Federal Signal shares hit hard as gloomy guidance spooks investors
By H. Will Racke Even though it surpassed fourth quarter earnings expectations, Federal Signal Corp. saw its shares nosedive Monday after the manufacturing company issued pessimistic guidance for its 2016 performance. The share price of the Oak Brook, Ill.-based maker of safety and environmental-services equipment dropped by 22 percent, closing the day at $11.86. Investors […]
Illinois hopes to emulate other states with new business development partnership
By H. Will Racke Illinois is the latest state to establish a public-private economic development corporation in hopes that it will spur business investment. It’s especially needed now as the state continues to lose jobs and residents to its neighbors. Modeled on similar groups in other states, the new Ilinois Business and Economic Development Corporation […]
Lowe’s revenue jumps on hot housing market and warmer winter
By Poroma Pant Lowe’s Cos. Inc. fourth quarter operating earnings showed a solid increase, as the retailer of home-improvement and building products profited from the recovering housing market and favorable weather conditions. For the quarter ending Jan 29, the North Carolina company reported net earnings of $11 million, or a penny per diluted share, down […]
Franklin Electric reports record Q4 earnings
By Kaitlin Schuler Franklin Electric Co. Inc. said fourth-quarter earnings strengthened despite falling revenues and soft prices for oil and other commodities. In the latest quarter, Fort Wayne-based Franklin Electric posted net income of $16.2 million or 33 cents per diluted share, up from $3.1 million or 6 cents per share in the year ago quarter. […]
Walmart expects almost no sales growth this year
By Ashesha Mehrotra Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shares weakened Thursday after the retail giant, citing the impact of a strong dollar and planned store closures, trimmed its sales outlook for the year. In the quarter ended Jan. 31, the Arkansas-based company had net income of $4.5 billion, or $1.43 per diluted share, down from $4.9 billion, […]
Exelon turns in lower than expected profit, plans to increase dividend
By Kaitlin Schuler Exelon Corp., hurt by weak energy prices and unfavorable weather in its service areas, reported fourth quarter profits that fell short of forecasts Wednesday. But the company’s shares nonetheless moved higher, after Exelon hinted that it is planning to begin boosting its quarterly dividend payout. In New York Stock Exchange trading, Exelon […]
College Students Weigh Pros and Cons of Majoring for Passion vs Pay
By Yunfei Zhao Anup Patel had a dilemma: Follow his passion — or the money. Like many college students looking to make the most of the investment in time and money, Patel agonized over getting it right. The Illinois Institute of Technology graduate ended up giving up his passion, chemistry, for business. “Our society rewards […]
Caterpillar shares rise on upside earnings
By H. Will Racke Caterpillar Inc. managed to surpass Wall Street’s fourth-quarter expectations even as fierce global headwinds battered earnings. In the latest quarter, the heavy-equipment titan showed a net loss of $87 million, or 15 cents per diluted share, in sharp contrast with earnings of $757 million, or $1.23 per share, in the final […]
Exelon Corp. analysts project stability of stock despite recent fall
By Kaitlin Schuler Last year was agood one overall for Exelon Corp. Increased net income and falling stock prices encouraged investors to buy or hold Exelon stock. So it’s no surprise that, going forward, analysts recommend buying or holding shares in the large utility services holding company, pointing to the likely continuation of Exelon’s strong […]
Verizon Exceeds Q4 Expectations
By Ashesha Mehrotra Verizon Communications Inc. reported higher-than-expected fourth quarter earnings Thursday, bolstered by an addition of 1.5 million wireless retail postpaid users and hefty tax benefits. The company swung to a profit of $5.51 billion, or $1.32 per diluted common share, from a loss of $2.14 billion, or 54 cents per share, the year-ago quarter. Shares […]