International Business News - consumergoods http://www.ibtimes.com All articles are copyrighted by IBTimes.com 400 100 http://www.ibtimes.com/ http://www.ibtimes.com/images/top_logo_ibt2_3.gif Canadian Auto Workers at General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have ratified a new labor agreement, wrapping up this year's round of negotiations between the CAW and the major automakers. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080518/chrysler-gm-workers-in-canada-ratify-3-year-deals.htm Sun, 18 May 2008 13:43:44 EDT American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. workers on Sunday learned details of a tentative contract that could settle an 11-week strike by the United Auto Workers union. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/48991-american-axle-labor.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080518/american-axle-workers-get-details-of-contract.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080518/american-axle-workers-get-details-of-contract.htm Sun, 18 May 2008 13:55:25 EDT An American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. spokeswoman confirms the auto parts supplier has reached a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers that could end an 11-week strike. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/source-uaw-american-axle-reach-deal-that-could-end-strike.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 23:23:18 EDT Standard & Poor's Ratings Services on Friday lowered its non-investment grade corporate credit and senior unsecured debt ratings for Lennar Corp. to "BB" from "BB+," citing the effects of the housing slump on the homebuilder's profitability. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/s-p-cuts-lennar-ratings-citing-housing-slump-woes.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 17:21:27 EDT Milwaukee won't have to worry about a future without beer. The chief executive of Miller Brewing Co. says the nation's second-largest brewer is committed to staying in its hometown. Tom Long made that commitment even as Miller and the nation's third-biggest brewer, Molson Coors Brewing Co., are planning to merge their U.S. operations in a deal expected to be done by midsummer. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/miller-ceo-brewer-is-committed-to-milwaukee.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 17:04:17 EDT General Motors Corp. shares took the biggest loss on the Dow Jones industrial average Friday, following a jump in oil prices and a surprise rise in home construction. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/djia-leaders-laggards-gm-cvx.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:58:37 EDT Libbey Inc. expects to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell up to $550 million in stock, bonds and other investments to raise money to pay off debt, the glass tableware maker said Friday. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/libbey-to-register-to-sell-550m-in-investments.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:49:54 EDT Life is sweet for banana producers. In the first quarter, Chiquita Brands, the No. 2 banana producer in North America, swung to a better-than-expected profit as it raised prices. Banana sales rose 12 percent to $584 million, helped by tight supply and a weak dollar. In 2006, 59 percent of sales came from outside North America. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/market-spotlight-banana-producers.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:31:05 EDT Household durables stocks fell Friday after crude oil prices again closed at an all-time high, tempering positive news that new home construction jumped in April. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/closing-glance-shares-of-household-durables-slide.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:11:00 EDT Major beverage stocks were mixed in late trading Friday, amid broad market losses as oil prices spiked to more than $127 a barrel. How shares of some major beverage makers performed: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/closing-glance-major-beverage-stocks-mixed.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:10:15 EDT Shares of apparel makers closed lower Friday as investors reacted to disappointing consumer confidence data and soaring oil prices. The Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading for May fell to 59.5 _ the weakest reading since June 1980. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/closing-glance-apparel-makers-down-on-oil-prices.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:08:52 EDT The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday it expects beef exports to soar 15 percent in 2008, which could boost profit at meat producers. The rise stems from the opening of the South Korean market to U.S. beef. Last month, South Korea said it would begin allowing imports of bone-in beef from the U.S. The country had banned that type of beef from the U.S. more than four years ago after a mad cow disease outbreak in the U.S. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/commodity-wrap-beef-export-predictions.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 16:07:22 EDT Del Monte Foods Co., which produces and distributes food and pet products, said Friday it is exploring strategic options, including a possible sale, of its StarKist seafood business. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/del-monte-foods-could-sell-starkist-brand.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 15:26:50 EDT The chief executive of sportswear maker Lululemon Athletica Inc. exercised options for 242,049 shares of common stock, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/lululemon-chief-executive-exercises-options.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 15:09:39 EDT Major business events and economic events scheduled for the coming week (some dates are tentative). All times are Eastern: MONDAY, May 19 http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/business-events-and-economic-reports-next-week.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 15:06:23 EDT Campbell Soup Co. reports earnings for the fiscal third quarter on Monday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/earnings-preview-campbell-soup-co.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 15:59:28 EDT Manufacturers trying to match Speedo's record-breaking swimsuit have been given a new chance to get their products approved before the Olympics. Swimming governing body FINA announced a June 3 meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/swimsuit-makers-get-another-shot-before-olympics.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 14:05:34 EDT Electronic Arts Inc. led a decline in video game stocks Friday after April's retail sales numbers, though a big jump from a year ago, disappointed investors. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/sector-snap-video-game-stocks-fall.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 13:32:48 EDT The head of brewer Molson Coors says the company will keep its headquarters in Denver regardless of possible relocations as a result of its pending joint venture with SABMiller. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/molson-coors-ceo-office-to-stay-in-denver.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 13:28:23 EDT Apparel retailers had the biggest decline on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index on Friday after a Goldman Sachs analyst downgraded the department store sector due to higher fuel prices, sending the index lower at midday. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080516/midday-leaders-laggards-s-p-500.htm Fri, 16 May 2008 13:08:25 EDT