines -- Broadcasting firm GMA Network Inc. plans to sell up to 91.35 million common shares to Filipino investors, at a minimum offer price of P7 and a maximum of P8.50, according to its initial public offering prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Anglo Philippine Holdings profit at 219 million this quarter

Anglo Philippine Holdings profit rises 180%

MANILA, Philippines -- Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp. said its first quarter net profit jumped 180 percent to P219 million from P78.6 million the year earlier.

11 percent reserve

China Moves To Restrict Lending

Government hikes amount of money banks must hold as reserves to 11% of deposits to cool down economy.

***Wow, what a move.  It's China so what do we expect.

RadioShack posts higher quarterly numbers

RadioShack posts higher quarterly profit (Reuters)

Reuters - Consumer electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. said on Monday that first-quarter profit increased sharply, helped by improved gross margin, a reduction in expenses and an increase in interest income.

BPI Q1 up 28%

BPI Q1 net income up 28% at P3.2B

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the country’s second largest lender, on Monday announced that its net income for the first quarter of the year rose 28 percent to P3.2 billion, compared to yearago levels.

Hottest salaries

The hottest salaries | 1 | Business 2.0

1. Financial controller $79,900

2. Financial analyst $70,500 (Click link for more)

Digitel still in the red

Digitel trims down net loss in 2006

MANILA, Philippines -- Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (Digitel) managed to trim its net loss to P963 million in 2006 from P1.5 billion in 2005 largely due to cost controls, parent JG Summit Holdings Inc. said.

T-bill rates rise

T-bill rates rise

MANILA, Philippines -- Rates on the benchmark 91-day and 182-day Treasury bills rose anew at Monday’s auction, with the rate on the 91-day T-bill rising to 3.044 percent from 2.952 percent at the previous auction, while the rate on the 182-day paper increased to 3.721 percent from 3.560 percent previously.

PSE Shares close lower

Shares close lower ahead of holiday

(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines -- Share prices closed lower after a lackluster session as investors opted to pocket profits ahead of the Labor Day holiday and in the absence of fresh leads, dealers said.

DA: good year for hog, chicken sectors

DA sees good year ahead for hog, chicken sectors

MANILA, Philippines -- THE SWINE and chicken industries see rosy prospects this year with the projected increase in production and the opening up of new export markets, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Earnings and jobs on the balance

For stocks, earnings may offset jobs (Reuters)

Reuters - Should earnings keep beating analysts' forecasts this week, they are likely to be the big prop for stocks even if economic data such as Friday's April payrolls data turns out to be a disappointment.

Flop of real estate speculation

Flippers flop as housing market cools (AP)

AP - In the rampant real estate speculation of the Las Vegas valley three years ago, people lined up outside Pulte Homes sales offices overnight as if they were waiting for the release of the latest video game console or hot new movie.

***You have to learn how to handle a bandwagon.  You cannot bid something higher than its actual value.  If you see a bandwagon, don't line up and pray that it might get higher.  If you do see a bandwagon, then you're too late.

National Bookstore to open HK branch

National Bookstore to open Hong Kong branch in Sept

MANILA, Philippines--NATIONAL Bookstore Inc., the country's biggest bookshop chain, is putting up two branches overseas, one in Hong Kong and another in Guam, this year.

NEDA says liberalization does the trick

Liberalization causing low inflation - NEDA

Here is one good thing that liberalization has brought to the country. The low inflation rate that the country has been experiencing is actually a result of the opening up of the Philippine economy according to National Economic Development Authority Deputy Director General Augusto Santos.

The Fed has spoken. Take your cover.

Fed's Yellen says U.S. economic downturn possible (Reuters)

Reuters - There is the potential for a downturn in the U.S. economy that could have ripple effects around the world, San Francisco Federal Reserve President Janet Yellen said on Saturday.

***Again, it is all about perception.  When everyone is saying "downturn" , the public investors hear "recession".  Then, indeed there will be a downturn and a possible recession.  The only combat against this is the corporate performance.  So far, the housing sector is the one being beaten to the ground.  The corporate results have been mixed, but mostly, they look good to me.  If corporate results continue to top estimate, and turn in profits, we will avoid the feared recession. 

A correction is more likely to happen, after all the climbing the market did.  How deep this correction is, depends on the perception of the investors, and the corporate results.  While the former can, and will often goes wrong, the latter will not.  It may be altered here and there by some cheating accountants, but the overall scenario cannot be manipulated. 

Finally, so long as the stocks you hold are chosen not by interim results (ugh!), but by consistent fundamentals, then, applying the words of the Oracle, Wall Street can close for two years, for all I care.

MBTC net income soared 30% in Q1

Metrobank Q1 net income up 30%

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the country's largest lender, reported on Friday that its net income jumped 30 percent for the first three months of the year on the growth of its low cost deposits, improved deposit mix and lower interest costs.

FDA rejects Merck's Vioxx

FDA rejects Merck's Vioxx successor (Reuters)

Reuters - Merck & Co. said on Friday that U.S. regulators have rejected its arthritis drug Arcoxia, the drugmaker's follow-up to Vioxx, informing the company it cannot be approved without new supportive data.

Recession in the horizon?

Economy crawls, raising recession fears (AP)

AP - The worst economic growth in four years is raising concern that troubles in the U.S. housing market will spread and throw the country into a recession before the year is out.

Soros warns of imbalance in US-China trade

Soros warns of danger of US-China trade imbalance

PRAGUE -- Former global currency markets player and current-day philanthropist George Soros warned Friday that the growing trade imbalance between the US and China represents the biggest threat of an international economic collapse.

Yamamura acquires 35% stake in SMC unit

Corporate News: Nihon Yamamura acquires 35% stake in SMC unit

Glass manufacturer and plastics packaging Nihon Yamamura Glass (NYG) will acquires a minority interest as a strategic equity partner in food and beverage giant San Miguel Corp.'s domestic and international packaging businesses.

Dow ends at record

Dow ends at record on profits, but GDP weighs (Reuters)

Reuters - The Dow Jones industrial average rose on Friday, with robust earnings pushing the blue-chip index to its third straight record close even as data showed the economy grew in the first quarter at its slowest pace in four years.

Oil goes above 66

Oil Prices Rise Above $66 a Barrel

Oil prices pushed above $66 a barrel Friday after Saudi Arabia announced the arrests of 172 Islamic militants, some of whom planned to attack oil fields.

Worst performance in four years

Economic growth in 1Q slows to 1.3 pct. (AP)

AP - Economic growth slowed to a near crawl of 1.3 percent in the first three months of 2007, the worst performance in four years. The main culprit: the housing slump.

Dollar at record low versus Euro

Dollar slumps to record low against the euro

The dollar dropped to a record low against the euro as fresh data showed the rate of US growth slowed considerably in the first three months of the year but inflation jumped.

More earnings: Waste Management, Mazda

Waste Management 1Q profit rises 19 pct. (AP)

AP - Waste Management Inc., the nation's largest garbage hauler, said Friday its first-quarter profit rose 19 percent from a year ago, helped in part by revenue growth at its commercial collection and landfill businesses.

Mazda profits rise on solid U.S. sales (AP)

AP - Mazda Motor Corp., Japan's fourth biggest automaker, posted a 24 percent jump in profit for its fourth fiscal quarter and record annual earnings for the third straight year amid strong U.S. demand for a new sport utility vehicle and other models.

Burger King swings to profit

Burger King reports 3Q earnings of $34M (AP)

AP - Burger King Holdings Inc. said Friday it swung to a profit in the third-quarter, fueled by sales of new sandwiches at the second-largest hamburger chain.

Chevron posts 18pct profit hike

Chevron 1Q profit up 18 percent to $4.7B (AP)

AP - Chevron Corp.'s first-quarter profit surged 18 percent, propelled by the sale of a Netherlands refinery and high gasoline profits, the company reported Friday.

Goodyear reports $174Million loss

Goodyear Reports 1Q Loss of $174 Million

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. on Friday reported a first-quarter loss of $174 million because of continuing costs from a settled strike and lower sales in North America.

Dow edges up to new record

Dow edges up to new record (AP)

AP - Wall Street paused Thursday, with stocks little changed as strong profit reports from names like Apple Inc. and 3M Corp. failed to galvanize the market a day after the Dow Jones industrials crossed 13,000. Still, a modest advance in the Dow gave the blue chips another record close.

Nikkei slides, dollar down

Japanese stocks decline; dollar down (AP)

AP - Japanese stocks slipped Friday as investors digested the first round of earnings reports, seeking hints for the overall trend.

Jap consumer prices fall

Japanese consumer prices fall 0.3 pct. (AP)

AP - Japan's central bank left its key interest rate unchanged Friday after the government said consumer prices marked their sharpest decline in two years in March, fueling concerns that deflation remains a threat.

Exxon rises 10pct

Exxon Mobil 1Q profit rises 10 percent (AP)

AP - Oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. kicked off 2007 with a 10 percent rise in profits, its best-ever first quarter, as higher margins on refining and chemical operations offset lower prices for crude oil and natural gas.

Microsoft posts 65 pct rise in Qprofit

Microsoft profit tops Wall St view on Vista sales (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp. posted a 65 percent rise in quarterly profit on Thursday, topping Wall Street estimates due to better-than-expected demand for its new Windows Vista operating system.

Baidu posts 143 pct jump on profit

Baidu 1Q profit, sales soar (AP)

AP - Baidu.com Inc., China's most popular Internet search engine, said Friday its first-quarter profits jumped 143 percent on strong traffic growth and higher advertising revenues.

Infineon posts unexpected loss

Infineon posts $15M loss in 2Q (AP)

AP - German chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG posted an unexpected net loss for the second quarter, dashing analyst forecasts for a profit, as lower sales and restructuring costs chipped away at its bottom line.

Share prices close lower today

Shares close lower on profit-taking; Philnare jumps on debut

Share prices closed lower as investors cashed in on recent gains in blue chips, switching some funds to new entrant National Reinsurance Corp of the Philippines (Philnare) which rose sharply on its first trading day, dealers said.

***Trend is still up

Safety first

ILO: 10 tips for safer workplace

MANILA, Philippines -- Every year, 2.2 million people die, 270 million are seriously injured, and 160 million suffer short- or long-term illnesses worldwide while working on their jobs, the International Labor Organization said Friday.

***I remember being at a Cargill compound.  Even on Christmas party, they had to start the program with safety reminder.  This is a company that has consistently shown proper disposition of making the workplace safer for employees.

Asian currencies weaker

Asian currencies weaker as yen dragged down by CPI data

SINGAPORE--Asian currencies edged down on Friday, hurt by a sharp fall in the yen after a larger- than-expected drop in Japanese consumer prices reinforced a view that interest rates in Japan will rise only gradually.

PSE soars

Stock Market:RP stocks soar following Wall Street rally

Share prices yesterday soared past the 3,330 level, its highest in two months, following Wall Street's rally as well as news of possible initial public offerings which boosted investors' optimism in the stock market.

Toys R Us rise 40pct in earnings

Toys 'R' Us earnings rise 40 percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Toys "R" Us Inc. on Thursday reported a 40 percent rise in quarterly earnings, helped by the closure of underperforming stores and lower markdowns.

Treasury prices lower

Treasurys prices lower (AP)

AP - Treasury prices were under slight pressure Thursday as investors turned their gaze once more to global stock markets, which have been trending higher ever since the Dow Jones Industrial Average barreled through the key 13,000 level on Wednesday.

4,800 jobs to be axed at Peugeot

Peugeot looks to axe 4,800 jobs

French carmaker Peugeot Citroen is looking to axe 4,800 workers this year through voluntary redundancy.

Dollar recovers

Dollar Distances Itself From Euro

After staving off an all-time high by the euro, the dollar distanced itself during afternoon trading Thursday and the British pound dipped below $2 for the first time in more than week.

Unemployment claims down sharply

Unemployment claims down sharply (AP)

AP - The number of laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell last week by the sharpest amount in nearly two months, indicating the labor market remains healthy despite the sluggish economy.

More reports...

US Airways 1Q profit rises 2 percent (AP)

AP - US Airways Group Inc. on Thursday said profit edged up 2 percent in the first quarter on modest revenue growth and the airline company backed its forecast for a profitable year.

3M posts stronger-than-expected profit (Reuters)

Reuters - 3M Co. , a diversified manufacturer whose products include Scotch tape and Post-It notes, on Thursday posted a far better-than-expected first-quarter profit on strong demand across many of its businesses, sending shares up 4 percent.

Dow Chemical 1Q profit tumbles (AP)

AP - Diversified chemical maker Dow Chemical Co. said Thursday its first-quarter profit fell 20 percent from a year-ago period that included significant licensing revenue within its performance plastics segment.

Halliburton 1Q profit grows 13 percent (AP)

AP - Oilfield services conglomerate Halliburton Co. said Thursday its first-quarter profit rose 13 percent, a boost driven largely by increased business in the Middle East that helped offset lower commodity prices in the United States.

Comcast 1Q earnings surge 80 percent (AP)

AP - Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable television operator, on Thursday reported that first-quarter profits surged by 80 percent, in part helped by a one-time gain resulting from the dissolution of a joint venture with Time Warner Cable.

Aetna earnings rise on fee increases (AP)

AP - Health insurer Aetna Inc. said Thursday first-quarter profits rose 8 percent on increased premiums, membership growth and continued cost cutting measures.

Monster Worldwide quarterly profit falls (Reuters)

Reuters - Monster Worldwide Inc. , parent of jobs Web site Monster.com, reported a lower quarterly profit on Thursday, hurt by higher expenses and legal and other fees tied to its stock options investigation.

Exxon up by 10 pct

Exxon Mobil 1Q profit rises (AP)

AP - Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, said Thursday its net income grew 10 percent in the first quarter, as higher refining, marketing and chemical profit margins overcame lower crude oil and natural gas prices.

Durables up, home sales disappointing

Durables orders up, home sales disappoint (Reuters)

Reuters - New orders for costly and long-lasting U.S.-made goods rose a surprisingly strong 3.4 percent in March, according to a government report on Wednesday that showed businesses investing to expand operations.

This will hurt

RP fiscal program at risk due to missed deficit goal

Investment bank Merrill Lynch warned that the Philippine government’s fiscal program is at risk after the Philippines overshot its first quarter budget deficit goal due to weak revenue collections and higher spending.

Oil at 66 a barrel

Oil prices hover $66 a barrel

SINGAPORE - Oil prices were steady Thursday after rising in the previous session on a midweek US fuel supplies report that showed a large, unexpected drop in gasoline stockpiles and a fall in refinery utilization.

Apple jumps 88 pct

Apple 2Q profits jump 88 percent (AP)

AP - Apple Inc. blew past Wall Street expectations Wednesday, posting quarterly profits that jumped by 88 percent, fueled by strong sales of its iPod players and Macintosh computers.

Hynix Q1 up 45 pct, Qualcomm up

Hynix 1Q net profit up 45 percent (AP)

AP - Hynix Semiconductor Inc., the world's second-largest manufacturer of computer memory chips, said Thursday its first-quarter net profit rose 45 percent as sales soared.

Qualcomm says profit, revenue rise, ups forecasts (Reuters)

Reuters - Wireless technology and chip developer Qualcomm Inc on Wednesday posted higher quarterly profit and revenue and raised its estimate for full-year earnings on strong demand for its chips for mobile phones with high-speed Internet connections.

Wendy's soared 12pct

Wendy's considers sale as shares soar (AP)

AP - Shares of a trimmed-down Wendy's International Inc. soared more than 12 percent after it announced it is forming a special committee of directors to consider a possible sale of the company, among other options.

Ericsson Q1 profit up 24 pct

Ericsson Q1 profit up 24 pct, still sees '07 growth (Reuters)

Reuters - Ericsson (ERICb.ST), the world's largest supplier of equipment for mobile phone networks, reported a 24 percent rise in first-quarter pretax earnings on Thursday and said it was taking market share from rivals.

Ford narrows loss

Ford 1Q loss narrows (AP)

AP - Ford Motor Co. on Thursday posted a first-quarter loss of $282 million, a vast improvement over the $1.4 billion it lost in the first quarter of 2006.

Dollar nears all-time low versus euro

Dollar nears all-time low vs. euro (AP)

AP - The dollar traded within a whisker Wednesday of an all-time low against the euro, which passed $1.3660 on rising business confidence in Germany and disappointing sales of new homes in the U.S.

Home sales rise 2.6 pct

New home sales rise 2.6 pct in March (Reuters)

Reuters - Sales of new U.S. homes rose 2.6 percent in March but fell short of the pace expected by analysts while the number of new homes for sale was little changed, according to a government report on Wednesday.

PSE - 2-month high

Shares close at 2-month high on Wall St rise

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Share prices closed higher for the second straight session, the main index reaching its highest closing level in two months, buoyed by the record-setting rise on Wall Street overnight, dealers said.

April inflation

Tetangco sees April inflation at 2.0%-2.7%

MANILA, Philippines -- The central bank expects the annual inflation rate in April to fall within the range of 2.0 percent to 2.7 percent after slowing to a 20-year low of 2.2 percent in March.

Dow closes above 13,000

Dow closes above 13,000 on earnings data (AP)

AP - It looks like cause for celebration: The Dow Jones industrial average surged from 12,000 to 13,000 in just six months. But appearances can be deceiving, and there may be more reason to worry than rejoice about Wall Street's latest accomplishment.

Japanese companies' earnings

Nintendo Profits Up 77 Pct. on Wii Sales

Blistering sales of the popular Wii and DS game machines lifted Nintendo Co.'s earnings 77 percent in the latest fiscal year, the Japanese maker said Thursday.

Nissan's 1Q Profit Plunges 54 Percent

Nissan's profit plunged 54 percent in the January-March quarter, contributing to the automaker's first drop in annual profit in seven years.

Toshiba Quarterly Profit Down 37 Pct.

Profit at Toshiba Corp. tumbled 37 percent in the January to March quarter despite surging sales, as falling prices for flash memory chips undercut earnings, the company said Thursday.

Fujitsu's Quarterly Profit Jumps

Japanese computer maker Fujitsu Ltd.'s net profit jumped by one-half in the January-March quarter, lifted mainly by gains in the sale of investments in securities.

Manufacturing surprises analysts

U.S. Manufacturing Shows Surprising Strength

Orders for American-made goods rose by 3.4 percent, and businesses continued invest in expansion.

DJIA crosses 13k!

Dow Jones industrials cross 13,000 (AP)

AP - The Dow Jones industrial average shot past 13,000 for the first time Wednesday, powered by growing evidence of a strong corporate America: rising earnings and better-than-expected economic data.

***Landmark.

More profit reports

General Dynamics 1Q profit up 16 percent (AP)

AP - Defense contractor General Dynamics Corp. on Wednesday said its first-quarter profit rose 16 percent on higher sales in its private jet, information technology and military vehicle units.

WellPoint 1Q profit up 7 percent (AP)

AP - WellPoint Inc., the nation's largest health insurer, said Wednesday its first-quarter profit rose 7 percent, as revenue increased on growth in medical enrollment.

Raytheon 1Q profit climbs 21 percent (AP)

AP - Raytheon Co., the world's fifth-largest defense contractor, said Wednesday its first-quarter profit rose 21 percent on strong sales of missiles and battle operations communications systems, and improving results at an aircraft unit that it sold last month.

***Housing and consumer confidence is down.  Corporate earnings up.  Who will win?  The bears or the bulls?  I do think that at this point, Corporate America is showing great shape.  As soon as the profit reports are turned in, investors are going to weigh them.  There will come a point when - as corporate reports are not turned in anymore, negative news will still persist on other economy concerns.  At that point, and considering the blazing trail of the Dow, then, it will have to correct and move down.  At about the end of the quarter, investors will await for the new profit reports.  If they turn out well, then the slowdown will not happen.  If not, then we may have to succumb to a dawning of a bearish market.

UPS dips 13 1/2, Conoco 7 7/10

UPS 1Q profit dips 13.5 percent (AP)

AP - UPS Inc., the world's largest shipping carrier, said Wednesday its first-quarter profit dropped 13.5 percent due to charges related to aging jet aircraft and a slowing U.S. economy.

ConocoPhillips 1Q profit rises (AP)

AP - ConocoPhillips, the nation's third-largest oil and gas producer, said Wednesday its first-quarter profit rose 7.7 percent as income from asset sales helped offset lower commodity prices and higher operating costs.

Boeing up 27!

Boeing profit up on jet deliveries, holds forecast (Reuters)

Reuters - Boeing Co. said on Wednesday first-quarter profit rose a greater-than-expected 27 percent, helped by higher commercial airplane deliveries and sales of military equipment.

***Okay.  No selling for BA

Factory output drops 10.3% in Feb

RP factory output drops 10.3% in Feb

The Philippines' factory output dropped 10.3 percent in February, dragged by slower production in the petroleum and beverages sectors, the National Statistics Office said Wednesday.

***Why is it that our data is always ages late?  It's already April, for Buffett sake.

PSE: Shares up on PLDT

(UPDATE) Shares close firmer on PLDT gains

MANILA, Philippines -- Share prices closed higher with gains in blue chips led by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) offsetting losses in the broader market, dealer said.

Praxair Q1 rises

Praxair first-quarter earnings climb (Reuters)

Reuters - Industrial gas supplier Praxair Inc. said on Wednesday first-quarter earnings rose, spurred by strong volume growth in all its major end markets.

Wellpoint posts higher quarterly profit

WellPoint posts higher quarterly profit (Reuters)

Reuters - WellPoint Inc. reported a 7 percent rise in first-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by gains in membership, but the insurer projected a key medical-cost gauge would be worse than expected for the year.

Pepsico posts 16 percent profit hike

PepsiCo posts higher profit, backs outlook (Reuters)

Reuters - PepsiCo Inc. on Wednesday reported a 16 percent rise in quarterly profit, topping Wall Street estimates, as strong sales of its Frito Lay snacks helped offset weakness in its North American soft drink business.

Oil prices inch up

Oil prices inch up in Asian trading (AP)

AP - Oil prices inched up Wednesday ahead of the release of a weekly U.S. petroleum supply snapshot expected to show that domestic crude stocks fell and gasoline inventories rose.

Dollar weakens anew

Dollar weakens, euro soars, as US home sales tank (AFP)

AFP - Disappointing US economic news, especially a sharp plunge in existing home sales, pushed the dollar lower against other world currencies Tuesday.

Euro stocls drop

European stocks drop, Yell dives 21 percent (AFP)

AFP - Europe's main stock markets dropped on Tuesday after a weak performance by Wall Street overnight, while among individual share prices British directory publisher Yell dived 21 percent.

Amazon Q1 more than doubles

Amazon.com 1Q profit more than doubles (AP)

AP - After two years of technology investments that sent revenues and profits moving in opposite directions, Amazon.com's spending may finally be paying off.

Reuters Q1 profit slips 1.1 percent

Reuters Q1 underlying revenue rises 6.5 pct (Reuters)

Reuters - Financial information and news provider Reuters Group posted a higher-than-forecast rise in first-quarter underlying revenue, but said actual revenue fell by 1.1 percent due largely to a weaker dollar.

STMicro Q1 profit falls 44 percent

STMicroelectronics 1Q profit falls (AP)

AP - Swiss chip maker STMicroelectronics NV said Tuesday its first-quarter profit fell 44 percent from the year-ago period on deteriorating prices and declining revenue.

Stocks close mixed

Stocks recover, close mixed on earnings (AP)

AP - Wall Street was mixed Tuesday, recovering from an early loss as investors shrugged off disappointing housing and consumer confidence data to focus on stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. The Dow Jones industrials set a new trading high, and resumed their trek toward 13,000.

Honda drops 20%

Honda's profit in latest quarter falls (AP)

AP - Honda Motor Co., maker of the Civic, Odyssey and Accord vehicles, reported a 20 percent drop in profit for the January-March quarter despite solid sales that helped mark its seventh straight fiscal year of record sales.

British economy inches higher

British economy sees 0.7 percent growth in first quarter (AFP)

AFP - Britain's economy grew 0.7 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the final three months of 2006, bolstered by a strong showing in the services sector, according to official data published on Wednesday.

Shares close higher

(UPDATE) Shares close firmer on PLDT gains

MANILA, Philippines -- Share prices closed higher with gains in blue chips led by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) offsetting losses in the broader market, dealer said.

Worst drop in 18 years

Home sales: Worst drop in 18 years

Existing home sales slipped in February, a real estate group said Tuesday, as the latest reading on the troubled housing sector came in weaker than economists had forecast.

3-year T-bond rates up

Banking & Finance : 3-year T-bond yields climb

Yields from the three-year Treasury bond rose at yesterday's auction as the market used the government's wider deficit in the first quarter as an excuse to submit higher bids.

IBM - dividend up, buy back of stock

IBM boosts dividend, stock buyback (Reuters)

Reuters - IBM said on Tuesday it will raise its quarterly dividend by a third and its share buyback program by $15 billion, sending its shares up more than 4 percent.

More weakness on housing

Existing home sales fall 8.4 pct in March (Reuters)

Reuters - The pace of sales of existing homes in the United States dropped sharply in March to a 6.12 million-unit annual rate, the National Association of Realtors said in a report Tuesday that showed more weakness than analysts had expected.

Consumer confidence falls anew

April consumer confidence falls to August low (Reuters)

Reuters - Consumer confidence slipped in April to its lowest since last August, reflecting worries that rising gasoline prices could ignite inflation and crimp economic growth, a report showed on Tuesday.

Profit highlights from Yahoo Earnings

Occidental 1Q profit slips to $1.21B (AP)

AP - Occidental Petroleum Corp. on Tuesday posted a slight decline in first-quarter profit as U.S. crude oil production decreased and prices fell from year-ago levels.

DuPont 1Q profit climbs 16 percent (AP)

AP - Specialty chemicals maker DuPont Co. said Tuesday its first-quarter earnings increased 16 percent, driven by higher seed sales and improved pharmaceuticals income. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance for 2007.

ChoicePoint 1Q profit rises 1 percent (AP)

AP - Consumer data provider ChoicePoint Inc. reported Tuesday its profit rose 1 percent in the first quarter with a nearly 3 percent increase in sales.

Lexmark qtr profit, outlook miss expectations (Reuters)

Reuters - Computer printer maker Lexmark International Inc. said on Tuesday quarterly profit rose 7 percent but the results and its outlook missed Wall Street expectations, sending shares down 4 percent.

AT&T 1Q profit doubles to $2.8 billion (AP)

Today at 8:22 PM

AP - Telecommunications heavyweight AT&T Inc. said Tuesday its profit doubled to $2.8 billion in the first three months of the year, its first full quarter since completing its acquisition of BellSouth.

BP first-quarter profits drop 17 percent (AP)

Today at 8:18 PM

AP - BP PLC, Europe's second-largest oil company, reported a 17 percent drop in first-quarter earnings Tuesday on lower oil prices and declining production.

Whirlpool 1Q profit declines 1 percent (AP)

Today at 8:15 PM

AP - Whirlpool Corp. said Tuesday its first-quarter profit dipped 1 percent due to higher costs for materials and lower demand for appliances in the United States because of the slumping housing market.

Lockheed 1Q profit rises 17 percent (AP)

Today at 8:14 PM

AP - Lockheed Martin Corp., the nation's largest military contractor, said Tuesday first-quarter earnings jumped 17 percent because of higher sales at its technology unit and one-time gains.

McGraw-Hill quarterly profit, revenue rise (Reuters)

Today at 7:28 PM

Reuters - Publisher McGraw-Hill Cos. Inc. reported a higher quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by strong performance at its Standard & Poor's unit.

Pepsi Bottling 1st-qtr profit falls (Reuters)

Today at 7:04 PM

Reuters - Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. said on Tuesday that quarterly profit fell nearly 15 percent, hurt by higher costs for aluminum used in cans and corn syrup, which is used as a sweetener.

FTSE falls

FTSE loses ground as real estate stocks fall (FT.com)

FT.com - London equities reversed early gains on Tuesday as the index was hit by worries about the real estate sector in Spain.

Euro stocks drop

European stocks drop, Yell dives 21 percent (AFP)

AFP - Europe's main stock markets dropped on Tuesday after a weak performance by Wall Street overnight, while among individual share prices British directory publisher Yell dived 21 percent.

DuPont reports higher Q1

DuPont reports higher first-quarter earnings (Reuters)

Reuters - DuPont Co. , the No. 2 U.S. chemical company, said on Tuesday that first-quarter profit rose, driven by significantly higher seed sales, increased pharmaceuticals income and a favorable currency impact.

Toyota is numero uno!

Toyota overtakes GM in global vehicle sales (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T) outsold General Motors Corp. by around 90,000 vehicles in the first quarter, moving a step closer to unseating its U.S. rival as the world's biggest automaker.

Goldman wages $1.3B for Nevada casinos buyout

Goldman in $1.3bn casinos wager

Goldman Sachs' Whitehall Real Estate Funds agreed to buy four Nevada casinos from investor Carl Icahn for $1.3bn, pushing Wall Street further into the gambling business.

Nikkei slips

Tokyo stocks slip ahead of earnings

Japanese shares were slightly lower in a light session of morning trade, as investors stood on the sidelines ahead of a slew of annual earnings reports to be released after the market close. The Nikkei 225 average was down 0.8 per cent at 17,315.19.

Nissan to cut 1,500 jobs in Japan

Nissan to cut 1,500 jobs in Japan

Nissan Motor will seek voluntary early retirement from up to 1,500 employees in Japan in the first job cuts at home in eight years as it aims to match lower production for a shrinking domestic market.

PSE to change composition of main index again

PSE to change composition of main index

MANILA, Philippines -- The stock exchange here will remove Benpres Holdings Corp., coal producer Semirara Mining Corp. and property developer Filinvest Land Inc. from its 30-company composite index by May 16, the bourse said.

BDO-EPCIB merger approved

Central bank approves merger of Banco de Oro, Equitable PCI

MANILA, Philippines -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilinas, Manila’s central bank, has approved the merger of Banco de Oro Universal Bank and Equitable PCI Bank Inc, and they are now awaiting final regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the two banks said.

Gold drops after rally

Gold drops after rally, platinum off highs

SINGAPORE -- Gold dipped on Tuesday after rallying to an 11-month high above $693 an ounce the previous day but weakness in the US dollar raised hopes the metal would eventually retest $700.

Shares mirrors Wall Street retreat

Shares close lower on Wall St. retreat, fiscal worries

MANILA, Philippines -- Share prices closed lower on profit-taking following Wall Street's losses overnight and as investors fretted about the government's fiscal condition after it exceeded its budget deficit target for the first quarter, dealers said.

Boston Q1 profit falls 64 %

Boston Scientific 1Q profit tumbles (AP)

AP - Boston Scientific Corp. on Monday said its first-quarter profit fell by 64 percent on weak sales of the medical device maker's top-selling product as well as costs from the company's $27 billion acquisition of Guidant Corp. last spring.

Crane Q1 profit rises

Crane quarterly profit rises, sets Q2 view (Reuters)

Reuters - Diversified manufacturer Crane Co. said quarterly profit rose due to improvement across all its segments, except the aerospace and electronics division.

Texas Instruments: We will beat forecasts for second quarter

Texas Instruments profit, outlook beat forecasts (Reuters)

Reuters - Chipmaker Texas Instruments Inc. posted a smaller-than-expected fall in quarterly profit and said a broad recovery would help it beat second-quarter targets, sending its shares up 9 percent on Monday.

Juniper profit falls

Juniper profit falls, shares down on outlook (Reuters)

Reuters - Network equipment maker Juniper Networks Inc. posted on Monday an anticipated fall in quarterly profit, and its shares fell as it gave a slightly weaker-than-expected 2007 outlook.

Stocks fall

Stocks fall, Dow retreats from 13,000 (AP)

AP - Stocks retreated from historically lofty levels Monday as rising oil prices chilled investor enthusiasm for strong earnings reports and new takeover activity. The Dow Jones industrials came within 17 points of 13,000 before pulling back.

Top Hedge Fund Managers Rake Over $240Million

Top Hedge Fund Managers Earn Over $240 Million

A ranking of the top 25 earners shows that for the hedge fund elite, the rich are getting much richer in a hurry.

***As Arkad said, "Gold attracts gold".

Kimberly-Clark up 64%

Kimberly-Clark 1Q profit up 64 percent (AP)

AP - Kimberly-Clark Corp., the maker of Kleenex tissue and Huggies diapers, said Monday its first-quarter profit rose 64 percent on strong sales growth and cost-cutting efforts.

***Analysts' estimate of a full year income of 4.2 is quite reachable for this giant. Currently, it is trading at 71.17, down a bit from its recent run-up. At this amazing rate of growth, it is imaginable that a P/E of 20 is reachable in the coming days. That will be an increase of about 12.5% from its present price-value immediately. Consider also the fact that KMB can very well beat analysts' estimates, and march to a heftier 25 x earnings. Kimberly is indeed a buy, and it has to be done right now. MACD signalled the buy a month ago - on March 20. RSI approaches overbought levels, and this downtrend now may be part of that correction. Bollinger bands signal a critical moment approaching, since the bands are moving out from each other. Considering the run-up, it might be a signal for a break-out. Buy KMB.

Novartis posts 2.17B profit in Q1

Novartis posts $2.17B profit in 1Q (AP)

AP - Drugmaker Novartis AG posted an 11 percent increase in first-quarter earnings Monday, led by strong sales of its hypertension and cancer treatments.

***NVS is strong fundamentally. 11 percent increase though is something that most investors don't really follow. Estimates for full-year earnings are averaged at 3.33, making this stock rather overvalued considering its growth of merely 11 percent. At this level, it should trade below 33 in order to be a very good buy. Utopian ideal.

Technical conditions for the stock. Moving average tells the run-up going on for the stock. Volume though is rather slow. This rally might not be for the long haul. Today it is down by 0.17% at 57.73. RSI is at 61, but it is still moving up. MACD signalled a buy a week ago. Bollinger bands tell that its activity is volatile, as both bands open up. Fast stochastic warns of a coming approach towards overbought levels.

I'd rather pass on NVS

Cement consumption up 14%, highest since 2001

The Economy: Cement consumption up by 14% in Q1

Local cement manufacturers are upbeat on this year's business prospects as consumption of the basic construction commodity grew 14% to 3.285 million metric tons in the first quarter —the highest since 2001.

Dow nears 13k

Stocks move up as Dow nears 13,000 (AP)

AP - Wall Street crept higher Monday, with the Dow Jones industrial average within striking distance of 13,000. Investors were enthusiastic about earnings reports and new takeover activity, but nervous about extending the blue-chip index's record-breaking run.