COMPANIES

Ford Motor Co. produced a profit of $100 million in the first quarter in a surprise turnaround for the struggling auto giant that has been embroiled in deep losses since 2007.

News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch faces challenges following media ownership rules that the Federal Communications Commission recently adopted, as it nears completion of a deal to acquire Newsday.

BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers launched a contemptuous attack on its takeover target Rio Tinto on Wednesday, after reporting figures that showed BHP's iron ore production was at a record high and criticized Rio's growth projections.

A former vice-president at the Pharmaceutical Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. was indicted as the U.S. Department of Justice said he lied to the federal government about a patent deal related to the blood-thinning drug Plavix.

Alcon Inc. reported global sales increased 16.2 percent on the first quarter of 2008 to $1.54 billion and it announced greater foreign exchange gains.

Hertz Global Holdings Inc. the largest car rental group worldwide said on Wednesday its first quarter earnings narrowed benefiting from international activity and cost cuts.

Liberty Mutual Group, a diversified insurer, agreed to buy Safeco Corp. for $6.2 billion on Wednesday, which would make Liberty Mutual the fifth largest U.S. insurer.

A California woman sued Nalge Nunc International on Wednesday, the maker of hard-plastic bottle which contains a chemical which has raised health concerns among consumers.

Circuit City Stores Inc. has been advised that Blockbuster Inc. cannot complete its bid to acquire the electronics retailer due to the current difficult financing environment.

US technology giant, Apple, reported a profit gain of 36 percent in consumers cash in on Macintosh computers and iPod players.

Sam's Club wholesale store announced it will limit customers to buy up to four bags of rice due to Supply and demand trends the company said.

Amazon.com Inc., the world's largest Internet retailer, on Wednesday reported second-quarter profit rose 29 percent, beating analysts' expectations, citing stronger sales in the U.S. and abroad amid co

Starbucks Corp., believing the gloomy market in the U.S. will hamper its sales, reduced its earnings forecast for the second quarter and full year on Wednesday.

In this article, the third of a three part interview in The Gold Report, Greg McCoach, editor of The Mining Speculator, gives us his top choices for mining equities. Learn why Greg believes we need to do some comparison shopping right now in the junior market and why, although he's bullish on uranium, there are just a few uranium miners he recommends.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC reported its first-quarter profit fell 13.7 percent from a year ago as sales of the group's main drug for diabetes Avandia fell.

Boeing Co., the world's second biggest commercial airplane manufacturer, said Wednesday its first quarter profit was better expected at $1.2 billion, a 38 per percent gain from last year as it increased deliveries to airlines and built a record backlog of orders.

Connaught Plc, provider of integrated services to the private and public sector, said on Tuesday it had delivered record revenue and profit growth in the six months ended on 29 February 2008, thanks to strong organic growth and new acquisitions.

Medco Health Solutions Inc. said Tuesday it extended its contract to provide pharmacy benefit services to health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc.

Boeing CEO Jim McNerney told employees on Tuesday that while the production strategy for the 787 Dreamliner is fundamentally sound, the company expects to modify its approach somewhat on future programs.

News Corp. plans to buy Long Island's Newsday newspaper which belongs to Tribune Co. for $580 million, anonymous sources said today.

Shares of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals rose as much as 80.46 percent to $22.07 in after trading hours on Tuesday in the New York Stock Exchange as healthcare group GlaxoSmithKline Plc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sirtris for $720 million in a cash tender offer of $22.50 per share.

Sony Corp. of America said on Tuesday it will acquire Gracenote Inc. a company that provides music recognition technologies for about $260 million.

Fast-food company Yum Brands Inc. reported a 31 percent jump in first-quarter profit on Tuesday, citing robust growth in its China and international divisions and steady results in the U.S.

Energy giant ConocoPhillips said it expects to seal a $10 billion sour gas deal with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the world's third largest oil exporter, according to media reports.

Soaring fuel prices led three of the largest U.S. airlines to report substantial quarterly losses on Tuesday, with UAL Corp, parent of United Airlines, posting its largest loss since in two years and will shrink its domestic business this year, in line with plans at other airlines.

Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, the second largest U.K. bank, unveiled a plan on Tuesday to raise 12 billion pounds in capital to boost its balance sheet by selling shares to investors after a reporting a 5.9 billion pound writedown.

McDonald's Corp. reported better than expected profit growth for the first quarter on Tuesday on rising global sales. The Oak Brook, Illinois-based fast food company earned $946 million, compared with $762.4 million a year earlier.

AT&T Inc. posted a 22 percent rise in first-quarter net income on Tuesday, as strong growth at the company's wireless operations made up for its weakness in its traditional wireline business.

Citigroup may need to suspend or cut its dividend to shareholders as the company makes moves to regain profitability in the wake of heavy losses linked to the mortgage and credit markets, according to an analyst.