CPI

The cost of living in the U.S. rose in January less than anticipated and a measure of prices excluding food and fuel fell for the first time since 1982, indicating the recovery is generating little inflation. The consumer-price index increased 0.2 percent for a fifth straight month, led by higher fuel cost. However, the Labor Department figures revealed today showed that excluding energy and food, the "core index" unexpectedly fell 0.1 percent, reflecting a drop in new-car prices, clothing and shelter.
The big broader picture shows subdued inflation, giving the Fed to keep rates down for now.

Feb 19 · 2:52:00 PM
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by Larry Etter

IBM (IBM)

IBM Awarded Government Modernization Contract

IBM has been awarded a contract to modernize the U.S. Government's Acquisition and Procurement System. IBM will work to modernize a system that federal agencies and their suppliers use to source equipment, supplies, information technology (IT) and telecommunications services. The award made by the U.S. General Services Administration has a contract value of $74.4 million over an eight-year period.
This is another feather in the cap of IBM's services push.

Feb 19 · 2:32:00 PM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Larry Etter

Campbell's Soup (CPB)

Campbell Growth Plans for U.S. Soup Business

Campbell Soup Company today announced a comprehensive plan to boost the performance of its condensed soup portfolio in the United States, a business that generated more than $1 billion in net sales in fiscal 2009. Campbell plans to enhance more than 60 percent of its condensed line with product improvements, further sodium reduction, more contemporary packaging, improved shelving systems and new marketing aimed at the simple meals category. These upcoming plans for condensed soup build on Campbell's substantial investments in its entire U.S. Soup business over the last several years, designed to improve the quality, convenience, variety and wellness profile across its portfolio. As a result of these investments, Campbell has increased net sales of U.S. soup every year since 2003.
Campbell reiterated its full-year guidance for adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) growth of 6 to 7 percent and adjusted net earnings per share growth of 9 to 11 percent from the fiscal 2009 adjusted base of $2.21. The company revised its fiscal 2010 guidance for sales growth to 2.5 to 3.5 percent from the prior range of 4 to 5 percent.

Feb 18 · 12:45:00 PM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Rich Pike

Walmart (WMT)

Walmart 4th Qtr and Fiscal Year 2010 Results

Wal-Mart today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended Jan. 31, 2010. Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2010 were $112.8 billion, an increase of 4.6 percent from $107.9 billion in the fourth quarter last year. Net sales for the fourth quarter included a currency exchange rate benefit of $1.9 billion. Income from continuing operations attributable to Walmart for the quarter was $4.7 billion, an increase of almost 24 percent from $3.8 billion in the fourth quarter last year. For fiscal year 2010, adjusted earnings from continuing operations attributable to Walmart were $14.2 billion, or $3.66 per share, versus $13.5 billion or $3.42 per share in the prior year, an increase of 7.0 percent per share.
The company expects diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart for fiscal year 2011 to be between $3.90 and $4.00. For the first quarter of this fiscal year, the company forecasts earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Walmart to range from $0.81 to $0.85. Earnings guidance assumes that currency exchange rates will remain where they are today.

Feb 18 · 12:36:00 PM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Rich Pike

Coca-Cola (KO)

Coca-Cola Increases Dividend by 7%

The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company today approved the Company's 48th consecutive annual dividend increase, raising the quarterly dividend approximately 7 percent from 41 cents to 44 cents per common share. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.76 per share, up from $1.64 per share in 2009. The first quarterly dividend is payable April 1, 2010, to shareowners of record as of March 15, 2010.
The increase reflects the Board's confidence in the Company's long-term cash flow. The Company returned $5.3 billion to shareowners in 2009, through $3.8 billion in dividends and $1.5 billion in share repurchases.

Feb 18 · 12:25:00 PM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Rich Pike

News Corp (NWSA)

News Corp Agrees to Sale of bTV to CME

News Corporation announced today it has reached an agreement to sell bTV, its Bulgarian terrestrial TV business, to Central European Media Enterprises (CME), the leading broadcaster in Central and Eastern Europe, for $400 million in cash.
The sale completes News Corporation's program of exiting its substantial Eastern European free-to-air broadcasting businesses. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval by the Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition and other customary closing conditions.

Feb 18 · 12:22:00 PM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Rich Pike

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

J&J to Cut Bonus Targets for Some

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Johnson & Johnson plans to cut the yearly performance-bonus maximums for 38% of its employees and freeze salaries for certain workers, according to an internal announcement and other company documents. J&J reported a 19% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, largely because of charges related to cost restructuring. The company had announced in November that it was eliminating 8,200 jobs, mostly overseas.
"The cost savings from this program are minimal. It is not why we implemented the program. This program is about creating a global compensation program that is consistent and equitable for our employees across the company," a J&J spokeswoman said.

Feb 18 · 12:10:00 PM · Source: Wall Street Journal
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by Rich Pike

Producer Price Index

January Wholesale Prices Up Surprising 1.4%

Wholesale prices shot up at double the expected pace in January, propelled higher by big increases in energy costs. The Labor Department said Thursday that wholesale prices rose 1.4 percent last month, reflecting higher costs for gasoline and other energy products. Private economists had expected a 0.7 percent increase.
The surprisingly big increase was looked at as a temporary blip and not the start of inflation problems, analysts said.

Feb 18 · 10:09:00 AM · Source: AP
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by Larry Etter