Chief Financial Officer Craig Owens said Monday that the price increases are coming because the soup giant expects input costs to continue rising, although at more moderate levels than over the last year.

The price increases will not apply to Campbell’s ready-to-serve soups.

Owens made the comments on Campbell’s earnings call for the fiscal third-quarter. Profit fell 5.4% as the food company was hit by rising commodities prices and higher marketing and selling expenses.

Campbell is in the midst of a multi-year plan to turn around its soup business after several years of declines.

Campbell shares were down 2.3% in recent trading to $32.62.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/campbell-to-hike-list-prices-for-condensed-soup-5-2012-05-21

Chief Executive Marc Bolland is expected to roll back aggressive growth targets he set 18 months ago, amid the consumer downturn. The retailer is likely to moderate store expansion in the U.K from the 3% space growth per annum until 2015, outlined when Bolland revealed his strategic blueprint in November 2010, the FT said.

Some investors and analysts are also calling for capital expenditure to be reduced, in line with the softer targets, the newspaper said.

This could help cut M&S’s capital expenditure, originally estimated at GBP900 million a year over three years, the FT said.

M&S declined to comment, the FT said.

In curbing expansion, the retailer would join Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN), Britain’s biggest supermarket by market share, and its smaller rival J Sainsbury PLC (SBRY.LN), which have both pledged to limit the opening of new U.K supermarkets, and extensions to existing stores, the newspaper said.

Newspaper Web site: http://www.ft.com

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ms-to-scale-back-new-stores-growth-targets-ft-2012-05-19-94854434

Launched in 2008, CrowdGather is deeply committed to bringing together and improving the world of online communities for end-users, forum owners, and marketers. Active as a forum member since 1998, founder and CEO Sanjay Sabnani recognized a unique opportunity to enrich the forum member’s experience as well as effectively monetize a network of sites. Beginning in 2002, he began steadily acquiring some of the world’s busiest online communities and aggregating them into key verticals.  

CrowdGather’s 16+ million unique visitors monthly includes smart, stylish, and inquisitive men and women looking to our sites to provide the inside scoop on their passion. Since 2008, CrowdGather has grown from 9 million page views a month to over 220+ million. The CrowdGather Network is made up of thousands of online communities for technology professionals, gamers, and lifestyle enthusiasts.  

Deeply dedicated to their discoveries, subscribers rely on CrowdGather sites for their latest products, trends, and ideas, and then spread them with a zeal that makes them unparalleled.

CrowdGather, Inc. has quietly been building up a dynamic network of sites by consolidating one of the oldest and most robust groups of online users – those that post on message boards and forums. Our goal is to create the world’s best user experience for forum communities and world class service offerings for forum owners. We believe that forums are the richest source of high value, user generated social media. We also believe that nothing will ever replace their position as the help desk of the Internet.

CrowdGather aims to enrich the world’s search experience by giving people the ability to query and contribute to the most content-rich communities on the web. We expect our numbers to surge dramatically with the launch of this patent-pending, highly interactive and informational forum platform.

SOURCE: http://www.crowdgather.com/

What is the essence of the OxySure® technology?

The OxySure products consist of thermoplastic devices, each of which stores two proprietary compounds in a cartridge. The powders are dry and inert until activated with a single step, instantly creating medically pure (USP) oxygen. The cartridges are disposable, while the main unit is reusable. OxySure has developed numerous worldwide patents for this breakthrough technology, providing the company with first-to-market protection on a safe way for individuals to store, carry and administer a source of on-demand, medically pure (USP) oxygen without the hazards associated with oxygen storage. OxySure’s consumer emergency product, Model 615 was cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter sale (without the need for a prescription) in the United States in December 2005.

Bridging the Gap…

OxySure bridges the gap between the onset of a medical emergency and the arrival of the first responders on the scene. Just like a fire extinguisher, OxySure products can be safely pre-positioned to provide immediate access to medical oxygen during a medical emergency between the onset of the emergency and the arrival of fire/rescue personnel. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the average response time in the United States for fire/rescue is up to six minutes from the time of dispatch. This response can be higher, depending on traffic conditions or rural situations. OxySure® provides immediate application of oxygen to a patient by the patient, family member or by-stander during the first critical minutes between the onset of the medical emergency and the arrival of the fire/rescue personnel.

SOURCE: http://www.oxysure.com/

The largest U.S. domestic carrier had steadily booked rising traffic for much of last year with help from its acquisition of low-cost rival AirTran. However, the airline industry has been challenged by higher fuel costs and has been cutting capacity to retain pricing power.

The dividend was raised for the first time since early 2001, with the company boosting the payout to 1 cent a share, up from .45 cent. The increase should cost Southwest an extra $4.2 million a quarter.

The stock buyback program, which still included $175 million from a previous authorization, was boosted to a total of $675 million.

Southwest last month reported stronger first-quarter income amid positive hedging impacts and strong revenue growth.

Shares are up 1.4% at $8.18. The stock is down 4.4% so far this year.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/southwest-air-lifts-dividend-and-buyback-program-2012-05-16

Shares rose 2.8%, to $40 after hours, as the company raised its full-year earnings forecast and beat its quarterly guidance. As of Monday’s close, the stock was up 11% so far in 2012.

Agilent raised its adjusted earnings guidance for the year, now forecasting $3.18 to $3.24 a share and narrowed its revenue guidance to $6.94 billion to $7 billion in revenue. In February, Agilent’s view was $3.13 to $3.23 and $6.92 billion to $7.02 billion, respectively.

For the current quarter, the company expects earnings between 82 cents to 84 cents a share on $1.77 billion to $1.79 billion in revenue. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently projected 83 cents in earnings and $1.76 billion in revenue.

Agilent’s core results have improved over the past year as newly introduced products and an expanding geographic reach drive its revenue growth. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services in December raised its rating on Agilent by two notches, citing the company’s stronger-than-expected revenue and margin growth.

Signifying its stronger finances, the company in January declared its first ever quarterly dividend.

For the quarter ended April 30, Agilent reported a profit of $255 million, or 72 cents a share, up from $200 million, or 56 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding amortization costs, acquisition-related adjustments and other items, per-share earnings rose to 78 cents from 74 cents. Net revenue improved 3.3% to $1.73 billion.

In February, the company predicted adjusted earnings of 71 cents to 73 cents a share on $1.7 billion to $1.72 billion in revenue.

Operating margin widened to 17.3% from 15.9%.

Agilent’s electronic-measurement segment, its largest top-line contributor, reported 5% higher revenue on strength in wireless manufacturing.

Revenue from the chemical-analysis unit rose 1.8%, while the life-sciences segment reported 1.1% higher revenue.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/agilent-posts-28-higher-profit-2012-05-14

Google’s U.S. market share rose 0.1 percentage point to 66.5% in April from the prior month. Microsoft’s share also edged up 0.1 percentage point to 15.4% last month. Yahoo Inc.’s YHOO -1.62% sites remained in the No. 3 spot, slipping 0.2 percentage points to 13.5%. IAC/InterActiveCorp.’s IACI -0.23% Ask.com’s share and AOL Inc.’s AOL -0.84% shares were unchanged at 3% and 1.6%, respectively.

Americans conducted 17.1 billion core search queries last month, down from 18.36 billion in March. Google again ranked first, with 11.4 billion searchers, followed by Microsoft, with 2.6 billion, and Yahoo with 2.3 billion.

ComScore has shifted how it reports its data after Yahoo’s “contextual searches” skewed earlier results. The group measures U.S. explicit core searches, which exclude contextual searches that don’t reflect any intent by users.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/googles-web-search-market-share-rises-in-april-2012-05-11

MINERAL              EXPLORATION

Mineral exploration can be a golden investment opportunity worth taking a closer look at. It is the process of finding a viable ore body, or concentrations of minerals. This differs from mineral prospecting due to its greater intensity and more extensive nature. The process of mineral exploration can be divided into several stages, depending on the size of the region being explored, the desired outcome, and the specific minerals being sought. Mineral exploration is largely influenced by the region that is chosen for the project as well as the available resources.

Toron Inc. prides itself on being a new mineral exploration company focusing its attention on projects involving gold and other valuable metals. It is based in Quebec, one of Canada’s richest mining provinces. This Nevada Company incorporated its wholly owned subsidiary – Toron Resources Inc., which was formed for the sole purpose of exploring mining projects in Canada, and specifically, in Quebec.

In 2008, the Fraser Institute ranked Quebec the number one jurisdiction among the top 68 in the world for mining investment, due mainly for its favorable mining policies and mineral potential. As Quebec’s Premier Jean Charest said about the region, “It is one of the world’s last virgin territories. It’s also a fragile territory and a territory of great richness…” This area is rich in rare earth minerals and various mineral deposits such as gold, nickel, cobalt, and platinum. BBC News reports that “Northern Quebec has incomparable mining potential,” as summed up by Sege Simard, natural resources minister. Mineral exploration in the Quebec region has huge potential, as the hunger for raw materials leads to company investments in the projects.

The first and most vital step in mineral exploration is exploring a region in order to find out whether the area is mineral rich through a theory known as ore genesis. This theory supports knowledge of ore and its occurrences, and helps in selecting the area with the most ore deposits. It is also crucial to determine what is to be explored. The exploration of gold differs from that of other metals in two profound ways: first in the selection criteria for the area to be explored and second in the exploration techniques used. An area prosperous in gold doesn’t necessarily have to prosper in other metals.

This is why mineral exploration isn’t something the average Joe or Jane can do, and this is when companies, like Toron Inc., come into play. Toron Inc. concentrates mainly on valuable metals such as gold. The company’s first acquisition is the Tiblemont Gold Property, located in the south eastern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt – the largest greenstone belt of Canada’s Superior Province, well known for its important volcanogenic massive sulfides and orogenic lode gold deposits. These properties are made up of 255 claims that are 33,984 acres in size, and lies mainly in the Tiblemont and Senneterre townships, with a few claims in the Pascalis and Courville townships In addition  Toron has contracted to purchase an additional 140 claims that are 19,563 acres in size . These are located in the same area of the Tiblemont and Senneterre townships. More info can be found in the Projects section. The Company has currently closed the acquistion of  255 claims, and has the remaining 140 under contract with a total of 395 claims that are 21,677 hectares or 53,543 acres in size.

Besides focusing on the exploration of rich minerals, Toron Inc. is also in the midst of building a new strong management team, fixated on leading the company forward. The company hopes to make a name for itself in the near future and to be recognized as a valuable mineral exploration company.

Toron Inc. is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board and will strive to build shareholder value rapidly. Its quarterly reports and financial information can be found in the Investor Infosection.

SOURCE: http://toroninc.com/

The company raised its full-year earnings view by 10 cents, now projecting adjusted earnings of $2.35 to $2.55 a share. It reaffirmed its full-year revenue targets.

For the current quarter, CenturyLink sees adjusted per-share earnings of 59 cents to 64 cents and operating revenue of $4.55 billion and $4.6 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently projected 59 cents and $4.58 billion, respectively.

The third-largest landline provider in the U.S. in recent periods has recorded increases in high-speed Internet subscriptions and has seen revenue helped by gains from last year’s acquisitions of Qwest Communications and Savvis Inc. Meanwhile, the company’s legacy businesses have been affected by access-line losses and lower access revenue in recent periods.

CenturyLink reported a first-quarter profit of $200 million, or 32 cents a share, down from $211 million, or 69 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding integration and severance-related costs and other impacts, earnings fell to 39 cents from 76 cents. Operating revenue nearly tripled to $4.61 billion.

In February, CenturyLink forecast earnings of between 57 cents and 63 cents a share and revenue of $4.58 billion and $4.64 billion.

Operating expenses more than tripled to $3.96 billion, due primarily to operating costs associated with the Qwest and Savvis acquisitions.

The company added more than 89,000 net high-speed Internet customers in the latest quarter and ended the period with about 5.6 million subscribers.

Shares rose by 32 cents to $38.44 after hours. The stock is down 6.6% over the past 12 months.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/centurylink-earnings-slip-lifts-earnings-target-2012-05-09

It is part of an effort to refurbish an image that became tarnished by the financial crisis and its aftermath. Goldman’s top brass have said they need to do a better job explaining to the public what the company does.

Executives recently have been more available to reporters, extending all the way to Chairman and Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein. Appearing in shirtsleeves during a CNBC interview late last month — his first live TV interview in two years — Blankfein said, “It occurred to us that we haven’t gotten everything right with respect to how we’ve dealt with the public.”

That interview was done from Goldman’s lower Manhattan headquarters, outside the meeting rooms of a client conference focused on opportunities in growth markets overseas, one of Goldman’s main themes.

Goldman holds client conferences frequently, but they usually aren’t broadly discussed or open to the media. Select clients are invited and, as in the emerging-markets event, speakers are asked not to disclose what goes on, a person familiar with the matter said.

Now, Goldman is considering adding publicity to events that have broad public appeal, such as an upcoming conference this fall where established entrepreneurs will be able to meet and mingle with up-and-comers. A similar high-profile conference would have been last year’s education summit done in conjunction with Stanford University, a person familiar with the matter said.

Showcasing its expertise and engagement with clients through conferences and other events “is a core part of the brand,” the person said.

Subtle shifts in Goldman’s public-relations strategy began more than one year ago after an extensive internal review that concluded, among other things, it should put a renewed focus on client communication.

Goldman also has reached out to shareholders. It successfully removed six proposals from this year’s proxy, some of them withdrawn after negotiations with the shareholders and some rejected by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It also agreed to name an independent lead director of its board after striking a deal with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, an influential union that had sought to split the roles of chairman and CEO.

The firm is even polishing up its online presence. Some 24,667 employees out of 32,400 are on LinkedIn, and it introduced a YouTube channel in February featuring feel-good videos of employees talking about their careers and clients talking about Goldman.

One big outward shift: Richard Siewert Jr., who goes by the name Jake, joined as the firm’s new head of communications in March. Siewert is a former White House press secretary who was a senior adviser to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner until last year.

He took over from Lucas Van Praag, a partner who retired after guiding Goldman’s communication effort for much of its 12 years as a public company. Van Praag had gained notoriety for his sharp-tongued commentary on media coverage of Goldman.

“Obviously they are making some changes,” said Charles M. Elson, the director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at The University of Delaware. “But the proof is in the pudding. Is the organization different?”

In recent years Goldman has wavered in its media strategy, retreating in the face of intense scrutiny over everything from its alleged client conflicts to allegations of insider trading by a former board member.

In March, a London employee quit and wrote a column in The New York Times calling the firm’s culture “toxic and destructive.”

Negative publicity has hurt the firm and possibly cost it business, according to Mike Mayo, a banking analyst at CSLA, who met with Blankfein recently.

“The CEO concedes that he and the company should have done a better job in handling the attention and that Goldman has probably had unknown missed opportunities as a result,” Mayo said in a research note describing the meeting.

Just days before Siewert’s arrival in March, a Delaware judge criticized Goldman for advising El Paso Corp. in its $21 billion sale to Kinder Morgan, a natural gas pipeline operator in which Goldman’s private equity arm holds a 19% stake.

In their annual letter to shareholders earlier this year, Blankfein and President and Chief Operating Officer Gary Cohn said interviews with clients revealed they wanted Goldman to communicate more clearly the roles it takes interacting with them. About 8,000 Goldman employees have gone through training focused on the various roles the company assumes with clients.

“A central theme of the training is the need to be clear to ourselves and to our clients about the capacity in which we are acting and the responsibilities we have assumed,” Goldman’s shareholder letter said.

Transparency can clean up an image problem, but “what we really need to change is industry practices,” said Kurt Schacht, managing director of the CFA Institute, which is holding its annual meeting this week around the theme “Rebuilding Trust In The Industry.”

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/buffing-image-goldman-cracks-door-on-some-events-2012-05-09