Search

The article discusses dairy company Dean Foods Inc.'s plans to spin off its Whitewave-Alpro unit, which produces soy-milk and organic milk. Demand for organic milk has been growing much faster than that for conventional milk, while profit margins on soy milk are higher than either. Dean's share price rose over 40% on August 8, 2012 after the company released details of the spinoff.

The article examines a discrepancy between U.S. prices of commodity futures for hogs in 2012 and the retail price of pork in which the price of the futures has declined by 26 percent in 2011-2012 while the price of pork has continued to increase. The discrepancy is attributed to factors including the unwillingness of grocery trade firms to offer discounts on pork, decreased demand due to the high retail prices and an increase in supply of so-called lean-hog due to mild winter weather.

The article considers the impact on the poultry industry, restaurants and the grocery trade of a trend in U.S. consumer behavior in which there is increased demand for chicken parts of so-called dark meat such as legs and thighs. It is noted that increased sales of such chicken parts have led to record prices for chicken, ending a slump in poultry industry finances.

The article examines the effect of a severe drought in Texas and Oklahoma on cattle ranching and the price of beef in the U.S. A reduction in the U.S. cattle population as ranchers have reduced herds is discussed. Efforts by ranchers to relocate cattle to states such as Iowa and Nebraska less affected by the drought are noted. The high costs for ranchers of restocking herds once the drought ends are examined.

The article discusses developer Larry Freed's dealings with creditors on two separate commercial real-estate projects on the same street in Chicago, Illinois. On one project, Bank of America Co. is seeking foreclosure due to Freed's refusal to contribute more capital. With the other project, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and Freed have negotiated new terms for repayment of the bank's $170 million loan.

The article reports that data from the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) show lending by U.S. banks during 2009 fell at its swiftest rate since 1942. In addition, FDIC figures indicate over 700 banks are at risk of failing, the most in 16 years. Although the U.S. Congress has urged banks to lend more, the banks say their regulators keep telling them to exercise prudence in making loans.

The article discusses the impact on banks of a steepening yield curve in the U.S.. Ordinarily banks find it profitable to borrow at low, short-term rates and lend at higher, long-term ones. However, a lack of credit-worthy firms eager to borrow funds has restricted the ability of banks to take advantage of the situation.

The article discusses commentary from John Stumpf, chief executive of Wells Fargo & Co. Stumpf indicated that losses associated with his firm's acquisition of Wachovia Corp. have not deviated far from original projections. He also said the market for providing 30-year fixed mortgages continues to depend heavily on support from the U.S. government.

The article discusses market reaction to stress tests administered to the nation's 19 largest banks by the U.S. government. Shortly after the tests were announced in February, 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit lows not seen in 11 years. Since then share prices have recovered as investors have come to realize none of the banks being tested would fail.

The article reports that a U.S. Congressional committee is investigating the lending practices of several banks that have received federal assistance from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Several banks including Citigroup Inc. and Bank of American Corp. have raised interest rates on credit-card customers, marketed high-interest loans, or engaged in other practices that have drawn consumer complaints.

The article discusses results of a study conducted by the U.S. Federal Reserve that found banks have been raising their standards for loans to both consumers and businesses. The U.S government has provided financial institutions with over $200 billion in an effort to spur the economy through increased lending.

The article discusses financial measures contemplated by American International Group (AIG) chief executive Edward Liddy. Liddy would like the U.S. government to accept a smaller dividend on its preferred shares of AIG, and would also prefer that the government reduce its ownership in the firm. AIG has received over $100 billion in federal assistance.

The article discusses growing perceptions among investors that U.S. bank regulators are urging certain institutions to reduce dividends and raise capital. Among banks thought to be vulnerable for dividend cuts are Wachovia Corp. and Fifth Third Bancorp. On June 12, 2008 KeyCorp announced it would halve its dividend.

The article discusses the use of sexed semen by U.S. cattle ranchers to produce heifers to breed future livestock during 2012 droughts.

The article discusses how dry weather and drought in the U.S. since 2011 have decreased the supply of cattle due to higher costs for feed, resulting in higher beef prices for consumers.

The article discusses the 2012 third-quarter earnings of the meat and packaged-food manufacturer Hormel Foods Corp. with a focus on the sales of Spam canned pork, competition in the packaged-meat industry, and the relationship of Hormel's share prices to economic conditions in the U.S.

The article summarizes a quarterly earnings report for dairy company Dean Foods Co., and discusses the firm's plans to spin off WhiteWave Foods Co., a unit the produces organic milk and soy-based products.

The article discusses the U.S. beef cattle market, noting that drought conditions in the U.S. and the high price of corn have led to low demand and prices, and discusses the long-term increasing prices of feeder cattle, predictions that the price of feeder cattle could rally, and reactions from feedlot owners and ranchers.

The article reports that on July 24, 2012 pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. said it would import corn from Brazil amid drought conditions in parts of the U.S. that have caused U.S. corn prices to rise sharply.

The article states that Downers Grove, Illinois, food company Sara Lee Corp. announced that it was changing its name to Hillshire Brands Co. in June 2012.

The article states that the value of U.S. cattle futures rebounded as of May 7, 2012, following an earlier decline on news of a case of mad-cow disease in California in April 2012 and negative publicity over a beef additive known as pink slime in March 2012.

The article states that U.S. cattle futures prices for April delivery rose five percent on April 25, 2012, following public assurances from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that no meat from a California dairy cow afflicted with mad cow disease had entered the U.S. food supply.

The article discusses a report from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which says nowhere in the U.S. is there a high risk for major flooding during the spring of 2012, due to to modest amounts of snow having fallen during the winter of 2011-2012.

The article presents news briefs that summarize earnings reports for several companies including fashion retailer Esprit Holdings Ltd., meat-packing company Hormel Foods Corp., and supermarket chain Safeway Inc.

The article reports on the commodity price increases issued by the food companies Kellogg Co. and Sara Lee Corp. in December 2011 along with additional commentary on their end-of-year 2011 profit reports.

The article reports that culling due to drought conditions has produced the smallest cattle herd in the U.S. since the early 1950s, and notes the price of live cattle futures set a record on January 25, 2012.

The article discusses rising prices for cattle in the U.S., due to shortages stemming from drought conditions in 2011 that prompted cattle farmers in Texas, Oklahoma, and other states to cull their herds.

The article reports on the decision of meat producers led by Tyson Foods Inc., Smithfield Foods Inc. and Hormel Foods Corp. to improve financial performance and adopt to a declining demand in the U.S.

The article reports on the record increase in the wholesale price of choice beef in 2011 as a result of the massive buying power of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in the U.S.

The article reports on the increase in cattle prices in response to tighter supplies in the U.S. as evidenced by the more than six cents a pound rise in live cattle futures as of November 4, 2011.

The article reports on the call of a growing number of U.S. chicken processors for restaurants and supermarkets to share their costs concerning the volatile feed prices in October 2011.

The article provides information on several factors that investors should consider before buying managed-futures funds in the U.S. like the improving assets that they have acquired in 2010.

The article reports on the ruling issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham IV that Pilgrim's Pride Corp. was involved in price manipulation of chicken in 2009.

This article reports on the move of ranchers in the U.S. to reduce their herds of cattle in 2011.

This section offers news briefs related to business enterprises from around the world as of September 2011 including one on the increased earnings posted by Smithfield Foods Inc. in the first quarter of the year, one on the delay in the merger of Volkswagen AG and Porsche Automobil Holding SE, and the denial of attempts by SABMiller PLC to conduct a review of the financial state of Foster's Group Ltd.

This section offers world news briefs related to business in August 2011 including the increase in the full-year profit of Diageo PLC driven by higher volumes and sales, the higher prices pushed through by Hormel Foods Corp. to U.S. consumers in the second quarter of 2011, and the decision of the unit of BMW AG in India to increase capacity at its factory in order to meet the rising demand for its sport-utility vehicles and luxury sedans.

This article reports on a decline in the revenue of Pilgrim's Pride Corp. in the second quarter of 2011.

The article reports on the accelerating productivity of U.S. hog farmers as they bred litters in spring 2011 with more than 10 surviving piglets with the help of selective breeding and advances in disease control.

The article reports on the 3.1% increased prices of futures for lean hog carcasses traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which is attributed to a statement that China raised concerns over rising domestic pork prices.

The article reports that the prices of cattle on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange have increased in line with the decline in the number of steers and heifers being fattened for slaughter.

The article debunks some myths concerning Small Business Administration loans in the U.S.

This section offers news briefs related to brokers as of February 7, 2011, including one on the earnings report of Bank of America Corp., another on the role of the initial public offering of LPL Investment Holdings Inc. in promoting LPL Financial Corp. unit and another on advisers Christopher Cordaro of RegentAtlantic Capital LLC and Bonnie Hughes of American Capital Planning LLC.

The article focuses on the role of financial advisers in providing investor-clients with information on cash and credit management, as well as preparing financial reports.

The article reports that reductions in loan-loss reserves accounted for much of the profit growth during the third quarter of 2010 for several large U.S. banks including J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Fifth Third Bancorp.

The article reports on the 3.3 billion U.S. dollars third-quarter 2010 earnings of Wells Fargo & Co. due to a surge in originating mortgages.

The article reports on a lawsuit against Wells Fargo & Co. by an employee who claimed that she signed foreclosure affidavits without her needing to examine them in 2010.

The article focuses on the John Hancock Global Opportunities Fund, which targets cheap stocks in firms that dominate their markets.

The article reports on the decision of the Ohio regional bank Huntington Bancshares Inc. to eliminate overdraft fees for one business day to allow its retail customers to restore overdrawn accounts.

The article reports on higher capital requirements for big U.S. banks wanting to restore the dividends they reduced during the financial crisis being set by regulators as of September 2010.

The article focuses on the response issued by Kenneth Lewis, former chief executive officer (CEO) of Bank of America Corp., against a civil fraud lawsuit filed against him by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.