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The article reports on the decline in the initial public offering (IPO) price of Dole Food Co. when its stocks priced at 12.28 U.S. dollars a share at the end of the New York Stock Exchange trading on October 23, 2009. It notes the sale of about 35.7 billion shares at a price lower than the expected range of about 13 dollars to 15 dollars. It cites the factors that led to poor performance of the company's stocks including the decrease in revenue and the sale of about 300 million dollars convertible-debt offering.

This section offers news briefs on the international finance sector as of October 8, 2009. The Swiss private bank of ING Groep NV will be acquired by Julius Baer Group AG for 520 million Swiss francs. The third-quarter net profit of Banco Español de Crédito SA decreased 30%, attributed to a 30% gain in loan-loss provisions to 95.9 million euros in the quarter. British insurer Aviva PLC has announced its plan to list shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

The article reports on the strong profit expected by newspaper publisher Gannett Co. in the third quarter of 2009. A 17% gain in shares to 11.69 U.S. dollars in trading on the New York Stock Exchange on September 29 was reported following the announcement of Gannett's plans to sell 400 million dollars in five- and eight-year notes. The publisher forecasts earnings ranging from 93 million to 100 million, excluding restructuring charges. In addition, Gannett says it cut its total debt in the quarter by 200 million to 3.31 billion.

The article reports on the improved earnings results posted by KKR Private Equity Investors (KPE), the publicly traded European affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), on August 18, 2009. It cites the hope of KPE to move its listing to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The value of Dollar General Corp., a discount retailer, and HCA Inc., a hospital chain, has been substantially marked up by the KKR. Also mentioned is the decline of assets at KKR from 60.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2008 to 50.8 billion dollars in August.

This article reports on the fiscal first-quarter profit posted by Legg Mason in 2009 in spite of a drop in operating costs. The company was able to post a net income of 50.1 million U.S. dollars during the period that ended June 30. At the New York Stock Exchange, Legg Mason shares increased by 3% or 73 cents to 24.94 dollars. According to Chairman and Chief Executive Mark R. Fetting, they are pleased to return Legg Mason to profitability.

The article reports on the stock decline recorded by GameStop Corp. as the videogame retailer went down 15% to $22.38 in 4 p.m. composite trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 21, 2009. A 13% gain in fiscal-first-quarter earnings was reported by the firm, but it expects earnings of just 28 cents to 33 cents a share for the quarter ending August, from a previous 34 cents. A net income of $70.4 million, or 42 cents a share, has been posted by the company for the period ended May 2, with a 9.2% revenue gain to $1.98 billion.

The article reports that Citigroup Inc. will release its fourth quarter 2008 earnings, as the market of its shares diminished following reports of the bank's downsizing. Vikram Pandit, Citigroup chief executive, will be disclosing more details of the bank's strategy. At the New York Stock Exchange composite trading, Citigroup was lower by 23%, valued at $4.53 per share.

The article reports on the financial performance of State Street Corp. for the third quarter of 2008. The investment management company posted a net income of $477 million compared with $358 million in 2007 while revenue also increased by 24% amounting $2.77 billion. The return on equity is currently at 13.6% from the previous 12.6%. However, the share price dropped by 17% and closed at $46.03 in the New York Stock Exchange composite trading.

The article reports on the growth in the profit of Medco Health Solutions Inc. by 22% in the second quarter of 2008 and the rise in the company's earnings per share forecasting. Such increases are the result of the strength in the specialty pharmacy business of Medco, new client wins and continued growth from generic drugs delivered through mail. The shares of the firm elevated by $1.02 or 2.2% or $47.88% in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.

The article reports on the increase in profit posted by East Hills, New York-based filtration and fluid purification products maker Pall Corp. for the third quarter ended April 30, 2008. The growth was attributed to its cost-cutting measures and sales gains across multiple platforms. Net income rose from $50.4 million in 2007 to $63.3 million. Shares in the company surged by 1.07 percent to $39.82 in New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) composite trading.

The article reports that the NYSE Euronext has experienced a surge in profits due to cost-cutting and record trading activity as of May 7, 2008. The company, whose net income has more than tripled in the first quarter of 2008 from 2007, is said to be moving aggressively to take business from rival stock exchange operators. According to the article, revenues grew by 84% due to heavy trading activity in U.S. stocks and European derivatives, illustrating that the merger between the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Euronext is on course.

The article reports that revenues of Interpublic Group Inc. for the first quarter of 2008 rose by 9.3%. Chief Executive Michael Roth says that the strong growth is due to new business, cost-cutting and continued spending by clients. The New York advertising and marketing company, which is in the midst of solving some accounting problems that has affected it for several years, says that investigations by the U.S. securities regulators is about to end. Interpublic's shares rose by 5.9%, or 50 cents, to $9.05 in New York Stock Exchange.

The article reports on the increase in profit of Verizon Communications Inc. by 9.8% in the first quarter of 2008. At Verizon Wireless, revenue rose by 13% while turnover rate increased from 1.08% to 1.18%. Verizon chief operating officer (COO) Dennis Strigl attributed the growth in high-end consumers and financial results to the $99 unlimited-calling plans. Verizon shares gained 91 cents, or 2.5%, to $37.95 in 4 p.m. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) composite trading.

The article reports on the increase in profit posted by telecommunications company AT&T in the first quarter of 2008. The company posted a 22% profit increase, while earnings at its wireless unit nearly doubled to $2.9 billion, as revenue rose by 18%. Shares of AT&T reportedly increase 22 cents, or 0.6%, to $37.81 in 4 p.m. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) composite trading. The landline unit of the firm posted a 2.1% decline in earnings to $2.83 billion, while revenue also dropped by 2%.

The article reports on the 48% decline in the fiscal fourth-quarter profit of CarMax Inc., which ended February 29, 2008. According to the company, it gave up margin on some sales to help move automobiles during the quarter. It states that the shares of the company increased 47 cents in the New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The company adds that the total used-vehicle sales increased 11% in the quarter.

The article reports on the increase in the net profit of American Express Co. in the second quarter of 2007. The New York-based credit-card company posted net income of $1.06 billion, up from $945 million in the year-earlier period. Shares of the company rose 0.2% to 64.66 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.