Boeing Co. and Machinists union representatives met Friday to open contract talks, exchanging proposals on pay, pensions, health care and other issues.

The Aerospace Industries Association spent $200,000 in the first quarter to lobby on a range of issues critical to aerospace and defense sector, according to a disclosure report filed April 18.

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. spent $3.78 million in the first quarter to lobby on funding for a range of Defense Department and Homeland Security programs and other issues, according to a disclosure form filed April 18.

Military contractor Raytheon Co. spent $1.1 million in the first quarter to lobby on funding for a range of Defense Department and Homeland Security programs, among other issues.

Gov. Joe Manchin's office is getting involved in contract talks between The Greenbrier and unions representing about 1,100 employees. Manchin said Friday that his special adviser for labor negotiation, Stanley Hostler, will participate in the negotiations. Officials with The Greenbrier and the union...

Among the earnings projection stories for Friday, May 9, from AP Financial News: Top stories:

EADS North America, part of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., spent $850,000 on its own behalf in the first quarter to lobby on Pentagon contracts, including a massive Air Force order for aerial refueling tankers, according to a disclosure report filed April 22.

Waste Management Inc., which collects, transfers and recycles waste, said Friday its board declared a regular quarterly dividend of 27 cents. The dividend is payable June 20 to shareholders of record June 2.

Omega Navigation Enterprises Inc. said Wednesday its board declared a regular quarterly dividend of 50 cents. The Greece-based ocean tanker said the dividend is payable May 30 to shareholders of record May 19.

Shares of electrical equipment companies closed mixed on Friday as the broader market slipped on a steeper-than-expected quarterly loss from insurer American International Group and yet another increase in the price of oil.

FedEx is cutting its fourth-quarter guidance, blaming a steep increase in fuel costs. The Memphis, Tenn.-based shipping company says it now expects to post a fourth-quarter profit of $1.45 to $1.50 per share, down from its previous prediction of $1.60 to $1.80 per share.

Cornell Cos., a provider of corrections and treatment services to federal and state agencies, predicted Friday that its second-quarter earnings will rise up to 29 percent.

The senior vice president of corporate strategy and development for FLIR Systems Inc. exercised options for 14,000 shares of common stock, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The chairman, president and chief executive of thermal imaging maker FLIR Systems Inc. exercised options for 100,748 shares of common stock, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Albany International Corp., a textiles and materials processing company, said Friday its chairman Frank R. Schmeler retired as chairman. Erland E. Kailbourne replaces him as chairman. He has been a director since 1999 and is chairman of Financial Institutions Inc. and its Five Star Bank subsidiary.

Cornell Cos., a provider of corrections and treatment services to federal and state agencies, said Friday that its first-quarter profit soared nearly sevenfold, with revenue rising mainly due to correctional center and prison projects.

Advanced Turbine Engine Company LLC, a joint venture between Honeywell International Inc. and Pratt & Whitney, said Friday it was awarded a $108 million U.S. Army contract.

Canada confirmed Friday its decision to block a foreign takeover of the space and satellite division of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, the country's leading space technology firm.

3M Co., which makes Scotch tape, Post-it notes and other products, on Friday said it agreed to acquire Quest Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of environmental monitoring equipment.