Sales rose 36 percent to $345.2 million, compared with $253.6 million for the year ago period. "With the higher sales, we are clearly seeing the benefits of an increase in operating leverage, which drove our improved gross margin and contributed to net earnings during the quarter," Modine president and CEO Thomas Burke said. Racine based Modine (NYSE: MOD), a manufacturer of radiators and other thermal management systems, raised its fiscal 2011 sales guidance to a year over year increase of between 16 and 20 percent. "The trends we see provide us further confidence that we are on track to attain our mid term goal of an 11 to 12 percent return on average capital employed by the end of fiscal 2013," Burke said 
Share:  Sales rose 36 percent to $345.2 million, compared with $253.6 million for the year ago period. <span class="sent">"With the higher sales, we are clearly seeing the benefits of an increase in operating leverage, which drove our improved gross margin and contributed to net earnings during the quarter," <span class="company">Modine</span> president and CEO <span class="analyst">Thomas Burke</span> said.</span> Racine based <span class="company">Modine</span> (NYSE: MOD), a manufacturer of radiators and other thermal management systems, raised its fiscal 2011 sales guidance to a year over year increase of between 16 and 20 percent. "The trends we see provide us further confidence that we are on track to attain our mid term goal of an 11 to 12 percent return on average capital employed by the end of fiscal 2013," Burke said....Racine based <span class="company">Modine</span> (NYSE: MOD), a manufacturer of radiators and other thermal management systems, raised its fiscal 2011 sales guidance to a year over year increase of between 16 and 20 percent. <span class="sent">"The trends we see provide us further confidence that we are on track to attain our mid term goal of an 11 to 12 percent return on average capital employed by the end of fiscal 2013," <span class="analyst">Burke</span> said.</span> "When I look beyond 2013, we remain very excited about the growth drivers in the business, which include the need for reduced emissions, greater fuel efficiency and higher building energy efficiency standards.". Tweet this   read full story

"We are pleased to report another profitable quarter. Asset quality appears to be stabilizing and the net interest margin is improving," said President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Nelson, in a statement this morning. "Results show continued momentum in the company's core business. We are not at the level of profitability we desire, but it is nice to have solid results in these economic times," he said 
Share:  "We are pleased to report another profitable quarter. <span class="sent">Asset quality appears to be stabilizing and the net interest margin is improving," said President and Chief Executive Officer <span class="analyst">Dave Nelson</span>, in a statement this morning.</span> "Results show continued momentum in the company's core business. We are not at the level of profitability we desire, but it is nice to have solid results in these economic times," he said....The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans outstanding was 2.19 percent at the end of the second quarter, compared to 1.87 percent at the end of 2009, and 2.12 percent in the second quarter a year ago. <span class="sent">"These developments show our progress in working through problem assets," <span class="analyst">Nelson</span> said.</span> Total loans outstanding at the end of the second quarter declined $30.9 million from the previous quarter, and $152 million over the same quarter a year ago."We are seeing reasonable activity in the form of new loan requests, but it is not enough to offset normal run off in the portfolio due to pay offs and scheduled payments," <span class="analyst">Nelson</span> said....Total loans outstanding at the end of the second quarter declined $30.9 million from the previous quarter, and $152 million over the same quarter a year ago."We <span class="sent">are seeing reasonable activity in the form of new loan requests, but it is not enough to offset normal run off in the portfolio due to pay offs and scheduled payments," <span class="analyst">Nelson</span> said.</span> "Banks are criticized for not making loans, but the truth of the matter is that many of our customers are avoiding debt in these uncertain times.". The company's board of directors voted to forgo a quarterly dividend to common shareholders. Tweet this   read full story

"As widely anticipated, CNA delivered a very strong financial and operational performance in H1. Earning were driven by the downstream business, but are higher across all segments of the Group." said Tina Cook, analyst at Charles Stanley Securities. 
Share:  <span class="sent">"As widely anticipated, <span class="company">CNA</span> delivered a very strong financial and operational performance in H1. Earning were driven by the downstream business, but are higher across all segments of the Group." said <span class="analyst">Tina Cook</span>, analyst at Charles Stanley Securities.</span> Tweet this   read full story

I also understand that sometimes it's better to buy than build, and this is probably one of those times for Disney. Disney president and CEO Robert Iger stated it clearly when he told BusinessWeek : "You don't get the kind of growth we want by building from the inside.". What I'm wondering is whether Playdom was worth the $563 million price tag that Disney plunked down — which will swell to $762 million if Playdom meets predetermined performance benchmarks. Now, you might say that a few hundred million is a drop in the bucket for Disney. 
Share:  I also understand that sometimes it's better to buy than build, and this is probably one of those times for <span class="company">Disney</span>. <span class="sent"><span class="company">Disney</span> president and CEO <span class="analyst">Robert Iger</span> stated it clearly when he told BusinessWeek : "You don't get the kind of growth we want by building from the inside.".</span> What I'm wondering is whether Playdom was worth the $563 million price tag that <span class="company">Disney</span> plunked down — which will swell to $762 million if Playdom meets predetermined performance benchmarks. Now, you might say that a few hundred million is a drop in the bucket for <span class="company">Disney</span>. Tweet this   read full story

Related Resources Strategy Guide to Branch Office Consolidation for Midsize Businesses Self Service Outsourcing: A Closer Look A Roadmap for the Future. Creating new value for the self service channel."More and more Americans rely on their smartphones for everyday tasks and responsibilities," said Arkadi Kuhlmann, President and CEO of ING DIRECT USA. "If we can help them save their time and money by paying a bill or transferring money while at the beach or a barbecue, then it's a win win for everyone.". ING Direct is promoting its new mobile app with customers through a photo and video contest and YouTube video campaign. 
Share:  Related Resources Strategy Guide to Branch Office Consolidation for Midsize Businesses Self Service Outsourcing: A Closer Look A Roadmap for the Future. <span class="sent">Creating new value for the self service channel."More and more Americans rely on their smartphones for everyday tasks and responsibilities," said <span class="analyst">Arkadi Kuhlmann</span>, President and CEO of <span class="company">ING DIRECT USA</span>.</span> "If we can help them save their time and money by paying a bill or transferring money while at the beach or a barbecue, then it's a win win for everyone.". ING Direct is promoting its new mobile app with customers through a photo and video contest and YouTube video campaign. Tweet this   read full story

Neither did he have any truck with Unite figures claiming that 7,000 of BA's 12,000 flight attendants had walked out during the 23 strike days. "Both are nonsense," Mr Walsh said. "Unite highlights this idea there was only £10m between us. There wasn't 
Share:  Neither did he have any truck with Unite figures claiming that 7,000 of <span class="company">BA</span>'s 12,000 flight attendants had walked out during the 23 strike days. <span class="sent">"Both are nonsense," Mr <span class="analyst">Walsh</span> said.</span> "Unite highlights this idea there was only £10m between us. There wasn't....They were only offering temporary change.". <span class="sent">Claiming that support for further industrial action was ebbing away, Mr <span class="analyst">Walsh</span> said the strikers were "less than 5,000 and we know our figures are correct.</span> It would appear that their [Unite's] administrative systems aren't working." A Unite spokesman hit back saying: "We know the figures because we are processing strike pay and we have already passed the 6,500 mark."...A 3.3pc fall in total costs beat expectations, while analysts were impressed by the 13.5pc jump in yields – broadly revenues per seat. <span class="sent">"We have seen premium traffic return in long haul and also seen yield improvement," Mr <span class="analyst">Walsh</span> said.</span> Revenues slipped 2.3pc to £1.94bn, after a 36.7pc recovery in cargo traffic, but passenger income would have been 11pc higher but for the cabin crew and ash disruption. The pre tax loss compares to a £148m deficit last time....<span class="company">BA</span> said it was on target for a full year pre tax profit despite experts' fears of a "double dip recession". <span class="sent">Mr <span class="analyst">Walsh</span> said it was vital <span class="company">BA</span> started to make consistent profits.</span> "We are now in an environment where access to capital is more difficult and the cost of capital is higher. We have to start growing our profits so we can fund the capex and get back to a position where our shareholders get a dividend." Tweet this   read full story

The company said it expects to receive $40 million before the end of the year from the closing of the first tranche of equity financing from China's Hanlong (USA) Mining Investment Inc. Hanlong has been seeking approvals from the Chinese government for the financing. "Both Hanlong and General Moly remain committed to our long term significant relationship and closing this transaction," CEO Bruce Hansen said in a statement. "We do not anticipate the delay in receiving Chinese government approval to impact the overall Mount Hope project development timeline.". Click here for General Moly's full quarterly earnings report . 
Share:  The company said it expects to receive $40 million before the end of the year from the closing of the first tranche of equity financing from China's Hanlong (USA) Mining Investment Inc. Hanlong has been seeking approvals from the Chinese government for the financing. <span class="sent">"Both Hanlong and <span class="company">General Moly</span> remain committed to our long term significant relationship and closing this transaction," CEO <span class="analyst">Bruce Hansen</span> said in a statement.</span> "We do not anticipate the delay in receiving Chinese government approval to impact the overall Mount Hope project development timeline.". Click here for <span class="company">General Moly</span>'s full quarterly earnings report . Tweet this   read full story

BP Plc will attempt on Tuesday a planned "static kill" operation to seal its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well, and hopes to have a relief well finished by the end of August, incoming company CEO Bob Dudley said on Friday. The "static kill" will involve pumping drilling mud and cement into the undersea Macondo well, while the relief well will offer a more permanent plug for the site, which caused the worst off shore oil spill in U. S. history. Dudley told a news conference in Mississippi BP was also in the middle of a $25 billion $30 billion global asset sale, which will help the company meet the costs of the spill clean up and a barrage of related damage claims and lawsuits."We 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="company">BP Plc</span> will attempt on Tuesday a planned "static kill" operation to seal its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well, and hopes to have a relief well finished by the end of August, incoming company CEO <span class="analyst">Bob Dudley</span> said on Friday.</span> The "static kill" will involve pumping drilling mud and cement into the undersea Macondo well, while the relief well will offer a more permanent plug for the site, which caused the worst off shore oil spill in U. S. history. Dudley told a news conference in Mississippi BP was also in the middle of a $25 billion $30 billion global asset sale, which will help the company meet the costs of the spill clean up and a barrage of related damage claims and lawsuits."We...The "static kill" will involve pumping drilling mud and cement into the undersea Macondo well, while the relief well will offer a more permanent plug for the site, which caused the worst off shore oil spill in U. S. history. <span class="sent"><span class="analyst">Dudley</span> told a news conference in Mississippi <span class="company">BP</span> was also in the middle of a $25 billion $30 billion global asset sale, which will help the company meet the costs of the spill clean up and a barrage of related damage claims and lawsuits."We</span> want to absolutely kill this well. The static kill will be attempted on Tuesday....The static kill will be attempted on Tuesday. <span class="sent">The relief well by the end of the month (August)," said <span class="analyst">Dudley</span>, who has been <span class="company">BP</span>'s top executive on the Gulf oil spill since June 4 and who will replace Tony Hayward as <span class="company">BP</span>'s CEO on October 1. "We have begun a rather large asset change at <span class="company">BP</span>. We have about $32 billion liability claims on the books right now.</span> We have a $25 $30 billion asset sale around the globe. Hopefully people will realize that we are serious about meeting our financial obligations," he said....The spill has ruined the livelihoods of fishermen and other business owners along the Gulf Coast and presented a huge challenge to <span class="company">BP</span> and to President Barack Obama's administration. <span class="sent">"This has been a real wake up call for the oil and gas industry," <span class="analyst">Dudley</span> said.</span> Tweet this   read full story