Santander`s First-Quarter Profit Benefits Lower Provisions

In the first quarter of the year, Spain’s largest bank, Grupo Santander SAN , earned EUR 1,205 million, up significantly from the EUR 401 million it earned in the trailing quarter. Most of this increase was due to the non-recurrence of special loan loss provisions in the fourth quarter; excluding this, earnings were up 18% sequentially, but down 26% from the year-ago quarter because of … Continue reading Santander`s First-Quarter Profit Benefits Lower Provisions

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

Avago Technologies to Acquire LSI Corp at 41% Premium

On Monday morning, it was announced that Avago Technologies (AVGO), a leader in advanced optical, analog and mixed-signal chip design, will acquire LSI Corp (LSI), a strong market participant in hard disk drive semiconductor, system-level silicon for communications and server applications and flash storage solutions. AVGO will pay $6.6 billion for LSI, or $11.15 per LSI share. This is a 41% premium from Friday’s close … Continue reading Avago Technologies to Acquire LSI Corp at 41% Premium

Aon’s Q1 Growth Weaker Than Expected

Aon’s first-quarter results showed weaker-than-expected growth in HR Consulting. Overall, the company reported 2% growth in revenue and essentially no change in operating margins at 18.5%. The company reported adjusted operating income–net of restructuring charges and amortization of intangible assets–of $538 million, up about 2% from a year ago. Revenue growth slowed significantly within the consulting segment. The unit reported a 1% year-over-year increase due … Continue reading Aon’s Q1 Growth Weaker Than Expected