DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Below is a synopsis of major second-quarter releases from
Thursday morning:
JPMorgan Wallops Earnings Views On Investment Banking
JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s (JPM) earnings rose 36% on strong
investment-banking results, with the profit smashing analysts
expectations, but rising loan losses continue to hurt the bottom
line. Shares, which rallied earlier this week, were down 2% at
$35.55.
Harley-Davidson Cuts Shipment View
Harley-Davidson Inc.'s (HOG) profit plunged 91% amid write-downs
and its planned shipment decline of its iconic motorcycles. The
company, which for years couldn't produce enough to meet demand,
announced plans Thursday to cut 1,000 more jobs as it slashed its
output forecast again. Shares climbed 6.9% to $18.70.
Marriott Reports More Woes, Sees Troubles Persisting
Marriott International Inc.'s (MAR) earnings fell 76% as the
hospitality industry continues to suffer. The hotel operator and
franchiser declined to give its typical earnings forecasts, citing
the uncertain economy, but sees third-quarter revenue per available
room down 20% to 23% in North America and 22% to 24% abroad. That's
comparable to the latest quarter. Marriott's stock slid 6.4% to
$20.40.
Baxter Profit Tops Views, Raises Earnings Target
Baxter International Inc. (BAX) posted a stronger-than-expected
7.9% profit rise, but sales unexpectedly fell as currency impacts
masked solid product growth. The medical-products maker also
boosted its 2009 earnings forecast slightly. Shares gain 1.8% to
$54.06.
Biogen Earnings Drop On Acorda Payment; Trial Scaled Back
Biogen Idec Inc.'s (BIIB) profit fell 31% on a $110 million
payment regarding its partnership and licensing pact with Acorda
Therapeutics Inc. (ACOR). The payment masked strong sales of
Biogen's Tysabri multiple-sclerosis drug and the company's results
topping expectations. Shares climbed 2.7% to $47.91 as Biogen also
said it is scaling back the test of experimental heart-failure drug
Adentri.
Sonoco Hurt By Restructuring, Volume Drop
Sonoco Products Co.'s (SON) earnings fell 42% on higher pension
and restructuring expenses while volumes for the packaging company
continued to fall. The profit topped the company's downbeat
forecast while sales fell short of analysts' estimates. Shares rose
5.8% to $26.61.
Paint, Chemical Firm PPG Tops Profit Views
PPG Industries Inc.'s (PPG) earnings fell 42% on slumping sales
but the paint, glass and chemical maker handily topped analysts'
profit target on higher margins. Chairman and Chief Executive
Charles E. Bunch expects market demand to improve this quarter,
"but only mildly." PPG's stock gains 6.4% to $49.06.
Cypress Seminconductor Posts Loss As Sales Slide
Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (CY) swung to a loss as results were
better than analysts feared as customers slowed the pace of
inventory reductions. Shares rose 1.5% to $9.80 as the company
expects "above-average seasonal revenue growth" in the third
quarter.
Schwab Earnings Fall On Asset, Interest-Income Drop
Discount broker Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) reported a 31%
earnings decline amid restructuring and federal insurance costs
while revenue fell on a drop in assets and 29% slide in interest
income. Its shares fell 2.8% to $17.58.
NAPA Parent Genuine Parts Hurt By Industrial Weakness
Genuine Parts Co.'s (GPC) profit slid a less-than-expected 22%
as its auto-parts business held up and the company's industrial
operations continued to slump. The stock fell 2% to $33.73.