UNITED STATES

Computer Sciences Corp. (NYSE: CSC) said Tuesday that is delaying its fiscal fourth-quarter and full year 2007 earnings reports as it finalizes some accounting issues.

Home improvement store chain Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) said on Monday that its first quarter profit dropped by 12 percent, slightly below expectations, due to a slowing U.S housing market.

Japan is the global leader for innovation, with Switzerland, the United States and Sweden trailing behind, according to a new study.

The rising number of missed mortgage payments and foreclosures by higher credit risk homeowners will not likely cause damage to the U.S. economy, said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Thursday.

Retailer TJX Companies Inc., (NYSE: TJX) said on Tuesday that its profit was slightly lower for its fiscal first quarter, hindered by charges related to corporate security breaches.

Hurt by a softer housing market in the United Stats, The Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) posted a decline in its first quarter profit on Tuesday, falling short of analyst expectations.

Prices for pure fruit juice in Japan are increasing due to strong demand for biofuel and hurricanes in the U.S., according to industry officials.

Swedish truckmaker Volvo AB (NASDAQ: VOLV) narrowed its losses for its fiscal first quarter, escaping pressure from a U.S slowdown.

Major Japanese automakers are focusing on boosting their production bases in the U.S. to meet strong demand for Japanese cars and avoid trade disputes, reports Kyodo news service.

Satellite television provider DirecTV Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTV) posted a 43 percent rise in profit on Wednesday, driven by a higher subscriber count and high-definition services, but missed analysts expectations.

News Corp. (NYSE: NWS)said on Wednesday that its third quarter profits rose by 6.2 percent from the previous year on strong performance from its film and cable news divisions.

Shares of Armor Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AH) jumped more than 5 percent in Monday trading after the company agreed to be acquired by BAE Systems for $4.1 billion.

Starbucks Corp. (Nasdaq: SBUX) said Monday that it would end the use of artery clogging trans fats in food and beverages in the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada by the end of 2007.

German sportswear maker Puma AG (PUM.XE) reported a slight rise in its fiscal first quarter earnings, but cut its 2007 outlook for full-year sales and profit.

Insurance broker Aon Inc. (NYSE: AOC) posted an 8 percent increase first quarter profit Thursday, on strong revenue growth in its Americas division.

U.S forest products company Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) posted a quarterly profit on Friday, helped by gains from its transaction with Domtar Corp.

Washington Post Co. (NYSE: WPO) reported a 16 percent drop in first quarter profit on Friday, citing lower revenues in its newspaper publishing, magazine publishing and television broadcasting divisions.

Engineering and construction firm KBR Inc. (NYSE: KBR) reported that its first fiscal quarter profit rose 7.4 percent on Friday, helped by government and infrastructure operations for Iraq related contracts.

Diesel engine maker Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) reported a higher first-quarter profit on Friday, citing stronger sales of industrial power equipment. The firm also boosted its full year earnings forecast, sending shares up more than 11 percent.

Teledyne Technologies Inc. (NYSE: TDY) reported an increase in earnings and raised its full-year guidance above Wall-Street estimates on Wednesday, driven by higher margins in each of its segments.

Shares supplemental health insurance provider Aflac Inc. (NYSE: AFL) as the company posted first quarter earnings that exceeded estimates, as strong U.S. sales offset its declining Japan sales.