The worldwide smartphone market grew by 42.5 percent year-over-year in Q1 2012, with South Korean technology giant Samsung overtaking Cupertino-based Apple for the smartphone leadership position.
Medical device maker Hologic Inc. said Monday it would acquire diagnostic test maker Gen-Probe Inc. for about $3.7 billion in cash to expand its molecular diagnostic business, international presence and cross-selling opportunities.
After reporting record profit for the first quarter of 2012, South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics has achieved yet another outstanding feat. The company has become the world's number one handset vendor, thereby ending Finnish firm Nokia's 14-year run as the global leader, according to a latest research from Strategy Analytics.
The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG), the world's largest consumer-goods company, is expected to report lower profit when it unveils its fiscal third-quarter earnings before the market opens on Friday, hurt by higher commodities costs and a stronger dollar.
South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor reported Thursday a profit of 2.45 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in the first quarter, which is up 31 percent compared to the same period a year ago.
Swiss food group Nestle SA may sell 10 to 15 percent of the $11.9 billion baby food business it is buying from Pfizer Inc to address antitrust concerns, Bloomberg News reported Monday.
European and U.S. equities fell hard Monday on concerns about the possibility that a Socialist could become France's head of state and reverse current austerity initiatives as well as downbeat European fiscal and economic data.
Swiss food group Nestle is to buy drugmaker Pfizer's baby food business for $11.85 billion, beating out French rival Danone in the battle for dominance of fast-growing emerging markets.
Germany's private sector growth continues to stall in April, weighed down by the steepest contraction in the manufacturing sector since July 2009, according to a preliminary reading released by Markit Economics on Monday.
Nestle SA, the world's largest food group, said Monday that it has agreed to acquire children's food maker Pfizer Nutrition for $11.85 billion.
Corporate executives are hesitant to pull the trigger on new acquisitions despite indicating they believe the global economy is improving somewhat, according to a survey of more than 1,500 executives polled by Ernst & Young.
Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) Friday reported higher first-quarter earnings as strong sales to aerospace customers and increased revenue from petrochemical producers offset higher costs.
Johnson Controls Inc. is expected to report a 5 percent drop in first quarter 2012 earnings tomorrow due to increased commodity prices, the expense of a new metals plant and higher engineering and launch costs from new business ventures. However, revenue and operating profit for the company are expected to be up.
General Electric Co. is expected to report slightly weaker first-quarter earnings because of a backlog of low-margin thermal and industrial equipment plus slow health care revenue growth.
Shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) rose Wednesday after the health care products maker reported a 43 percent jump in first-quarter earnings on a higher sales in emerging markets and also raised its full-year earnings guidance.
Nissan Motor Co. will invest as much as 40 billion yen, $494 million, to build a fourth Chinese factory through its joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Nikkei reported Friday.
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV may be serving up cervezas en espanol, as the Belgian brewer has emerged as the lead bidder for Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana SA, maker of Presidente Beer.
Monkeying around might not be advised in most businesses, but for Kipling it is a way of life. The accessories brand, specializing in handbags, backpacks and totes, was built upon the pillars of playfulness, adventurism and dynamism. The brand celebrates 25 years in 2012 and Julie Dimperio is ready for the next 25.
The Knight Frank Wealth Report 2012 has marked seven cities as the world's fast-growing cities to watch in 2050, based on their potential for creating new market opportunities for local as well as global companies.
Avon Products Inc. (NYSE:AVP)'s appointment Monday of Sherilyn McCoy to replace Andrea Jung as CEO brings some stability to the beleaguered direct-sales beauty company, but analysts say one person is unlikely to cure Avon's huge legal and organizational problems, which threaten its stock price and sales growth.
Alcoa Inc., the U.S. aluminum giant, said Thursday it will reduce its annual total alumina production capacity by 2 percent this year, aimed at matching output with its plans to reduce smelter capacity amid global oversupply that has hurt prices.
So far this week, U.S. industrial giants have announced nearly $3 billion will be invested in new operations and research in Brazil, China and India three cornerstone members of the BRICS countries.
