Earnings Roundup: Hanesbrands

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Hanesbrands Inc., the maker of Hanes Brand underwear and the Wonderbra, said Thursday its profit more than doubled in its fourth quarter as a result of increased sales and cost-reduction efforts.

ATLANTA (AP) Consumer products maker Newell Rubbermaid Inc. reported Thursday a 3.1 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit on essentially flat sales.

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PITTSBURGH (AP) L.B. Foster Co., which makes rail and construction products, said Thursday its fourth-quarter earnings skyrocketed, primarily due to a huge gain from the sale of a railroad stake.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) Utility company PPL Corp. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit more than doubled because of a large gain from an asset sale, higher margins from its energy-supply business and lower taxes.

NEW YORK (AP) Defense contractor L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. said Thursday fourth-quarter earnings rose more than 19 percent, as sales grew in several units, including government services and specialized products.

NEW YORK (AP) Investment Technology Group Inc.'s profit rose 36 percent in the fourth quarter as more investors, especially outside the U.S., flocked to the brokerage's trading services, the company said Thursday.

NEW YORK (AP) Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Thursday it narrowed its loss in the fourth quarter from a year ago, which was hurt by generic competition for its best-selling drug Plavix.