Earnings

Online 'estimator' calculates retirement benefits Do you know how much your Social Security benefit will be? For those nearing retirement, and especially for those 10 years or more away, the answer has always been, at best, a rough estimate. A new...

Commonwealth Edison parent Exelon Corp., citing its solid balance sheet, said directors approved the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of the Chicago-based utility holding company's common stock. Exelon said it expects the buyback to be completed...

Martek Biosciences Corp. said yesterday that third quarter net income increased 47 percent to $9.3 million, or 28 cents per diluted share compared with $6.1 million, or 19 cents per diluted share for the corresponding period a year ago. Revenues were $88....

Navistar International Corp., helped by its fast-growing defense segment, reported fiscal third-quarter earnings late Wednesday that far surpassed analyst expectations. For the quarter ended July 31, the Warrenville-based maker of trucks and engines had...

Navistar International Corp., helped by its fast-growing defense segment, reported fiscal third-quarter earnings that dramatically topped analyst expectations. For the quarter ended July 31, the Warrenville maker of trucks and engines had net income of...

Sales growth of nearly 30 percent failed to boost fourth-quarter profits at United Natural Foods, the Killingly-based natural and organic food wholesaler that is Whole Foods Market's main supplier. Net income for the quarter that ended Aug. 2 was $12.8...

The Week Ahead The state of the U.S. job market will be in focus during the holiday-shortened week, while auto sales are expected to rise from July's record lows. Retailers will also continue to report their financial results. Employment data A...

Monday •Labor Day: Markets closed Tuesday •August Institute for Supply Management index •July construction spending •Earnings: Donaldson Co. Wednesday •August auto sales •July factory orders •Federal...

PPL TRIMS 2008 FORECAST FOR PROFIT BY $30 MILLION PPL Corp. cut its profit forecast because of a shutdown for repairs at its Montour County coal-fueled power plant near Danville. This year's net income will be reduced by about $30 million on lower sales...

Value investing, the strategy of picking stocks perceived to be trading for less than their intrinsic worth, isn't having an easy year. The usually steady financial stocks that dominate many value portfolios are in disarray, periods of uncertainty...

Connecticut Natural Gas is appealing a state decision requiring it to credit customers up to $9.25 on their monthly bills after the company earned an estimated $15.4 million more than it was allowed. The state Department of Public Utility Control...

Sears Holdings Corp., citing the deteriorating economy's chilling effect on consumer spending, reported a 62 percent drop in fiscal second-quarter earnings. In the quarter ended Aug. 4, Hoffman Estates-based Sears earnings tumbled to $65 million, or 50...