BASF`s Crop Protection Products Help Boost Results in First Quarter

In the first quarter, BASF BAS continued to rely on its diversified product mix in what has been a challenging market environment for chemical producers. BASF’s agriculture and oil and gas businesses propped up sales in the first quarter, as revenues increased 4.8% year over year. On a geographic basis, management noted that growth in China was below the firm’s expectations during the quarter. Excluding … Continue reading BASF`s Crop Protection Products Help Boost Results in First Quarter

Credit Suisse Reports a Strong First Quarter

Credit Suisse CS earned CHF 1,026 million (CHF 0.76 per diluted share) in the first quarter compared with CHF 41 million in the year-ago quarter and CHF 221 million in the trailing quarter on better trading results and lower expenses. This quarter’s reported profit, which included CHF 80 million of noncash own-debt losses, amounted to an 11% return on equity. On a management-provided underlying basis, … Continue reading Credit Suisse Reports a Strong First Quarter

Kirby’s Coastal Operations Continue to Improve in the First Quarter

Kirby’s KEX first-quarter revenue fell 1% from last year. The decline was driven by anemic demand for United’s pressure pumping units, tempered by solid inland trends and improvement in coastal operations. The marine transportation business (75% of first-quarter sales) saw revenue increase 25%, thanks to persistent petrochemical and crude oil shipment demand, which is supporting 90%- plus inland-fleet utilization and favorable pricing. Market conditions in … Continue reading Kirby’s Coastal Operations Continue to Improve in the First Quarter

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Tripadvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) buys French online LaFourchette

TripAdvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) announces the acquisition of LaFourchette.com. For the online giant, the French “Fork” will complement its online recommandation and rating services for restaurants and hotels in the world. With operations in France, Spain and Switzerland, LaFourchette booking application will become part of Tripadvisor strategy to provide value services for restaurants. LaFourhcette has tied 12,000 partnerships with restaurants across Europe since 2007. This distribution network … Continue reading Tripadvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) buys French online LaFourchette

Tyco Posts Positive Results Despite Macro Headwinds

Tyco reported strong fiscal second-quarter results in the face of continued weakness in global commercial construction. The security and fire firm increased year-overyear organic revenue by 2% in the quarter, a slight acceleration from 1% growth in the prior quarter. Increased project selectivity in North America commercial security curbed revenue from growing further, but the company should see better growth from higher-margin service revenue in … Continue reading Tyco Posts Positive Results Despite Macro Headwinds

BBVA’s Sees Increased Profits

In the first quarter, Spain’s Grupo BBVA reported profits of EUR 1,734 million, largely driven by gains of about EUR 823 million on disposals. Impairment losses fell 51% sequentially to EUR 1,376 million on the non-recurrence of special provisions in the trailing quarter, but the benefit of this was largely offset by a 7% sequential drop in net interest income, to EUR 3,623 million, as … Continue reading BBVA’s Sees Increased Profits