http://www.rttnews.comGlobal financial news, market analysis, economics and forex newsen-usWed, 16 May 2012 14:00:04 GMTMulti-channel retailer Sears Canada, Inc. (SCC.TO) reported Wednesday a profit for the first quarter compared to a loss last year, reflecting a significant gain on lease terminations of three stores. Excluding the gain, the company would have reported a wider loss for the quarter.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887806Wed, 16 May 2012 13:43:05 GMTFarm equipment maker Deere & Co., lifted its earnings forecast for fiscal-year 2012 yet again after reporting better-than-expected earnings and revenues for the second quarter, helped by a strong farm economy. The company noted it achieved its eighth consecutive quarterly earnings record in the quarter.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887801Wed, 16 May 2012 13:40:09 GMTDiscount-store operator Target Corp. on Wednesday reported a profit for the first quarter that beat analysts' expectations, as strong same-store sales growth and higher revenue at its retail segment helped offset lower earnings at its credit card segment. Target's retail sales for the quarter were aided by unusually warm weather and an early Easter. Buoyed by the results, Target forecasts earnings for the second quarter above analysts' estimates and raised its earnings outlook for fiscal 2012.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887769Wed, 16 May 2012 13:21:57 GMTSpecialty retailer Chico's FAS, Inc. reported Wednesday a profit for the first quarter that increased from last year, reflecting double-digit revenue growth and the acquisition of Boston Proper. Consolidated comparable sales increased 9.6 percent. Adjusted earnings per share and quarterly revenues topped analysts' expectations. The company also raised its revenue guidance for the full-year 2012.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887756Wed, 16 May 2012 13:15:47 GMTTyson Foods, Inc. (TSN) said Wednesday that it is now looking toward earnings growth as it has achieved earnings stability in recent years. The meat products maker plans to accelerate growth through its international businesses in emerging markets. http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887754Wed, 16 May 2012 13:15:13 GMTCasual apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Wednesday said its profit in the first quarter plunged from last year amid higher costs in a weak European environment. The company still confirmed its full year earnings outlook. Mike Jeffries, CEO, said, "While we are disappointed that European sales trends remain challenging in a very difficult macroeconomic environment, we are largely satisfied with our overall performance for the quarter in that context."http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887722Wed, 16 May 2012 12:59:02 GMTOffice supplies retailer Staples, Inc., reported Wednesday a decline in first-quarter profit citing lower sales internationally and severance costs associated with layoffs. The company reiterated its full-year forecast, assuming continued slow growth in the U.S. economy and a soft demand environment in Europe. Headcount reductions in North America, Europe and Australia and acquisition-related costs impacted the results to the tune of $0.03 per share.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887626Wed, 16 May 2012 11:51:55 GMTMulti-channel retailer Sears Canada Inc. (SCC.TO) reported first-quarter net earnings of C$93.1 million or C$0.91 per share, as against a loss of C$47.0 million or C$0.45 per share last year. The company said the recent quarter's earnings included a gain of C$164.3 million this year representing the pre-tax gain on lease terminations of three stores as announced earlier. http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887616Wed, 16 May 2012 11:40:45 GMTChico's FAS Inc. (CHS) posted higher first-quarter net income of $53.6 million, or $0.32 per share, compared with $45.9 million, or $0.26 per share last year. On average, 19 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $0.30 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887607Wed, 16 May 2012 11:29:40 GMTFarm and construction machinery maker Deere & Co. (DE) said its second-quarter net income attributable to the company grew to $1.06 billion, or $2.61 per share, from $904.3 million, or $2.12 per share last year. On average, 17 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $2.53 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887586Wed, 16 May 2012 11:11:14 GMTOffice supplies retailer Staples Inc. (SPLS) reported a drop in first-quarter net income to $187.06 million or $0.27 per share from $198.24 million or $0.28 per share in the prior-year quarter. On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $0.30 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887525Wed, 16 May 2012 10:09:13 GMTGerman automaker Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, or BMW Group, (BAMXY.PK, BAMXF.PK, BMW.L) expects to achieve its goals for 2016 and realize its vision for 2020. Next week, the company would open another new plant in China, in Tiexi, which would increase its capacity in the Shenyang region to as many as 300,000 vehicles over the medium term.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887423Wed, 16 May 2012 08:29:29 GMTEuropean Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. on Wednesday lifted its full year earnings outlook, as the company reported a first-quarter profit with strong performances from Airbus, Eurocopter and Astrium divisions, despite strained defence markets in the Western world. The company, popularly known as EADS, now expects adjusted earnings per share above 1.85 euros, compared to the previous projection of 1.65 euros per share. In 2011, EADS earned 1.39 euros.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887312Wed, 16 May 2012 06:27:30 GMTDenmark-based conglomerate A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S (AMKBF.PK, AMKAF.PK) reported a plunge in first-quarter pre-tax profit to 8.48 billion Danish kroner from 15.03 billion Danish kroner last year. In US Dollar terms, pre-tax profit amounted to $1.50 billion, a 46% drop from the prior year's $2.75 billion. http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887297Wed, 16 May 2012 06:21:26 GMTSwiss luxury goods group Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (CFRUY.PK) posted higher full-year profit attributable to owners of the parent company of 1.54 billion euros, compared with the prior year's 1.09 billion euros, with earnings per share rising to 2.756 euros from 1.925 euros a year ago.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887250Wed, 16 May 2012 05:46:45 GMTRealty major Unitech Ltd. reported a lower net profit for the fourth-quarter, both on stand-alone and consolidated basis, hurt by higher borrowing costs and slowdown in income.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887242Wed, 16 May 2012 05:36:32 GMTEuropean Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. or EADS (EADSY.PK, EADSF.PK), the parent of commercial aircraft maker Airbus, posted first-quarter net income of 133 million euros or 0.16 euros per share, as against a loss of 12 million euros or 0.01 euros per share last year. Net income before one-off rose to 259 million euros from year-ago period's 101 million euros, chiefly driven by the operational improvement reflected in the EBIT, which is flowing down to the net income.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887229Wed, 16 May 2012 05:14:28 GMTDepartment-store operator J.C. Penney Co., Inc. said Tuesday after the markets closed that it swung to a first quarter loss, hurt by lower sales as well as markdowns and restructuring charges. The company's top line and its bottom line both missed analysts' estimates by huge margins. The company also said it will discontinue its quarterly dividend.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887049Tue, 15 May 2012 21:56:26 GMTSina Corp. (SINA) Tuesday reported a loss for the first quarter, compared to a profit in the prior-year period, driven mainly by higher expenses and lower margins, notwithstanding a 6 percent revenue growth.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1887034Tue, 15 May 2012 21:38:28 GMTMarketing technology and services provider Acxiom Corp. (ACXM), Tuesday reported a swing to a profit in the fourth quarter from a year ago, driven mainly by gains from discontinued operations as well as on the absence of a hefty impairment charge recorded last year. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings for the quarter came in ahead of analysts' estimates, as did revenues.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886692Tue, 15 May 2012 17:01:01 GMTPackaged food supplier General Mills, Inc. (GIS) reaffirmed Tuesday its adjusted earnings and revenue guidance for the full-year 2012. This was revealed by CFO Don Mulligan during a presentation at the Barclays Capital Americas Select Franchise Conference today in London, England.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886620Tue, 15 May 2012 15:21:04 GMTPower Corporation Of Canada (POW.TO) reported that its first-quarter net earnings attributable to participating shareholders rose to C$264 million or C$0.57 per share from C$216 million or C$0.47 per share in the previous-year quarter.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886588Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:11 GMTGeneral Mills, Inc. (GIS) reiterated its adjusted earnings guidance for fiscal 2012 in a range of $2.53 to $2.55 per share. This excludes mark-to-market effects and integration costs related to the acquisition of a controlling interest in Yoplait S.A.S.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886577Tue, 15 May 2012 14:27:34 GMTTJX Companies, Inc. on Tuesday reported a 58 percent increase in profit for the first quarter from last year. The results reflect higher revenues as well as comparable store sales, and improved margins. Both earnings and revenue beat analysts' expectations. Looking ahead, the off-price apparel and home fashions retailer forecast higher earnings in the second quarter and raised its earnings outlook for fiscal 2013. However, the outlook for both the periods are lower than analysts' estimates.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886574Tue, 15 May 2012 14:23:01 GMTPaints and coatings maker Valspar Corp. (VAL) reported Tuesday a profit for the second quarter that increased from last year, reflecting improved margins and revenue growth. Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter topped analysts' expectations, while quarterly revenues missed their estimates.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886569Tue, 15 May 2012 14:19:02 GMTOff-price retailer TJX Companies Inc. (TJX) reported an increase in its first-quarter net income to $419.2 million or $0.55 per share from $265.95 million or $0.34 per share last year, helped by higher sales and expense leverage. The prior year's results include a number of items that impacted the comparability of earnings per share. Excluding these items, earnings per share for the first quarter increased 41% over the adjusted $0.39 last year. http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886476Tue, 15 May 2012 13:04:32 GMTLuxury retail chain Saks Inc. (SKS) on Tuesday reported a 13 percent increase in profit for the first quarter on higher comparable store sales and an improvement in gross margins. Adjusted earnings per share beat analysts' estimates, while revenues missed their estimates.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886460Tue, 15 May 2012 12:54:48 GMTRetailer Saks Inc. (SKS) said its first-quarter net income grew to $32.1 million, or $0.18 per share from $28.4 million, or $0.16 per share last year. http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886395Tue, 15 May 2012 12:11:11 GMTHome improvement retailer Home Depot, Inc. reported Tuesday a higher first-quarter profit as warm weather created improved demand for home renovation products, boosting its sales by about 6 percent. Adjusted earnings matched analysts' estimates, but sales came below their view. Based on its year-to-date performance, the company lifted its guidance for the fiscal ending January 2013.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886356Tue, 15 May 2012 11:49:09 GMTAditya Birla Nuvo Ltd., a diversified conglomerate, reported a lower net profit for the fourth-quarter, both on consolidated and stand-alone basis, impacted by higher depreciation and interest costs, primarily relating to 3G investments in the telecom business, and higher provision for entry tax.http://www.rttnews.com/story.aspx?Id=1886248Tue, 15 May 2012 10:42:13 GMT