DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Below is a synopsis of major second-quarter releases from Friday
morning:
Bank of America Earnings Down 5.5%, Top Views
Bank of America Corp.'s (BAC) income fell 5.5% on higher merger
charges and continued credit woes, but results topped analysts'
expectations. Credit-loss provisions, while more than doubling from
a year earlier, were flat with the first quarter. Shares, lower
much of premarket trading, recently turned higher and were up
fractionally at $13.29.
GE Profit Slides 47% On Finance-Arm Troubles
General Electric Co.'s (GE) profit dropped 47% on continued woes
at its financial operations, though earnings topped estimates.
Chairman and Chief Executive Jeff Immelt said the company is
holding pat to its expectations for the year. Nonfinance industrial
earnings dropped 8%, below the company's 2009 target. Stock down
nearly 5% at $11.82.
Citigroup Posts Profit On Smith Barney Gain
Citigroup Inc. (C) swung to a profit on a $6.7 billion gain
related to the combination of its Smith Barney brokerage operations
with those of Morgan Stanley (MS). Investment-banking revenue fell
13% while deposits rose 6% during the quarter and operating costs
dropped 21% as the work force fell 9.7% during the quarter. Citi's
stock rose recently 4.3% to $3.16.
Mattel Earnings Soar On Cost Cuts, Non-Operating Results
Mattel Inc.'s (MAT) earnings soared 82% on non-operating income
and lower costs, though sales slid a bigger-than-expected 19% as
consumers cut spending and retailers curb their inventories. Shares
climbed 5% recently to $16.94.
BB&T Earnings Down 52%, Reaches TARP Warrant Deal
BB&T Corp.'s (BBT) profit plunged 52% as credit woes
continued to mount, but the results still topped analysts'
expectations. The regional bank also agreed to repurchase the
warrants issued in connection with the government's $3.1 billion
investment for $67 million. Its stock edged lower recently.
First Horizon Loss Grows As Credit Woes Mount
First Horizon National Corp.'s (FHN) loss widened, as results
missed analysts' expectations. Loan-loss provisions fell from the
prior quarter at the Tennessee-based bank, but loan performance
continued to weaken. Shares dropped 5% recently to $12.09.
Marhshall & Ilsley Loss Narrows, Loan Woes Mount
The loss at Wisconsin's largest bank - Marshall & Ilsley
(MI) - narrowed on sharply lower loss provisions, but loan quality
continued to worsen during the quarter. Shares fell 2% to $5.21
even as the loss was narrower than expected.
A.O. Smith Earnings Soar On Merger
A.O. Smith Corp.'s (AOS) earnings more than doubled, topping
expectations, amid its April merger, though sales continued to drop
amid a slowdown in construction and consumer spending. The company
edged up its slashed 2009 earnings target. Shares were up 5% at
$37.35 recently.
Packager Bemis Reports Surprise 4.5% Profit Growth
Bemis Co.'s (BMS) profit unexpectedly rose 4.5% amid cost
cutting and higher margins, though the packaging-materials company
saw weak demand and revenue hurt by currency rates. Shares were off
1% in early trading at $26.62.