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NO BUNDESBANK POLICY CHANGES EXPECTED THURSDAY
The Bundesbank is unlikely to change its credit policies at its central bank council meeting on Thursday, as exchange rates and short-term interest rates have stabilized over the past few weeks, money market dealers said. Attention in the money market is focused on tomorrow's tender for a securities repurchase pact, from which funds will be credited on Thursday, when an earlier pact expires, draining 16 billion marks from the system. The tender was announced last Friday, because carnival festivities closed banks in Duesseldorf yesterday, and will close banks here this afternoon. Because of the disruption to business from carnival, minimum reserve figures for the start of the month are unrealistic, making it difficult for banks to assess their needs at the tender. Dealers said the Bundesbank would want to inject enough liquidity in this week's pact to keep short-term rates down. But because of uncertainty about banks' current holdings, the Bundesbank may well allocate less than 16 billion marks this week, and top it up if necessary at next week's tender. "I would not be surprised if the Bundesbank cuts the amount a little, to say 14 or 15 billion marks," one dealer said. "They would then stock it up at the next tender when the need is clearer," he added. An earlier pact expires next week, draining 8.5 billion marks from the system. Banks also face a heavy but temporary drain this month from a major tax deadline for customers. Banks held 52.0 billion marks on February 27 at the Bundesbank, averaging 51.0 billion over the whole month, just clear of the 50.5 billion February reserve requirement. Call money traded today at 3.85/95 pct, up from 3.80/90 yesterday.
Financial Reports
<PALOMA PETROLEUM LTD> YEAR NET
Shr 32 cts vs 29 cts Net 3,320,206 vs 2,990,695 Revs 13.5 mln vs 14.9 mln
Corporate News
U.K. MONEY MARKET SURPLUS REVISED TO 250 MLN STG
The Bank of England said it revised up its forecast of today's surplus in the money markets to 250 mln stg from its earlier estimate of a 150 mln. The central bank has not operated in the market today.
Financial Reports
<AMERICAN RESOURCE CORP LTD> YEAR NET
Shr five cts vs 51 cts Net 2,300,000 vs 22,500,000 Revs not given Note: Prior shr and net include 20.3 mln U.S. dlr gain on sale of equity holdings Results in U.S. funds
Corporate News
WASTE MANAGEMENT ENDS TENDER OFFER FOR CHEMLAWN
WASTE MANAGEMENT ENDS TENDER OFFER FOR CHEMLAWN
Commodities and Trade
WEST GERMAN JAN COFFEE IMPORTS DOWN ON YEAR-AGO
West German gross green coffee imports in January fell sharply to 38,616 tonnes from 54,576 in January last year, figures from the Federal Statistics Office show. Imports of decaffeinated unroasted coffee were 396 tonnes against nil a year earlier.
Commodities and Trade
ONE VALLEY BANCORP <OVWV> RAISES QUARTERLY
Qtly div 26 cts vs 25 cts prior Pay April 15 Record March 31 NOTE: One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia Inc.
Corporate News
NATIONAL DATA CORP <NDTA> 3RD QTR FEB 28 NET
Shr 31 cts vs 26 cts Net 3,516,000 vs 2,972,000 Revs 40.0 mln vs 36.3 mln Avg shrs 11.4 mln vs 11.2 mln Nine mths Shr 89 cts vs 73 cts Net 10.0 mln vs 8,146,000 Revs 116.8 mln vs 105.0 mln Avg shrs 11.3 mln vs 11.1 mln
Other
NVHOMES <NVH> SETS TWO-FOR-ONE SPLIT
NVHomes LP said its board declared a two-for-one split of Class A units, payable to shareholders of record on April 20. It said certificates will be distributed about two weeks after the record date.
Other
VANGUARD TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL INC <VTI>
Shr 19 cts vs 10 cts Net 653,464 vs 287,606 Revs 10.6 mln vs 7,600,000 Year Shr 68 cts vs 46 cts Net 2,309,181 vs 1,408,813 Revs 38.4 mln vs 26.0 mln
Corporate News
THOMSON MCKINNON U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND DIVIDEND
Mthly div 7.3 cts vs 7.5 cts in prior month Payable April six Record Marcxh 30
Corporate News
THOMSON MCKINNON INCOME FUND DIVIDEND
Mthly div 8.5 cts vs 9.2 cts in prior month Payable April six Record Marcxh 30
Industrial and Sector News
(OAKRIDGE HOLDINGS INC) 2ND QTR DEC 31 NET
Shr 48 cts vs four cts Net 882,000 vs 82,000 Sales 968,000 vs 784,000 Six mths Shr 53 cts vs 11 cts Net 970,000 vs 202,000 Sales 2,001,000 vs 1,521,000 NOTE: 1986 net includes a gain of 26 cts a share from the sale of a funeral home, and tax credits of 20 cts. 1985 net includes tax credits of one cent in the quarter and 3.7 cts in the six months period.
Financial Reports
GENERAL COMPUTER CORP <GCCC> 3RD QTR FEB 28 NET
Shr 10 cts vs 20 cts Net 146,000 vs 230,000 Revs 3,766,000 vs 3,271,000 Avg shrs 1,458,000 vs 1,125,000 Nine mths Shr 15 cts vs 58 cts Net 212,000 vs 653,000 Revs 10.6 mln vs 9,561,000 Avg shrs 1,458,000 vs 1,125,000
Corporate News
BRIERLEY OFFER FOR PROGRESSIVE STILL VALID
<Brierley Investments Ltd>, (BIL), said its offer of 4.20 N.Z. Dlrs per share for supermarket group <Progressive Enterprises Ltd> still stands, although <Rainbow Corp Ltd> said today it has 52 pct of Progressive. BIL said in a statement it will review events on a daily basis. Rainbow announced earlier that it had increased its stake in Progressive to 52 pct from 44 pct through the purchase of 9.4 mln shares at between 3.80 and 4.80 N.Z. Dlrs per share. BIL chief executive Paul Collins said: "All Rainbow has done is to outlay a substantial amount of cash to purchase shares from parties who presumably were supportive of the merger." Rainbow has proposed a merger with Progressive to form a new company, <Astral Pacific Corp Ltd>. Under the merger, shareholders in both Progressive and Rainbow will be issued shares in the new company on a one-for-one basis. "Quite simply, Rainbow should now bid for the balance of Progressive Enterprises at 4.80 N.Z. Dlrs per share," Collins said.
Other
AVATAR HOLDINGS INC <AVTR> YEAR NET
Oper shr 32 cts vs seven cts Oper net 2,599,000 vs 550,000 Revs 94.4 mln vs 69.4 mln NOTE: Net excludes tax credits of 1,405,000 dlrs vs 3,538,000 dlrs.
Commodities and Trade
NORWAY OFFERS 11TH LICENCE ROUND OFFSHORE BLOCKS
Norway has offered 10 new offshore blocks to foreign and domestic applicants in the first phase of the country's eleventh concession round, government officials said. Company shares in each of the licences proposed by the Oil and Energy Ministry are not final. The ministry has given the companies 10 days to accept or decline the proposed shares. French companies Ste Nationale Elf Aquitaine <ELFP.PA> and Total Cie Francaise des Petroles <TPN.PA>, which were expected to receive operatorships following France's agreement last autumn to purchase gas from Norway's Troll field, were not offered operatorships in this round, industry sources said. Three eleventh round blocks were awarded in the Haltenbanken exploration tract off central Norway, including the Smoerbukk West field where Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A/S <STAT.OL> (Statoil) was appointed operator. Statoil will share the licence with subsidiaries of U.S. Oil companies Tenneco Inc <TGT.N> and Texas Eastern Corp <TET.N> and the Italian oil company <Agip SpA>'s Norwegian subsidiary. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours <DD.N> subsidiary Conoco Norway Inc was named operator on Haltenbanken block 6406/8 and will share the licence with Statoil. Norsk Hydro A/S <NHY.OL> will operate nearby block 6407/10 with partners Statoil, Norsk Agip A/S, Royal Dutch/Shell Group's <RD.AS> A/S Norske Shell and <Deminex> unit Deminex (Norge) A/S. Statoil has been offered the operatorship on a new block in the relatively unexplored Moere South exploration area south of Haltenbanken, with A/S Norske Shell, Texas Eastern and <Petroleo Brasileiro SA> (Petrobras) also offered stakes in the block. Norwegian companies landed operatorships on all six blocks opened in the Barents Sea area off northern Norway. The blocks were awarded in three licenses, each covering two blocks. Statoil will head exploration on blocks 7224/7 and 7224/8, sharing the licence with Exxon Corp's <XON.N> Norwegian subsidiary Esso Norge A/S, The British Petroleum Co PLC's <BP.L> BP Petroleum Development (Norway) Ltd, Shell, Norsk Hydro and Saga Petroleum A/S <SAGP.OL>. Blocks 7219/9 and 7220/7 were awarded to Norsk Hydro, the operator, Statoil, Mobil Corp's <MOB.N> Mobil Exploration Norway, Petrofina SA's <PETB.BR> Norske Fina A/S and BP. The third Barents Sea licence, covering blocks 7124/3 and 7125/1, went to Saga Petroleum A/S, the operator, Statoil, Atlantic Richfield Co's <ARC.N> Arco Norge A/S, Total Marine Norge A/S and Amerada Hess Corp <AHC.N>. The oil ministry withheld awards on four strategic blocks included in the eleventh round's second phase. The ministry is accepting applications for phase two blocks until early April and the awards will likely be announced this summer, officials said.
Financial Reports
PERCEPTION TECHNOLOGY <PCEP> TO TAKE CHARGE
Perception Technology Corp said it expects to take a charge of about 686,000 dlrs or 19 cts per share against earnings for the second quarter ended March 31 due to the bankruptcy proceeding of customer T.C. of New York Inc. Perception said it has outstanding lease receivables from T.C. of about 2,480,000 dlrs. It said the exact amnount of the charge will depend on the extent of recovery of the leased equipment involved and on arrangements that might be made with the bankruptcy court on the equipment.
Corporate News
Bundesbank buys dollars for yen - Frankfurt dealers
Bundesbank buys dollars for yen - Frankfurt dealers
Other
REUTERS TO BUY I P SHARP OF CANADA
Reuters Holdings Plc <RTRS.L> said it had agreed in principle to buy <I P Sharp Associates Ltd> of Toronto for 30.4 mln stg. Sharp is a time-sharing network and database company specialising in finance, economics, energy and aviation. It operates a global packet-switching network and global limits systems for foreign exchange trading. Sharp shareholders will be offered cash, shares or a mixture of the two in settlement. The acquisition, which is subject to Canadian government approval, would be through amalgamation into a specially-created company. Reuters said it had been given options by a number of Sharp shareholders covering 67 pct of the common stock pending completion of a Reuters review of the company. Sharp operates 38 offices in 20 countries. In 1986 it reported revenue of 55 mln Canadian dlrs with a pretax loss of 1.6 mln compared with a 1.9 mln profit in 1985. However, Sharp said that internal accounts showed the company was in profit in the first two months of 1987. End-1986 net assets totalled 11.85 mln dlrs. A Reuters statement said the acquisition would fit perfectly into its package for the banking and securities industries.
Corporate News
HORIZON BANK <HRZB> SETS STOCK SPLIT
Horizon Bank said its board declared a three-for-two stock split, payable April 21 to holders of record April Seven.
Corporate News
WASTE <WMX> ENDS OFFER FOR CHEMLAWN <CHEM>
Waste Management Inc said its wholly owned subsidiary, WMX Acquisition Corp, ended its tender offer to buy shares of ChemLawn Corp at 35 dlrs a share. All shares tendered to Waste Management will be returned to shareholders as soon as practical, it said. Earlier this week, ChemLawn agreed to accept a merger proposal at 36.50 dlrs a share from Ecolab Inc in a transaction valued at about 370 mln dlrs.
Market and Economy
<ACKERLY COMMUNICATIONS INC> YEAR LOSS
Shr loss 1.44 dlrs vs loss 1.50 dlrs Net loss 10.1 mln vs loss 8,866,000 Revs 122.3 mln vs 112.5 mln Avg shrs 7,671,855 vs 6,520,928
Corporate News
UNITED MEDICAL <UM> TO SELL UNIT
United Medical Corp said it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its hospital distribution unit to <Myriad Group Inc> for undisclosed terms, with closing expected in the next several weeks.
Commodities and Trade
ITALY CONSUMER PRICES RISE 0.4 PCT IN FEBRUARY
Italy's consumer price index rose 0.4 pct in February compared with January after rising 0.6 pct in January over December, the national statistics institute (Istat) said. The year-on-year rise in February was 4.2 pct down from 4.5 pct in January and compared with 7.6 pct in February 1986. Istat said its consumer prices index for the families of workers and employees (base 1985) was 109.1 in February against 108.7 in January and 104.7 in February 1986.
Financial Reports
CCC ACCEPTS BONUS BID ON CATTLE FOR EGYPT - USDA
The Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted a bid for an export bonus to cover the sale of 760 head of dairy cattle to Egypt, the U.S. Agriculture Department said. The delivery period for the cattle is April, 1987-June, 1988, it said. The bonus of 1,870.00 dlrs per head was made to Esmah Nevada Inc and will be paid in the form of commodities from the CCC inventory. An additional 7,199 head of dairy cattle are still available to Egypt under the Export Enhancement Program initiative announced September 12, 1986, the department said.
Market and Economy
THATCHER DEFENDS UK OIL POLICY IN SAUDI INTERVIEW
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher denied in an interview published in Saudi Arabia today that her government's oil policy contributed to weakness in world oil prices. She said the government was determined not to intervene to influence production decisions by oil companies operating in the North Sea. "We believe these must be a matter for the commercial judgment of the oil companies," she told the Arabic language daily al-Sharq al-Awsat in an interview coinciding with a visit to London by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. Thatcher said this policy had not contributed to the fall in oil prices as North Sea production was now about the same as in 1984 when prices were close to 30 dlrs a barrel. British production was on a plateau and was unlikely to increase in the future, she said. "We naturally share the concern of Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members about the harmful effects of oil market volatility for both producer and consumer countries," Thatcher said. "On our part, we are careful to avoid any actions which might add to such volatility."
Industrial and Sector News
MARCH PRICES FELL IN GERMAN STATE ON YEAR-AGO
The cost of living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, fell 0.1 pct in the month to mid-March to stand 0.5 pct lower than at the same time a year earlier, the regional statistics office said. Prices had risen 0.3 pct in the month to mid-February but had fallen 0.7 pct year-on-year. The regional figures are considered a good guide to national inflation trends. The Federal Statistics Office is due to publish provisional national figures for March by the end of this month.
Other
BUNDESBANK BUYS DOLLARS IN FRANKFURT - DEALERS
The Bundesbank bought large amounts of dollars for yen in an apparent attempt to hold the dollar above 149 yen, dealers said. The dollar intervention was in concert with some other central banks, they said. Dealers said the Bank of Japan and Bank of England supported the dollar against the yen earlier today and that these two banks and the U.S. Federal Reserve were also active yesterday. The Bundesbank declined to comment on the dealers' remarks. Dealers said the intervention underlined the determination of central banks to keep currencies within recent ranges following last month's agreement in Paris by six leading countries to foster currency stability. One dealer said he had been repeatedly in contact with the Bundesbank during the morning to see if it wanted to buy dollars after the Japanese and U.K. Central bank moves. He said the Bundesbank told him it was observing the situation to see if it should intervene in consultation with other central banks. Since the Paris agreement on February 22 the dollar had until yesterday traded in a 1.8150-1.8700 mark range, and above 150 yen, with traders reluctant to push the dollar down to test central banks' resolve to defend currency stability. But the test came this week with the dollar falling below 1.81 marks and 150 yen. Dealers said a reviving trade dispute between Washington and Tokyo and growing sentiment that the dollar would have to fall further to narrow the obstinate U.S. Trade deficit were behind the weakness. This week's intervention showed central banks were prepared to cooperate to defend the Paris pact, dealers said. Dealers said it was significant the West German and British central banks were supporting the dollar against the yen. That showed the pact involved multilateral cooperation by central banks to foster currency stability, they said. But it was unclear how such cooperation was being arranged and how frequent consultations between central banks were.
Corporate News
CROSSLAND SAVINGS <CRLD>ACQUIRES WESTERN SAVINGS
CrossLand Savings FSB said it has acquired Western Savings and Loand Co with the assistance of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corp. CrossLand said Salt Lake City based Western has been combined with its two Florida-based thrift subsidiaries. The parent company contributed 50 mln dlrs in cash to the resulting 1.7 billion dlr asset subsidiary which will operate under the name CrossLand Savings FSB with headquarters in Salt Lake City. CrossLand said Western, with assets of 400 mln dlrs, operated 13 branch offices in the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington. To facilitate the acquisition, CrossLand said, Western was converted from a mutual to a stock association in a voluntary supervisory conversion. Crossland and the FSLIC executived an assistance agreement indemnifying CrossLand from certain losses that could occur in connection with Western's loan portfolio. The company said James J. Heagerty, chairman and chief executive officer of CrossLand Savings FSLA in Bradenton, Fla., will serve in that capacity for the new subsidiary resulting from the merger. Western's president, Christopher J. Sumner, will be president of the combined unit, CrossLand said.
Corporate News
BANK OF ENGLAND DRAINS MONEY MARKET LIQUIDITY
The Bank of England said it drained liquidity from the money market when it sold 167 mln stg of treasury bills due March 27 at rates between 9-9/16 and 10 pct. Earlier, the bank estimated a surplus of around 250 mln stg in the system today.
Other
<IVACO INC> YEAR NET
Shr 1.11 dlrs vs 1.04 dlrs Net 44,092,000 vs 35,145,000 Revs 1.94 billion vs 1.34 billion Note: 1986 results include extraordinary gain of 1,035,000 dlrs or six cts a share from secondary share offering of Canron unit.
Corporate News
MOBIL PLAN TO OPEN PEKING OFFICE, CHINA DAILY SAYS
Mobil Corp <MOB.N> of the U.S. Plans to open an office in Peking to develop oil exploration opportunities in China, the China Daily said. It quoted Mobil president Richard Tucker, currently in Peking, as saying he is optimistic about investment prospects in China and that Peking will continue to encourage foreign private businesses to invest here. It said Mobil bought 73 mln dlrs of crude oil and oil products from China in 1986 and sold it lubricant and fertiliser, but gave no more details.
Financial Reports
VICORP RESTAURANTS INC <VRES> 1ST QTR FEB 15 NET
Shr profit 1.17 dlrs vs loss 12 cts Net profit 11.3 mln vs loss 1,038,000 Revs 104.6 mln vs 128.7 mln NOTE: Current year net includes gain 9,500,000 dlrs from the sale of its specialty restaurants unit, charge 1,200,000 dlrs from addition to insurance reserves, 4,600,000 dlr tax credit and 660,000 dlr charge from debt repayment.
Other
COMMERZBANK TO ACQUIRE AND FLOAT LINOTYPE
Commerzbank AG <CBKG.F> said it will acquire <Linotype GmbH>, Europe's largest manufacturer of type-setting and printing communications technology from Allied Signal Inc <ALD.N> and float off the shares in the company. Commerzbank declined to say how much it had paid for Linotype. Linotype's group turnover in 1986 rose 15 pct to more than 500 mln marks, the bank said. The group's net return on capital was seven pct.
Financial Reports
EC EXPORT LICENCES FOR 59,000 TONNES WHITE SUGAR AT REBATE 45.678 ECUS - FRENCH TRADERS
EC EXPORT LICENCES FOR 59,000 TONNES WHITE SUGAR AT REBATE 45.678 ECUS - FRENCH TRADERS
Corporate News
U.K. INTERVENTION BOARD DETAILS EC SUGAR SALES
A total 59,000 tonnes of current series white sugar received export rebates of a maximum 45.678 European Currency Units (Ecus) per 100 kilos at today's European Community (EC) tender, the U.K. Intervention Board said. Out of this, traders in West Germany received 34,750 tonnes, in the U.K. 13,000, in Denmark 7,250 and in France 4,000 tonnes, it added. Earlier today, London traders had expected the subsidy for the current season whites campaign for licences to end-Aug to be more than 45.00 Ecus per 100 kilos but Paris traders were more precise by forecasting a rebate level of 45.75 to 46.0 Ecus. London traders were also reluctant earlier to predict the likely tonnage to be authorised for export in view of the on-going dispute between the Commission and European producers over the threatened action by the producers to move over 800,000 tonnes to intervention. Last week saw 60,500 tonnes whites athuorised for export at a maximum rebate of 44.819 Ecus per 100 kilos.
Financial Reports
PIONEER-STANDARD ELECTRONICS INC <PIOS> PAYOUT
Qtly div three cts vs three cts prior Pay May One Record April Eight
Other
HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CMTE FINISHES WORK ON BILL TO TOUGHEN TRADE LAWS
HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CMTE FINISHES WORK ON BILL TO TOUGHEN TRADE LAWS
Financial Reports
FABRI-CENTERS <FCA> 4TH QTR ENDS JAN 31 NET
Shr 40 cts vs 41 cts Net 1,979,000 vs 2,101,000 Revs 67.7 mln vs 63.6 mln 12 mths Shr 36 cts vs 20 cts Net 1,798,000 vs 1,034,000 Revs 239.4 mln vs 233.2 mln
Other
TSENG LABORATORIES INC <TSNG> 4TH QTR NET
Shr profit one ct vs loss nil Net profit 200,052 vs loss 56,782 Revs 2,394,198 vs 706,393 Avg shrs 17.8 mln vs 19.8 mln Year Shr profit one ct vs profit one ct Net profit 258,125 vs profit 164,553 Revs 4,225,731 vs 3,027,892 Avg shrs 17.9 mln vs 19.5 mln
Corporate News
PARK ELECTROCHEMICAL CORP <PKE> SETS PAYOUT
Qtly div three cts vs three cts prior Pay May 20 Record April 20
Financial Reports
BRAZIL SEAMEN SAY STRIKE NEAR END
About half of Brazil's 40,000 seamen have returned to work after accords with 22 companies, and the national strike which began on February 27 looks close to ending, a union spokesman said. The spokesman, speaking from strike headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, estimated that 80 ships were strike-bound. The seamen have settled for 120 pct pay increases with the individual companies but are still discussing the issue of overtime payments with the shipowners' association, Syndarma.
Financial Reports
KEY U.S. HOUSE PANEL FINISHES MAJOR TRADE BILL
The House Ways and Means Committee completed action on legislation to toughen U.S. trade laws, chairman Dan Rostenkowski said. The committee's consideration of one of the most controversial provisions, a plan to force major trade surplus countries to cut their trade imbalance with the United States, was deferred until the full House considers the trade bill, its sponsor Rep. Richard Gephardt said. Gephardt, a Missouri Democrat, told Reuters he was not certain the exact form his trade surplus reduction proposal would take. Last year the House approved his plan to force a 10 pct surplus cutback each year for four years, by countries such as Japan. The Ways and Means Committess' trade bill forces President Reagan to retaliate against unfair trade practices that violate international trade agreements but it allows him to wave retaliatory tariffs or quotas if the action would hurt the U.S. economy. The trade bill gives U.S. Trade Representative Clayton Yeutter more authority in trade negotiations and in decisions to grant domestic industries import relief. It also gives him authority to decide whether foreign trade practices are unfair and violate U.S. trading rights. These powers are currently held by President Reagan. The administration has strongly objected to this transfer of authority from Reagan to Yeutter. The bill also extends U.S. authority to negotiate multilateral trade agreements. The bill will be wrapped into other trade legislation and voted on in the House in April.
Financial Reports
RUSS TOGS INC <RTS> 4TH QTR JAN 31 NET
Shr 82 cts vs 76 cts Net 4,200,000 vs 3,954,000 Sales 58.7 mln vs 60.6 mln Year Oper shr 2.68 dlrs vs 2.47 dlrs Oper net 13.8 mln vs 13.0 mln Sales 274.3 mln vs 276.8 mln NOTE: Prior year net excludes loss 1,120,000 dlrs from discontinued operations and loss on disposal of 922,000 dlrs.
Corporate News
KLM TO TAKE 15 PCT STAKE IN AIR UK
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines <KLM.A> said it agreed to take a 15 pct stake in Air U.K. Ltd, a subsidiary of British and Commonwealth Shipping Plc <BCOM.L>, in a transaction worth around two mln stg. A KLM spokesman said KLM already cooperated closely with Air UK, which runs 111 flights a week to Amsterdam's Schipol airport from nine UK cities. British and Commonwealth Shipping said last week it held preliminary talks about a KLM minority stake in Air U.K. But gave no further details. KLM said it hoped the move would attract more British feeder traffic to Amsterdam Airport.
Financial Reports
THERMO PROCESS <TPSI> ACQUISITION TERMINATED
Thermo Process Systems Inc said its proposed acquisition of the Surface Combustion Division of privately-held <Midland-Ross Corp> has been terminated because mutually satisfactory terms could not be established.
Financial Reports
NORANDA RAISES PRIMARY ALUMINUM PRICES
Noranda Aluminum Inc. said it has increased its primary aluminum prices by two cents a lb, effective with new orders as of March 25 and all shipments beginning May 1. The new price for unalloyed ingot will be 64.5 cents a lb while the new price for extrusion billet will be 72.5 cents a lb.
Other
SOVIET PAPER DETAILS GEORGIAN FLOOD DAMAGE
Floods and avalanches killed 110 people and caused around 350 mln roubles worth of damage in the southern Soviet republic of Georgia earlier this year, the government daily Izvestia said. Some 80,000 hectares of agricultural land and gardens had been inundated, damaging tea plantations and orange groves, the newspaper said. It added that spring sowing in southern parts of the country was some two weeks behind schedule because of the late thaw but gave no precise crop estimates. In the most detailed report to date on the heavy snows in January and floods in February, Izvestia said 8,200 people had been evacuated from mountain areas, 4,500 houses had been damaged and hundreds of kilometres of roads and power lines had been destroyed. A separate article in the daily warned that a sudden thaw was expected shortly in the Ukraine and southern parts of Russia, which experienced record snows this winter. Preventive measures have already been taken in some areas including the evacuation of cattle.
Corporate News
UTILICORP <UCU> SEES HIGHER 1987 FIRST QUARTER
Utilicorp United Corp said it expects to report 1987 first quarter earnings of about 12 mln dlrs or about 1.12 dlrs a share and revenues of about 190 mln dlrs. In the comparable quarter a year ago, Utilicorp earned 8.5 mln dlrs or 87 cts on revenues of 203 mln dlrs. There are 9.6 mln shares outstanding this year, up from the 8.5 mln shares in 1986, Utilicorp's president Richard Green told financial analysts here. First quarter 1987 results include one month contribution of West Virginia Power, which became a division on March 1, 1987, Green said in remarks prepared for delivery to analysts. Higher earnings for the period reflected reduced operating and maintenenace expenses and about 10 mln dlrs in rate increases in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado, he said. However, Utilicorp's Missouri Public Service division is experiencing the effect of a 5.9 pct rate reduction authorized in September 1986, he noted. Of Utilicorp's total revenues expected for the 1987 first quarter, about 43 mln dlrs will be derived from electric operations and about 147 mln dlrs will come from gas operations, he said. Operating income derived from electric operations in the first three months of 1987 is estimated to be eight mln dlrs, while the contribution from gas operations will be about 10 mln dlrs, Green said. Green told analysts that Utilicorp received regulatory approval from various states and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reincorporate in Delaware, effective April one. Utilicorp signed an agreement with Cominco Ltd of Vancouver to extend the deadline to May 31, 1987, for completion of the company's purchase of West Kootenay Power and Light of British Columbia, due to a longer than expected regulatory approval process, he said. Hearings were completed in February and a decision by the British Columbia Utilities Commission on the 60 mln dlrs purchase by Utilicorp is pending, he said.
Corporate News
TSENG <TSNG> SEES SALES INCREASE FIRST QTR 1987
Tseng Laboratories Inc said it expects first quarter 1987 sales to exceed total sales for the entire 1986 year, and said it expects earnings for the quarter to grow at a faster rate than sales. Tseng posted total revenues for 1986 of 4,255,731, and net income of 258,125, or 14 cts per share. Jack Tseng, president of the company, attributed the high expectations to increased orders from major costomers, as well as accelerated business from its growing reseller network. Tseng posted first quarter 1986 sales of 549,950, and net income of 19,163, the company said.
Corporate News
STOCKHOLDER SYSTEMS <SSIAA> MAKES ACQUISITION
Stockholder Systems Inc said it has agreed in principle to acquire privately-held Software Concepts Inc, which provides software for check processing, mortgage application processing and safe deposit box accounting, for undisclosed terms. Software Concepts had revenues of about 3,200,000 dlrs for the year ended June 30.
Financial Reports
CONCEPT INC <CCPT> 2ND QTR FEB 28 NET
Shr 11 cts vs five cts Net 656,000 vs 314,000 Sales 8,868,000 vs 6,499,000 Avg shrs 5,823,000 vs 5,705,000 1st half Shr 22 cts vs 13 cts Net 1,296,000 vs 795,000 Sales 17.3 mln vs 13.5 mln Avg shrs 5,809,000 vs 5,973,000 NOTE: Share adjusted for five-for-four split in February 1987.
Financial Reports
LIFE OF INDIANA CORP <LIFI> 4TH QTR LOSS
Shr loss two cts vs profit six cts Net loss 103,000 vs profit 319,000 Revs 4,357,000 vs 6,494,000 Avg shrs 5,415,185 vs 5,646,185 Year Shr profit 22 cts vs profit 10 cts Net profit 1,236,000 vs profit 570,000 Revs 22.2 mln vs 24.8 mln Avg shrs 5,638,596 vs 5,646,185 NOTE: 1986 net includes tax credits of 30,400 dlrs in quartger and 58,000 dlrs in year.
Financial Reports
B.F. SAUL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT <BFS> PAYOUT
Qtly div five cts vs five cts prior Pay April 30 Record April 10 NOTE: B.F. Saul Real Estate Investment Trust.
Financial Reports
SOUTH AFRICA PROBLEMS REMAIN DESPITE DEBT PACT
South Africa's new foreign debt agreement sparked a rally in local financial markets, but bankers and economists said the pact removes only one source of anxiety from a still depressed economy. "We have not gone from 'no confidence' to 'full confidence' yet," commented one banker, who saw the agreement as having marginal influence on fundamental economic problems. Money market analysts cited the debt renegotiation as the main impetus behind increases today in both the commercial and financial rand. The commercial rand, used for current account transactions, rose 0.5 cts to 49 U.S. Cts while the financial rand jumped nearly two cts to 33 U.S. Cts. All equity and fixed investment flows of foreigners take place through the financial rand, which is considered the main barometer of South Africa's attractiveness to overseas investors. Analysts predicted the debt arrangement plus further gains in the gold price could push the commercial rand over 50 U.S. Cts and the financial rand to 35 cents in the next few weeks. They said the financial rand in particular was being driven by a tentative provision in the new debt agreement that could favorably affect the currency. Foreign creditors may get permission to convert loan balances and short-term claims into equity investments in South Africa. Finance Minister Barend du Plessis said the Reserve Bank was "investigating the implications of such conversions in light of terms and restrictions of the financial rand system." Du Plessis in disclosing the new agreement last night said the recent sharp rise in the financial rand was an example that "some foreign investors are again taking a more realistic view of South Africa." Terms of the debt agreement call for South Africa to repay 1.42 billion dlrs of 13 billion dlrs of frozen debt over the next three years. The agreement extends a standstill arrangement, expiring June 30, that has been in place since August, 1985. Bankers said the repayment amounts essentially confirmed their private estimates and could be comfortably met by the monetary authorities. "They (creditors) asked for the maximum amount and we offered the minimum," said one banking source, reacting to reports from London that creditors were hoping for larger repayments. Reserve Bank governor Gerhard de Kock said South Africa should have "no difficulty whatsoever" with the terms. Economists said the debt agreement would have no significant impact on economic problems continuing to face South Africa including high rates of inflation and unemployment, labour unrest and political uncertainty. Johannesburg Stock Exchange president Tony Norton, speaking yesterday before the debt agreement, said the economy was "in bad shape" and there was "an awful lot of talk but little action" to cure serious problems.
Corporate News
MAYTAG <MYG> SEES CAPITAL SPENDING UP IN 1987
Maytag Co said it expects capital spending in 1987 to increase to about 60 mln dlrs from 49 mln dlrs in 1986. Maytag chairman and chief executive officer Daniel Krumm said the company plans a "significant" investment at its Admiral refrigerator plant in Galesburg, Ill., as well as continued spending for product improvement and increased efficiency at other Maytag facilities. Earlier, the company reported 1986 net income of 111.2 mln dlrs, or 2.57 per share, versus net income of 124.9 mln dlrs, or 2.89 dlrs a share, in 1985.
Financial Reports
TRAVELERS <TIC> UNIT TO BUY REALTY DIVISIONS
The Travelers Corp's Travelers Mortgage Services said it signed a letter of intent to buy two subsidiaries of the privately-held <Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S.> The company said it plans to acquire the Equitable Relocation Management Corp and the Equitable Realty Network Inc. The company said the acquisitions will give it broader distribution of its corporate relocation service and mortgage programs.
Financial Reports
COMMUNICATIONS AND CABLE INC <CCAB> 1ST QTR NET
Oper shr seven cts vs loss nil Oper net 988,000 vs loss 52,000 Revs 2,267,000 vs 791,000 NOTE: Net excludes gains from discontinued operations of 65,000 dlrs vs 75,000 dlrs. Current year net includes gain 1,025,000 dlrs from sale of cellular telephone investment. Prior year figures restated for discontinued operations.
Corporate News
3-MAR-1987 06:14:59.08
3-MAR-1987 06:14:59.08
Other
DALLAS INVESTOR CUTS STAKE IN MCDERMOTT (MDR)
A group led by Dallas investor Harold Simmons told the Securities and Exchange Commission it had reduced its stake in McDermott International Inc by one pct, to under five pct. The group had said in a March 10 filing, announcing acquisition of 5.4 pct of the firm's stock, that it might consider seeking control of the company.
Financial Reports
INTN'L PLATINUM, DEGUSSA IN JOINT VENTURE TALKS
International Platinum Corp said it signed a letter of intent to enter into further negotiations on a joint venture exploration agreement with Degussa A.G., of West Germany, regarding several North American platinum properties. Conclusion of the agreement is subject to completion of further detailed examination by Degussa, as well as board and regulatory approvals. Under terms of the letter of intent, Degussa would contribute substantially to a three year exploration budget of 4.5 mln dlrs in return for a 50 pct interest in the venture. Degussa's contribution to the exploration budget will be based on it matching International Platinum's past exploration and acquisition costs, estimated at about two mln dlrs, and then contributing on a pro rata basis, International Platinum said. Degussa's contribution would provide a major portion of International Platinum's exploration budget, especially during the first and second year of the proposed joint venture, the company said.
Other
WESTWOOD ONE INC <WONE> 1ST QWTR FEB 28 NET
Shr 12 cts vs eight cts Net 1,440,000 vs 830,000 Revs 15.9 mln vs 11.2 mln Avg shrs 12,342,000 vs 10,826,000
Financial Reports
IRAN SAYS HAS BETTER WEAPONS THAN SILKWORM
Iranian Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi said Iran had "more effective" missiles at its disposal than the shore-to-sea missiles which had provoked U.S. Concern, Tehran Radio reported. A U.S. State Department spokesman said last week Iran had acquired Chinese-made Silkworm missiles which posed a greater threat to shipping in the Gulf than the weapons previously used. Tehran Radio, monitored by the British Broadcasting Corp, quoted Mousavi as saying that Tehran officially announced after its forces overran southern Iraq's Faw peninsula in February last year that it had shore-to-sea missiles. "The fact that the Americans, after so much delay, are now thinking of expressing their concern with panic is because Reagan needs this sensation now," said Mousavi, speaking after a cabinet meeting in Tehran. "We also announce today that these missiles are not the limit of our war capabilities in the Gulf," he added. Mousavi said the security of the Gulf region had nothing to do with the U.S. But Iran would resort to any action to defend the Gulf, "even those actions which are not thought probable by Westerners."
Financial Reports
EC COMMISSION DETAILS SUGAR TENDER
The European Community Commission confirmed it granted export licences for 59,000 tonnes of current series white sugar at a maximum export rebate of 45.678 European Currency Units (ECUs) per 100 kilos. Out of this, traders in West Germany received 34,750 tonnes, in the U.K. 13,000, in Denmark 7,250 tonnes and in France 4,000 tonnes.
Financial Reports
TRICENTROL TO CONCENTRATE ON PROVEN RESERVES
Tricentrol Plc <TCT.L> said it will concentrate most of its efforts this year on its proven oil and gas reserves in order to maximise benefits to shareholders in the mid to long-term. It said in a statement "We are confident that substantial development funds will be available to Tricentrol and that we will be able to minimise further disposal of our interests." Tricentrol wrote off 57.5 mln stg on the reorganisation of its North American operations last year, when oil prices plunged. The group incurred a 1986 net loss of 3.7 mln stg against a 25.4 mln profit the previous year.
Financial Reports
BROOKLYN UNION GAS CO <BU> SETS PAYOUT
Qtrly div 41.5 cts vs 41.5 cts prior Pay May One Record April 6
Financial Reports
ARGENTINE PORT WORKERS TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION
Argentine port workers began an indefinite protest against safety conditions at the port of Buenos Aires, stopping work for one hour per shift, a press spokesman said. He said three port workers had died over the last month in accidents. He said the decision to take action was made after a port worker died yesterday after being electrocuted.
Corporate News
NOVAMIN SAYS IT RECEIVED PROPOSED TAKEOVER BID FROM BREAKWATER
NOVAMIN SAYS IT RECEIVED PROPOSED TAKEOVER BID FROM BREAKWATER
Industrial and Sector News
FED EXPECTED TO ADD RESERVES IN MARKET
The Federal Reserve will probably intervene in the government securities market to add reserves today, economists said. They expected the Fed will supply temporary reserves indirectly via 1.5 to two billion dlrs of customer repurchase agreements. Fed funds hovered at a relatively high 6-1/4 pct this morning after averaging 6.14 pct on Tuesday. Early this afternoon the Fed also is expected to supply reserves permanently, effective Thursday, by offering to buy all maturities of Treasury bills.
Financial Reports
INDIA REPORTED BUYING TWO WHITE SUGAR CARGOES
India is reported to have bought two white sugar cargoes for April/May shipment at its tender today near 227 dlrs a tonne cost and freight and could be seeking a third cargo, traders said. A British operator is believed to have sold one of the cargoes, while an Austrian concern is thought to have featured in the second cargo sale, they said.
Corporate News
NOVAMIN IN PROPOSED BUYOUT BY BREAWATER <BWRLF>
<Novamin Inc> said it received a proposed takeover offer from Breakwater Resources Ltd involving a swap of one Breakwater share for two Novamin common shares. It said the proposal also called for conversion of outstanding Novamin warrants into Breakwater common shares on the same basis, provided the exercise price was paid by the warrant holders. Novamin, a mineral exploration company, said directors would meet next Tuesday to deal with the proposal, which, it said, was subject to approval by Breakwater directors.
Other
LILLY INDUSTRIAL COATINGS INC <LICIA> 1ST QTR
Feb 28 end Shr 18 cts vs 13 cts Net 1,541,000 vs 1,122,000 Sales 36.7 mln vs 33.5 mln Avg shrs 8,517,000 vs 8,441,000 NOTE: Share adjusted for five pct stock dividend in August 1986.
Corporate News
COMMONWEALTY REALTY <CRTYZ>, BAY <BAY> END TALKS
Commonwealth Realty Trust said preliminary merger talks with Bay Financial Corp have been terminated due to a failure to agree on terms.
Commodities and Trade
MET-PRO CORP <MPR> 4TH QTR ENDS JAN 31 NET
Shr 19 cts vs 18 cts Net 362,692 vs 347,868 Revs 6,311,808 vs 5,827,538 12 mths Shr 60 cts vs 80 cts Net 1,152,746 vs 1,534,503 Revs 24.7 mln vs 25.2 mln
Other
CENTRAL MAINE POWER CO <CTP> SETS QUARTERLY
Qtly div 35 cts vs 35 cts prior Pay April 30 Record April 10
Other
U.K. RESERVES SHOW UNDERLYING RISE IN FEBRUARY
Britain's gold and currency reserves showed an underlying rise of 287 mln dlrs in February, after a 72 mln dlrs rise in January, the Treasury said. The underlying trend, which is a guide to Bank of England operations to support the pound on foreign exchanges, is net of borrowings and repayments. This was above market expectations for a 100 mln dlrs rise. The Treasury said the Bank of England used the opportunity of strong demand to rebuild reserves after losses last autumn and said the underlying rise was still relatively modest. Actual reserves rose by 305 mln dlrs in February to 22.26 billion dlrs, after rising 29 mln in January to 21.95 billion. Accruals of borrowings under the exchange cover scheme were 36 mln dlrs last month, after 163 mln in January, while repayments were 16 mln dlrs after the previous 151 mln, a Treasury spokesman said. Capital repayments totalled two mln dlrs. In January, capital repayments totalled 14 mln dlrs, with a valuation change that resulted in a fall of 41 mln dlrs due to the quarterly rollover from the European Monetary Cooperation Fund swap. The Treasury would not comment on the Bank of England's market operations, but currency traders reported moderate Bank of England intervention to curb upward pressure on the pound today. A Treasury spokesman, commenting on the reserves figures, said that the government does not want sterling either to rise too far or to fall substantially from current levels. He noted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson stressed this after the recent Paris currencies meeting.
Financial Reports
PEP BOYS <PBY> SETS SPLIT, RAISES QUARTERLY
Manny, Moe and Jack Inc said its board declared a three-for-one stock split and raised the quarterly dividend to six cts presplit from 5-1/2 cts. Both are payable July 27 to holders of record July One and the The split is subject to shareholder approval at the May 18 annual meeting of an increase in authorized common shares to 500 mln from 40 mln, the company said.
Corporate News
PEP BOYS - MANNY, MOE AND JACK INC <PBY> 4TH QTR
Jan 31 end Shr 45 cts vs 37 cts Net 8,349,000 vs 6,187,000 Sales 126.7 mln vs 103.7 mln Year Shr 1.55 dlrs vs 1.29 dlrs Net 28.1 mln vs 21.1 mln Sales 485.9 mln vs 388.9 mln NOTE: Latest year net includes three cts shr gain from sale of assets.
Other
HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES <HOV> EARNINGS TO RISE
Hovnanian Enterprises Inc said the company's earnings for year would exceed the 1.65 dlrs a share previously announced and could go as high as 1.75 dlrs for fiscal year ended Feb 28, 1987. The company posted net earnings of 11.5 mln dlrs, or 1.72 dlrs per share, on revenues of 199.3 mln dlrs for fiscal year 1986. These figures reflect two three-for-two stock splits in March and August 1986. At the Annual Drexel Burnham Lambert Construction Conference here, Hovnanian executive vice presidnt Ara Hovnanian said the company expects an earnings range of between 2.35 dlrs and 2.55 dlrs per share for fiscal 1988. Total revenues for the year ending Feb 29, 1988, should be between 320 mln and 350 mln, he said.
Financial Reports
NY TRADERS SAY TURKEY MADE LARGE SUGAR PURCHASE
Turkey bought an estimated 100,000 tonnes of white sugar from three trade houses today for April to June shipment, according to trade sources. They said a large U.K. trade house sold 50,000 tonnes, a U.S. house traded 25,000 tonnes, and a Swiss-based dealer house 25,000 tonnes. Price details were unclear but reports this morning suggested that Turkey was offered sugar at prices ranging down to 212 dlrs a tonne, c and f basis.
Commodities and Trade
JOHNSON SAYS FED'S ACTIONS YESTERDAY MEANT TO STABILIZE DOLLAR AT CURRENT LEVELS
JOHNSON SAYS FED'S ACTIONS YESTERDAY MEANT TO STABILIZE DOLLAR AT CURRENT LEVELS
Corporate News
SUNSTAR FOODS INC <SUNF> 2ND QTR FEB 28 NET
Shr 23 cts vs not reported Net 282,000 vs 1,000 Sales 18.6 mln vs 18.7 mln Six mths Shr 48 cts vs 17 cts Net 583,000 vs 213,000 Sales 37.8 mln vs 37.5 mln NOTE: 1987 six months net includes a loss from discontinued operations equal to two cts a share. 1986 net includes losses from discontinued operations of four cts in the quarter and six cts in the six months.
Other
COMALCO SAYS LOWER COSTS HELP RETURN TO PROFITS
Comalco Ltd said its return to profit reflected reduced costs, improved primary aluminium prices and its withdrawal from a Japanese smelter venture. It said the earlier reported 57.1 mln dlr profit for the year ended December 31 against a 69.13 mln dlr loss in 1985 was also aided by lower interest rates on U.S. Dollar debt and greater sales of bauxite and aluminium. Comalco said it expected to pay at least a four cents per share final dividend, delayed until July 1 to take advantage of proposed dividend imputation laws. This would make five cents for the year against a first and final of one cent in 1985. Comalco said the aluminium industry continues to suffer from low prices and excess capacity, though the weak Australian dollar had helped earnings. Comalco's Commonwealth Aluminium Corp unit said earlier it has conditionally agreed to sell its Goldendale smelter in Washington, and port facilities at Portland, Oregon to Columbia Aluminium Corp. Comalco said its extraordinary provision of 27.3 mln dlrs costs for Goldendale losses and closure may be reduced if the sales agreement were completed.
Other
HADSON <HADS> TO ACQUIRE 85 PCT OF SEAXE <SEAX>
Hadson Corp said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 85 pct of the outstanding common stock of Seaxe Energy Corp. The company said it will buy the 85 pct interest in Seaxe from shareholders owning restricted or controlled shares for less than 200,000 Hadson common shares. It said closing is subject to the approval of title assignments by the French government. Seaxe is involved in oil and natural gas exploration and development in the Paris Basin of France.
Corporate News
REUTERS TO BUY I P SHARP OF CANADA
Reuters Holdings Plc <RTRS.L> said it had agreed in principle to buy <I P Sharp Associates Ltd> of Toronto for 30.4 mln stg. Sharp is a time-sharing network and database company specialising in finance, economics, energy and aviation. It operates a global packet-switching network and global limits systems for foreign exchange trading. Sharp shareholders will be offered cash, shares or a mixture of the two in settlement. The acquisition, which is subject to Canadian government approval, would be through amalgamation into a specially-created company. Reuters said it had been given options by a number of Sharp shareholders covering 67 pct of the common stock pending completion of a Reuters review of the company. Sharp operates 38 offices in 20 countries. In 1986 it reported revenue of 55 mln Canadian dlrs with a pretax loss of 1.6 mln compared with a 1.9 mln profit in 1985. However, Sharp said that internal accounts showed the company was in profit in the first two months of 1987. End-1986 net assets totalled 11.85 mln dlrs. A Reuters statement said the acquisition would fit perfectly into its package for the banking and securities industries.
Corporate News
TCBY ENTERPRISES <TCBY> SPLITS STOCK
TCBY Enterprises Inc said its board has approved a three-for-two split of its common stock with a distribution to be made on April 24 to stockholders of record on April 9. The split will increase the number of outstanding shares to over 26 mln from about 17.3 mln shares now, the company said. TCBY Enetrprises is a franchisor and operator of retail stores specializing in frozen yogurt-related treats.
Financial Reports
RAYTHEON CO <RTN> SETS QUARTERLY
Qtly div 45 cts vs 45 cts prior Pay April 30 Record April 10
Other
P.H. GLATFELTER CO <GLP> INCREASES DIVIDEND
P.H. Glatfelter said its board increased its quarterly dividend on its common stock to 14 cts per share, from 12.5 cts per share the prior quarter. It said the dividend is payable May 1, 1987, to shareholders of record April 15, 1987. In addition, the company said it authorized the repurchase of up to an additional one mln shares of its common stock. On March 27, 1985, the board had authorized the repurchase of up to two mln shares, as adjusted for a two-for-one split, effected in April 1986, the company said. The company said 521,508 shares may still be repurchased under the 1985 authorization. It added any shares repurchased would be added to the treasury and will be available for future issuance. The company said it has no present plans to issue any of the shares which may be repurchased. The company said it presently has 24,614,352 common shares outstanding.
Corporate News
LIFE OF INDIANA CORP <LIFI> 4TH QTR LOSS
Shr loss 19 cts vs profit 57 cts Net loss 103,005 vs profit 319,344 Year Shr profit 22 cts vs profit 10 cts Net profit 1,236,347 vs profit 570,222
Other
ULTRAMAR SELLS U.K. MARKETING UNITS FOR 50 MLN STG
Ultramar Plc <UMAR.L> said it had reached agreement in principle to sell its wholly owned U.K. Marketing companies to Kuwait Petroleum Corp for around 50 mln stg. Ultramar's marketing units include <Ultramar Golden Eagle Ltd> which in 1985 made a profit of around 1.4 mln stg before financing and group administration charges. A small loss was recorded for the first nine months of 1986. The sale is due to take place on April 1 with the proceeds intended to reduce group debt in the short term. But Ultramar said the funds would ultimately be used for further development of its core businesses in the U.K. And North America.
Other
CONSOLIDATED NOREX TO ACQUIRE TRIWEB RESOURCES
<Consolidated Norex Resources Ltd> said it agreed to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Triweb Resources Ltd, a privately held oil and gas company with land holdings and production base in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The company said specific details relating to purchase price and other terms will be released on closing of the transaction, expected by May 15.
Commodities and Trade
THAI SUGAR PRODUCTION CONTINUES HIGH IN FEB
Thai sugar production continued at a high level in February, latest figures received by the International Sugar Organization (ISO) show. The figures show stocks at end-February of 2.49 mln tonnes raw value against 2.33 mln a year earlier. Analysts said this was a new peak for the date. Production in February was 961,000 tonnes against 888,000 in February 1986 and took the Nov/Feb total for the current crop to 2.25 mln tonnes. Production normally tails off sharply after March, but in recent years production from March to the end of the crop has been over 500,000 tonnes, analysts said. Thailand's exports in February were 32,800 tonnes and consumption 57,800. Last month the Thai Agriculture Ministry said 1986/87 production was expected to fall to 2.3 mln tonnes from 2.48 mln in 1985/86.
Corporate News
REICHHOLD CHEMICALS INC EXPLORING POSSIBLE SALE OF EUROPEAN SUBSIDIARY
REICHHOLD CHEMICALS INC EXPLORING POSSIBLE SALE OF EUROPEAN SUBSIDIARY
Other
NY TRADERS EXPECT CHINA TO STEP UP SUGAR BUYING
Trade house sources said China is expected to step up its sugar purchases following yesterday's steep drop in world sugar prices. The consensus is that the Chinese will buy between 200,000 and 400,000 tonnes of raw sugar. "China is short of foreign exchange and a drop in prices is usually taken as a buying opportunity by Peking," one trader said. Yesterday, prices on the New York world sugar market plummeted by 0.58 to 0.50 cent on heavy liquidation by speculators, disenchanted over the market's lack of rallying power. Speculation is that China will need the sugar for the May/July period.
Corporate News
ROSS STORES INC <ROST> 4TH QTR JAN 31 LOSS
Shr loss 1.30 dlrs vs profit 29 cts Net loss 33.4 mln vs profit 7,386,000 Sales 168.2 mln vs 128.4 mln Year Shr loss 1.61 dlrs vs profit 30 cts Net loss 41.4 mln vs profit 7,055,000 Sales 527.5 mln vs 366.7 mln NOTE: Latest year net both periods includes 39.4 mln dlr provision for closing 25 underperforming stores.
Corporate News
U.S. BANK DISCOUNT BORROWINGS AVERAGE 310 MLN DLRS IN FEB 25 WEEK, FED SAYS
U.S. BANK DISCOUNT BORROWINGS AVERAGE 310 MLN DLRS IN FEB 25 WEEK, FED SAYS
Other
HONG KONG M3 RISES 2.2 PCT IN JANUARY
Hong Kong's broadly defined M3 money supply rose 2.2 pct to 607.17 billion H.K. Dlrs in January, after a 3.1 pct rise in December, for a year-on-year rise of 23.3 pct, the government said in a statement. Local currency M3 rose 3.6 pct to 280.36 billion dlrs from December when it was up 3.4 pct from November, for a rise of 16.3 pct on the year. Total M2 rose 3.3 pct to 535.26 billion dlrs in January from December when it rose 3.5 pct on the previous month. Local M2 rose 4.7 pct to 249.03 billion dlrs in January from December when it climbed 4.2 pct. Total M2 and local M2 rose 32.5 pct and 23.9 pct on the year-ago month, respectively. Total M1 rose 12 pct to 62.84 billion dlrs in January after a 5.0 pct rise the previous month. Local M1 rose 12.3 pct to 57.97 billion dlrs after a 6.2 pct rise. Total M1 and local M1 year-on-year growth was 32.5 and 32.6 pct, respectively. Total loans and advances rose 3.3 pct to 517.19 billion dlrs from December when they rose 1.2 pct. Loans for financing Hong Kong's visible trade rose 3.4 pct to 36.72 billion dlrs after a 1.8 pct rise in December.
Corporate News
NAVISTAR <NAV> STILL EXPECTS HIGHER 1987 NET
Navistar International Corp chairman Donald Lennox repeated that benefits from recapitalization are likely to boost future earnings for fiscal 1987. Lennox told the annual meeting that future quarterly and full year earnings from ongoing operations should be "significantly above 1986 results." In his remarks, Lennox said management has no plans to recommend reinstatement of the company's common stock dividend in the foreseeable future. He said the outlook for the medium duty truck market continues to point to little or no change. But recent order receipts indicate a "firmer tone in the heavy duty truck segment," which could result in a five to eight pct increase in industry shipments for the full year, he said. After restructuring under the holding company format, the company's present truck and engine subsidiary will be known as Navistar International Transportation Corp. Neil Springer currently president and chief operating officer of Navistar International was named chairman of the new subsidiary. James Cotting, now vice chairman and chief financial officer, was named to succeed Lennox as chairman and chief executive officer of Navistar International Corp. Lennox will retire March 31. Shareholders at the meeting approved a change in the company's structure to a holding company format, to be effective April 1.
Financial Reports
CORRECTED-LILLY INDUSTRIAL COATINGS INC <LICIA>
1st qtr Feb 28 end Shr 18 cts vs 13 cts Net 1,541,000 vs 1,122,000 Sales 39.7 mln vs 33.5 mln Avg shrs 8,517,000 vs 8,441,000 NOTE: Share adjusted for five pct stock dividend in August 1986. Company corrects current year sales.
Other