cocoa	bahia cocoa review showers continued week bahia cocoa zone alleviating drought since early january and improving prospects for coming temporao normal humidity levels not restored comissaria smith weekly review dry period means temporao will late this year arrivals for week ended february bags kilos making cumulative total for season mln stage last year that cocoa delivered earlier consignment included arrivals figures comissaria smith doubt crop cocoa harvesting practically come end total bahia crop estimates mln bags and sales standing almost mln hundred thousand bags hands farmers middlemen exporters and processors doubts this cocoa fit for export shippers experiencing dificulties obtaining bahia superior certificates view lower quality recent weeks farmers sold good part cocoa held consignment comissaria smith spot bean prices rose cruzados per arroba kilos bean shippers reluctant offer nearby shipment and limited sales booked for march shipment dlrs per tonne ports named crop sales light and open ports june july and dlrs and and dlrs york july aug sept and dlrs per tonne fob routine sales butter made march april sold and dlrs april butter times york june july and dlrs aug sept dlrs and and times york sept and oct dec dlrs and times york dec comissaria smith destinations covertible currency areas uruguay and open ports cake sales registered dlrs for march april dlrs for dlrs for aug and times york dec for oct dec buyers argentina uruguay and convertible currency areas liquor sales limited march april selling and dlrs june july dlrs and times york july aug sept dlrs and times york sept and oct dec times york dec comissaria smith total bahia sales estimated mln bags crop and mln bags crop final figures for period february expected published brazilian cocoa trade commission carnival ends midday february reuter 
earn	champion products approves stock split champion products inc board directors approved two for stock split common shares for shareholders record april company board voted recommend shareholders annual meeting april increase authorized capital stock mln mln shares reuter 
acq	computer terminal systems cpml completes sale computer terminal systems inc completed sale shares common stock and warrants acquire additional mln shares sedio lugano switzerland for dlrs company warrants exercisable for years purchase price dlrs per share computer terminal sedio buy additional shares and increase total holdings pct computer terminal outstanding common stock circumstances involving change control company company conditions occur warrants exercisable price equal pct common stock market price time not exceed dlrs per share computer terminal sold technolgy rights dot matrix impact technology including future improvements woodco inc houston tex for dlrs continue exclusive worldwide licensee technology for woodco company moves part reorganization plan and pay current operation costs and ensure product delivery computer terminal makes computer generated labels forms tags and ticket printers and terminals reuter 
earn	cobanco inc cbco year net shr cts dlrs net assets mln mln deposits mln mln loans mln mln note qtr not year includes extraordinary gain tax carry forward dlrs cts per shr reuter 
earn	international inc qtr jan oper shr loss two cts profit cts oper shr profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln six mths oper shr profit nil profit cts oper net profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note per shr calculated payment preferred dividends results exclude credits cts and cts for qtr and six mths six cts and cts for prior periods operating loss carryforwards reuter 
earn	brown forman inc bfd qtr net shr dlr cts net mln mln revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion mln reuter 
earn	dean foods sees strong qtr earnings dean foods expects earnings for fourth quarter ending exceed year ago period chairman kenneth douglas told analysts fiscal fourth quarter food processor reported earnings cts share douglas year sales exceed billion dlrs billion dlrs prior year repeated earlier projection that quarter earnings will slightly last year cts share falling range cts cts share douglas early project whether anticipated fourth quarter performance for exceed prior year earnings dlrs share douglas dean experience pct improvement bottom line effects tax reform act alone president howard dean fiscal company will derive benefits dairy and frozen vegetable acquisitions ryan milk larsen dean company will benefit acquisition late december elgin blenders inc west chicago company major shareholder foods united kingdom blender and licensing arrangements australia canada brazil and japan ann entry mcdonalds corp mcd for years douglas told analysts reuter 
copper	magma lowers copper cent cts magma copper subsidiary newmont mining corp cutting copper cathode price cent cents effective immediately reuter 
earn	brown forman bfdb sets stock split ups payout brown forman inc board approved for two stock split and pct increase company cash dividend company cited improved earnings outlook and continued strong cash flow reasons for raising dividend brown forman split class and class common shares effective march company directors declared quarterly cash dividend each share classes cts payable april holders record march prior split company had paid cts quarterly brown forman today reported pct increase quarter profits mln dlrs dlr share pct increase sales record mln dlrs brown forman month profits declined bit mln dlrs dlrs share mln dlrs dlrs share year earlier due second quarter charge cts share for restructuring beverage operations company lower corporate tax rates and restructuring expected substantially improve brown forman earnings and cash flow fiscal reuter 
earn	esquire radio and electronics inc qtr shr profit cts profit cts annual div cts cts prior net profit profit revs mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln note annual dividend payable april stockholders record march reuter 
earn	united presidential corp upco qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln note results include adjustment dlrs cts shr for year and periods improvement results universal life business estimated reuter 
housing	january housing sales drop realty group sales previously owned homes dropped pct january seasonally adjusted annual rate mln units national association realtors nar december rate mln units had highest since record mln unit sales rate set november group drop january not surprising that significant portion december record pace made sellers seeking favorable capital gains treatment tax laws nar john tuccillo reuter 
money-supply	assets money market mutual funds rose mln dlrs latest week 
earn	owens and minor inc obod raises qtly dividend qtly div eights cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	computer language research clri qtr shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln qtly div cts cts prior year shr profit two cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln note dividend payable april shareholders record march reuter 
earn	cinram qtr net shr cts cts net mln sales mln mln avg shrs year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	standard trustco sees year standard trustco expects earnings increase pct dlrs dlrs per share recorded stable interest rates and growing economy expected provide favorable conditions for growth president brian malley told shareholders annual meeting standard trustco previously reported assets billion dlrs billion dlrs return common shareholders equity pct last year pct reuter 
earn	handy and harman hnh qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss rev mln mln months shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit rev mln mln note net loss for qtr includes charge for restructuring mln dlrs tax cts share net loss includes tax special charge mln dlrs cts share reuter 
coffee	ico producers present coffee proposal international coffee organization ico producing countries will present proposal for reintroducing export quotas for months april firm undertaking negotiate september future quota distribution basis ico delegates distribution april unchanged basis earlier producer proposal includes shortfall redistributions totalling mln bags resumption ico contact group meeting consumers scheduled for this evening postponed tomorrow delegates reuter 
acq	chemlawn chem rises hopes for higher bids chemlawn corp chem attract higher bid dlrs per share offered waste management inc wnx wall street arbitrageurs shares chemlawn shot counter trading mln company mln shares changing hands late afternoon this company for times cash flow dlrs dollars depending whether competing bidder arbitrageur waste management tender offer announced opening today expires march this totally surprise debra strohmaier chemlawn spokeswoman company board held regularly scheduled meeting today and discussing waste management announcement statement expected not ready unable had prior contact waste management and chemlawn officials will resist elliott schlang analyst prescott ball and turben inc company that doesn surprise attack arbitrageurs pointed difficult resist tender offers for and shares for cash schlang chemlawn find white knight not want acquired waste management analyst rosemarie morbelli ingalls and snyder servicemaster companies svm rollins inc rol examples companies that interested chemlawn two mln customers largest company involved application fertilizers pesticides and herbicides lawns waste management involved removal wastes schlang chemlawn customer base valuable another company that capitalize strong residential and commercial distribution system schlang and morbelli noted that high growth rates had catapulted chemlawn share price into mid stock languished rate growth slowed schlang company profits concentrated fourth quarter chemlawn earned dlrs per share for full year and dlrs fourth quarter morbelli noted chemlawn competes thousands individual entrepreuers offer lawn and garden care sevice reuter 
sugar	sugar imports week usda sugar imports subject sugar import quota week ended january initial week sugar quota year totaled short tons versus tons previous week agriculture department sugar import quota for quota year january december set short tons compared tons quota year extended months december department customs service reported that weekly and cumulative imports reported actual weight basis and final polarizations received cumulative import data adjusted accordingly reuter 
trade	brazil anti inflation plan limps anniversary inflation plan initially hailed home and abroad saviour economy limping anniversary amid soaring prices widespread shortages and foreign payments crisis announced last february plan froze prices fixed cruzado currency and ended widespread indexation economy bid halt country pct inflation rate year plan collapsed situation worse inflation economy worked leading bank economist crumbling plan accompanied dramatic reversal foreign trade account and brazil annual trade surpluses had sufficient cover billion dlrs needed service billion dlr foreign debt for months target for repeat monthly surpluses averaging billion dlrs exports diverted and imports increased avoid domestic shortages trade surplus plunged mln dlrs october and since averaged mln reuter 
reserves	official foreign reserves fall january zealand official foreign reserves fell billion dlrs january billion dlrs december and compared billion year ago period reserve bank weekly statistical bulletin reuter 
ship	agency reports ships waiting panama canal panama canal commission government agency daily operations report that backlog ships waiting enter canal early today two days expects due scheduled transit end day backlog average waiting time tomorrow super tankers regular vessels north end hrs hrs south end hrs hrs reuter 
earn	america mortgage sets special payout america federally guaranteed mortgage fund two making special distribution cts per exchangeable unit includes cts return capital and cts income gains reuter 
earn	emhart corp emh qtly dividend qtly div cts cts prior payable march record march reuter 
earn	international cites strong prospects international inc reporting operating loss for january second quarter prospects for balance fiscal year remain good orders harris graphics subsidiary acquired june continue run strong pace for six months orders rose pct prior year period annualized basis running mln dlrs backlog harris pct beginning fiscal year international division expected benefit recent product introductions and decline dollar research development and engineering expenditures fiscal will mln dlr range and company allocated another mln dlrs for capital expenditures earlier reported fourth quarter operating loss two cts share compared profits cts share year ago revenues rose mln dlrs mln dlrs reuter 
money-supply	assets money funds rose week assets money market mutual funds increased mln dlrs week ended yesterday billion dlrs investment company institute assets institutional funds rose mln dlrs billion dlrs general purpose funds rose mln dlrs billion dlrs and broker dealer funds rose mln dlrs billion dlrs reuter 
ship	gulf barge freight rates call gulf barge freight rates firmed outlook for steady vessel loadings gulf increasing demand for barges supply ships dealers barges traded today louis merchants exchange call session versus yesterday quotes included delivery this week illinois river joliet pct tariff bid offered week river chicago quoted percentage points week mississippi river louis pct bid offered points week ohio river owensboro south pct bid offered points station illinois river south chicago pct bid offered comparison march illinois chicago pct bid offered points march ohio river bid yesterday traded level pct offered march lower mississippi river memphis cairo pct bid offered comparison illinois river chicago pct bid offered comparison sept nov lower mississippi river memphis cairo pct bid offered sept dec section pct bid offered comparison reuter 
earn	gulf applied gats sells units sees gain gulf applied technologies inc sold pipeline and terminal operations units for mln dlrs and will record gain mln dlrs quarter added that federal taxes owed transaction will offset operating loss carryovers reuter 
earn	farmers group inc fgrp qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net revs billion mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	potomac electric power pom jan net shr cts cts net revs avg shrs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net revs billion billion avg shr mln mln note latest mths net includes gain cts per share for sale virginia service territory dominion resources inc reuter 
acq	cofab inc buys gulfex for undisclosed amount cofab inc acquired gulfex inc houston based fabricator custom high pressure process vessels for energy and petrochemical industries cofab group companies manufacture specialized cooling and lubricating systems for oil and gas petrochemical utility pulp and paper and marine industries reuter 
earn	tultex corp ttx sets quarterly dividend qtly div eights cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	atico financial corp atfc qtr net shr cts dlrs net mln revs mln mln year shr cts dlrs net mln revs mln mln note qtr and amounts include acquisition pct common atico peninsula federal savings and loan association january qtr and net include net gain mln dlrs dlrs per share exchange common pan america banks inc for common ncnb corp purusant merger companies reuter 
coffee	ico exporters modify proposal international coffee organization ico exporters will modify proposal quota resumption presenting importers tomorrow ico delegates change will discussed tonight informally producers follows talks formal producer session member producer splinter group and will affect proposed quota distribution for months april proposed share include shortfall declarations reuter 
money-supply	commercial paper falls mln dlrs feb week fed 
money-supply	business loans fall mln dlrs feb week fed 
money-supply	york bank discount window borrowings mln dlrs feb week 
money-supply	york business loans fall mln dlrs commercial and industrial loans books major york banks excluding acceptances fell mln dlrs billion week ended february federal reserve bank york including acceptances loans declined mln dlrs billion commercial paper outstanding nationally dropped mln dlrs billion national business loan data scheduled released friday reuter 
money-supply	bank discount borrowings mln dlrs major york city banks had mln dlrs average borrowings federal reserve week wednesday february fed spokesman week marked second half two week bank statement period that ended wednesday banks had borrowings prior week commenting latest week fed spokesman that borrowing occurred yesterday and fewer half banks national data discount window borrowings due released est gmt reuter 
earn	philippine long distance phi year net shr primary pesos pesos shr diluted pesos pesos qtly div pesos pesos net billion mln revs billion billion note full name philippine long distance telephone figures quoted philippine pesos dividend payable april holders record march exchange rate day dividend declaration pesos per dollar reuter 
earn	liberty star equity fund initial div qtly div cts payable april two record march note dividend includes special two cts per share for period beginning fund commencement operations novebmer december reuter 
earn	combustion engineering inc csp regular div qtly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	tonka corp tka raises dividend qtly div two cts cts pay march record march reuter 
earn	bdm international bdm increases qtrly divs annual div class cts cts prior annual div class cts cts prior payable april record march note full name bdm international inc reuter 
earn	systematics inc syst regular payout qtly div cts cts prior pay march record february reuter 
money-supply	money supply rises billion dlrs feb week fed 
earn	ivaco inc year net shr dlrs dlrs net revs billion billion note results include extraordinary gain dlrs six cts share secondary share offering canron unit reuter 
money-supply	bank discount borrowings average mln dlrs feb week fed 
money-supply	bank net free reserves mln dlrs two weeks feb fed 
acq	investment firms cut cyclops cyl stake group affiliated york investment firms lowered stake cyclops corp shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission group led mutual shares corp sold cyclops common shares feb and for mln dlrs reuter 
earn	coradian corp cdin qtr net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs year shr profit cent loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve weekly report feb two weeks ended feb daily avgs mlns net free reserves bank borrowings including seasonal loans including extended loans excess reserves required reserves adj required reserves total reserves borrowed reserves monetary base two weeks ended feb total vault cash inc cash equal req res week ended feb daily avgs mlns bank borrowings including seasonal loans including extended loans float balances adjustments currency treasury deposits reuter 
money-supply	trading bank deposit growth rises slightly zealand trading bank seasonally adjusted deposit growth rose pct january compared rise pct december reserve bank year year total deposits rose pct compared pct increase december year and pct rise year ago period weekly statistical release total deposits rose billion dlrs january compared billion december and billion january reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve money supply report feb week ended feb previous week revised avge weeks week ago avge weeks week ago monthly aggregates adjusted avgs billions jan dec jan dec jan dec dec nov domestic debt dec nov reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve weekly report feb week ended feb daily avgs mlns govts bought outright govts repurchases nil unch agencies bought outright unch agencies repurchases nil unch acceptances repurchases nil unch matched sales including sales cust fed assets fed liabilities deposits fed reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve weekly report feb week ended feb daily avgs mlns foreign deposits gold stock unch custody holdings federal funds rate avg factors wednesday feb bank borrowings including extended credits matched sales including sales cust float reuter 
cotton	world market price for upland cotton usda agriculture department announced prevailing world market price adjusted quality and location for strict low middling inch upland cotton cts per effect midnight march adjusted world price average producing locations lubbock texas and will adjusted for qualities and locations price will used determining handler cotton certificate payment rates based data for week ended february adjusted world price for upland cotton determined follows cts per northern european price adjustments average spot mkt location slm inch cotton average location sum adjustments adjusted world price reuter 
sugar	sugar quota imports detailed usda agriculture department cumulative sugar imports individual countries quota year began january and ends december follows quota allocations for quota year short tons raw cumulative quota imports allocations argentina nil australia nil barbados nil belize nil bolivia nil brazil nil canada nil quota imports allocations colombia congo nil costa rica nil ivory coast nil dom rep ecuador nil salvador nil fiji nil gabon nil quota imports allocations guatemala nil guyana nil haiti nil honduras nil india nil jamaica nil madagascar nil malawi nil quota imports allocations mauritius nil mexico mozambique nil panama nil papua guinea nil paraguay nil peru nil philippines nil christopher nevis nil quota imports allocations swaziland nil taiwan nil thailand nil trinidad tobago nil uruguay nil zimbabwe nil reuter 
earn	meridian bancorp inc mrdn sets regular payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
money-supply	bank discount borrowings mln dlrs bank discount window borrowings extended credits averaged mln dlrs week wednesday february federal reserve fed that borrowings week fell mln dlrs mln dlrs extended credits mln dlrs mln dlrs week second half two week statement period net borrowings prior week averaged mln dlrs commenting two week statement period ended february fed that banks had average net free reserves mln dlrs day billion two weeks earlier federal reserve spokesman told press briefing that large single day net misses fed reserve projections week wednesday that natural float had acting bit strangely for this time year noting that had poor weather latest week spokesman that natural float ranged mln dlrs friday for give reason billion dlrs thursday and wednesday fed spokeman give reason for thursday high float that mln dlrs wednesday float figure due holdover and transportation float two widely separated fed districts for week that float related adjustments small adding that fell negative mln dlrs tuesday due number corrections for unrelated cash letter errors six districts country spokesman that tuesday and wednesday two clearing banks had system problems and securities and federal funds wires had held open est days that problems cleared afternoons and evidence reserve impact week ended wednesday pct net discount window borrowings made smallest banks pct large money center banks and pct large regional institutions wednesday pct borrowing accounted for money center banks pct large regionals and pct smallest banks fed spokesman banking system had excess reserves thursday monday and tuesday and deficit friday and wedndsday that produced small daily average deficit for week for two week period relatively high excess reserves daily avearge almost smallest banks reuter 
acq	american express axp spinnoff american express remained silent market rumors spinoff part shearson lehman brothers inc analysts company such move unhappy market stock american express stock lift rumor market calculated partially public shearson command good market thereby boosting total american express rumor accompanied talk financial services firm split stock and boost dividend american express closed york stock exchange heavy volume american express not comment rumors stock activity analysts comments company analysts meeting tuesday helped fuel rumors announcement yesterday management meeting company officials american express stock undervalued and not fully reflect performance shearson analysts yesterday shearson elevating chief operating officer jeffery lane added position president had vacant created positions for chairmen operating divisions analysts speculated partial spinoff make sense contrary variation market rumors total spinoff analysts disagreed that spinoff shearson good since strong profit center for american express contributing pct earnings last year highly that american express sell shearson perrin long lipper analytical questioned investment profitable securities firm analysts american express not cash reason sell part strong asset company considered option spinning part shearson and rumor suggests selling pct market larry eckenfelder prudential bache securities believes american express considered partial spinoff past shearson profitable fetched big premium market place shearson book mln dlr range shearson market place worth bilion dlrs terms market capitalization eckenfelder analysts american express use capital since plans expand globally enormous internal growth plans that takes capital you want your stock reflect realistic valuations enhance your ability make kinds endeavors road hutton group analyst michael lewis outlined fact that investing heavily future heavily into international arena lewis that not preclude acquisitions and divestitures lewis american express reduced exposure brokerage business selling part shearson stock reflect assets such travel related services business find true water mark lesser exposure brokerage components command higher multiple constitute higher percentage total operating earnings company lewis shearson contributed mln tax operating earnings mln dlrs reuter 
money-supply	money supply rose billion dlrs money supply rose billion dlrs seasonally adjusted billion dlrs february week federal reserve previous week level revised billion dlrs billion dlrs week moving average rose billion dlrs billion economists polled reuters that anywhere billion dlrs billion dlrs average forecast called for mln dlr rise reuter 
earn	liberty star usa sets initial payout liberty star equity fund declared initial dividend cts per share payable april two shareholders record march dividend includes quarterly dividend cts share and special payout two cts share covers period november fund began operations december fund quarterly dividend rate fluctuate future reuter 
earn	ivaco sees minimal quarter earnings ivaco inc price pressure steel products and recent increase canadian dollar expected result minimal quarter earnings subsequent quarters show substantial improvement quarter levels earnings will not reach levels long conditions continue ivaco earlier reported profit rose mln dlrs mln dlr extraordinary gain mln dlrs previous year demand for company products continuing high levels and sales expected show growth revenues last year rose billion dlrs billion dlrs reuter 
grain	grain carloadings fall week grain carloadings totaled cars week ended february pct previous week pct week year ago association american railroads reported grain mill product loadings week totalled cars pct previous week pct week year earlier association reuter 
acq	hong kong firm ups wrather wco stake pct industrial equity pacific hong kong investment firm raised stake wrather corp shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission industrial equity principally owned brierley investments publicly held zealand company bought wrather common shares feb and for mln dlrs disclosed stake wrather earlier this month bought stock for investment purposes reuter 
earn	coleco industries inc clo qtr shr loss dls profit cts net loss mln profit mln revs mln mln year shr loss dlrs profit dlrs net loss mln profit mln revs mln mln reuter 
crude	diamond shamrock dia cuts crude prices diamond shamrock corp that effective today had cut contract prices for crude oil dlrs barrel reduction brings posted price for west texas intermediate dlrs barrel copany price reduction today made light falling oil product prices and weak crude oil market company spokeswoman diamond latest line oil companies that cut contract posted prices last two days citing weak oil markets reuter 
acq	liebert corp lieb approves merger liebert corp shareholders approved merger wholly owned subsidiary emerson electric emr terms merger each liebert shareholder will receive shares emerson stock for each liebert share reuter 
earn	northern telecom proposes two for stock split 
earn	coleco industries clc sees profit coleco industries inc expects return profitability earlier coleco reported net loss mln dlrs for year ended december compared profit mln dlrs year earlier prepared statement company dramatic swing operating results due primarily steep decline sales cabbage patch kids products mln dlrs mln dlrs coleco changed single product company diversified organization major acquisitions last year products acquisitions and product introductions expected enable return profitability annual toy fair earlier this month vice president morton handel analysts projected earnings cts share sales mln dlrs reasonable reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve weekly report feb two weeks ended feb daily avgs mlns net free reserves bank borrowings including seasonal loans including extended loans excess reserves required reserves adj required reserves total reserves borrowed reserves monetary base reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve weekly report feb two weeks ended feb total vault cash inc cash equal req res week ended feb daily avgs mlns bank borrowings including seasonal loans including extended loans float balances adjustments currency treasury deposits reuter 
acq	gulf applied technologies gats sells units gulf applied technologies inc sold subsidiaries engaged pipeline and terminal operations for mln dlrs company sale subject post closing adjustments not explain reuter 
acq	investment group raises robeson rbsn stake group affiliated miami based investment firms led fundamental management corp raised stake robeson industries corp shares pct total pct filing securities and exchange commission group bought robeson common shares jan and feb for dlrs group buy shares and plans study robeson operations recommend that management make operations fundamental management chairman carl singer recently elected robeson board reuter 
grain	gao likely show certs costly cash study grain certificates due shortly government accounting office gao show that certificates cost government pct cash outlays administration and industry sources analysis that gao obtained agriculture department and office management and budget suggests that certificates cost cash payments gao official told reuters gao preparing certificate study specific request sen jesse helms chairman senate agriculture committee report will focus cost certificates compared cash scheduled released mid march cost certificates gao source depends program impact usda loan program gao determines that certificates encourage loan entries loan forfeitures net cost program determined that certificates caused government grain stockpile decrease cost effect certificates gao will not likely suggest whether certificates program slowed expanded gao official negative report certificates will fuel fire certificates and weigh heavily increase certificate program agricultural consultant omb expansion program usda remains firmly committed reuter 
earn	dahlberg inc dahl qtr net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note year includes weeks reuter 
earn	city national corp ctyn raises dividend shr cts cts pay april record march reuter 
earn	page petroleum year loss shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss mln loss mln revs mln mln note net includes mln dlr extraordinary loss for oil and gas writedowns and unrealized foreign exchange losses ago loss mln dlrs reuter 
earn	idb communications group inc idbx year net period ended december shr cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	armor products corp armr quarterly div qtly div ten cts ten cts pay april record march reuter 
crude	opec meet firm prices analysts opec forced meet scheduled june session readdress production cutting agreement organization halt current slide oil prices oil industry analysts movement higher oil prices never easy opec thought emergency meeting sort problems daniel yergin director cambridge energy research associates cera analysts and oil industry sources problem opec faces excess oil supply world oil markets opec problem not price problem production issue and addressed that paul mlotok oil analyst salomon brothers inc market earlier optimism opec and ability production control pessimistic outlook that organization address wishes regain initiative oil prices analysts uncertain that even emergency meeting address problem opec production mln bpd quota set last december opec learn that buyers market you cannot deemed quotas fixed prices and set differentials regional manager for major oil companies spoke condition that not named market teach that lesson added david mizrahi editor mideast reports expects opec meet june not immediately not optimistic that opec can address principal problems will not meet advantage winter demand sell oil late march and april demand slackens mizrahi mizrahi that opec reiterate agreement output mln bpd analysts that two months will critical for opec ability hold together prices and output opec hold pact for six weeks since buyers will come back into market dillard spriggs petroleum analysis york bijan moussavar rahmani harvard university energy and environment policy center that demand for opec oil rising quarter and this prompted excesses production demand for opec oil mln bpd and closer mln bpd higher characterized cheating opec meeting this demand current production told reuters telephone interview reuter 
earn	cenergy crg reports qtr net profit cenergy corp reported fourth quarter net income dlrs cts per share revenues mln dlrs for year reported net loss mln dlrs cts per share result writedowns book oil and gas properties two quarters revenues mln dlrs company fiscal year ended march changed calender year end for months ended dec reported loss mln dlrs dlrs per share revenues mln dlrs result noncash writedowns oil and gas properties for year ended march cenergy reported net income dlrs cts per share revenues mln dlrs company reserves year fell mln barrels mln barrels oil and bilion cubic feet gas bcf reserves not disappear produce prices recover reuter 
earn	northern telecom declares stock split two for stock split pay note split subject approval shareholders april annual meeting company will increase dividend post split shares six cts cts reuter 
earn	torchmark tmk authorizes stock repurchase torchmark corp board authorized purchase time time significant portion pct convertible subordinated debentures february outstanding mln dlrs principal amount debenures company plans redeem debentures june declared regular quarterly dividend cts per share common payable shareholders record april reuter 
earn	techamerica group inc tch qtr loss shr loss six cts not net loss profit revs year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln reuter 
earn	wilfred american educational wae regular div qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	drexel official stake epsilon data epsi senior official drexel burnham lambert inc and father told securities and exchange commission acquired shares epsilon data management inc pct total outstanding kenneth thomas senior vice president investments drexel los angeles office and father retired university professor thomas bought stake for mln dlrs primarily for investment purposes buy stock sell stake depending market conditions plans seek control company reuter 
acq	nova wins government for husky hyo deal nova canadian company that owns pct husky oil received government approval for transaction union faith canada holding buy pct stake husky nova minister regional and industrial expansion michel cote ruled that union faith purchase husky stake not result husky ceding control canadian company this ruling key condition completing deal union faith equally owned hutchison whampoa and hong kong electric holdings agreement union faith husky will become private company union faith and nova each holding pct stock pct husky owned relatives shing chairman hutchison and pct canadian imperial bank commerice reuter 
earn	potomac electric power pom january net oper shr cts cts oper net mln mln revs mln mln mths oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net mln mln revs billion billion note mths oper net excludes extraordinary gain mln dlrs cts per share sale virginia service territory virginia power reuter 
acq	suffield financial ssbk gets fed approval suffield financial corp federal reserve board approved application acquire coastal bancorp csbk portland suffield approval superintendent maine banking department reuter 
earn	afg industries inc afg quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
earn	gsw inc year net oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net revs mln mln note net excludes extraordinary gain mln dlrs dlrs shr sale camco inc shares ago loss mln dlrs dlrs shr reuter 
earn	santa anita realty sar quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay april record march santa anita realty enterprises inc reuter 
earn	liquid air corp lana quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay march record march reuter 
earn	marshall steel year net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln note name marshall drummond mccall inc results include extraordinary gains dlrs cts per share and dlrs cts income tax reduction reuter 
earn	marshall steel details gain unit sale marshall steel marshall drummond mccall inc will report mln dlr net gain taxes this year sale drummond mccall division sold effective january reuter 
earn	mayfair industries inc mayf qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs avg shrs mths oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note excludes tax gain dlrs for qtr and year reuter 
nat-gas	lng imports algeria liquefied natural gas imports algeria happen even economically feasible industry analysts sources youcef yousfi director general sonatrach algerian state petroleum agency television interview algiers that such imports made this year contract negotiations filing government and time required restart mothballed terminals will delay import daniel tulis natural gas analyst shearson lehman bros sonatrach negotiating two customers panhandle eastern pel and distrigas subsidiary cabot corp cbt resume lng export company officials told reuters paso gas subsidiary burlington northern bni expressed interest industry analysts imports algerian lng feasible marginal cost basis companies that made capital investment handle lng import can operate profitably even current price environment frank spadine energy economist bankers trust analysts not forsee major impact algerian imports prices soft expected trend higher end decline gas drilling and time lag bring gulf mexico productions onstream will tighten gas supplies and firm prices shearson tulis this context algerian lng import source supplemental supply domestic production added company sources talks algeria agree that algerian lng serve meet peak demand company sources that negotiations algeria emphasize looser arrangements relate volumes market requirements and prices spot market values reuter 
earn	alatenn resources inc atng qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	versatile sell unit vicon versatile corp agreed principle sell alberta based versatile noble cultivators division vicon inc ontario for undisclosed terms division manufactures tillage and spraying equipment reuter 
acq	videotron buys into exhibit company groupe videotron agreed buy pct groupe promexpo inc company specializes product exhibits for mln dlrs reuter 
earn	memotec data inc year net shr cts cts net revs mln mln note results include extraordinary gains dlrs cts share and dlrs cts share reuter 
crude	texaco canada cuts crude prices canadian cts bbl par grade canadian dlrs 
crude	texaco canada txc lowers crude postings texaco canada lowered contract price will pay for crude oil canadian cts barrel effective today decrease brings company posted price for benchmark grade edmonton swann hills light sweet canadian dlrs bbl texaco canada last changed crude oil postings feb reuter 
crude	marathon petroleum reduces crude postings marathon petroleum reduced contract price will pay for grades crude oil dlr barrel effective today decrease brings marathon posted price for west texas intermediate and west texas sour dlrs bbl south louisiana sweet grade crude reduced dlrs bbl company last changed crude postings jan reuter 
earn	george weston year net shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion reuter 
money-supply	money supply rises pct december zealand broadly defined seasonally adjusted money supply grew estimated pct december rising revised pct november and pct december last year reserve bank statement unadjusted increased estimated billion dlrs revised billion november and billion december year year rose pct revised pct november and pct december narrowly defined year year growth pct revised pct november and pct year earlier grew estimated billion dlrs revised billion november and billion december year year private sector credit grew pct december revised pct november and pct december private sector credit grew billion dlrs revised billion november and billion december reuter 
acq	circuit systems csyi buys board maker circuit systems inc bought stock ionic industries inc exchange for shares common exchange will shares circuit systems stock outstanding ionic holders will pct outstanding stock circuit systems ionic maker circuit boards had revenues mln dlrs and pretax profits dlrs revenues mln and pretax profits dlrs circuit systems reuter 
earn	mail boxes etc mail qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	munsingwear inc mun qtr jan loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs note per shr adjusted for for stock split july and for split reuter 
money-supply	fed data suggest stable monetary policy latest federal reserve data suggest that central bank voted maintain existing degree pressure banking reserves regular policy making meeting two weeks ago money market economists numbers disappointing can volcker word that nothing had changed bob bannon security pacific national bank fed chairman paul volcker told congressional committee last thursday that fed policy unchanged today volcker statement last thursday allayed fears that fed had marginally tightened grip reserves ailing dollar economists wanted confirmation steady policy today data covered two week bank statement period ended yesterday this for additional reassurance made acute fed decision yesterday drain reserves banking system arranging overnight matched sale purchase agreements for time since april last year economists added today data showed that draining action for fairly large billion dlrs economists thing that caught eye relatively sizeable matched sales wednesday dana johnson national bank chicago justified for nothing ominous fed couldn waited start statement period today had missed reserve projections added security pacific bannon fed spokesman told reporters that large single day net miss reserve projections latest week economists similarly shrugged slightly higher expected adjusted bank borrowings fed discount window averaged mln dlrs day latest week compared economists forecasts mln for two week bank statement period daily borrowing average doubled mln dlrs prior period wire problems two large banks tuesday and wednesday not bothered borrowings scott winningham winningham and wednesday average rose mln dlrs mln week earlier lending support stable policy view relatively steady federal funds rate six pct latest week and persistently high levels excess reserves banking system economists for time fed neutral path fed funds six pct darwin beck boston corp expect continue that vein excess reserves fell billion dlrs added chicago johnson banks excess reserves averaged billion dlrs day latest statement period billion previous fed declined assign target growth range wayward money supply measure last week attention paid steeper anticipated billion dlr jump week ended february ahead economists fed will tread fine line dollar progress international currency markets and development domestic economy market perhaps exaggerated dollar effect fed policy chicago johnson will dollar into account future policy decisions economy weak won pull back easing reuter 
earn	gti corp gti qtr oper net oper shr profit six cts loss two cts oper net profit loss revs year oper shr profit cts loss two cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln note data not include discontinued operations qtr gain dlrs cts per shr qtr loss dlrs cts per shr year loss dlrs dlrs per shr and year loss dlrs cts per shr reuter 
crude	houston oil reserves study completed houston oil trust that independent petroleum engineers completed annual study that estimates trust future net revenues total proved reserves mln dlrs and discounted present reserves mln dlrs based estimate trust money for cash distributions unitholders for remainder year estimates reflect decrease pct net reserve revenues and pct discounted present compared study made reuter 
earn	famous restaurants inc fams qtr loss shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln year shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note includes recurring charges dlrs qtr and dlrs year for reserve for underperforming restaurants reuter 
cpi	japan consumer prices fall pct january japan unadjusted consumer price index base fell pct january previous month government management and coodination agency fall compares decline pct december january index compared year earlier pct drop larger pct since fell pct september food costs rose january december prices fell for clothing footwear and utilities causing decline for month housing medical and educations costs increased january compared year earlier cost utilities gasoline and vegetables fell unadjusted consumer price index for tokyo area base pct mid february month earlier reflecting lower prices for food clothing and footwear compared year earlier index pct due lower vegetable fuel oil and utility costs reuter 
earn	avery avy sets two for stock split avery board authorizerd two for stock split increased quarterly dividend and plans offer mln shares common stock company stock split effective march distribution additional share each shareholder record march quarterly cash dividend cts per share split shares pct increase cts per share split avery will register securities and exchange commission shrortly offer mln additional common shares will use proceeds repay debt finance recent acquisitions and for corporate purposes reuter 
money-supply	federal reserve weekly components feb week feb feb daily avg billions seasonally adjusted unadjusted currency demand depos check savings small time mmdas commercial bank repos euros reuter 
money-supply	central bank sees slower money credit growth monetary and credit growth rates zealand not expected continue current levels reserve bank move tighten liquidity late last year reserve bank governor spencer russell monetary and credit growth figures for december quarter artifically inflated unusually high growth inter institutional lending activity short term money market russell statement bank moved tighten liquidity initial signs recent expansion apparent september and october last year russell broadly defined figures released today showed growth pct year ended december compared pct year ended september annual growth private sector credit calendar pct compared pct september year evidence suggests that corporate customers including bank financial institutions exploiting differences interest rates overdrafts trading banks and rates call market russell reuter 
interest	japan expected cut base rate for state bodies japan expected cut base lending rate for state financial institutions pct part recent pact major industrial nations paris finance ministry sources cut based revision trust fund bureau law approved parliament march abolishing pct minimum interest rate deposits bureau bureau channels funds government financial institutions for public works and official base lending rate for state bodies such japan development bank people finance corp and finance corporations local public enterprises moves tandem long term prime rates sources impossible for follow last cut pct pct january trust fund bureau rate legally set pct ministry will abolish minimum rate and introduce market related resolve problem and stimulate domestic economy tuesday ministry allowed long term bankers cut prime record low pct effective february move suggested had reached agreement depositors bureau postal savings system posts and telecommunications ministry and japan welfare annuity ministry health and welfare sources ministries determine market rates considered setting bureau deposit rate ministry sources coupon rates year government bonds minus percentage points likeliest choice added reuter 
coffee	producer split heats coffee quota talks talks possibility reintroducing global coffee export quotas extended into today sparks flying yesterday dissident group exporters not included key negotiating forum special meeting international coffee organization ico council called find stop prolonged slide coffee prices delegates solution question implement quotas sight world coffee export quotas major device used regulate coffee prices international coffee agreement suspended year ago prices soared reaction drought cut brazil output two thirds brazil world largest coffee producer and exporter producers and consumers facing question quotas calculated future quota distribution scheme delegates tempers flared late saturday minority group producing countries not represented contact group producer and consumer delegates alternates set facilitate debate big producers want ball court and isn fair minority producer spokesman luis escalante costa rica majority producer group proposed resuming quotas april previous hoc method carving quota shares promise negotiate basic quotas september delegates plan perpetuate status quo allowing brazil retain almost current pct share export market colombia pct ivory coast pct and indonesia six pct rest divided smaller exporters consuming countries and dissident producer group tabled separate proposals requiring quotas determined availability formula incorporating exportable production and stocks statistics proposals give brazil smaller quota share and colombia and indonesia larger share and bring quota distribution scheme into effect brazil unwilling accept proposal that reduce quota share delegates delegates not speculate prospects for agreement quota package this phase even adjournment meeting march april ico agree quotas price coffee supermarket shelf not likely change sinnificantly result industry sources retail coffee prices past year remained steady even coffee market prices tumbled upswing will not passed consumer reuter 
interest	italian treasury cuts interest certificates italian treasury annual coupon rates payable march two issues long term treasury certificates ccts cut percentage points compared rates this march coupon rates year certificates maturing march will fall pct pct and rates year issues maturing march fall pct pct treasury cut point six monthly coupons payable this september six issues maturing september and september issues carry terms and years and will coupon rates and pct september compared and pct this march reuter 
crude	kuwait plans for emergency opec talks kuwait oil minister remarks published today plans for emergency opec meeting review oil policies recent weakness world oil prices sheikh ali khalifa sabah quoted local daily qabas opec members asked for such meeting denied kuwait pumping quota barrels crude daily bpd set imposed production limits nation organisation traders and analysts international oil markets estimate opec producing mln bpd ceiling mln bpd agreed geneva last december named kuwait and united arab emirates smaller producer ecuador producing quota kuwait pumping mln bpd this rumour baseless based reports kuwait ability exceed share suppose that kuwait ability will minister sheikh ali that kuwait had ability produce mln bpd can sell quota official prices countries suffering difficulties marketing share means kuwait unusually clever referring apparently gulf state qatar industry sources selling bpd bpd quota buyers resisting official prices restored opec last month pegged marker dlrs per barrel prices york last week dropped lowest levels this year and almost dollars below month high dollars barrel sheikh ali delivered challenge international oil company that declared kuwait sold below official prices charging official price dlrs barrel had lost custom not elaborate kuwait had guaranteed markets for oil local and international refining facilities and distribution network abroad added reaffirmed that planned meeting march opec differentials committee postponed start april request body members ecuador deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite last wednesday debt burdened country wanted opec assign lower official price for crude and seek this talks this month opec pricing committee referring pressure oil companies opec members apparent reference difficulties faced qatar expected such pressure will continue march and april expected situation improve reuter 
crude	indonesia crossroads economic change indonesia appears nearing political crossroads measures deregulate protected economy embassy report counter falling oil revenues government launched series measures past months boost exports oil sector and attract investment indonesia asian member opec and leading primary commodity producer severely hit last year fall world oil prices forced devalue currency pct september embassy report president suharto government appears divided direction lead economy appears nearing crossroads regard deregulation pertains investments and imports report primarily assesses indonesia agricultural sector reviews country general economic performance that government officials and advisers recommending relaxation equally strong pressures exerted halt such moves this group strongly favours import substitution economy report indonesia economic welcomed world bank and international bankers steps direction crucial areas economy plastics and steel remain highly protected and virtual monopolies sets measures announced since last broadened areas for foreign investment reduced trade restrictions and liberalised imports report indonesia economic growth calendar and economy even contracted bit this lowest rate growth since mid report notes indonesia largest country south east asia population million facing general elections april report hold hope for swift improvement economic outlook for early indications point slightly positive growth rate not exceeding pct economic activity continues suffer due sharp fall export earnings petroleum industry growth oil sector low weak domestic demand coupled excessive plant capacity real declines construction and trade and reduced level growth agriculture report states bankers continuation present economic reforms crucial for government international lending world bank loan mln dlrs last month balance payments support partly government maintain momentum reform bank reuter 
crude	saudi riyal deposit rates remain firm saudi riyal interbank deposits steady yesterday higher levels quiet market traders reluctant positions amidst uncertainty whether opec will succeed halting current decline oil prices oil industry sources yesterday gulf arab producers had had difficulty selling oil official opec prices kuwait plans for emergency meeting member organisation traditional sunday lull trading due european weekend contributed lack market activity spot and week rates put pct quotes ranging six yesterday and six month deposits quoted unchanged and pct spot riyal quietly firmer dollar quotes yesterday reuter 
crude	qatar unveils budget for fiscal gulf oil state qatar recovering slightly last year decline world oil prices announced budget since early and projected deficit billion riyals deficit compared shortfall billion riyals last published budget for statement outlining budget for fiscal year beginning today finance and petroleum minister sheikh abdul aziz bin khalifa thani government expected spend billion riyals period projected expenditure budget had billion riyals sheikh abdul aziz government revenue billion riyals pct projected revenue billion government failed publish budget due uncertainty surrounding oil revenues sheikh abdul aziz that that year government decided limit recurrent expenditure each month twelfth previous fiscal year allocations minus pct urged heads government departments and public institutions government rationalise expenditure not budget shortfall covered sheikh abdul aziz plans limit expenditure had order relieve burden country foreign reserves added billion riyals had allocated for major projects including housing and public buildings social services health education transport and communications electricity and water industry and agriculture figure revealed for expenditure defence and security projection for oil revenue qatar opec member output ceiling barrels per day sheikh abdul aziz expectations positive signs oil price trends foremost opec determination shoulder responsibilites and protect wealth helped make reasonable estimates for coming year revenue basis assigned quota reuter 
money-fx	gulf bond stock markets lag gib gulf money markets grown past decade bond and stock markets remain large extent fragmented and lag gulf international bank bsc gib bank economist henry azzam review gulf capital markets that investors relinquish traditional investment vehicles such real estate foreign currency bank accounts and precious metals greater financial sophistication needed coupled diversified capital market instruments and change disclosure requirements company accounts gib study reviewed capital markets categories money markets stock and bond markets azzam gulf states had making greater use short term money market instruments and banks region had floated euronotes and underwriting facilities nevertheless bond and stock markets remain large extent fragmented and lagging debt region raised syndicated loans and bank facilities and companies had made use stock bond issues kuwait official stock exchange gulf nations establish exchanges dwindling financial surpluses gulf governments actively pursuing ways develop capital markets and set domestic stock exchanges azzam recession stemming sliding oil prices had had negative impact development capital markets region addition family firms reluctant public financial awareness investors lacking and investment analysis and corporate reporting standards lack depth sharp fall share prices early prompted investors hold shares hoping for eventual recovery azzam absence proper commercial law gulf countries and authorities apparent reluctance adopt financial innovations had hampered capital markets called for defined laws governing incorporation joint stock companies and flotation debt instruments azzam capital market instruments made citizens and institutions gulf cooperation council gcc states bahrain kuwait qatar oman saudi arabia and united arab emirates uae moves had this direction bahrain allowing gcc nationals pct locally incorporated companies azzam gulf money markets had received greater depth introduction treasury bill offerings bahrain and expansion securities repurchase regulations saudi arabia added bond market speak saudi arabia qatar oman uae last saudi riyal denominated bond issued bahrain plans official stock exchange and trading saudi arabia picked establishment formal exchanges qatar oman and uae not imminent azzam reuter 
crude	saudi arabia reiterates commitment opec pact saudi arabian oil minister hisham nazer reiterated kingdom commitment last december opec accord boost world oil prices and stabilise market official saudi press agency spa asked agency recent fall free market oil prices nazer saudi arabia fully adhering accord and will never sell oil prices below pronounced prices circumstance nazer quoted spa recent pressure free market prices end northern hemisphere winter season and glut market saudi arabia main architect december accord opec agreed lower total output ceiling pct mln barrels per day bpd and return fixed prices dlrs barrel agreement year turmoil oil markets prices slump briefly dlrs barrel mid dlrs late free market prices dlrs nazer quoted spa saudi arabia adherence accord shown oil market contacts members opec showed wanted stick accord jamaica opec president rilwanu lukman nigerian oil minister group planned stick pricing agreement aware negative forces manipulate operations market satisfied that fundamentals exist for stable market conditions kuwait oil minister sheikh ali khalifa sabah remarks published emirate daily qabas plans for emergency opec meeting review prices traders and analysts international oil markets estimate opec producing mln bpd mln ceiling named kuwait and united arab emirates smaller producer ecuador producing quota sheikh ali denied that kuwait producing reuter 
coffee	coffee quota talks continue accord likely international coffee organization ico council talks reintroducing export quotas continued extended session lasting late into sunday night delegates prospects for accord producers and consumers diminishing minute special meeting called stop prolonged slide coffee prices likely adjourn tonight agreement delegates council expected agree reconvene six weeks september talks foundered sunday afternoon apparent consumers and producers not compromise formula for calculating future quota system delegates coffee export quotas suspended year ago prices soared response drought cut brazil crop two thirds brazil world largest coffee producer and exporter reuter 
money-fx	zambia retain currency auction kaunda zambia will retain foreign exchange auction system despite suspension weekly auctions since january president kenneth kaunda not run auction hasn abolished told reuters interview system reintroduced current talks world bank and international monetary fund and hoped backed fresh foreign aid funds kaunda dismissed central bank statements auction system used allocate foreign exchange private bidders not fix exchange rate kaunda auction system had faltered government shortage foreign exchange meet demand suspended kwacha rapid devaluation and strong fluctuations made economic planning almost impossible for government and private sector weekly foreign exchange auctions began october kwacha fell dollar months january government two months arrears paying foreign currency successful bidders and auction suspended and replaced fixed exchange rate kwacha dollar reuter 
sugar	indonesian sugar output short target indonesia raw sugar output likely mln tonnes calendar unchanged and below government forecast mln embassy agricultural outlook for indonesia bought tonnes raw sugar world markets late report embassy estimated indonesia calendar raw sugar production mln tonnes government estimate mln that indonesia move into sugar sufficiency short lived report government continues promote sugarcane production smallholder intensification program and relatively high guaranteed price sugarcane producers considerable indications that farmers reluctant plant cane economic return not good that crops reuter 
acq	nippon kokan steel affiliates merger toshin steel toss and azuma steel affiliates nippon kokan nkkt merger company spokesmen toshin steel owned pct nippon kokan and azuma steel owned pct nippon kokan expected decide end march firms struggling losses caused recession steel industry and yen appreciation azuma steel current losses estimated billion yen year ending march billion loss year earlier spokesman firm employs workers toshin steel workers forecast for year ending march industry sources expected company show current losses billion yen compared billion loss reuter 
trade	japan february interim trade surplus jumps japan customs cleared trade surplus days february jumped billion dlrs billion year earlier finance ministry february interim surplus sharply mln dlr surplus january period fob exports rose pct year earlier days february billion cif imports fell pct billion average dollar yen rates for exports and for imports for exports and for imports year earlier reuter 
alum	nippon light metal continues aluminium output cut nippon light metal nlgt annual capacity tonnes will continue primary aluminium production rate tonnes owing low domestic and world prices and low water supplies hydroelectric power plant company official nippon plans restore output tonnes year working late will become japan smelter ryoka light metal industries will stop smelting april owing high power costs and low prices and mitsui aluminium stopped smelting february reuter 
crude	saudi february crude output put mln bpd saudi crude oil output last month fell average mln barrels per day bpd mln bpd january gulf oil sources exports ras tanurah and aymah terminals gulf fell average mln bpd last month mln january lower liftings customers drop smaller expected gulf exports rallied fourth week february mln bpd mln week sources production figures include neutral zone output not sales floating storage generally considered part country output for opec purposes saudi arabia opec quota mln bpd production restraint scheme approved nation group last december back official oil prices averaging dlrs barrel sources two fold jump exports last week appeared result buyers rushing lift february entitlements month end last week high export levels appeared show continued support for official opec prices saudi arabia main crude customers partners aramco sources exxon corp xon mobil corp mob texaco inc and chevron corp chv signed long term agreement last month buy saudi crude for dlrs barrel sources real test saudi arabia ability sell crude official prices weak market will come this month demand for petroleum products traditionally tapers spot prices fallen recent weeks dlr below opec levels saudi arabian oil minister hisham nazer yesterday reiterated kingdom commitment december opec accord and never sell below official prices sources total saudi refinery throughput fell slightly february average mln bpd mln january cuts yanbu and jubail export refineries put crude oil exports yanbu bpd last month compared january throughput bahrain refinery and neutral zone production remained steady bpd each reuter 
earn	japan ntt forecasts profits fall nippon telegraph and telephone corp ntt expects profits fall billion yen year ending march projected billion this year company total sales for period expected rise billion yen projected billion this year ntt business operations plan submitted post and telecommunications ministry ntt plans make capital investments billion yen including billion for research and development total billion this year ntt spokesman increased competition entrants telecommunications field and effect sales tax scheduled introduced january major factors projected decrease profits japanese telecommunications industry deregulated reuter 
ship	china signs world bank loan for tianjin port china signed mln dlr loan agreement world bank partly finance berths annual capacity mln tonnes mln tonne year capacity tianjin port china news agency china will provide mln yuan for project and chinese company won bid firms countries foundation work berths will handle ships tonnes will handle containers and expansion will enable port handle coke metal mineral ores and mining equipment for time reuter 
reserves	japan february external reserves record billion dlrs january billion 
reserves	japan february reserves record billion dlrs japan external reserves rose record billion dlrs end february previous record billion end january finance ministry end february reserves last year billion dlrs january nation foreign reserves showed largest monthly increase billion dlrs due massive bank japan dollar buying intervention month dollar fell briefly time low yen january foreign exchange dealers reuter 
coffee	ico talks coffee quotas resume noon talks coffee export quotas international coffee organization ico special council session will resume noon gmt today last minute decision early this morning extend meeting hours ico officials member contact group will meet midday examine ideas and full council convene gmt extension resulted last ditch effort colombia salvage talks late yesterday looked perilously close ending agreement quotas delegates reuter 
sugar	indian sugar output rises months india sugar output january season october september rose mln tonnes mln period indian sugar mills association total offtake months current year mln tonnes including tonnes imported for domestic use and tonnes for export mln tonnes including imported for domestic use and tonnes for export period factory stocks end january mln tonnes imported mln imported year earlier reuter 
acq	shv making tender offer for mln shares gas 
earn	cheung kong holdings ckgh year shr dlrs final div cents making cents net billion dlrs mln note earnings excluded extraordinary gains mln dlrs mln bonus issue for nil share split for dividend payable june books close reuter 
acq	wallenbergs fight bid for swedish match stake sweden wallenberg group fought back bid london based swedish financier erik penser secure large stake swedish match smbs companies core business empire statement issued wallenberg holding companies investor and forvaltnings providentia had option held nobel industrier sweden acquire pct voting rights swedish match thre wallenbergs paid nobel industrier nobl penser group pct stake pct market price for swedish match option statement swedish match shares open foreign buyers closed crowns friday shares increased voting rights closed crowns for restricted and for free shares statement deal increased investor stake pct voting rights and pct share capital providentia left holding pct voting rights and pct share capital swedish match wallenbergs stake swedish match had previously amounted pct voting rights company swedish match deal will cost wallenbergs mln crowns share analysts making expensise moves group undertaken last years defend flung interests predators wallenbergs originally sold nobel industrier arms and chemicals group penser pay for buying volvo volv two key group companies atlas copco asts and stora koppabergs skps since wallenbergs ousted largest shareholders skf skfr skanska skbs and frederik lundberg wrested control incentive lundberg zurich based swedish property tycoon managed acquire pct stake another wallenberg company diary equipment firm alfa laval alfs wallenbergs concentrating building stake investor and providentia prevent raid heart business empire analysts wallenbergs position electrical engineering firm asea asea small pct voting rights and growing speculation that group will forced sell fringe interests protect core activities reuter 
acq	shv making tender offer for gas shv united kingdom holding making tender offer for mln ordinary shares imperial continental gas association icgs statement offer basis for each gas ordinary and for stg nominal gas loan stock shv holds mln gas ordinary stock units representing pct current issued share capital successful completion offer increase shv stake gas mln shares representing pct issued share capital offer capitalises gas billion stg tendering for ordinary stock and loan stock fully converted gave total mln gas ordinary making tender offer rothschilds gas statement noted shv tender offer and terms considered statement made reuter 
tin	atpc members find ways curb tin exports mine and industry officials member states association tin producing countries atpc found ways limit group exports tonnes year started march views polled reuter correspondents plan curb exports agreed january aimed cutting world surplus tonnes and boosting prices ringgit kilo members member kuala lumpur based atpc account for pct world tin output atpc plan malaysia allocated export quota tonnes indonesia thailand bolivia zaire and nigeria australia not setting export quota tonnage allocated tonnes roughly equal expected output this year comment officials zaire unavailable mine officials malaysia world leading producer mines will allowed operate ensure that output limited tonnes year started march chief inspector mines redzuan sumun told reuters that excess output tonnes exports year quota period national stock mine owners malaysia welcomed atpc export curb and asked government not issue mining licences applications for licences pending redzuan mines department approve mining licences six month review production trends showed that local mines not overproducing atpc chairman and indonesia mining and energy minister subroto pledged country support for export curb spokesman for state owned tin mining company tambang timah told reuters easy for indonesia stick export quota tonnes this close exports calendar bangkok thai industry minister pramual sabhavasu thailand tonne quota and added this not local industry hardship current prices insure adherence industry ministry and sole tin exporter thailand smelting and refining encourage bigger stockpiles and income tax exemptions permitted thai mineral resources department expected disallow tin mines opening this year prevent excessive production industry sources mining industry council president dam teutong told reuters that tin price rose ringgit kilo thai miners press for opening mines thailand exported tonnes pramual bolivia expects export tin this year allocated tonne quota mining minister jaimie villalobos told reuters paz that bolivia expected export tonnes tin calendar this due sacking tin crisis october workers state mining company comibol produces pct bolivia total exports risks atpc plan cut exports added confident goals set plan achieved not elaborate mines power and steel minister bunu sheriff musa lagos that nigeria difficulty keeping atpc quota tonnes metals output had declined due poor demand and high production costs industry sources told reuters that nigeria output tonnes last year atpc officials monitor member countries export figures months customs documents and make projections such data quotas likely breached year long quota period atpc officials members that appeared likely breach quotas told remedial measures added that member countries unable fulfil quotas extra tonnage reallocated members atpc discretion atpc produced and exported estimated tonnes tin plan members brazil and china pledged cooperate atpc and limit exports and tonnes quota period reuter 
gold	china heilongjiang province boosts gold output gold output northeast china province heilongjiang rose pct level china news agency gave figures province china second largest gold producer shandong plans double gold output level china not publish gold production figures industry sources estimate output tonnes year exports put and tonnes china selling gold abroad offset large trade deficits recent years western diplomats reuter 
acq	sale tilney buys stake insurance broker sale tilney plc purchased pct ordinary share capital and international inc insurance broker for mln dlrs sale paying mln dlrs cash completion balance interest paid equal instalments six years and posted pretax profit dlrs year dec had net tangible assets dlrs reuter 
earn	estimated drop japan corporate profits trimmed combined profits japan major corporations excluding financial institutions forecast fall pct year ending march compared pct decline projected late november wako research institute economics private research body statement that firms listed section tokyo stock exchange foresee pct fall sales year pct fall estimated last november current profits projected fall pct sales increasing pct rationalisation measures manufacturing industries cope yen sharp rise beginning brighten business outlook institute lower interest rates expected reduce corporate borrowing costs improved performance outlook earnings performance manufacturing sector will supported firm demand real estate and construction businesses forecast based average exchange rate estimates yen dollar and yen reuter 
interest	japan promote interest rate liberalisation bank japan decided policy board meeting promote interest rate liberalisation lowering minimum denomination regulation free large deposits and raising interest rate ceiling money market certificates mmcs central bank official guideline will into effect april bank guideline minimum denomination regulation free large deposits will lowered mln yen mln interest rate ceiling mmcs maturities year and two years will set percentage point below prevailing certificate deposit rate bank ceiling mmcs maturities year will remain percentage point below rates minimum denomination mmcs will lowered mln yen mln bank time deposit rates will lowered point effective march line half point cut official discount rate february interest rates two year and year deposits banks for example will pct and pct per annum demand deposit rates will remain reuter 
reserves	taiwan power firm plans foreign debt cuts state owned taiwan power will boost domestic borrowings cut foreign debt line government policy trim island huge foreign exchange reserves company official company foreign debt japanese and banks cut half billion taiwan dlrs equivalent calendar billion domestic borrowings rose billion taiwan dlrs billion period added taiwan foreign exchange reserves stood billion dlrs due record trade surplus billion reuter 
money-supply	confirms january sterling rise bank england broad measure money supply sterling rose seasonally adjusted pct january pct rise december unadjusted year year rise pct pct year december narrow measure money supply fell seasonally adjusted pct january and rose adjusted pct year year bank figures confirm provisional data issued bank two weks ago december grew seasonally adjusted pct and seasonally adjusted pct year year bank sterling bank lending grew seasonally adjusted billion stg january this confirmed provisional figures issued february measure private sector liquidity psl fell pct january seasonal adjustment rose pct bank bank public sector contribution growth sterling contractionary billion stg this public sector borrowing requirement psbr showed repayment billion stg bank private sector holdings government debt fell billion stg fall mln stg notes and coin january fall billion stg interest bearing sight deposits and rise billion stg interest bearing sight deposits bank reuter 
acq	exco buys government securities broker exco international plc subsidiary british and commonwealth shipping plc bcom had agreed principle buy pct stake rmj holdings corp for mln dlrs exco chairman richard lacy told reuters acquisition made bank york inc holds pct and rmj partners hold remainder bank york and partners will retain pct each and stakes will bought six years rmj holding company rmj securities largest government securities brokers involved broking notes obligations and instruments sponsored federal agencies lacy exco had buying government securities broker for past years and had made offer for rmj sold security pacific corp spc rmj valued mln dlrs and managing director peter goldie rmj bought multiple exco suggesting net income mln dlrs company earnings had not hit halving brokerage fees months ago volumes had since doubled lacy that rmj employed people brokerage business and sms unit provided computer software for financial services community rmj securities had offices york total market turnover government securities billion dlrs day and london billion permission last week open office tokyo total market turnover had lifted rapidly billion dlrs day acquisition contribute and pct and share earnings proforma basis reuter 
acq	coloroll agrees buy wallcoverings company coloroll group plc entered into conditional agreement acquire business and assets wallco inc and related companies for mln dlrs miami based wallco manufactures and distributes wallcoverings and showed pretax profit mln dlrs turnover mln year ending june total market estimated worth mln dlrs grown pct previous years coloroll combined sales and profit enlarged coloroll business mln and mln dlrs reuter 
trade	sweden ahead african trade sanctions sweden ruling social democratic party gave full power government decree unilateral trade sanctions south africa prime minister ingvar calrsson carlsson told news conference party decided fight apartheid priority sweden traditional policy adopting sanctions backing security council government will decide form trade boycott will and will come into force reuter 
trade	japan set begin high level trade talks japan and kick top level trade talks tomorrow amid signs officials sides growing increasingly irritated each talks held annually sub cabinet level review gamut japan economic relations will pave for american secretary state george schultz day stop end week home china faced growing congressional protectionist pressure administration pressing japan for speedy action reduce huge trade surplus officials frustration senior japanese government official frustrated official pct rise yen last months hit japan hard forcing exporters slash spending and lay workers make for lost sales abroad that not shown dollar based statistics trade will administration ignoring progress that made and emphasizing problems that remain talks congress minutes list accomplishments senior official replied talks begin tomorrow high level discussions economic structures countries and affect bilateral trade imbalance last year amounted billion dlrs japan favour two days topics will range multilateral trade talks auspices general agreement tariffs and trade gatt such bilateral trade problems super computers structural talks intended free wheeling discussions senior officials tomorrow topics include savings and investment issues such consumer credit and housing and implications government budget deficits talks come delicate time for japanese government facing increasing domestic pressure abandon tight fisted fiscal policy and stimulate sagging economy spending officials complained japan intention boosting domestic demand and imports washington japanese officials turn pointed finger huge budget deficit main culprits for trade imbalance that budget deficit meant that buying imports japan peeved singled draft trade bill senate nation adverserial trade practices condemns japan due process japanese official that reference spoils thought bill introduced democratic senator lloyd bentsen japan not totally happy administration trade bill proposal establish reciprocal access foreign markets criteria for retaliatory trade action officials nevertheless japanese officials remain weak bargaining position threat trade bill overhanging leverage official admitted result tokyo striving meet complaints trade practices variety fields including super computers pressing for greater access japanese super computer market japanese government long questionnaire public institutions universities buy sophisticated machines hopes eventually setting informal bidding procedures easily understood potential sellers officials reuter 
sugar	india hold white sugar buying tender india will hold buying tender wednesday march for two cargoes white sugar for march april shipment traders reuter 
earn	carlton communications optimistic for carlton communications plc started current financial year accounts for months showing healthy increase period last year and chairman green told annual meeting looked forward optimism issue mln shares adr form had successfully completed added carlton intended increase presence represented pct world television market conditions worldwide television industry continued buoyant chairman noted reuter 
strategic-metal	opens anti dumping enquiry into soviet mercury european community commission opened enquiry into allegations that soviet union dumping mercury european market below cost prices commission decision follows complaint ferrous metals producers that sales soviet mercury harming business and threatening jobs european industry complaint soviet mercury sales had risen recent years tonnes august and october last year and threaten capture pct market continue pace industry mercury sold pct below prices charged producers forcing cut prices levels that longer covered costs imports had caused producers heavy financial losses commission industry unable hold prices current levels and that increase result loss sales and jobs called anti dumping procedure opened commission will interested parties state cases authority reuter 
crude	gulf arab deputy oil ministers meet bahrain deputy oil ministers six gulf arab states will meet bahrain today discuss coordination crude oil marketing official emirates news agency wam reported wam officials discussing implementation last sunday agreement doha gulf cooperation council gcc oil ministers each market crude oil gcc states saudi arabia united arab emirates uae kuwait and qatar members organiaation petroleum exporting countries opec and face stiff buyer resistance official opec prices reuter 
crude	saudi arabia reiterates commitment opec accord saudi arabian oil minister hisham nazer reiterated kingdom commitment last december opec accord boost world oil prices and stabilize market official saudi press agency spa asked agency recent fall free market oil prices nazer saudi arabia fully adhering accord and will never sell oil prices below pronounced prices circumstance saudi arabia main architect december pact opec agreed cut total oil output ceiling pct and return fixed prices dollars barrel reuter 
crude	kuwait minister emergency opec talks set kuwait oil minister newspaper interview that plans for emergency opec meeting recent weakness world oil prices sheikh ali khalifa sabah quoted local daily qabas that opec members asked for such meeting denied that kuwait pumping opec quota barrels crude daily bpd crude oil prices fell sharply last week international oil traders and analysts estimated nation opec pumping million bpd imposed limits reuter 
trade	taiwan plans tariff cuts taiwan plans another round deep tariff cuts this year narrow trade surplus senior economic planner wang chao ming vice chairman council for economic planning and development told reuters taiwan reduce import tariffs products second half this year cuts pct items made last year and wang cuts deeper speed liberalisation and cut import tariffs faster and substantially united states taiwan main trading partner island import tariffs ranging high almost pct unacceptable criticised cuts selective taiwan trade surplus united states hit billion dlrs last year surplus boosted foreign exchange reserves billion dlrs wang made taiwan target for protectionism wang trade surplus and reserves weakened taiwan position talks washington export quotas for shoes textiles and machine tools island main export earners special taiwanese trade delegation leaves for washington tomorrow renegotiate agreement signed last year limiting exports taiwan textiles accord taiwan textile export growth limited pct each year taipei losing markets south korea and hong kong generous terms reuter 
earn	hutchison sees higher payout satisfactory profits hutchison whampoa hwhh expects satisfactory profits and will pay higher dividend for year chairman shing not make specific projections for company earnings this year firm will pay dividend not cents per share proposed for stock split and for bonus issue paid total dividends dlrs per share last year equal cents per share adjusting for bonus and share split hutchison operations ranging trading property and container terminals earlier reported tax profits billion dlrs billion dlrs total excluded extraordinary gains mln dlrs partly sale stake south china morning post leading english language newspaper compared mln dlrs previous year expects another mln dlr gain sale remaining shares hong kong property market remains strong economy performing forecast largely export led growth gross domestic product grew pct last year initial government projection pct hong kong large trade deficit result protectionist measures that will adversely affect british colony company major operations showed improved results hutchison earlier will sell entire pct interest hongkong electric holdings hkeh cavendish international holdings spin hongkong electric reorganisation announced separately hongkong electric will spin electricity related activities into cavendish will listed local stock exchange hongkong electric shareholders will receive share cavendish for hongkong electric share cavendish will buy mln hongkong electric shares hutchison issuing mln shares spin and sale hongkong electric shares will give hutchison pct stake cavendish decision spin cavendish relieve hongkong electric public criticism power company for making risky investments denied pressure government for spin cavendish will billion dlrs assets and will almost debt free mln dlrs liabilites major assets hong kong hilton hotel property development and interests husky oil hyo canada and pearson plc pson britain reuter 
acq	scientific micro systems smsi acuires supermac scientific micro systems inc acquired supermac technology rapidly growing supplier enhancement products and disc drive subsystems for apple personal computer market scientific micro acquired common stock supermac exchange for mln shares common stock stock closed dlrs bid friday supermac privately held firm based mountain view california scientific micro reported net profit dlrs revenue mln dlrs fiscal expects revenue approximately double reuter 
acq	american express axp viewing shearson options american express rumored spinoff part shearson lehman brothers inc studying range options for brokerage unit that improve shearon access capital and meet broadening international competition joint statement american express and shearson actions consideration integral part american express worldwide financial services strategy and that two companies internal and external discussions matters american express decision reached strategic options and that and shearson ultimately decide follow growth plans place last week rumors circulated wall street that financial services giant spinoff part shearson and speculation selling stake japanese firm analysts speculation focused american express selling pct profitable brokerage firm public speculation that american express had considered total spinoff shearson plan considered highly analysts american express statement sunday that will not comment rumors and speculation and spokesman not statement company remained silent last thursday and friday rumors drove american express stock total dlrs two days bring friday close issued statement sunday similar statement circulated employees analysts divided whether makes sense for american express give stake wholly owned brokerage improved tax earnings pct last year analysts american express spinning part shearson concerned that stock price not fully reflect brokerage firm shearson contributed mln dlrs american express billion dlr net american express ambitious plans for international growth enhanced added cash that spinning part shearson bring analysts speculated that shearson market billion dlrs for added capital puzzling american express position can raise capital larry eckenfelder prudential bache securities analysts rumors fed reorganization shearson management wednesday chief operating officer jeffrey lane added previously vacant post president reorganization created positions for chairmen shearson operating divisions move analysts speculated shearson stand alone company analysts contacted sunday statement clarify last week market speculation confirm that financial services firm unsuccessfully attempted expand shearson major acquisition last year walls for growth and positioning global market competition late last year shearson takeover offer hutton group inc rejected hutton and analysts had speculation that shearson rebuffed approached another major wall street brokerage reuter 
acq	ropak ropk pct buckhorn bkn ropak corp received and accepted common shares and series convertible preferred shares buckhorn inc dlrs and dlrs each response tender offer that expired friday and owns pct buckhorn voting power company had owned common and preferred shares starting hostile tender ropak borrowing funds needed buy buckhorn shares bank lender and will not use funds that another bank had committed provide margin loan ropak waived minimum acceptance requirements buy shares and intends evaluate number ways completing acquisition buckhorn hopes that buckhorn board will reevaluate position and enter into meaningful negotiations reuter 
acq	penril pnl seeks sell two units penril corp seeking sell triplett electrical instrument corp subsidiary bluffton ohio and triplett alltest division hoffman estates ill part plan concentrate profitable division and reduce debt load company evaluating plan satisfy obligations pct subordinated notes gave details interest notes due today penril director clifford alexander resigned board gave reason penril shareholders annual meeting approved limitation directors liability reuter 
acq	dale burdett inc faces damage claim dale burdett inc faces damages claims totalling dlrs owners burdett publications inc company february predecessor nolex development inc acquired burdett publications inc exchange mln common shares for burdett publications shares transaction not qualified california department corporations result burdett publications owners claim for damages dale burdett successor nolex for yuear starting january damages measured difference values shares exchanged interest february reuter 
acq	purolator pcc buyout hutton efh jersey based overnight messenger purolator courier corp agreed acquired for mln dlrs company formed hutton lbo inc and managers purolator courier business analysts that purolator for sale for time purolator announced earlier mulling takeover bid analysts wrongly predicted offer another courier company hutton lbo wholly owned subsidiary hutton group inc will majority owner company hutton acquiring company acquisition inc paying dlrs cash per share for pct purolator stock tender offer begin thursday rest shares will purchased for securities and warrants buy stock subsidiary acquisition containing purolator courier operations shares purolator tendered shareholders receive for each share dlrs cash six dlrs debentures and warrant buy shares subsidiary acquisition containing courier operations hutton merger shareholders mln dlrs aggregate amount guaranteed debentures due acquisition and warrants buy pct common stock courier subsidiary hutton company valued warrants two dlrs per share purolator stock price closed dlrs friday analysts estimated company worth mid worth dlrs this follows sales two purolator units agreed recently sell canadian courier unit onex capital for mln dlrs and previously sold auto filters business purolator retains stant division makes closure caps for radiators and gas tanks hutton spokesman firm reviewing options stant purolator courier business lagging that rivals high price paid past years add air delivery ground fleet hutton will provide mln dlrs funds complete transaction this called bridge financing will replaced long term debt likely form bank loans hutton hutton lbo committed keeping courier business president warren idsal purolator lost mln dlrs last two years largely due courier operations management turning belive will competitor future idsal william taggart chief executive officer courier division will chief executive officer company tender offer will conditioned minimum two thirds common stock tendered and not withdrawn expiration offer conditions offer will begin thursday subject clearances staff interstate commerce commission and will expire business days commencement extended reuter 
cotton	pakistan cotton output reaches mln bales pakistan cotton production current crop season sept march reached mln bales pounds each last season shafi niaz chairman agricultural prices commission official sources pakistan likely use mln bales cotton current financial year ending june mln and mln consumption increase due rise demand for cotton yarn domestic markets and abroad pakistan produced mln kilos yarn fiscal year and exported mln state owned cotton export corporation likely export mln bales cotton current fiscal year compared mln last year cotton traders traders mln bales cotton carryover this fiscal year compared mln bales last year reuter 
acq	financial santa barbara fsb make purchase financial corp santa barbara signed definitive agreement purchase stanwell financial lending operations unit mortgage banking company stanwell mortgage for undisclosed terms reuter 
alum	alcan close west german aluminium smelter alcan aluminiumwerke gmbh subsidiary alcan aluminium canada plans close aluminium smelter ludwigshafen end june spokesman alcan closing smelter annual capacity tonnes and employees high electricity costs and low world market price aluminium alkan had earlier this year close half plant capacity decided shut completely talks potential cooperation partners failed spokesman declined name companies involved talks reuter 
earn	bbc brown boveri und cie bbcz year parent company net profit mln swiss francs mln orders received billion francs billion sales billion francs billion group sales billion francs billion group orders billion francs billion reute 
acq	marriott mhs sell hotel seasons hotels and vms realty partners chicago agreed purchase santa barbara biltmore hotel marriott corp for undisclosed amount venture will rename hotel seasons biltmore santa barbara and invest mln dlrs improvements room property reuter 
earn	brown boveri omits dividend plans warrant bond bbc brown boveri und cie bbcz will omit dividend for second consecutive year planned invite shareholders and voting stockholders subscribe warrant bond issue mln swiss francs made june annual meeting stock subscription rights correspond roughly dividend francs per share paid company plans issue participation certificates par mln swiss francs existing shareholders excluded reuter 
acq	viacom national amusements mcv holdings bids 
acq	laroche starts bid for neco npt shares investor david roche north kingstown offering purchase common shares neco enterprises inc dlrs each successful completion offer shares owns give pct neco common shares roche buy and neco shares offer and withdrawal rights will expire est gmt march reuter 
earn	sdc sydney development corp mths loss period ended december oper shr loss dlrs loss cts oper loss loss revs note current shr and net exclude extraordinary gain dlrs cts shr versus extraordinary gain dlrs cts shr reuter 
acq	senior engineering makes mln dlr purchase senior engineering group plc reached agreement cronus industries inc acquire share capital south western engineering for mln dlrs cash this sum financed term loan south western leading manufacturers heat transfer equipment turnover mln dlrs and pre tax profits mln completion deal conditional approval hart scott rodino regulations expected days dlrs payable immediately mln dlrs payable completion balance due june reuter 
earn	cheung kong chairman sees strong results cheung kong holdings ckgh expecting strong results this year reporting expected profits chairman shing not give specific earnings projection told reporters firm will pay total dividends not cents share this year for bonus issue and for stock split company earlier declared total dividends equal cents share for adjusting for stock split and bonus issue cheung kong earnings rose billion dlrs market expectations mln billion dlrs compared profits mln dlrs cheung kong reported extraordinary gains mln dlrs firm sale hong kong hilton hotel hongkong electric holdings hkeh for billion dlrs had gains mln dlrs attributed surge earnings buoyant local property market and substantial increases contributions associated companies ahead another year stability for property market growth hong kong exports expected stimulate demand for industrial buildings cheung kong cash rich and for projects british colony noting firm interested land reclamation project hong kong harbour and exchanging views government proposal build second airport reuter 
earn	whittaker corp qtr oper shr cts cts 
acq	viacom receives two revised offers viacom international inc received revised merger offers national amusements inc and mcv holdings inc company special committee plans meet today review offers viacom national amusements arsenal holdings inc raised offer for viacom shares not held national amusements areas national amusements holds pct viacom stock cash offer raised dlrs dlrs viacom share offered february fraction share exchangeable preferred offered increased dlrs share six dlrs interest rate used increase cash merger delayed april raised pct pct and pct viacom spokesman arsenal holdings offer continues include pct interest arsenal for present viacom shareholders viacom mcv holdings group includes company senior management and equitable life assurance society united states raised offer increasing preferred offered dlrs dlrs share and raising ownership company held present viacom shareholders pct pct mcv called previous offer made february final proposed revision agreement viacom reuter 
earn	waste management corp votes two for stock split and boosts qtly dividend cts 
acq	pittston agrees acquire wtc international exchange stock 
earn	tuesday morning inc tues qtr net shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln avg shrs year shr dlrs dlrs net sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
acq	diagnostic retrieval systems inc makes mln dlr bid for rospatch corp 
acq	miller tabak pct penn traffic pnf miller tabak hirsch and received accepted common shares penn traffic response dlr per share tender offer that expired friday and together shares owned pct penn traffic company penn traffic expected hold special shareholders meeting this month approve merger into miller tabak tender price two miller tabak representatives will named penn traffic board march serve directors penn traffic president and chief executive officer guido malacarne company received financing for transaction national bank minneapolis and salomon inc reuter 
coffee	coffee quota talks continue agreement coffee quota talks international coffee organization council meeting continued this afternoon producers and consumers had not reached common ground key issue estimate export quotas delegates member contact group examining colombian proposal resume quotas april hoc system used historically pledge meet september discuss quotas worked future delegates not speculate prospects for agreement this time happen delegate reuter 
earn	waste management wmx votes split ups payout waste management corp board voted two for stock split payable april record march action waste management directors approved increase quarterly dividend cts cts payable april record march reuter 
earn	porex technologies porx sets initial dividend porex technologies corp board declared initial annual dividend cts per share payout payable march holders record march reuter 
earn	davis water dwws declares stock dividend davis water and waste industries inc board declared pct stock dividend payable march holders record march reuter 
earn	medco containment mccs sets initial payout medco containment services inc board declared initial annual dividend cts per share payout payable march holders record march reuter 
acq	pittston pco agrees acquire wtc waf pittston tentatively agreed acquire wtc international tax free exchange stock pittston agreed exchange common share for each wtc common shares outstanding pittston wtc principal shareholders pct stock parties this agreement granted pittston refusal shares wtc granted pittston option buy wtc shares equal poct outstanding stock agreement subject approval boards and wtc shareholders pittston described wtc fast growing air freight forwarding company operations world revenues totaled mln dlrs year ended november and for quarter ended that date earned mln dlrs revenues mln dlrs pittston burlington air express subsidiary generates two thirds mln dlrs annual revenes domestic air freight services reuter 
earn	sdc sydney cost review eliminate products sdc sydney development corp earlier reporting increased month operating loss cost control review underway result cost reduction and elimination unprofitable and strategic products and services company operating loss for months ended december increased mln dlrs loss mln dlrs prior year earlier revenues increased pct mln dlrs year earlier mln dlrs reuter 
earn	multi step products inc six mths dec loss shr loss cts loss revs note initial public listing december reuter 
reserves	swiss sight deposits rise billion francs sight deposits commercial banks swiss national bank rose billion swiss francs billion last days february national bank foreign exchange reserves fell billion francs billion sight deposits important measure swiss money market liquidity decline foreign exchange reserves reflected dismantling swap arrangements national bank banknotes circulation rose mln francs billion deposits call government funds fell billion francs billion reuter 
acq	consolidated tvx will issue shares buy stakes brazil mining firms 
earn	whittaker corp wkr qtr jan net oper shr cts cts qtly div cts cts prior oper net sales mln mln note prior year net excludes loss discontinued operations dlrs company common shares outstanding significantly reflecting retirement shares since start restructurining august dividend pay april record april reuter 
earn	stop and shop cos inc shp qtr jan net oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net mln mln sales billion mln avg shrs mln mln year oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net mln mln sales billion billion avg shrs mln mln notes operating net excludes losses mln dlrs cts share dlrs two cts share quarter and mln dlrs cts share mln dlrs cts share discontinued operations this includes provision latest quarter mln dlrs for closing almys department store operating net latest quarter and year includes dlrs charge for restructuring announced early january reuter 
earn	jim walter corp jwc regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable april record march reuter 
acq	diagnostic drs makes bid for rospatch rpch diagnostic retrieval systems inc made offer acquire wholly owned unit outstanding shares rospatch corp common stock for dlrs share cash mln dlrs drs warfare systems producer make transaction cash tender offer for not pct rospatch outstanding common stock merger rospatch labels high technology and wood producer purchase price per share drs deal subject approval rospatch board and tender offer expires march reuter 
earn	whittaker wkr gains sales whittaker corp will gain sale discontinued businesses operating losses businesses dates disposition will defer reporting gain restructuring program hsa substantially completed company quarter ended january completed divestiture health maintenance organization operations travelers corp tic sold whittar steel strip operations dofascoxinc and sold equity investment bertram trojan inc affiliate investcorp company entered into definitive agreements sell whittaker general medical corp bennes marrel france and juster steel corp company date received proceeds mln dlrs divestitures and used funds reduce debt incurred repurchase common shares whittaker today reported quarter earnings continuing operations fell dlrs dlrs year year earlier figure excluded dlr loss discontinued operations reuter 
acq	japan fund jpn gets buyout offer japan fund inc received unsolicited offer sterling grace capital management acting together persons and entities purchase assets fund pct below aggregate net asset japan find tne deal subject obtaining satisfactory financing and due diligence review added that proposal referred board directors for consideration reuter 
earn	samsung calendar div won won net profit billion won billion sales billion billion note company set sales target billion won reuter 
earn	daewoo corp calendar div won won net profit billion won billion sales billion won bilion note company set sales target billion reuter 
acq	corning offer share for each hazleton share earlier agreement 
acq	bank york gain unit sale bank york and management rmj securities corp agreed sell pct interests rmj holding corp british and commonwealth holdings plc and bank york expects realize substantial gain transaction rmj holding holding company for rmj securities large broker government securities and agency obligations bank york owns majority interest rmj holding and management rmj securities remainder bank york sale expected completed second quarter and rmj securities management will continue pct rmj holding for agreement for sale that remaining interest british and commonwealth six years reuter 
acq	corning glw hazleton hlc set excahnge ratio corning glass works exchange ratio for previously announced acquisition hazleton laboratories corp established corning common share for each hazleton common share corning prospectus merger expected mailed tomorrow hazleton holders record february hazleton shareholders will vote proposed merger special meeting march reuter 
retail	turkish retail prices rise pct february turkish retail prices rose pct february pct january and pct february state statistics institute prices year february rose pct compared pct year january and pct months february index base covering towns and regions february january and february reuter 
acq	bally bly completes purchase golden nugget bally manufacturing corp completed acquisition golden nugget casino hotel atlantic city jersey golden nugget inc bally acquired golden nugget parcels real estate atlantic city noted transaction included mln dlrs cash and stock and assumption mln dlrs mortgage reuter 
earn	warwick insurance managers inc wimi qtr oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note net excludes investment gains dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year year net excludes dlr tax credit share adjusted for for two reverse split november reuter 
ipi	canada industrial prices pct month canada industrial product price index rose pct january falling pct each two previous months statistics canada rise led price gains for papers pharmaceuticals and petroleum and coal products price declines recorded for meat products lumber and motor vehicles year year basis federal agency index fell pct january largest yearly decline record reuter 
earn	gelco corp qtr shr cts cts 
earn	strober organization inc strb qtr net shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mln year shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mln reuter 
crude	shell canada cuts crude oil prices canadian dlrs bbl effective march 
earn	brenco inc bren declares qtly dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay april six record march reuter 
earn	massachusetts investors growth stock fund payout qtly div income cts dlrs prior qtr including capital gains dlrs payable march record february reuter 
earn	premdor inc qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr dlrs cts net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	american nursery ansy buys florida nursery american nursery products inc purchased miami based heinl nursery inc for undisclosed terms heinl nursery sales mln dlrs and owns acres shade houses and square feet cover greenhouses shipping and office facilities reuter 
earn	mfs managed sectors trust dividend increased semi annual div income cts cent prior period payable march record february reuter 
acq	esselte business esb unit buys antonson unit esselte business systems inc esselte meto division acquired antonson america subsidiary antonson machines sweden esselte antonson unit based laporte indiana manufactures scales and label printers company purchase part plan increase range retail electronic scales offered esselte acquisition will enble esselte increase distribution base effort grow reuter 
acq	seasons buying marriott mhs hotel seasons hotels inc and vms realty partners agreed acquire santa barbara biltmore hotel california marriott corp for undisclosed terms closing expected march added companies jointly hotel and rename seasons biltmore santa barbara spend mln dlrs enhance biltmore position finest resort hotels north america chicago based vms realty real estate and development firm reuter 
earn	stone sto splits stock raises payout stone container corp splitting common stock for and increasing dividend pct dividend cts share increase cts prior cts share pre split shares payable june holders record stock split payable june holders record reuter 
earn	skii qtr jan net shr cts cts net rev mln mln six months shr cts cts net rev mln mln reuter 
earn	kapok corp kpk year sept loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note prior year net includes gain sale property dlrs reuter 
crude	study group urges increased oil reserves study group united states increase strategic petroleum reserve mln barrels deal present and future impact low oil prices domestic oil industry policy raise strategic reserve mln barrels present mln protect economy overseas embargo sharp price rise aspen institute for humanistic studies private group called for research for oil exploration and development techniques predicted prices remain dlrs barrel for years and rise mid imports pct consumption that such moves increasing oil reserves and exploration and development research guard mitigate risks increased imports reuter 
earn	tron international inc ktii qtr net oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss revs mln year oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss revs mln mln note net includes pretax unusual gain dlrs loss dlrs quarter and losses dlrs dlrs year items include settlement patent suit and provision for investment writeoff and item provision for loss sale scale business net periods excludes dlr tax credit reuter 
earn	presidential realty corp pdo annual net shr dlrs dlrs net rev mln mln note net gain property investments dlrs cts per share dlrs cts per share reuter 
acq	redstone details sweetened viacom offer investor sumner redstone leads two groups vying for control viacom international inc offered sweeten bid for company dlrs share cash and dlrs securities filing securities and exchange commission redstone controls dedham mass based national amusements inc theater chain operator offered raise cash portion viacom offer dlrs share dlrs redstone raised face preferred stock offering dlrs six dlrs redstone offer made arsenal holdings inc national amusements subsidiary set for that purpose give viacom shareholders share arsenal common stock takeover viacom earlier today received revised takeover bids redstone and mcv holdings inc group led viacom management competing redstone for control company and formal merger agreement viacom company not disclose details revised offers special committee board review today redstone group pct stake viacom and management group pct stake agreed not buy shares company merger completed purchases part tender offer for half outstanding stock two rivals signed confidentiality agreements give access viacom financial records provided information secret sec filing redstone estimated cost completing takeover billion dlrs bank america confident can raise billion dlrs financing raise bank syndicate bank america agreed provide separate mln dlr for limited purpose partial financing and committed provide another mln dlrs redstone merrill lynch pierce fenner and smith inc increased underwriting commitment mln dlrs subordinated financing debt for viacom takeover mln dlrs agreed underwrite earlier redstone redstone group contribute mln dlrs equity takeover redstone equity contribution takeover consist group viacom common shares and mln dlrs cash offer second sweetened deal redstone proposed month long bidding war management contains newly drawn proposed merger documents last week management group submitted called last offer for company valued mln dlrs and consisting dlrs share cash preferred stock valued dlrs share and equity company redstone previous offer had valued billion dlrs reuter 
acq	montedison concludes talks antibioticos montedison spa moni concluded negotiations spanish pharmaceuticals company antibioticos company spokesman told reuters concluded talks and awaiting authorization spanish authorities declined comment earlier today italian company postponed scheduled press conference talks antibioticos italian press report today montedison agreed acquire antibioticos for billion lire reuter 
acq	utilicorp ucu completes acquisition utilicorp united inc completed acquisition west virginia power dominion resources for mln dlrs sale approved west virginia public service commission january and effective march west virginia management will continue responsible for operating utility reuter 
crude	study group urges increased oil reserves study group united states increase strategic petroleum reserve mln barrels deal present and future impact low oil prices domestic oil industry policy raise strategic reserve mln barrels present mln protect economy overseas embargo sharp price rise aspen institute for humanistic studies private group called for research for oil exploration and development techniques predicted prices remain dlrs barrel for years and rise mid imports pct consumption study cited two basic policy paths for nation protect industry import fee such device accept full economic benefits cheap oil group not strongly back option benefits and drawbacks that such moves increasing oil reserves and exploration and development research guard mitigate risks increased imports reuter 
acq	carbide acquisitions for growth union carbide corp acquisitions and joint ventures aid chemicals and plastics growth lichtenberger president chemicals and plastics describing this major departure company approach commercial development told annual business forum commercial development association acquisitions and joint ventures fastest and promising routes growth markets identified not long ago union carbide had attitude that couldn ourselves wasn worth worth had alone lichtenberger explained times exploiting profitable market partner plow resources into technology not can link profitably carbide extended catalyst business that and extending specialty chemicals business reuter 
acq	corrected bankamerica negotiating sale units bank america and bac west german branch negotiating sale bankhaus centrale credit small local west german bank acquired and west german visa credit card operation michael seibel bank america vice president and regional manager negotiations proceeding declined give details bank america west german branch lost mln marks result includes profit and loss transfers bankhaus centrale credit and visa organisation sale units part bank worldwide restructuring plan reuter 
earn	franklin gold fund cuts dividend semi div cts cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
earn	franklin california tax free income fund payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
earn	franklin age high income fund sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
crude	petro canada cut crude prices canadian dlrs bbl effective march 
earn	franklin federal tax free income fund payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
earn	franklin york tax free income fund payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
earn	franklin government securities fund payout mthly div six cts six cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
earn	mississippi corp frm sets payout qtly div six cts six cts prior pay april record march reuter 
ship	rotterdam port union and employers meet dutch port and transport union fnv agreed employers request reconvene abandoned peace talks tonight end strikes that disrupted rotterdam general cargo sector for past six weeks union spokesman talks broke thursday union walked employers tabled final offer end strikes started january protest planned redundancies sector workforce starting this year employers invitation restart talks comes day deadline set minister social affairs louw graaf for resolution dispute expires graaf dispute had not ended today withdraw mln guilder annual labour subsidy sector comment immediately employers organization reuter 
earn	jim walter corp jwc sets payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	japan ntt forecasts profits fall nippon telegraph and telephone corp ntt expects profits fall billion yen year ending march projected billion this year company total sales for period expected rise billion yen projected billion this year ntt business operations plan submitted post and telecommunications ministry ntt plans make capital investments billion yen including billion for research and development total billion this year reuter 
iron-steel	commission plan save steel industry european community steelmakers presented executive commission controversial plan for future industry diplomats forced reluctantly accept plan steel output remain subject restrictive quotas and imports firmly controlled for years come steel firms undertook massive slimming operation adjust capacity lower demand industry commissioner karl heinz narjes proposed ending quota system december proposed return free market law supposed exist times manifest crisis diplomats ministers meet discuss this idea march will argue that steel firms crisis countries orders falling customers switch alternative products and accounts firmly red ministers major steel producing countries likely shy narjes proposals and back industry plan hope minimising political impact plant closures industry sources plan presented narjes steelmakers lobby group eurofer retain quota production system end eurofer statement consultants working for identified scope for closing plants voluntary basis reduce capacity mln tonnes year cuts insufficient production area that hot rolled coils and talks needed eurofer added industry support commission and governments carrying closure program social costs such redundancy payments steel industry shed jobs this decade reducing annual capacity mln tonnes reuter 
earn	duro test corp dur qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln six mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	franklin utilities fund sets payout qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march two reuter 
earn	gelco corp gel qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln six mths shr cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note fiscal second quarter and half earnings include gain mln dlrs and exclude preferred dividend requirements mln dlrs quarter and mln dlrs half fiscal net reduced currency losses equal six cts share second quarter and equal cts six months reuter 
earn	internchange financial services isbj payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march note interchange financial services corp reuter 
acq	kapok corp kpk technical default kapok corp techical default loans southeast banking corp stb and murray steinfeld negotiating lenders declared loans due company agreed sell peter pan restaurant urbana for dlrs mln dlrs payment expenses reuter 
earn	newport corp nesp qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln six mths shr cts cts net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	kapok corp kpk qtr dec loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs reuter 
earn	preferred healthcare phcc qtr net shr six cts cts net revs mths shr cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	tranzonic cos tnz sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	cronus industries inc crns qtr loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs mln mln mths oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs mln mln note excludes income discontinued operations for qtr and mln for year excludes extraordinary charge for current qtr and for year reuter 
earn	mercury entertainment corp mcry year nov shr loss cts loss net loss loss revs reuter 
earn	benguet corp calendar net income mln pesos mln operating revenues billion billion operating profit mln mln earnings per share note company statement gold operations contributed pct consolidated earnings reuter 
crude	unocal ucl unit cuts crude oil posted prices unocal corp union oil lowered posted prices for crude oil dlrs barrel eastern region effective feb union dlrs cut brings posted price for benchmark grade west texas intermediate dlrs louisiana sweet lowered dlrs dlrs company made union posted prices for west coast grades crude oil company reuter 
nat-gas	panhandle pel trunkline reduces gas rates panhandle eastern corp trunkline gas pipeline subsidiary reducing commodity component wholesale natural gas rate pct effective immediately filing federal energy regulatory commission trunkline reducing commodity rate portion total rate based price gas dlrs per mln btu dlrs per mln btu company lower rate results reduction average price pipeline paying for gas adding this reflects contract reformation agreemats producers reuter 
acq	investor group talks pesch ami ami wedge group inc houston investment firm pct stake american medical international inc had talks pesch and seeking control company filing securities and exchange commission wedge owned issam fares lebanese citizen living switzerland discussed possibility joining bid seek control ami wedge stressed that current plans seek control ami refused rule takeover future wedge had discussions ami management pesch closely held health care and investment concern controlled chicago physician leroy pesch and ami shareholders not sec filing issues selling ami stake joining takeover discussed group talks not produce agreements understandings wedge believes that form restructuring ami and business highly desirable and this time wedge holds mln shares ami common stock plans hold talks company management pesch and shareholders pesch last week sweetened bid for company dlrs share cash and securties billion dlrs based ami total outstanding cash dlr share bid company rejected reuter 
earn	international inc imsi sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
acq	banner bnr completes tender for rexnord rex banner industries inc mln outstanding mln shares rexnord inc tendered pursuant dlr share offer that closed midnight est feb together mln rexnard shares owns company holds pct stake company completion deal subject approval rexnard holders and closing conditions expects deal close days reuter 
earn	mutual omaha interest shares muo qtly div qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	corrected bankamerica negotiating units sale bank america and bac west german branch negotiating sale bankhaus centrale credit small local west german bank acquired and west german visa credit card operation michael seibel bank america vice president and regional manager negotiations proceeding declined give details bank america west german branch lost mln marks result includes profit and loss transfers bankhaus centrale credit and visa organisation sale units part bank worldwide restructuring plan corrects year loss paragraph item originally ran february reuter 
acq	osr osrc make acquisition osr corp agreed acquire properties and assets telcom international group for mln common shares give telcom owners pct interest combined company telcom international film and television distributor assets acquired consist distribution rights films valued mln dlrs company osr part acquisition agreement required sell pct interest standard knickerbocker makes jeans canada osr expects net dlrs sale standard knickerbocker company transactions subject approval shareholders meeting held april reuter 
earn	mercury entertainment mcry sees results mercury entertainment corp expects improved results company today reported loss for year ended november dlrs revenues dlrs compared loss dlrs revenues dlrs year reuter 
acq	cronus industries inc crns sells unit cronus industries inc agreed sell heat transfer equipment business southwestern engineering for slight premium book release cronus liability approximately mln dlrs subsidiary indebtedness company sale subsidiary senior engineering group plc british company will place this month reuter 
earn	unisys corp uis sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	jacobson jcbs votes split increases payout jacobson stores inc board voted for two stock split payble march record march action jacobson directors approved increase quarterly dividend cts post split basis payable april record march dividend rate represents pct increase cts paid quarterly pre split basis reuter 
earn	harley davidson inc hdi qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note results exclude time gains cts and cts for qtr and year gains dlrs and dlrs for prior periods reuter 
acq	hoechst completes celanese acquisition hoechst west germany completed acquisition celanese corp hoechst acquired majority celanese shares recent tender offer dlrs per common share reuter 
acq	americus trust hpu extends deadline americus trust for american home products shares extended deadline for accepting tendered shares november extension months trust will accept mln shares american home products ahp received tenders for mln shares trust managed alex brown and sons inc absb and formed november reuter 
earn	morse shoe inc mrs qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln reuter 
coffee	ico quota talks continue outcome hard gauge talks extended special meeting international coffee organization ico reintroduction export quotas continued chances success almost impossible gauge delegates producer delegates meeting examine colombian proposal resume historical quotas april september promise define specific criteria quota system calculated september for crop year opinions delegates potential for reaching quota agreement varied widely consumers mood meeting slightly optimistic brazil unwillingness concede traditional pct export market share likely preclude accord delegates fresh proposals colombian initiative had tabled formally today delegates full council meeting set for hours for progress report delegates reuter 
ship	versatile build polar ice breaker versatile corp shipbuilding subsidiary letter intent build mln dlr polar icebreaker for canadian coast guard transport minister john crosbie vancouver address crosbie versatile pacific shipyards inc low bidder build arctic class icebreaker company meet financial and engineering conditions contract awarded government announced will provide mln dlrs loan insurance versatile prepare for construction vessel contract can awarded versatile will required offer assurances that shipyard technically and financially capable performing work crosibie versatile bid mln dlrs lower competing bidders and will generate person years direct employment work vessel crosbie powerful icebreaker world begin year and completed government announced plans build icebreaker last year controversial passage coast guard vessel polar sea disputed northwest passage government not seek permission for journey claiming area international water government icebreaker needed back country claim sovereignty arctic reuter 
acq	pantry inc inb talks acquired privately held pantry inc operates convenience stores southeastern states engaged alex brown and sons inc absb explore possbile sale company expects start talks prospective acquirers shortly company approached number parties recent months reuter 
earn	congress video group inc cvgi qtr net qtr ends dec shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs avg shrs mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln avg shrs note net includes tax gain carryforward discontinued operations master merchandise group year prior reuter 
acq	renouf corp proceed benequity bid renouf corp zealand decided proceed offer for outstanding units benequity holdings dlrs per unit company had required redice march two whether proceed offer terminate based ability obtain financing and review benequity operations offer expire march reuter 
sugar	cuba tells traders sugar exports delayed cuba told international sugar operators bought sugar for shipment march that contracts will second place cuba direct shipments export markets dealers traders received telexes cuba language message not totally clear and believed shipments honoured traders declare soviet union destination contracts telexes fueled rising world prices last week and reflect poor cuban crop worry brazil export availability and increasing soviet demand analysts traders signs cuba shortage immediately raw sugar supply traditional martkets factor syria calling snap buying tender last month syria calls white sugar buying tenders for forward delivery and last month spot requirement resulted sale cargoes cuba telex told operators not receive march shipments cuba meet contracts export markets traders reuter 
rubber	goodrich phase businesses goodrich will phase production aircraft tires missile and marine products and molded rubber products akron ohio end laying salaried production maintenance and support services employees company layoffs will start weeks goodrich will continue make chemicals and adhesives akron employing another salaried employees akron work for goodrich company not operate businesses discontinued akron profitably justify large investment that goodrich will continue make aircraft tires norwood and sonar domes jacksonville fla and will relocate molded rubber products business site not chosen will stop making insulators for missiles goodrich prepared discuss officials united rubber workers union severance benefits for affected employees and issues related continued operation akron chemical and adhesives businesses and phaseout akron aircraft tire missile and marine and molded rubber products manufacturing company spokesman not expect adverse impact earnings move reuter 
earn	thunander corp thdr year net shr cts cts net sales mln mln note results include operations bmd england inc acquired sept reuter 
earn	final trust for thrift institutions payout set massachusetts financial services set final income and capital gain distributions for trust for thrift institutions high yield series dlrs and dlrs payable today reuter 
tin	rpt tin disposals will not affect accord tin disposals effect agreement reached last weekend tin producing countries limit group exports tonnes year started march government official agreement member association tin producing countries atpc aimed cut world surplus and boost prices accord atpc chairman subroto appealed united states restrict tin releases strategic stockpile don that government large influence tin market this stage game thomas donnell director international commodities state department last year united states released tonnes tin two ferroalloy firms reuter 
earn	rospatch respond diagnostic bid 
earn	franklin insured tax free sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin insured tax free income fund reuter 
earn	franklin minnesota insured sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin minneosta insured tax free income fund reuter 
earn	franklin michigan insured sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin michigan insured tax free income fund reuter 
earn	franklin massachusetts insured cuts payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin massachusetts insured tax free income fund reuter 
earn	franklin california tax free sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin california insured tax free income fund reuter 
earn	diagnostic products dpcz sees earnings growth diagnostic products corp president and chief executive officer sigi ziering expects maintain compound average annal net income growth company for past years expect performance net income years had past ziering past years ziering company had average compound net income growth pct annually pct per year growth earnings per share for company had net income mln dlrs dlrs per share mln dlrs cts per share diagnostic manufactures medical immunological diagnostic test kits ziering expects earnings growth result positive effect weaker dollar company exports sales accelerated market penetration ziering expected food and drug administration approve drug abuse test kits end year depending approval earnings growth ziering result tax laws expected company taxes decrease pct pct net income reuter 
gold	currencies influence bullion montagu currency fluctuations reassert influence bullion market future bullion bankers samuel montagu and market report firm silver lag gold reactions movements foreign exchanges opec failure address recent decline oil prices remains worrying factor and balance appears that market approached cautiously montagu bank economy shown noticeable long term improvement and that latin american debt and iranian arms affair undermine confidence dollar reuter 
earn	dunkin donuts inc dunk qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	ccr video corp cccr qtr nov net shr profit two cts loss cts net profit loss revs reuter 
earn	franklin puerto rico tax free sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin puerto rico tax free income fund reuter 
earn	franklin ohio insured tax free sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin ohio insured tax free income fund reuter 
earn	franklin high yield tax free sets payout mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march note franklin high yield insured tax free income fund reuter 
acq	convergent technologies cvgt buy oakleaf convergent technologies inc reached agreement principle buy oakleaf corp supplies finance insurance and leasing computers auto dealers transaction will involve exchange oakleaf stock for cash and debt and subject definitive agreement companys terms disclosed oakleaf had sales mln dlrs reuter 
crude	nymex will expand hour trading april york mercantile exchange set april for debut procedure energy complex that will increase use energy futures worldwide april nymex will oil traders that not hold futures position initiate exchange closes transaction that can subsequently hedged futures market exchange spokeswoman this will change oil transacted real world thomas mckiernan mckiernan and chairman foreign traders will hedge trades nymex prices exchange opens and negotiate prices differential nymex prices mckiernan explained expanded program will serve industry oil market not close nymex frank capozza secretary century resources inc rule change effect for platinum futures nymex expected increase open interest and liquidity energy futures traders and analysts trader this transaction called exchange for physical efp hold futures position entering into transaction arrangement party hold futures position entering into efp and parties can offset cash transaction futures contract day exchange officials nymex announced proposed rule change december nymex president rosemary mcfadden expansion efp provision will add globalization energy markets providing for effect hour trading commodity futures trading commission approved rule change february cftc spokeswoman reuter 
acq	rospatch rpch respond diagnostic drs rospatch corp will news release response today acquisition bid diagnostic retrieval systems inc for dlrs share rospatch earlier requested stock halted counter trading last trade diagnostic bid for total mln dlrs cash tender offer for not pct rosptach outstanding common for fourth quarter ended december rospatch reported net loss dlrs share compared loss cts profit for period december brookehill group york had pct stake parini rospatch chief executive responded january investment vote confidence company reuter 
earn	green tree acceptance inc gnt sets dividend qtly dividend cts cts pay march record march reuter 
acq	rospatch corp rejects offer diagnostic retrieval systems inc 
acq	north american group namg buys georgia firm north american group north american acquisition corp definitive agreement buy pct pioneer business group inc atlanta terms acquisition not disclosed closing acquisition scheduled for april north american acquisition agreement subject due diligence and satisfactory review pioneer operation pioneer makes business forms reuter 
acq	talking point viacom international bidding war for viacom international inc largest entertainment companies pitted management group and investors national amusements inc closely held theater operator sides raised bids weekend source close management side insisted that timing side directors approve management proposal merger plan put vote shareholders proxy material late this week days day mail source source predicted national amusements controlled investor sumner redstone half year complete tender offer regulatory approvals that accompany change control viacom broadcast licenses and cable television franchises redstone not for comment wall street arbitrage players rare situation that enjoyed true bidding war redstone begin tender offer whenever wanted and people convinced proposal superior viacom management plan chance win independent directors viacom called into meeting today word decision expected early tomorrow viacom shares climbed midafternoon major wall street firm issued sell recommendation end terms bidding firm arbitrageur spoke condition not identified redstone proposal and management proposal create restructured company heavily leveraged debt management plan result balance sheet billion dlrs debt and mln dlrs preferred stock convertible into pct common stock redstone newest proposal offers holders dlrs cash fraction share exchangeable preferred stock dlrs and share common stock stock arsenal holdings representing pct equity interest restructured viacom arbitrageur calculated equity redstone plan worth dlrs making total package worth dlrs per share management offered dlrs cash exchangeable preferred stock worth dlrs and fractional share convertible preferred arbitrageur equity portion worth dlrs for total dlrs redstone newest plan raised amount interest pay cash portion offer for day april that merger arsenal not consummated plan calls for intest paid annual rate pct and pct thereafter previously redstone offered pct interest arbitrageurs redstone and management group led president and chief executive terrence elkes offering high prices redstone company another management edge timing issue redstone company owns pct viacom mln shares wall street analyst hard determine equity newly leveraged company worth noted example that stock fmc corp fmc adopted highly leveraged structure last year inititally traded dlrs per share dipped dlrs and dlrs last week viacom reported fourth quarter earnings fell two two cts per share cts company interest costs acquisitions affected results shares warner communications inc wci rose analysts noted warner owns warrants purchase mln viacom shares dlrs and another mln shares dlrs chris craft industries ccn owns stake warner rose viacom created and spun cbs inc cbs company cable television subscribers operates satellite television services and owns television and radio stations largest distributors films and programs for television reuter 
earn	inc upri qtr oper net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln note oper data not include qtr extraordinary credit dlrs qtr extraordinary loss dlrs cts per shr for year not include extraordinary credit dlrs cts per shr and dlrs cts per shr reuter 
trade	talks show canadian confidence group canada decision raise issue free trade pact sign spirit canadian confidence public policy study group suggests canada post war period major player process building postwar world washington based atlantic council and canadian negotiators opened talks last summer aimed dismantling trade barriers two countries world biggest trading partners crossborder shipments billion dlrs annually council study trade talks deadline october for agreement biggest issue canadian relations study liberalized trade two countries improve competitiveness economies world markets and lessen trade irritants mar ties council past canadians shied notion free trade arrangement fearing overwhelmed economically and politically closer association country times size population time added canadians realized domestic market small permit mass production and sales needed raise productivity level demanded increasingly competitive world council that talks canada chiefly interested minimizing imposing duties allegedly subsidized exports recent example per cent duty imposed canadian lumber exports grounds shipments subsidized council chief concerns included ending curbs banking insurance telecommunications and called cultural industries publishing broadcasting and films major canadian issues defense cooperation acid rain and rejection canadian assertion sovereignty waters northwest passage reuter 
earn	albertson inc abs raises qtly dividend shr cts cts pay record reuter 
acq	wavehill international make acquisition wavehill international ventures inc agreed acquire personal computer rental corp coral gables fla transaction shareholders personal computer will receive shares respresenting pct interest combined company company will two mln shares outstanding fully diluted basis transaction acquisition will infuse perconal computer cash for expansion personal computer franchised locations and plans add seeking eventually expand into markets and abroad reuter 
acq	security pacific spc completes merger security pacific corp completed planned merger diablo bank approval comptroller currency security pacific announced intention merge diablo bank headquartered danville calif september part plan expand retail network northern california diablo bank offices danville san ramon and alamo calif security pacific reuter 
earn	intec inc intk qtr net shr six cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mths shr cts dlrs net revs mln mln avg shrs note net for includes cts per share for proceeds life insurance policy includes tax benefit for prior qtr approximately relates lower effective tax rate based operating results for year reuter 
earn	int hydron corp hyd qtr oper net oper shr profit six cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln year oper shr profit cts profit cts oper net profit profit revs mln mln note excludes loss dlrs nil gain dlrs nil qtr and gain dlrs two cts gain dlrs year net operating loss carryforwards reuter 
acq	albertson abs adopts stockholder rights plan albertson inc board adopted stockholder rights plan intended protect event proposed takeover company plan stockholders will receive dividend distribution for each share common stock held march rights exercisable ten days person group acquires pct alberston common stock announces tender offer for pct stock each will entitle shareholder buy newly issued share alberston common stock for dlrs reuter 
acq	rospatch rpch rejects diagnostic drs bid rospatch corp rejected proposal diagnostic retrieval systems inc acquire stock dlrs share rospatch board believes that long term interests shareholders will served continuing independent public company this time company response unsolicited offer diagnostic retrieval rospatch diagnostic offer february variation previous offer january nature not disclosed rospatch advised diagnostic retrieval that contrary interests corporation engage discussions business combination diagnostic retrieval reuter 
earn	syntech interenational inc syne qtr net shr profit six cts loss dlrs net profit loss revs year shr profit cts loss dlrs net profit loss revs mln mln reuter 
acq	int minerals igl buys animal products unit international minerals and chemical corp completed acquisition johnson and johnson pitman moore unit producer animal health products terms acquisition not disclosed international minerals and chemical annual sales unit mln dlrs pitman moore makes health products for pets and for farm and feedstock animals reuter 
acq	jwt jwt not approached group seeking shares jwt group inc not approached ted bates worldwide chairman robert jacoby possibility syndicate buying pct stake jwt group friendly basis company spokesman jwt comment advertising age report that jacoby heading venture capital syndicate purchase pct stake jwt group jacoby not immediately for comment report ted bates owned saatchi and saatchi world largest advertising agency reuter 
earn	coeur alene mines corp cour qtr loss shr loss cts loss net loss loss revs year shr loss cts loss ten cts net loss loss revs mln note loss included time loss dlrs write silver oil and gas interests reuter 
acq	foote mineral fte sells cambridge plant foote mineral signed letter intent shieldalloy corp wholly owned subsidiary metallurg inc for sale cambridge ohio business company sale will explained greater detail definitive agreement signed part foote previously announced plan sell entire company reuter 
earn	gelco gel sees flat pretax operating net gelco corp that excluding effects restructuring plan expects pre tax operating earnings for year end july last year for year ended july gelco reported pre tax operating earnings mln dlrs dlrs share final results will affected charges including legal and investment advisors fees preferred stock dividends and costs restructuring expenses associated restructuring expected offset significant gains sale gelco business units final outcome for fiscal year will determined timing and proceeds sale added reuter 
acq	utilicorp ucu acquires dominion subsidiary utilicorp united inc closed previously announced acquisition west virginia power dominion resources inc for mln dlrs reuter 
acq	pesch sees shareholder support ami ami bid chicago physician leroy pesch had discussions american medical international inc shareholders and sees support for restructuring company pesch discussed sweetened billion dlr takeover bid for american medical large shareholders including biggest investor bass family texas bass family not support for offer pesch interview reuters based conversations held shareholders not guage whether had majority support support for offer pesch not identify shareholders held discussions bass family and wedge group inc holder pct american medical stock earlier today wedge group pct stake held discussions pesch american medical management and american medical shareholders wedge filing securities and exchange commission believes restructuring american medical and business highly desirable and this time that sort position that find large segment shareholders ami share pesch pesch held discussions wedge joining takeover effort offering dlrs cash dlrs preferred stock and dlr common stock for each american medical share wedge plans join effort seek control american medical not rule future takeover pesch not discuss joint takeover proposal bass family analysts wedge statement boost pesch takeover effort and sign that shareholder dissatisfaction american medical previous rejection dlr per share cash offer pesch american medical expected resist pesch latest bid larry feinberg analyst dean witter reynolds inc management led leveraged buyout cannot ruled american medical spokesman company will comment pesch offer march analysts continue view bass family factor outcome bid for control american medical bass family holds pct stake american medical and company previously investors support management internal plan improve company performance bass family not comment american medical pesch pesch led leveraged buyout republic health corp last year continues face credibilty problem wall street long time finish republic acquisition republic substantial debt and left wall street questioning whether financing can completed for larger american medical takeover proposal pesch offer for american medical made investment banking firm another for concern wall street pesch entered second offer representation donaldson lufkin and jenrette securities and security pacific merchant banking group don doubt that current transaction can worked and completed provided point ami management will sit and talk friendly environment pesch pesch not elaborate type financing arrangements made succeeds acquiring american medical plans american medical management place plans combine company republic form efficient network hospitals analysts not higher offer made for american medical byron nimocks hutton group improved second fiscal quarter earnings make american medical stock worth dlrs per share nimocks estimates american medical earnings for second quarter ended february cts compared loss last year nimocks pesch revised offer not worth dlrs cash offered previously feinberg chance transaction completed revised structure offer doable analysts american medical begun turnaround replacing members management and reducing costs reuter 
coffee	senior delegates pessimistic ico talks efforts break impasse coffee exporting and importing countries regulating world coffee market face falling prices failed senior delegates contact group meeting full ico council due meet this evening president brazilian coffee institute ibc jorio dauster told reuters contact group meeting had agreement quotas consumers had dictate market shares negotiate dauster plans renew negotiations date reuter 
earn	glamis gold glgvf six mths dec net shr cts cts net revs reuter 
acq	approves buyout coastal bancorp csbk coastal bancorp federal reserve board approved acquisition coastal suffield financial corp ssbk acquisition requires approval banking department maine company noted reuter 
earn	prince productions ltlp qtr loss qtr ended dec shr profit nil loss nil net profit loss revs reuter 
acq	amca ail sell dominion bridge assets amca international finalized agreement sell assets and inventories dominion bridge steel service center operations federal industries russelsteel inc unit terms undisclosed sale involved assets and operations general line steel service centers toronto and edmonton alberta and steel inventories closed amca branches company sale part previously announced restructuring program focus core businesses and generate cash cut debt reuter 
acq	scott hospitality acquires capital food scott hospitality inc acquired capital food services ottawa largest catering and food service company for undisclosed terms scott operate capital food separate unit capital current name and management reuter 
acq	union national unbc signs definitive pact union national corp signed definitive agreement national bank and trust washington unit will merge second national bank masontown previously announced merger agreement each share second national common stock will converted into shares union national common reuter 
acq	analysts bidder for purolator pcc analysts not another suitor will top mln dlr bid for purolator courier corp hutton lbo inc and management group purolator courier division had speculation another offer forthcoming analysts dlrs per share price paid hutton and managers acquisition inc fully valued analysts and wall street sources doubted another bidder emerge since purolator had for sale for deal struck hutton friday purolator stock slipped today close had trading slightly higher dlr offer friday analyst friday speculated company fetch dlrs per share analysts and wall street sources doubted competitive offer emerge since company for sale for deal hutton struck friday hutton had talks purolator adviser dillon read and since late december hutton spokesman hutton offering dlrs cash per share for pct shares shares tendered shareholders receive dlrs cash six dlrs debentures and warrants for stock subsidiary acquisition containing purolator courier operation hutton values warrants two dlrs per share wall street sources today that rival bidder discouraged breakup fee purolator pay ends agreement hutton sources not reveal amount fee will noted documents transaction made public this week reuter 
earn	whitehall corp wht qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr cts dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	service corp international srv qtr net qtr ended jan shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln mths shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note net for mths includes gains dispositions dlrs cts share dlrs two cts share avg shrs and shr data restated reflect for two stock split january reuter 
earn	peoples bancorporation peop quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
earn	cpl reit cntrs qtr net shr cts net revs year shr cts net revs note full name cpl real estate investment trust company formed dec reuter 
earn	republic automotive parts raut qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln year shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln reuter 
earn	realmerica raco year nov net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss note net includes tax credit dlrs per share reuter 
earn	skii qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln six mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	ferro corp foe sets joint venture ferro corp formed joint venture paris based alsthom inudstrial group export epxertise specialty composite materials european market ferro airframe and aerospace industries prime users composite materials today plans develop applications for ground transportation and industrial markets future ferro announced agreed purchase compositair developer composit materials applications for undisclosed sum reuter 
crude	nymex rule change boosting energy trade york mercantile exchange will introduce exchanges for physicals efps energy futures markets april exchange spokeswoman change will oil traders that not hold futures position initiate exchange closes transaction that can subsequently hedged futures market efps effect for platinum futures nymex expected increase open interest and liquidity energy futures traders and analysts commodity futures trading commission approved rule change february cftc spokeswoman reuter 
copper	refinery copper stocks fall january refined copper stocks held refineries fell short tons end january short tons end december american bureau metal statistics reported commodity exchange comex copper stocks climbed tons january tons december combined refinery and comex stocks eased tons january tons december refined production declined tons january tons december crude output increased tons january tons revised lower december preliminary figures showed refined deliveries rose tons january tons december reuter 
acq	ccl unit acquires nestle canada can operations ccl industries inc continental can canada inc unit acquired wallaceburg ontario metal can making operations nestle enterprises wholly owned nestle switzerland terms undisclosed continental can supply nestle equivalent can requirements long term agreement nestle decided stop manufacturing cans order position full advantage underway horizon food packaging technology reuter 
copper	copper stocks increase december refined copper stocks held refineries increased preliminary short tons end december preliminary short tons revised higher end november american bureau metal statistics london metal exchange stocks fell tons december tons november combined refinery and lme stocks rose preliminary tons tons revised higher january lme stocks tons preliminary figures showed refined production lower tons december versus tons november crude output decreased tons tons revised higher refined copper deliveries decreased tons tons revised lower reuter 
earn	mfs managed muncipal bond trust sets payout mfs managed muncipal trust bond declared monthly payout income distribution cts share compared cts for previous month distribution payable march shareholders record march two reuter 
copper	brass mill copper stocks lower january brass mill copper stocks fell short tons copper content end january short tons end december american bureau metal statistics consumption brass mills increased short tons january short tons december mills consumed tons refinery shapes january versus tons december scrap consumption increased tons january tons december total brass mill shipments increased tons january tons december receipts rose tons tons reuter 
earn	mfs municipal income trust mfm sets payout mfs municipal income trust declared monthly income distribution cts share compared cts share paid previous month distribution payable march shareholders record march reuter 
earn	pittway corp pry qtr net shr dlrs two dlrs net sales mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net sales mln mln reuter 
acq	armtek arm sell industrial tire unit armtek corp previously armstrong rubber agreed sell industrial tire and assembly division dyneer corp dyr for undisclosed sum agreement covers division tire production facility clinton tenn and plants serving original equipment and replacement markets armstrong tire armtek unit will continue sell replacement industrial tires company final closing expected fiscal quarter ending june reuter 
earn	petrolite corp plit sets payout qtly dividend cts cts pay april record april reuter 
money-supply	australian annual broad money supply growth pct january 
heat	exxon xon cuts heating oil barge price oil traders york exxon corp exxon unit reduced price charges contract barge customers for heating oil york harbor cent gallon effective today reduction brings exxon contract barge price cts price decrease follows sharp declines heating oil prices spot and futures markets traders reuter 
crude	greece aegean oil drilling greece responding warning turkey conducting oil activities aegean sea today had decide and research drilling work area government spokesman greek position made clear turkey ambassador nazmi akiman met greek foreign affairs undersecretary yannis kapsis last week acting turkish prime minister kaya erdem earlier today greek activities northern aegean contravened berne agreement set framework for talks aegean continental shelf disputed ankara and athens greek statement today greece not prepared give even trace sovereignty rights seabed stressed akiman that decision drill belongs exclusively greek government greek government repeatedly turkish side that considers berne protocol inactive fault turkey greek statement athens ready put continental shelf issue international courts reuter 
acq	leucadia luk pct minstar mnst leucadia national corp two subsidiaries acquired pct stake minstar inc corporation controlled corporate raider irwin jacobs and used forays acquire stock companies filing securities and exchange commission leucadia lnc investments inc newark del investment firm and charter national life insurance louis joint stock life insurance company bought combined minstar common shares for investment purposes leucadia subsidiaries had held pct stake minstar cut pct shares last july since july leucadia companies bought minstar common shares for total mln dlrs leucadia bought minstar stake obtain equity position company and intention seeking control half leucadia common stock owned tlc associates salt lake city utah general partnership partners include chairman and president leucadia and investors reuter 
earn	basix corp bas qtr loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln mths oper shr loss dlrs profit cts oper net loss mln profit revs mln mln note oper excludes loss discontinued operations dlrs cts share for year ago qtr and dlrs cts share for year ago mths oper includes charge mln dlrs for cumulative effect repeal investment tax credit for qtr and writedown mln dlrs gas and oil facilities for mths year ago shr data restated reflect two pct stock dividend december reuter 
money-supply	australian january annual broad money pct australia broad money supply rose pct year ended january revised pct december reserve bank this compares previous january pct january broad money growth slowed pct december pct and compared nil growth january broad money total bank financial intermediaries rose pct revised decline december and previous january pct increase january year nbfi borrowings rose pct revised december and compared previous january end january broad money stood mln dlrs dlrs december mln dlrs and january level mln period borrowings private sector nbfis rose mln dlrs december mln and previous january mln reuter 
acq	microbio mrc plans acquisition financing microbiological research corp entered into letter intent for proposed business combination privately owned datagene scientific laboratories inc and milex corp newly formed company stock swap received dlrs sale convertible note ventana growth fund part equity financing plan ventana that plan minimum dlrs and maximum mln dlrs additional capital provided fund combined operations companies microbiological that maximum additional capital raised will pct shares common outstanding combined company datagene holders will pct and ventana and will pct remaining pct will held milex shareholder norman monson will become chief executive officer combined companies reuter 
coffee	ico council ends failure agree quotas special meeting international coffee organization ico council failed agree set coffee export quotas ico delegates producers and consumers not find common ground issue quota distribution days arduous heated talks delegates export quotas major device international coffee agreement stabilise prices suspended year ago coffee prices soared reaction drought brazil cut output two thirds delegates and industry representatives predicted coffee prices plummet stg tonne year lows tomorrow response results meeting reuter 
acq	painewebber pwj unit ups shaer shoe shs stake mitchell hutchins asset management inc york investment firm and subsidiary painewebber group inc raised voting stake shaer shoe corp shares pct shares pct filing securities and exchange commission mitchell hutchins bought shares jan and feb prices ranging dlrs share and obtained voting control another shares firm bought stake investment behalf clients had discussions shaer management not disclose topic talks reuter 
earn	telecredit inc tcrd qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	laser precision corp lasr qtr net shr profit cts profit two cts net profit profit revs year shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln reuter 
acq	rexnord rex redeem rights rexnord inc will redeem preferred stock purchase rights for cts effective today rexnord rights will redeemed expected shares will tendered january takeover offer banner acquisition corp rights trade tandem rexnord common stock reuter 
acq	cantrex unit merge ontario group groupe cantrex inc plans merge wholly owned subsidiary merger agreement cap appliance purchasers inc woodstock ontario group appliance and electronics retailers cap shareholders will receive preferred groupe cantrex shares entitling holders receive dlrs per share equivilant class subordinate voting cantrex shares merger effective april and subject shareholder approval reuter 
acq	investment firm boosts ldbrinkman dbc stake two affiliated investment firms and investment funds control raised combined stake ldbrinkman corp shares pct total outstanding shares pct filing securities and exchange commission fidelity international bermuda based firm funds bought ldbrinkman common shares jan and feb prices ranging dlrs share funds controlled fmr corp boston based investment firm affiliated fidelity hold shares bringing combined total shares fidelity reuter 
earn	itt itt hartford unit posts qtr gain hartford insurance group unit york based itt corp higher worldwide premiums boost net income for fourth quarter mln dlrs net income mln dlrs for quarter for full year hartford earned mln dlrs mln dlrs hartford results for year aided gain mln dlrs sale remaining pct stake abbey life group plc for company posted gain mln dlrs sale pct abbey life hartford total property casualty and life health written premiums rose pct billion dlrs billion dlrs reuter 
acq	sec probes tre tre takeover attempt federal securities and exchange commission sec for securities laws violations connection unsuccessful bid hollywood producer burt sugarman tre corp attorneys contacted sec investigators takeeover attempt unit sugarman giant group point held pct stake tre had that effort jefferies group inc los angeles investment banking firm sold option portion shares sugarman eventually acquired addition company controlled sugarman raised mln dlrs debt offering underwritten drexel burnham lambert inc jefferies and used portion proceeds buy tre stock finally reliance group holdings inc acquired six pct tre seec filing attorneys asked not identified sec investigating whether sugarman and firms tre holdings working together disclosing cooperation required federal securities laws attorney sec probers examining whether sugarman and drexel had made adequate disclosures intended usage proceeds prospectus for mln dlr bond offering tre spokesman confirmed that tre since december unit aluminum america had contacted sec investigators and cooperating probe spokesman added that tre chairman leopold wyler had interviewed sec probers jefferies spokesman sec had asked for information months ago part informal probe spokesman jefferies had cooperated agency and had heard nothing since that time knowledge jefferies not target formal sec investigation connection tre bid drexel spokesman acknowledged that firm had underwritten debt offering for sugarman added had nothing tre matter policy sec routinely declines comment enforcement activities reuter 
ship	canadian seafarers threaten strike canadian seafarers almost strike this spring refusal meet rollbacks wages and benefits asked for employers seafarers international union official roman gralewicz percent guarantee you strike gralewicz interview union represents workers great lakes and canada east and west coasts contract talks broke january and conciliator appointed settle dispute current contract expires end march seafarers employers asking for reduction crew levels move union cost jobs reuter 
earn	dallas corp dls qtr loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss pofit revs mln mln mths oper shr profit cts profit cts oper net profit profit revs mln mln note oper net excludes loss discontinued operations dlrs cts share for year ago qtr and dlrs dlrs share for year ago mths reuter 
earn	dillard department stores inc dds qtr net qtr ended jan shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion avg shrs mln mln note shr avg shrs data show for split nov reuter 
earn	kentucky central life kenca sets payout kentucky central life insurance declared semi annual dividend cts per share payable march shareholders record march dividend equal company previous semi annual payout reuter 
earn	bank england corp bkne qtly dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
jobs	japan unemploymnent rises record january japan seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose record pct january worst since government started compiling unemployment statistics current system previous record pct december government management and coordination agency unemployment pct year earlier unadjusted january unemployment totalled mln people mln december and mln year earlier male unemployment january remained pct equal second worst level set last december record male unemployement pct set july female unemployment january remained pct equal record level marked april august september and december last year january record pct unemployment rate stemmed loss jobs manufacturing industries export related firms due yen continuing appreciation dollar officials employment manufacturing industries fell year earlier mln including mln employed textile industry year earlier and mln transport industries such carmakers and shipbuilders reuter 
earn	ford europe earnings pct last year ford europe net earnings soared per cent last year mln dlrs kenneth whipple chairman ford europe whipple attend geneva auto show opens thursday that ford motor unit had sold record million vehicles europe net earnings mln dlrs sales represented per cent european market share whipple ford will invest billion dollars europe and total billion years added reuter 
lei	south korea leading indicators fall december south korea index leading indicators fell pct base december pct rise november representing pct year year gain december economic planning board provisional figures show index based indicators include export values letters credit received warehouse stocks and money supply figures and composite stock exchange index reuter 
crude	opec output ceiling subroto opec remains agreed output ceiling mln barrels day and had expected current fluctuations spot market two dlrs indonesian energy minister subroto told reporters meeting president suharto that present weakness spot oil market result warmer weather and europe reduced demand for oil prices had forced refineries stock denied that opec exceeding agreed production ceiling asked opec output level replied below mln barrels per day not elaborate appeared attempts manipulate market opec members stick cartel december pricing agreement present price difficulties predicted that prices recover and fourth quarters reiterated that for emergency opec meeting opec had expected fluctuations spot price hope weak price will overcome and predict price will and fourth quarters refiners appeared used stock deliberately slack demand market and price fall opec this period members stuck together reuter 
coffee	coffee traders expect selloff ico talks fail failure international coffee organization ico reach agreement coffee export quotas trigger massive selloff london coffee futures stg per tonne today coffee trade sources prices easily drop low dlr even cents this year dlrs special meeting importing and exporting countries ended deadlock late yesterday days talks set quotas meeting discuss quotas set delegates quotas major device used stabilize prices international coffee agreement suspended year ago prices soared damaging drought brazil propects for quotas sight heavy producer selling initially and price war commercial coffee roasting companies will ensue trade sources predicted lower prices trickle supermarket shelf this spring coffee dealers and brazil largest coffee importer and exporter each laid blame for breakdown talks jon rosenbaum assistant trade representative and delegate talks statement council adjourned majority producers led brazil not prepared negotiate distribution based objective criteria want insure that countries receive export quotas based ability supply market political influence ico brazilian coffee institute ibc president jorio dauster countered negotiations failed consumers dictate quotas not negotiate previously quotas determined historical amounts exported gave brazil pct share global market mln kilo bags majority producers wanted quotas continue this basic scheme consumers and maverick group producers proposed carving export market basis exportable production and stocks reduce brazil share pct consumer delegates this method reflect countries export capabilities and make coffee readily consumers last minute attempt colombia second largest exporter rescue talks compromise interim proposal not bring two sides together delegates speculated brazil financial problems illustrated recent suspension interest payments bank debt increased political pressure country protect coffee export earnings developing coffee producing countries that depend heavily coffee earnings african nations and colombia likely hurt ico failure agree quotas analysts expected drop prices result losses billion dlrs year producer delegates forecast ico executive board will meet march full council not due meet september delegates reuter 
earn	cra net profit mln dlrs mln 
bop	quarterly current account deficit narrows zealand current account deficit for quarter ended december narrowed mln dlrs mln revised mln for september quarter and mln year earlier statistics department deficit for year ended december narrowed billion dlrs billion dlrs revised billion for year ended september deficit for calendar billion december quarter showed mln dlr surplus for merchandise trade unchanged september quarter surplus revised mln dlrs december quarter showed mln dlr deficit imports for december quarter billion billion september quarter and year earlier exports billion billion and billion imports for year ended december billion dlrs compared billion exports billion billion government borrowing stood billion dlrs for calendar billion for borrowing december quarter rose billion september quarter and mln year earlier repayments stood billion for year billion repayments december quarter accounted for billion dlrs mln september quarter and mln year earlier official reserves totalled billion dlrs end december compared billion end september and billion year earlier reuter 
acq	transamerica sells occidental life australia equity investment company battery group had agreed buy occidental life insurance australia transamerica corp for mln australian dlrs acquisition made efforts major shareholder pratt and financial services pty battery group statement purchase will partly funded issue mln shares dlrs each and mln free options pratt group controlled entrepreneur dick pratt mln shares professional investors each balance will funded debt battery group acquisition subject approval shareholders completion share placements pratt group will effectively pct battery enlarged capital assuming exercise options battery mln shares issue battery occidental life major underwriter individual term life insurance and recent fast growing entrant individual account superannuation market mln dlrs funds management reuter 
earn	cra craa net net mln dlrs mln shr cents final div announced july final cents making sales revenue billion billion investment income mln mln shrs mln mln note net tax mln dlrs mln interest mln mln depreciation mln mln net extraordinary loss mln profit mln reuter 
rubber	malaysia imposes export duties rubber malaysian government imposed export duties rubber cent per kilo gazetted price moved threshold price cents per kilo gazetted price effective march rose cents per kilo february duty for research remains cents per kilo and replanting duty unchanged cents reuter 
earn	comalco net profit mln dlrs loss mln 
earn	comalco cmac net net profit mln dlrs loss mln net equity accounted pre equity accounted net mln dlrs loss mln pre equity shr profit cents loss final div announced july and final cent sales billion billion income mln mln shrs mln note net tax paid mln dlrs credit mln interest mln mln depreciation mln mln and minorities mln loss net net extraordinary loss mln nil extraordinaries comprise exchange losses mln provision for goldendale smelter closure costs mln and increase future tax provision mln reuter 
jobs	japan unemployment rate rising pct japan unemployment rate expected continue climb pct year january pct record senior economists including susumu taketomi industrial bank japan december pct previous worst level since government management and coordination agency began compiling statistics current system general fear that will become country high unemployment takashi kiuchi senior economist for long term credit bank japan government published january unemployment figures today not make predictions present not forecast for unemployment rate this year difficult foresee situation improving labour ministry official finance minister kiichi miyazawa government had expected increase and had set money people find jobs fiscal beginning april prime minister yasuhiro nakasone told press conference record rate underlines pass budget held opposition proposed tax reforms yen surge caused layoffs mainstay steel and shipbuilding industries export dependent industries such cars and textiles laid part time employees and ceased hiring economists growing service industry sector absorbed great number workers trend starting slow koichi tsukihara deputy general manager sumitomo bank economics department economists disagreed service sector hire workers longer needed manufacturing sector years economists service sector grow government stimulates domestic demand program transform economy exports japanese unemployment rates lower industrialised nations methods for calculating statistics make difficult compare economists warned pct figure translate into relatively high figure european methods used economist half january increase jobless year earlier aged and sumitomo tsukihara reuter 
bop	south korean trade surplus narrows february south korea customs cleared trade surplus narrowed mln dlrs february mln january provisional trade ministry figures show february deficit mln dlrs february exports rose billion dlrs fob billion january and billion february cif imports billion billion january and billion february last year reuter 
trade	japan moves tighten chip export curbs ministry international trade and industry miti acted tighten restrictions microchip exports countries preserve japan pact semiconductor trade major japanese chipmakers doubt usefulness miti spokesman ministry had asked chipmakers issue certificates trading houses stating authorised exporters trading houses applying for miti export licence will required show such certificate will not automatically denied licences industry officials predicted government measures likely limited effect long world semiconductor market remained weak government and industry officials complained repeatedly that japanese chipmakers continue sell below cost countries despite july agreement japanese firms and officials turn argue flow cheap chips countries due grey market sales party brokers seek profit gap low prices japan and higher prices based production costs and set for japanese makers agreement miti spokesman percentage grey market increasing for specific company suggests distributing products sales network knowing will exported means that case will reduce figure miti earlier asked makers cut output chips pct quarter spokesmen for firms doubt usefulness latest move long gap prices set pact and market prices will people want exploit gap make money hitachi hit spokesman reuter 
jobs	finnish unemployment pct december finnish unemployment pct december last year compared pct november and pct december central statistical office people unemployed december november and december reuter 
reserves	bankers sharp rise thai foreign reserves thailand improving economy will likely foreign reserves increase billion dlrs end record billion end february private bankers bank thailand statistics show foreign reserves rose billion end january billion year earlier nimit nonthapanthawat chief economist bangkok bank thailand strong export performance relatively high interest rates foreign participation stock market and growing foreign investment japan contributed projected sharp rise thai exports rose pct and expected expand another pct this year bankers embassy report last month thailand achieve pct real gross domestic product growth projection pct for and pct nonthapanthawat economic growth continues current pace and oil prices and major currencies remain stable billion reserves target can easily reached thailand calculates foreign reserves include gold special drawing rights and convertible currencies target equivalent and half months worth imports reuter 
bop	sweden current payments surplus sweden had current balance payments surplus billion crowns compared deficit billion preceding year preliminary figures central bank december current account had mln crowns deficit yearago mln deficit december trade balance billion surplus yearago two billion trade balance showed surplus billion crowns compared billion surplus bank reuter 
earn	fisons plc fisn year end shr div making pre tax profit mln stg mln turnover mln mln tax mln mln finance charges mln mln minority interest mln mln extraordinary debit closure and restructuring costs mln mln operating profit includes pharmaceutical mln mln scientific equipment mln mln horticulture mln mln note company plans for capitalisation reuter 
interest	major swiss banks raise customer time deposit rates point pct credit suisse 
interest	corrected major swiss banks raise customer time deposit rates point pct credit suisse 
money-fx	philippine planning chief urges peso devaluation philippines devalue peso exports remain competitive economic planning secretary solita monsod told reuters peso dollar rate undercut make exports competitive monsod interview question you cannot argue success taiwan south korea west germany japan miracle economies deliberately undervalued currencies peso free floating since june dollar finance secretary jaime ongpin government not intend devalue peso and flexible and continue respond market conditions monsod ongpin exchange rate point view finance dollar rate higher debt service terms pesos gets higher financing difficult terms economy not oppose official policy competitive not want become uncompetitive dead monsod ideal movement peso dollar rate movement that will reflect differences inflation rates philippines versus country arithmetic thing official figures show philippine inflation averaged pct calendar ongpin told reporters saturday expected touch pct this year government and international monetary fund had set peso dollar target rate peso lost pct slump dollar floated reuter 
acq	clears cons gold purchase trade department not refer consolidated goldfields plc cgld purchase american aggregates corp monopolies commission cons gold last month that arc america corp unit had agreed buy ohio based company for dlrs share cash mln dlrs deal recommended aggregates board reuter 
tin	zaire accepts tin export quota atpc zaire agreed limit tin exports tonnes for months march line association tin producing countries atpc plan curb exports atpc atpc executive director victor siaahan told reuters received telex zaire indicating willingess part plan limit total atpc exports tonnes for year march siaahan zaire expected produce tonnes tin calendar and that output and exports tonnes atpc hopes cut tonne world surplus tonnes and boost prices atpc members zaire and australia recently agreed adhere export quotas allocated plan australia quota tonnes roughly equal expected output this year atpc consists malaysia indonesia thailand bolivia australia nigeria and zaire china and bolivia important producers tin not members reuter 
crude	pemex signs mln dlr japan loan for pipeline mexican state oil firm petroleos mexicanos pemex signed for mln dlr untied loan export import bank japan finance pacific petroleum project pemex japan representative tito ayal details loan immediately ayala told oil seminar project due for completion aimed improving distribution oil products domestic market pacific coast project consists pipeline linking nueva teapa gulf mexico salina cruz pacific coast and construction second phase salina cruz refinery project includes construction liquified petroleum gas lpg storage tanks santa cruz additional crude oil storage ends pipeline ammonia complex lazaro cardenas pacific coast and expansion infrastructure port salina cruz ayala pemex will buy mln dlrs worth foreign equipment and materials for project pipeline will enable japan load mexico maya crude oil salina cruz gulf mexico pemex will lpg surplus salina cruz that japan diversify supply sources that product added reuter 
earn	stc plc stcl year end shr profit loss div making nil turnover billion stg billion pretax profit mln mln loss tax mln nil operating profit mln mln interest investment income mln mln exceptional debit mln mln minorities mln mln extraordinary credit mln mln debit operating profit includes international computers mln mln communications systems mln mln components and distribution mln mln defence mln mln reuter 
earn	cra expects pay final dividend cents cra craa expected pay final dividend not cents share july making cents for year mining and smelting group earlier reported net earnings rose mln dlrs mln analysts forecasts yesterday mln mln cra deferring consideration dividend this year provide benefit dividend imputation shareholders july dividends will tax free shareholders provided come earnings full pct company tax rate company operates substituted tax year not fiscal year ending june and result incurred tax pct rate earnings cra statement funds for distribution dividend imputed waiting imputation legislation determining final payout despite higher net earnings cra poor year for minerals industry notable exception gold producers prices for major metals expressed real dollars declined lowest levels years fluctuating exchange and interest rates added volatility and uncertainty revaluation yen leading substantial restructuring japanese industry cra world demand for metals growing slowly inventories steadily declined supply and demand balance overcapacity continues cra turning contributions earnings cra bougainville copper buva contributed mln dlrs share comalco cmac net mln net earnings iron ore operations mln dlrs mln lead zinc and silver mining and smelting operations incurred net loss mln dlrs mln loss cra coal activities resulted net profit mln dlrs mln salt raised contribution mln mln cra share earnings argyle diamond project amounted mln dlrs mln cra main item mln dlr extraordinary loss mln writeoff unrealised foreign exchange losses borrowings required accounting standard extraordinary items mln dlrs provided for closures and writedown assets and mln increase future tax provisions cra cash flow continued high level mln dlrs capital expenditure billion strong cash flow coupled proceeds rights issue and use existing cash balances enabled group debt reduced mln dlrs cra held forward contracts year end buy mln dlrs hedge part foreign debt this cost mln dlrs tax included net interest cost reuter 
trade	swiss capital exports rise january swiss capital exports rose billion francs january billion december and year earlier billion swiss national bank bond issues accounted for billion total december billion and credits mln mln january national bank ended distinction notes and bonds bond issues totalled billion francs notes billion and credits mln reuter 
trade	china calls for trade deal china called united states remove curbs exports give favourable trading status and ease restrictions exports high technology embassy replied that chinese figures showing years trade deficits last inaccurate and peking persuade congress change laws limit exports official international business newspaper today published china demands editorial coincide visit secretary state george shultz extremely important that market reduce restrictions chinese imports provide needed facilities for and businessmen sides expand chinese exports editorial quickly discard prejudice favourable tariff treatment for chinese goods and admit china into generalised system preference gsp despite easing curbs technology exports recent years control extremely strict and influences normal trade two countries added paper printed article china commercial counsellor washington embassy chen shibiao that kinds difficulties and restrictions preventing bilateral trade fulfilling full potential named protectionist behaviour curbs technology transfer and date trade legislation paper printed table showing that since bilateral trade began china had deficit year and shows and deficits billion and billion dlrs embassy official not accept peking trade figures exclude goods shipped hong kong and trans shipped figures based country origin that china obtain gsp status will lobby congress persaude amend laws prevent peking getting such status trade act that qualify for gsp china member general agreement tariffs and trade gatt for applied july and not dominated controlled international communism official china aware laws date anti communist early that not sufficient political will change china subject dozen cases involving anti dumping last two years side won for time china signed last week agreement initiated voluntarily restrain exports two categories steel goods lead side withdraw anti dumping case added another diplomat willingness provide such voluntary export restraints important issue bilateral trade issues and peking application gatt china potential disrupt world markets textiles gatt countries will nervous china this respect precedent for centralled planned economies gatt diplomat poland czechoslovakia hungary and romania members gatt china massive market potential for imports vast labour pool produce cheap exports speech today northeast city dalian secretary state george shultz country welcomed china interest participating gatt process chinese accession will not accomplished overnight gatt rules not designed for large economy chinese type shultz china can play important role actively joining gatt discussions seeking expand general trading opportunities and enhance market access for exports worldwide china can develop foreign trade system gain maximum benefit gatt participation problems facing china trade and gatt membership similar pricing system foreign businessmen regard arbitrary and not related actual costs for exports and facto dual currency system memorandum backing application presented gatt last month china gradually reforming economic system and replacing mandatory instruction guidance planning and economic levers diplomat that join gatt china had reuter 
cpi	italy consumer prices rise pct february italy consumer price index rose pct february compared january rising pct january december national statistics institute istat year year rise february pct pct january and compared pct february istat consumer prices index for families workers and employees base february january and february reuter 
crude	mobil plan open peking office china daily mobil corp mob plans open office peking develop oil exploration opportunities china china daily quoted mobil president richard tucker peking optimistic investment prospects china and that peking will continue encourage foreign private businesses invest mobil bought mln dlrs crude oil and oil products china and sold lubricant and fertiliser gave details reuter 
acq	klm pct stake air klm royal dutch airlines klm agreed pct stake air subsidiary british and commonwealth shipping plc bcom transaction worth two mln stg klm spokesman klm cooperated closely air runs flights week amsterdam schipol airport cities british and commonwealth shipping last week held preliminary talks klm minority stake air gave details klm hoped move attract british feeder traffic amsterdam airport reuter 
reserves	reserves show underlying rise february britain gold and currency reserves showed underlying rise mln dlrs february mln dlrs rise january treasury underlying trend guide bank england operations support pound foreign exchanges net borrowings and repayments this market expectations for mln dlrs rise treasury bank england used opportunity strong demand rebuild reserves losses last autumn and underlying rise relatively modest actual reserves rose mln dlrs february billion dlrs rising mln january billion accruals borrowings exchange cover scheme mln dlrs last month mln january repayments mln dlrs previous mln treasury spokesman capital repayments totalled two mln dlrs january capital repayments totalled mln dlrs valuation change that resulted fall mln dlrs due quarterly rollover european monetary cooperation fund swap treasury not comment bank england market operations currency traders reported moderate bank england intervention curb upward pressure pound today treasury spokesman commenting reserves figures that government not want sterling rise fall substantially current levels noted that chancellor exchequer nigel lawson stressed this recent paris currencies meeting reuter 
acq	ultramar sells marketing units for mln stg ultramar plc umar had reached agreement principle sell wholly owned marketing companies kuwait petroleum corp for mln stg ultramar marketing units include ultramar golden eagle made profit mln stg financing and group administration charges small loss recorded for months sale due place april proceeds intended reduce group debt short term ultramar funds ultimately used for development core businesses and north america reuter 
money-supply	hong kong rises pct january hong kong broadly defined money supply rose pct billion dlrs january pct rise december for year year rise pct government statement local currency rose pct billion dlrs december pct november for rise pct year total rose pct billion dlrs january december rose pct previous month local rose pct billion dlrs january december climbed pct total and local rose pct and pct year ago month total rose pct billion dlrs january pct rise previous month local rose pct billion dlrs pct rise total and local year year growth and pct total loans and advances rose pct billion dlrs december rose pct loans for financing hong kong visible trade rose pct billion dlrs pct rise december reuter 
acq	woolworth underwoods fail agree bid underwoods plc had not agree terms bid made woolworth holdings plc wluk talks two companies had holding exploratory discussions spokesman for company immediately terms not agreed whether possibility bid abandoned last week underwoods shares rose ahead announcement talks announcement today brought back last night close woolworth unchanged reuter 
crude	mobil plans open office peking mobil oil corp plans open office peking develop oil exploration opportunities china china daily quoted mobil president richard tucker peking optimistic investment prospects china and that peking will continue encourage foreign private businesses invest mobil bought mln dlrs crude oil and oil products china and sold lubricant and fertiliser gave details reuter 
earn	unilever plc and combined pre tax profit billion stg mln 
crude	opec output ceiling subroto opec remains agreed output ceiling mln barrels day and had expected current fluctuations spot market two dlrs indonesian energy minister subroto told reporters meeting president suharto that present weakness spot oil market result warmer weather and europe reduced demand for oil prices had forced refineries stock denied that opec exceeding agreed production ceiling asked opec output level replied below mln barrels per day not elaborate appeared attempts manipulate market opec members stick cartel december pricing agreement present price difficulties predicted that prices recover and fourth quarters reiterated that for emergency opec meeting opec had expected fluctuations spot price hope weak price will overcome and predict price will and fourth quarters refiners appeared used stock deliberately slack demand market and price fall opec this period members stuck together reuter 
jobs	japan unemployment rate rising pct japan unemployment rate expected continue climb pct year january pct record senior economists including susumu taketomi industrial bank japan december pct previous worst level since government management and coordination agency began compiling statistics current system general fear that will become country high unemployment takashi kiuchi senior economist for long term credit bank japan government published january unemployment figures today not make predictions present not forecast for unemployment rate this year difficult foresee situation improving labour ministry official finance minister kiichi miyazawa government had expected increase and had set money people find jobs fiscal beginning april prime minister yasuhiro nakasone told press conference record rate underlines pass budget held opposition proposed tax reforms yen surge caused layoffs mainstay steel and shipbuilding industries export dependent industries such cars and textiles laid part time employees and ceased hiring economists growing service industry sector absorbed great number workers trend starting slow koichi tsukihara deputy general manager sumitomo bank economics department economists disagreed service sector hire workers longer needed manufacturing sector years reuter 
earn	unilever plc and qtr dec london march unilever plc share making for full year unilever share guilders guilders making guilders guilders unilever plc final div making unilever final div guilders making guilders guilders combined pre tax profit mln stg making billion stg mln two companies proposed for share split combined fourth quarter pre tax profit billion guilders billion making billion guilders billion operating profit mln stg mln making billion stg mln tax mln stg mln making mln mln tax adjustments mln stg credit nil making mln stg credit mln debit attributable profit mln stg mln making mln mln full year turnover billion stg billion reuter 
acq	hotels soars takeover speculation price hongkong and shanghai hotels shlh stock soared speculation takeover battle major shareholders kadoorie family and evergo industrial enterprise evgh group stock brokers noted heavy buying hotel shares announcement evergo china entertainment and land investment unit that bought pct hotels firm deputy chairman david liang for billion dlrs stock rose dlrs dlrs today thomas lau evergo executive director declined comment whether group seeking stake hotels told reuters group will hold pct stake bought liang long term investment evergo attracted underlying strength hotels analysts evergo for redevelopment peninsula hotel asia hotels and another site hong kong island owned hotels lai sun garment yesterday acquired pct stake hotels liang for mln dlrs lau denied link china entertainment and lai sun acquisitions hotels stake purely coincidence analysts not that evergo group reputation corporate raider team lai sun garment for takeover lau denied contact kadoorie family analysts estimate pct hotels michael kadoorie chairman hotels lau two representatives evergo will nominated hotels board source close kadoorie family family not considered countermoves analysts difficult for evergo and kadoorie family cooperate management styles evergo want split hotel management and property developments hotels that strategy not fit conservative kadoorie family analyst asked not named another analyst noted price hotels had distorted takeover talks net asset worth dlrs share offers evergo and lai sun for dlrs share that below current trading price trading suspended today shares lai sun evergo china entertainment and group associate chinese estates chinese estates lost cents dlrs yesterday china entertainment dlrs and evergo cents lai sun gained cents dlrs reuter 
acq	bryson pays mln dlrs for cenergy corp stake bryson oil and gas plc paid cash consideration mln dlrs for pct cenergy corp oil and gas exploration and production company bryson board number investments expand company interests and believes opportunity acquire investment cenergy suitable extension existing interests cenergy reported net loss mln dlrs months september total stockholders equity date mln dlrs reuter 
earn	ashton tate tate qtr net shr cts cts net mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr dlrs cts net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note share adjusted for january two for split reuter 
ship	side optimistic rotterdam port issues employers and port union fnv meet this afternoon attempt settlement six week dispute rotterdam general cargo sector side optimistic spokesmen for sides told reuters progress made last night hours talks sides largely reiterating positions large gap employers and fnv and can that expect reach agreement talking union spokesman employers organization chairman jacques schoufour accused fnv intransigence refusing alter stance past two months fnv not discussions and not optimistic changing point view find this afternoon that fnv refuses accept redundancies general cargo sector will break talks and redundancies begin this month schoufour series strikes employers cost mln guilders lost import business past six weeks began january protest plans for redundancies sector workforce starting this year late last month social affairs minister louw graaf dispute settled yesterday withdraw sector mln guilder annual labour subsidy sides wrote minister yesterday setting cases schoufour not expect hear wednesday earliest reuter 
earn	unilever improves sectors unilever plc and group improved performance almost sectors anglo dutch group results statement good progress made last year recent acquisition chesebrough pond inc cbm significant addition will greatly benefit group years come earlier unilever reported combined fourth quarter pre tax profit mln stg level year earlier period making billion stg compared mln for full year unilever plans change depreciation policy conventional practice depreciating assets individually depreciating fixed assets average rates method expected lead reduction accumulated provision for depreciation and thereby increase net book tangible asssets mln stg january unilever plc shares since yesterday buoyant response results and share split proposal profits not ahead market forecasts dealers added reuter 
lei	leading indicators fell pct jan revised pct dec rise 
lei	leading index fell pct january index leading indicators fell seasonally adjusted pct january revised pct december gain commerce department department previously index rose pct december decline january biggest for month since july index fell pct january decrease left index base and led fall contracts and orders for plant and equipment total six indicators for january contributed decline contracts and orders for plant and equipment building permits manufacturers orders for consumer goods change sensitive materials prices slower deliveries vendors and higher average weekly claims for state unemployment insurance indicators positive including stock prices business formation average work week and money supply main factor for december upward revision business formation revision pct increase leading indicators index for november index coincident indicators measures current economy fell pct january increases pct december and pct november index lagging indicators measures past economic activity rose pct january decrease pct december and increase pct november reuter 
earn	burlington coat factory warehouse corp bcf net jan end shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
coffee	coffee price fall short term dutch roasters this morning sharp decline coffee prices breakdown late last night negotiations london reintroduce international coffee organization ico quotas will short lived dutch roasters fall technical and emotional reaction failure agree reintroduction ico export quotas will not long reality reasserts and prices rise spokesman for major dutch roasters fact that ample supplies coffee present shortage quality average prices fell cents news breakdown expect move back cents weeks roaster added dutch coffee roasters association secretary jan vries roasters disappointed failure consumer and producer ico representatives agree quota reintroduction equally important that quotas reallocated equitable basis absolute for quotas this moment market balanced and not lose this opportunity renegotiate coffee agreement lot work number clauses international coffee agreement and not quota reintroduction complete renegotiation vries added this mind and dutch roasters claiming fairly good forward cover buying strategy for foreseeable future buy coffee hand mouth basis and sliding scale market prices below cents roasters reuter 
acq	greenwood resources grrl sells company stake greenwood resources inc sold common share majority holding london oil london affiliate guinness peat group plc london and affiliate sidro belgium for total dlrs cash company will apply proceeds sale support line credit and part proposed debt restructuring colorado national bancshares colc and greenwood shareholders will retain seat london board reuter 
earn	woolworth qtr shr dlrs dlrs 
acq	heinz interested buying guinness brewing heinz hnz chairman tony reilly interested buying guinness plc guin brewery division for sale spokesman spokesman reacting irish and british press reports continues interested group offer brewery side guinness for sale not put together consortium buying shares quoted irish magazine business and finance interested market and that had support two international banks decided such purchase worthwhile magazine article suggested that brewing profits calculated region mln punts asking price not higher mln punts multiple ten times earnings top whack for brewing division current guinness situation this mean expensive exercise edge not impossible added deal mean buying dublin london nigerian and malaysian breweries sold integral unit sold reilly reuter 
earn	equatorial communications equa losses equatorial communications expects report losses mln dlrs for fourth quarter and mln dlrs for full year revenues mln dlrs for quarter and mln dlrs for year equatorial losses will include charge mln dlrs costs associated restructuring business including adjustments reflect market transponders owned and leased equatorial and reserves for inventory receivables and excess facilities equatorial fourth quarter operating results will include restructuring costs dlrs addition mln dlr charge equitorial that march operating technical default lease transponders galaxy iii satellite due inabiliuty maintain agreed financial ratios talks lessors attempt restructure lease obligations equitorial default two oblitations connection purchase lease transponders result cross default provisions equatorial signed memorandum understanding for contel corp ctc purchase mln dlrs equatorial master earth stations micro earth stations and associated equipment and loan equatorial six mln dlrs six month period for repayment starting december company conteol agreement assume portion equatorial rights and obligations galaxy iii transponder lease burnham leasing occurrence events equatorial grant contel option buy common shares dlrs each equatorial understandings contel subject equatorial ability restructure significant portion obligations and obtain concessions lenders and lessors galaxy iii transponder lease hopes finalize contel agreement april equatorial earned dlrs dlr gain early debt retirement revenues mln dlrs for months company lost dlrs revenues mln dlrs compared dlr profit early retirement gain revenues mln dlrs reuter 
earn	transamerica australian sale gain transamerica corp will tax gain mln dlrs sale occidental life insurance australia affiliate pratt and financial services pty melbourne for mln australian dlrs sale announced earlier today australia proceeds will used enhance growth north american operations transamerica occidental life subsidiary company reuter 
acq	viacom international inc gets another national amusements bid 
earn	woolworth qtr jan net shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales billion billion avg shrs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales billion billion avg shrs mln mln note share data restated reflect two for stock split reuter 
trade	asks japan end agriculture import controls japan eliminate import controls agricultural products years visiting secretary state for economic affairs allen wallis told eishiro saito chairman federation economic organisations keidanren spokesman for keidanren spokesman quoted wallis drastic measures needed stave protectionist legislation congress wallis attending sub cabinet level bilateral trade meeting made remark yesterday talks saito wallis quoted reagan administration japanese cooperation white house can ensure trade bill moderate containing retaliatory measures antagonising country quoted pleased japan halve restrictions agricultural imports years country cannot cope abolition spokesman japan restricts imports agricultural products ban rice imports triggered recent complaints japan agricultural policy reuter 
earn	firstcorp fcr sees gain condemnation firstcorp inc weill report tax gain dlrs cts per share primary and cts fully diluted proposed condemnation and acquisition parking deck operates wake county company reinvested proceeds similar property months gain sale deferred for tax purposes reuter 
earn	national sea products qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln year oper shr dlrs cts oper net revs mln mln note qtr excludes extraordinary gain dlrs cts share versus extraordinary loss dlrs shr nil qtr note continued year excludes extraordinary gain dlrs cts share versus extraordinary gain dlrs cts share prior year reuter 
acq	national amusements ups viacom bid viacom international inc national amusements inc raised offer for viacom publicly held stock company special committee board plans meet today this offer and submitted march mcv holdings inc spokeswoman unable committee met planned yesterday viacom national amusements arsenal holdings inc subsidiary raised amount cash offering for each viacom share cts dlrs fraction share exchangeable arsenal holdings preferred included raised cts dlrs national amusements owns pct viacom stock reuter 
earn	national fsi inc nfsi qtr loss shr loss six cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note year figures pro forma for purchase accounting adjustments resulting march reeacquisition company original shareholders august initial public offering reuter 
earn	precambrian shield resources year loss shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note shr and net include dlr writedown operations uneconomic coal operations and mineral properties reuter 
earn	grease monkey holding corp gmhc year nov shr nil nil net revs reuter 
earn	acceptance insurance holdings inc acpt year oper shr profit dlrs loss dlrs oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs note net excludes realized investment gains dlrs dlrs net excludes dlr tax credit reuter 
earn	minstar inc mnst qtr net oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note operating net loss excludes income discontinued operations equal cts quarter and cts year compared dlrs quarter and dlrs respective periods operating net loss excludes extraordinary charges cts quarter and cts year operating net profit excludes extraordinary gain cts reuter 
earn	mark resources inc year loss shr not loss mln revs mln note prior year results not results include accounts pct owned precambrian shield resources acquired november reuter 
earn	transform logic toog revises results downward transform logic corp revised downward previously reported fourth quarter and year ended october results reflect compensation expense for employee stock options company resolution this disagreement auditors result securities and exchange commission involvement company will amend option granting procedure conform sec decision will eliminate future charges added transform fourth quarter profit revised dlrs two cts share previously reported dlrs left company fiscal loss dlrs two cts share reported dlrs profit reuter 
earn	american stores asc sees lower year net american stores expects report earnings per share dlrs per share sales slightly billion dlrs for year ended january supermarket chain earned dlrs per share sales billion dlrs last year company not elaborate reuter 
earn	kasler corp kasl qtr jan net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln reuter 
earn	unilever improved margins volumes unilever plc and group reported improvements margins and underlying sales volume growth pct stripping effects falling prices disposals and currency movements unilever plc chairman michael angus told reporters that volumes north america increased pct european consumer goods rose pct flat for years disposal strategy aimed concentrating activities core businesses had completed noted process acquisitions strategic acquisitions taking place time time company earlier reported pct rise pre tax profits for billion stg mln previously guilder terms profits pre tax level dropped pct billion billion angus recent purchase chesebrough pond inc cbm for dlrs share bring earnings dilution not add profits company operating profits paying for acquisition costs finance director niall fitzgerald added that gearing debt equity debt rose pct end pct last year this expected drop back pct end divergence made full year dividend unilever rising pct guilders and unilever plc increasing pct approximately line change attributable profit angus prospectus for sale parts chesebrough due published shortly that target date for completing process declined sort sum unilever hoped realise operation noting that chesebrough had paid billion dlrs for stauffer chemical operates unilever core activities organic growth lipton foods business considerable expansion household products business and margarine had sales increase noted that household products business had turned planned loss fourth quarter performance expected despite anticipated heavy launch costs surf detergents reuter 
acq	sara lee sle buy pct dim sara lee corp agreed buy pct interest paris based dim subsidiary bic cost mln dlrs dim hosiery manufacturer had sales mln dlrs investment includes purchase newly issued dim shares valued mln dlrs and loan mln dlrs loan convertible into additional dim shares noted proposed agreement subject approval french government reuter 
trade	china calls for trade deal china called united states remove curbs exports give favourable trading status and ease restrictions exports high technology embassy replied that chinese figures showing years trade deficits last inaccurate and peking persuade congress change laws limit exports official international business newspaper today published china demands editorial coincide visit secretary state george shultz extremely important that market reduce restrictions chinese imports provide needed facilities for and businessmen sides expand chinese exports editorial quickly discard prejudice favourable tariff treatment for chinese goods and admit china into generalised system preference gsp despite easing curbs technology exports recent years control extremely strict and influences normal trade two countries added paper printed article china commercial counsellor washington embassy chen shibiao that kinds difficulties and restrictions preventing bilateral trade fulfilling full potential named protectionist behaviour curbs technology transfer and date trade legislation reuter 
lei	commerce secretary export rise needed commerce secretary malcolm baldrige release sharply lower january leading indicator index that pickup exports needed tonic for economy pickup net exports statement department reported index fell pct january december sharpest drop since pct fall july main reasons for january decline pct december rise declines building permits orders for plant and equipment and for consumer and industrial goods reuter 
earn	precambrian shield takes mln dlr writedown precambrian shield resources earlier reporting large loss year ago profit loss due dlr writedown operations uneconomic coal and mineral properties precambrian pct owned mark resources inc writedown accordance canadian insititute chartered accountants guidelines for full cost method accounting oil and gas companies precambrian earlier reported loss mln dlrs compared profit mln dlrs prior year reuter 
acq	scott hospitality acquires capital food scott hospitality inc acquired issued shares capital food services ottawa terms not disclosed scott capital food had sales mln dlrs and will continue operate present name existing management capital food food services ottawa institutions company reuter 
coffee	zimbabwe coffee output set rise zimbabwean coffee output will reach tonnes this year tonnes produced commercial coffee growers association administrative executive robin taylor told domestic news agency ziana that zimbabwe earned equivalent mln dlrs coffee exports last year not country earn taylor commercial coffee growers association had increased production tonnes tonnes reuter 
acq	video display vide sell cable unit video display corfp reached tentiative agreement sell existing cable television business for undisclosed terms and expects report gain transaction buyer not named company will redeploy service assets into manufacturing and distribution operations sold accounted for pct revenues for year ended february and lost money reuter 
earn	intek diversified corp idcc qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr cts cts net revs mln reuter 
housing	single family home sales fell pct jan revised pct dec gain 
housing	home sales fell pct january sales single family homes united states fell pct january december seasonally adjusted annual rate units commerce department department revised downward december sales pct rise units previously reported pct increase january decline sales largest since last october sales fell pct seasonal adjustment number homes sold january december january january fall brought home sales level pct below january seasonally adjusted units average price record dlrs surpassing previous record price set december median price home january reached dlrs time price exceeded dlrs that compared median price dlrs december and dlrs january year ago homes market january totaled seasonally adjusted units unchanged december and equal months supply supply december months reuter 
acq	community bank cbsi make acquisition community bank system inc entered into definitive agreement acquire nichols community bank for dlrs common stock subject approval nichols shareholders and regulatory authorities transaction expected completed this year reuter 
jobs	belgian unemployment falls february belgian unemployment based number jobless drawing unemployment benefit fell pct working population end february pct end january national statistics office rate compares pct end february total number jobless stood compared end january and end february statistics office reuter 
earn	pharmacia phab year sales billion crowns billion profit financial items mln crowns mln results include once writedown mln crowns for intangible assets paid for takeover number high tech companies group pharmacia earnings per share real tax including writedown crowns crowns earnings per share real tax not including writedown crowns earnings per american depository receipt adr accounting principles real tax including writedown crowns crowns earnings per adr accounting principles real tax writedown crowns adr represents pct free share pharmacia board proposed dividend crowns reuter 
earn	pharmacia forecasts higher earnings pharmacia phab forecast earnings financial items billion crowns mln last year condition that exchange rates remained present parities sales such circumstances six billion crowns billion weakening dollar responsible for pct negative impact sales company blamed currency movements last year results badly hit once writedown mln crowns for intangible assets company this represented premium group had paid for high tech firms had accounts showed financial deficit billion crowns deficit mln covered partly drawing company liquidity mln billion and partly increasing borrowing billion mln pharmacia financial deficit caused used funds generated group operations billion paid cash for shares lkb produkter and assets intermedics intraocular inc reuter 
gnp	canada real qtr gdp rose pct qtr pct rise official 
bop	canada qtr current account deficit billion dlrs qtr billion deficit official 
ship	mclean industries mii unit transers service mclean industries inc shipping subsidiary united states lines inc reached agreement principle transfer south american service american transport lines inc subsidiary crowley maritime corp terms agreement united states lines will lease vessels american transport for months option extend period years company return lines will receive fixed payment and percentage revenues for years and possibly long american transport utilizes vessels and conducts trade south america company companies will consummate transactions required approvals obtained mclean reuter 
gnp	canada december gdp pct november pct fall official 
earn	federal savings ffkz year net shr cts dlr net assets mln mln deposits mln mln loans mln mln qtly div six cts six cts prior qtr pay april record march note net includes charges accounting time expenses associated proxy contest and increase loan reserves federal savings and loan association kalamazoo full name company reuter 
earn	toll brothers inc tol qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln note amts reflect for stock split company common form pct stock dividend paid feb reuter 
earn	pillsbury psy votes quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr pay record reuter 
earn	berkshire gas bgas pays regular qtlry div qtrly div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
gnp	canada gdp rises pct canada real gross domestic product seasonally adjusted rose pct fourth quarter growth previous quarter statistics canada that left growth for full year pct pct increase rise slightly below pct growth rate finance minister michael wilson predicted for february budget forecast gdp rise pct statistics canada final domestic demand rose pct final months year pct gain quarter business investment plant and equipment rose pct fourth quarter partly reversing cumulative drop pct two previous quarters reuter 
earn	charming shoppes inc chrs qtr jan net shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln year shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	pansophic systems pns splits stock for pansophic systems inc will split stock two for effective april two shareholders record march will pay six cts per share dividend pre split shares regular quarterly dividend april two shareholders record march reuter 
gold	lac lac intersects gold doyon mine lac minerals and cambior inc completed second hole jointly owned doyon mine quebec showed two significant gold intersections intersection graded ounce gold short ton feet depth feet graded ounce gold ton feet feet companies hole feet east previously reported hole drilling another hole feet west drill hole and expected report results late march early april reuter 
acq	calmar clmi seeks acquired kebo calmar inc keboo sweden owns pct calmark approved acquisition remaining calmar shares dlrs cash request calmar board calmar special meeting board will held march form special committee directors not affiliated kebo evaluate transaction kebo turn pct owned investment beijar sweden reuter 
acq	italy bnl negotiating purchase german bank italy state owned banca nazionale del lavoro bnl negotiating buy west german bank part foreign expansion policy bnl president nerio nesi told news conference italian bank involved talks declined name german institution takeover move bnl reply deutsche bank dbkg entered italian market december purchase bankamerica bacn subsidiary banca america italia nesi bnl had approved mln dlr credit line soviet union aimed enabling soviet companies pay for italian imports gave details bnl officials group had decided increase activities soviet union opening representative office moscow this month subsidiary sogecred specialises italian soviet trade reuter 
zinc	killed south africa zinc refinery clash black workers killed and injured fighting south african zinc refinery last night gold fields south africa company two groups workers began attacking each local time machetes knives and sticks hostel zincor plant kms east johannesburg fighting quelled minutes security staff police called fighting had ended time arrived company spokesman had idea fighting investigation underway reuter 
interest	fed expected add temporary reserves federal reserve expected enter government securities market add temporary reserves economists expect supply reserves indirectly arranging two billion dlrs customer repurchase agreements fed add reserves directly system repurchases federal funds averaged pct yesterday opened pct and stayed early trading analysts rate upward pressure partly settlement billion dlrs year treasury notes reuter 
ipi	industry output growth slows european community industrial output increased average two pct last year compared pct growth recorded year earlier statistics office eurostat growth highest portugal pct greece output contracted pct eurostat statement eurostat noted output growth fell and japan production increased pct pct japan output contracted pct rising pct year earlier eurostat industrial production december rose pct compared months earlier added that adjustment for seasonal factors output growth had slowing since beginning summe reuter 
earn	lsb industries inc lsb qtr net shr profit cts loss dlrs net profit loss mln revs mln mln avg shrs mths shr profit cts loss dlrs net profit loss mln revs mln mln avg shrs note primary earnings per share based weighted average number common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding each period accounting for preferred stock dividends qtr and year includes provision for restructuring costs related sale energy business and parts bearing business qtr and year includes charges and for restructuring costs and operating losses charged previously provided accruals for restructuring costs qtr and year includes deferred income taxes and year net includes operations friedrich climate master inc company acquired august for full period comparable period for includes operations august dec qtr includes extraodinary tax gain early extinquishment drafts payable reuter 
gold	gold detected doyon mine lac minerals and cambior inc completed second hole jointly owned doyon mine quebec showed two significant gold intersections intersection graded ounce gold per short ton feet depth feet graded ounce gold per ton feet feet companies hole feet east previously reported hole another hole drilled feet west drill hole and results expected late march early april reuter 
earn	gulf resources and chemical corp gre qtr oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit revs mln mln year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln notes operating net excludes loss dlrs cts share loss dlrs dlrs share quarter and loss dlrs cts share profit dlrs dlrs share discontinued operations loss discontinued operations includes mln dlrs charge equal cts share provide for additional liabilities resulting closure lead zinc and silver mining smelting and refining business year operating net includes pre tax gain mln dlrs equal cts share pension plan termination and gain mln dlrs cts share reduction deferred taxes effective jan company changed oil and gas accounting successful efforts full cost increasing year net mln dlrs cts share and increasing loss mln dlrs cts share cumulative effect change decrease retained earnings dec mln dlrs reuter 
coffee	coffee talks collapse eases for bill collapse international coffee organization ico talks export quotas yesterday removes reinstate legislation allowing customs service monitor coffee imports analysts reagan administration proposed trade legislation offered congress last month that authority monitor coffee imports resumed that authority lapsed september bill introduced rep frank guarini failure ico talks london reach agreement export quotas means legislation not immediately needed analyst earlier supporters coffee bill hoped passed congress quickly you hard time convincing congress this urgent issue coffee analyst reuter 
earn	pansophic systems inc pns qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
money-fx	treasury official urges currency reforms treasury official fred bergsten exchange rate system needed replace fixed and flexible exchange rate systems had not worked prefer move target zones major countries determine ranges pct pledge hold exchange rates direct intervention and monetary and policies bergsten director institute for international economics statement house banking subcommittee substantial correction exchange rate that occurred since early enormously and produce sizeable reduction trade deficit this year and imbalance will not fall below billion dlrs present policies needed reuter 
earn	knutson mortgage corp knmc sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	ford motor canada qtr shr dlrs cts 
earn	ausimont compo aus qtr net shr cts cts net mln sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln note translated italian lire dollar reuter 
acq	norton nrt sell south african operations norton agreed sell remaining south african business norton pty global mining and industrial corp south africa for undisclosed terms company unit accounts for two pct norton revenues and sold growing societal pressures united states and unsettled situation south africa had required disproportionate amount management tiome oversee norton unit profitable norton will provide south afrcian unit future technical support and products makde that agreement will continue marketed norton trademark reuter 
bop	canada current account deficit quarter canada current account deficit widened seasonally adjusted billion dlrs fourth quarter deficit billion dlrs statistics canada shortfall for full year rose billion dlrs mln dlr deficit federal agency agency rise merchandise surplus billion dlrs billion dlrs quarter offset high deficits servicies and investment total merchandise deficit grew billion dlrs billion dlrs current account deficit mln dlrs fourth quarter capital account not seasonally adjusted total net inflow billion dlrs fourth quarter net inflow billion dlrs quarter quarter total net capital inflow rose billion dlrs billion dlr reuter 
earn	home federal rockies hrok qtr loss shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit year shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit note home federal savings and loan association rockies net includes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs year net includes pretax loan loss provisions dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year reuter 
gnp	canada december gdp gains pct canada gross domestic product industry rose seasonally adjusted pct december largest monthly gain since april statistics canada gdp fell pct november pct december level federal agency output goods producing industries rose pct month virtually growth occurring manufacturing and mining services producing industries expanded pct reuter 
acq	saatchi and saatchi buys cleveland consulting advertising agents saatchi and saatchi plc sachy buying cleveland consulting associates inc for initial consideration mln dlrs additional payments made annually year ending march bring total consideration pct cleveland average post tax profits last two years period purchase cleveland step saatchi and saatchi fast growing consulting industry company consulting operations provide platform for major future expansion for months ended march cleveland had dlrs pretax profits and forecasts mln for saatchi and saatchi annual meeting today company reported strong start current year profits sharply higher period last year saatchi and saatchi shares rose pence cleveland announcement yesterday close reuter 
acq	unilever chesebrough offers sell bass chesebrough pond inc recently acquired unit unilever offering sell bass shoe division result ongoing evaluation long term direction businesses diversified maker health and beauty aids acquired falmouth maine based bass and company reported annual sales mln dlrs bass for high quality casual shoes chesebrough bass sales exceeded mln dlrs reuter 
earn	continental gic sees net tax law continental corp fresh start provision tax reform act add earnings per share insurance holding company had net earnings mln dlrs per share john loynes continental chief financial officer fresh start provision allowed company discount opening tax reserves january released deferred taxes into earnings loynes provision potential benefit decline gradually years time continental will pay mln mln dlrs taxes loynes added higher taxes not expecetd significant impact earnings reuter 
earn	ford motor canada qtr net shr dlrs cts net mln mln revs billion billion year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion note pct owned ford motor reuter 
earn	royal bank canada qtr shr cts dlrs 
earn	anitec image technology corp antc qtr net shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln half shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln note share adjusted for for two october stock split reuter 
earn	dasa corp dasa year net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln reuter 
acq	group trims material sciences msc stake investor group led central national gottesman inc york investment firm and executive vice president edgar wachenheim cut stake material sciences corp pct filing securities and exchange commission group sold material sciences common shares feb and prices ranging dlrs share leaving shares pct long group stake remains below pct not required disclose dealings material sciences common stock reuter 
interest	fed sets billion dlr customer repurchase fed 
earn	adc telecommunications inc adct qtr net periods ended jan shr cts cts net sales mln mln backlog mln mln reuter 
acq	tylan corp tyln sell furnace product line tylan corp aid retained investment banking firm kahn and harris sell furnace product line company contacted potential buyers tylan furnace product shipments represented mln dlrs company total net sales mln dlrs reuter 
earn	royal bank canada qtr jan net shr basic cts dlrs shr diluted cts dlrs net avg shrs mln mln loans billion billion deposits billion billion assets billion billion reuter 
interest	fed adds reserves customer repurchases federal reserve entered government securities market arrange billion dlrs customer repurchase agreements fed spokesman dealers federal funds trading pct fed began temporary and indirect supply reserves banking system reuter 
earn	supradur cos inc supd year net oper shr dlrs cts oper net sales mln mln note net excludes discontinued operations gain dlrs loss dlrs reuter 
earn	wallace computer services inc wcs qtr net shr cts cts net sales mln mln six mths shr dlrs dlrs net sales mln mln note periods end january and reuter 
earn	american vanguard corp amgd year net shr cts cts net sales mln mln note qtr data not reuter 
earn	north american biologicals inc nbio qtr oper shr cts oper net revs mln avg shrs mln mln year oper shr six cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs mln note net excludes tax credits dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year reuter 
earn	omnicom group inc omcm qtr net shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln mths shr loss cts profit dlrs net loss profit revs mln mln note qtr ended company recognized expenses for restructing combined operations bbdo doyle dane bernbach and needham harper worldwide august tax gains relate primarily conosolidation and elimination duplicate facilities and staff for year provisions for mergers and restructuring expenses brought recurring expenses tax gains represented merger costs and related restructuring combine operations reuter 
earn	correction ashton tate item torrance calif item ashton tate tate qtr net read quarter average shares mln not mln reuter 
cpi	chilean consumer prices rise pct february chile consumer price index rose pct february december equals increases pct january and pct february government national statistics institute inflation measured index rose pct months end february compared pct last month and pct end february two months year inflation pct pct period reuter 
copper	copper study group considered geneva meeting major copper producing and consuming countries proposal set study group review world copper market delegates initiative introduced last december meeting held auspices united nations conference trade and development unctad world largest copper consumer and second biggest producer chile proposed setting body improve statistics and market transparency copper economy and provide forum for discussion body not aim negotiating measures stabilise depressed world prices this week meeting began yesterday due end friday reuter 
earn	royal bank canada sees higher loan losses royal bank canada estimates loan losses billion dlrs mln dlr increase last year royal bank set provisions continued debt servicing problems north american energy industry and uncertain outlook for energy prices and continued add general provisions for loans troubled borrower countries bank loan loss provision for quarter ended january rose mln dlrs mln dlrs year ago quarter bank accrual loans net provisions for loan losses totalled billion dlrs january billion dlrs year ago reporting lower quarter earnings chairman allan taylor problems credit quality loans associated energy sector continue substantial adverse effect bank earnings taylor profitability bank international operations remains weak reflecting resource related difficulties private and public sector borrowers and unsatisfactory results capital market activities taylor premature speculate outcome debt resturcturing negotiations brazil potential impact royal bank bank earlier reported quarter profit fell mln dlrs mln dlrs year ago reuter 
acq	pantera pant and pizza pza agree merge pantera corp agreed principle acquire pizza inn inc cash and stock transaction terms proposed transaction each pizza inn share can exchanged for dlrs cash lesser shares pantera common stock dlrs market pantera stock dlrs cash unit consisting share pantera stock and transferrable receive share pantera stock conditions completion transaction subject arrangement financing negotiation definitive agreement and regulatory approvals pantera pizza inn largest shareholder spillman previously granted pantera option buy mln shares pizza inn common stock owned pantera retained drexel burnham lambert inc act financial advisor connection merger pizza inn retained dean witter reynolds inc act financial advisor pantera yesterday pantera stock closed dlrs nasdaq pizza inn stock quoted dlrs amex halted trading pending announcement proposed merger dallas headquarters pizza inn completion transaction subject conditions including that price pantera stock average not dlrs trading days merger agreement pizza inn will permitted complete leveraged buyout agreement pizza inn acquiring corp approved shareholders subject otaining financing 
iron-steel	nigeria guinea set iron ore firm liberia nigeria and guinea agreed set company liberia carry year mifergui nimba iron ore project official communique communique issued two days talks guinean natural resources minister ousmane sylla and nigerian minister mines and power bunu sheriff musa originally guinea held pct project and nigeria pct firms countries involved project ran into problems funding and slump world iron ore markets musa liberia invited join and share will decided project feasibility study this completed finance will sought officials study will undertaken world bank expected give financial support production originally estimated mln tonnes year will mln initially and expected begin early agreement two countries prospect for uranium guinea communique musa and sylla agreed that poor market conditions extended cover exploration for gold diamonds cobalt nickel and silver reuter 
earn	distributed logic corp dlog qtr loss qtr ended jan shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs reuter 
ipi	canada industrial production pct canadian industrial production rose pct december falling pct november statistics canada federal agency year year production pct december compared decline pct november reuter 
acq	lifetime lft buy shares nippon lace lifetime corp agreed buy mln shares pct nippon lace for dlrs share mln dlrs plans enter health care business japan addition koba electronics affiliate lifetime will buy mln unissued shares pct stake nippon for mln dlrs dlrs share company ohta shoji chief executive officer toho mutual life insurance owns majority koba electronics shares toho mutual life largest shareholder nippon lace company lifetime private bank and trust zurich behalf lifetime director and shareholder terence ramsden intends subscribe for two mln shares nippon lace price paid lifetime reuter 
earn	intermedics inc itm qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note prior qtr excludes loss cts per share for discontinued operations for sale subsidiaries intermedics intraocular inc electronics inc and intermedics infusaid inc excludes qtr operating loss carryforwards qtr prior reuter 
acq	beneficial corp sell insurance unit removing company insurance business 
earn	ford canada cuts annual dividend six dlrs six dlrs cash share 
earn	paine webber residential realty inc pwm div qtrly cts cts pay march record march note prior qtr for two months operation october and november and represents parital dividend reuter 
earn	omnicom group omcm sets regular payout qtlry div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
earn	knutson mortgage knmc sees strong second qtr knutson mortgage corp expects strong earnings performance for initial fiscal second quarter earnings ending march since public september albert holderson knutson chairman expects earnings cts per share for quarter result strong mortgage business quarter knutson earlier declared quarterly dividend cts share versus cts share prior payable april shareholders record march reuter 
reserves	danish reserves rise february denmark net official reserves rose billion crowns february billion january revised billion february central bank monthly balance sheet report total net reserves including reserves held commercial and major savings banks rose billion crowns billion january compared revised billion february last year bank provisional figures showed net registered private and public capital imports billion crowns february reuter 
earn	intermedics inc itm qtr feb net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln note current qtr oper net excludes operating loss carryforward cts per share qtr oper net excludes loss carryforward dlrs per share and loss discontinued operations dlrs reuter 
earn	carme inc qtr jan net shr cts net sales six mths shr cts cts net sales reuter 
earn	willcox and gibbs inc qtr net shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln note net includes extraordinary gain mln dlrs cts per share qtr and mln dlrs for year reuter 
earn	omnicom group inc omcm qtr net shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit mln revs mln mln qtly div cts cts avg shrs mln mln year shr loss cts profit dlrs net loss profit mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note qtly div payable april six holders record march qtr and year net includes charge mln dlrs and mln dlrs for corporate restructuring reuter 
earn	ford motor canada cuts annual div annual div six dlrs dlrs prior pay march record march note payout includes two dlrs share extra dividend payout includes dlrs share extra dividend reuter 
copper	total copper stocks lower january total copper stocks held rod mills and refiners including wirebars cathodes scrap rod and process material dropped lbs end january lbs end december american bureau metal statistics rod stocks held refiners and rod mills decreased lbs january lbs december cathode inventories rod mills fell lbs january lbs december wirebar stocks lower lbs versus lbs december december rod mill wirebar use doubled lbs january lbs december cathode use mills and refiners increased lbs january lbs december reuter 
earn	united healthcare corp unih qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs year shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs note net income includes extraordinary profit recognition tax loss carryforward dlrs six cts share year and dlrs cts share periods reuter 
earn	raytech corp ray qtr dec net shr profit cts loss dlrs net profit loss revs mln mln year shr profit dlrs loss dlrs net profit loss mln revs mln mln note qtr and includes loss carryfoward dlrs and dlrs reuter 
earn	datamag inc dmag qtr dec loss net loss profit sales note per share data not company public january reuter 
earn	royal bank sees improved results royal bank canada reporting pct drop quarter earnings expects report improved results future earnings periods healthy consumer credit growth record fee based income highly profitable securities and foreign exchange trading and solid capital position combined restraint interest expenses lead improved results periods ahead chairman allan taylor statement bank earlier reported profit for quarter ended january fell mln dlrs mln dlrs year ago taylor loans energy sector continue substantially hurt earnings profitability bank international operations remains weak reflecting resource related difficulties private and public sector borrowers and unsatisfactory results capital market activities bank earnings domestic operations rose mln dlrs quarter mln dlrs year ago earnings international operations plunged mln dlrs mln dlrs last year royal bank quarter international net interest income declined last year reflecting reduced revenues international investment banking significant loss disposal affiliate trinidad and tobago income rose mln dlrs mln dlrs last year rise due higher commercial banking and retail deposit service fees and higher foreign exchange revenue lower securities commissions international investment bank operations partly offset gains royal bank bank two billion dlr increase total assets billion dlrs due continued growth consumer lending residential mortgages reuter 
trade	belgian react textile bill belgian foreign trade minister herman croo congress passed legislation curbing world textile imports european community react retaliate croo news conference you limit textile imports you will orient textiles europe and that trigger taxes goods congress passed textile bill two years ago vetoed president reagan grounds that curbing imports protect domestic textile industry trigger retaliation trading partners similar bill introducted this year congress bigger democratic majority and president weakened iran scandal croo for talks administration officials and congressmen textile bill passed react retaliation and retaliation not good deal problems textile bill enacted will impose taxes lot american products stupid avoid that congressmen upset mosty japan massive trade suprlus united states and not nations nations will hurt diverted shipments asian textiles croo criticized officials solve trade issues each time come contact conflict contact clouts coming fom west crisis atmosphere officials cross atlantic and dramatized headlines this not work two big powers croo reuter 
earn	kay corp kay qtr net oper shr cts dlrs oper net revs mln mln year oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net revs mln mln note oper net excludes results kay jewelers inc subsidiary dec company distributed remaining pct interest subsidiary kay corp holders amts restated connection company distribution investment kay jewelers inc qtr and oper net excludes dlrs dlrs per share and dlrs dlrs per share for equity net income spun unit qtr and oper net excludes dlrs dlrs per share and dlrs dlrs per share for equity net earnings spun unit oper net excludes cts per share for adoption pension accounting rules and ine cts per share for gain assets sales reuter 
trade	rostenkowski will oppose protectionist trade bill house 
earn	pantasote inc pnt qtr loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss sales mln mln year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales mln mln note net excludes extraordinary charges provision for roofing products warranties and costs sale printing laminate division dlrs mln dlrs quarter and dlrs mln dlrs year net excludes tax credits dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year reuter 
trade	rostenkowski opposes protectionist trade bill house ways and means committee chairman dan rostenkowski congress avoid temptation pass protectionist trade bill this year remarks prepared for delivery national press club rostenkowski ill predicted major trade legislation will president reagan end this year warned that conciliatory message trade bill not mean oppose proposal that warn countries access american market curtailed opened markets goods complaints foreign trade restraints not smoke screen for protectionism plea for fairness rostenkowski reasonable nations that denied access open return for continued freedom american market added likely market access proposal plan cleared house last year that plan set specific time table for foreign countries ease import restraints face pct cut exports united states reuter 
acq	imtec imtc gets merger offer imtec inc shareholders computer identics inc cidn proposed merger two companies company shareholders had previously expressed dissatisfaction computer identics management and had informed computer identics that present board longer had support majority shares held shareholders had called for resignation computer identics directors and suggested that board pursue merger talks imtec imtec merger talks havew place reuter 
earn	kay jewelers inc kji qtr net shr dlrs dlrs net mln revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
coffee	ico pact autumn italian adviser prospects international coffee organization ico reaching agreement coffee export quotas september dim alberto hesse president european coffee federation real goodwill delegations quotas hesse advises italian foreign affairs ministry coffee issues told reuters declined name delegations special meeting importing and exporting countries ended deadlock late yesterday days talks set quotas ico executive board will meet march april full council not due meet september not optimistic agreement hesse reuter 
earn	wall street stocks anacomp inc aac anacomp inc actively traded nyse issues rose today analyst expected earnings boosted planned acquisition micrographics company anacomp rose volume shares trading high earlier howard harlow analyst whale securities corp anacomp earnings for fiscal ending september doubled cts share cts share had forecast anacomp agreed buy datagraphix micrographics firm general dynamics corp company can earn cts share fiscal dlr share datagraphix harlow benefit will fourth qtr will integrate company second half anacomp earnings will problems integrating datagraphix harlow spokesman anacomp company expects complete deal for datagraphix this month not will pay for datagraphix noted that datagraphix contributed mln dlrs earnings general dynamics revenues mln dlrs harlow fellow analyst whale securities estimates that anacomp will pay mln dlrs mln dlrs for datagraphix estimates street narrow mln dlrs and mln dlrs harlow added anacomp reported net mln dlrs cts share qtr ended december dlrs share anacomp fiscal earned dlrs cts share whale securities recommends buying stock harlow reuter 
acq	corrected lifetime lft buy nippon lace sahres lifetime corp agreed buy mln shares pct nippon lace for dlrs share mln dlrs plans enter health care business japan addition koba electronics affiliate nippon will buy mln unissued shares pct stake lifetime for mln dlrs dlrs share corrects show nippon affiliate koba buying stake lifetime reuter 
trade	exports body gets executive director export credits guarantee department named malcolm stephens director export finance barclay bank plc and career civil servant ecgd for years post executive director department spokesman stephens replaces jack gill retiring early aged drop ecgd business volume and rise debt exchequer led criticism parliament recent years stephens fall business volume top convern adding that department compete aggressively private insurance firms providing similar services department annual report for year ended march showed exports insured department fell billion stg billion year debt exchequer almost doubled mln stg stephens had specific list chief concerns weakened condition lesser developed countries and ability pay for imports agency will review policies insuring export credits lesser credits country country basis large lump political risk insurance sort thing want you forward you simply peak and trough situation long term thing stephens response qustion whether ecgd will strike countries list political risk insurance recipients noted that countries removed list reuter 
veg-oil	oils fats stocks falling sharply visible stocks oils and fats peaking and likely fall sharply october this year oil world newsletter oil world forecast that stocks oils and fats cut mln tonnes end this season compared mln year earlier survey covered oils soy cotton groundnut sun rape sesame corn olive coconut palmkernel palm lin and castor and animal oils and fats butter fish oil lard and tallow greases oil world analysis predicted slight production increase mln tonnes year end september compared increases mln and mln tonnes previous two seasons world consumption continuing rise unusually low prices prevailing since early had stimulated demand for food and food purposes world consumption increase record mln tonnes mln tonnes this season and even higher indian government not artificially curb domestic demand oil world not expect european community introduce vegetable oils tax such tax introduced negative impact consumption reuter 
coffee	colombia traders coffee strategy vital coffee producing countries quickly map fresh common strategy failure international coffee organization ico reach agreement export quotas gilberto arango president colombia private coffee exporters association arango told reuters that intelligent thing seek unifying stand producers including brazil order map strategy defend prices ico special meeting ended last night london exporting and consuming nations failing agree resumption export quotas suspended year ago prices soared prolonged drought brazil arango imminent catastrophe predicted that short term prices undoubtedly plummet market into account evident factors such brazil low stocks and sale totality central american crop trade sources colombia coffee today quoted dlrs york second lowest price past years cardenas countries apparently fail understand true impact such failure for coffee producing nations for industrialized countries difficult that efforts made solve problem developing world external debt decisions cut earnings used for repaying debts colombia case watch consternation that effectively combat drug trafficking countries support this fight seek cut jugular vein cardenas reuter 
acq	tender loving tlci staff staf extend pact tender loving care health care services inc and staff buildiers inc extended term merger agreement tender loving care norrell corp agreed not acquire additional staff builders shares september adding norrell paid dlrs for standstill arrangement tender loving care agreed buy staff builders common held norrell pct outstanding for dlrs immediately prior consummation merger tender loving care extended merger agreement continues provide for exchange shares for each staff builders share outstanding announced february staff builders shareholders meeting vote merger originally convened and adjourned december will reconvened april tender loving care payment norrell will include dlrs cash and mln dlrs series pct tender loving care convertible preferred tender loving care and staff builders filed revised registration and proxy statement securities and exchange commission clearance revised proxy statement commission and distribution staff builders shareholders that company management will continue solicit proxies for approval merger tender loving care will power vote pct staff builders shares adjourned meeting spokesman explaining that this represents proxies held norrell started buying stock record date for meeting addition staff builders officers and directors pct stock and agreed vote favor merger accordingly vote additional pct outstanding shares will required approve merger tender loving care reuter 
sugar	colombia sell sugar london traders colombia holding snap selling tender tonight for cargo world market raw sugar traders sugar for march april shipment and bids sought based york delivery futures contract added reuter 
acq	varian var talks philips electronics varian associates inc holding discussions philips electronics purchase philips broadcast transmission unit united kingdom pye tvt limited pye tvt designs and manufactures broadcast transmission equimpment specializing television frequencies reuter 
acq	butler btlr sell part unit butler manufacturing agreed principal sell part controls division enercon data corp minneapolis terms sale not disclosed transaction expected closed march involves controls division energy management and power line carrier product lines butler costs associated sale included restructuring charge last year fourth quarter and will effect earnings reuter 
earn	fertility and genetics research baby qtr periods ended december shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs reuter 
trade	rostenkowski reluctant back tax hike house ways and means committee chairman dan rostenkowski reluctant back tax increase not president reagan support told national press club luncheon number tax proposals that debated reagan sought tax increase balance budget prefer leave tax rates enacted last year tax reform bill unchanged calls congress hold rates level fall year reagan proposed billion dlrs revenue part budget proposal not include general tax increases trade issues rostenkowski not expect major trade bill this year single industry for special protection individual items trade bill suicide this apparently ruled congressional approval another textile trade bill limit quotas textile imports proposed this year reuter 
acq	magellan corp sets merger balzac magellan corp entered into letter intent acquire balzac investments inc transaction that will result balzac shareholders owning pct combined company company completion merger combined company wopuld power cell inc and engaged development balzac technology related quick charge product for charging auto batteries transaction subject approval shareholders companies reuter 
earn	united cos financial corp uncf qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs year shr dlrs dlrs net mln revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	bristol myers bmy sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
acq	american aircraft corp buys private firm american aircraft corp acquired pct interest privately held hunter helicopter nevada inc purchase made for undisclosed amount american aircraft stock company acquisition will increase shareholder equity american aircraft cts per share cts per share hunter helicopter builds two passenger helicopters that retail for dlrs reuter 
earn	aid corp aidc raises quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable march record march reuter 
acq	international technology itx makes acquisition international technology corp purchased western emergency services inc pooling interests transaction international technology hazardous materials management company purchased western emergency environmental services firm offer broader range environmental services gulf coast area reuter 
earn	howden and increases dividend semi annual cts cts prior pay june record june reuter 
earn	steel inc qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs mln year oper shr dlrs cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note qtr shr and net exclude tax gain dlrs cts share versus gain dlrs dlrs share year shr and net exclude tax gain dlrs cts share versus gain dlrs dlrs share reuter 
coffee	peru coffee crop unaffected rains recent heavy rains not affected peru coffee crop and producers forward record harvest president peru coffee cooperative groups justo marin ludena president cafe peru group cooperatives accounts for pct peru exports told reuters harvest quintales kilos expected this year peru exported quintales year september spokesman for villa rica cooperative flood waters last month had not reached coffee plantations and crop unaffected floods early february caused extensive damage villa rica coffee cooperative exported quintales last year state controlled coffee organisation marin rains affect coffee crop continued month harvesting starts peruvian producers hoping for increase this year pct export quota quintales assigned international coffee organisation ico peru exported quintales ico members last year mln dlrs and another quintales valued mln dlrs ico members reuter 
earn	willcox and gibbs inc qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net sales mln mln avg shrs year oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net sales mln mln avg shrs note operating net excludes gains dlrs cts share quarter and dlrs dlrs share year tax carryforwards reuter 
earn	profit outlook aided engine order general electric biggest businesses aircraft engines will ride wave increasing profits into contract worth mln dlrs wall street analysts previously expected business peak and decline point years improved outlook results amr corp amr decision order planes powered engines creative financial footwork helped order nicholas heymann analyst drexel burnham lambert inc amr declined into detail financing arrangements for order boeing and airbus industrie twinjet long distance aircraft amr rent plane leases that operate aircraft adding debt structure amr decline delivery planes return short notice arrangement protects amr case unexpected development such severe downturn economy point view package good deal for reasons heymann will record revenue sale time delivery heymann noted and for reason amr decides not planes financial arm general electric financial services inc trouble rounding another airline that wanted fuel efficient planes deal appears pose risk for heymann stock declined shares midafternoon smith analyst smith barney harris upham and for billion dlr revenue company order will effect stock russell leavitt analyst salomon brothers inc order will maintain good level production and profitability aircraft engine business for heymann sees operating profits jet engine business rising mln dlrs last year billion dlrs revenue jet engines close six billion dlrs last year half business military sector analysts estimates rosy outlook for jet engine business coincides upbeat performance segments heymann expects earn dlrs per share quarter will suprised results believes shown acquisition rca corp that unique ability buy major business and reshape pruning parts and recombining parts elements business areas smith sees earning dlrs per share current quarter credits good results rca turn aided nbc broadcasting operation and lower interest rates leavitt sees dlrs for current quarter part crediting significant benefits rca acquisition reuter 
earn	buckhorn inc bkn qtr loss oper shr loss dlrs profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs mths oper shr loss dlrs profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs note prior qtr excludes loss cts per share for discontinued operations qtr excludes extraodinary loss excludes loss cts per share for and gain cts per share for for discontinued operations excludes loss for net for extraordinary item reuter 
earn	buckhorn inc bkn sees higher profits buckhorn inc itd million dlr backlog for orders and expensive operating environment yield significant levels operating profits for buckhorn manufacturer reusable plastic shipping and storage containers recorded dlrs per share operating net loss for buckhorn year results included recurring expense incurred complete major restructuring efforts and defend hostile tender offer ropak corporation reuter 
alum	alcan bertone make aluminum structure car alcan aluminium joined carrozzeria bertone exhibit alcan technology aluminum structured vehicles geneva international auto salon alcan and bertone built bertone sports cars structures adhesively bonded sheet aluminum bodies made presses used for bertone steel structured sports cars alcan two cars tested britain motor industry research association alcan developed and tested aluminum structure technology that suitable for modern auto making methods and plants alcan technology reduces weight car basic structure pct can improve handling and performance and reduce fuel consumption for size car structures provide long life for rust protection structure stiffness and safety present materials continuously bonded seams pct reduction spot welds alcan reuter 
earn	ccr video qtr nov net shr cts nil net sales reuter 
earn	del webb investment dwpa qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr cts cts net revs del webb investment properties inc reuter 
earn	woolworth profits rise pct specialty retailing area continues pay for woolworth once and dime store chain income rose pct fourth consecutive year profit increases for york based retailer founded years ago woolworth income rose mln dlrs dlrs per share compared profit mln dlrs per share revenues for year rose billion compared prior year billion for fourth quarter company reported profits rose pct mln dlrs dlrs per share compared fourth quarter results mln dlrs per share revenues rose billion billion dlrs roy garofalo woolworth vice president told reuters that income generated company specialty store operations accounted for pct parent company profits company specialty stores operating names woolworth plans open specialty stores this time last year operated specialty stores garofalo garofalo largest specialty chain operated woolworth kinney shoe stores richman apparel unit units folk shop chain discount children apparel stores place discount drug health and beauty aid operation and face fantasies sells cosmetics woolworth general merchandise stores operating worldwide united states harold sells chairman and chief executive woolworth statement results gratifying improvement last year record earnings sells that fourth successive year earnings each quarter improved year earlier period woolworth variety store operations hard hit and early quickly growing discount store industry attempt compete woolworth opened discount general store chain woolco and brannam discount apparel chain failures united states woolco operates canada woolworth changed strategy and announced that operate specialty stores that time company create groups such stores specialty stores generally higher sales per square foot general merchandise stores reuter 
earn	royal resources corp rrco qtr dec loss shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs six mths shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs reuter 
gnp	canada economy expected grow moderately canadian economic growth expected slow improved trade picture country recession economists economy ready for pct rate growth carl beigie chief economist dominion securities pitfield statistics canada reported that gross domestic product grew pct fourth year continuous expansion pct final quarter gdp prices and annualized rates rose slight pct expanding pct quarter essentially flat performance warren jestin deputy chief economist bank nova scotia economist wendy smith cork brokerage nesbitt thomson bongard inc shows economy not moving steadily not promising number weren surprised expected bad quarter canada don will recession added rise gdp below pct increase forecast federal finance minister michael wilson budget last month projected economy expand pct this year economists optimistic predicting growth will likely pct range statistics canada reported country trade performance deteriorated sharply last year deficit current account rose record billion canadian dlrs previous year shortfall mln dlrs sharp increase deficit originated merchandise trade transactions imports continued advance strongly exports virtually unchanged federal agency statement merchandise trade surplus pared billion dlrs billion dlrs economist cork expected upturn economy will lead increased demand for canadian goods and fuel country modest expansion pct canada exports shipped each year reuter 
acq	american aircraft buys into helicopter builder american aircraft corp acquired pct interest privately owned hunter helicopter nevada inc for undisclosed amount stock american aircraft official company option acquire remaining pct hunter helicopter business building two passenger helicopter retailing for dlrs each certified federal aviation administration helicopters will manufactured american aircraft uvalde texas plant added reuter 
earn	premier industrial corp pre regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable april record march reuter 
acq	international technology itx buys firm international technology corp purchased privately held western emergency service inc stock transaction western emergency environmental services firm annual sales and two mln dlrs compared international technology roughly mln dlr annual sales spokesman for international technology reuter 
earn	continental general insurance cgic qtr net shr cts cts net year shr cts cts net note full company name continental general insurance net includes profit sale securities dlrs cts share and dlrs cts share qtr and year and dlrs nil per share qtr net for year includes loss sale securities dlrs cts share reuter 
earn	margaux controls inc margx qtr loss shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs mths shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss mln loss revs mln note current periods include loss mln dlrs discontinued operations reuter 
earn	merchants group inc mrch qtr oper net oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss revs mln mln year oper shr dlrs loss dlrs oper net profit loss revs mln mln note qtr and oper net exclude realized investment gains dlrs and dlrs includes provision for income taxes dlrs and dlrs for periods qtr and oper net exclude dlrs cts per share and dlrs dlrs per share for net operating loss carryovers qtr and oper net exclude realized investment gains dlrs and dlrs reuter 
earn	continental general cgic sets stock dividend continental general insurance board directors declared pct stock dividend common shares payable april shareholders record march company yesterday paid quarterly cash dividend cts share unchanged previous quarter shareholders record february reuter 
earn	margaux controls inc margx qtr dec loss shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs mths shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss mln loss revs mln note net losses inlcude dlr charge discontinued operations building management system sold cetek system inc jan reuter 
acq	harris cuts stake bell industries harris associates chicago investment advisory limited partnership lowered stake bell industries inc shares pct total outstanding shares pct filing securities and exchange commission harris sold bell common shares dec and feb prices ranging dlrs each harris dealings bell stock behalf advisory clients reuter 
acq	goodyear chairman criticizes corporate raids chairman goodyear tire and rubber concern that survived recent hostile takeover bid charged that terrorists piece suits undermining nation industrial base speech meeting south florida business executives goodyear chairman robert mercer lashed corporate raiders and takeover specialists accusing causing harm companies target interest not preserving and strengthening america industrial and providing jobs product simply deals and that not product country can base future last year mercer fought takeover attempt british industrialist sir james goldsmith goodyear independence preserved high price mercer company bought back goldsmith stock for mln dlrs giving mln dlr profit goodyear paid mln dlrs for expenses and bought mln shares for two billion dlrs effort trim debt goodyear closed plants mercer believes saved sold motor wheel and aerospace units and reduced payroll pct mercer plans testify tomorrow senate hearing proposed bill control corporate raiders hostile takeovers hurt workers reuter 
earn	tiverton petroleums mths dec net shr six cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	mca inc mca sets regular qtrly payout qtrly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
grain	soviet grains entering spring shaky note soviet winter grains faulty start this spring enduring dry fall and cold winter weather and crop analysts prospects for another record grain harvest soviet union dim this point premature forecast major crop problems analysts situation bears careful watching six weeks and will ultimately impact soviet grain supply and future buying plans analysts soviet union weather standpoint you can certainty that soviets not getting good start and will lower crop last year gail martell chief meteorologist for hutton six weeks ussr grain growing areas will crucial period that will determine final outcome winter crops martell and analysts crop made broken ahead agriculture department authority ussr soviet union recently reported that mln hectares winter grain will reseeded due winterkill this equal pct total winter crop and second highest winterkill ten years usda analyst timely spring soviet farmers reseed damaged acreage spring crops analysts noted that spring crops yield lower winter crops sometimes pct lower winterkill caused inadequate snowcover combined cold temperatures this winter snowcover soviet grain areas generally excellent bulk winterkill analysts speculate likely due dry fall and subsequent poor crop germination fall dryness problem good correlation mediocre crops and fall dryness martell precipitation last fall pct normal southern and northern ukraine and below normal entire winter crop area recent cold temperatures grain areas snowcover gradually melting caused problems ice crusting and winterkill jim candor senior forecaster for accu weather livestock feed increased fall and winter analysts dry fall damaged pastures cold winter raised feed demands and late spring require longer pasture feeding soviets not desperate situation don buy grains usda official soviets worried winter crops and feel that last year huge crop mln tonnes time fluke brought perfect conditions soviet buying occur insure crop supplies bad weather six weeks push soviets back into market weather analysts lot winterkill occur month and half martell reuter 
alum	alcan close west german smelter alcan aluminium closing aluminum smelter ludwigshafen west germany this june due high operating costs alcan spokesman smelter frankfurt had annual capacity metric tons operating half that january spokesman fernand leclerc leclerc alcan decided cost modernize plant possibility company will sell smelter employs people scheduled closing reuter 
earn	royal resources corp rrco qtr dec loss shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs avg shrs half shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs avg shrs note losses include charges mln dlrs periods mln dlrs periods for write oil and gas properties reuter 
acq	hanson trust han completes kaiser purchase hanson trust plc kaiser cement shareholders today approved previously announced merger agreement making kaiser cement indirect wholly owned unit hanson trust hanson that promptly filing certificate merger kaiser cement common shares will delisted york stock exchange hanson accordance merger agreement kasier cement redeemed outstanding shares dlr convertible preferance stocks and outstanding pct convertible debentures due acquisitions total purchase price including cost financing mentioned redemptions will mln dlrs hanson reuter 
crude	oil prices rise saudi effort crude oil prices rallied today moving dlrs barrel saudi arabia determined effort support prices analysts saudis and opec nations jawboning market hoping restore confidence and prices and this another meeting sanford margoshes oil analyst shearson lehman brothers inc opec not woods longshot due seasonal declines demand and cheating added oil industry analysts saudi arabia led attempt opec members resist pressures discount official prices agreed last december analysts that hold line saudi arabia pushed hard meeting deputy oil ministers gulf cooperation council last weekend and cooperation council oil ministers meeting previous week saudis offered support members difficulty selling oil analysts make that discounts and prevent that appears that saudi arabia opec member will allocate oil sales members that lose sales margoshes added that allocations form loans repaid nations resume sales analysts this keeping line nations qatar had trouble selling oil likely that such assistance provided nigeria pressure extend discounts analysts that saudi arabia assistance opec president rilwanu lukman avoid emergency opec meeting for fear that give appearance that december pact falling apart daniel mckinley oil analyst smith barney upham harris and physical and futures markets oversold and small spark bring short covering rally believes iranian trade mission tokyo refused discounts japanese buyers brought japanese refiners into market cover short positions oil traders japanese refiner into market cargoes dubai prices mideast sours dubai trading dlrs trading yeterray low dlrs and spilled into north sea crude oil market traders that persistent rumors today that japanese buyers pick cargoes brent for japan and european trade sources indidate rumors vessels fixed make such shipments north sea brent today rose dlrs trades reported high dlrs dlr opec members denials that producing quotas sparked moves cover short postitions indonesian oil minister subroto today that opec production below mln bpd quota agreed last december gave details opec production claims mln bpd that level production quota level and largely saudi arabia will not discount and canot sell oil result margoshes analysts mixed opinions extent current rally prices can continue rise saudi arabia and opec hold steady refusal discount that despite rally today fundamental factors including demand cut rally short marion stewart indepedent petroleum economist slow growth economies and oecd demand for oil slack and estimates that demand rise pct reuter 
money-supply	treasury balances fed rose feb treasury balances federal reserve rose feb billion dlrs billion dlrs previous business day treasury latest budget statement balances tax and loan note accounts fell billion dlrs billion dlrs respective days treasury operating cash balance totaled billion dlrs feb compared billion dlrs feb reuter 
earn	kasler corp kasl qtr jan net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln reuter 
coffee	coffee fall quota talks coffee prices fall even lower bring exporting and importing countries once round negotiating table discuss export quotas ico delegates and traders failure last night international coffee organization ico producing and consuming countries agree export quotas brought sharp fall international coffee futures markets today london price reaching year low stage stg per tonne ending day stg stg previous close york price cents pressure will build producers returning ico talks sell coffee had held back hope negotiations establish quotas put floor prices senior traders ico day average price stood cents for march this compares target range cents system operating quotas suspended february last year sharp rise international prices caused drought damage brazilian crop reuter interview brazilian coffee institute ibc president jorio dauster urged producers not panic and make hard commercial decisions failed ico dauster adding time and sell coffee brazil keeping marketing options open plans make official estimate forthcoming crop month dauster difficult forecast trade sources put crop mln bags compared previous crop mln brazil defining details public selling tenders for coffee bought london futures market last year basic condition will that not back market sold minimum six months breakdown ico negotiations reflected split producers and consumers set yardstick for future quotas consumers objective criteria average exports and stocks determine producer quota shares dauster elements this proposal open negotiation consumers insisted not want return hoc settling export quotas virtual horse trading producers whilst consumers waited corridors ico dauster stocks and exports ico members and members considered setting quotas and that brazil apply coffee pact set ratio quota reflecting stock holdings simplistic misconception that brazil can dictate policy producers consumer countries participate cannot dictate quotas difficult allocate objective criteria achieve share outs quota dauster delegates open talking ico and differences not hidden bad compromise consumer delegates had not prepared accept producers offer abandon quotas proves impossible find acceptable basis for want basis quotas reflect availability and encourage stock holding alternative buffer stock supplies needed stage delegate consumers claimed producer support for consumer argument gaining momentum end ico session uncertain whether this will collapse and producers will sink differences prices fall and remain depressed ico executive board meets march april producer and consumer delegates doubt real negotiations will begin board due meet indonesia june full council scheduled for september cynical traders pressure market forces and politics debt heavy latin american producer countries bring ico members back negotiating table sooner imagine that case quotas come into force summer delegates and traders quotas october brazil dauster noted ico continued quotas clear difference pressures felt importers and exporters that consumers happy agree formula for future quotas even not imposed that show direct relationship quotas and availability contrast producers wanted stop gap quotas plug seemingly bottomless market and prepared lapse lasting agreement not found producers offering jam tomorrow failure discuss last year promises insufficient and wanted cast iron commitment consumer reuter 
earn	seaman furniture seam stock split seaman furniture inc board declared two for split company outstanding stock holders common will receive additional share for each share held march certificates representing additional shares will distributed april reuter 
earn	scott hospitality inc qtr jan net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln mths oper shr cts cts oper net mln mln revs mln mln net excludes extraordinary gain dlrs cts shr net reflects for stock split qtr and issue mln subordinate voting shares qtr reuter 
earn	telxon corp tlxn sees higher revenues telxon corp reported expects revenues for quarter ending march mln dlrs company earnings per share for period cts cts company making announcement this time response analysts fourth quarter revenues and earnings per share estimates mln mln and cts cts respecivtely raymond meyo president and chief executive officer telxon recorded revenues mln dlrs for quarter last year and earnings per share cts adjusted for for two stock split reuter 
acq	royal resources rrco sets vote sale royal resources corp board set april shareholders meeting vote sale oil and gas properties for dlrs increase authorized common mln shares mln and change company name royal gold inc company agreed sell oil and gas properties victoria exploration perth western australia royal resources sale interest two gold properties colosseum mine san bernardino county calif and camp bird mine ouray colo closed february company received mln dlrs and cancellation remaining balance due acquisition interest adding this represents mln dlrs paid for interest reuter 
earn	american vanguard corp amgd year net shr cts cts net sales mln mln note qtr figures not reuter 
earn	harper international inc hnt qtr jan shr cts cts net revs avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	witco corp wit sets regular qtly payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
crude	pancanadian sell north sea properties unit whitehall for cash 
earn	mds health group limited qtly payout qtly div six cts six cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	harper international inc hnt qtr net qtr ended jan shr cts cts net revs avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	burst agritech inc brzt year nov loss net loss loss sales reuter 
crude	api distillate stocks mln bbls gasoline crude 
alum	alcan close west german smelter alcan aluminium closing aluminum smelter ludwigshafen west germany this june due high operating costs alcan spokesman smelter frankfurt had annual capacity tonnes operating half that january spokesman fernand leclerc leclerc alcan decided cost modernize plant possibility company will sell smelter employs people scheduled closing reuter 
crude	pancanadian sell british interests pancanadian petroleum agreed sell working interest north sea properties and british unit canadian pacific oil and gas canada whitehall petroleum private british company pancanadian pct owned canadian pacific receive mln british pounds cash mln canadian dlrs closing expected two months deal subject approval regulators and partners properties consist exploration wells will retain royalty interest properties reuter 
earn	telxon txln sees slightly higher qtr net telxon corp expects per share earnings for fourth quarter ending march cts cts revenues mln dlrs mln dlrs for year ago quarter company earned cts share adjusted for for two stock split revenues mln dlrs company made earnings estimate response analysts forecasts called for per share earnings cts cts and revenues mln dlrs mln dlrs reuter 
acq	reid ashman reas divest test product unit reid ashman inc decided divest test products division located santa clara company will entertain offers march steven reid company founder and president test division made offer purchase unit company test division accounted for ten pct total revenues year ended sept and running revenue rate two mln dlrs per year reuter 
earn	pacific lighting copr plt quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay feb record jan reuter 
earn	cetec corp cec quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay record reuter 
crude	api distillate gas stocks week distillate fuel stocks held primary storage fell mln barrels week ended feb mln barrels mln previous week american petroleum institute api weekly statistical bulletin oil industry trade group gasoline stocks fell barrels mln barrels revised mln crude oil stocks rose barrels mln revised mln residual fuel stocks fell barrels mln mln barrels api refinery runs week fell mln barrels per day revised mln and refinery use operating capacity pct revised pct crude oil imports week fell mln bpd revised mln api added reuter 
earn	jones medical industries inc jmed qtr net shr six cts cts net sales avg shrs mln mln year shr cts cts net sales avg shrs mln mln reuter 
earn	maui land and pinapple inc quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay march record feb reuter 
trade	wine exports rose per cent last year exports american wine rose per cent last year total million gallons wine institute san francisco based promotional group per cent exported wine california and top markets canada japan and britain japan edged britain leading importer american wines continued second place canadian imports rose per cent million gallons japan per cent million gallons and britain per cent gallons spokesman for institute declining dollar and strong promotional efforts part california wine industry contributed significantly increased shipments wine exports valued mln dlrs mln dlrs previous year reuter 
orange	usda reduce citrus estimating program agriculture department national agricultural statistics services nass will change citrus estimate program for california and arizona starting nass will discontinue california forecasts for lemons december february march and june and for grapefruit and tangerines for months november forecasts for lemons will issued october november january april and july and for grapefruit october january april and july and for tangerines october january and april will change estimating program for california oranges arizona forecasts will dropped for lemons oranges grapefruit and tangerines november december february march and june forecasts retained october january april and july will estimating program for citrus texas florida reuter 
earn	trimac year net shr cts six cts net revs mln mln note year includes tax gain dlrs reuter 
acq	oppenheimer ups viacom stake pct oppenheimer and york brokerage firm raised stake viacom international inc equivalent shares pct total shares pct filing securities and exchange commission oppenheimer bought net viacom common shares jan and march prices ranging average dlrs each part stake options bought shares part arbitrage and investment business movie theater magnate sumner redstone and viacom management group bidding war for viacom reuter 
earn	empi inc empi qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit sales mln mln mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit sales mln mln reuter 
trade	senate panel trade measure senate agriculture committee bill tomorrow that strengthen activities agricultural trade teams selected developing countries committee staff measure sponsored committee chairman patrick leahy and sen john melcher mont establish trade teams six and persons drawn federal agencies and private voluntary organizations staff trade missions seek generate interest government food donation and commercial programs section export credit and export enhancement and return required advocate extension concessional commercial benefits interested countries trade teams made representatives agriculture department state department agency for international development and private voluntary organizations such wheat associates bill require teams six months visit countries mexico philippines indonesia india bangladesh senegal and nigeria year passage measure another countries visited peru kenya dominican republic costa rica malaysia venezuela tunisia and morocco countries added list senate staff members bill drafting stages had broad support and expected approved committee tomorrow reuter 
earn	florida public fput splits stock ups div florida public utilities board declared for two stock split common stock holders record april will receive additional share for each two shares held company raised dividend common stock two cts cts share pre split basis dividend payable april holders record march reuter 
earn	city investing trust cnvlz sets cash payout city investing liquidating trust declared cash distribution cts unit payable april unit holders record april trust last paid stock distribution general development corp gdb shares july reuter 
orange	fcoj supplies significantly year ago usda total supply frozen concentrated orange juice fcoj expected significantly year earlier levels even carry stocks below previous season agriculture department summary fruit situation report department florida imports fcoj brazil shown sharp gains date department noted price fcoj will affected final decision scheduled for april whether considers brazilian fcoj exports caused injury continuing strong demand for fresh and processing fruit coupled seasonal declines supplies mean that grower prices will remain higher this spring year earlier department stocks fresh apples cold storage beginning february moderately larger year earlier strong demand apple prices firm view strong demand and seasonally reduced supplies apple prices projected stay firm remainder supplies processed noncitrus fruit will smaller year ago movement canned fruit improved and remaining suppies for canned fruit items tight and consequence prices strengthened department reuter 
earn	florida commercial banks inc flbk dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march note quarterly dividend for prior quarter included special payout cts share reuter 
earn	timminco year net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note net excludes extraordinary gain dlrs cts shr ago gain dlrs shr reuter 
earn	united fire and casualty qtr net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss avg shrs year shr profit dlrs profit cts net profit profit avg shrs note full company name united fire and casualty net includes realized gains dlrs and dlrs qtr and year and dlrs and dlrs qtr and year results restated for for two stock split net income for restated due change method used computing deferred acquisition costs results include effect stock offering resulting issuance additional shares common stock reuter 
earn	power corp canada qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln year oper shr dlrs cts oper net revs mln mln note fourth quarter results exclude extraordinary and items raised final net dlrs cts share and lowered final net dlrs cts share full year results exclude extraordinary and items raised final net dlrs dlrs per share and net dlrs per share results restated reflect june two for stock split reuter 
earn	vendo ven qtr loss shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss sales mln mln mths shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit sales mln mln note prior year net includes extraordinary loss dlrs qtr and extraordinary profit dlrs year reuter 
earn	lawson products inc laws raises qtly payout qtly div cts six cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	kaneb energy kep omit future payouts kaneb energy partners forced omit lower future quarterly cash distributions contract dispute two major customers and continued slump oil and gas prices partnership that will pay regular quarterly distribution cts unit april holders record march reuter 
earn	brascan brs qtr net shr cts cts net mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln note holding company reuter 
earn	florida commercial banks inc flbk qtly div qtly div cts cts prior payable march record march reuter 
earn	chauvco resources year net shr cts cts net revs reuter 
crude	saudi success curbing opec production saudi arabia will succeed pressuring members organization petroleum exporting countries stay production quotas morgan stanley group managing director john wellemeyer wellemeyer speaking reporters offshore oil engineering conference expected opec nations attempt hold prices dlrs barrel for years industrial demand for residual fuel oil strong weeks you concerted effort saudis production wellemeyer saudis committed that price level dlrs barrel and willing make happen recent weeks oil prices fell dlrs barrel level market reports ope members producing quota pushing total opec production mln barrels per day prices rebounded today april crude prices dlr dlrs barrel belief saudi arabia attempting curb opec output wellemeyer that sharp declines oil production push demand for opec oil mln barrels per day early and mln barrels per day projected increases demand for opec oil strengthen world prices wellemeyer believed organization hold official price below dlrs barrel for time prevent residual fuel users switching natural gas supplies interfuel swing market accounts for mln barrels day pct world demand for oil reuter 
earn	zenith labs zen will report qtr loss zenith laboratories inc company will report fourth quarter loss and amount will determined completion year end audit company not elaborate for quarter ended sept zenith reported loss dlrs cts per share adjusted for for stock split company received food and drug administration approval market cefadroxil generic version antibiotic domestic sales exceeding mln dlrs zenith will not market drug questions relating applicability patents resolved reuter 
earn	dexleigh corp six mths dec net shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
grain	congress soil program exemptions senate agriculture committee expected bill tomorrow that exempt government conservation regulations farmers rotated alfalfa and multiyear grasses and legumes row crops committee staff current called sodbuster law farmers planted alfalfa and multiyear grasses and legumes highly erodible land years lose federal farm program benefits produce row crop that land years sen edward zorinsky neb sponsor measure recently that crop rotating practices resulted erosion practices farmers produced strictly row crops reuter 
carcass	national pork board allocates mln dlrs national pork board monday allocated mln dlrs discretionary funds collected pct national checkoff program industry organizations national pork producers council nppc will receive almost mln dlrs for use areas food service consumer education and marketing addition board allocated dlrs use pork white meat campaign pork board spokesperson national livestock and meat board will receive dlrs continue work educating health care officials dlrs matching funds will provided meat board for use development market for processed meats meat export federation awarded dlrs increase market for chilled and processed pork japan and singapore retail stores two countries will providing additional funding for program total dlrs for work encouraging mcdonalds expand mcrib sandwich japan and singapore awarded meat export federation reuter 
acq	nippon steel invests mln dlrs gtx corp gtx corp nippon steel japan move diversify into high technology invested mln dlrs gtx nippon move result current exchange rates and revaluation yen made electronics industry attractive investment opportunity for japanese corporations gtx statement gtx noted that nippon expecting sales billion dlrs that amount six billion dlrs targeted for electronics gtx located phoenix makes computerized systems that read drawings and transfer into data bases reuter 
acq	dealer extends bid for canadian tire dealer holdings extended previously announced offer for pct canadian tire corp midnight march ctc group canadian tire dealers owns pct canadian tire appealing ontario court previously announced ontario securities commission ruling blocking ctc mln dlr bid blocked bid not include voting shareholders hold pct canadian tire equity reuter 
earn	rockwell rok sees improvement rockwell international corp continues expect significant improvement results despite somewhate disappointing performance business segments president donald beall told reuters rockwell reported net earnings quarter ended december mln dlrs dlrs per share compared mln dlrs cts per share year ago operating earnings pct and analysts attributed decline rockwell allen bradley unit suffered weakness industrial automation market soft market not concerned moving forward market development and enhancing market share beall allen bradley unit beall los angeles address technology management conference quarter sales for allen bradley unit flat compared year earlier company not break operating earnings unit quarterly basis beall recent trend cost sharing research and development phase government contracts not major impact rockwell term performance noted increasing focus cost sharing limit technological innovation worry that heading into period misuse contracting approaches early development stages important military contracts beall adding long term problem addition beall told conference greatest competitive threat defense contractors defense electronics due government attempt advantage competitively priced products made reuter 
earn	mickelberry corp mbc sets qtly payout qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
acq	metropolitan federal mftn make acquisition metropolitan federal savings and loan association signed letter intent acquire american trust hendersonville tenn for undisclosed amount cash american trust had year end assets mln dlrs reuter 
interest	pontiac interest rate incentives general motors corp pontiac division established interest rate support incentive program effective immediately alternative current option bonus program company qualified buyers pontiacs select special finance rates pct month contracts pct month contracts pct mopnth contracts pct month contracts program scheduled expire april option bonus program scheduled expire april buyers receive cash bonuses purchase pontiacs equipped option group packages amount depending option level each vehicle company special interst rate program applies ann and pontiacs sold dealer stock and delivered customers program period customer choose program reuter 
earn	westar mining qtr loss shr not oper loss profit revs mln mln year shr not oper loss mln profit mln revs mln mln note pct owned british columbia resources investment corp note continued qtr excludes extraordinary loss mln dlrs versus loss mln dlrs prior year year excludes extraordinary loss mln dlrs versus loss mln dlrs prior year reuter 
acq	dow chemical dow sell south african unit dow chemical agreed principle sell industrial chemicals and plastics business interests south africa and related assets group south african investors for undisclosed terms completing sale company south african assets dow will continue support educational and health programs for south african blacks reuter 
earn	williams cos wmb year loss shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss mln profit mln revs billion billion note includes loss mln dlrs dlrs share discontinued operations and writedowns holdings texasgulf inc restated reuter 
earn	geonex sees sales hurt production shift geonex corp geox bellsouth corp bls unit southern bell telephone and telegraph decision postpone start conversion assignments geonex chicago aerial survey unit negatively affect fiscal revenues company had expected higher revenues records conversion work foresees revenues southern bell work mln dlrs level last fiscal year geonex southern bell will cas continue work progress and expects perform mechanized posting and records conversion for southern bell added that southern bell decision forced pursue opportunities telephone companies and municipalities replace southern bell work reuter 
earn	nwa inc qtr shr profit cts loss cts 
sugar	intervention sold tonnes white sugar rebate ecus 
earn	crime control inc qtr net loss shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs mln mln year shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note net loss includes fourth quarter charge mln dlrs writeoffs assets net loss includes charge mln dlrs settlement class action lawsuit reuter 
sugar	intervention board details sugar sales total tonnes current series white sugar received export rebates maximum european currency units ecus per kilos today european community tender intervention board this traders received tonnes netherlands denmark and west germany tonnes earlier today london and paris traders expected subsidy for current season whites campaign for licences end july and ecus per kilos had forecast today total authorised sugar tonnage export awards and tonnes versus last week restitution ecus reuter 
rubber	japan firm develops ultra heat resisting rubber shin etsu chemical had developed ultra thermal resistance rubber can used centigrade continuously losing properties shin etsu put potential demand for product two tonnes month for microwave ovens and sealant increasing use product parts attached car engines will raise demand and company will boost output tonnes march two reuter 
earn	castle and cooke inc cke qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss mln loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit rev billion billion avg shares note fourth quarter includes tax loss discontinued flexi van operations mln dlrs primary earnings per share data calculated deducting preferred dividend requirements reuter 
earn	voicemail international inc qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs mths shr loss cts cts net loss loss revs avg shrs reuter 
earn	molecular genetics inc mogn qtr loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs avg shrs year oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss revs avg shrs note current year net periods excludes charge dlrs cumulative effect accounting change for patents net periods includes charge dlrs severance obligations year net includes charge dlrs writeoff seed commitments reuter 
earn	merrimac industries inc mmac qtr net shr cts cts net sales year shr cts dlrs net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	resources agreement credit facility british columbia resources investment corp earlier reporting higher full year operating losses reached agreement principle lenders providing for mln dlr credit facility year term company credit facility extendable circumstances annual principal payments mln dlrs agreement subject lender approvals and completion formal documentation earlier reported losses extraordinary items rose mln dlrs year ago mln dlrs resources dividends series preferred shares and exchangeable preferred shares will remain suspended payment will made account quarterly dividend exchangeable preferred shares company trustee deposit account resources sufficient funds pay full amount march dividend exchangeable preferred shareholders payment expected early april shareholders record march company future dividends not declared april exchangeable preferred quarterly payout future payment will depend amount dividends received westcoast transmission wtc resources company increased fourth quarter and full year operating losses primarily resulted lower oil prices and month labor shutdown balmer coal mine british columbia resources recorded mln dlr extraordinary loss included losses disposition north sea oil and gas interests pct owned westar mining resources extraordinary charge included writedown investment westar petroleum gains sales westar timber skeena and celgar pulp mills and terrace sawmill partially offset extraordinary loss company company asset sales eliminated resources long term financing commitment north sea and exposure fluctuating pulp market cut long term debt mln dlrs billion dlrs year end and management and staff cuts significantly reduced costs reuter 
money-fx	money market mln stg late bank england had provided money market late assistance mln stg this brings bank total today mln stg and compares latest forecast mln stg shortage system today reuter 
earn	cml group inc cmli qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs half shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	dress barn inc dbrn qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln half shr cts cts net sales mln mln note share adjusted for for two stock split reuter 
earn	williams wmb qtr charge williams cos fourth quarter charge mln dlrs discontinued operations and writedowns contributed net loss mln dlrs dlrs share earnings mln dlrs cts loss quarter mln dlrs dlrs income mln dlrs cts year ago revenues quarter fell mln dlrs mln and year fell billion dlrs billion williams previously announced sale agrico chemical unit freeport mcmoran resource partners cleared antitrust review and close week quarter will include proceeds agrico sale for mln dlrs cash closing deferred payments and proceeds mln dlrs sale stake peabody holding completed january quarter williams reported net mln dlrs cts share sales mln dlrs williams charges current year related ongoing restructuring company restructuring moves had improved balance sheet and improved outlook for future stability and growth earnings operating profit company northwest pipeline corp unit fell pct mln dlrs lower sales williams natural gas unit had operating profit mln dlrs compared mln dlrs lower sales volumes profit williams gas marketing rose mln dlrs mln and william pipe line had operating profit mln dlrs versus mln dlrs year ago reuter 
earn	perry drug stores inc pds qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	nwa inc nwa qtr net shr profit cts loss cts net profit mln loss two mln revs billion mln year shr profit dlrs profit dlrs net profit mln profit mln revs billion billion reuter 
earn	camco inc cam sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	senate proxmire urges curbs takeovers senate banking committee chairman william proxmire called for curbs hostile corporate takeovers and restrictions risk arbitrageurs high time that require risk arbitrageurs register seperately and specifically securities and exchange commission and that precluding brokerage firms and employers investing owning securities issued party risk arbitrage operations proxmire start hearing corporate takeovers burning issue whether complete seperation future risk arbitrage and investment banking proxmire concerned that hostile takeover attempts hurting economy view shared corporate executives tesitified hearing that takeovers become abusive and tilted favor financial buccaneers that remedial action required usx corp chairman david roderick for congress takeover game continue unchecked economic suicide champion international corp chairman andrew sigler added reuter 
trade	spain launch export drive spain unveils billion peseta plan this month aimed boosting exports reach european community levels director general infe export institute apolonio ruiz ligero target raise exports pct gross domestic product years compared pct this minimum prevailing level and reason lag countries italy similar productive structure plan calls for providing soft loans tax cuts and fiscal benefits exporters and raising spain presence international trade fairs consumer goods such fashion and wine traditional industrial exports will promoted ruiz ligero infe double annual budget billion pesetas finance year plan government development aid fund fad provide special billion peseta grant plan calls for boosting exports six pct real terms this year pct decline last year ruiz ligero attributed this drop lack demand developing countries and rally domestic consumer demand rose six pct last year pct added that pct spain exports organisation for economic cooperation and development oecd countries accounts for pct market and exports community rose pct last year government plans concentrate efforts western europe and problem convincing businessmen that exports vital survival context competition spanish businessmen traditionally turned domestic market satisfy rises consumer demand turning backs foreign markets realise share home market shrink growing deregulation foreign companies taking positions domestic economy and vital secure market share abroad reuter 
acq	rossignol unit buys canadian ski boot maker french ski and tennis equipment maker skis rossignol pct owned subsidiary skis dynastar agreed buy canadian ski stick and boot manufacturer cfas warrington inc rossignol spokesman declined give financial details turnover cfas mln french francs doubling rossignol group activities boot and stick sectors reuter 
earn	usf and corp raises quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts prior quarter payable april record march reuter 
earn	brnf liquidating trust sets distributions brnf liquidating trust trustees declared liquidating dividend dlrs per unit payable april holders record series and certificates march trust had paid liquidating distribution january amounting dlrs series dlrs series and dlrs series certificates reuter 
earn	stanline inc stan qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln note share adjusted for pct stock dividend december reuter 
pet-chem	dow chemical dow unit increases prices dow chemical engineering thermoplastics department will increase selling prices standard grades magnum abs resins cts per pound announced increase cts per pound for performance grades resins increases effective april reuter 
earn	swift energy sfy qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	browning ferris industries inc bfi payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	buffton corp buff buys and instruments buffton corp completed purchase and industruments inc for two mln dlrs cash and shares common stock and private company headquartered kansas and had sales dlrs buffton company designs and manufactures aviation computer display systems and engine instrumentation reuter 
earn	vereins und westbank reorganize network und westbank vhbg plans streamline branch network improve distribution financial services management board member eberhard rainer luckey told news conference results that branches hamburg and schleswig holstein merged closed branch frankfurt opened and that bank opening branch london luckey bank total operating profits rose pct parent bank net profit rose mln mln and dividend remained unchanged marks group balance sheet including for time vereinwest overseas finance jersey rose pct billion marks luckey parent bank balance sheet rose mln marks billion business volume almost unchanged billion credit volume eased billion billion loans companies rose pct foreign business and securities trading turnover increased higher earnings trading bank account contributed record operating profits net interest income rose firmer interest margins mln marks mln net commission income rose mln mln luckey foreign commercial business influenced fall west german foreign trade earnings satisfactory bank exposure latin america two pct total foreign credit and africa pct bank continued sell exposure and will continue stock risk provisions reuter 
trade	baldrige concerned korean taiwan deficits secretary commerce malcolm baldrige expressed concern continuing trade deficits south korea and taiwan and that adjustment exchange rates likelihood improvement speaking president export council industry advisory group baldrige trade deficit issue discussion countries feel that exchange rate adjustment won change large surplus that taiwan wide ranging discussion trade matters baldrige repeated concern attempted takeover japan fujitsu company fairchild computer that japanese resisting allowing companies into giant computer business time attempting acquire control company that major computer business market lastly baldrige that united states hopeful that complete free market agreement canada autumn major issues including acid rain remained unresolved reuter 
acq	allwaste alws make acquisition allwaste inc agreed principle acquire air moving and related industrial services company not identify for dlrs common stock reuter 
earn	castle and cooke cke takes fourth qtr loss castle and cooke inc fourth quarter tax loss mln dlrs previously reported sale flexi van container leasing business itel corp itel for mln dlrs earlier company reported loss for fourth quarter ended january mln dlrs cts share compared loss mln dlrs cts per share fourth quarter for year diversified holding company reported net profit mln dlrs cts share versus mln dlrs cts share david murdock chairman and chief executive officer food business and real estate operations increased earnings year added that flexi van results hit depressed daily rental rates for leased equipment caused oversupplies company reported that george elkas executive vice president named president and chief operating officer flexi van corp william burns named executive vice president flexi van reuter 
acq	convenient food mart cfmi agrees buy chain convenient food mart inc tentatively agreed buy outstanding stock plaid pantries inc and two associated businesses oregon and washington for undisclosed terms plaid pantries owns and operates convenience stores portland and seattle areas business two companies involved wholesale distribution groceries and health and beauty aids closing expected reuter 
earn	wal mart stores inc qtr shr cts cts 
acq	marine midland buys brokerage assets marine midland banks inc acquired customer account base york discount brokerage firm ovest financial services inc for undisclosed terms expand discount brokerage operations northeastern will combine ovest activities marine midland brokerage service unit reuter 
sugar	dom republic sells czarnikow tons sugar dominican republic sold long tons sugar for delivery option for tons czarnikow rionda york state sugar council announced not immediately clear sale made price council communique sale made prevailing conditions world sugar market reuter 
gas	backs move encourage unleaded gasoline executive commission backed plan member countries ban regular leaded gasoline move designed encourage use unleaded fuel statement backed proposal states ban sales regular grade gasoline containing lead six months notice proposal approval ministers not force member state impose ban option not obligation spokesman commission imposing ban encourage use unleaded fuel making easier for gas stations cutting number types gasoline had stock reuter 
crude	sun raises crude oil postings dlr across board wti dlrs bbl 
earn	devtek corp qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln six mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	saxton industries saxif year net shr cts cts net revs mln mln note current results for months change fiscal year end december august reuter 
earn	toronto sun plans two for stock split toronto sun publishing corp planned two for split common shares subject regulatory approval and approval shareholders april annual meeting reuter 
earn	servo corp america sca qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales reuter 
earn	electro nucleonics inc enuc qtr dec shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit sales mln mln avg shrs half shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit sales mln mln avg shrs note current half net includes dlr tax credit current year net periods includes dlr writedown inventory clinical chemistry products reuter 
earn	wal mart stores inc wmt qtr jan net shr cts cts net mln mln sales billion billion year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales billion billion reuter 
earn	mirtone international inc qtr dec net shr two cts two cts net revs reuter 
rubber	leaf disease hits sri lanka rubber leaf disease affecting pct sri lanka rubber plantations reduce output this year and raise depressed prices industry officials and researchers told reuters hectares rubber planted rubber research institute rri clone hit fungus corenes pora attacks roots tree and kills leaves disease discovered six months ago trade sources prices boom once crisis leads output below target tonnes last year output estimated and tonnes researchers fungus spread rubber clones action rri asking estates remove trees affected fungus late use chemicals kill disease institute spokesman senior industry and research officials met yesterday padukka east discuss ways controlling fungus affecting estates belonging state plantations corp and janatha estates development board two state owned groups account for pct rubber land balance belonging small private producers total hectares rric clone propagated research institute high yielding and recommended two years ago for planting two state groups planted clones smallholders preferred low yielding older pbx malaysian clones officials yesterday crisis meeting decided uproot affected trees treated declined comment decisions trade sources supplies had improved past week prices had hit lowest since last december shortage rubber prices bound rise spokesman for company buying behalf soviet union rubber prices crepe fell sharply rupees kilo december and march crepe traded rupees kilo averaged this week auction sheet prices fell rupee period quantities offered auction fell average tonnes per auction last month tonnes december wintering early february producing areas tonnes offered this tuesday auction supply position showing improvements trade sources smaller availability rubber last month not raise prices previous occasions factors storage space excess stocks meant not buy auction disposed rubber had buyer sources forward contracts and speculative buying last month delays steamer arrivals aggravated problem european buyers delayed purchases winter closures factories and hope that prices ease another problem that hit industry dry spell producing areas inter monsoonal rains expected late march april delayed shortages official this benefit prices buyer reuter 
earn	pyro energy corp btu year net shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
sugar	commission details sugar tender european commission confirmed authorised export tonnes current series white sugar maximum rebate european currency units ecus per kilos this traders received tonnes netherlands denmark and west germany tonnes reuter 
earn	unitrode corp utr qtr jan loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note income taxes for mths ended jan includes gains for fire insurance settlement and unusual charges for provisions for estimated cost severance pay for terminated workers and time writedown inventory and equipment reuter 
earn	buehler international inc bulr qtr net shr cts cts qtly div two cts two cts prior net sales mln mln year shr cts cts net sales mln mln note net includes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs year net periods includes dlr pretax inventory writedown dividend pay march record march reuter 
earn	stanhome inc sth raises quarterly two cts qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	instron corp isn sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
cpi	german institute sees inflation rising cost living west germany will likely pct higher average cost living fell average pct recurrence negative inflation since hwwa economic research institute emergence inflation will result fading two factors influenced fall cost living steep decline oil prices and dollar institute report institute inflation will rising trend will average pct for year year year rates will remain negative part provisional inflation figures for february released last week showed cost living last month pct lower february january prices had fallen pct month year earlier hwwa forecast assumed dollar remain marks and oil prices range and dlrs per barrel reuter 
earn	ideal school supply corp idel qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net sales avg shrs mln year oper shr cts cts oper net sales mln mln avg shrs mln note net periods includes dlr tax credit reuter 
earn	salomon inc sets regular quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april rcord march reuter 
acq	piedmont aviation pie board meet today piedmont avaition inc board directors will conduct special meeting beginning est today piedmont spokesman spokesman not agenda mid february piedmont board meet discuss proposals acquire company board withdrew recommendation accept dlrs share cash offer norfolk southern corp nsc light competing revised bid air group inc air offer buy pct company stock for dlrs share cash and remaining for dlrs share stock reuter 
earn	union fur leaves dividend unchanged union real estate investments board left quarterly dividend unchanged cts per share payable april record march trust raised quarterly dividend frequently past two years and quarter years tax reform act limited flexibility dividends and trustees will appropriateness dividend increases quarters year reuter 
earn	rykoff sexton inc ryk qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln mths shr cts dlrs net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	system software associates ssax qtr net periods end january and shr cts cts net revs note system software associates inc full name company reuter 
earn	geico corp gec raises qtrly dividend qtrly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	stanley works swk sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	novell inc novl qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln note fourteen week periods reuter 
earn	brown forman bfdb change record dates brown forman inc suggestion american stock exchange changed record date for per share quarterly dividend class and class common stock that payable april march march coincide record date for for two stock split declared february record date for dividend pct cumulative preferred stock changed march march reuter 
earn	goodyear tire details tax refund goodyear tire and rubber results include tax refund mln dlrs costs restructuring company successful defense takeover attempt james goldsmith chairman robert mercer heavy restructuring costs related takeover attempt combined government tax incentives for investments resulted this federal tax refund refund included not broken initial results spokesman reported net income mln dlrs mln dlrs year earlier reuter 
earn	great northern nekoosa gnn announces split great northern nekoosa corp will recommend shareholders two for common stock split company will make proposal shareowners annual mmeting dothan ala company great southern paper division operations conjunction stock split proposal shareowners will asked approve increase authorized common stock mln mln shares company company will propose increase dividend rate split approved effective june payment company present rate gnn common cts per share company recommend quarterly rate cts share split stock this equal dividend cts share present common pct higher current rate company had increased dividend pct last december great northern nekoosa last common stock split for two december dec shares gnn common stock outstanding company reuter 
acq	harris lifts builders transport truk stake harris associates chicago investment advisor raised stake builders transport inc equivalent shares pct total outstanding shares pct filing securities and exchange commission harris bought builders transport common shares feb dlrs share bought debentures feb that converted into shares harris dealings builders transport behalf advisory clients intention seeking control company reuter 
coffee	coffee talks failure pressuring failure talks establishing international coffee organization ico coffee quotas last week put political pressure united states state department reassess position back basic demand quotas set objective criteria officials jon rosenbaum assistant trade representative and head washington delegation talks told reuters return london that united states willing resume coffee negotiations early april rosenbaum united states will flexible discussing method establishing objective criteria and transition quotas not basic aim establishing objective method setting quotas ico talks major consuming nations led proposed that future coffee export quota shares calculated formula incorporating producer recent exportable production and verified stocks large producers led brazil proposed maintaining traditional hoc division shares consumer position effect reduced market share brazil world largest producer rosenbaum administration continue support legislation congress customs service monitor coffee imports comply future coffee quotas reagan administration reviewing coffee policy situation collapse london talks proposing change position government officials involved coffee policy bracing for diplomatic and coffee market offensive producer countries led brazil and colombia soften consumer position knowing that crop fairly large brazil will kind want test resolve producers and consumers official official asked not identified brazil and colombia flood coffee market months effort drive prices and pressure countries splinter group small producers differed major producers london this turn lead urgent appeals latin american countries faced mounting debt problems state department and national security council white house for easing position officials state department major player setting coffee policy face conflicting pressures politically sensitive allies central america officials salvador and guatemala backed brazil and colombia london talks resisting pressures for quotas based objective criteria dominican republic and costa rica joined splinter group agree objective criteria strong feeling state department that united states continue support splinter group producers politically risky step opposing brazil objective criteria question officials consuming countries expected pressure reassess positions london supported netherlands west germany japan australia and zealand issue objective criteria officials this bloc represented votes consuming nations successfully prevent adoption producer proposals sources west germany support times qualified and concern that european community come pressure accommodative producers future talks france backed ivory coast and african producers talks softening stance make difficult not impossible for block producer plans political manuevering small producers and consuming countries will important officials key future outcome will brazil position officials blamed brazil intransigence for failure talks and flexible position brasilia important step agreement reuter 
acq	investors pct exovir xovr mark hammer private investor melville and members family told securities and exchange commission acquired total shares exovir inc pct total outstanding hammer group accumulating exovir stock since oct for investment purposes and buy shares sell part current stake intention seeking control company hammer that extensive business experience and interest exovir stock invited become member company board reuter 
acq	lotus lots acquire computer access corp lotus development corp signed letter intent acquire substantially assets computer access corp for undisclosed terms computer asscess makes bluefish full text search and retrieval software for international business machines corp ibm and compatible personal computers company acquisition subject approval boards reuter 
earn	equitable iowa cos eqica qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln year oper shr dlrs cts oper net mln revs mln mln note net excludes realized gains investment dlrs dlrs quarter and mln dlrs year net excludes discontinued massachusetts casualty operations loss dlrs gain dlrs quarter and gain dlrs gain dlrs year reuter 
earn	corroon and black corp cbl raises quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
trade	appoints trade chief european community commission today appointed chief spokesman hugo paemen top official charge multilateral trade negotiations commission spokesman paemen belgian official had previously chief aide external affairs commissioner etienne davignon post since january spokesman paemen will continue chief spokesman retirement paul luyten charge departments handling negotiations world trade body gatt oecd and forums reuter 
sugar	india buys cargoes sugar traders india bought cargoes white sugar buying tender today originally called for two cargoes march april shipment traders london trader and man sold two cargoes dlrs tonne cif for march april shipment option sell additional two cargoes price traders international trader made similar contract french house sold two cargoes outright price dlrs cif option this brought total indian purchases six cargoes traders options sell another reuter 
acq	hayes albion hay delays special meeting hayes albion corp delayed special meeting shareholders will vote merger into harvard industries inc hava march march due delay securities and exchange commission clearance proxy materials reuter 
earn	grossman inc gros qtr loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit sales mln mln year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales billion mln note net includes discontinued operations gain dlrs loss mln dlrs quarter and losses mln dlrs mln dlrs year net includes loss dlrs nil quarter and gain mln dlrs loss dlrs year settlement liabilities plan reorganization chapter bankruptcy quarter net includes dlr provision for loss future store closings offset reduction pension liabilities reuter 
acq	comdata network cdn acquisition talks comdata network inc active talks parties acquisition recapitalization comdata effort maximize shareholder values comdata rosewood financial inc together cypress partners and driftwood acquired pct comdata stock and rosewood intends acquire pct comdata comdata not reached definitive agreement mason for previously announced recapitalization and tender offer reuter 
earn	webcor electronics inc wer qtr dec shr loss cts loss cts net loss mln loss mln revs mln months shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss mln loss mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	communications systems inc csii qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr cts cts net revs mln mln note net includes gains discontinued operations equal cts compared cts reuter 
crude	energy california oil production drilling for oil california likely continue last year sharply reduced levels despite recent gains crude oil prices industry analysts crude oil california fields thick heavy and expensive extract oil prices increase levels significant recovery drilling companies will drill prospects john curti analyst birr wilson securities inc wells drilled rigs quarter total drilling for oil onshore california last week compared last year bill bolster munger oil information services tracks california drilling activity dregs bolster state drilling activity current prices not justify increased drilling malmgreen california independent producers association organization petroleum exporting countries pact curb production boosted oil prices early this year prices eventually fell prices for california marker grade line blend slumped pct last month dlrs high dlrs half california oil comes stripper wells producing barrels day and that that oil costs and dlrs barrel extract malmgreen not unusual for stripper cost dlrs malmgreen stripper wells southern california coast produce times water crude oil and inland wells frequently require use steam injection spur extraction thick heavy oil outlook for future production california clouded lack exploratory drilling analysts heart california oil patch kern county produces two thirds state oil exploratory drilling slowed crawl exploratory wells drilled kern county compared david mitchell state energy commission this year exploratory wells drilled don even last year mitchell pickup exploratory drilling likely for rest decade mitchell fall drilling come decrease number producing wells and production february and october number producing oil wells california fell pct bill guerard california energy commission line that decrease california crude oil output fell pct last year due low oil prices and expected remain that lower level analysts february and october california crude oil production slipped time high mln barrels per day mln bpd guerard total estimated crude oil production california for mln bbls compared mln bbls and mln bbl california department conservation production will hold levels guerard reuter 
nat-gas	standard oil srd texas natural gas find standard oil friendswood development number fostoria deep wilcox field montgomery county texas flowed cubic feet natural gas per day depths feet inch choke contracted for perry gas cos inc purchase natural gas and perry will build inch gathering pipeline connect natural gas pipeline transmission line reuter 
earn	webcor electronics wer technical default webcor electronics inc remains technical and payment default revolving credit agreement and technical default obligations lender lender not enforced demand payment debt full continues reserve time earlier webcor reported quarter net loss mln dlrs and months net loss mln dlrs reuter 
acq	savings bank florida fsbf sets meeting savings bank florida expects special shareholder meeting held proposed merger into gibraltar financial corp gfc annual meeting will held april elect two directors and ratify appointment auditors reuter 
grain	izvestia soviet winter crops reseeding government daily izvestia considerable amount soviet winter crops reseeded and state grain harvest target mln tonnes will not easy fulfil giving figures newspaper considerable part winter crops reseeded that creates extra effort fields spring soviet union previously mln hectares winter grain will reseeded winterkill department agriculture analyst washington figure mln hectares equal pct total winter crop and second highest winterkill years planned task bringing mln tonnes grain not simple izvestia this week sudden fall temperatures affected large parts country and caused fieldwork stop ukraine adding that temperatures fell low minus centigrade byelorussia reuter 
acq	borman brf buy safeway utah division safeway stores inc agreed sell assets and operations salt lake city division borman inc undisclosed terms division includes operating supermarkets states utah idaho and wyoming together distribution and manufacturing facilities safeway sales for division for year ended january mln dlrs safeway transaction subject borman ability obtain financing and successfully negotiate labor agreements unions involved reuter 
acq	fisher foods fhr stake firm sold fisher foods inc american financial corp sold fishers shares pct interest group consisting american seaway foods inc rini supermarkets inc and rego supermarkets inc company connection transaction american financial representatives resigned board reuter 
grain	senate panel makes conservation exemption senate agriculture committee approved measure that exempt farmers planted alfalfa multiyear grasses and legumes and federal conservation requirement sen edward zorinsky neb bill restore equity federal sodbuster rules deny farm program benefits farmers and planted alfalfa and multiyear grasses and legumes interrupting plantings row crop official leading conservation group asked not identified panel move unfortunate action lead exemption potentially millions acres sod buster regulations established farm bill reuter 
earn	pico products inc ppi qtr jan shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln six months shr loss two cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln note net includes gain cts qtr and six months for discount early long term debt repayment reuter 
acq	outboard marine rising takeover rumor wall street traders stock outboard marine corp rising rumor cable television program that outboard likely takeover target sun chemical corp snl outboard tuesday rose tuesday report cable news network today sun chemical pct outboard and conducting study whether for control company outboard marine spokesman not comment rumor cable program buyout outboard for dlrs share for total mln dlrs spokesman for sun chemical not immediately outboard marine last june adopted shareholder rights plan that will triggered person group acquires beneficial ownership pct common begins tender offer that result pct ownership wayne jones vice president outboard for strategic planning management stay independent not sell company proceeding strategic plans that plan includes integrating boat companies that outboard marine bought since middle december jones will cost mln dlrs mln dlrs analyst wanted anonymity dlrs share decent price for outboard bdding war dlrs share stretching dlrs share tops outboard mln shares outstanding registration for two mln common share offering morgan stanley inc makes sense analyst for sun chemical strike offering underway reuter 
earn	algoma central railway qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln year oper shr cts dlrs oper net revs mln mln note net excludes extraordinary loss dlrs cts shr ago gain dlrs cts shr reuter 
earn	genova inc gnva qtr dec net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales mln note prior year net includes dlr tax credit excludes dlr gain early debt retirement reuter 
earn	supreme equipment systems corp seqp qtr shr cts cts net revs mln mln six months shr cts cts net revs mln mln note net includes gain dlrs qtr and dlrs six months tax loss carryforward reuter 
earn	gulf applied technologies inc gats qtr oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs year oper shr loss cts loss dlrs oper net loss loss revs mln note results restated for discontinued operations net periods excludes dlr tax credit net excludes gains discontinued pipelines and terminals operations dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year reuter 
earn	van dorn vdc qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	fieldcrest cannon inc fld sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
acq	varian var buys analytichem international varian associates inc acquired outstanding stock closely held analytichem international inc for undisclosed amount cash analytichem based harbor city calif supplier bonded phase preparation products used prepare chemical samples for analysis varian reuter 
earn	kaneb services inc kab qtr loss oper shr loss dlrs profit cts oper net loss mln profit revs mln mln mths oper shr loss dlrs profit cts oper net loss mln profit mln revs mln mln note oper excludes loss discontinued operations dlrs mln dlrs for qtr and mln dlrs dlrs for mths note oper includes writedown offshore drilling equipment dlrs for qtr and mln dlrs for mths includes writedowns oil and gas assets and tubular goods inventory mln dlrs and dlrs for mths reuter 
earn	suspensions parts industries spilf year shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln note full name suspensions and parts industries reuter 
earn	mitchell energy and development corp mnd payout qtly div six cts six cts prior pay april two record march reuter 
earn	frost and sullivan inc frsl qtr jan shr profit cts loss two cts net profit loss revs half shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs reuter 
trade	korean trade surplus falling south korea record billion dlrs trade surplus bound diminish country switches purchases japan favor companies trade minister woong bae rha rejected suggestions korean won undervalued and denied plans for drastic and sudden revaluation rha heading trade mission cities last year south korea ran billion dlr trade surplus including record billion surplus and billion dlr deficit japan rha told reuters interview current trade mission for billion dlrs purchases companies quarter represents transferred purchases japanese sources rha items sought current mission chemicals machinery and parts south korea fourth largest importer agricultural products current mission not involved that area plans buy substantial amounts cotton noted country not open american market reasonable expect that south korea billion dlr foreign debt and spends six pct gross national product defense reuter 
earn	cri insured cii set special distribution cri insured mortgage investments inc advisor will recommend special distribution cts per share due sale federally insured mortgage park meadows madison wis for dlrs received dlr return capital and dlrs income sale and distribution represent return principal and capital gain and payable june holders record reuter 
earn	kaneb energy partners kep qtr loss unit loss net loss revs mln mths unit loss dlrs net loss mln revs mln note partnership formed february net includes writedown oil and gas assets mln dlrs for mths comply full cost accounting methods reuter 
acq	digicon dgc completes sale unit digicon inc completed previously announced disposition computer systems division investment group led rotan mosle inc rotan mosle technology partners affiliate reuter 
acq	computer horizons chrz acquisition computer horizons corp purchased computerknowledge inc software training education company headquartered dallas terms not disclosed reuter 
acq	policy management pmsc makes acquisition policy management systems corp acquired majority assets and business allied research inc salem ore and consolidated insurance services inc springfield for undisclosed terms two companies had combined revenues two mln dlrs provide underwriting information services property and casualty insurers reuter 
acq	unicorp canada uni cuts purolator pcc stake unicorp canada corp told securities and exchange commission cut stake purolator courier corp shares pct total outstanding shares pct unicorp management and investment holding company controlled chairman george mann sold purolator common shares march and and dlrs share purolator agreed this past weekend acquired managers courier business and hutton lbo inc leveraged buyout valued mln dlrs reuter 
acq	firm acquires american nutrition works inc nusource investments inc publicly held shell company acquired american nutrition works inc transaction american nutrition shareholders received mln shares nusource stock exchange for shares american nutrition operates chain stores sellings vitamins and health products nusource shareholders elected board consisting richard trydahl samuel mineo and charles flink and voted change name company anw inc reuter 
trade	gatt council defers decision semiconductors ruling gatt council deferred decision whether set dispute panel basis european community complaint japanese agreement exports computer semiconductors david woods spokesman general agreement tariffs and trade gatt told news briefing that main parties continue bilateral talks this hope resolving row council meeting april year accord signed july aims protect market dumping low price japanese microchips officially semiconductors complained accord breached gatt trade rules allowing tokyo monitor prices allowing set minimum prices for japanese chips sold countries nation community charged agreement gave producers preferential access japanese market woods nations hong kong canada switzerland singapore sweden malaysia and nigeria had supported complaint heated council debate japan delegate minoru endo and ambassador michael samuels replied debate that charges unfounded willing continue bilateral talks reuter 
acq	southern fsfa make acquisition southern federal savings and loan association agreed principle acquire horizon financial corp and horizon funding corp victor federal savings and loan association muskogee okla for undisclosed terms company purchase subject approval boards southern and victor and regulatory agencies horizon financial services mortgage loans and horizon funding wholesale loan purchasing operation horizon services billion dlrs mortgage loans reuter 
earn	danaher corp dhr qtr net shr cts cts net rev mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net rev mln mln reuter 
acq	firm agrees merge lotoquik int chatsworth enterprises inc publicly held shell corporation signed letter intent merger lotoquik international nassau bahamas based maker video lottery machines terms merger agreement chatsworth lotoquik shareholders majority surviving company reuter 
acq	asbestec buy contractor receives contract asbestec industries inc signed letter intent buy asbestos abatement contractor stephens for mln dlrs cash stock and notes transaction expected completed early quarter fiscal year ending september asbestec expects sign march six dlr contract remove asbestos major apartment complex washington project scheduled begin march reuter 
trade	gatt sets dispute panel canadian herring ruling gatt council set formal dispute panel examine complaint that canadian law prohibiting export unprocessed herring and salmon discriminatory david wood official spokesman general agreement tariffs and trade gatt told news briefing decision bilateral consultations failed resolve row ambassador michael samuels charged council debate that canada preserve domestic jobs insisting that herring and salmon processed home robert white canada deputy chief delegation replied law line gatt rules and for conservations reasons agreed setting dispute panel reuter 
cpi	colombian inflation rises pct february colombia cost living index rose pct february pct increase january and pct rise february government statistics institute rise brought year year inflation pct compared pct end february and pct for year ending january government predicted that inflation this year lower reached pct reuter 
earn	talking point general motors general motors corp staged explosive rally wall street share buyback program announced yesterday analysts future remains clouded stiff competition and erosion market share shares rose active trading analysts agreed that investors liked repurchase program differed sharply carmaker long term prospects positive jack kirnan kidder peabody and committed enhancing shareholder analysts worry will pay for buyback and whether models will enable carmaker recapture lost market share market had closed yesterday buy back pct common stock end announcement investors today scrambling for shares mln shares changing hands mid day buyback plan caused analysts bullish stock reiterate buy recommendations this morning and increased earnings estimates for based good performance expected car models david healy drexel burnham lambert inc repurchase program not positive buyback doesn change earnings outlook and puts stress balance sheet since will borrow money pay for stock purchases stock settle back added healy projects will earn dlrs share and dlrs compared earnings dlrs healy numbers low end wall street estimates range dlrs dlrs and dlrs dlrs analysts healy sees share domestic car and truck market falling balance cars not selling competitors late february car sales fell pct year ago period competitors ford motor and chrysler corp posted increases february sales showed improvement january adding that expects improvement coming months share car and truck sales fall pct pct end analysts numbers include imports kidder peabody kirnan cost reductions and product improvements this year lead positive cash flow fourth quarter will finance buyback stock real laggard and rolling sleeves and getting major earnings surprise winds kirnan raised earnings estimates slightly today part reaction announced buyback and sees earning dlrs this year and dlrs company concerned improving relative valuation respect ford and chrysler another positive for stock dividend dlrs share annually higher yield competitors kirnan and will raise cash dividend cts share year predicted analyst michael lucky shearson lehman brothers inc car sales will weaken and products successful will slow not halt erosion market share cars will successful that will curtail losses market share will fall pct lucky philip fricke goldman sachs and falls middle bulls and bears recommending stock results will not improve not for improvement this year this transition year for fricke estimates earnings dlrs and dlrs cost cutting and car models will not affect results key thing isn earn this year momentum this year that important reuter 
acq	partnership cuts stake erc international erc parsow partnership nevada investment partnership lowered stake erc international inc shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission parsow sold erc common shares jan and march prices ranging dlrs each partnership dealings erc stock for investment purposes and intention seeking control company reuter 
crude	iranian oil minister due algeria friday iranian oil minister gholamreza aqazadeh expected friday for talks algerian counterpart belkacem nabi official algerian news agency aps today aqazadeh will accompanied large delegation will talks bilateral relations field energy and exchange views algerian officials current world energy situation reuter 
earn	goldome fsb year net net mln mln note company mutual savings bank reuter 
earn	bear automotive service bear qtr oper net oper shr cts cts oper net sales mln mln avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net sales mln mln avg shrs note full company name bear automotive service equipment oper shr excludes extraordinary profit utilization tax loss carryforward dlrs cts share and mln dlrs cts share qtr and year and dlrs cts share and mln dlrs cts share qtr and year year oper net excludes loss cumulative effect change accounting principle dlrs share reuter 
crude	oil industry not permanently damaged offshore oil industry suffered last year collapse oil prices not sustain permament damage minister state for energy alick buchanan smith drilling diving and supply vessels sectors had affected buchanan snith told house commons energy committee noted that oil companies spending six mln stg day maintain north sea production added that report manpower services committee jobs lost industry context total workforce prices north sea brent grade crude dipped low dlrs barrel last july peak dlrs previous november recovered dlrs barrel last december opec meeting and brent traded today dlrs buchanan smith intention adopting opec style quotas noting that britian oil consuming oil producing nation reuter 
acq	chase manhattan studying italian expansion chase manhattan bank expanding operations italy consumer banking sector chase manhattan official robert hunter chase manhattan area executive for europe africa and middle east news conference that plans broaden bank activities italian market not finalised asked chase manhattan acquisition italy hunter will opportunity prices italian banks quite high chase manhattan branches milan and rome reuter 
acq	hrs ihirf reducing stake hal roach hrsi international industries inc reduce stake hal roach studios inc pct pct return for mln dlrs qintex inc qintex america media unit that deal stage closng march sell qintex hal roach shares dlrs share each for total mln dlrs and roach will repay mln dlrs advances qintex will complete mln dlr buy mln roach treasury shares dlrs each and provide roach mln dlrs financing for expansion that agreement provided for second stage year had put option exercisable year closing sell qintex part two mln roach shares for dlrs share qintex had day call option exerciseable months closing buy part mln roach shares greater dlrs each average roach share price for months exercise date qintex will acquire another mln roach treasury shares dlrs share months closng for another mln dlrs reuter 
earn	total expects billion franc loss french oil group total cie francaise des petroles tpn expecting billion franc consolidated net loss including minority interests for taking account stock losses billion francs company communique board meeting late january group president francois xavier ortoli told journalists that slump oil prices and weak dollar had caused stock depreciation turning consolidated net profit losses stocks six billion francs into consolidated net loss billion francs earlier today armand guilbaud president total refining and distribution subsidiary cie raffinage distribution crd total france raff told journalists that had marked return profit for subsidiary stock depreciation crd made net profit stock depreciation and currency factors billion francs last year billion loss net loss last year taking account that depreciation currency fluctuations billion francs billion loss crd sales fell pct mln tonnes mln due growth imports independent distributors relaxation regulations guilbaud subsidiary expecting cut workforce this year and last year job reduction scheme will eventually save group mln francs business that january good month situation deteriorated february reuter 
earn	steego corp stg qtr jan loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss sales mln mln mths oper shr loss cts loss two cts oper net loss loss sales mln mln note current mths net includes dlr pretax gain sale property prior year net periods includes pretax gain dlrs pension plan termination current quarter net includes dlr tax credit prior year net includes losses discontinued operations dlrs quarter and dlrs mths results restated for discontinued operations reuter 
earn	systems inc esy sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
crude	texas oil regulator calls for state tax breaks texas railroad commissioner james nugent that ailing oilpatch cannot wait for congress act today urged texas state lawmakers adopt incentives find oil reserves and exempt severance taxes oil produced stripper wells nugent speech texas house representatives that state initiative molding energy policy and finding ways assist troubled oil producers proposal revitalize texas oil industry exempt stripper wells that produce barrels oil each day state pct severance tax that majority texas oil wells fall stripper category and price swing two dlrs barrel can crucial determining remains production nugent called for state lawmakers exempt wildcat wells state severance tax for years financial incentive explore for oil reserves secondary and tertiary oil production expensive methods production that inject water gas into ground recover oil exempted severance tax nugent plan exempt existing secondary and tertiary wells that produce rate barrels day for years price oil reaches barrel sitting back and waiting two federal administrations develop coherent energy policy for nation follow waited long nugent words washington lead follow nugent that financial losses state treasury exempting marginal oil production state severance taxes made stimulating business for oil supply and service industry reuter 
earn	unicorp american corp uac sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
coffee	colombia blasts for coffee talks failure colombian finance minister cesar gaviria blamed inflexible position for failure last week international coffee organisation ico talks export quotas understand that position inflexible brazil current economic and political factors make difficult adopt positions gaviria told reuters interview and brazil each laid blame for breakdown negotiations introduce export quotas extended weekend london gaviria stressed that colombia ensure successful outcome london talks deplored that intransigent attitudes producing and consuming nations made impossible conversation local journalists gaviria attitude economic and political consequences not necessarily for country colombia for latin american nations and for african countries told reuters that colombia relatively high level coffee stocks suffer gaviria colombia can hope earn mln dlrs this calendar year coffee exports traditionally account for pct country total export revenue that estimate represent drop revenues mln dlrs colombia held stockpiles mln bags start current coffee year exported record mln bags coffee year ending last september reuter 
earn	liberty financial group lfg regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable march record february reuter 
earn	pactel pac sees earnings growth pacific telesis group chairman donald guinn told meeting security analysts that company sees continued earnings growth billion dlrs dlrs per share earned guinn that capital spending stood billion dlrs and company expected figure remain flat each year noted that captial spending will internally financed guinn told analysts that company faced regulatory uncertainties ongoing rate cases pacific bell operating company rates hearings california public utility commission guinn company faced potential mln dlr revenue reduction and due ongoing discussions commission figure even greater company faces opposition mln dlr rate hike requested for guinn commission found mln dlrs hike based questionable calculations and assumptions mln dlrs represented unneeded modernization costs guinn that company studying whether join international consortium that plans lay transpacific telephone cable and japan not agreed guinn added recieve feasibility study venture and company make decision participating asked analyst recent recommendation department justice bell operating companies offer limited long distance services guinn company likely shy that type expansion long distance services competitive business commodity business and not interested getting back into that business guinn generally applauded recommendations give latitude for bell operating companies expand into regulated businesses and provide flexibility form strategic alliances companies added that company welcomes expansion into areas not involved acqusition talks not actively consideration reuter 
acq	trans world airlines makes dlr share cash merger proposal for usair 
earn	unicorp american corp uac qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr cts dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mlnm note year net includes gain mln dlrs sale real estate properties reuter 
ship	kenya signs pact establish shipping line kenya signed agreement british and german interests establish shipping line that will handle pct country external trade sources close deal state owned kenya ports authority kpa signed agreement hamburg based shipping line unimar seetransport establish kenya national shipping line initial capital mln shillings sources kpa will hold pct shares company line will initially charter vessels operate services mombasa and main ports industrial europe eventually build buy ships sources aim carry large part kenya coffee and tea exports and oil and fertiliser imports reuter 
earn	shaw supermarkets inc shaw year jan shr dlrs dlrs semi annual div six cts six cts prior payment net mln mln sales billion mln note dividend payable april holders record march reuter 
acq	dynamics corp dya settlement cts cts dynamics corp america reached agreement cts corp resolving differences two companies result settlement cts special board committee stopped soliciting orders purchase cts dynamics owns pct cts outstanding stock agreed limit shareholdings not pct outstanding shares for year company annual meeting dynamics cts board will recommend cts shareholders vote annual meeting favor company paying dynamics dlrs reimbursement for cts releated costs and granting dynamics option buy cts common dlrs share give ownership pct outstanding stock dynamics price stock option exercisable for year based average closing price for stock for days ending march two dynamics cts chairman george sommer will assume additional title president president robert hostetler resigning director chief financial officer gary erekson ted ross and donald kacek dynamics cts board will reduced members for remaining members current board and representatives dynamics directors reuter 
grain	renewal ussr grain pact uncertain prospects for renewal year ussr grains agreement uncertain this point soviet trade official told reuters current trade imbalance united states and soviet union high commodity prices and increased world grain production make renewal supply agreement year albert melnikov deputy trade representative soviet union interview current agreement expires sept melnikov that world grain markets agreement signed statements and soviet officials that long term grains agreement not attractive for sides once had agreement had second agreement second agreement had difficulties prices melnikov cannot give you forecasts response future agreement not want speculate will happen sept melnikov noted that indications soviet government officials that pushing for renewal agreement situation comparison ten years ago can produce reuter 
earn	danaher dhr expects earnings increase danaher corp expects higher earnings versus expect significant increases earnings and revenues steven rales danaher chairman and chief executive officer earlier company reported net earnings mln dlrs dlrs share versus mln dlrs dlrs share reported fourth quarter net mln dlrs cts share mln dlrs cts share previous year fourth quarter reuter 
earn	danaher corp dhr qtr net shr cts cts net rev mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net rev mln mln note fourth qtr net includes extraordinary gain mln dlrs cts per share versus mln dlrs cts share fourth qtr and extraordinary charge dlrs six cts share net includes extraordinary gain mln dlrs cts share versus mln dlrs cts share reuter 
acq	twa twa makes merger offer for usair trans world airlines proposed cash merger usair group twa holders usair common receive dlrs cash exchange for stock twa offer made letter edmin colodny chairman and president usair twa that negotiated deal not acceptable make offer directly usair shareholders for pct usair outstanding stock purchased voting trust price lower today offer twa filing application department transportation seeking approval merger application for approval expedited basis purchase pct usair common and deposit stock voting trust pending dot approval twa that respect usair recent offer for piedmont aviation pie believes that usair shareholders prefer cash merger proposal for usair proposed acquisition piedmont twa interested discussing deal usair piedmont and twa twa merger subject usair board redeeming preferred stock purchase rights poison pill issued shareholders last year and taking action that vote majority outstanding common stock required approve proposed move additionally twa satisfactory due diligence review usair twa not had opportunity obtain financing for deal added confident that will reuter 
acq	cts cts and dynamics dya reach accord cts corp and dynamics corp america reached agreement resolving outstanding differences joint statment result settlement special committee board directors cts stopped soliciting offers buy part company cts and dca agreed dismiss pending litigation two companies for appeal pending supreme court relating indiana control share chapter agreement cts board will immediately reduced current directors and representatives dca elected board this board will presented slate for cts annual shareholders meeting added cts directors will recommend shareholders that approve reimbursement dca mln dlrs expenses relating cts and grant dca option buy pct cts shares addition dca agreed limit ownership cts for year annual meeting not pct outstanding stock dca holds pct outstanding shares cts companies support agreement and fair sides reuter 
acq	measurex sells south african unit measurex corp completed sale measurex south africa pty subsidiary group employees manage operation measurex maker computer integrated manufacturing systems subsidiary represented pct worldwide revenues and sale will impact this year earnings reuter 
acq	jefferies making market usair jefferies and making market stock usair group inc usair received offer trans world airlines buy airline dlrs cash per share usair halted york stock excahnge for dissemination news reuter 
earn	trans lux tlx sets pct stock dividend trans lux corp board declared pct stock dividend payable april holders record march company directors declared regular quarterly dividends presently outstanding shares classes common payable april holders record march unchanged dividend two cts will paid common and cts class stock reuter 
earn	kaneb energy partners kep qtr loss shr loss cent net loss revs mln mths shr loss dlrs net loss mln revs mln note february kaneb services inc contributed domestic oil and gas operations kaneb partners newly formed and exchanged approximately depositary units respresenting limited partnership interests kep for approximately million shares outstanding common stock kaneb servies inc kaneb owns approximately pct kep mths operation partnership wrote carrying oil and gas properties mln dlrs write downs reduced income dlrs per limited partnership unit reuter 
earn	dalton communications inc dalt qtr jan shr profit cts loss two cts net profit loss revs mln mln months shr profit cts profit six cts net profit profit revs mln mln reuter 
earn	correction shaw supermarkets earnings item headlined shaw supermarkets inc shaw year jan read per share earnings drs dlrs correcting order results reuter 
earn	wtd industries inc wtdi qtr jan net shr profit cts loss net profit loss sales mln mln avg shrs mths shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
acq	healthvest hvt sells shares healthvest maryland real estate investment trust began selling mln shares common stock dlrs share company selling shares healthcare international inc hii giving company pct stake healthvest reuter 
orange	cacex denies brazil fcoj price rise rumours rise price frozen concentrated orange juice fcoj spokesman for banco brasil foreign trade department cacex responding rumours international market that brazil had raised fcoj prices range dlrs per tonne reuter 
earn	systems esy sets qtrly payout qtrly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	piedmont management inc pman qtr shr cts dlrs net mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln note year qtr include capital gains mln dlrs and mln dlrs and extraordinary gain mln dlrs and mln dlrs year and qtr include capital gains mln dlrs and mln dlrs and extraordinary gain mln dlrs reuter 
earn	eastpark realty trust ert qtr net shr dlrs cts net rev year shr dlrs dlrs net rev mln mln note fourth qtr and had gains real estate investments dlrs share and dlrs share this compares loss dlrs cts share and mln dlrs share for fourth qtr and year reuter 
earn	industries inc sets qtrly payout qtrly div cts cts qtr pay april record march reuter 
earn	wtd industries inc wtdi qtr jan net shr profit cts loss net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs mths shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs note company public october reuter 
earn	alaska air group inc alk qtly dividend shr cts cts prior qtr pay record april reuter 
acq	usair comment twa twa offer usair group inc had comment offer received trans world airlines buy usair for dlrs cash per share usair spokesman david shipley declined comment piedmont aviation inc pie usair offered dlrs cash per share for half piedmont stock and dlrs stock for balance piedmont received offer norfolk southern corp nsc dlrs cash per share piedmont board meeting today company declined agenda spokesman not comment twa action norfolk southern corp nsc spokesman company had comment twa offer for usair proposal negotiate merger twa usair and piedmont don details norfolk southern spokesman company dlr share cash offer for piedmont stands offer twa alternative merger usair interested discussing combination usair piedmont and twa merger serve interests shareholders companies employees and consumers reuter 
reserves	south african foreign reserves sharply feb south africa total gold and foreign assets rose mln rand february billion rand rising almost billion rand january reserve bank governor gerhard kock kock interviewed state run television gave breakdown reserves that curb inflation salary increases below inflation rate state set example keeping wage increases below inflation rate consumer prices rose pct year january reuter 
earn	leaseway transportation corp ltc qtly div qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
sugar	peru sugar harvest lower usda sugar production peru for season revised tonnes raw pct previous forecast and pct below harvest agriculture department world production and trade report rains northern mountain region improving supply irrigation water major benefits will not occur season reuter 
acq	itel itel gets financing for anixter buy itel corp obtained commitments syndicate banks for six year secured loan mln dlrs and had separately filed registration statements for two public offerings for total mln dlrs fund december acquisition anixter bros inc offerings will mln dlrs issue convertible exchangeable series preferred and will mln dlr issue year senior subordinated notes offerings will merrill lynch capital markets portion proceeds offerings together proceeds form bank loan wll used repay mln dlr bridge loan merrill lynch and inc mer provided for itel buy anixter itel banks obtained commitments include manufacturers hanover trust mhc chemical bank york and national bank chicago reuter 
acq	great american gta gains mln loans great american savings bank bank recorded gains exceeding mln dlrs sales loans and mortgage securities valued billion dlrs san diego based bank prepared release report analysts that gains included mln dlrs arbitrage profits premium paid for separation interest and principal components federal national mortgage association strip securities bank reported profit mln dlrs transaction involving mln dlrs fnma securities including arbitrage gain great american recently announced plans acquire capital savings bank olympia wash and last year acquired home federal savings and loan association tucson ariz and los angeles federal savings bank resulted offices and billion dlrs assets bank plans expand into major western banking markets and acquisition colorado reuter 
acq	tandy brands tab sells unit tandy brands inc sold grate home and fireplace division investor group that includes members grate management for dlrs cash and secured notes company sale will not materially offset dlr recurring charge sale division reuter 
earn	browing ferris bfi declares for split browning ferris industires inc board declared two for stock split payable april holders record march reuter 
earn	pennwalt corp psm qtly dividend qtly div cts cts prior payable record april reuter 
acq	banner industries inc bnr completes purchase banner industries inc completed purchase rexnord inc rex common shares for dlrs per share cash tender offer that ended feb purchase follows banner receiving earlier today mln dlrs credit agreement citicorp industries credit inc and bank nova scotia and additional mln dlrs offerings made for banner and subsidiary drexel burnham and lambert result tender offer banner will approximately pct outstanding shares rexnord company merger rexnord and subsidiary banner will completed mid reuter 
crude	murphy raises crude oil posted prices dlr bbl wti dlrs today 
acq	phoenix steel receives offer for claymont mill phoenix steel corp group investors offered buy clayton steel plate mill for mln dlrs and assumption bond obligation phoenix not disclose indentity investors phoenix forced close clayton mill last month company offer represents major step restructuring company reuter 
earn	keane inc kean qtr shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr cts cts net revs mln note shares adjusted reflect distribution share class common stock for two shares common stock held record july reuter 
acq	viacom merger expected days sumner redstone president national amusements inc predicted can win regulatory approvals wrap billion dlr acquisition viacom international inc days redstone catapulted into big leagues entertainment early today group viacom managers and financial backers decided not top national bid had counsel working for time region viacom cable televison systems redstone told reuters telephone interview redstone viacom committed working closely obtain approvals viacom seeking approvals for transfer broadcast licenses and cable systems since september management group advanced buyout plan redstone turned situation into spirited bidding contest capped announcement this morning that viacom independent directors behalf viacom entered into defintive merger agreement national national family business operates chain movie theaters dwarfed viacom redstone weary talks dragged night excited prospect running leading electronic media company noted that number motion picture admissions shown growth years satellite television channels operated viacom motion picture oriented pay channels redstone exclusive contracts pay television networks emerging trend recently you motion picture pay channel redstone noted viacom exclusive agreements two studios and plans sign deal company month redstone management group investment bankers will paid due for termination merger agreement such fees total mln dlrs that will company expense redstone bankamerica bac corp had numerous inquiries lenders want participate billion dlr financing for deal bankamerica will provide mln dlrs merger viacom will subsidiary national pct company will public hands reuter 
trade	british aide criticizes protectionism senior british official that protectionist bills considered congress trigger retaliation european community eec and threaten global trading system paul channon secretary for trade and industry congress passed legislation curb textile imports hit shipments shipments major asian textile producers community retaliate comments echoed made yesterday belgian trade minister herman croo bill passed community retaliate imposing taxes exports channon made remarks news conference two days talks reagan administration officials and members congress croo washington for trade talks channon greater protectionism sentiment congress since visit last year congress and administration find ways reduce trade deficit last year hit record billion dlrs channon called for greater cooperation force japan open markets foreign goods channon japan trade surplus causing problems surplus united states last year billion dlrs and nations billion dlrs united pressure channon called for increased cooperation avoid trade disputes two sides narrowly avoided confrontation earlier this year lost grains sales spain and portugal joined community and liberal imports regulations tightened conform standards sides drew back brink that time not mean that another occasion channon added that increasing reesentment europe tactic negotiating pressure unilaterally imposed deadlines potential conflicts sight alleged european government subsidies airbus aircraft and taxes fats and oils and commuity and united states learn manage relations another bill united states retaliate nation that nation market not open goods bypass trade pact gatt general agreeeement tariffs and trade arbiter trade practices foreign trade law judged gatt and not united states adding trade law interpreted united states and not gatt happen rest reuter 
earn	industries inc set regular payout qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
sugar	china sugar output lower usda china sugar crop revised mln tonnes raw pct previous forecast and pct below previous season agriculture department world production and trade report department attributed decline relatively poor profitability sugar causing harvested area cane and beets decline pct beet sugar production for estimated tonnes pct earlier forecast and pct previous season cane output projected mln tonnes pct previously forecast and pct below previous season reuter 
earn	general host sees year loss general host corp will report loss continuing operations and sharp decline net income for year ended january due substantial operating losses frank nursery and crafts unit for year ended january general reported net income mln dlrs company discovered problems unit computerized accounts payable system results nursery and craft unit flower time inc not affected accountants investigating problem will delay release full year results reuter 
earn	medtronic inc mdt sets payout qtly dividend cts cts pay april record april reuter 
earn	louisville gas and electric lou dividend qtly dividend cts cts pay april record march reuter 
alum	kaiser aluminum klu raises product prices kaiser aluminum and chemical corp increasing prices for broad range common alloy coil flat sheet and plate products company prices distributors and direct customers shipments orders march and will increased cts per kaiser increases due increased demand and set prices relative cost primary aluminum reuter 
acq	robertson ups capital wire cwcc stake pct york investor julian robertson and investment partnerships controls raised stake capital wire and cable corp shares pct total pct filing securities and exchange commission robertson and tiger jaguar puma and tiger management entities bought capital wire common shares feb and dlrs share robertson group spent total mln dlrs investment company reuter 
acq	twa twa tangles piedmont pie situation trans world airlines inc complicated bidding for piedmont aviation inc offering buy piedmont suitor usair group alternatively merge piedmont and usair piedmont board meeting today and wall street speculated board discussing opposing bids norfolk southern corp and usair twa offer announced shortly piedmont board meeting scheduled begin twa offered buy usair for dlrs cash per share largest shareholder usair and threatened directly usair shareholders offer for pct stock lower price twa believed offer deal for usair shareholders acquisition piedmont alternatively discuss combination airlines market sources and analysts speculated that twa chairman carl icahn made offer order put airline into takeover arena wondering not twa into play speculation street move somthing arbitrager twa putting trial balloon analysts offer usair that airline will reject price relatively low compared airline deals icahn prove offer credible revealing financing arrangements show commitment and ability finance credible offer timothy pettee bear stearns analyst low end relative values airline deals pettee pettee estimated dlrs reasonable range based airline mergers usair stock soared twa made public offer spokesman for usair declined comment and usair had not changed offer for piedmont usair offered buy pct that airline stock for dlrs cash per share and balance for dlrs per share usair stock usair closed volume mln shares piedmont slipped close remained silent twa action piedmont outstanding dlr cash per share offer norfolk southern corp norfolk southern declined comment stuck offer for piedmont norfolk owns pct piedmont and opened bidding propose takeover piedmont analysts icahn acquire usair make airline attractive takeover target icahn had wanted sell airline and takers strategy called for making investment attractive accomplish that specific objective and acquire airlines andrew kim eberstadt fleming don buy this becomes viable package kim icahn financing ability for such transaction remains doubt part twa heavy debt load wall street sources twa cash offer sources icahn not lined financial advisers and plans make arrangements icahn earlier this year abandoned plans buy usx corp and retains pct that company stock wall street sources financier usx plan impacted cloud hanging adviser drexel burnham lambert inc wall street insider trading scandal industry sources predicted usair reject twa offer price and financing concerns littered contingencies and doesn even financing arrangement executive another major airline executive conceded merged twa usair strong contender usair east coast route system and planned west coast presence psa usair feed intenrational flights twa midwest presence louis hub adding piedmont dominant southeast mix develop even stronger force combined entity twa pars reservation system such merger complex and analysts result airline iwth pct market share reuter 
earn	forest oil corp foil qtr shr loss cts profit cts net loss mln profit year shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss mln profit mln reuter 
trade	yeutter plans trade trip china this summer trade representative clayton yeutter plans july trip china discuss trade issues including china admission general agreements tariffs and trade yeutter told congressional hearing china member gatt end year making major moves full scale member world economy told house appropriations subcommittee oversees agency budget depending negotiations terms china gatt membership yeutter put final touches part agreement trip admission china gatt multinational group nations negotiates international rules trade offer potential export markets and potential competition for industries that lot potential risks for business yeutter china will develop into fine market for added reuter 
coffee	rio coffee trade prefers pact quota cut failure talks introduce coffee export quotas international coffee agreement ica preferable alternative brazil sharply reduced quota had proposed president rio janeiro coffee trade association carlos calmon told reuters proposals reduce brazil quota pct world share pct present unacceptable country large stocks and good harvest expected brazil capacity export mln bags this year calmon added calmon assuming mln bag global ica quota brazil share proposals mln bags soluble accounted for mln leaving mln bags green coffee for export pity talks broke for brazil this such quota reduction added brazil exported mln bags soluble and green coffee including two mln bags members severe drought and marketing problems cut exports last year mln bags calmon estimated stocks january mln bags mln sold for export harvest this year mln bags added latest brazilian coffee institute estimate for last year harvest mln bags traders higher this reuter 
grain	cabinet council set mull farm issues reagan administration cabinet level economic policy council scheduled meet friday discuss issues status agricultural legislation administration officials officials discussion agriculture department wheat export subsidy soviet union not agenda matters not agenda can brought council officials grain trade officials speculated that usda make wheat export enhancement offer moscow usda officials matter not active consideration usda today transmitted congress package legislative proposals including bills that cut target prices and speed loan rate reductions reuter 
earn	unicorp american corp uac qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr cts dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln note net preferred dividend payments and includes tax gain sale real estate properties mln dlrs reuter 
acq	banner bnr completes rexnord share purchase banner industries inc completed previously announced purchase rexnord inc rex owns pct rexnord outstanding purchase rexnord common validly tendered pursuant dlr per share cash tender offer ended february banner received mln dlrs pursuant credit agreement citicorp industrial credit inc and bank nova scotia and mln dlrs offering made drexel burnham lambert inc merger rexnord subsidiary banner will copmleted mid company reuter 
veg-oil	reaffirms opposition oils tax plan meeting government agencies today reaffirmed strong opposition united states proposed tax vegetable oils and fats european community trade officials representatives major government agencies agreed trade policy review group meeting includes officials deputy secretary rank continue diplomatic pressure member states agencies together this trade official source continue make clear member states and commission that brussels proceeds vegetable oils tax will great cost officials formal list european products retaliate drawn don that point trade official adding that begun deliberations farm price package suzanne early assistant trade representative told reuters interagency meeting discuss strategy vegetable oils issue asked retaliation sometimes not specific trade representative clayton yeutter monday warned another major transatlantic trade row will develop proceeds vegetable oils tax reuter 
earn	ccl industries inc qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr cts dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln note shr profit relates class voting shares reuter 
earn	transcontinental group qtr net shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note period ended january reuter reuter 
acq	piedmont aviation recesses meeting taking action merger proposals 
gnp	canada central bank head sees moderate growth bank canada governor john crow expects canadian economy will grow moderately coming year despite flat growth final quarter moderate growth crow told news conference presentation central bank annual report house commons today positive signs growth economy drawdown business inventories fourth quarter yesterday statistics canada reported gross domestic product expanded slight pct quarter crow reiterated bank previous statements that inflation remains major priority setting monetary policy and inflation acceptable canada inflation rate hovering pct mark governor canada banking system remains sound despite recent concern exposure country banks debt plagued countries such brazil debt problem not happy development can overplayed terms impact crow told reporters reuter 
earn	amvestors financial corp avfc qtr net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln note qtr and oper net excludes dlrs and dlrs cts per share for realized investment gains qtr and oper net excludes dlrs and dlrs for tax loss carryforwards qtr and oper net excludes realized investment gains dlrs cts per share and dlrs cts per share qtr oper net excludes loss dlrs for carryforward reuter 
acq	piedmont pie takes action piedmont aviation inc board meeting recessed today taking action proposals combine piedmont corporations piedmont received opposing bids norfolk southern corp and air corp earlier today trans world airlines inc offered buy piedmont suitor air alternatively merge piedmont and air prepared statement piedmont announcements this situation today company declined board meet reuter 
trade	yeutter concerned export picture trade representative clayton yeutter expects imports fall concerned lack improvement exports dollar decline last months convinced improvement import side concerned export side told house appropriations subcommittee part blame countries not generated economic growth increase demand for goods and part companies not generating competitive exports reuter 
trade	house trade bill drafting postponed house ways and means trade subcommittee postponed week opening session start drafting major trade laws committee aide subcommittee had not completed preparatory work start writing legislation aide reuter 
earn	lumonics inc year loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs note loss excludes extraordinary loss dlrs cts shr including corporate reorganization discontinuing operations and inventory writedown subsidiaries ago loss dlrs cts shr reuter 
earn	hcc industries hcci quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay march record march reuter 
crude	southland slc unit raises crude prices southland corp citgo petrleum corp raised contract price will pay for grades crude oil dlr barrel effective today increase brings citgo posted price for west texas intermediate dlrs bbl west texas sour priced dlrs bbl and light louisiana south posted dlrs bbl february citgo lowered crude postings cts dlrs per bbl and cut wti dlr reuter 
earn	western security bank qtr net shr profit ten cts loss six cts net profit loss year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit assets mln mln deposits mln mln loans mln mln reuter 
coffee	coffee price drop not affecting colombia debt sharp fall international coffee prices will not affect colombia external credit situation finance minister cesar gaviria told reuters foreign debt high can pay and hope foreign banking community will maintain position current decline world coffee markets not totally unexpected and bearing colombia financial state described sound gaviria decline coffee prices mean loss billion dlrs revenues for conservative party and country largest trade union called this week for debt rescheduled price drop colombia major latin american country not rescheduled external public debt total foreign debt billion dlrs reuter 
reserves	south african foreign reserves sharply south africa total gold and foreign assets rose mln rand february billion rand rising almost billion rand january reserve bank governor gerhard kock kock interviewed state run television gave breakdown reserves that curb inflation salary increases below inflation rate state set example keeping wage increases below inflation rate consumer prices rose pct year january reuter 
acq	wtc international waf sets south africa trust wtc international sold affiliates south africa independent trust created continue operations that country purchase price mln dlrs represented ten year interest bearing note payable annually pct paid trust proceeds south african operations company wtc board concluded view social political and economic situatin south africa separate company interests reuter 
coffee	ivory coast coffee price fall short lived ivory coast today predicted that present coffee price crash recorded collapse recent international coffee organisation ico meeting london not last long commenting monday failure producer and consumer nations agree export quotas needed tighten oversupplied coffee market ivorian agriculture minister denis bra kanon told reporters that traders eventually obliged restore positions convinced market reverse april told news conference return failed london talks robusta coffee beans for delivery ended day london sterling sterling tonne lowest since bra kanon estimated billion cfa francs billion dlrs loss revenues earned ivory coast commodities exports this year slide world markets continues disclosed that country world biggest cocoa producer and largest for coffee spearhead african initiative reach compromise formula end month ivory coast chosen abidjan based inter african coffee organisation iaco speak behalf continent producer nations london talks initiative iaco likely elaborating london collapse immediately embarked concertation avoid breaking fragile market questioned journalists minister president felix houphouet boigny estimated for moment that government not forced reduce price guaranteed state ivorian coffee growers for current season last year west african nation announced that coffee producer price stay cfa francs cents per kilo bra kanon that country strive diversify agricultural production avoid beeing dependent world market fluctuation communique read state run television tonight that today weekly cabinet meeting veteran ivorian leader reaffirmed faith ivory coast bright economic future despite commodities price slide agriculture minister announced government decided earmark sum billion cfa francs mln dlrs support country small farmers financially strapped ivory coast long regarded africa showpiece economies difficult times sharp slump world price cocoa and coffee ivory coast real gross domestic product expected grow pct this year compared pct recent finance ministry estimate reuter 
gold	reagan remarks gold recover hong kong gold rose cents ounce statement president ronald reagan that arms for hostages deal iran mistake dealers bullion rose dlrs initial low this compares opening and york close dealers noted mild short covering metal initial selling local investors trading fairly quiet this morning partly owed slow dollar activities added reagan remarks had short lived bullish impact gold price stabilising dlrs dealers local market metal traded narrow range and dlrs tael yesterday close reuter 
money-supply	taiwan issues cds curb money supply growth central bank issued billion dlrs worth certificates deposit cds bringing issues this year billion bank spokesman told reuters cds maturities six months year and two years carry interest rates ranging pct issues designed curb growth money supply expanded taiwan foreign exchange reserves spokesman reserves reached record high billion dlrs wednesday reuter 
ship	taiwan shipbuilder for japanese ventures taiwan state owned china shipbuilding corp csbc plans seek joint production agreements japan and diversify into ship repairing trim debts chairman louis told reuters interview that csbc joint production venture build two hulls for onomichi dockyard success talks similar projects held japanese firms including mitsubishi heavy industries mith and ishikawajima harima heavy industries jima csbc delivered hulls two teu twenty foot equivalent unit container ships this year onomichi complete production expect successful cooperation and onomichi will pave for cooperation japanese shipbuilders future japanese firms gain lower cost shipbuilding taiwan csbc benefit japanese technology and marketing this pose challenge competitors europe and south korea csbc made losses mln dlrs since beginning operations total debt stands mln dlrs annual interest payments mln dlrs company taiwan largest shipbuilder full government support and had begun diversifying into ship repairing and manufacture pipes and machinery hope can survive and prosper diversification income ship repairing almost doubled mln dlrs year ended june compared previous financial year estimated income rise mln dlrs csbc orders build ships totalling dead weight tons dwt this financial year compared ships dwt prospects for shipbuilding gloomy due overtonnage outlook for ship repairing bright reuter 
crude	opec sticking firm official prices subroto opec countries sticking firmly official crude oil prices volatility spot prices likely continue into quarter indonesian minister mines and energy subroto told reuters subroto attending pacific energy cooperation conference blamed recent rapid spot price unbalanced supply and demand stick production limitation quarter will balance market period transition impact opec december agreement cut output and fix prices average dlrs barrel worked asked whether opec members gulf cooperation council gcc had concrete proposals qatar sell crude oil face strong resistance official prices subroto apparently care that gcc meet each subroto that not member opec price differentials committee not meeting had postponed scheduled april date find not meeting sticking official prices reuter 
coffee	thai coffee exports rise thai coffee exports rose tonnes year earlier customs department reuter 
money-supply	south korean money supply rises february south korea money supply rose pct billion won february billion january fell revised pct december provisional bank korea figures show february figure pct year earlier money supply rose pct billion won february january fell pct december february figure marked year year rise pct bank previously fell pct january reuter 
reserves	pakistan foreign exchange reserves fall pakistan foreign exchange reserves fell billion rupees february billion january compared billion february state bank pakistan bank gave reason for fall local bankers big import bills had affected reserves federal bureau statistics not released last month import and export figures reuter 
earn	hoechst group pre tax profit falls hoechst hfag group pre tax profit slightly lower billion marks posted parent company pre tax profits rose slightly billion group turnover fell slightly billion marks billion and parent company turnover fell billion marks billion company statement reuter 
gold	bhp float gold unit for issue broken hill pty brkn bhp plans renounceable for issue rights float company bhp gold mines bhpgm will hold bhp gold interests statement bhp cent par rights priced cents for mln bhpgm shares offer bhp will subscribe for remaining mln shares pct issued capital terms bhpgm will pay mln dlrs for bhp gold interests excluding stake papua guinea tedi mining and interests held bhp utah international inc bhp statement issue will made shareholders registered march opens april and closes april and underwritten and son rights will traded australian stock exchanges march april and shares will quoted june bhp company will australia larger gold producers annual output exceeding ounces plans boost production ounces early bhpgm portfolio will include australian mines pct telfer pct ora banda and browns creek and pct boddington development statement bhpgm hold bhp pct stake coronation hill property northern territory and pct stake venture gympie queensland bhpgm chairman designate john gough quality gold stock diversity and depth bhp gold portfolio give company sound foundation current gold production and exciting potential for growth reuter 
earn	bank expected post pct profit rise hongkong and shanghai banking corp hkbh likely show rise profit and pct for reflecting stronger expected loan growth share analysts polled reuters estimates bank net earnings for last year ranged billion dlrs results will announced tuesday net profit billion forecast final dividend cents for total cents for year cents adjusted for for bonus issue analysts expected bank recommend bonus issue this year for for bank pct subsidiary hang seng bank hsgh report results friday analysts expect hang seng announce net profit billion dlrs for time increase pct expect hang seng pay final dividend dlrs for total dlrs for year analysts that use undisclosed reserves banks makes forecasting imprecise hongkong bank benefited unexpected strength hong kong economy gross domestic product grew pct initial forecast pct benefited considerably pickup loan demand loan portfolio balanced analyst mansion house securities government figures show that total loans and advances rose pct compared pct increase loans finance hong kong visible trade mainstay local economy rose pct decline pct low interest rates helped bank interest received loans low prime rate pct end interest paid savings two pct hongkong bank and hang seng bank control half deposits banking system giving access large base low cost funds strength real estate market another major income source for bank group loans finance property development and instalment mortgages rose sharply hongkong bank group leader mortgage business despite tough competition bank china group and foreign banks analyst high level activity capital and equities markets contributed sharp improvement hongkong bank subsidiaries wardley waia and james capel and analysts wardley had tremendous year acting financial adviser and underwriter analyst wardley underwriter for last year billion dlr flotation cathay pacific airways hongkong bank owned pct time bank stake since cut pct return for billion dlrs sold entire pct stake south china morning post larger two english language daily newspapers for billion dlrs proceeds will reserves for acquisitions and will not show profit and loss accounts analysts analysts bank had helped reduced write bad debts for provisions lower year tony measor hong leong securities last year profits billion dlrs not for huge provisions hongkong bank chairman michael sandberg bank wrote hundreds millions dollars shipping exposure lesley nickolds county securities asia major shipping writeoffs forecast profit billion dlrs bank latin american exposure pct owned marine midland banks inc appears improved substantially analysts marine midland fourth quarter loan loss provisions fell mln dlrs mln year net profit rose mln dlrs mln reuter 
acq	hughes tool directors reject merger baker directors hughes tool recommend shareholders that reject merger baker international corp bko today hughes vice president ike kerridge recommendation put shareholders meeting scheduled for local time gmt discuss proposed merger kerridge board met yesterday discuss merger decided hughes board objected department justice requirement that baker sell specialised subsidiaries businesses related oil drilling hughes board last week that cancel merger department justice requirement board directors california based baker had approved merger february baker had signed agreement sell subsidiaries companies had april comply justice department requirement kerridge reuter 
earn	canon inc cann year ended decmeber group shr yen net billion yen billion pretax billion yen billion operating billion yen billion sales billion billion note company attributed profit fall largely yen appreciation period domestic sales rose pct billion yen year earlier exports declined pct billion reuter 
tin	thai tin exports rise january thailand exported tonnes tin metal january december and year ago mineral resources department major buyers last month singapore japan britain netherlands malaysia and reuter 
trade	belgolux trade moves into surplus belgo luxembourg economic union bleu moved into narrow trade surplus billion francs billion franc deficit figures spokesman for national statistics institute show imports fell last year billion francs exports lower billion francs billion december bleu had billion franc trade surplus billion franc surplus november and billion franc surplus december reuter 
money-supply	spain raises banks reserve requirement bank spain raised reserve requirement for banks and savings banks pct deposits pct drain excess liquidity threatened money supply and inflation targets statement issued late last night central bank measure effect march recent weeks excess liquidity spanish economy not controlled threaten monetary and inflation targets set government statement banking sources measure drain billion pesetas system maximum reserve requirement allowed law pct move follows half point increase yesterday bank spain key overnight call money rate stands pct today auction bank left rate unchanged spain principal measure money supply broad based liquid assets public hands alp grew annualised rate pct january compared pct and target pct for banking sources that january money supply figures good compared annualised rates pct december and pct january alp growth appeared accelerated february raising government concern inflation recent figures suggested that prices control secretary state for trade miguel angel fernandez ordonez this week that annualised inflation rate for february not officially announced fell pct six pct january compared inflation pct and government target pct for this year reuter 
iron-steel	india and japan discuss iron ore prices state owned minerals and metals trading corp will send team japan week negotiate iron ore export contract for beginning april trade sources japan biggest buyer indian iron ore imports mln tonnes year asked india reduce prices current average dlrs tonne sources japan forced reduce ore imports india year delhi fails reduce price source declined give details reuter 
sugar	firs slightly raises beet sugar output estimate french sugar market intervention board firs raised estimate beet sugar production member european community mln tonnes white equivalent end february report mln month earlier forecast for total sugar production including cane and molasses rose mln tonnes mln portugal joined community january estimated mln tonnes white equivalent unchanged previous forecast and compared mln tonnes for production for current campaign spain higher reported last month mln tonnes compared tonnes beet sugar production expressed white equivalent estimated mln tonnes france mln tonnes west germany mln italy mln britain mln netherlands tonnes belgium luxembourg denmark greece ireland and portugal reuter 
crude	papua guinea plans resources investment agency papua guinea government will establish public corporation invest resources projects minerals and energy minister john kaputin intend provide means privileged individuals can become part owners and beneficiaries development mining and petroleum projects told parliament existing policy allowing state pct equity major mining projects and pct oil and gas projects maintained planned agency state equity current developments kaputin papua guinea experiencing boom exploration companies spending mln kina annually mining and petroleum projects government determined ensure that papua guinean ownership minerals and petroleum projects increases orderly kaputin not corporation established exactly form government study whether directly involved exploration development reuter 
money-fx	nigerian currency firms latest auction nigerian naira firmed pct dollar banks disqualified bidding today weekly foreign exchange auction central bank naira finished dollar last week mln dlrs mln dlrs offer sold bidding banks successfully obtaining hard currency effective rate including central bank levy for transactions coming week last week failure sell allocation due central bank unprecedented disqualification banks punishment for inadequate documentation previous transactions banks required submit proof that bids based valid commercial transactions and central bank complained past that failing produce paperwork time reuter 
trade	tells japan cut trade surplus undersecretary state for economic affairs allen wallis had urged japan reduce large trade surplus united states central message japan this week that made progress areas told press conference days talks resolution trade issues visible efforts restructure economy encourage imports and greater domestic led growth forecasting sluggish economic growth japan this year wallis urged tokyo stimulate domestic demand reduce trade surplus hit record billion dlrs named areas concern washington computer microchips supercomputers kansai airport agricultural products and car telephones warned that japan agreement governing trade semiconductors jeopardy despite pact japanese producers dumping microchips foreign markets united states penetration japanese market not increased reuter 
gnp	german economic outlook fairly bright outlook for west german economy relatively bright gross national product expected expand pct this year kiel university institute for world economy gnp forecast institute leading economic research bodies west germany optimistic that institutes recently reduced gnp forecasts two and pct report kiel institute west germany export outlook not deteriorated fundamentally despite mark strength dollar and major currencies danger that exports will slump appears limited report contrary slight rise exports can expected institute past experience shown west german exporters will move counterbalance currency factors cutting costs penetrate markets and adjusting product ranges will aided expected slight rise economic growth industrial countries time decline exports oil producing countries set slow this year west german gnp growth will led renewed advances domestic consumption and investment spending will turn buoyed expansionary monetary policy institute labour market slight improvement companies will reluctant hire additional workers due higher labour costs caused partly agreed reductions working hours institute cautioned that expansionary stance monetary policy west germany likely bring marked acceleration inflation warned that called worldwide synchronization monetary policy heightened risk global recession central banks industrialized countries including bundesbank had federal reserve board expansionary institute this turn bound lead eventually rise worldwide inflation and shift policy restrictive policy central banks likely follow suit causing recession that aggravate debt crisis developing countries increase protectionism world germany cannot shield negative effects global synchronization monetary policy can strengthen forces growth home institute this ensuring that fiscal policy fosters willingness work and invest taxes cut greater amount planned and wage increases and markedly lower bundesbank reduce inflationary pressures cutting current rate growth money supply pct reuter 
coffee	creditor banks buy into singapore coffee firm creditor banks singapore coffee trader teck hock and pte thinking buying controlling stake company creditor bank official since last december banks allowing company postpone loan repayments find overseas commodity company make offer for firm company expressed interest and negotiations not banking sources banks prepared taking stake find investor willing inject six mln dlrs company not control banking sources teck hock financial adviser singapore international merchant bankers simbl will work proposal creditor banks major holdings likely held two largest creditor banks standard chartered bank stch and oversea chinese banking corp ocbm added teck hock owes mln singapore dlrs and creditor banks earlier this week agreed teck hock fufill profitable contracts balance earlier losses banks oversea chinese banking corp united overseas bank uobm banque paribas bangkok bank citibank standard chartered bank algemene bank nederland abnn banque nationale paris bnpp and chase manhattan bank reuter 
trade	economic spotlight polish sanctions poland sanctions cost economy billion dlrs and made clear washington lead repairing damage lifting remaining restrictions two weeks ago polish officials unable provide precise breakdown figure takes into account number hypothetical losses sophisticated convert into financial terms banking source western economic experts effect sanctions impossible calculate blurred poor performance poland economy and dismiss billion dlr figure illusory sanctions provided excuse for achieving bad effect contributed largely internal economic problems imposed measures and withdrew favoured nation mfn trading status poland retaliation for suppression solidarity free trade union martial law estimated cost polish economy originally devised years ago institute national economy offshoot central planning commission western envoy expert polish economic affairs extrapolated information growth trends trade united states increases credits western commercial and government lenders calculations based time trade booming and credits flowed freely dismissing estimate theoretical projection based high point real scientific evaluation foreign trade ministry official polish exports late averaged mln dlrs annually and had fallen half since sanctions imposed imports suffered slumping mln dlrs mln credits ran poland dwindling trade surplus west last year billion dlrs targeted billion official figures show acknowledging that sanctions lost poland important markets including agricultural equipment textiles chemicals and foodstuffs western economists credits dried for economic not political reasons poland accusing west letting economic relations deteriorate for political reasons expert illusion based misunderstanding western economy limit you can giving hope repaying another adding that poland had benefited global phenomenon easy credits longer today reality describing billion dlr assessment nebulous diplomat included losses hypothetical orders and setbacks polish research curbing scientific links and exchanges western officials lifting sanctions and mfn status will impact poland hard currency debt billion dlrs and lacks means modernise industry mfn doesn mean that poland will not treated worse countries will difficult regain access market forces play western envoy polish products not competitive and quality low trade wars and protectionist measures japan and europe hamper poland efforts regain entry deputy foreign trade minister janusz kaczurba recognised this fact recently kaczurba told official pap news agency recently making lost position will long time and uncommonly difficult and cases impossible period two years will increase level exports mln dlrs poland seek compensation moral assistance imposed sanctions illegally western economist argument that sanctions unilateral torpedoing polish economy won cut ice americans will reply that poles acted immorally crushing solidarity nevertheless polish national bank head wladyslaw baka talks washington last week international monetary fund imf and world bank made clear that poland for lead united states quoted pap that poland meet financial obligations united states not short time and not cooperative stand part foreign economic partners stressed that had opportunity play part cooperative policy poland partners interested settlement polish debt putting sharply senior banking official blamed washington for obstructing talks world bank imf and paris club western creditor governments recent years and play positive role major superpower united states can influence international organisations citing recent meetings aimed stabilising currencies example extent western nations prepared cooperate reuter 
wpi	belgian wholesale prices fall january belgian wholesale prices fell pct january year earlier pct year year fall december figures economics ministry show ministry spokesman wholesale price index base and excluding added tax stood january this compared december janua and december january wholesale prices pct lower year earlier reuter 
interest	bundesbank leaves credit policies unchanged bundesbank left credit policies unchanged today regular meeting council spokesman answer enquiries west german discount rate remains pct and lombard emergency financing rate pct reuter 
sugar	turkey import tonnes crystal sugar turkey announced tender import tonnes white crystal sugar advertisement local newspapers turkish sugar factories advertisement pct option increase decrease amount and bids reach march semi official anatolian agency recently quoted turkish minister industry and trade cahit aral turkey will export tonnes sugar this year and import amount reuter 
money-fx	egyptian central bank dollar rate unchanged egypt central bank today set dollar rate for commercial banks for march dollars unchanged previous rate reuter 
acq	baker international corp sues hughes tool seeking merger completion 
acq	usair group rejects trans world airlines takeover bid 
crude	early march opec output below ceiling opec crude oil output days march running mln bpd mln bpd average for february and below mln bpd ceiling group adopted december reuter survey shows figures polled reuters correspondents oil traders industry executives and analysts europe middle east africa latin america and asia back recent statements opec ministers that group producing ceiling support return fixed price system into effect last month opec output for february bpd ceiling largely overproduction united arab emirates and kuwait figures show uae together smaller producer ecuador producing quota days march survey reveals such overproduction compensated for sharp fall saudi arabian output together iran inability export quota iraq rejected opec quota mln bpd and produced mln bpd february and early march figures showed saudi output excluding movements into stocks fell mln bpd early march mln bpd february mln bpd quota saudi figures include bpd share neutral zone production kuwait consistently denied quota violations estimated pumping mln bpd february and early march figures including bpd share neutral zone output bpd quota reports customer resistance fixed prices set opec states reflected output qatar and nigeria substantially quota february and early march qatar february output bpd and this fell bpd early march compared bpd quota industry sources japanese buyers resisting qatar prices and gulf arab oil states pledged make for shortfall sales fellow gulf state suffers nigeria early march output mln bpd mln bpd february and quota mln bpd industry sources nigeria customers bonny grades overpriced compared compatible brent crudes north sea country country production figures follows mln bpd country current february quota algeria ecuador gabon indonesia iran iraq kuwait libya nigeria qatar saudi arabia uae venezuela total reuter reuter 
acq	baker bko sues force hughes merger baker international corp filed suit state court houston compel hughes tool complete proposed merger baker late yesterday hughes had terminated merger agreement baker not agree alternative divestiture plan devised hughes hughes board had previously found unacceptable justice department consent decree that required broader divestitures baker not obtained satisfactory explanation hughes objections provisions justice department consent decree hughes yesterday adjourned special meeting shareholders vote merger permitting counting votes deal baker believes vote overwhelmingly favor merger baker terms that hughes proposed for merger alternative consent decree burdensome consent decree baker divestitures consent decree reduce revenues for combined company mln dlrs pct baker will continue pursue divestitures units named consent decree suit names defendants hughes and directors and seeks injunction forcing hughes live merger agreement substantial monetary damages not name baker believes merger interests shareholders companies reuter 
interest	spain deregulates bank deposit interest rates spain finance ministry deregulated bank deposit rates effort raise competition banks and bring legislation into line european community ministry spokesman measure published today official state gazette takes effect tomorrow and lifts restrictions rates limited six pct deposits days government enacted decree cutting pct pct proportion total assets banks lend favourable rates industries classified public interest bankers expect deregulation rates result pct drop profits this year secretary state for economy guillermo dehesa told reuters recent interview reduction fixed asset investments offset losses rate liberalisation reuter 
acq	usair rejects twa twa takeover bid usair group inc board rejected trans world airlines inc offer acquire usair for dlrs per share cash grossly adequate and not interests usair shareholders employees passengers company unsolicited bid carl icahn led twa highly conditional usair board and that piedmont aviation inc pie met separately yesterday usair offer acquire pct piedmont for dlrs per share and remaining shares for common shares each valued dlrs per share based average closing price usair common period merger company continuing talks piedmont arriving definitive merger agreement and two companies hope reach shortly usair light highly conditional nature and terms twa offer timing offer and circumstances made usair group believes that purpose twa offer interfere usair group proposed acquisition piedmont twa proposal nothing attempt carl icahn disrupt eleventh hour usair group acquisition piedmont transaction usair group board views beneficial usair group shareholders employees and passengers and icahn regards contrary personal interests usair board authorized counsel explore legal remedies called twa last minute attempt interfere usair group acquisition piedmont company conditions twa offer include twa obtaining financing usair board redeeming defensive rights issued shareholders last year and acting render fair price provision contained usair charter inapplicable twa offer and transportation department approval reuter 
jobs	time jobless claims fall week applications for unemployment insurance benefits fell seasonally adjusted week ended feb prior week labor department number people receiving benefits regular state programs totaled week ended feb latest period for that figure that previous week reuter 
earn	jaguar sees strong growth model sales jaguar plc jagr sell model and japanese markets and expects strong reception based success chairman sir john egan told news conference commenting pct growth group turnover mln stg and pre tax profits mln stg slightly below mln egan jaguar aimed average profit growth pct per year introduction model had this year pre tax profit jaguar starts selling and plans sell total production sales account for pct total turnover finance director john edwards price for car not set edwards relatively high car prices dollars west german competitors offered umbrella for jaguar added had compete luxury car producers restrict car price jaguar hedges majority dollar receipts month rolling basis and plans for larger part receipts for longer periods john egan longer term capital expenditure will amount pct net sales research and development will cost pct net sales and training two pct jaguar builds half cars and buys components for half firm early stages building press shop britain for mln stg egan this another years london stock exchange jaguar shares last quoted yesterday close reporting results line market expectations dealers reuter 
crude	diamond shamrock raises crude posted prices dlr effective march wti dlrs bbl 
earn	nord resources corp nrd qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln avg shrs mln mln year shr cts cts net mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note shr figures adjusted for for split paid feb reuter 
copper	quake damage chuquicamata mine spokesman earthquake hit northern chile today registering open ended richter scale caused damage copper mine chuquicamata mine spokesman chuquicamata public relations director guillermo barcelo told reuters telephone mine that quake had caused problems and operations continued usual spokesman for state chilean copper commission santiago confirmed had damage chuquicamata reuter 
acq	groups apply buy french telephone group consortia applied buy french state owned telephone equipment manufacturer cie generale constructions telephoniques cgct will give owners control pct french telephone switching market sources close finance minister edouard balladur french government end april decide applicant will accepted added foreign groups want gain foothold french market potential stake cgct limited pct privatisation laws passed last year pct left french hands finance ministry sources gave details groups interested cgct publicly announced candidacies telecommunications giant american telephone and telegraph centre two year battle for cgct teamed dutch based philips telecommunications industrie subsidiary philips gloeilampenfabriek pglo and societe anonyme telecommunications sat present joint bid association holding company cie midi mcdp and french investment funds second bid come west german electronics group siemens sieg hopes pct stake cgct french telecommunications jeumont schneider taking remaining pct sweden ericsson submitted bid for maximum pct permitted association french defence electronics group matra hold and pct and construction group bouygues matra acquired cgct private telephone business reuter 
ship	blizzard closes bosphorus blizzard conditions halted shipping bosphorus waterway and piled snow cms deep central istanbul paralysing city for second day running snow whipped kph winds continued fall istanbul and northwest anatolia hours and weather reports predicted relief for another two days port officials six large vessels black sea and sea marmara waiting for conditions improve istanbul ataturk international airport closed since yesterday reuter 
acq	japan fund jpn seekers confident financing sterling grace capital management group confident financing can arranged japan fund board recommend group acquisition proposal group includes anglo american security fund and pickens iii tuesday proposed entity controls acquire for cash assets japan fund for pct fund aggregate net asset group had number meetings past days domestic and overseas financial institutions sterling grace capital group institutions expressed interest providing financing for proposed acquisition japan fund adding confident that financing can quickly arranged japan fund board directors willing recommend transaction shareholders reuter 
earn	pegasus gold inc pgulf qtr dec net shr profit cts loss two cts net profit loss revs mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln reuter 
earn	keltic inc year net shr cts dlrs net revs note shr november class subordinate floating share issue reuter 
acq	hutton efh starts purolator pcc bid hutton group inc started previously announced offer purchase common shares purolator courier corp dlrs each newspaper advertisement company offer proration period and withdrfawal rights will expire april extended offer conditioned receipt purolator shares pct interest and step merger agreement that approved purolator board hutton reserves buy shares present intention waive condition that shares tendered long received pct interest receive fewer shares that purchase sharesd consent purolator reuter 
money-fx	yeutter puts currency burden taiwan korea responsibility for appreciation taiwan dollar and south korean won lies soley countries trade representative clayton yeutter speaking asia society yeutter that countries long term interest raise currencies dollar yeutter responding question encourage appreciation currencies dollar order reduce large trade deficits taiwain and korea undervalued currency will countries exports short term long run concerned perceived international business community yeutter for taiwan yeutter that per capita trade surplus larger that japan and huge foreign exchange reserves difficult defend high import tarrifs and barriers that prevail that country that south korean won begin move reflect underlying economic fundamentals two years time korea will situation that prevails taiwan turning deficit japan billion dlrs yeutter that this situation not sustainable give not great threat legislative action counteract that trend yeutter reuter 
earn	princeville development corp pvdc year loss shr diluted loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs diluted note current year includes loss mln dlrs takeover defense expenses includes losses mln dlrs dlrs equity limited partnerships reuter 
acq	orange holder raises stake orange inc largest shareholder summit resoureces inc increased stake pct pct and owns shares reuter 
earn	horizon corp hzn qtr net oper shr profit dlrs loss cts oper net profit mln loss revs mln year oper shr profit dlrs loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs note net includes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs year net periods excludes dlr loss discontinued operations net periods includes pretax gain mln dlrs sale remaining interest paradise hills development reuter 
earn	international thomson organisation year shr net mln mln revs billion billion note figures sterling share results deducting preferred share dividends mln pounds sterling reuter 
earn	equatorial communications equa qtr loss shr loss dlrs nil net loss profit rev mln mln year shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit rev mln mln avg shares note fourth qtr net includes time restructuring charge mln dlrs net income includes extraordinary gain mln dlrs cts reuter 
earn	international thomson organisation year shr 
acq	trimedyne tmed spin stake unit trimedyne inc will distribute class common share automedix sciences inc for each trimedyne shares held record march company spinoff distributing entire pct interesdt automedix spun stock will not saleable for months company reuter 
earn	casey general stores inc casy qtr jan shr cts cts net sales mln mln mths shr cts cts net sales mln mln reuter 
crude	diamond shamrock dia raises crude oil postings diamond shamrock raised posted prices for grades crude oil dlr barrel effective yesterday dlr increase brings west texas intermediate wti benchmark crude dlrs bbl company diamond shamrock joined sun coastal citgo and murphy oil raising crude oil posted prices dlr barrel yesterday reuter 
earn	oak hill sportswear corp ohsc qtr net shr cts cts net sales mln mln year shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	oak industries inc oak qtr loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss sales mln mln avg shr mln mln year oper shr loss cts loss dlrs oper net loss mln mln sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln backlog mln mln notes operating losses exclude profits discontinued operationgs dlrs cent share dlrs cts share quarter and mln dlrs dlrs share mln dlrs cts share year year operating loss excludes extraordinary gain mln dlrs cts share backlog includes orders shipped mths mln dlrs january orders shipped mths mln dlrs mln dlrs december reuter 
earn	regis corp rgis regular dividend set qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	mannesmann seeks stake firm mannesmann mmwg diversified engineering and pipe making group interested taking stake company companies not found suitable firm spokesman reply questions mannesmann managing board chairman werner dieter told business weekly wirtschaftswoche interview that mannesmann wanted invest company order strengthen presence market dieter mannesmann act quickly and found firm wanted stake mannesmann spokesman declined industrial sector group make acquisition big acquisition group had not completed taking stake car components firm fichtel und sachs mannesmann had january hoped pct stake fichtel und sachs holding company sachs quarter spokesman mannesmann had letter intent takeover heirs company late owner completion delayed legal questions inheritance reuter 
earn	american int group inc aig qtr net shr dlrs cts net mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln note includes gains mln mln year and mln mln capital gains investments reuter 
earn	systems for health care for split systems for health care inc repositioned company for reverse stock split common shares outstanding quoted price bid compared shares outstanding prior split another recent development systems for health care formally changed name present form orcas corp reuter 
interest	bankers spanish reserve requirement hike bankers welcomed bank spain decision raise reserve requirement for banks and savings banks reflected socialist government determination not ease fight inflation despite painful social effects years austerity central bank last night raised requirement percentage point pct march that excess liquidity threatened money supply and inflation targets bankers move represented change tactic bank relied raising interest rates choke money supply growth good measure senior foreign banker faster job interest rates and avoids unpleasant effects areas economy shows that political will strong that controlling inflation will make industry competitive and bring unemployment long run added head another foreign bank that month ago bank spain had dismissed suggestion rise reserve requirements preferring pursue strategy raising interest rates bankers high real interest rates offer pct for overnight funds attracting money abroad strengthening peseta and making spanish exports competitive government industry competitiveness hit hard inflation pct last year rate that spain major trading partners european community joined year ago meet this year target pct insisting pay rises stay that level setting stage for clashes trade unions made sacrifices demonstrations workers students and farmers demands essentially involve government spending become almost daily occurrence prime minister felipe gonzalez insists that state can bankers reserve requirement increase impact commercial lending rates not hit money market hard bank spain yesterday raised key overnight call money rate pct left unchanged today auction rate increased times since start year below pct bankers commercial lending rates set rise case end six pct maximium interest rate banks can offer for time deposits six months measure will effect tomorrow publication decree today official gazette bankers liberalisation will increase cost funds and inevitably push lending rates higher companion measure reducing proportion funds banks invest specific areas takes effect tomorrow officials cut approved last month that aimed partly compensating banks for higher interest rates reuter 
earn	gambro gamb year mln crowns mln sales billion billion proposed dividend crowns crowns reuter 
acq	transportation agency final for air pacific southwest acquisition 
gold	africa mine managers face charges disaster managers and employees general mining union corp kinross mines will face charges culpable homicide last year disaster gold miners died attorney general office mineworkers killed last september kinross fire set toxic fumes suffocated miners underground accused face alternative charges breaking safety regulations set mines and works act spokesman case heard witbank regional court kinross mid reuter 
earn	american software amswa sets stock split american software inc board declared for two stock split class and class common shares payable march record march company expects increase semiannual dividend pct six cts per share post split cts pre split reuter 
acq	comdata cdn merger agreement comdata network inc entered into letter intent limited partnership managed welsh carson anderson and stowe wcas merge comdata into corproration formed wcas comdata merger each share company stock converted holders election into dlrs cash combination dlrs cash and unit securities including common stock comdata terms subject condition that wcas affiliate investors minimum pct fully diluted stock entity comdata wcas and affiliate investors commit mln dlrs buy securities comprising entities units securities resulting merger proportions and price company shareholders comdata move subject execution definitive agreement and approval comdata shareholders obtaining mln dlrs debt financing wcas told comdata believes that can commitments for this financing reuter 
earn	wajax year net shr cts dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	american software inc amswa qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
acq	bankamerica bac sell german banking unit bankamerica corp agreed sell bankhaus centrale credit german consumer banking subsidiary and german credit card operations banco santander spain terms not disclosed deal expected close second quarter bank holding company bankhaus centrale credit branches had total assets mln marks year end credit card operation services visa card holders and merchants germany reached bankamerica spokesman company record pretax gain mln dlrs transactions spokesman declined disclose price paid for operations banco santander terms deal reuter 
reserves	french official reserves billion francs end jan billion end dec official 
earn	copley properties inc cop qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr dlrs cts net revs note company began operations july public offering annual data not directly comparable reuter 
earn	unitil corp utl qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	ryder rdr buys british caledonian unit ryder system inc acquired caledonian airmotive british caledonian group plc for undisclosed terms caledonian airmotive repairs and rebuilds aircraft engines reuter 
acq	trelleborg larger slice boliden swedish tyres process equipment and components firm trelleborg taking larger stake mining and metals concern boliden blds had originally intended trelleborg had previously announced exercising option acquire pct boliden voting rights statement company had received offers pct rights and that accept reuter 
earn	polaroid prd reaffirmed opinion shares polaroid corp rose reiterated recommendation merrill lynch and that focused strong earnings momentum for company traders recommending stock since reiterated today expectations strong earnings momentum benefits lower dollar and anticipation nice gains margins merrill lynch analyst charles ryan negative opinion another brokerage house hurt stock wednesday and can bought relatively bargain price today ryan you polaroid weakness volatile stock that caught weakness polaroid stock gained point early this morning trading points wednesday morning closing polaroid working overtime production cameras and film expect quarter earnings pct ryan estimating earnings cts share quarter compared cts share earned year earlier expects company earn dlrs share compared dlrs share last year reuter 
earn	swedish match smbs year profit net financial items mln crowns mln sales billion crowns billion proposed dividend crowns crowns reuter 
reserves	french official reserves fall sharply january french official reserves fell billion francs billion end january billion end december finance ministry statement fall largely due sales foreign currency that preceded january realignment european monetary system ems foreign currency reserves fell billion francs month ministry this reflected outflows billion francs operations french exchange stabilisation fund counterbalanced gain billion francs resulting quarterly adjustment dollar deposits held european monetary cooperation fund fecom decline reflected billion franc deficit that france built month fecom result short term financing instruments bank france conjunction bundesbank and central banks intervened heavily foreign exchange markets late december and january ems accord attempt hold mark attracting flight funds dollar and simultaneously shore franc january mark revalued pct french franc relieving pressure french currency fall foreign exchange reserves reserves billion francs end january billion end december gold reserves unchanged billion francs reserves european currency units fell billion francs billion end december claims international monetary fund fell mln francs billion francs reuter 
earn	industries inc qtr jan net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln six mths oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln note exlcudes discontinued operations for oper net for six mths for sale electronics division oper shr for qtr and six mths adjusted for stock split and dividend distribution november reuter 
acq	general refractories grx sell operations general refractories agreed sell european refractories and building products operations for mln dlrs austrian investor group european operations had sales mln dlrs last year for results released company sale group headed girozentrale bank austria subject shareholder approval april board approved deal general refractories mineral operations not affected reuter 
coffee	brazil set coffee export targets ibc brazil set target for coffee exports this week breakdown international coffee organization talks export quotas president brazilian coffee institute ibc jorio dauster told press conference brazil had reconsider export plans and that mln bag export figure had proposed for earlier longer country export target ico member countries mln bag offer had made assumption agreement bring stability world markets added had gesture ease negotiations lack agreement leaves longer valid and exports below mln bags dauster talk producers exporters and market analysts taking decision export policy future policy flexible and adjusted market conditions will not short term decisions markets panic dauster added policy shows brazil coffee sell and that ico agreement brazil coffee sell and show that not ico agreement crutch dauster commenting breakdown talks dauster consumer proposals implied reduction two mln bags brazil export quotas proposal lead substantial loss for brazil and difficult for country recover consumer proposal base quotas six year moving average exportable production surpluses lead overproduction countries boosted output win higher quotas dauster rejected reports brazil inflexibility had for breakdown talks noting that stance had backing pct producing countries close links continue producers colombia mexico and francophone african countries dauster joint marketing action envisaged present brazil had plans return system roaster buying contracts hypothesis abandoned dauster had not decided registrations for shipment coffee will opened declined comment whether ibc will adopt policy opening registrations for six months advance exporters had suggested noted export registrations for months year totalled mln bags half mln exported drought reduced crop mln and mln bags that had heard forecasts mln bags for coming crop ibc not make estimate late april reuter 
earn	pepsico pep upgraded kidder peabody kidder peabody and analyst roy burry issued strong buy recommendation pepsico inc citing improved profit outlook for domestic soft drinks and frito lay snack foods pepsico climbed shares midmorning burry forecast earnings dlrs per share and dlrs company earned dlrs per share burry previously had sell recommendation pepsico pct earnings growth for frito lay trend that continue decade reuter 
acq	shad sees progress insider trading securities and exchange commission chairman john shad progress made stopping insider trading chairman house subcommittee jurisdiction securities laws concerned conditions wall street greed created feeding frenzy wall street and process laws broken and multi billion dlr corporations become easy prey rep edward markey mass chairman telecommunications and finance start hearing sec activities congress understandably nervous perceive current scandals warning even worse things come markey frenzy and disruption created merger mania distressing shad recent cases involving ivan boesky dennis levine and warning that engage insider trading taking heavy risk imprisonment high fines and disbarment securities industry insider trading not eradicated inhibited and multimillions dollars profits that boesky and siphoning markets flowing legitimate investors and traders shad statement shad insider trading cases involved pct sec enforcement actions recent years increased significantly cases brought past years compared cases preceeding years markey not favor banning takeovers thought tender offer process needed reform including earlier disclosure takeover attempts rep mathew rinaldo senior subcommittee republican introducing legislation create member commission study securities industry for year and report findings and recommendations congress commission members appointed sec primary mission analyze extent illegal trading insider trading and assess adequacy existing surveillance systems and government oversight operations commission advise congress additional resources civil criminal remedies needed combat fraud and improve compliance federal laws rinaldo reuter 
crude	opec february output ceiling opec output february below mln bpd ceiling set december and countries strictly adhering quotas opec news agency opecna quoted opec secretariat official official quoted that lower output result member countries firm determination defend organisation official price dlrs per barrel and refrain selling quantity below that price unnamed official quoted that opec meeting foreseen biannual opec session planned start june official gave figure for february output statement that reduction total supplies actual exports crude oil and products local deliveries member countries even pronounced supplies fell noticeably that month matter pressure member countries lifters align official selling price ongoing market price member countries exception strictly adhering official selling price spite financial hardship this entail statement recent improvement price structure indicator such determination organization stick official selling price statement free spot market prices rose dlrs barrel early december last year opec official levels end year opec pact oil industry speculation that opec hold extraordinrary meeting prior scheduled june session discuss reports overproduction states and strains differential matrix prices each opec crude quality and distance main markets official statement that such emergency session scheduled member countries firm determination defend price system agreed december opec differential committee met vienna starting april this session postponed date set official united arab emirates chairs state body members algeria kuwait saudi arabia libya nigeria and qatar reuter 
earn	canadian imperial bank commerce qtr share basic cts cts 
acq	perkin elmer pkn acquires high tech firm perkin elmer corp acquired atomika technische physik based munich west germany high technology concern specializing surface science instruments terms acquisition not disclosed atomika will part physical electronics division based eden prairie minn division part materials surface technology group reuter 
acq	okays usair pacific southwest purchase department transportation gave final approval usair group proposed mln dlr acquisition pacific southwest airlines department acquisition not likely substantially lessen competition and not harm public interest department had tentative approval acquisition january department decided make final tentative decision reviewing public response agency rejected assertion air north america not operating plans start service cities served usair and psa that acquisition lessen chances entry into markets carriers agency air north america provided support for claim that transaction give two carriers monopoly power markets transportation agency air north america failed show that barriers that prevent entrants into markets prevent carriers increasing service agency noted final order that psa operates exclusively west and mexico usair serves west for part long haul flights east and midwest two carriers serve point common los angeles san diego san francico phoenix and tucsonm agency transportation department rejected request teamsters union represents psa workers require protections for psa workers agency noted that usair promised give protective benefits psa workers and that unions representing psa workers collective bargaining agreements that provide such protections reuter 
earn	mci mcic president sees profit improvement mci communications corp president bert roberts expects mci financial performance improve current quarter compared previous quarter american telephone and telegraph long distance rate cuts had cut into mci fourth quarter performance added continuing impact profits expect this quarter fourth quarter current quarter ends march for fourth quarter mci reported mln dlr loss due write offs and staff reductions roberts att long distance rate reductions had ordered federal communications commission had significantly negative impact profits reported earlier today mci plans fcc immediately deregulate att apparently hopes that unregulated att pocket greater proportion revenues cut rates reuter 
earn	national gypsum qtr net net revs mln mln year net mln revs billion billion note current year includes earnings mln dlrs for months ended april year ago earnings not comparable acquisition aancor holdings inc april reuter 
earn	zayre corp qtr shr cts cts 
earn	det oestasiatiske kompagni east asiatic results for year group pre tax profit mln crowns mln net turnover billion crowns billion dividend pct nil group profit tax mln crowns mln reuter 
earn	signtech inc mths jan net shr cts cts net mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	canadian imperial bank commerce qtr period ended january shr cts cts shr diluted cts cts net mln mln loans billion billion deposits billion billion assets billion billion note shr preferred dividends reuter 
acq	triumph capital inc make acquisition triumph capital inc signed letter intent acquire securities transfer systems inc pompano beach fla for undisclosed terms company entering commercial finance business formation triumph financial corp wholly owned unit extended dlr secured line credit micro designs inc reuter 
earn	conchemco inc ckc sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april six record march reuter 
earn	dst systems inc dsts regular payout set qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
interest	fed not expected money market action federal reserve not expected intervene government securities market add drain reserves economists economists not expect fed add reserves federal funds trading below six pct funds rate softer tone that add reserves current bank reserve maintenance period smaller previously estimated fed funds opened pct and remained that level yesterday funds averaged pct reuter 
earn	brown group inc qtr shr cts cts 
acq	regal international rgl ups bell bpsiq bid bell petroleum services inc regal international inc doubled offer for bell stock regal share for each bell share half share previously company offer received expression interest for merger into fortune company not identify that will investigated meetings held this week will explore possibilities recommending final action reuter 
earn	eqk green acres ega raises quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay aug record june reuter 
earn	mercantile stores inc qtr shr dlrs dlrs 
earn	winland electronics inc qtr loss shr loss profit cts net loss profit revs year shr loss cts loss net loss loss revs reuter 
livestock	antibiotics feed aid deadly bacteria study study salmonella poisoning uncovered evidence that common practice feeding antibiotics cattle helping create deadly bacteria that can infect humans and resist medicines researchers federal centers for disease control tracked spread unusual strain salmonella that resistant drug chloramphenicol and link resulting food poisoning farms that used drug promote growth cattle cattlemen give animals constant supply antibiotics feed grow faster critics warning for years that constant exposure drugs helping bacteria learn resist drugs industry officials disputed this diseases that develop resistance cattle not affect humans study reported thursday england journal medicine shows diseases can spread humans research team led john spika number people developed chloramphenicol resistant infection los angeles county alone jumped year two victims died and half victims study patients had hospitalized for illness discovered that cooking meat didn prevent disease pct victims reported eating raw infected hamburger researchers concluded majority cases caused eating hamburger that partially cooked researchers results show that food animals major source antimicrobial resistant salmonella infections humans and that infections associated antibiotic use farms reuter 
earn	national convenience ncs qtr loss national convenience stores inc expects report loss for quarter ending march due continued poor sales texas houston last year quarter national convenience earned dlrs cts per share including gain dlrs sale stores another operator results included earnings gasoline operations dlrs cts per share caused unusually high gross margins gasoline sales cts per gallon that caused rapidly falling oil prices national convenience quarter weak due winter weather reuter 
crude	marathon raises crude posted prices cts bbl effective today wti dlrs bbl 
crude	report due oil imports and national security presidential commission that studying oil imports including effect national security make report white house spokesman marlin fitzwater panel set last october examine oil import make report weeks national security adviser frank carlucci will wait that report and special action needed national security area implement reuter 
earn	chrysler sets for two stock split raises dividend 
earn	brown group inc qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs year shr dlrs dlrs net revs billion billion avg shrs note period ended february company changed fiscal yearend january october results restated reflect change reuter 
earn	pegasus gold inc pgulf qtr net shr profit cts loss two cts net profit loss revs mln year shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln note current qtr includes gain mln dlrs tax benefit reuter 
earn	zayre corp qtr jan net shr cts cts net rev billion billion year shr dlrs dlrs net rev billion billion note qtr net includes pre tax gain mln dlrs sale real estate and real estate development company fiscal net includes extraordinary charge mln dlrs six cts share per share data reflects two for stock split paid june reuter 
earn	zayre plans store openings zayre corp plans open additional zayre stores maxx stores and hit miss shops addition zayre plans add six wholesale clubs and homeclubs warehouse group earlier company reported earnings ended january mln dlrs dlrs per share versus mln dlrs dlrs per share fiscal reported fourth quarter net mln dlrs cts share versus mln dlrs cts share fourth quarter reuter 
earn	chrysler sets stock split higher dividend chrysler corp board declared for two stock split form pct stock dividend and raised quarterly dividend pct company dividend raised cts share cts pre split basis equal dividend post split basis chrysler stock dividend payable april holders record march cash dividend payable april holders record march cash will paid lieu fractional shares split chrysler mln shares remain purchased stock repurchase program that began late that program target mln shares latest stock split chrysler statement actions reflect not outstanding performance past years optimism company future reuter 
acq	banco santander buy west germany bank banco santander signed letter intent bank america bac purchase west german affiliate bankhaus centrale credit bank bank statement amplifying earlier report frankfurt incorporation bank group will provide major boost for chanelling investment spain and european community statement this operation enables solid position west germany ahead spain full integration into financial system years time deal included license for visa credit cards reuter 
earn	canadian imperial sees lower loan losses canadian imperial bank commerce earlier reporting higher net income for quarter ended january expects loan losses lower last year mln dlrs bank will maintain high level provisioning for loan losses established last year market uncertainties commerce bank set loan loss provisions mln dlrs fiscal ended october bank earlier quarter net income rose mln dlrs mln dlrs prior year profit per basic share dividends fell cts year ago cts commerce bank market uncertainties used estimate mln dlrs for fiscal loan losses calculating quarter results bank quarter provision for loan losses rose mln dlrs mln dlrs prior year commerce bank will continue adopt agressive posture adding general provisions loan exposure countries designated federal government inspector general banks quarter net partly benefitted net interest income mln dlrs year ago mln dlrs commerce bank improved income rose mln dlrs year earlier mln dlrs and net income partially offset increased loan loss provisions interest expenses and income taxes bank quarter total assets increased billion dlrs mln dlrs prior year due continued expansion consumer loan and mortgage fields return assets increased two cts cts per dlrs average assets quarter fiscal declined two cts fiscal fourth quarter bank total accrual loans increased billion dlrs quarter year ago billion dlrs accrual loans declined mln dlrs fiscal year end despite recent announcement suspension interest payments brazil virtually bank loans this country income producing january and adverse impact bank earnings prior announcement commerce bank bank not disclose forecast impact future earnings brazil suspension interest payments reuter 
earn	mercantile stores inc mst qtr net qtr ends jan shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion 
sugar	india bought cargoes sugar trade india bought cargoes white sugar buying tender this week gave sellers options sell extra cargoes prices traders international firms shared business gave each sales two cargoes mar apr shipment sugar dlrs cif and options two cargoes apr this brings recent options india traders tonnes fixed prices and makes future indian purchases dependent price fluctuations traders dlrs cif sugar sold this week discount dlrs current prices traders reuter 
acq	unitel video shareholder proposes sale liquidation company 
earn	allegheny power system inc ayp sets payout qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	selkirk communications qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln year oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net revs mln mln note current oper net excludes extraordinary income dlrs qtr and dlrs year previous losses dlrs and dlrs reuter 
earn	houston oil royalty trust rth payout lower mthly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	engelhard corp sets for two stock split and raises quarterly 
acq	holder proposes unitel unv sale liquidation michael landes major stockholder unitel video inc asked company liquidating selling assets landes requested company implement program maximize shareholder values include sale part company liquidation filing securities and exchange commission landes and another unitel video investor albert schwatz formed shareholder group and together hold common shares pct total outstanding common stock landes and schwartz had reached agreement principle york video tape service company dlr share takeover proposal last september subsequent merger talks broke october investors told sec continuing review positions company and acquire shares sell current stake reuter 
acq	huges tool company baker international merger plan not terminated 
earn	royal dutch shell group cos qtr net shr royal dutch petroleum dlrs dlrs final royal dutch dividend guilders for total guilders guilders for shr shell transport and trading plc dlrs dlrs final shell transport dividend pence for total pence pence for group net billion billion group sales billion billion year shr royal dutch dlrs dlrs net shell transport dlrs dlrs group net billion billion group sales billion billion notes group pct owned royal dutch and pct shell transport dollar amount royal dutch dividend will depend guilder dollar exchange rate final dividend payable june holders record shell transport dividend and per share results based york shares equal ordinary shares dollar final dividend will determined sterling dollar exchange rate current rate tax credits equal dlrs final dividend payable holders record april fourth quarter dollar figures for group translated sterling average rate exchange for quarter dlrs per pound and dlrs full year dollar figures sum sterling translations dollars for second and fourth quarters net includes fifo inventory gain mln dlrs loss mln dlrs quarter and loss billion dlrs loss mln dlrs year lifo accounting had used company royal dutch per share net dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year shell transport per share net dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year net includes restructuring credit mln dlrs charge mln dlrs quarter and credit mln dlrs charge mln per share impact restructuring royal dutch credit cts charge cts quarter and credit cts charge dlrs year shell transport credit cts charge cts quarter and credit cts charge cts year net includes currency exchange losses mln dlrs mln dlrs quarter and mln dlrs mln dlrs year exchange losses had per share impact royal dutch cts cts quarter and cts dlrs year and shell transport cts cts quarter and cts cts year reuter 
acq	investment firm boosts purolator pcc stake halcyon investments york investment partnership that deals risk arbitrage and stock trading raised purolator courier corp stake shares pct pct filing securities and exchange commission halcyon managing partner alan slifka and bought purolator common shares feb and march prices ranging dlrs each halcyon spent mln dlrs for purolator common shares acquired options feb giving buy shares for mln dlrs reuter 
acq	aetna aet sell canadian operations aetna life and casualty aetna life and casualty canada subsidiary agreed prnciple sell casualty property subsidiary aetna casualty canada laurentian group montreal for undisclosed terms company agreement subject canadian government approval reuter 
earn	southern mineral corp smin qtr loss shr loss two cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs note per share figures adjusted for for stock distribution effective dec results include extraordinary tax benefit dlrs share each period reuter 
interest	bank england resists pressure for rate cut bank england fought money and bond market pressure for pre budget interest rate cut leaving pound strain rise trade weighted index six month high closed level since september pct index foreign investors continued buy into currency offers high relative returns and possibility short term capital gains dealers meanwhile opinion divided whether bank can stop cut budget day march and want bank latest strong signal market that rates stay steady for moment midafternoon lent discount houses penal rate pct relieve money market shortage making discount houses suffer stephen lewis economist brokerage house phillips and drew eleven and quarters pct money market rates this money market signal apparently not accompanied sterling sales foreign exchanges talk had inhibited strong rises yesterday and tuesday buyers strongly into pound pound surged high dlrs london close previous finish and marks this pressure possibility that rates drop budget jeremy hale economist finance house goldman sachs international corp gilt traders forecasting half point cut base rate current pct early tomorrow analysts bank england will convinced that present rise fundamental rating result short term speculative gains valid reasons for bank cautious peter fellner economist brokers james capel and markets become highly optimistic chances conservative party victory early general election and disappointment prime minister margaret thatcher decides hold back lead decline pound and setback for bonds fellner election delayed mid forecasts will this year note that pound prove vulnerable oil price losses change fortune for dollar analysts agree bank largely set timing cut holding altogether authorities traditionally prefer single sustainable rate move half points and add bank will influenced signs that proportion latest bout sterling buying long term capital coming into london market notably japan argue that pound perceived safer bet dollar latters recent sharp falls and current political upheavals washington bank want another points trade weighted index budget argued lewis sterling firm satisfy even bank england added bank declined comment reasons for resisting pressure for rate move budget banking sources authorities recent rise sterling marking foreign exchange traders meanwhile analysts noted market potentially harmful news trade front today figures showing that current account deficit billion stg this previous estimates current account deficit and compares surplus billion stg fellner that normal conditions this bond and currency markets pause that bullish worry such fundamentals guessing game timing cut clearing banks divided markets privately bank officials forecast bank will hold for this week bank rise tomorrow move comes march forecasts for half point cut another half full point budget day reuter 
earn	engelhard corp sets stock split engelhard corp board declared for two stock split and raised quarterly dividend cts per share presplit cts payable march holders record march reuter 
crude	egyptian crude oil output opec egypt produced mln tonnes mln barrels crude mln tonnes mln barrels official figures released today egyptian general petroleum corp egpc officials egypt can produce mln bpd per day production cut world prices plunged last year attempt opec stabilize world market egypt cut production target bpd current output bpd egypt exports output sells top suez and ras bahar blends for dlrs barrel reuter 
earn	and oil tool hhot qtr loss shr loss six cts profit two cts net loss profit revs year shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln note year includes special charge dlrs cts per shr write rental equipment reuter 
earn	and financial corp cbtf year net shr dlrs dlrs shr diluted dlrs dlrs net reuter 
acq	amoskeag bank amkg acquire entrepo amoskeag bank signed agreement acquire entrepo financial resources inc philadelphia based company leases and remarkets high technology equipment terms acquisition not disclosed entrepo assets mln dlrs reuter 
earn	washington national corp wnt votes dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr pay april record march reuter 
sugar	kaines sells jordan two cargoes white sugar trade house kaines sold jordan two cargoes white sugar buying tender today sale comprised two tonne cargoes minus pct for mar apr shipment kaines trader traders business dlrs tonne cost and freight reuter 
acq	community bank system cbsi buys nichols bank community bank systems inc and nichols national bank signed definitive agreement for nichols become member cbsi group banks for exchange stock worth mln dlrs cbsi expects complete deal pending nichols shareholder and regulatory approval this year reuter 
acq	eastman kodak acquires pct interest enzon inc 
sugar	turkey seeking tonnes sugar trade turkey holding buying tender for tonnes white sugar march traders sugar sought for early arrival and will met april shipment sugar added earlier today newspapers turkey carried advertisement turkish sugar factories inviting offers tonnes crystal sugar pct option increase decrease amount period turkey each year exported and tonnes whites iran and and tonnes iraq lower sugar crops past two years analysts turkey import sugar continue filling export contracts and buy last month london broker czarnikow estimated turkish production mln tonnes raw mln and average mln previous seasons semi official anatolian agency recently quoted turkish minister industry and trade cahit aral turkey export tonnes sugar this year and import amount reuter 
acq	shad favors shortening disclosure period securities and exchange commission chairman john shad sec favors shortening current day period for disclosing takeover attempts opposes putting restrictions use called junk bonds favor shortening disclosure period two days shad told members house telecommunications and finance subcommittee asked for recommendation sec responsibility provide full disclosure for securities including junk bonds and not make decisions based merit junk bonds had liquidity shad opposes proposals require attempting takeovers file statement impact takeover communities involved opposed past investor protection shad had comment proposal house speaker jim wright texas tax securities transactions reuter 
earn	corrected pegasus gold inc pgulf qtr net shr profit cts loss two cts net profit loss revs year shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln note company corrects reporting period qtr and year qtr and mths reuter 
acq	hughes tool baker bko merger alive hughes tool chairman kistler counter proposal merge baker international corp consideration and that merger interests companies hope that can come mutual agreement that good for companies kistler proposed merger that result billion dlr oil field service company working hard this merger hughes board today adjourned shareholders meeting vote proposed merger and rescheduled for march give baker time counter proposal hughes board had previously expressed concern department justice consent decree that require baker sell drilling bit operations and submersible pump business met yesterday and threatened terminate proposed merger hughes board made counter proposal that two companies find acceptable buyers for businesses signing decree directors baker immediately receiving counter proposal filed law suit texas texas state court force hughes complete merger uncertainty price and conditions that imposed department justice makes nervous outcome kistler explaining hughes had made counter proposal additional time understand baker not accept proposal kistler that law suit filed baker not factor board decision merger proposal table declined comment allegations lawsuit kistler hughes willing compromise counter proposal declined specific justice department january block hughes and baker merger anti trust grounds companies agreed sign consent decree that provide for sale assets merger place hughes board not sign decree unreasonable hughes that baker complete sale disputed assets merger finalized and government approval decree baker unable find acceptable buyers period time decree approved federal trustee become responsible for finding buyer kistler that terms trustee years complete sales expressed concern that combined companies required government conditions license technology purchaser assets baker last night statement that required assets sold reduce revenues mln dlrs representing pct revenues combined companies reuter 
earn	aequitron medical inc aqtn qtr loss period ended january shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit sales mths shr profit six cts profit cts net profit profit sales mln reuter 
earn	lowe cos inc low qtr jan net shr cts cts net mln sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales billion billion avg shrs mln mln note current year net periods includes charge dlrs cts shr early note retirement and charge cts shr reversal tax credits current year net periods includes gain six cts shr plywood manufacturers litigation settlement reuter 
acq	france sell stake societe generale unit french government sell public pct direct holding societe generale stgn regional bank subsidiary societe generale alsacienne banque sogenal monday sogenal officials sogenal founded and nationalised leading french regional bank and branches austria belgium luxembourg east and west germany and switzerland chairman rene geronimus told news conference share offer price expected announced tomorrow finance minister edouard balladur and francs societe generale will privatised this year will retain pct majority holding bank chairman marc vienot sogenal officials forecast consolidated group profit mln francs estimated mln this year and mln sogenal privatisation will preceded capital increase mln francs mln earning mln francs funds shares will divided giving capital mln shares francs nominal bank will listed nancy stock exchange line finance ministry and government aim regional operation geronimus hoping for shareholders total nationalisation ten pct capital floated will reserved for employees rest offered public will not share reserved for foreign investors this small operation and will buy shares france stockbroker sources that likely share offer price francs sogenal billion francs geronimus bank future aim reinforce existing strong points major projects planned apart opening basle branch sogenal french bank austria set foreign exchange dealing room paris strasbourg headquarters and foreign banking subsidiary broker zurich bourse government banking adviser for operation banque privee gestion financiere bpgf owned french financier pierre moussa pallas group assisted britain hambros bank reuter 
earn	midland mla sets stock split midland board declared two for stock split subject approval doubling authorized common shares annual meeting april and increase quarterly dividend cts pre split cts dividend payable april record march and split payable record april reuter 
earn	prudential insurance year earnings prudential insurance company america privately held company today that net income rose billion dlrs billion dlrs reported year earlier assets management rose billion dlrs billion dlrs consolidated assets jumped billion dlrs billion dlrs discussing major subsidiaries company that prudential capital and investment services inc holding company for brokerage house prudential bache securities and related subsidiaries earned million dlrs that securities operations prudential bache netted mln dlrs taxes and charge mln dlrs reuter 
earn	aequitron aqtn sees qtr charge aequitron medical inc costs related previously announced plan consolidate life products operations boulder colo expected total dlrs cts share for fourth quarter ending april costs including moving expenses severance pay and future lease payments company will consolidate life products into company headquarters and manufacturing operations minneapolis reuter 
earn	big inc bigb qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs year shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
acq	wilshire woc chief named jacobs jec board wilshire oil texas pct stake jacobs engineering group inc chairman siggi wilzig appointed jabobs board filing securities and exchange commission wilshire holds jacobs common shares wilzig appointed jacobs board directors march company annual shareholder meeting wilshire that jacobs chairman joseph jacobs agreed recommend second wilshire nominee for election board person found qualified reuter 
retail	february retail sales not sign upturn retailers posted stronger expected sales february not prompt analysts change expectations sluggish sales growth for half feeling that february borrowed business quarter and real strength general merchandise sales will second half bear stearns and analyst monroe greenstein don march will strong easter falls april this year morgan stanley analyst walter loeb analysts generally average sales results march and april account for variation easter occurrence analyst edward johnson johnson redbook associates sales for february rose six and pct compared pct increase last year analysts noted that february considered small transitory month winter and spring addition sales comparisons boosted soft february last year adversely affected severe weather apparel sales outshone product groups sales retailers and analysts february strong sales reflected lot fresh merchandise shelves and higher consumer income due tax reductions greenstein bear stearns analysts expect apparel sales remain good sales durable and houseware items grow softer due continuing high levels consumer debt department stores and mart corp strong performers posting comparable store sales gains pct and pct had sales gain pct and mart had pct sales gain last month favorable consumer response merchandise programs continued positively impact sales comparisons addition strong contribution mart stores specialty retailing companies had excellent february sales mart chairman bernard fauber sears roebuck and posted pct increase domestic sales led average increases apparel home fashions and hardware and strong catalog sales sears chairman edward brennan analysts disappointed penney inc jcp started strong sales early month penney posted pct increase comparitive store basis and pct gain sales penney chairman william howell store sales strongest early part month catalog demand consistently strong period store sales activity varied country ranging good east weak depressed southwest analysts gross profit margins high retailers not overly promotional due leaner inventories year ago february not big month seasonally numbers suggest fairly good trend for consumer spending drexel burnham lambert analyst jeff edelman february sales for major retailers store pct sears bill bill mart bill bill wal mart mln mln penney mln mln federated mln mln mln mln dayton hudson mln mln zayre mln mln montgomery ward mln mln reuter 
earn	quartz engineering and materials qrtz qtr qtr ended dec shr nil nil net loss loss revs reuter 
acq	kodak buys stake enzon enzn eastman kodak acquired pct equity interest enzon inc pharmaceutical company specializing protein therapy kodak secured worldwide marketing rights for enzon peg enzymes used treatment oxygen toxicity disorders hyperuricemia and gout company acquired two mln enzon shares for mln dlrs loans enzon two mln dlrs and interest dlrs credited purchase price kodak drugs covered marketing rights initial stages food and drug administration approval process investment provide capital complete fda review process and provide marketing outlet for drugs drugs peg superoxide disdmutase and peg catalase for use oxygen toxicity disorders that fatal tissue damage associated severe burns organ transplants heart attacks and trauma and peg uricase for treatment gout and conditions caused buildup high levels uric acid body reuter 
earn	gemcraft inc gemh year net shr cts dlrs net sales mln mln avg shrs note net includes dlr pretax charge writedown land and abandonment land and pretax charges dlrs pending rescission offer settlements agencies adjustment prior booking residuals arising collateralized mortgage obligation bond issues writedowns land held joint venture startup costs associated entering markets increase reserves for customer service and writeoffs and reserves for mortgage related receivables reflect current market values reuter 
earn	applied solar energy corp solr qtr net qtr ended jan shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss sales note net includes extraordinary gain dlrs two cts per shr reuter 
earn	pacific nuclear systems pacn qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln reuter 
earn	anglo american gold investment aagiy year feb shr cts pre tax mln rand mln net mln mln tax nil mln final div cts making cts div payable april register march reuter 
acq	harris cuts triad systems trsc stake pct harris associates chicago investment advisory partnership lowered stake triad systems corp shares pct total outstanding shares pct filing securities and exchange commission harris sold net triad common shares dec and feb prices ranging dlrs share dealings triad common stock behalf advisory client reuter 
earn	libra bank expects brazil reach debt accord london march london based libra bank plc announcing annual results that expected brazil reach agreement creditors debt repayments recent years brazil demonstrated ability generate surpluses sufficient service debt and doubt that due will reach agreement banks and creditors libra managing director peter belmont statement earlier bank specialises providing finance latin america and caribbean announced pretax profits mln stg for calendar mln libra net worth increased pct mln stg last year and belmont improvement bank balance sheet due profits retained bank and issue mln stg cumulative redeemable preference shares year libra consortium bank national westminster bank plc nwbl chase manhattan bank cmb royal bank canada swiss bank corp sbvz westdeutsche landesbank girozentrale welg mitsubishi bank bancomer snc banco itau credito italiano spa and banco espirito santo comercial lisboa shareholdings reuter 
acq	idea inc idea buy private firm idea inc signed letter intent buy privately held structural instrumentation inc purchase for undisclosed sum will made idea common stock company idea purchase will add cts per share fiscal earnings idea reported earnings cts per share for quarter ended october reuter 
acq	ducommun inc dco sells division ducommun inc sold airdrome parts division group investors headed airdrome management for cash price mln dlrs ducommun sale coupled sale last month metermaster steps improve company balance sheet and that sales contemplated reuter 
earn	hooper holmes sherlock inc hoop qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mths shr cts cts net rwevs avg shares reuter 
acq	texon energy txon talks acquisition texon energy corp entered into preliminary agreement purchase pct interest privately held specialty plastics manufacturing company not name texon completion acquisition subject consent banks and parties and acquisition made for promissory notes and common stock reuter 
earn	allied ald affiliate restates loss larger allied signal inc pct owned union texas petroleum affiliate restated fourth quarter and full year losses and revenues increase provision for proposed settlement price dispute involving indonesian liquefied natural gas restated increases provision fourth quarter earnings mln dlrs mln dlrs estimated earlier union texas fourth quarter loss increased mln dlrs mln dlrs reported previously and revenues reduiced mln dlrs mln dlrs union texas for full year restated loss mln dlrs mln dlrs and revenues billion dlrs billion dlrs restatement results tentative agreement reached february pertamina indonesian state owned petroleum enterprise and japanese purchasers lng kohlberg kravis roberts and owns pct union texas and remainder owned management reuter 
earn	amrep corp axr qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln mths shr cts dlrs net revs mln mln note share adjusted for for two stock split december reuter 
earn	ici ici sees growth pharmaceuticals imperial chemical industries plc expects earnings pharmaceuticals operations grow pct world profits years compared current pct chairman elect denys henderson told financial analysts years expect launch major product each year henderson research and development spending this business segment will increased pct total sales income pct mln sterling ici world largest chemicals firm terms sales recently reported profits mln dlrs billion dlrs sales compared income mln dlrs billion dlrs sales year earlier sales united states totaled billion dlrs ici executives addition henderson corporate growth will come ici research and development activities company intends continue grow acquisition program ici spent billion dlrs for acquisitions largest mln dlr purchase cleveland ohio based glidden inc paints resins and coatings company hanson trust plc ici financial director alan clements company borrowing limits level billion sterling billion used company current plans for major acquisition ready move quickly acquisition field arises clements reuter 
earn	safecard services sfcd sets split ups payout safecard services inc board declared for two stock split and maintaining quarterly dividend post split shares six cts pays for effective pct increase split and dividend payable april holders record march reuter 
earn	wilton enterprises inc wltn qtr jan net oper shr profit two cts loss cts oper net loss sales half oper shr profit cts profit cts oper net profit profit sales mln mln note current year net excludes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs year reuter 
ship	rotterdam port subsidy end july minister dutch social affairs minister louw graaf announced withdrawing annual mln guilder labour subsidy for rotterdam strike hit general cargo sector july late last month graaf that dispute not settled monday this week withdraw subsidy chairman port employers organization svz jacques schoufour unhappy decision and added alternative proceeding redundancy plans series strikes sector started january protest employers plans make redundancies strong workforce starting this year meanwhile port and transport union fnv attacked loss figures for port for this year figures issued accountants behalf svz put total losses for last year mln guilders and mln earlier employers had put figure mln fnv actual losses nearer mln and employers had inflated figures part plan restructure completely port general cargo sector reuter 
earn	sayi qtr loss sale industries inc expects loss two mln dlrs quarter ended february proposed sale omnilab inc health care unit board directors approved unit sale omnilab losing dlrs quarter longer term prospect for reasonable return investment romilly humphries president and chief executive officer proceeds sale used increase company market share automotive products packaging and diversify packaging capabilities reuter 
earn	sonesta international hotels corp snst qtr shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln year oper shr profit dlrs loss dlrs oper net profit mln loss revs mln mln note year net excludes dlr tax credit net includes pretax gains sale property dlrs quarter and mln dlrs year reuter 
earn	domco industries qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	unicorp american uac acquisition advances unicorp american corp signed definitive agreement for previously announced acquisition lincoln savings bank company transaction subject regulatory approvals reuter 
acq	eastern corp febc completes acquisition eastern corp completed acquisition peoples bank nanticoke exchange eastern shares for each peoples share peoples assets mln dlrs reuter 
acq	bishop graphics bgph completes store sale bishop graphics inc completed sale newport beach art supply center standard brands paint sbp art store unit terms not disclosed bishop opened sales and service office irvine calif reuter 
ship	striking brazilian seamen hold pay talks striking brazilian seamen made idle ships and halted brazilian exports today held pay talks rio janeiro labour minister almir pazzianotto union officials jorge luis leao franco senior official national merchant marine union told reuters optimistic talks lead end stoppage began last friday brazil seamen seeking pay rise pct union official strike had halted total vessels including brazil main port santos and rio janeiro abroad six ships lay idle netherlands spain venezuela france and south africa economic analysts strike concern government had suspend interest payments part brazil foreign debt drastic deterioration country trade balance head national merchant marine authority murilo rubens habbema quoted today gazeta mercantil newspaper that strike continued foreign ships authorized transport brazilian exports brazil living crisis moment and not conceivable that exports hit even foreign ships not forget that lose foreign exchange paying freight charges abroad and this fault seamen rubens habbema spokesman for port santos scene labour unrest and congestion recent months movement ships port running half normal level ships day total ships waiting anchor moored harbour reuter 
earn	brown group inc votes regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr pay april record march reuter 
earn	blocker energy corp blk year net oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss mln revs mln mln note net excludes mln dlr gain debt extinguishment net includes mln dlr writedown drilling rigs reuter 
earn	ltx corp ltxx qtr jan loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales mln mln avg shrs half shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales mln mln avg shrs note prior year net includes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs half reuter 
trade	yeutter budget deficit reduction key trade deficit solution 
earn	calprop corp cpp qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln avg shrs year shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shr note prior qtr and year per share figures restated for pct stock dividend december reuter 
earn	sis corp sisb year net shr nil net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	amoskeag amos sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	medtronic inc mdt sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	scitex corp scixf qtr loss shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss mln revs mln mln year shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss mln loss mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note includes losses qtr and mln year equity pct owned companies reuter 
acq	stanley works swk makes acquisitions stanley works acquired acme holding corp maker sliding and folding door hardware and designs patents and righs plan flex designer kits for home design and remodeling projects acme had sales mln dlrs terms not disclosed reuter 
earn	anitec image technology corp antc sets payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	green mountain power corp gmp sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	dual lite inc mdt sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	science management corp smg qtr oper net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs note excludes gain dlrs loss dlrs qtr and gains dlrs dlrs year tax loss carryforwards includes gains dlrs and dlrs qtr and year reuter 
earn	carmel container systems kml year oper net oper shr dlrs cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note excludes gain dlrs dlrs benefit tax loss carryforward results for tel aviv israel based company translated rate dlr israeli shekels reuter 
earn	tandem computers tndm sees higher net tandem computers inc expects higher earnings and revenues second fiscal quarter ending march year ago feel will continue higher growth quarter james treybig president and and chief executive officer told meeting securities analysts second fiscal quarter last year tandem earned dlrs cts per share revenues mln dlrs treybig declined offer specific projections for quarter results lower for quarter fiscal tandem earned mln dlrs cts share tandem second quarter traditionally slower rothschild unterberg towbin analyst frederic cohen estimated tandem second quarter net cts per share for full year expects computer maker earn dlrs share fiscal tandem earned dlrs share treybig founded cupertino calif based company rebound computer orders united states economy picking and buying decisions made didn that year ago executive tandem will increase research and development spending mln dlrs this year mln dlrs fiscal company plans introduce products including two low end systems and data base that sql programming language industry standard tandem won major order bank tokyo reuter 
interest	fed johnson not increasing pressure interest rates 
acq	union func buy florida bank union corp agreed acquire state bancshares inc pensacola fla and state bank pensacola subsidiary for common shares state assets mln dlrs acquisition expected treated pooling interests expected completed quarter subject approval regulatory agencies and state shareholders reuter 
earn	oppenheimer raises nwa nwa earnings estimate oppenheimer and analyst robert mcadoo raised earnings estimate for nwa inc parent northwest airlines strong quarterly report company yesterday oppenheimer market strategist michael metz nwa shares rose active trading mcadoo raised estimate dlrs share dlrs and maintained buy recommendation stock metz mcadoo traveling and not reached for comment yesterday minneapolis based nwa reported fourth quarter net mln dlrs cts share loss two mln dlrs cts quarter for year earnings rose mln dlrs dlrs mln dlrs results include republic airlines since nwa acquired aug reuter 
earn	yellow freight yell sees lower qtr net yellow freight system inc expects quarter profits substantially below mln dlrs cts share earned period year ago revenues depressed recent price discounting added costs expansion programs lower shipping volumes and increased costs associated severe weather conditions east coast company officials told analysts industry wide rate hike pct set for april will cover yellow freight upcoming labor and costs will not make contribution operating margins reuter 
pet-chem	nova subsidiary raises polyethylene prices novacor inc unit nova alberta corp raise prices for customers cts pound linear low density and low density polyethylene effective april company not immediately disclose actual prices novacor official reply inquiry that prices effective april range cts pound cts official increase reflected improved market conditions noted prices lower years ago reuter 
acq	moulinex stake sold institutions pct stake moulinex moup sold scovill inc spread institutional investors worldwide spokesman for brokers james capel capel handled deal buyers based centers ranging europe north america and japan added moulinex capital split jean mantelet president company pct private investors holding pct and pct sold company sources earlier paris reuter 
acq	talking point piedmont pie carl icahn bold takeover bid for usair group clouded fate piedmont aviation inc courted usair yesterday icahn transworld airlines inc twa made billion dlr offer for usair group move complicated usair takeover offer for piedmont believed close accepting bid today usair rejected icahn dlr per share offer and bid last minute effort interfere takeover piedmont icahn unavailable for comment piedmont fell volume twa usair fell doubt spread analysts and market sources view twa bid attempt trigger counter offer usair attract suitor want airlines once merged move icahn starts tender offer piedmont and usair announce deal speculated arbitrager arbitragers risk current price piedmont since not clear that usair bid will succeed piedmont largest shareholder and suitor norfolk southern corp nsc offered dlrs per share for company usair offered dlrs cash per share for half piedmont stock and dlrs per share stock for balance arbitragers depressed price piedmont offers buying opportunity since airline destined acquired usair likely bought icahn long talked consolidation airline industry offered usair alternative airline combination including twa and piedmont wall street credibility icahn offer lacked financing and riddled contingencies succeeded holding merger two airlines analysts fit twa you can discount arbitrager analysts icahn prove threats making offer making offer for usair icahn threatened directly shareholders for pct stock lower price usair rejected offer clear icahn sell and bluffing arbitrager analysts dlr per share offer underpriced six dlrs per share analysts icahn proposed airline combination face insurmountable regulatory hurdles cleared companies acquired separately twa surviving company for deal work analyst analysts such merger costly and complicated twa cost structure since icahn succeeded winning concessions unions order for carriers come twa wage scale merger twa surviving entity analysts such move not necessarily free icahn twa showed skill reducing ozark airlines costs merged into twa last year and ingredient for merger work analysts speculated managements piedmont and usair not tolerate icahn head company usair acquisition twa for exit company usair airline merged into twa reuter 
acq	baker int bko hopes complete merger baker international corp treasurer eric mattson company hoped iron snags proposed merger hughes tool declined compromises acceptable proposed merger that create billion dlr oilfield services company thrown into limbo yesterday hughes management balking terms government consent decree offered counter proposal baker earlier today hughes adjourned shareholders meeting called vote proposed merger march and hoped resume negotitations baker hughes chairman kistler told reporters that hughes not want sign department justice consent decree baker submersible pump and drilling bit operations sold mattson told reuters that baker believed merger two giant oilfield service companies company position merger completed interests shareholders and shareholders mattson goal for merger occur litigation can that baker filed lawsuit texas state court late yesterday force hughes abide terms proposed consent decree mattson declined comment whether directors baker and hughes scheduled meetings discuss merger reuter 
earn	lucky stores inc reinstates quarterly dividend cts per share 
earn	homestead financial hfl ups cash dividend homestead financial corp increased dividend class common shares cts share cts prior declaring initial dividend class common stock cts share homestead two classes stock emerged part recapitalization plan doubled number authorized common comprising classes mln shares homestead dividends payable april shareholders record march homestead that class shareholders want increase dividends exchange shares for equal number class shares march reuter 
earn	electro sensors inc year oper net oper shr cts cts oper net sales note earnings exclude extraordinary securities loss dlrs two cts share gain dlrs cts share reuter 
crude	opec president output below ceiling opec conference president rilwanu lukman group producing below mln bpd ceiling set december partly liftings had delayed postponed customers unwilling pay fixed opec prices lukman visit london home jamaica told reuters telephone interview that february opec had underproduced partly members strictly abiding production quotas and partly resisting temptation sell discounts official prices dlrs barrel determined stand firm december accord spoken opec minister and committed making accord work lukman gave specific figures for february output opec secretariat vienna finalizing figures told reuters survey published today estimated that opec output this week below mln bpd that correct opec news agency opecna today issued statement group output below ceiling february gave figures source close opec that february output and mln bpd reuter survey estimated opec february output mln bpd opec agreed december cut output pct mln bpd and return fixed prices starting february lukman qatar nigeria saudi arabia and iran had produced february below opec quotas iraq not honour mln bpd quota december pact had produced had anticipated lukman that industry reports correct that february nigeria propuced bpd below mln bpd quota saudi arabia bpd mln allocation and qatar pct bpd quota that sweet crudes such produced country coming price pressure officially priced sweet north sea grades and united states west texas intermediate wti crude opec december had anticipated that demand slack this time year for seasonal reasons and expected market firm two weeks patient for two weeks market firming actual fundamentals adding that expected and even official prices early april this traditionally demand for gasoline rich crudes such nigeria opec president producers such kuwait venezuela and indonesia problems output producers country exported oil products venezuela heavy grades opec pricing system lukman that refiner buyers refusing lift opec oil official prices used stocks and ran dangerous levels eventually buy opec oil realise not free for market will realise buy paying lukman asked industry reports that nigeria pressured equity producers for terms important that terms negotiable flexible and constant review not market weak that meeting nation ministerial differentials committee had scheduled and that such meeting twice postponed not high priority for opec moment this time priorities important thing ensuring that accord working not dealing differential cents grades opec member raised concerns objections differential system meeting called reuter 
earn	lucky stores inc lks reinstates quarterly div qtly div cts nil pay april record march note quarters preceeding qtr dividend cts reuter 
earn	carmel container systems kml year oper net oper shr dlrs cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note excludes gain dlrs dlrs benefit tax loss carryforward results for tel aviv israel based company translated rate dlr israeli shekels reuter 
orange	set orange juice duties monday commerce department monday will set final dumping duties frozen orange juice brazil department officials preliminary duty pct set last oct imports run mln dlrs year commerce ruling monday will reset duties basis detailed cost information industry officials duties assessed temporary basis pending final ruling international trade commission itc whether imports injuring domestic orange industry itc ruled provisionally last june that domestic industry injured brazilian orange juice imports complaint that brazilian imports dumped below costs market filed behalf growers florida citrus mutual lakeland fla group alcoma packing inc and barry citrus products officials half orange juice consumed united states comes brazil reuter 
earn	longview fibre lfbr quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
earn	bei holdings beih qtr jan net shr cts cts net rev mln mln note qtr includes extraordinary gain dlrs six cts share versus dlrs two cts share fiscal qtr reuter 
nat-gas	endevco agrees buy mississippi pipeline endevco inc agreed acquire mile inch pipeline marion and pearl river counties mississippi for undisclosed terms company pipeline recently constructed poplarville gas field pearl river county proposed interconnect pipeline operated occidental petroleum corp oxy united gas pipe line subsidiary marion county nmot service endevco plans extend existing mississippi fuel system southern mississippi miles pipeline reuter 
earn	atlantic city electric ate sets payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	kemper corp kemc regular payout set qtly div cts cts previously pay record reuter 
earn	ffb ffct sets initial quarterly dividend ffb corp parent federal bank connecticut fsb declared initial quarterly dividend cts per share company dividend payable march holders record march reuter 
earn	union carbide operating profits for qtr mln dlrs loss mln dlrs 
money-supply	money market fund assets rose mln dlrs latest week billion 
earn	combined internmational pma sees strong combined international corp another strong year president patrick ryan told analysts declined forecast earnings specifically company reported operating income dlrs share dlrs share year earlier revenues increased billion dlrs billion dlrs ryan combined testing direct response long term care product union fidelity life insurance and plans offer ryan insurance group answer question combined exposure aids related health claims ryan minimal conceded that carrier coverage vulnerable reuter 
earn	chartwell group ctwl qtr net shr cts cts net rev mln mln year shr cts cts net rev mln mln reuter 
acq	pitt des moines inc pdm acquire steel unit pitt des moines inc will acquire chicago steel corp exchange for portion stock reuter 
gold	giant bay gbylf details gordon lake deposit giant bay resources metallurgical study gordon lake gold deposit recovery pct pct gold can achieved direct cyanidation ore flotation cyanidation concentrate continuation underground program property will begin june extending existing drift foot level main ore zone encountered giant bay company not elaborate production figures for property reuter 
trade	consensus builds for world agricultural reform top and european farm trade and government representatives called for sweeping reform world agriculture redress critical demand and supply imbalance speakers conference world agricultural markets demonstrated growing european consensus for urgent and collective overhaul world farm trade and production vital that work together bring freedom and harmony into world agricultural trade not disruptions markets grow even severe walls protection climb higher and level retaliation become harmful department agriculture deputy administrator william bailey bailey attendance two day meeting ends tomorrow demonstrated recognises adjust policies changing market environment for urgent reforms justified imbalance and tensions world economy secretary general organisation for economic cooperation and development jean claude paye and forum for such reform general agreement tariffs and trade noted paye stressed for progressive and joint reduction agricultural subsidies social measures farmers unprofitable areas another solution stop supporting farm prices allowing fixed supply and demand and farmers income support and adjustment aids proposed james howard executive vice president cargill usa world largest cereal houses franz josef feiter agricultural adviser west german chancellor helmut kohl agreed european community greater heed market constraints fixing farm prices differentiated policy treatment required account large disparities situation agriculture efficient sector european economy and will remain policy pursued community reuter 
acq	rexcom rxsc acquire marketing firm rexcom systems corp agreed buy assets postech inc comtech group international canadian computer service company for pct rexcom voting shares purchase will for rexcom common and preferred stock postech canadian firm marketing arm sells computerized restaurant management systems and security systems deal subject approval boards postech and rexcom reuter 
earn	general refractories grx qtr net shr cts cts net rev mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net rev mln mln note net includes gains sale operating assets dlrsm versus mln dlrs net includes nonrecurring cost mln dlrs and provision for separation pay mln dlrs reuter 
earn	union carbide long term debt rises union carbide corp long term debt billion dlrs compared billion dlrs company released audited results company long term debt reduced billion dlrs quarter end year asset sales and equity offerings union carbide sold battery products home and automobile products and agricultural products businesses fourth quarter offered mln shares stock raising mln dlrs asset sales and equity offering part recapitalization plan undertaken chemicals company last year audited net earnings mln dlrs dlrs share compared loss mln dlrs dlrs unchanged company preliminary earnings report made jan earnings results for fourth quarter unchanged included numbers mln dlr gain sale businesses mln dlr pension credit and charge mln dlrs purchase long term debt premium recapitalization audited results released today company broke results business segment operating profit fourth quarter for company operations consolidated basis corporate and interest expense and taxes mln dlrs loss mln dlrs quarter year operating profit mln dlrs compared loss mln dlrs statement company defeated hostile takeover attempt gaf corp gaf and recapitalized company adding this continuing businesses performed soundly substantial operating profit improvement carbon products posted operating profit mln dlrs quarter mln dlrs and mln dlrs year loss mln dlrs chemicals and plastics had fourth quarter operating profit mln dlrs compared year ago loss mln dlrs year chemicals and plastics earned mln dlrs losses mln dlrs operating income industrial gases rose mln dlrs mln quarter and mln dlrs mln year company specialties and services segment cut losses quarter mln dlrs mln dlrs and year mln dlrs mln dlrs eliminations business conducted company industry segments contributed two mln dlrs fourth quarter profits not affect quarter eliminations caused losses mln dlrs compared six mln dlrs year operating results include host unusual writeoffs and depreciation charges totaling mln dlrs quarter and mln dlrs year capital expenditures rose mln dlrs mln dlrs segment spending carbon products fell mln dlrs mln dlrs and spending fell specialties and services mln dlrs mln dlrs chemicals and plastics expenditures rose mln dlrs mln and industrial gases rose mln dlrs mln dlrs company cash and equivalents fell mln dlrs year end mln dlrs year end net decrease mln dlrs current assets year end fell billion dlrs billion dlrs and current liabilities fell billion dlrs billion reuter 
earn	commercial bancorp fcob qtr loss shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss year shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss assets mln loans mln deposits mln note loss included recurring expenses dlrs comprised asset write downs legal proceeding and dlr provision for loan losses reuter 
earn	harcourt brace jovanovich inc hbj qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion mln avg shrs mln mln note dec company acquired holt rinehart and winston and saunders and dryden press and foreign subsidiaries including companies for single month december qtr earnings raised cts per shr and for year cts per shr reuter 
acq	lone star lce agrees buy concrete operations lone star industries inc agreed acquire ready mixed concrete and aggregates businesses riedel international inc portland ore for undisclosed amount cash lone star sentence statement gave details and company spokesmen not reuter 
earn	shell francaise returns profit shell francaise sfmf subsidiary shell petroleum returned black last year for time since parent company net profit mln francs losses mln and billion posted profit mln company statement that cash flow had improved strongly remained negative mln francs billion due largely improved performances main profit centres results even had not for collapse refining and sales profit margins last quarter year shell sold mln tonnes oil products mln tonnes company results line targets for second year year recovery programme meanwhile societe shell chimie returned profit for time since posting net profit mln francs loss mln details reuter 
earn	fairmount chemical inc fmtc qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales reuter 
earn	humana inc hum regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable record april two reuter 
money-supply	commercial paper falls billion dlrs feb week fed 
money-supply	business loans rise mln dlrs feb week fed 
acq	financial corp fin unit buys branches financial corporation america american savings and loan association unit signed definitive agreement buy retail savings branches gibraltar financial corp gfc gibraltar savings unit purchase approved federal home loan bank and california department savings and loans increase american savings deposits mln dlrs branches jolla mesa and san juan capistrano calif reuter 
crude	confidence opec firms energy futures renewed confidence opec ability limit production helped energy futures settle yesterday closing prices analysts heating oil contract found additional support short covering rally close april crude closed cts higher dlrs april heating oil cts higher cts gallon traders expected follow profit taking yesterday market found suport bullish reports that opec producing quota simon greenshields vice president morgan stanley and inc news today including opec president rilwanu lukman statement that opec february production not exceed official quota mln barrels per day helped bouy prices traders reuter survey found opec production early march mln bpd addition short covering heating oil found support traders buying sales gasoline and crude expectations for continued drawdowns stocks refiners shut for maintenance traders unleaded gasoline for april finished cent higher cts gallon reuter 
earn	fairfield communities inc fci mos dec shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss mln profit mln revs mln mln note year ago figures based months ended february company changed reporting period end december months loss includes mln dlrs writedown assets reuter 
earn	carver corp cavr qtr net shr cts cts net sales year shr cts cts net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	inter city gas corp qtr shr cts cts 
acq	unicorp uac lincoln definitve pact unicorp american corp signed definitive agreement acquire lincoln savings bank fsb terms agreement announced january lincoln acquired unit unicorp minority owned lincoln president alton marshall acquisition will place voluntary conversion lincoln federally chartered stock savings bank mutual federal savings bank connection conversion unicorp will contribute mln dlrs cash lincoln reuter 
money-supply	money supply rises billion dlrs feb week fed 
money-supply	bank discount borrowings average mln dlrs day march week fed 
coffee	coffee fall not affecting colombia debt sharp fall international coffee prices will not affect colombia external credit situation finance minister cesar gaviria told reuters current depression world coffee markets not totally unexpected and bearing colombia financial state described sound foreign debt high can pay and hope foreign banking community will maintain position colombia major latin american country not rescheduled external public debt total foreign debt billion dlrs calls for rescheduling debt come this week opposition conservative party and biggest trade union coffee price drop gaviria lower coffee prices this year mean loss billion dlrs revenues for gaviria submitted world bank and inter american bank last week york borrowing plan for total billion dlrs disbursed years approved reuter 
money-supply	money supply rises billion dlrs money supply rose billion dlrs seasonally adjusted billion dlrs february week federal reserve previous week level revised billion dlrs billion dlrs week moving average rose billion dlrs billion economists polled reuters had forecast range mln dlrs billion dlrs average forecast called for billion dlr rise reuter 
acq	humana hum declares shareholders rights plan humana inc board approved shareholder rights plan called poison pill plan ensure shareholders receive fair treatment event proposed takeover humana aware effort gain control company plan board declared dividend distribution for each outstanding common share held march each entitles holders purchase unit share newly authorizes series participating preferred dlrs per unit humana rights become effective entity acquires pct outstanding common tenders for pct stock such acquisition each entitles holders purchase securities company acquiring entity market twice exercise price humana rights expire march redeemed earlier rights redeemed company for per time prior days public announcement that pct position acquired reuter 
earn	fremont general corp frmi qtr oper net oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss mln revs mln mln year oper shr profit dlrs loss dlrs oper net profit mln loss mln revs mln mln note oper data not include loss discontinued operations dlrs cts per shr qtr loss mln dlrs dlrs per shr year gain mln dlrs dlrs per shr not include qtr extraordinary loss dlrs ten cts per shr reuter 
acq	great western financial gwf unit buys banks great western financial corp subsidiary great western bank will purchase retail banking branches south florida total deposits mln dlrs great western will purchase branches deerfield beach and hollywood approximately mln dlrs deposits guardian savings and loan association and palm beach approximately mln deposits goldome savings bank reuter 
acq	hughes stance merger suit billion dlr lawsuit pushed hughes tool into face rejection proposed merger baker international corp bko wall street analysts last night hughes planned merger baker baker filed suit seeking punitive damages hughes for calling merger midday today hughes interested merger analysts hughes worried that troubles make takeover candidate speculation today that harold simmons dallas investor acquire hughes simmons told reuters not interested simmons intends file securities and exchange monday reporting stake pct publicly traded company declined identify target rule hughes analyst another factor latest hughes turnabout borg warner corp bor owns pct hughes borg warner chairman bere serves hughes board believed favor merger baker despite hughes statement that interested merger and baker response that merger possibile analysts situation merger not phil pace analyst kidder peabody and merger lost lot appeal department justice required that baker sell reed tool operation reed operation relatively small view total size combined baker hughes pace pct cost savings tied that hughes concerned lawsuit james crandell analyst salomon brothers inc apparently willing continue discussions whether will alter position don getting confusing james carroll analyst painewebber group inc arguments cited hughes yesterday for not merger tend weak hughes yesterday that condition merger wanted reed tool and businesses sold prior april projected merger date government decree allowed longer period time hughes contended formally combine companies status reed settled baker apparently sees reason speed sale carroll baker had previously estimated mln dlrs savings companies combined selling reed baker thinks mln dlrs will saved hughes sees saving mln dlrs carroll noted that since merger accord signed outlook for industry improved materially hughes simply feel pressure oil service industry lifting reuter 
acq	armtek arm sells tire truck tire business armtek corp armstrong rubber signed agreements condere corp for sale natchez miss tire plant and and truck tire sales and services corp terms not disclosed armtek spokesman john sievers and mln dlr business earlier this week armtek announced sale industrial tire and assembly business division dyneer corp scotsdale ariz cash proceeds sales will used reduce outstanding debt long term supply agreement condere anticipated that truck tires produced natchez plant will supplied armstrong tire armtek operating company company closing scheduled concluded march reuter 
earn	elxsi elxsf qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss mln revs year shr loss cts loss cts net loss mln loss mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	newscope resources year loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs note net includes dlr writedown oil and gas properties reuter 
nat-gas	ferc issues pay gas policy plan federal energy regulatory commission ferc issued proposed policy statement for recovery pay costs imposed existing natural gas contracts producers and pipelines put statement vote for day comment period put alternative policy statement commissioner charles stalon ferc press release that proposed policy statement estblishes exception commission general policy that pay buy and buy costs recovered pipeline commodity sales rates ferc added that specifically cases pipelines assume equitable share buy buy costs commission proposes permit pipelines recover remaining costs demand rates wanted guidelines for buying and reforming existing contracts spread impact pay costs responsible fair and equitable commission chairwoman martha hesse this proposal represents commission sincere attempt industry this difficult period transition competitive market hesse hope that proposed policy will encourage and guide timely resolution pay contractual disputes that impeded industry transition competitive environment vital industry that this problem reuter 
earn	times mirror tmc quarterly dividend qtly div cts cts pay june record reuter 
earn	inter city gas corp icg qtr net shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln year shr cts dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion note net includes mln dlr writedown oil and gas properties partly offset mln dlr extraordinary gain tax gains and proceeds sale minnesota utility operations net includes extraordinary gain dlrs shr preferred divs reuter 
earn	brown transport inc btci qtr net shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln mths shr profit dlrs loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln reuter 
earn	metro mobile cts inc mmct qtr loss qtr ends dec shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs mln mln reuter 
earn	spar aerospace year net shr basic cts dlrs shr diluted cts dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	pesch unit seeks balance republic health alpha health systems corp wholly owned subsidiary pesch and submitted merger proposal board reph acquisition parent company republic health corp pct owned pesch interests balance reph common stock owned members republic management mcdonnell douglas corp donaldson lufkin and jenrette and pacific asset holdings republic owns hospitals and manages facilities states details proposal not disclosed company representatives not immediately proposal that reph become wholly owned subsidiary alpha and that existing reph common stockholders become stockholders alpha reph board appointed special committee negotiate terms proposed merger pesch last year republic acquired reph leveraged buyout transaction led leroy pesch principal shareholder pesch and alpha recently submitted second offer acquire stock american medical international inc ami dlrs share cash and securities considered american medical board pesch reuter 
earn	spar sees sees strong year growth spar aerospace reporting sharply lower profit anticipated solid profit and revenue growth years longer term spar confident that continuing concentration advanced robotics satellite based communications and electro optical defense systems will lead significant growth revenues and earnings years company forecast higher sales due increased order backlog revenues last year fell mln dlrs mln profit fell mln dlrs mln spar added that lower development costs communications group and return normal operations gears and transmissions and aviation services will remove drain profits this year attributed reduced earnings communications group losses resulting continued heavy investment products and market development month strike toronto plants and delays receipt authorization customers start work programs reuter 
earn	chesapeake utilities corp chpk regular div qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	swift independent packing sftpr qtr net periods ended january net revs mln mln reuter 
acq	chemlawn rejects dlrs per share tender offer waste management 
trade	france yugoslavia commission boost trade france and yugoslavia agreed set joint economic commission part efforts promote commercial links and industrial cooperation two countries french finance ministry commission composed businessmen agreed talks foreign trade minister michel noir and yugoslavian minister portfolio egon padovan ministry statement sides had agreed boost trade links keeping accord signed last year calling for pct rise commercial exchanges two countries six years french trade yugoslavia grown past two years reuter 
acq	chemlawn chem rejects waste wmx offer chemlawn corp board rejected waste management inc dlr per share tender offer and urged shareholders not tender shares chemlawn board asked management and financial advisor smith barney harris upham and inc seek purchasers company maximize shareholder chemlawn adopted shareholder rights plan poison pill intermin safeguard period board adopted deter attempts acquire company means cash tender offer seeks purchasers chemlawn began litigation waste management federal court columbus seeking injunctive and relief suit alleges things that waste management officers and directors purchased chemlawn stock making tender offer chemlawn claimed such purchases possibly violated officers fiduciary duties and securities and exchange commission insider trading rules last week waste management made tender offer acquire chemlawn for dlrs per share mln dlrs chemlawn board determined that waste offer inadequate and not interest shareholders and adversely affect interests employees suppliers creditors and customers board carefully reviewed waste management offer and concluded that not fully reflect company strongly urge shareholders not tender shares waste management chairman jack van fossen chemlawn rights plan designed protect shareholders abusive tactics such market accumulations waste management plan comon stock purchase will distributed dividend each outstanding share chemlawn common chemlawn rights holders can buy share common for dlr entity acquires pct commmon cash tender offer for shares approved acquisition agreement board rights expire july days become exercisable that date board redeem rights for cts per time prior exercise date chemlawn plan will not triggered purchases purusant waste management present tender offer dividend will paid shareholders record march reuter 
earn	cambior inc mths dec net shr cts not net not revs mln not reuter 
acq	conagra cag acquire monfort mmft conagra inc agreed acquire monfort colorado inc stock transaction companies letter intent signed companies conagra will acquire monfort mln outstanding shares for mln shares based conagra closing price dlrs today transaction worth mln dlrs merger expected completed june companies acquisition will result restatement conagra earnings for fiscal year ending restatement not expected materially change previously reported upcoming fiscal year end earnings fiscal conagra had net income mln dlrs sales billion dlrs for fiscal year ending august monfort reported mln dlrs earnings sales billion dlrs company largest lamb and beef producers producing transporting and selling products domestically and internationally reuter 
acq	mcdonnell douglas not approached pesch mcdonnell douglas corp mln dlr investment republic health corp reph not approached sell shares republic health earlier alpha health systems corp unit pesch and submitted merger proposal board reph acquisition parent republic health leroy pesch principal stockholder pesch not approached pesch respect holdings republic health mcdonnell douglas spokesman told reuters reuter 
earn	paradyne pdn pleads guilty criminal charge paradyne corp pleaded guilty criminal charges conspiracy defraud social security administration and agreed pay mln dlrs fines and costs government company reached agreements principle for mln dlr settlement class action law suits mln dlrs class action settlement will provided paradyne insurance carrier settlement contingent court approval notice class members criminal case settlement dismisses charges including bribery and false statement for conspiracy paradyne pleaded guilty criminal settlement includes lifting government suspension dismissal federal civil false claims suit and charges individuals mln dlrs insurance carrier will provide for civil settlement dlrs will settle derivative lawsuit for year ended december paradyne reported net loss mln dlrs year end results include mln dlrs provision for future legal and settlement costs cover civil and criminal settlements announced today paradyne named jerry kendall president and chief executive officer succeeding robert wiggins resigned chairman and chief executive officer part settlement indictment kendall served executive vice president and chief operating officer company that due sluggish marketplace not expect profitable quarter optimistic outlook for year for quarter company reported net income dlrs sales mln dlrs wiggins paradyine executives charged officers federal indictment stemming mln contract awarded paradyne build computer network for social security administration men accused conspiring bribe government officials and defaud social security administration wiggins and defendants charged providing false testimony and obstructing justice securities and exchange commission investigation settlement announced today federal prosecutors agreed defer charges wiggins and defendants year pretrial agreement charges dropped defendants successfully complete probation period details requirements agreement not immediately reuter 
crude	greece repeats can decide aegean drilling greece replying warning turkey that will stop athens seeking oil aegean sea repeated today that exclusive decide drill area government spokesman statement that ankara believed greece contravening international law bring issue courts spokesman responding statement turkish foreign ministry spokesman yalim eralp that ankara action stop greece oil activities territorial waters violation berne accord reuter 
earn	nca corp ncac qtr loss shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs year shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs mln mln reuter 
earn	biomedical dynamics corp bmdc qtr net shr profit loss two cts net profit loss sales year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales mln reuter 
acq	santa southern pacific appeals merger ruling santa southern pacific corp will today formally interstate commerce commission icc reconsider earlier rejection merger holding company railroad assets company spokesman expect file papers late tonight asking icc reopen rail merger case spokesman rich hall telephone interview company chicago headquarters icc had rejected july grounds reduce competition merger santa and southern pacific railroads deadline for seeking icc reconsideration merger plan midnight tonight santa southern pacific owns santa railroad and holds southern pacific railroad assets trust awaiting federal approval merger plan icc had ordered holding company divest railroad stayed ruling pending decision request for reconsideration icc ultimately decides not reopen case expected reinstate divestiture order reuter 
crude	iea opec february crude output mln bpd opec produced average mln barrels per day bpd crude oil february mln previous month and mln bpd fourth quarter international energy agency opec countries last month exceeded production quotas set last conference december liftings reduced countries latest monthly oil market report cutbacks due part buyer resistance fixed prices introduced february for fixed volumes extended period gave this breakdown for opec crude output mln bpd fourth qtr january february saudi arabia iran iraq uae kuwait neutral zone qatar nigeria libya fourth qtr january february algeria gabon venezuela ecuador indonesia total iea saudi production stayed below quota mln bpd actual sales exceed output due norbec stock disposals contracts for saudi crude signed understood leeway required liftings report reduction iraqi air attacks iranian export facilities allowed iran output reach mln bpd january buyer resistance fixed prices apparently cut february production iraqi exports mln bpd turkish pipeline mln truck jordan and mln saudi pipeline yanbu internal consumption mln bpd iea estimated total communist world oil supply february mln bpd mln january and mln fourth quarter february world supply figure made mln bpd opec crude production mln bpd opec natural gas liquids ngls mln bpd oecd crude and ngls mln bpd developing countries crude and ngls net trade mln bpd centrally planned economies mln bpd conventional crudes such tar sands and oil coal and mln bpd processiing gains oecd preliminary norwegian data show record mln bpd output january lower production expected february accordance government curtailments approximately bpd announced support opec reuter 
acq	enfield corp plans notes preferred issue enfield corp planned issue mln dlrs principal amount notes and mln class preferred shares dlrs share notes bear pct yearly interest mature march and convertible common shares march business day fixed redemption date dlrs share enfield each preferred share convertible common shares march business day fixed redemption date gordon capital corp and dominion securities inc agreed acquire issues enfield use proceeds retire short term bank debt and boost pct stake consumers packaging inc and interest federal pioneer open market purchases reuter 
acq	wichita wro buy fountain oil fgas wichita industries inc agreed buy fountain oil and gas inc wichita will acquire outstanding shares fountain exchange for mln newly issued wichita common shares wichita presently mln shares outstanding transaction calls for issuance shares wichita common for each outstanding fountain share wichita made number refinancing agreements connection acquisition reuter 
cpi	argentine inflation rose pct february argentina cost living index grew pct january last month pct national statistics institute consumer prices rose pct last months pct inflation calendar year reuter 
crude	pemex lowers february east crude oil prices mexican state oil company petroleos mexicanos pemex east customers charged dlrs per barrel for isthmus crude february and dlrs for heavier maya pemex this cts january isthmus and cts january maya east customers primarily japan buys average barrels per day isthmus pay retroactively european and clients charged per delivery reuter 
retail	december quarter retail sales fall pct retail sales quarter ended december fell seasonally adjusted pct compared pct rise september quarter and pct fall year ago period statistics department actual retail sales december quarter totalled billion dlrs compared billion previous quarter and billion year ago period largest decreases december quarter recorded stores recorded highest increase sales september quarter introduction pct added goods and services tax october reuter 
acq	reph acquisition negotiate pesch merger bid reph acquisition board appointed special committee negotiate terms offer made earlier today pesch and merge republic health corp reph unit pesch alpha health systems corp unit offered acquire pct republic health stock that not terms pesch offer not disclosed reuter 
acq	hunt group comdata stake seeks influence investor group led members hunt family dallas texas told securities and exchange commission acquired pct stake comdata network inc cdn and influence company policy investor group led rosewood financial inc opposes company recapitalization plan worked comdata and mason texas investment firm last reported holding pct company stock hunt group offered march buy entire pct stake held dissident shareholder donald carter dlrs each received reply yesterday rosewood owned caroline hunt trust estate trustees include margaret hunt hill notified federal trade commission intent buy and pct comdata common stock federal law cannot buy pct comdata stock day waiting period ftc early approval proposed comdata recapitalization plan company buy mln common shares dlrs each mason belongs cni parnters texas partnership not tender stake plan buy another mln comdata common shares and representation company board hunt group told comdata that considers required payments plan such mln dlr fee and issuance warrant buy common shares waste company assets hunt group includes securities texas firms cypress partners and driftwood spent mln dlrs comdata common shares reuter 
acq	santa southern pacific appeals merger ruling santa southern pacific corp will today formally interstate commerce commission icc reconsider earlier rejection merger holding company railroad assets company spokesman expect file papers late tonight asking icc reopen rail merger case spokesman rich hall telephone interview company chicago headquarters icc had rejected july grounds reduce competition merger santa and southern pacific railroads deadline for seeking icc reconsideration merger plan midnight tonight reuter 
earn	viner holdings eavkf qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln note qtr net includes mln dlr shr writedown stake heck inc hex and dlr shr writedown arbitrage positions net includes dlr net writedown stake heck dlrs reuter 
acq	carpet firm unit cuts allied products adp stake group led gfi nevada inc subsidiary general felt industries saddlebrook carpet maker cut stake allied products corp shares pct shares pct filing securities and exchange commission gfi sold allied products common shares march dlrs each and donated another shares two universities dealings company common stock for investment purposes reuter 
ship	talks fail end brazilian seamen strike pay talks aimed ending week national seamen strike collapsed today and strike will continue union official walkout brazil seamen idled ships ports jorge luis leao franco senior official national merchant marine union told reuters strikers seeking pct pay increase rejected offers pct raise state oil company petrobras and pct increase national union maritime navigation companies syndarma leao franco hours talks rio janeiro labor minister almir pazzianotto ended today resolving dispute six ships idle abroad netherlands spain venezuela france and south africa economic analysts strike major concern government suspended interest payments part brazil foreign debt drastic deterioration country trade balance head national merchant marine authority murilo rubens habbema quoted today that strike continued foreign ships authorized transport brazilian exports brazil living crisis moment and not conceivable that exports hit told gazeta mercantil newspaper reuter 
acq	shearson pct chicago milwaukee chg shearson lehman brothers inc brokerage subsidiary american express axp acquired shares chicago milwaukee corp pct total outstanding common stock filing securities and exchange commission shearson bought stake for mln dlrs for investment purposes and intention seeking control company reuter 
earn	viner eavkf viable heck hex move viner holdings earlier reported chapter bankruptcy filing heck inc hex viner holds shares not materially affect viner capital position ability carry profitable brokerage business viner brokerage subsidiary edward viner and had regulatory capital mln dlrs year end company heck chapter filing affect viner previously reported legal action recover costs aborted merger agreement heck and toussie viner group made merger offer assessing options heck investment viner earlier reported fourth quarter loss dlrs mln dlr writedown stake heck earned dlrs previous fourth quarter full year earnings totaled mln dlrs year earlier loss mln dlrs full year earnings included dlr net writedown heck stake reuter 
acq	twa twa sues usair poison pill trans world airlines inc filed suit delaware chancery court usair group inc and board directors seeking invalidate poison pill anti takeover plan twa vice president and general counsel mark buckstein twa sought declaratory judgement court that dlr per share takeover offer for usair interfer usair buyout peidmont aviation inc pie buckstein twa asked court enjoin enforcement usair shareholder rights plan poison pill such provisions typically for issue securities shareholders event hostile takeover bid aimed deterring takeovers making expensive usair earlier today rejected twa offer twa bid attempt interfer buyout piedmont usair had counsel investigate matter tonight spokesman for usair airline had comment twa lawsuit usair respond twa request department transportation for permission buy pct usair stock and place stock voting trust pending approval takeover usair request hastily pasted together order advantage regulatory anamoly that twa accomplish regulated environment actions that impermissable regulated economy large usair called transportation department reject twa request reuter 
earn	seasons hotels inc year net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln note net excludes extraordinary gain mln dlrs reuter 
earn	ivey properties inc raises quarterly dividend ivey properties inc raised quarterly dividend cts share cts and declared extra dividend cts share and pct stock dividend dividends will paid april shareholders record march for stock dividend ivey will pay for fractional shares dlrs per share reuter 
coffee	mexico suspends overseas coffee sales mexico temporarily suspended overseas coffee sales due falling prices triggered failure international coffee organisation ico meeting agree quota system latest meeting official notimex news agency waiting for prices improve unidentified mexican trader told agency mexico sold pct export coffee produced year last september source country exports mln kilo bags year reuter 
acq	group boosts scandinavia fund scf stake shareholder group led swedish investment firm and norwegian investor raised stake scandinavia fund inc shares pct total shares pct filing securities and exchange commission group includes ingemar rydin industritillbehor firm and investor erik martin vik bought additional shares feb and march reuter 
acq	offshore investment firm ups france fund stake vbi corp offshore based investment firm told securities and exchange commission raised stake france fund inc frn shares pct total pct vbi based turks and caicos islands british west indies bought additional shares feb and march bought france fund stake for investment purposes reuter 
coffee	costa rica optimistic reforming ico costa rica economy minister sees hope for winning international coffee organisation system export quotas minister luis diego escalante serves president costa rican coffee institute hopeful support offered costa rica and smaller producing nations such major consumers united states britain and netherlands last week ico meeting london escalante told news conference carried weight negotiations meeting calling for larger export quotas for smaller coffee growing nations costa rica insisting escalante quota system based producing nation real export capacity once satisfied internal demand countries such sales possibilities close pct current quotas escalante time countries favoured current system that assigned quotas export potential current ico quota system unfair and autocratic escalante escalante attributed nosedive international coffee prices last week speculation real matters supply and demand careful warned not coffee world bags sawdust reuter 
money-supply	money growth slows sharply economists money supply growth slowing rapidly and economists that federal reserve main monetary aggregates even contracted february contraction major concern for fed follow long period torrid growth give central bank extra leeway weeks ahead decided that relaxation monetary policy justified account weakness economy money supply for week ended february reported today rose billion dlrs billion preliminary forecasts call for drop week two billion dlrs monthly average january billion dlrs makes quarter and components such money market deposit accounts and small time deposits falling stage set for falls broader aggregates economists largely discredited traditional link economic growth disintegrated impact falling interest rates and banking deregulation consistent behavior aggregates likely impress fed ward mccarthy merrill lynch economics inc fed confidence aggregates sending signal this raise eyebrows fed mccarthy stephen slifer shearson lehman brothers inc added good monetary aggregate data coming lot weaker thought economists quick caution that month data prove nothing money growth previously had rapid last weeks grown pct rate and pct rate past weeks contraction can explained shift funds savings vehicles into booming stock market and not indication slowdown business expansion data raise tantalizing possibility for bond markets that slowdown money growth partly reflection weaker economy that fed stimulus mccarthy noted that slower money growth coincides signs that economy losing momentum quarter progresses economic indicators not rosy month ago noted expects six pct growth march and rises and pct slifer sees stronger growth pct and pct for and rates moderate encourage fed ease policy gross national product for quarter proved weak you inclined ease you past nothing fed latest balance sheet suggest change policy economists discount window borrowings line expectations mln dlrs day robert brusca nikko securities international inc argued that easier fed policy solve america urgent economic problem massive trade deficit possibility that dollar depreciation and rising inflation needed close trade gap brusca not prepared that optimistic bond market reuter 
cpi	ecuador consumer prices rise pct february ecuador consumer price index rose pct february base national statistics and census institute rise compared pct rise january and pct rise february institute accumulated inflation for two months this year pct compared pct for period last year inflation for months ending february pct compared pct for months ending february reuter 
earn	tpa america inc tps qtr loss shr loss cts net loss revs avg shrs mln year shr loss cts net loss revs mln avg shrs mln note company started operating august results reflect change fiscal year november end reuter 
gold	silver state mining ssmc sees production rise silver state mining corp expects gold production this year double ounces company production ounces reuter 
earn	mcgrath rentcorp mgrc sees net rising mcgrath rentcorp result december acquisition space expects earnings per share dlrs per share cts company pretax net rise mln dlrs six mln dlrs and rental operation revenues mln dlrs mln dlrs cash flow per share this year dlrs reuter 
earn	silver state mining corp ssmc qtr net shr net revs year shr cts net revs reuter 
earn	sizzler restaurants international inc sizz net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln reuter 
acq	mcandrews and forbes offering dlrs per share for revlon stock 
money-fx	money market deficit revised mln stg bank england had revised estimate shortage money market back initial forecast mln stg midsession central bank changed shortfall mln and provided assistance worth mln stg bank bill purchases bands and two established dealing rates reuter 
earn	donegal group inc dgic year net shr six cts net revs note company formed august reuter 
earn	peter miller apparel group qtr jan loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note shr figures adjusted for issue shares october avg shrs not full name peter miller apparel group inc reuter 
earn	krelitz industries inc krlz qtr net period ended jan shr cts cts net sales mln mln mths shr cts cts net sales mln mln note prior year period ended sept comparable periods reflect change fiscal yearend april december reuter 
earn	donegal dgic projects full year results donegal group inc today reported earnings dlrs revenues dlrs for period august startup end expects improved profits for full year revenues mln dlrs reuter 
acq	macandrews and forbes holdings bids for revlon mcandrews and forbes holdings inc will offer dlrs per share for revlon group inc rev outstanding common stock mcandrews terms acquisition not determined and subject acquisition financing revlon closed yesterday york stock exchange company bid for stock affiliates not mcandrews and forbes informed board directors revlon that expects make formal proposal future can assurance terms proposals that deal can concluded reuter 
acq	borealis gold exploration pact faraway borealis exploration entered into agreement faraway gold mines vancouver british columbia faraway will acquire interest borealis whale cove gold property keewatin district northwest territories faraway will spend mln dlrs exploration years and will hold pct property expenses paid interest will drop pct borealis and faraway will issue treasury shares each and faraway will buy borealis shares borealis president lorne spence reuter 
acq	imre imre sells stock european institutions imre corp received commitments for group european institutions buy imre shares for dlrs closing expected march reuter 
acq	instrumentarium acquires nokia subsidiary finland medical group instrumentarium inmr acquired electronics components importers and marketers ferrado and insele subsidiaries finland electronics group nokia noks statement ferrado and insele will merged into instrumentarium professional electronics and information systems division not disclose price for acquisitions had issued restricted shares partial payment nokia reuter 
earn	fuqua industries inc fqa sets quarterly qtly div six cts six cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	corp inc year dec net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note share results reflect two for stock split june reuter 
acq	dome petroleum reaffirms dome mines stake for sale price spokesman 
acq	commonwealth mortgage ccmc buys armonk firm commonwealth mortgage purchased westfiar funding corp armonk for undisclosed amount cash commonwealth westfair originated mln dlrs residential mortgage loans reuter 
earn	corp inc raises dividend semi annual div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
crude	permian pbt raises crude prices permian corp that effective march raised posted prices for crude oil cts barrel raise brought posted prices for west texas intermediate cts dlrs barrel west texas sour raised cts dlrs barrel permian spokesman that south louisiana sweet posted prices raised cts barrel dlrs reuter 
earn	american stores qtr shr dlrs dlrs 
earn	central sprinkler corp cnsp qtr jan net shr cts cts shr diluted cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs avg shrs diluted reuter 
earn	west industries inc raises dividend annual div cts cts pay march record march reuter 
earn	west industries inc year net shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
livestock	officials study salmonella calf feed link officials studying link use antibiotics calf feeds and spread drug resistant strains salmonella humans ministry agriculture official study published england journal medicine yesterday stated that spread unusual strain salmonella that resistant drug chloramphenicol had shown linked farms that used drug promote growth cattle ministry agriculture working department health and public health laboratory investigate subject resistant strains salmonella ministry agriculture concerned effects human and animal health official government studying recommendation farm animal welfare council fawc restrict trade calves days markets fawc this reduce spread salmonella reuter 
acq	dome dmp repeats dome mines stake for sale dome petroleum pct stake gold producer dome mines continues for sale price spokesman david annesley response inquiry reaffirming remarks made last year chairman howard macdonald annesley company selling stake dome mines dome petroleum pct stake encor energy corp annesley encor strategic investment for dome and intention selling dome spokesman annesley answer question that not aware negotiations sale dome petroleum mln dome mines shares declined price company selling shares today prices dlrs share dome mines stock attractive annesley commented sale price time shares priced dlrs added price dlrs share considered fairly attractive annesley annesley dome petroleum sell dome mines shares premium market prices opportunity pick premium that virtually control block dome mines dome mines shares traded earlier dlrs toronto stock exchange dome petroleum negotiating plan restructure debt billion canadian dlrs group major creditors includes dome mines and encor energy company previously expects detail plan lenders early week reuter 
earn	selecterm inc sltm qtr loss shr loss not profit cts net loss profit revs year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln note pretax net profits dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year reuter 
acq	stone container sto completes waiting period stone container corp and southwest forest industries inc swf completed waiting period requirements hart scott rodino anti trust improvements act stone will proceed previously proposed acquisition southwest reuter 
coffee	ico quota talks failure paralyse hamburg market failure international coffee organization talks reintroduction quotas paralysed business hamburg green coffee market past week trade sources sporadic activity for spot material requirement buying adding that pre registered coffees longer expected brazil and colombia open export registrations for shipment week president brazilian coffee institute jorio dauster yesterday had not decided registrations reopen reuter 
earn	residential mortgage investments inc rmi payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	southwest swf stone sto comply for merger southwest forest industries and stone container corp complied federal waiting period requirements for stone proposed dlr per share cash acquisition southwest southwest mln shares outstanding companies entered into merger agreement january and made initial findings department justice and federal trade commission february southwest waiting period expired march receiving formal second request for information reuter 
earn	okc limited partnership okc sets lower payout okc limited partnership will make per share distribution unitholders cts december and payable march holders record march partnership payout largest quarterly cash distribution allowable terms letter credit reuter 
earn	biotech research laboratories inc btrl qtr shr profit loss cts net profit loss revs year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs shr reuter 
earn	american stores asc qtr net shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion year shr dlrs dlrs net mln revs billion billion note qtr and per shr amts includes reduction cts per shr for establishment reorganization reserves tax increase reduced per shr cts reuter 
trade	baker pact start treasury secretary james baker agreement industrial nations paris last month start washington drive intensify economic cooperation leading countries speech national newspaper association baker six steps beginning plaza agreement and culminating paris accord start added role steward process sit industrial allies find ways promote balanced international growth paris agreements called trade surplus countries strengthen growth and reduce budget deficit such circumstances countries agreed currencies ranges broadly consistent economic fundamentals baker sees ominous signs pressure for protectionist trade legislation and this pressure for protectionism coming areas society believed coalition forming that supported free trade reuter 
trade	treasury baker forecasts reduction japanese trade surplus this year 
earn	boston bancorp sbos sets two for split boston bancorp board declared two for stock split payable march record march reuter 
acq	correction macandrews and forbes holdings york story headlined macandrews and forbes holdings bids for revlon pls read headline and paragraph macandrews and forbes considers bid for revlon and paragraph macandrews and forbes holdings inc making proposal corrects bids for revlon headline and will offer paragraph 
ship	shipping restrictions remain rhine limited shipping restrictions due high water remain force parts west german stretch rhine river dutch border and city mainz expected lifted this weekend water authority officials restrictions caused high water levels include speed limits and directives middle river prevent damage river banks high water expected recede two days below levels restrictions come into force traffic halted briefly late tuesday night wednesday and parts thursday stretches rhine bonn and koblenz shipping bans lifted officials shipping permitted parts west german section rhine restrictions areas reuter 
acq	hawker siddeley offer for clarostat clr ends hawker siddeley group plc offer dlrs share for clarostat mfg inc stock scheduled expire est yesterday company officials unavailable for comment american stock exchange had stopped trading clarostat stock for pending news announcement reuter 
acq	taft tfb deadline buyout proposal narragansett capital inc narr and dudley taft requested response taft broadcasting march earlier today taft broadcasting taft company vice chairman and narragansett had offered dlrs for each taft mln outstanding shares company offer conditioned approval board spokesman declined comment whether not board scheduled meeting narragansett taft group will provide equity portion offer contributing mln dlrs cash and taft broadcasting common narragansett group advised boston inc fbc boston corp that investment banker highly confident that financing for acquisition can consummated narragansett offer subject negotiation definitive merger agreement and definitive financing agreements approval regulators taft board and taft stockholders narragansett taft group letter taft board states group intends return control significant portion company equity taft family providing stockholders means realizing attractive for shares reuter 
earn	peter miller apparel group inc qtr loss period ended january shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit sales mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit sales note per share reflects issue shares october reuter 
acq	santa southern sfx appeals merger ruling santa southern pacific corp filed petition asking interstate commerce commission reconsider earlier rejection merger holding company railroad assets icc had rejected july merger santa and southern pacific railroads grounds that reduce competition santa petition outlines array pro competitive agreements railroads preserve economic benefits merger for merged railroad and public commission agrees that public benefits and competitive enhancements will result can vote reopen merger case interested parties march file statements response supplemental petition reuter 
trade	baker sees lower japanese trade surplus treasury secretary james baker japanese trade surplus begin decline this year told national newspaper association you reduction japanese trade surplus this year reduction due principally exchange rate shifts since plaza agreement and shifts long time work system reuter 
earn	cineplex odeon corp year oper shr basic dlrs cts 
acq	monfort mnft soars acquisition agreement monfort colorado inc soared counter trading responding announcement late yesterday that firm will acquired conagra inc cag letter intent signed companies conagra will offer shares for each monfort mln outstanding shares conagra fell york stock exchange monfort integrated beef and lamb producer reuter 
acq	nordbanken auction fermenta shares sweden nordbanken banking group sell mln free shares deposited loan collateral fermenta frms founder and chief executive refaat sayed and planned buy bank sale public auction march debtor inability repay overdue loan free shares closed crowns bourse unofficial list peak january nordbanken not exclude accepting suitable bid for shares expected buy back statement sale not represent withdrawal nordbanken undertakings fermenta group and that had sanctioned main shareholders nordbanken fermenta largest creditor loans mln crowns swedish banks last month agreed advance group mln crowns solve liquidity problems together two main shareholders advanced fermenta additional mln crowns equity issue made fermenta due hold extraordinary shareholders meeting tuesday approve planned equity issue nordbanken had make provision mln crown loan sayed results fermenta management originally hoped raise mln crowns for rights issue and extra mln issue nordbanken another major creditor and shareholder gotabanken and group majority owner industrivarden share price crowns doubt plans since stock fell below this level this week fermenta chairman kjell brandstrom company worse state thought reuter 
earn	united industrial corp uic qtr loss shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss mln profit sales mln mln year shr loss cts profit dlrs net loss profit mln sales mln mln avg shrs mln mln note net includes tax credits mln dlrs quarter and dlrs year year net includes dlr loss discontinued operations and mln dlr gain disposal net periods includes mln dlr provision for future losses major projects defense contractor subsidiary backlog mln dlrs six pct year share adjusted for pct stock dividend february reuter 
earn	cineplex odeon corp year net oper shr basic dlrs cts oper shr diluted cts cts oper net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note net excludes extraordinary gain dlrs cts shr basic and cts shr diluted net involves week reporting period reflect change end coincide calendar reuter 
acq	mine safety appliances mnes sell unit mine safety appliances agreed sell filter products division donaldson inc dci for undisclosed terms filter products unit will relocated plant pennsylvania donaldson facility illinois expects number unit employees will offered positions donaldson reuter 
earn	prospect group inc prosz qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln notes prospect raised dlrs initial public offering common stock company purchased march midsouth corp regional railroad company mississippi and louisiana contributed sales mln dlrs and operating income mln dlrs months operation reuter 
earn	france fund inc frn sets initial dividend france fund inc board declared initial dividend dlrs per share payable april six holders record march fund dividend represents two cts per share for net investment income realized and dlrs net taxable gains realized year reuter 
earn	heineken hein year pre tax profit mln guilders mln net profit mln guilders mln consolidated net turnover billion guilders billion net profit per guilder nominal share guilders taking into account for scrip issue last year final dividend two guilders making total guilders reuter 
earn	national security insurance nsic qtr oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit year oper shr profit dlrs loss cts oper net profit loss note net excludes realized capital loss dlrs gain dlrs quarter and gains dlrs dlrs year net periods excludes tax credit dlrs reuter 
earn	cyprus minerals cypm named suits cyprus minerals companies named defendant product liability lawsuits filed california individual tireworkers aleging injury result exposure talc and products suits expected brought cyprus produces talc significant factual and legal defenses and substantial insurance coverage and not expect suits material adverse impact financial condition reuter 
acq	donaldson dci buy mine safety mnes unit donaldson inc reached agreement buy assets filter products division mine safety appliances for undisclosed terms filter products will operate part donaldson industrial group and manufacturing operations will relocated dixon ill evans city donaldson acquisition complements microfiltration business and internal research and development efforts reuter 
earn	arundel corp arl qtr net shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	gulf states utilities gsu gets qualified audit gulf states utilities auditor coopers and lybrand issued qualified opinion financial statements gulf states audit opinion satated that sufficient rate increases funds sources gulf states unable maintain financial viability permit realization assets and liquidation liabilities ordinary business received similar qualified opinion reuter 
ship	midmississippi river opens today for season mississippi river open for barge traffic twin cities minnesota repairs completed and barges moved upstream lock and dam quincy ill cst today army corps engineers spokesman inches ice reported locks and upper mississippi river sections generally free ice spokesman midwestern weather mild that barges loading mid mississippi river terminals winter lock and dam had not scheduled for repairs peoria and grange locks illinois river scheduled close july for two months repairs reuter 
earn	sun electric corp qtr jan net shr profit cts loss six cts net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs note net includes tax credits equal six cts cent reuter 
crude	ecuador suspends oil exports due earthquake ecuador today suspended crude oil exports indefinitely due earthquake last night that damaged pumping and crude transport installations energy and mines ministry statement state oil firm corporacion estatal petrolera ecuatoriana cepe notified foreign customers that declaring force majeure crude exports due tremor ecuador opec oil output quota barrels per day bpd senior energy ministry official that pumping station salado ecuador main pipeline damaged metre section pipeline attached bridge aguarico river collapsed pumping station reventador volcano epicentre quake ecuadorean seismologists registered six point international mercalli scale aguarico bridge close volcano quake struck northern ecaudor and southern colombia ecuadorean officials injuries reported reuter 
earn	leaseway transportation corp ltc qtr loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln year oper shr profit dlrs profit dlrs oper net profit mln mln revs billion billion note net excludes gains discontinued leasing operations mln dlrs mln dlrs year and mln dlrs mln dlrs quarter results restated for discontinued operations net periods includes charge dlrs elimination investment tax credits reuter 
earn	nch corp nch qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales mln mln reuter 
earn	nationwide had property casualty loss nationwide mutual insurance property casualty companies had net loss mln dlrs last year life insurance operations earned mln dlrs nationwide property casualty group fourth largest property casualty insurer had mln dlr loss nationwide life insurance earned mln dlrs last year profit including record capital gains mln dlrs gains mln dlrs previous year company property casualty group had record loss insurance operations last year mln dlrs policyholders dividends pct mln dlrs nationwide surge claims personal auto insurance and volatile commercial liability coverages period unprecedented sales growth generated loss company mln dlrs last year group losses commercial insurance lines and mln dlrs personal auto insurance business partially offsetting record insurance losses nationwide record investment gains mln dlrs and mln dlr federal tax credit investment gains pct gains mln dlrs reuter 
heat	sun sun raises heating oil barge price sun sun refining and marketing subsidiary increased price charges contract barge customers for heating oil york harbor cent gallon effective today cent increase brings sun contract barge price cts recent price hike represents this week totalling cts increases sharp spot and futures price rises company reuter 
acq	women bank investor group offer expires investor group owning pct outstanding capital stock women bank cash tender offer for bank remaining outstanding shares dlrs per share expired march investors shares pct outstanding had tendered reuter 
earn	computer memories inc cmin qtr loss period ended december shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs mln mths shr loss six cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs mln note current qtr includes tax loss loss dlrs reuter 
earn	trenwick group inc tren qtr net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln dlrs drs mths oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln dlrs note qtr and year excludes investment gains and and qtr and year includes investment gains dlrs and reuter 
earn	bush bsh revises qtr year results bush industries inc that audit revised upwards fourth quarter and year end results february reported unaudited results audited amounts fourth quarter income mln dlrs cts share unaudited income for period cts per share for year audited amounts showed earnings dlrs per share prior results reported income dlrs per share sales figures for periods not differ significantly prior amounts reuter 
acq	furniture ufurf ups bench craft sofa stake universal furniture filing securities and exchange commission that had increased stake bench craft inc common stock shares pct total outstanding universal universal furniture industries unit bought bench craft shares march counter market reuter 
earn	clevite industries inc clev qtr oper loss oper net loss profit sales mln mln year oper net profit profit sales mln mln note company made initial public offering june assuming offering had occurred jan operating net income per share cts share for oper net excludes time charge mln dlrs dlrs share qtr and year due february sale company engine parts division oper net for year includes profit discontinued operations dlrs cts share oper net for excludes extraordinary loss mln dlrs cts share due june write unamortized debt issue costs public offering oper net excludes extraordinary profit mln dlrs reuter 
earn	cms advertising sets for stock split cms advertising inc board approved for two stock split form dividend payable march holders record march company similar split paid december leaving shares outstanding cms advertising split will result proportionate reduction exercise price stock purchase warrants dlrs share dlrs reuter 
earn	cie financiere paribas pari year parent company net profit mln francs mln dividend francs comparison note financial and banking group privatised government january this year reuter 
earn	correction heineken year item headlined heineken hein year read line pre tax profit mln guilders mln corrects year ago comparison mln mln reuter 
interest	bank england pressure holds base rates this week bank england resistance strong market pressure for lower interest rates succeeded holding bank base rates pct cost threatening chancellor exchequer nigel lawson policy stated end paris group six meeting last month that wanted sterling broadly stable prevailing levels market sources since pound risen pct closing trade weighted index pct imediately paris meeting and day today peak pct highest since august treasury spokesman lawson had wanted substantial rise fall sterling question large rise ready acting paul temperton chief economist merrill lynch europe estimated that government wanted trade weighted index pct even this action last weeks sterling striking distance that range analysts agree that government broad target range this area lawson prepared pound higher short term despite risk loss export competitiveness and cheaper prices imports bank england interest rates stop higher john cox executive director ebc amro bank major operator london foreign exchange market cox estimates that bank england active selling sterling past days despite lack general market talk such intervention and this helped below dlrs pound rose dlrs yesterday and february day paris meeting cox government worried sterling heading marks and concerned holds levels warned bank run risk missing interest rate boat rates don come market will come and will sell sterling dealers agree good deal hot money invested sterling money simply attracted high overnight week rates flow equally short notice authorities will hope that proportion buying reflects long term investment last thing want reduce rates and jack back richard jeffrey economist brokerage house hoare govett half point cut ensure continued support for sterling term analysts for full point march budget day bank hold sees reaction budget temperton budget widely forecast vote winner run general election major factor current bullishness government bond and currency markets lawson delay cut base rates budget crowned glory interest rate cut ian harwood economist warburg securities equities arm mercury international group speculation clearing bank break ranks and lead lower confounded today excitement fall weekly treasury bill rate pct pct last friday mean bank had changed mind this imposition penal lending rates pct discount houses yesterday and lowest since base rates pct early last october this bill rate pertaining months money banking sources market not cut guide bank intentions short term rates reuter 
acq	bancroft bcv shareholders rebuke zico offer bancroft convertible fund inc target unfriendly cash offer zico investment holdings inc shareholders approved proposals requiring pct affirmative vote outstanding shares fundamental status made previously simple majority outstanding shares needed change bancroft investment status diversified diversified fund things bancroft board continues recommend that stockholders not tender shares zico british virgin islands company had ties south africa reuter 
earn	int totalizator itsi sees qtr international totalizator systems inc vice president finance joel graff expects report improved quarter compared dlr loss reported year ago quarter profit quite favorable graff last week automated ticket systems supplier reported loss mln dlrs for graff invested heavily will result higher future growth and earnings for company reuter 
acq	boc group completes sale unit controls boc group inc airco distributor gases finalized sale virginia based gas appaturs business controls corp america newly formed investment group organized airco employees terms sale airco controls will continue make gas apparaturs product line airco brand name marketing products exclusively airco distributor network reuter 
earn	abn profit rise encouraging view dollar algemene bank nederland abnn chairman robertus hazelhoff bank pct increase net profit mln guilders mln encouraging view sharply lower dollar hazelhoff speaking press conference release abn results sharp decrease foreign earnings had compensated strong domestic performance notably securities business bank proposing for share split facilitate trade bank stock news split sparked guilder rise abn share price amsterdam bourse close guilders prospects for hung uncertainties future trend dollar level interest rates and abn share equities trade hazelhoff provisions for general contingencies reduced pct mln guilders taxes increased pct mln guilders added lower global interest rates had nipped earnings margins traditional lending activities hazelhoff abn continue reducing risk provisions future noted bank not overly concerned default latin american debtors factor brokers distanced dutch insititutions bank stocks recently that bank estimated financially troubled sovereign debtors quarter latin american countries ultimately pay added that losses incurred loans tin producers wake tin council crisis end had written reuter 
money-supply	canadian money supply rises mln dlrs week bank canada 
money-supply	canadian money supply rises week canadian narrowly defined money supply rose mln dlrs billion dlrs week ended february bank canada daily interest chequable and personal deposits rose mln dlrs billion dlrs and notice and personal fixed term deposit rose mln dlrs billion dlrs personal fixed term deposits and foreign currency deposits residents booked chartered banks canada rose mln dlrs billion dlrs chartered bank general loans outstanding rose mln dlrs billion dlrs canadian liquid short term assets fell mln dlrs billion dlrs and total canadian dollar major assets chartered banks fell mln dlrs billion dlrs chartered bank net foreign currency assets fell mln dlrs minus billion dlrs notes circulation totalled billion dlrs mln dlrs week government cash balances fell mln dlrs billion dlrs week ended march government securities outstanding rose billion dlrs billion dlrs week ended march treasury bills rose mln dlrs billion dlrs and canada savings bonds fell mln dlrs billion dlrs reuter 
jobs	french government step aid jobless government plans ahead billion franc package long term unemployed aim guaranteeing social security payments redundant government officials present country mln jobless pct workforce receive unemployment benefit prime minister jacques chirac told television interviewer law approved and will matter weeks workers made redundant will social benefits money will used alleviate unemployment retraining project finance will come billion franc government fund set last month finance spending special areas concern apart unemployment include relief farmers hit european community cost cutting measures french unemployment risen pct mln socialist president francois mitterrand office reuter 
earn	sun electric corp qtr jan oper net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales mln mln avg shrs note oper net excludes extraordinary profit dlrs six cts shr and dlrs share and quarters utilization tax loss carryforwards reuter 
earn	cetec corp cec qtr net oper shr two cts cts oper net sales year oper shr cts cts oper net sales mln mln note current qtr and year figures exclude loss discontinued operations dlrs cts per share prior qtr and year figures exclude losses discontinued operations mln dlrs cts per share and mln dlrs dlrs per share reuter 
earn	richton international corp rihl qtr jan shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mths shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	valtek inc valt qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	writer corp wrtc qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln year shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln reuter 
earn	rocky mountain medical corp rmedu qtr loss dec shr loss net loss revs note company public april reuter 
earn	american bank and trust fiama year net shr cts dlrs net mln avg shrs note share adjusted for pct stock dividend net includes loan loss provisions mln dlrs dlrs reuter 
sugar	india market for sugar trade india called fresh buying tender for tonne cargoes white sugar march traders tender calls for cargo prompt sugar and two march april shipment sugar cargoes bought tender two days ago that tender originally sought two cargoes resulted sale india granted sellers options sell twice that amount price for april shipment depending prices traders likely for india buy tonnage formally sought reuter 
earn	warrantech corp qtr dec net shr profit nil loss nil net profit loss revs mths shr loss nil loss nil net loss loss revs reuter 
gold	pioneer group piog unit gets land pioneer group inc pct owned teberebie goldfields venture granted additional concession land ghana for and mine gold state gold mining corp ghana granted venture additional square kilometers teberebie ghana contiguous square kilometers granted earlier company original concession appears substantial amount gold bearing material containing grams ounces gold per metric ton venture firm estimates costs extracting gold and assurances can that reserves can mined profitably company teberebie goldfields not conducted tests newly granted land added land similar geological characteristics original land reuter 
acq	insituform iglsf raises stake unit insituform group guernsey channel islands exercised option convert stg loan affiliate insituform permaline common shares raising stake unit pct pct remainder held permaline management and investment group insituform james colclough resigned board for health reasons and secretary scott saltpeter resigned effective june reuter 
copper	copper meeting agrees goals study group world major copper producing and consuming countries reached degree consensus objectives and functions future study group aimed reviewing world copper market officials governments represented meeting proposed forum for copper recommended that another session held september nature such group spokesman for united nations conference trade and development unctad week meeting ended today held examine initiative set copper study group body not aim negotiating measures stabilise depressed world prices objectives include increasing market transparency improved statistics and undertaking activities aimed developing copper market and contributing improvement demand unctad spokesman once agreed detailed functions and objectives will cleared setting body reuter 
money-fx	liffe february volumes eurodollars total futures and options turnover london international financial futures exchange liffe fell slightly february daily average eurodollar volume set record liffe today total futures and options turnover last month contracts january sharply comparative february figure lots eurodollar turnover february lots january and year ago figure daily average record lots pct previous record set march february trading encompassed daily record contracts month exceeding previous record had set february liffe index futures volume sharply higher february contracts trading january and year ago level open interest set records last month eurodollars contracts and short sterling interest rate futures lots key futures volumes detailed liffe feb jan feb long gilt eurodollar short sterling bond currencies short gilt key options volumes detailed liffe feb jan feb long gilt eurodollar bond sterling total options long gilt bond and index options not trading february reuter 
crude	colombian oil exports not affected quake colombian oil installations not damaged earthquake shook ecuador and southern colombia last night and plans suspend exports spokesman for state run oil company ecopetrol damage reported unlike ecuador indefinite force majeure declared crude exports colombia produces barrels per day bpd crude exports january totalled bpd quake colombia measured and point international mercalli scale caused panic residents injuries reported reuter 
acq	chicago milwaukee chg greets shearson stake chicago milwaukee corp welcomed investment shearson lehman brothers inc company yesterday shearson lehman subsidiary american express axp disclosed securities and exchange commission filing that holds pct interest chicago milwaukee chicago milwaukee stock edged turnover shares biggest gainers nyse stock trading range for last weeks edwin jacobson chicago milwaukee president declined comment movement company stock investment point view pleased shearson lehman substantial investor shearson lehman purchased shares for investment purposes and continue buying shares depending market conditions filing chicago milwaukee sold railroad interests soo line railroad soo february manages and sells real estate consists parcels states reuter 
acq	dauphin deposit dapn make acquisition dauphin deposit corp signed letter intent acquire colonial bancorp inc holland exchange dauphin shares for each colonial share depending market dauphin shares merger takes place company acquisition subject approval colonial shareholders and regulatory authorities colonial had assets year end mln dlrs reuter 
earn	van dorn vdc sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	holdings inc mdc sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	chubb corp sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
crude	crude oil prices stocks output fall crude oil prices rose dlrs barrel this week and industry analysts price rise another dollar inventories fall opec keeping production and cash market tight supply crude short transportation time major refining centers daniel mckinley oil analyst smith barney harris upham and that send prices cts dollar higher added benchmark crude west texas intermediate rose dlrs barrel today rise dlrs this week rally oil prices this week prices fell february two dlrs high dlrs barrel oil traders pulling prices assumption that oil stocks building and opec producing mln bpd quota assumptions come question mckinley yesterday international energy agency monthly report that oil stocks oecd area industrialized nations drawn mln bpd quarter this year iea estimates that draw oil stocks quarter this year will come largely oil companies inventory levels april will estimated mln tonnes days consumption industry analysts estimate mln bpd draw stocks made shell chairman peter holmes yesterday fed speculation that major companies destocking traders destocking come result called buyers strike refiners buying officially priced opec oil effort organization offer discounts official price this struggle companies and opec ultimate game chicken will resolved relatively imagine middle month march general trading manager international oil company told reuters telephone interview for part opec moved win this game cutting excess supplies market reduction output traders reuter survey estimates opec output mln bpd this week earthquake ecuador yesterday led suspend oil exports indefintiely and force majeure shipments this will reduce short haul availabilities bpd almost immediately and longer suspension continues larger draw stocks will for companies expecting mckinley international oil traders that short haul crudes such north sea brent scarce asian refiners bought oil absorbing lot readily mideast crudes earlier this week this pattern continues oil companies will bid price oil purchase for refineries trading managers companies told reuters skeptics wondered long opec can retain unity buyer resistance continues stephen hanke chief economist friedburg commodity management opec production lower saudi cut mln bpd and this spell trouble members incentive exceed quotas added saudis will picking tab for members produce quota and drain saudis will continue forcing cut output low mln bpd support dlrs average price added signs opec crudes sold spot market below opec official prices traders oil traders nigerian brass river sold for delivery into gulf price related north sea brent traded this week dlrs below official price dlrs for similar quality bonny light iranian oil surfacing gulf and east reported discounts dlrs official price lot oil priced government government deals below official prices and this resold international trader reuter 
earn	federal brooksville ffbv sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march note federal savings and loan association brooksville reuter 
earn	aluminum america regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable record reuter 
acq	siemens amend telecom tele pact telecom international inc siemens siemens information systems amend agreement purchase telecom pct interest tel communications delay payment mln dlrs for months telecom shareholders scheduled vote mln dlr transaction monday telecom advised siemens intends close transaction march scheduled approved shareholders spokesman this means telecom will decide whether not accept proposed change explaining request for amendment siemens informed telecom had recently become aware information causing concern respect accounting and matters siemens will continue review march determine whether representations and warranties true telecom advised siemens information make representations and warranties untrue siemens owns remaining pct tel pct represenmts telecom principal operating asset telecom spokesman agreement calls for payment mln dlrs price closing this mln dlrs paid months and two mln dlrs per year anniversary date transaction siemens proposing that mln dlrs added mln dlrs paid months telecom proposed amendment permit siemens defer repayment additional pct intercompany debt completion review telecom estimates this mln dlrs reuter 
acq	lucky stores and investor edelman reached standstill agreement 
gold	pioneer group unit gets ghana gold land pioneer group inc pct owned teberebie goldfields venture granted additional concession land ghana seek and mine gold state gold mining corp ghana granted venture additional square kilometers teberebie ghana contiguous square kilometers granted earlier original concession appears substantial amount gold bearing material containing grams ounces gold per tonne venture firm estimate costs extracting gold and assurances can that reserves can mined profitably company teberebie goldfields not conducted tests newly granted land added land similar geological characteristics original land reuter 
earn	international multifoods corp imc dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	hadson corp hads qtr net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note net included gain sale foreign properties mln dlrs dlrs per share and writedown oil and gas properties mln dlrs cts per share qtr net included writedowns oil and gas properties reuter 
acq	lucky stores lks edelman standstill pact lucky stores inc and investor asher edelman agreed settlement that prohibits edelman and group taking actions obtain control company and that limits edelman group ownership lucky stock pct voting securities arrangement for dismissal pending litigation parties lucky stores settlement calls for withdrawal edelman motion intervene pending shareholder actions lucky stores and directors company addition standstill provisions apply hancock fabrics spun lucky stockholders company lucky stores arrangement calls for company submit stockholders special meeting set for december proposal edelman seeking views repeal charter provision that limits voting power substantial lucky stockholders edelman owns pct lucky stores stock last year rebuffed effort acquire company last october lucky stores implimented restructuring program that included repurchase pct common shares and reincorporation delaware spinoff hancock textile chain retail stores key parts restructuring program edelman and plaza securities partnership subsequently sued attempt block proposed reincorporation condition repurchase and restructuring plan this latest arrangement lucky stores agreed reimburse edelman group for mln dlrs pocket expenses include litigation and costs this agreement serves interests lucky stockholders avoiding significant cost continued litigation and accompanying demands management time lucky stores chairman john lillie statement reuter 
earn	att phone proposal profits american telephone and telegraph proposal deregulate long distance phone service produce radical change phone rates company profits analysts deregulation will mean pricing discounts for large volume users status quo for residential users painewebber group analyst jack grubman proposals will scrap pricing formula that constrained company profits long distance business leading higher profit margins analysts att long pushed for deregulation long distance business profits limited regulated rate return company investments rate cut last year pct earlier today company proposed federal communications commission scrap formula cut amount time needed approve rate proposals and leave competitors oppose filings mci communications corp mcic made similar filing yesterday greater moves increase competition telephone business analysts proposals will att cut costs long distance unit and increase profit margins previously constrained rate return not expect proposals lead higher prices industry simply competition phone industry giant faces you wouldn price decline gartner group analyst fritz ringling you wouldn rise grubman proposals will att selectively raise lower prices depending market will give att lot flexibility att faces period comment number companies will respond proposals fcc hearings face strong opponent sprint long distance joint venture gte corp gte and united telecommunications inc congress fcc establish reasonable rate return establish sprint spokesman added company not opposed greater competition time for proposals and process altered constituencies affected move complexity inertia bureacracy that stricly speaking mechanisms won happen that fast analyst victor krueger gartner group reuter 
lumber	cme sets start for lumber futures options chicago mercantile exchange cme board governors announced today options random length lumber futures will begin trading contract received commodity futures trading commission cftc approval january submitted for review last october initially january march and delivery months will listed for trading size underlying futures contract board feet regular trading hours for contract will central time day trading market will open march cme board amended contract eliminate christmas eve expirations for january option this amendment submited cftc cme reuter 
acq	twa confirms ownership pct usair group 
earn	struthers wells suw sees nov loss struthers wells corp expects report loss tax benefit mln dlrs for fiscal year ended november versus profit dlrs fiscal company added that mln dlrs loss relates discontinued operations and disposal subsidiaries company loss part previously announced restructuring that includes sale foreign and domestic units struthers added that filed securities and exchange commission for extension file annual report form result delays caused restructuring reuter 
acq	soros group tells sec buy pct fairchild industries 
acq	twa twa confirms ownership usair stock trans world airlines inc owns mln usair group shares pct total outstanding twa acquire additional shares open market private transactions tender offer subject department transportation approval twa offered dlrs per share for usair group usair rejected offer yesterday calling last minute attempt interfere takeover piedmont aviation inc twa spokesman company filed application for approval offer buy usair department transportation and today will file response usair motion dot dismiss twa application twa made statement today stock position usair response inquiries traders believed twa chairman carl icahn buyer share block crossed today salomon brothers usair stock trading heavy volume mln shares twa stock fell analysts and arbitragers speculated that icahn made offer for usair order trigger acquisition airline wall street today began icahn effort frank lorenzo wall street market source lorenzo chairman texas air added airline acquisitions eastern airlines and people express airlines speculation that icahn buy usair and sell twa merged company reuter 
earn	silver state mining ssmc corrects net silver state mining corp corrected fourth quarter net income dlrs dlrs reported earlier today company earned dlrs last year fourth quarter reuter 
earn	stewart warner corp qtr shr loss dlrs profit cts 
acq	group boost fairchild industries fen stake investor group led york investor george soros dissatisfied fairchild industries inc management and boosting holdings pct aerospace and aviation company outstanding stock group controls fairchild industries shares pct total outstanding group filed wednesday federal antitrust regulators for advance clearance buy additional shares increase total stake pct total outstanding stock group representatives had met fairchild industries officials inform that not management successful enhancing protecting shareholder values additional share purchases enable assert greater degree influence future management and policies issuer decision specific level share ownership seek depended market prices future management policies financial resources and factors group reserved pursue measures intended influence fairchild management and policies alone concert investors group includes soros and quantum fund offshore investment firm headquartered curacao netherlands antilles that advised soros group that since last sec filing made jan had purchased additional fairchild shares and had sold shares york stock exchange jan fairchild industries official soros had told company not dissatisfied management contrary filing soros told company today that not dissatisfied management fairchild bill fulwider told reuters fulwider company nothing this time soros disclosure that buy additional fairchild shares hold pct company outstanding stock reuter 
earn	payless cashways pci sees qtr payless cashways inc chairman david stanley told analysts company quarter results reported march will cts per share reported year ago quarter not wonderful sales quarter represents pct year total results stanley stanley that full year sales will excess billion dlrs compared billion dlrs reported that analysts estimates dlr per shr for not crazy payless reported net income dlr per share economy not lot expect advantages lumber industry and cost cutting measures competitive larry kunz chief financial officer company acquired knox lumber for mln dlrs october stanley company stronger optimal balance sheet will enable make acquisitions negotiations current time benefits management information system will felt and substantially reuter 
earn	stewart warner corp stx qtr loss shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit sales mln mln year shr loss dlrs profit dlrs net loss profit sales mln mln note earnings include provision for restructuring costs dlrs dlrs share pre tax and effect adoption fasb reduced pension expense dlrs for quarter and dlrs for year taxes earnings include nonoperating income effect nonrecurring gains dlrs qtr sale minority interest plexus corp and dlrs qtr related sale excess property reuter 
earn	moniterm corp mtrm qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln note prior year figures restated reflect merger march amtron corp reuter 
earn	chubb corp sets qtrly payout qtrly cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	southtrust sotr acquire banks southtrust corp billion dlr multibank holding company entered into agreements acquire florida banks assets totalling mln dlrs terms agreements not disclosed banks central bank volusia county assets mln dlrs bank pensacola assets mln dlrs and vista bank operates vista bank volusia county assets mln dlrs and vista bank marion county assets mln dlrs agreements subject regulatory approval reuter 
acq	carling keefe sells star oil unit united coal canada for mln dlrs 
acq	hughes tool merger speculation hughes tool rose shares apparently reflecting belief that baker international corp bko will persaude hughes previously announced merger analysts this week hughes back merger interested talking sounds baker and people convinced deal stock analyst phil pace kidder peabody and holders hughes share baker for each hughes share reuter 
acq	aetna aet reaches agreement buy company aetna life and casualty reached agreement acquire pct interest universal life and general insurance sdn bhd ulg malaysian composite insurance company company pct balance will continue owned malaysia apera group private investors transaction valued approximately mln dlrs and expected completed march reuter 
acq	carling keefe ckb sells oil unit takes gain carling keefe sold star oil and gas unit united coal canada for mln dlrs cash carling will record extraordinary gain two mln dlrs tax cts common share resulting sale company not elaborate financial terms carling official reply inquiry that carling record extraordinary gain fourth quarter ending march move carling pct owner rothmans inc agreed last week sell carling stake elders ixl australia for mln canadian dlrs reuter 
ship	channel ferry reported sinking belgium channel ferry herald free enterprise british townsend thorensen company sinking belgian coast tonight people board dutch newsagency anp reported today unspecified number people had fallen into water quoting pilot organisation this south western dutch port city belgian border vessel had capsized collision gave details dan kaakebeen spokesman for dutch salvage firm smit international told reuters telephone rotterdam that vessel belgian port zeebrugge passengers and crew accident occurred gmt kaakebeen firm had vessel scene and another divers board spokesman port authority nearby vlissingen attempts made pull vessel into shallow waters weather conditions good fog wind and vessels area reuter 
earn	patrick petroleum ppc year loss shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit revs mln avg shrs note current year includes tax credit dlrs reuter 
earn	epitope inc epto qtr dec loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales reuter 
earn	clary corp qtr dec loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss revs year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln reuter 
earn	lloyds bank canada qtr profit rises sharply lloyds bank canada unit lloyds bank international plc net profit soared dlrs for quarter ended january dlrs year earlier loan loss provisions mandatory year averaging actual loan losses rose quarter dlrs year ago dlrs bank lloyds bank canada canada largest foreign bank last autumn mln canadian dlr acquisition continental bank canada reuter 
acq	dome pete dmp pressed sell encor dome petroleum pressure largest creditors canadian imperial bank commerce sell pct stake encor energy corp energy industry analysts dome pledged mln encor shares security for part debt commerce bank estimated last year mln canadian dlrs and bank dome sell stock pay debt analysts commerce slowly surely moving encor direction that make saleable asset analyst asked not named dome earlier not selling encor energy reaffirmed company pct interest canadian gold producer dome mines for sale price dome negotiating plan restructure billion dlrs debt sees encor strategic investment that not intend sell spokesman david annesley encor shares not pay dividends commerce bank spokesman declined comment asked whether pressing dome sell encor stake current market prices dome stake encor valued mln dlrs mln dome mines shares worth mln dlrs recent strength price encor shares prompt commerce bank press dome divest holding canadian oil and gas producer analysts encor stock price improved quite substantially recent weeks runup crude prices peters and oil analyst wilf gobert commented possibility that commerce bank sold levels can for recent years added encor traded earlier toronto stock exchange week high and six dlrs early february company recently set operating management previously carried dome petroleum maison placements canada inc analyst denis mote commented dome and encor farther apart sale make lot sense mote analysts dome will resist moves divest encor favor retaining operating assets since sale proceeds likely directly pay dome debt commerce bank hang encor long can bache securities inc analyst doug weber dome group major creditors move block such sale arguing claim company assets creditors generally want make that piece not sold analyst gobert another stumbling block encor mln dlr joint liability loans dome petroleum advanced arctic petroleum corp japan for beaufort sea exploration analysts similar hurdle hinder sale dome petroleum interest dome mines dome mines guaranteed mln dlrs dome petroleum debt and consent sale dome petroleum holding potential buyer dome mines shares seek type relief company debt obligations connected dome petroleum gobert dome spokesman annesley earlier declined price company selling dome mines shares current prices dlrs share attractive reuter 
earn	patrick petroleum ppc qtr net shr nil net revs avg shrs year shr loss dlrs profit cts net loss profit revs avg shrs reuter 
earn	inland vacuum industries inc ivac qtr net qtr ends jan shr six cts cts net dlrs dlrs revs reuter 
crude	iranian oil minister arrives algeria iranian oil minister gholamreza aqazadeh arrived algiers head large delegation for talks stabilizing oil prices official news agency aps arrival statement iran and algeria engaged continuous and stronger cooperation world petroleum market and had deployed considerable efforts stablise petroleum prices greeted arrival belkacem nabi algerian minister energy chemical and petro chemical industries reuter 
earn	del laboratories inc dli qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln note per share figures adjusted reflect for stock split paid march reuter 
gnp	chilean gdp pct central bank chile gross domestic product rose pct last year billion dollars compared pct rise previous year central bank initial projections for pct increase gdp this year sectors registered greatest growth fisheries pct agriculture pct transport and communications pct and industry pct bank added reuter 
acq	landmark savings lsa completes office sale landmark savings association completed sale whitehall office including deposits mln dlrs parkvale savings association landmark realized gain mln dlrs sale price not disclosed reuter 
earn	holly sugar corp hly sets regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	coradian corp cdin year net shr profit cent loss cts net profit dlrs loss revs mln mln note company net extraordinary items and taxes and declined provide data items reuter 
livestock	usda conduct survey for avian influenza agriculture department animal health officials conducting national survey live bird markets and auctions check for signs avian influenza infectious viral disease poultry department survey will locate poultry dealers and live bird markets that sell live birds directly consumer and once dealers and markets identified will tests determine past present exposure avian influenza viruses outbreak avian influenza pennsylvania maryland virginia and jersey cost taxpayers mln dlrs control and required destruction mln birds survey expected completed april reuter 
ship	two hundred people rescued sinking ferry people rescued badly hurt sinking cross channel ferry carrying approximately people belgian port zeebrugge port control spokesman spokesman contacted telephone car ferry herald free enterprise owned british company townsend thoresen remained water divers rescue passengers believed trapped ferry zeebrugge english port dover and capsized pier added reuter 
earn	foxboro fox qtr loss oper shr loss loss dlrs oper net loss loss mln revs mln mln mths oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss mln revs mln mln note oper net excludes tax credits dlrs for qtr and dlrs for mths includes restructuring charges mln dlrs for qtr mln dlrs for mths reuter 
money-supply	treasury balances fed fell march treasury balances federal reserve fell march billion dlrs billion dlrs previous business day treasury latest budget statement balances tax and loan note accounts fell billion dlrs billion dlrs respective days treasury operating cash balance totaled billion dlrs march compared billion dlrs march reuter 
trade	nicaragua romania paraguay lose trade rights president reagan formally ended preferential duty free trade treatment for exports nicaragua romania and paraguay generalized system preferences gsp action determining that countries not taking steps give workers internationally recognized rights trade representative clayton yeutter had announced intended action january united states conducts trade nicaragua and trade romania and paraguay reuter 
earn	alfin inc afn qtr jan loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs avg shrs six mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
acq	bell and howell bhw completes sale unit bell and howell completed sale computer output microfilm business products inc unit privately held lebow industries inc sum deal not disclosed unit makes device that prints data directly computer microfilm reuter 
money-supply	business loans fall mln dlrs feb week fed 
money-supply	business loans fall mln dlrs business loans books major banks excluding acceptances fell mln dlrs billion dlrs week ended february federal reserve board fed that business loans including acceptances fell mln dlrs billion dlrs reuter 
earn	hyponex corp hypx year net shr cts dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	hmo america inc hmoa year loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
livestock	american pork congress overhauled national pork producers council nppc announced this year american pork congress apc that congress and trade show will divided into two parts years apc held atlanta will business session and will continue week march trade show changed into international event called world pork expo expo will held june des moines expanded format executive vice president orville sweet decision spilt show and congress producers never trade show floor makes sense that divide business session trade show sweet reuter 
acq	dtd enterprises inc reorganization dtd enterprises inc filed report indicating that eagleslair development corp had assumed control company reorganization plan signed last month company gerald lach president eagleslair named president and director dtd addition dts board resigned and eagleslair appointed directors company reuter 
earn	schwab safe ups payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	physicians insurance pico qtr net shr cts cts net dlrs dlrs revs mln dlrs mln dlrs avg shrs mths shr dlrs cts net dlrs dlrs revs mln dlrs mln dlrs avg shrs note per share amounts for qtr and year prior restated reflect six for stock split august revs for qtr include capital gains and for year revs for qtr include insurance revenues and for year revs for qtr include life subsidiary account deposits and for year reuter 
earn	bradley brly announces long term lease bradley real estate trust signed year lease for property downtown minneapolis bced minnesota inc lease will increase net income cts share post february for two stock split basis for trust reported net income mln dlrs cts share post split basis bradley will entitled time additional rental payment cts share bced entering into space lease prime national tenant and share portion net cash flow operations property reuter 
acq	dumez unit pct westburne wbi dumez investments inc pct westburne international industries outstanding common shares deposited takeover bid received shares dlrs per share offer expired yesterday dumez will proceed acquire remaining common shares give pct ownership westburne dumez private company owned jointly dumez and unicorp canada corp reuter 
acq	canadian natural resources sell stake canadian natural resources agreed principle sell pct working interest producing and producing natural gas properties located southwestern saskatchewan transaction expected close april company not identify buyer give selling price proceeds will used satisfy february repayment demand company lenders excess proceeds will added working capital company reuter 
acq	malrite buys cox radio station unit malrite guaranteed broadcast partners bought wtrk inc cox enterprises inc for mln dlrs cash wtrk owns and operates wtrk philadelphia radio station transfer license for sation approved federal communications commission malrite guaranteed limited partnerhip formed acquire and operate radio and stations malrite communications group inc malr general partner reuter 
acq	cyacq extends tender for cyclops cyl cyacq corp extended dlr share tender offer for cyclops corp march today cyacq formed citicorp capital investors and audio video affiliates inc ava acquire cyclops tender offer began february six offer conditioned pct outstanding shares and pct voting securities tendered expiration offer march six shares cyclops mln outstanding shares had tendered reuter 
acq	mono gold partnership agrees buy shares mono gold mines inc nim and partnership agreed buy flow shares aggregate purchase price dlrs subject fulfillment conditions price shares nim will cts per share and will issue shares partnership mono options buy dlrs capital stock cts per share expire march options exercised net company dlrs added working capital reuter 
earn	uslico corp usvc increases dividend qtly div cts cts prior payable march record march reuter 
acq	usair group requests transportation department order twa divest stake 
earn	diplomat electronics dpec cut costs diplomat electronics corp will reduce expenses mln dlrs year effort stem losses and return positive net worth company lenders agreed pct stake company converting mln dlrs debt into preferred stock diplomat will cut costs means including dismissal workers corporate headquarters consolidation warehousing and shipping operations and reduction management salaries will relocate headquarters glendale calif reuter 
earn	dollar general corp dolr qtly dividend qtly div cts cts prior payable april reocrd march reuter 
earn	healthcare services hsai sees write offs healthcare services america inc will write mln dlrs recurring expenses expects income operations breakeven for and estimated loss for year writeoffs results will released march included writeoffs six mln dlrs developmental costs six mln dlrs unamortized loan costs and debt discounts and mln dlrs recurring costs company continues default financial and financial covenants set major loan documents negotiations continue banks assurance that such funding will continue authorized smith barney harris upham and seek business combination parties healthcare board authorized sale lease assets reduce cash required revolving credit line for completion current construction projects for year ended december healthcare reported net income mln dlrs sales mln dlrs reuter 
acq	usair seeks order twa twa usair group sought department transportation takeover fight trans world airlines inc asking department order twa sell usair shares direct violation federal aviation act usair twa week filed cursory application department transportation for approval proposed billion dlr takeover usair usair rejected offer and asked department transportation dismiss application usair requested dismissal twa avoided pre merger notification requirements and not provide competitive and public interest analysis required regulations usair application dismissed twa limited buying pct mln outstanding shares application approved twa buy pct twa owns pct usair stock twa today revealed that increased holdings mln usair shares pct outstanding twa vice president general counsel mark buckstein company had made filings dot and compliance law reuter 
earn	park ohio industries inc pkoh qtr net shr loss cts profit dlr net loss profit revs mln mln year shr loss dlr profit dlr net loss profit revs mln mln note net includes recurring charges dlrs for number items qtr and net includes extraordinary credit dlrs cts per share reuter 
earn	bmc industries inc bmc qtr loss shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss loss mln revs mln not year shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss loss mln revs mln not note results include charges mln dlrs cts shr for qtr and year compared charge mln dlrs dlrs shr prior year discontinued operations and disposal discontinued operations reuter 
earn	united companies uncf declares stock dividend united companies financial corp board declared two pct stock dividend payable april holders record march board declared regular quarterly cash dividend cts payable april holders record march reuter 
nat-gas	issues report natural gas clauses centre transnational corporations issued report containing guidelines and recommendations for negotiating natural gas clauses agreements transnational petroleum corporations and host countries report aimed promoting petroleum exploration areas perceived gas prone page report contains depth examination problems gas developoment and ways contractual terms deal risks gas development associated pricing marketing and volume reuter 
acq	taft tfb bidders sell entertainment unit proposed buyout taft broadcasting dudley taft and investors includes plan sell company entertainment group investors jonathan nelson managing director narragansett capital corp narr participating buyout plan declined buyers lined for entertainment group selling group nelson wall street analysts hollywood film studios interested taft broadcasting not comment dlr per share offer taft mln shares outstanding pct owned taft and ingalls families dudley taft relinquished title president july continues vice chairman company taft narragansett requsted response proposal march plan accepted taft private company financed high yield bonds and bank debt nelson narragansett investment management company specializing leveraged buyout transactions taft shares climbed causing arbitrageurs investors bidders raise price robert bass controls pct stock and american financial corp holder pct not return telephohe calls seeking comment dennis mcalpine analyst oppenheimer and don worth dlrs noted taft recently agreed sell group independent television stations loss entertainment group includes hanna barbara animation studios hampered glut animated product taft broadcasting never commented reports that major stockholders met recently discuss break company macalpine lots options for reshaping company distribution pieces major shareholders possibilities analyst alan gottesman rothschild unterberg towbin inc bass group increasing stake belief company worth change strategy bass pushed for sale independent television stations company paid reuter 
acq	sandox buys stauffer seeds sandoz corp northrup king bought stauffer seeds unit stauffer chemical terms not disclosed reuter 
acq	energen egn buys municipal gas system energen corp acquired distribution system city clanton ala for mln dlrs customer system fourth municipal system acquired energen alabama gas subsidiary since october adding total customers reuter 
earn	sierra pacific resources inc srp dividend qtly div cts cts prior payable record april reuter 
earn	metex corp mtx qtr dec shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr cts dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
earn	houston oil trust omits march distribution houston oil trust will cash distribution unit holders march significant factor for lack distribution this month establishment additional special cost escrow accounts company adding that cash distribution months remainder year for march working interest owner will place mln dlrs special cost escrow accounts reuter 
acq	monoclonal antibodies mabs buys company monoclonal antibodies inc signed agreement principle buy genesis labs inc for mln dlrs common stock agreement subject shareholders approval and conditions reuter 
strategic-metal	treasury proposes african imports treasury proposed allowing temporary imports south african uranium ore and uranium oxide july conditions pending clarification anti apartheid laws passed congress last fall proposal published federal register week requests written congressional and public comment days and deals uranium ore and oxide that imported for processing and exporting countries treasury proposed allowing temporary imports felt congress had not intended passed comprehensive south african sanctions bill last fall overriding president reagan veto hurt industry domestic uranium conversion industry and federal government enrichment industry injured manner not intended congress import ban uranium ore and oxide implemented bar imports for processing and export mistaken interpretation act treasury treasury outright ban uranium ore and oxide foreign electric utilities divert south african origin ore and oxide countries including soviet union for processing treasury imports south african ore and oxide july for processing and export provided that imported ore oxide accompanies license for importation issued nuclear regulatory commission treasury proposed allowing origin goods imported temporarily south african state controlled organizations for repair servicing united states customs will such importation made bond south african sanctions law enacted united states protest apartheid laws racial segregation practiced south africa white minority government prohibited imports uranium ore and oxide iron and steel coal and textiles end reuter 
earn	braniff inc bair qtr loss jan shr loss cts loss cts net loss mln loss mln revs mln mln year shr loss cts profit dlr net loss mln profit mln revs mln mln note net includes extraordinary gain mln dlrs tax loss carryforward year and loss dlrs qtr reuter 
acq	justice dept supports dismissal twa application for usair control 
acq	transportation department dismisses twa application for usair control 
strategic-metal	treasury proposes african uranium imports treasury proposed allowing temporary imports south african uranium ore and uranium oxide july conditions pending clarification anti apartheid laws passed congress last fall treasury proposed allowing temporary imports felt congress had not intended passed comprehensive south african sanctions bill last fall overriding president reagan veto hurt industry treasury outright ban uranium ore and oxide foreign electric utilities divert south african origin ore and oxide countries including soviet union for processing treasury proposed allowing origin goods imported temporarily south african state controlled organizations for repair servicing south african sanctions law enacted protest apartheid laws racial segregation practiced south africa white minority government prohibited imports uranium ore and oxide iron and steel coal and textiles end reuter 
ship	reported dead ferry disaster people died car ferry struck pier left belgium for britain nurse part rescue operation jan van moerbeke male nurse coming herald free enterprise that had found six people top vessel dead another dead inside boat added governor west flanders province people unaccounted for reuter 
acq	continental federal conf holder sell stake continental federal savings and loan association told that estate holding pct stock plans sell stake premium current stock price continental estate harold vernon and parties signed letter intent sell stock for dlrs share for total dlrs continental stock closed counter trading thrift buyer bac inc corporation acting for unindentified parties reuter 
acq	broker choice buy rubbertech broker choice capital inc signed letter intent buy rubbertech inc approved shareholders broker choice will issue mln shares authorized unissued shares restricted common stock rubbertech inc reuter 
acq	dot dismisses twa twa usair application department transportation dot dismissed technical grounds application trans world airlines inc for dot approval for control usair group dot added that twa free refile put together application for control that met agency procedural requirements dot acted shortly department justice disclosed that supported dismissal twa application not immediately clear impact denial twa bid usair control application twa had acknowledged that additional documentation required meet dot rules and file material morning march dot not wait determined dismiss twa application for approval acquisition usair order issued late friday twa application fails comply filing requirements regulations and twa provided reason accept such deficient filing added accordingly will dismiss application twa refile comply procedural rules dot agency added that continue separate twa request for federal clearance purchase usair stock voting trust usair had earlier today that asked dot dismiss twa control application grounds twa filing not meet dot requirements reuter 
acq	twa twa refile agency transworld airlines inc plans refile application monday department transportation for approval acquire usair group dot late today dismissed twa application acquire usair dot opens for business monday morning will refiling perfected and completed section application twa general counsel mark buckstein buckstein dot ruled application filed wednesday incomplete not agency objected reuter 
acq	justice asks dismissal twa twa filing justice department told transportation department supported request usair group that dot dismiss application trans world airlines inc for approval control usair rationale that reviewed application for control filed twa dot and ascertained that not sufficient information base competitive review james weiss official justice antitrust division told reuters reuter 
interest	hong kong banks leave interest rates unchanged hong kong association banks decided leave interest rates unchanged today regular weekly meeting current rates pct for savings accounts hours day call week and two weeks month pct two months pct and six months pct months pct and months pct prime rate six pct reuter 
acq	savings acuisition california announced federal home loan bank board fhlbb announced acquisiton south bay savings loan association gardena calif standard pacific savings costa mesa calif fhlbb south bay had assets mln dlrs and standard pacific had mln dlrs assets fourth federally assisted merger acquisition troubled savings institution this year fhlbb reuter 
coffee	colombia denies selling coffee below market colombia denied sold bags crop coffee below current market prices clients europe and asia spokesman for national coffee growers federation commenting rumours had circulated market circles false reuter 
ship	two hundred feared dead ferry disaster people feared dead british cross channel ferry rolled side belgian coast last night almost passengers plucked safety ice cold sea belgian transport minister herman croo told reporters fear dead hundreds perhaps state water fear hope townsend thorensen owners tonne herald free enterprise ferry carrying people and that had rescued british reuter 
acq	malaysia bails another commercial bank malaysia central bank acquired pct stake ailing united asian bank bhd uab sixth largest commercial bank country rebuild public confidence uab called for rights issue last november raise mln ringgit rectify capital deficiency accumulated loss mln ringgit end central bank bank negara statement mln ringgit shares shareholders local indian and malay businessmen and indian government bank negara subsequently unsubscribed shares totalling mln uab paid capital mln ringgit shares held trust will eventually sold central bank early this week announced that had bought pct stake another troubled commercial bank perwira habib bank malaysia bhd raised capital mln ringgit mid january this year bank negara not intend hold shares two banks injection capital phb and uab including recamp management banks measures bank strengthen public confidence stability banks added central bank invoking section banking amendemnt act empowering grant loans ailing bank buy stake reuter 
ship	ferry disaster rank worst tragedies fading hope for passengers trapped aboard partially sunk channel ferry raised fears accident rank this centuries worst peacetime shipping tragedies belgian transport minister herman croo hope rescuing passengers trapped herald free enterprise capsized belgian coast last night confirmed toll make incident world worst since soviet liner admiral nakhimov collided freighter black sea last september and sank loss lives people rescued world deadliest single peacetime incident sea sinking titanic loss lives second biggest loss life peacetime people drowned liner empress ireland collided freighter lawrence river canada world worst maritime disaster wartime that lives german liner wilhelm gustloff torpedoed soviet submarine january feared dead two ferries sank dhaka drowned ferry capsized china and died launch sank malaysian state sabah reuter 
ship	almost dead ferry disaster survivors british cross channel ferry disaster belgian coast and almost people perished senior belgian official jacques thas charge rescue for herald free enterprise men had searched ship inaccessible cabins and control room afraid survivors thas passsengers and crew confirmed dead and missing bringing total dead presumed dead reuter 
earn	sime darby bhd six months december shr cents cents interim dividend cents group net mln ringgit mln pre tax mln mln turnover billion billion note dividend pay register april reuter 
earn	consolidated plantations bhd six months december shr cents cents interim dividend cents group net mln ringgit mln pre tax mln mln turnover mln mln note dividend pay april register april reuter 
earn	tractors malaysia holdings bhd six months december shr cts interim dividend cts nil group net mln ringgit mln pre tax mln mln turnover mln mln note dividend pay register april reuter 
earn	dunlop malaysian industries bhd six months december shr cts cts interim dividend cent group net mln ringgit mln pre tax mln mln turnover mln mln note dividend pay april register april reuter 
sugar	bangladesh sugar production almost doubles bangladesh sugar production increased tonnes last year season total tonnes end this year season sugar and food industries corp increased output will enable bangladesh cut imports corporation officials told reuters country imported tonnes sugar and will buy tonnes make shortfall year ending june imports totalled tonnes tonnes stock giving details reuter 
gnp	german tax cuts raised billion marks senior officials west german coalition government tax cuts planned for year increased billion marks line pledge made finance minister gerhard stoltenberg last month international monetary conference paris gerold tandler general secretary christian social union party detailing cuts news conference attended officials christian democratic union and free democratic party additional billion mark reduction represent net tax relief increase revenue sources not planned reductions will added package tax cuts planned for amounting billion marks tandler billion marks extra tax relief accounted for reducing rate marginal increase income tax increase personal tax allowances save taxpayers billion marks extra tax allowances for people children educated cut mln marks tax bill mln marks accounted for increasing level special depreciations for small and medium sized companies extra fiscal measures planned for year part general reform tax system will come into effect stoltenberg had paris that part this reform will cut taxes gross billion marks introduced year ahead schedule west german government had come pressure united states stimulate economy tax cuts stoltenberg speech last night hamburg that economy continue expand this year rate growth uncertain government january aiming for real growth gross national product this year pct economists revised predictions two below stoltenberg remain expansion whether this will two pct people pct expect even closer pct kiel world economic institute forecast days ago remains open moment reuter 
ship	experts had expressed fears safety british government investigation into sinking car ferry herald free enterprise heavy loss life experts doubts had expressed roll roll type ship shipping minister lord brabazon preliminary investigation had started into tonne ferry capsized and sank minute manoeuvred leave zeebrugge routine hour crossing dover initial reports spoke water flooding car decks bow doors spokesman for owners townsend thoresen ferry had holed townsend thoresen operate two ships identical herald free enterprise brabazon not planned pull service present investigator wait and early happened told bbc radio work retrieving bodies half submerged hulk continued maritime safety experts london doubts had expressed design called roro ferries such herald free enterprise inter governmental international maritime consultative committee issued report roll roll vessels lost accidents ships deck areas divided bulkheads townsend thoresen ship built west german yard bremerhaven built highest safety standards salvage expert william cooper passengers had problems getting this type ship design townsend thoresen navigating officer clive langley roro type vessels similar respects barge sailor takes two inches line and you can turn barge ordinary ship compartmentalised and you stability cooper cross channel ferries perfectly stable had huge wide deck areas water level you water into that area you can severe effects stability ship added reuter 
crude	iraq turkey oil pipeline cut landslide turkey oil pipeline southern town adana cut landslide hurriyet and anatolian news agencies oil lost landslide friday night taps mln bpd line switched accident pipeline carries oil for turkey and customers iraq kirkuk field yumurtalik terminal turkish mediterranean coast iraq main oil outlet reuter 
ship	brazil seamen continue strike court decision hundreds marines alert key brazilian ports seamen decided remain indefinite strike even higher labour court yesterday ruled illegal union leaders halt national strike seamen years started february and union leaders not return work pct pay rise shipowners offered per cent raise seamen rejected nothing lose want lay workers fine determined carry protest end union leader had decided meeting that marines ships seamen abandon vessels and marines handle situation spokesman for rio janeiro port order send marines ports navy minister henrique saboya grounds that ports areas national security incidents strike cut exports and imports and made estimated ships idle petrol station owners states continued shutdown and fears that combination two stoppages lead fuel shortage reuter 
crude	ecuador export oil for months official suspension ecuador crude oil shipments earthquake cut oil pipeline will last months senior energy ministry official official ecuador resume exports repairing section pipeline links jungle oil fields lago agrio balao pacific coast mln dlrs repair pipeline official not want named told reuters ecuador had oil meet domestic demand for days and import crude supplement stocks earthquake last thursday night registered six point international mercalli scale damage pipeline severe economic blow ecuador oil accounts for two thirds total exports and pct government revenues financially pressed ecuador member organisation petroleum exporting countries opec recently pumping barrels per day bpd crude bpd output quota assigned cartel another energy ministry spokesman last year exported average bpd central bank ecuador build emergency pipeline costing mln dlrs hook colombian pipeline official estimated days build ecuador squeezed slide world oil prices had mln dlrs net international reserves end january equal month imports suspended interest payments january billion dlrs owed private foreign banks country total foreign debt billion dlrs eighth largest latin america caracas president jaime lusinchi venezuela loan mln barrels crude ecuador months make for losses damage pipeline ecuador asked for loan guarantee domestic supplies and ship equivalent volume back venezuela repayment lusinchi commission headed venezuelan investment fund minister hector hurtado and including representatives interior and defence ministries and state oil company petroleos venezuela will travel ecuador tuesday evaluate and ordinate emergency relief program reuter 
sugar	australia sells tonnes sugar ussr australia sold tonnes raw sugar soviet union for shipment weeks queensland primary industries minister neville harper loading tonne cargo soviet freighter nikolay kuznetsov for shipment odessa completed today lucinda terminal statement balance will shipped mackay end march harper australia exported tonnes sugar soviet union reuter 
rubber	thai natural rubber exports rise thai natural rubber exports rose tonnes year earlier private board trade japan biggest buyer imported tonnes thai rubber previous year major buyers tonnes china and west germany exports france rose tonnes austria and italy tonnes reuter 
interest	german government raising bond yields increased federal government borrowing and growing unwillingness foreign investors buy mark assets push yields german public authority bonds higher this year bond market sources moment sideways movement short term rates rates move long end will depend strongly foreigners portfolio manager for large securities investment house frankfurt sources government had stepped borrowing programme anticipation increased friday loan stock this year sources noted carried year maturity coupon six pct and price yield pct issue this compared last issue had pct coupon priced pct for yield pct dealers terms not attract foreign investors and federal government push yields higher future wanted borrow sources noted federal government issues had increased size introduction billion mark volume starting last finance ministry economist isn size each bond increased added conditions capital market remained fairly favourable for raising debt recently federal issues sold strongly abroad pct foreign investors recent stabilisation dollar foreign investors begun back market hopes currency gains marks diminish sources government stepped borrowing raised billion marks government made net borrowings billion marks bundesbank statistics showed that net borrowing bonds billion sources this move government types debt gain access foreign funds acceptable loan stock form credit partly inflated large amount issues maturing recently factors including government tax reduction program reduce income year problem will tax reform portfolio manager added that government cut top income tax rate pct pct make difficult for government reduce borrowings sources government fall short covering billion marks lost revenue tax reform making expenditure cuts and forced fall back debt markets form portfolio manager noted that federal government loan stocks this year fallen back twice raise total billion marks issue fixed rate medium term kassenobligation notes finance ministry economist government not expect trouble keeping plan borrow net billion marks this year sources agreed added that trend not continue year tax cuts come into effect expect efforts for tax reform mean government borrowing will increase manager bond prices last week slightly firmer balance bundesbank public authority bond yield calculation falling pct friday week earlier sources foreign demand for federal government loan stock slack sentiment grows that dollar rise mark demand wasn good dealer for german bank london dollar recent slight appreciation mark even meant that foreign investors sold mark bonds recently dealers reuter 
iron-steel	ussr cut coal price for japanese steelmills soviet union agreed cut coking coal export prices japanese steel mills dlrs tonne starting april exchange for increase export volume industry sources prices set dlrs tonne for neryungrinsky coal and dlrs for kuznetsky coal fob japan will import total mln tonnes areas mln year earlier steelmakers had asked moscow agree cutback mln tonnes soviet union urged japan increase amount mln reuter 
gold	placer pacific hopes for misima gold approval placer pacific hopes papua guinea government will approve development misima gold project month submission final environmental plan port moresby today this completes major documentation required gain official approval proceed placer statement placer estimated epithermal deposit located eastern half misima island southeastern coast papua guinea contains proven and probable reserves mln tonnes grading grams tonne gold and grams tonne silver and exploration continuing reuter 
trade	bangladesh trade deficit narrows october bangladesh trade deficit narrowed billion taka october billion september and billion october central bank imports dropped billion taka october billion september and billion october exports totalled billion taka october billion september and billion october reuter 
ipi	swiss industrial output rises fourth qquarter swiss industrial output rose pct fourth quarter last year pct quarter decline and pct final months federal office industry trade and labour for full year index base stood pct recorded previous year incoming orders gained pct quarter pct quarter fall and pct year earlier level full year gained pct order backlog fell pct straight quarterly decline and ended pct year earlier level reuter 
money-fx	asian dollar assets exceed billion dlrs asian dollar market continued expand december total assets and liabilities rising billion dlrs billion november and billion december monetary authority singapore increase interbank activity interbank lending rising billion dlrs december billion november and billion december interbank deposits increased billion dlrs billion and billion loans bank customers increased december billion dlrs billion november and billion december deposits bank customers rose billion dlrs billion and billion reuter 
money-supply	singapore money supply pct december singapore money supply rose pct december billion dlrs pct increase november monetary authority singapore mas growth for calendar pct compared pct growth year ending november mas latest monthly statistical bulletin december increase largely due seasonal year end demand demand deposit component increased billion dlrs december billion november and billion december currency active circulation rose billion dlrs december billion november and billion year earlier broadly based money supply rose pct billion dlrs december pct rise november bringing year year growth pct for year ending december pct for year ending november reuter 
ipi	chinese industrial growth rate weak china industrial output january and february this year pct higher period china news agency output increased pct january january and pct february agency recent increase largely due last year poor performance significant improvement made economic results adding that successes reported readjusting industrial product mix last quarter agency amount tied working capital rose and sizeable funds occupied unsaleable goods quoted unnamed economists expect industrial production increase proper rate and results due cost efficiency drive underway country gave details official industrial growth target this year pct actual pct last year reuter 
crude	iran selling discounted crude japan traders japanese customers bought six mln barrels crude oil national iranian oil company nioc substantial discount official price and western traders received even larger discounts japanese traders involved transactions told reuters nioc sold crude for march shipment japanese customers formulas company bought barrels iranian heavy straight discount cents below official price sources deals fixed prices linked oman and dubai spot prices discount iran discounted sales not managed reverse bullish tone crude oil and products spot markets oil traders market sentiment influenced colder weather europe and reports that opec february output below imposed quota mln barrels per day firmer gas oil london futures and bullish sentiment york mercantile exchange futures market supporting spot price levels another japanese trading house paid official price processing arrangement will effectively receive discount sources disguised cheating japanese trader sources japanese company had paid official price for iranian oil purchased mln barrels iranian heavy for april shipment for refining singapore vlccs iranian crude sold western traders pricing based pct official price and pct spot prices part price related processing arrangements 
acq	ici sells stake lister and imperial chemical industries plc ici had today pct stake lister and plc messel and and that had widely institutions lister manufacturer dyer and finisher cotton silk wool and man made fibres reuter 
money-fx	money market shortage forecast mln stg bank england forecast shortage mln stg money market today factors affecting liquidity bills maturing official hands and treasury bill drain billion stg below target bankers balances mln this fall note circulation add mln stg and net effect exchequer transactions inflow mln stg bank added reuter 
crude	amoco reports south china sea oil find amoco petroleum corp reported offshore oil find pearl river basin concession south china sea china news agency liu hua produced barrels per day depth metres news agency amoco plans drill second area this year gave details reuter 
interest	national westminster bank cutting base lending rate pct pct 
interest	national westminster bank cuts base rate national westminster bank plc cut base lending rate percentage points pct today national westminster that responding general easing money market rates move signal bank england earlier this afternoon that endorse half point cut base rate surprise move strong signals last week that such move premature since pound continued gain strongly reuter 
earn	facilities usre semi annual dividend semi annual dividend cts pay record april note full name facilities corp this dividend declared since company completed initial public offering november reuter 
acq	standard pacific spf acquires south bay standard pacific acquired substantially assets and liabilities south bay savings and loan association newport beach firm weekend that will conduct savings and loan activities standard pacific savings federal stock association friday federal home loan bank board washington approved acquisition south bay and mln dlr state chartered stock association standard pacific mln dlrs assets bank board that federal savings and loan insurance corp will make cash contribution provide capital loss coverage and indemnify standard pacific undisclosed liabilities reuter 
strategic-metal	temporary imports uranium treasury department temporarily permit imports south african uranium ore and oxide pending clarification anti apartheid sanctions laws passed congress last fall decision announced late friday applies july uranium ore and oxide imported into for processing and export countries treasury action felt that congress passed comprehensive south african sanctions bill last fall president reagan veto had not intended hurt industry addition treasury permit made goods imported temporarily south african state controlled organizations for repair servicing reuter 
acq	piedmont pie agrees usair buyout usair group inc piedmont aviation inc agreed acquired for dlrs per share company newspaper advertisement started tender offer for piedmont shares that price and piedmont board two directors absent unanimously approved bid offer and withdrawal rights expire april extended and bid merger price usair piedmont granted irrevocable option buy shares circumstances piedmont mln shares outstanding usair tender conditioned receipt shares give usair pct interest piedmont fully diluted basis and approval department transportation voting trust agreement permitting usair buy and hold shares pending review application gain control piedmont company merger agreement piedmont that offer not amended piedmont prior written consent that adverse piedmont shareholders cut number shares bought piedmont consent usair reduce number piedmont shares purchased offer minimum number needed voting trust condition bid satisfied that case that minimum number shares tendered buy shares pro rata basis february usair had offered pay dlrs per share cash for pct piedmont stock and usair shares for each remaining piedmont share last week carl icahn controlled trans world airlines inc twa made conditional offer acquire usair for dlrs per share bid that rejected usair board transportation department friday rejected twa application acquire usair grounds that application failed comply department regulations omitting information twa refile today providing information needed friday twa had acquired mln shares pct usair reuter 
instal-debt	credit business falls january credit advanced finance houses retailers bank credit cards and specialist providers credit slipped billion stg january billion december remained close average level for fourth quarter department trade and industry january total billion stg advanced bank credit cards month basis total advances november january pct lower previous months this total lending consumers fell pct and lending businesses declined pct end january total amount outstanding billion stg december billion stg and pct total months earlier department january rise mln stg amounts outstanding finance houses specialist credit grantors and retailers department advances credit cards rose pct latest two month periods retailers advanced pct latest months previous months reuter 
acq	sosnoff starts bid for caesars world caw mts acquisition corp company formed martin sosnoff started tender offer for shares caesars world inc dlrs each newspaper advertisement mts offer and withdrawal rights expire april extended sosnoff york investor owns mln caesars mln shares outstanding pct and caesars largest shareholder caesars owns casino hotels nevada and honeymoon resorts pennsylvania pocono mountains controls caesars jersey inc cjn owns atlantic city casino hotel for second quarter ended january caesars world earned mln dlrs revenues mln dlrs earnings dlrs and revenues mln dlrs year for fiscal company earned mln dlrs revenues mln dlrs mts offer conditioned receipt shares give sosnoff majority interest fully diluted basis arrangement sufficient financing buy caesars shares not owned and pay related costs and approval jersey casino control commission and nevada gaming commission and state gaming control board mts marine midland banks inc committed lend mln dlrs for acquisition and use efforts syndicate another mln dlrs senior financing for transaction financial adviser painewebber group inc pwj stated writing that subject market conditions highly confident that can arrange commitments for mln dlrs mezzanine financing mts not expect problems obtaining jersey and nevada regulatory approval for acquisition since ownership caesars stake cleared june sosnoff requested seat caesars world board request that not granted september sosnoff chairman atalanta sosnoff capital corp filed for clearance antitrust laws raise interest caesars world pct sosnoff letter caesars world chairman and chief executive officer henry gluck that decision directly shareholders made urging financial and legal advisors repeatedly stressed lack responsiveness management past sosnoff made numerous efforts express views management ways maximizing shareholder values caesars twicce refused request for board seat advisers felt that had you advance notice you used time throw obstacles offer giving consideration sosnoff hopes that caesars world management will willing negotiate acquisition agreement publicly past operating management company performed and that consideration significant equity interest for company acquisition sosnoff letter gluck mts sosnoff asked company fix march record date for determination shareholders entitled authorize action meeting including election removal directors reuter 
acq	trump makes bid for control resorts rtb casino owner and real estate developer donald trump offered acquire class common shares resorts international inc spokesman for trump estate late resorts chairman james crosby owns class shares resorts class common shares outstanding each class share times voting power class share giving class stock pct resorts voting power 
earn	iomega iomg sets management labor layoffs iomega corp laid quarter professional and management staff and half direct labor force part restructuring and downsizing business company will receive qualified opinion auditors financial statement subject outcome two suits company defendant consolidated class action law suit seeks damages unspecified amount and defendant related shareholder action iomega auditors state opinion letter that actions early stages discovery and likely outcome can not determined this time company corporate wide reduction professional management and indirect labor will result permanent elimination positions functional areas company business this represents pct professional management and indirect employees added addition iomega announced layoff employees principally manufacturing direct labor force affected represent pct direct labor commenting layoffs iomega direct labor force affects personnel building alpha inch disk drive and bernoulli boxes this action required bring finished goods inventory and inventory distribution channels acceptable levels explained company stated this layoff not affect production inch beta product built backlog orders reuter 
ship	brazil seamen continue strike despite court hundreds marines alert key brazilian ports seamen decided remain indefinite strike even higher labour court saturday ruled illegal union leaders halt national strike seamen years started february and union leaders not return work pct pay rise shipowners offered per cent raise seamen rejected nothing lose want lay workers fine determined carry protest end union leader had decided meeting that marines ships seamen abandon vessels and marines handle situation spokesman for rio janeiro port order send marines ports navy minister henrique saboya grounds that ports areas national security incidents strike cut exports and imports and made estimated ships idle petrol station owners states continued shutdown and fears that combination two stoppages lead fuel shortage reuter 
coffee	uganda disappointed coffee talks failure uganda africa second largest coffee producer disappointed stalemate recent coffee talks london chairman state run coffee marketing board cmb this not good for coffee producers situation prices dropped pounds per tonne robusta coffee makumbi returned london friday producers and consumers failed agree quota formula share world coffee production international coffee organisation ico talks that ended last week makumbi blamed failure set quotas suspended feburary last year indonesian demands that quota increased dramatically uganda earns mln dlrs annually coffee exports pct foreign exchange earnings had sought raise ico quota mln mln kilo bags sources close cmb cmb estimated that production will rise pct current october september season mln bags for years uganda had unable meet ico export quota rebel activity disrupted coffee industry ugandan government depends coffee export duties for pct sales tax revenue and industry employs half salaried manpower dar salaam tanzania agriculture and livestock development minister paul bomani today world countries suffer failure london coffee talks middlemen will benefit bomani called ico convene another meeting two months once tempers cooled and delegations had time report back headquarters common sense will prevail reuter 
acq	chrysler renault stake american motors renault 
meal-feed	additional ccc credit guarantees for hungary commodity credit corporation ccc authorized additional mln dlrs credit guarantees for sales vegetable protein meals hungary for fiscal year agriculture department additional guarantees increase vegetable protein meal credit line mln dlrs and increases cumulative fiscal year program for agricultural products mln dlrs mln department announced extension export period september december for sales vegetable protein meals eligible for credit guarantees sales registered export not september reuter 
earn	southern mln dlr charge projected vogtle cost rise 
acq	applied circuit acrt sells electronics business applied circuit technology inc act agreed principal sell primary computer electronics business sanpao group san francisco act not disclosed deal terms added that pct sale price cash remainder paid two year period deal expected close march act act made move concentrate resources pharmaceuticals subsidiaries reuter 
acq	usair acquires pct piedmont pie usair group inc acquired piedmont aviation inc shares pct fully diluted basis norfolk southern corp nsc acquisition piedmont usair approved directors companies usair advised norfolk southern that company supports proposed merger and intends tender remaining piedmont common shares response usair tender offer began today this total includes shares issuable conversion piedmont preferred usair noted usair piedmont mln common shares fully diluted basis adding offer conditioned tender shares representing pct oustanding shares diluted basis usair shares option buy represent pct piedmont outstanding shares reuter 
coffee	brazilian coffee rainfall rainfall recorded areas past hours parana state umuarama nil paranavai millimetres londrina nil maringa nil sao paulo state presidente prudente votuporanga franca catanduva sao carlos nil sao simao nil reuter 
acq	gencorp sell los angeles television station walt disney 
acq	nationwide cellular ncel completes purchase nationwide cellular service inc completed previously announced acquisition privately held nova cellular chicago reseller mobile telephone service subscribers for common shares nova cellular accumulated deficit dlrs and had revenues dlrs for reuter 
interest	national westminster bank cuts base rate national westminster bank plc cut base lending rate percentage points pct today national westminster responding general easing money market rates move signal bank england earlier this afternoon that endorse half point cut base rate surprise move strong signals last week that such move premature since pound continued gain strongly reuter 
ship	hutchison unit buys container cranes japan container port operator hong kong international terminals pct held unit hutchison whampoa hwhh mln dlr order for quayside container cranes tons each japan mitsui engineering and shipbuilding mset for august delivery hong kong international terminals operates cranes reuter 
ship	bosphorus shipping moves istanbul offices close istanbul remained virtual standstill today snow meter deep shipping moving narrow bosphorus waterway linking sea marmara and black sea officials authorities ordered government offices closed wednesday banks businesses and schools stayed shut workers struggled main roads and supply lines open this city mln people second blizzard hit istanbul week stopped yesterday afternoon and international airport reopened today two day closure shut earlier last week reuter 
crude	ecuador export oil for months official suspension ecuador crude oil shipments earthquake cut oil pipeline will last months senior energy ministry official official ecuador resume exports repairing section pipeline links jungle oil fields lago agrio balao pacific coast mln dlrs repair pipeline official not want named told reuters ecuador had oil meet domestic demand for days and import crude supplement stocks earthquake last thursday night registered six point international mercalli scale damage pipeline severe economic blow ecuador oil accounts for two thirds total exports and pct government revenues financially pressed ecuador member organisation petroleum exporting countries opec recently pumping barrels per day bpd crude bpd output quota assigned cartel another energy ministry spokesman last year exported average bpd central bank ecuador build emergency pipeline costing mln dlrs hook colombian pipeline official estimated days build ecuador squeezed slide world oil prices had mln dlrs net international reserves end january equal month imports suspended interest payments january billion dlrs owed private foreign banks country total foreign debt billion dlrs eighth largest latin america caracas president jaime lusinchi venezuela loan mln barrels crude ecuador months make for losses damage pipeline ecuador asked for loan guarantee domestic supplies and ship equivalent volume back venezuela repayment lusinchi commission headed venezuelan investment fund minister hector hurtado and including representatives interior and defence ministries and state oil company petroleos venezuela will travel ecuador tuesday evaluate and ordinate emergency relief program reuter 
money-supply	french jan money supply rose prov adjusted pct pct fall dec official 
rubber	malaysia rubber pact depends consumers malaysia success talks opening today international natural rubber agreement inra depends flexible consumer countries rubber producer and consumer countries meet for days geneva tomorrow hammer rubber pact failed reach agreement last november replace current accord expires october primary industries minister lim keng yaik statement that malaysia continue second inra and prepared accept modifications that strengthen present agreement second inra for orderly disposal accumulated buffer stock tonnes since market capable absorbing such releases reuter 
acq	mcdowell merger interpharm inc mcdowell enterprises inc signed definitive agreement acquire pct interest privately held interpharm inc for pct interest mcdowell company subject contigencies including future sales and profit levels mcdowell year period acquire pct interpharm exchange for pct mcdowell voting stock transaction expected completed days time mcdowell board restructured include interpharm management reuter 
acq	renault chrysler accord for chrysler buy amc regie nationale des usines renault rena and chrysler corp signed letter intent chrysler plans buy american motors corp amo pct owned renault renault president raymond levy statement issued french state car group agreement important stage renault redeployment will renault continue export programme and opens perspective cooperation major american constructor statement terms letter intent chrysler will purchase renault stake held form bonds and shares renault statement quoted chrysler chairman lee iacocca amc shareholders into chrysler family added that accord renault and chrysler study development future products destined distributed renault and chrysler north american and world markets renault leader industry and happy working iacocca quoted chrysler will pay for renault amc interests held bonds mln dlr bond and will pay mln dlrs for renault share interests depending amc sales and future profits renault statement statement agreement principle gave each side days put together definitive accord approval renault chrysler and amc boards amc shareholders and relevant government authorities deal ahead statement amc shareholders renault will receive chrysler shares for each shares valued dlrs amc shareholders convertible preferential shares will possibility exchange for chrysler shares conditions had exchanging for amc shares reuter 
acq	boston affiliate acquire allegheny int for dlrs shr 
earn	southern charge vogtle cost southern will tax charge mln dlrs earnings january projected cost vogtle nuclear power plant risen abover amount retail customers georgia will asked pay company largest subsidiary georgia power budget for plant increased pct mln dlrs billion pledge made last year georgia public service commission increased cost will not included utility retail electric rates geogia power board delayed scheduled completion vogtle unit two june september unit two pct complete added utility fuel loading completed unit and unit put series low power tests nuclear regulatory commission asked for full power license nuclear power plant located waynesboro owned oglethorpe power corp municipal electric authority georgia and city dalton georgia power revised vogtle budget estimate due factors including additional labor costs incurred plant unit schedule for commercial operation june figure represents change plant budget since august estimated billion dlrs march utility told georgia regulators cap price vogtle customers asked pay billion dlrs company share projected billion dlr total budget georgia power share amounts billion dlrs noting that georgia power share vogtle increase mln dlrs southern this will result charge earnings mln dlrs taxes addition company georgia power contracts joint owners require utility buy back significant amounts vogtle capacity plant initial years operation terms cap costs will not attempt recover portion budget increase that applies buybacks this bings total amount that charged earnings mln dlrs taxes southern southern rules financial accounting standards board effective january require costs that determined nonrecoverable charged earnings once that determination made company board approved capital budget billion dlrs including work vogtle project billion dlr capita budget for year period outlined board meeting noting this mln dlrs below comparable figure for years reuter 
acq	stora close completing papyrus takeover sweden stora kopparbergs bergslags skps had acquired pct shares rival pulp and paper makers papyrus passing threshold can compulsorily buy rest company remaining shareholders this month sell shares stora company statement stora announced last september acquire papyrus price billion crowns forming europe second largest forest group london based reed international plc reed reuter 
money-fx	money market late worth mln stg bank england provided market unspecified late assistance worth mln stg market total assistance mln stg today compared liquidity shortage estimated revised mln stg reuter 
acq	white engine bought private investor white engine manufacturer industrial and automotive diesel and gasoline engines mln dlrs sales sold group group investors white engine purchase led donald stewart private investment banker white senior executives source close transaction purchase prices set mln dlrs company will change name hercules engines inc and stewart will majority interest owner president and chief executive officer addition john lennon current chairman and chief executive officer will remain chairman company and joseph scheetz president will vice chairman company reuter 
acq	stora close completing papyrus takeover sweden stora kopparbergs bergslags skps acquired pct shares rival pulp and paper makers papyrus passing threshold can compulsorily buy rest company remaining shareholders this month sell shares stora company statement stora announced last september acquire papyrus price billion crowns forming europe second largest forest group london based reed international plc reed reuter 
acq	allegheny int boston set merger allegheny international inc entered into agreement merge affiliate boston inc fpc boston corp transaction valued mln dlrs allegheny agreement calls for holders common receive dlrs share holders company dlrs cumulative preference shares will receive dlrs share and owning dlrs convertible preferred will receive dlrs share allegheny international agreement calls for boston affiliate start cash tender offer for outstanding shares allegheny common cumulative preferred and convertible preferred company boston committed provide financing acquire such securities tender offer estimated mln dlrs agreement subject waiver march conditions company existing bank credit agreement allegheny international statement not name describe boston affiliate involved agreement offer for company stock will conditioned valid tender securities representing majority voting power for election directors company and valid tender two outstanding cumulative preferred and convertible preferred shares reuter 
money-supply	french january money supply rises pct french money supply measured terms rose provisional pct january falling pct december bank france main money supply aggregate used french monetary authorities joined second main money supply aggregate for rose provisional pct january falling confirmed pct december calculated month moving average basis rose pct year year quarter based december rising pct quarter centred september aggregate centred month moving average rose year year pct target range six pct rose pct pct fall december measures notes and coins circulation sight deposits adds short term bank deposits and adds short term deposits central bank widest measure liquidity rose pct january pct fall december bank money supply growth reflected net increase sight deposits and renewed interest money market instruments reuter 
acq	chrysler amc holders chrysler stock worth dlrs share buyout plan 
earn	continental bank canada sets distribution continental bank canada subsidiary lloyds bank plc lloy intends redeem existing preferred shares and distribute stock dividend common shareholders initial distribution will cumulative redeemable retractable floating rate class preferred shares series will carry retraction enabling holders receive dlrs for each share continental mln dlrs existing outstanding preferred shares will paid par accrued dividends continental notes will carry dividend rate pct prime and expects that shares will trade dlrs enabling shareholders receive cash bank expects distribution will made early subject approvals continental that march had cash mln dlrs and equity mln dlrs allowing for final total distribution dlrs per common share continental bank continues expect that final distribution shareholders will range dlrs dlrs per share and will place late early initial stock distribution takes place regular dividend payments will maintained existing preferred shares bank distribution part terms continental bank canada sale banking assets lloyds bank canada subsidiary lloyds bank plc continental bank lloyds bank canada paid balance purchase price that lower originally anticipated since continental unable transfer income tax deductions lloyds bank continental not give details 
trade	study canada pact spur economies free trade pact united states and canada spur economies sides substantially study released institute for international economics study paul wonnacott successful conclusion free trade talks raise canada gross national product pct and expand export pct pact resolve knotty issue government subsidies end curbs trade services and investments and pave for global talks general agreement tariffs and trade united states and canada world two biggest trading partners cross border shipments billion dlrs year opened free trade talks last june aiming for pact october wonnacott economics professor univerity maryland agreement include elimination tariffs two countries phased year period equal access federal government procurement two countries replacing current buy america and buy canada provisions buy north america provision fewer restrictions trade services chiefly finance and transportation commitment not screen foreign investments favor domestic producers commission resolve bilateral trade disputes wonnacott that resolve subsidy problem two sides permit export subsidies exports pct imposing coutervailing duties limit subsidies pct proposed that attempt impose duties offset subsidies special disputes commission for resolution early stage wonnacott bilateral free trade contribute efficiency north american economies and competitiveness facing overseas producers open markets canadian goods and enable benefit economies mass production benefits united states fewer canada proportionately large gross national product wonnacott that canada pact such areas export subsidies and creation dispute commission set example for current attempt gatt write and liberal global trading regulations reuter 
earn	gulf resources gre gain stock sale gulf resources and chemical corp sold shares imperial continental gas association for pence share mln stg private transaction for pretax gain mln dlrs gulf resources owns mln shares imperial continental pct interest and continues study alternatives reuter 
acq	donald trump agreed purchase crosby estate resorts shares 
acq	bsn bsn share sale advances bsn corp agreement sell common shares pct interest unaffiliated european institutional investors for mln dlrs become definitive company closing expected shortly filing registration statement securities and exchange commission expected made this month reuter 
acq	gencorp unit sell los angeles station gencorp rko general subsidiary agreed sell khj los angeles walt disney dis for mln dlrs cash working capital and adjustments closing company agreement principle rko application renew station broadcast license dismissed and competing application fidelity television granted disney acquire privately held fidelity for mln dlrs and adjustments renewal khj license challenged regulatory proceedings for years deal subject prior approval federal communications commission company late gencorp cut deal fidelity los angeles investor group and westinghouse electric corp settle license proceedings and sell khj for mln dlrs pct westinghouse and remainder fidelity jan westinghouse withdrew deal fcc not approve early gencorp and rko agreed sell wor secaucus mca inc mca for mln dlrs fcc approved transaction parties appealed fcc not rule appeals spokemsan for akron ohio based gencorp fidelity television originally filed competing application for rko license for khj independent station fcc disqualified rko licensee wnac boston citing anti competitive trade practices and inaccurate financial reporting agency causing renewals previously granted rko york for wor and los angeles for khj denied reuter 
interest	barclays bank cutting base lending rate pct pct 
interest	midland bank cutting base rate pct pct 
acq	imatron imat sells stake mitsui mitsy imatron inc mitsui and japan purchased two mln dlr equity interest imatron market price and granted day option make another two mln dlr investment price imatron mitsui exclusive importer imatron ultrafast computed tomography scanners into japan scheduled delivery scanner month for installation large cardiology center entered into preliminary discussions mitsui formation joint venture finance accelerated development imatron technology and commercialization japan reuter 
earn	robins qrah january earnings robins drug company bankruptcy proceedings due litigation dalkon shield contraceptive device reported consolidated net earnings for month ended january mln dlrs year ago period reported net earnings mln dlrs robins filings made trustee overseeing chapter bankruptcy case reuter 
interest	barclays midland follow natwest base rate cut barclays bank plc bcs and midland bank plc mdbl cutting base lending rates pct pct cuts follow similar move national westminster bank plc nwbl rate effect tomorrow reuter 
acq	control data cda buy peripherals stake control data corp agreed acquire unisys inc uis pct stake magnetic peripherals inc letter intent that unisys converts owner magnetic peripherals customer control data data storage products group two year period agreement control data will continue furnish disk drives unisys details proposed agreement magnetic controls managed data storage products group control data founded joint venture maintain technological base data storage and supply peripheral equipment for computer systems owners venture become developer and manufacturer high performance high capacity data storage products sold control data computer systems manafacturers worldwide conversion unisys interest control data will pct honeywell inc hon pct and bull france six pct reuter 
acq	donald trump buy crosby resorts rtb stock casino hotel operator and real estate developer donald trump agreed purchase class common stock resorts international inc held family and estate late resorts chairman james crosby for dlrs per share trump tender offer for remaining class shares price interest resorts class shares trump shares agreed buy represent pct interest class stock estate owns class shares class shares outstanding trump interest class shares each class share times voting power class share atlantic city resorts statement that class shares sold trump represents pct combined voting power resorts closing dependent receipt regulatory approvals and matters and closing trump will tender for remaining class shares price reuter 
acq	usair wins court order twa twa usair group inc district court pittsburgh issued temporary restraining order prevent trans world airlines inc buying additional usair shares usair order issued response suit charging twa chairman carl icahn and twa violated federal laws and made misleading statements twa last week owned pct usair shares offered buy company for dlrs share cash billion dlrs 
acq	grease monkey gmhc gets rejects merger offer grease monkey holding corp received and rejected unsolicited merger offer jiffy lube international inc lube company proposal involved exchange grease monkey common stock for combination jiffy lube securities estimated current substantially below grease monkey current market price will not disclosed details reuter 
orange	ruling brazil fcoj come tomorrow decision final dumping duties frozen orange juice brazil not issued tomorrow commerce department officials department midnight tonight set duty not make finding public tomorrow preliminary duty pct set october final ruling will based detailed information officials reuter 
acq	chrysler deal buy amc amo chrysler corp agreed principle french state owned renault acquire american motors corp renault controlling shareholder deal amc stockholders renault receive chrysler common stock market dlrs for each amc common share hold chrysler letter intent for deal government and amc shareholder and board approval that amc holders will receive not share chrysler common for each share amc common hold 
interest	barclays midland follow natwest base rate cut barclays bank plc bcs and midland bank plc mdbl cutting base lending rates pct pct cuts follow similar move national westminster bank plc nwbl rate effect tomorrow base rate reductions bank england cut dealing rates this morning signal money markets that not resist half percentage point drop bank base lending rates market sources end last week central holding staunchly market pressures for lower rates apparent effort preserve expected rate cuts for time government annual budget march sterling remained firm dlrs compared close friday dlrs reuter 
zinc	mint seeking lbs zinc mint seeking offers lbs special high grade zinc that intends purchase selling offers will due hrs est march mint two increments lbs each for delivery weeks april and april ball corp greeneville tenn and two increments lbs each delivered weeks april and april lasalle rolling mills lasalle ill firms submitting offers elect receive payment mint standard check wire transfer awards will based whichever method cost advantageous goverment time awards determined offers will minimum acceptance period calendar days mint reuter 
housing	canada building permits rise november led residential sector canadian building permits issued november rose pct billion dlrs seasonally adjusted billion dlrs october statistics canada residential permits fell pct billion dlrs billion dlrs october number units approved fell units residential projects rose pct mln dlrs month reuter 
acq	dixie yarns dxyn acquire caro inc dixie yarns inc and caro inc jointly signed merger agreement calling for dixie acquire caro stock exchange for mln dixie common companies previously announced merger approved caro board and expected close early april revenues combined companies will mln dlrs and dixie merger will not dilute results caro private management led leveraged buy reuter 
orange	midnight set orange juice duties decision final dumping duties frozen orange juice brazil not issued tomorrow commerce department officials department midnight tonight set duty not make finding public tomorrow preliminary duty pct set last oct final duty will based detailed information officials reuter 
ship	gale force winds buffet great lakes national weather service warnings gale force winds remained effect lakes erie huron and michigan warnings posted for large waves and beach erosion shores lakes winds gusting mph caused six foot waves western and southern shores lake michigan morning advisories for low wind chill temperatures posted across portions upper michigan and northern lower michigan early morning gusty winds brought wind chill and degrees below freezing rain scattered central colorado mid morning central kansas and northeast illinois snow reached south central montana across wyoming western nebraska and western kansas snow extended across northern wisconsin upper michigan and northern lower michigan rain reached northern pacific coast across northwest utah maryland deleware virginia carolinas georgia and northern alabama reuter 
interest	issues billion stg bond tranche bank england taking books billion stg tranche pct treasury loan stock due payable stg pct application stock issued bank stg pct and will for dealings march remainder amount payable bank bonds yield pct issue price and free tax residents overseas issue designated pct treasury loan mln stg reserved for national debt commissioners market dropped point bank announcement treasury pct stock due quoted full point lower stg pct minutes news dealers announcement had viewed backdrop intense pressure for lower interest rates had built past two weeks result sterling strength bank this morning finally signalled prepared lower rates and clearing banks this afternoon announced cuts base lending rates pct pct bank had initially reluctant countenance rate cut dealers authorities had wished delay reduction time budget march thereby preserving full impact chancellor exchequer nigel lawson package measures face sterling apparently inexorable climb authorities today decided cede pressure and half point cut today billion stg tap issue viewed market move bank eradicate hopes for early rate cut arise result strong sterling market participants that lawson will foster half point interest rate reduction time budget two not surprised full point decline this stage dealers noted that part authorities attempts last week ease pressure for lower rates bank had issued billion stg tap stock view subduing government bond market surprise participants issue sold hours for trading and market pushed register sharp gains dealers that this stage that issue announced today absorbed market rapidly last week noted that sterling had edged highs base rate cut had closed trade weighted basis ahead friday final and beneath peak touched gmt reuter 
acq	amc studying chrysler buyout proposal and will comment 
crude	petro canada drill two terra nova test wells petro canada canada state owned oil company will drill two delineation wells this summer terra nova oil field offshore newfoundland evaluation test results and preliminary engineering work put petro canada position propose development plan for terra nova field company depending time required for regulatory approvals construction begin oil production early petro canada high degree confidence that western portion terra nova field contains mln cubic meters recoverable oil mln barrels and that produce economicly floating production system petro canada terra nova field lying kilometers east john and kilometers southeast hibernia field discovered petro canada had encouraging results eastern portion field and hope this summer drilling will prove additional reserves company petro canada believes terra nova field good commercial prospect and company move resources development can start generating return investments petro canada petro canada will act operator two wells pct interest western portion graven block terra nova field and pct interest field east flank block company spokesman field participants include canterra energy mobil oil canada gulf canada resources inc icg resources trillium exploration corp and general partnership parex petro canada estimates reserves terra nova field graven block mln and mln barrels oil company spokesman bob foulkes petro canada calgary office combined reserves for graven block and field east flank block estimated mln and mln barrels added petro canada expects spend mln canadian dlrs bring field production and development budget double company builds production system combining blocks field petro canada estimates terra nova field graven block produce and barrels average daily production production system that maximum capacity bpd company spokesman foulkes answer query company estimates production system combining graven and east flank blocks terra nova field produce bpd average daily production reuter 
earn	charan sees pct rise profit charan industries inc distributor toys and consumer products expects net profit rise pct last year mln dlrs president earl takefman told reporters annual meeting grew basically pct last year not grow pct this year will grow pct last year takefman charan reported profit mln dlrs takefman expects sales rise mln dlrs this year mln dlrs fiscal ended september fiscal ended november takefman company actively for acquisitions consumer products industry likely canada company expects resolve delivery problems this year last year hindered growth toy distribution business accounts for revenues charan exclusive distributor canada for worlds toys include teddy ruxpin voice activated talking plush bear takefman products this year will shelves for christmas include smaller version teddy ruxpin talking mickey mouse toy dancing plush toys doll voice activated sound touch light and heat and talking books company marketing extended line laser tag kits shoot rays light and you you hit products include recorder device students leave taped messages each school lockers retailing for dlrs reuter 
earn	mayfair super markets myfra sales increased mayfair super markets sales for second qtr ended feb mln dlrs increase pct compared sales mln dlrs comparable quarter last year company sales for six months year mln dlrs pct mln dlrs reported period last year this consecutive quarterly gain company company expects release earnings april reuter 
interest	barclays midland follow natwest base rate cut barclays bank plc bcs and midland bank plc mdbl cutting base lending rates pct pct cuts follow similar move national westminster bank plc nwbl rate effect tomorrow base rate reductions bank england cut dealing rates this morning signal money markets that not resist half percentage point drop bank base lending rates market sources end last week central holding staunchly market pressures for lower rates apparent effort preserve expected rate cuts for time government annual budget march sterling remained firm dlrs compared close friday dlrs reuter 
acq	united auto workers union supports chrysler amc merger 
interest	lloyds bank matches base rate cut pct lloyds bank plc lloy cutting base lending rate pct pct effective tomorrow reduction follows similar moves british clearing banks national westminster bank plc nwbl led this morning bank england lowered dealing rates signal that tolerate half percentage point reduction central bank surprise signal strenuous efforts last week prevent market forces bringing base rates budget march reuter 
acq	norcros breaks merger talks williams norcros ncro plc intention proceeding talks williams holdings plc suggestion that benefits arising merger two groups norcros such benefits achieved normal trading and not warrant closer formal association norcros shares firmed news investor speculation hostile bid williams dealers williams rose williams earlier informed norcros that holds ordinary shares pct issued reuter 
interest	lloyds bank matches base rate cut pct lloyds bank plc lloy cutting base lending rate pct pct effective tomorrow reduction follows similar moves british clearing banks national westminster bank plc nwbl led this morning bank england lowered dealing rates signal that tolerate half percentage point reduction central bank surprise signal strenuous efforts last week prevent market forces bringing base rates budget march reuter 
interest	lloyds bank matches base rate cut pct lloyds bank plc cutting base lending rate pct pct effective tomorrow reduction follows similar moves british clearing banks national westminster bank plc led this morning bank england lowered dealing rates signal that tolerate half percentage point reduction central bank surprise signal strenuous efforts last week prevent market forces bringing base rates budget march reuter 
interest	french week bill average rate falls pct pct official 
acq	amc amo studying chrysler proposal american motors corp studying proposed merger chrysler corp american motors received letter chrysler corp advising proposal enter into merger transaction american motors corp statement company studying proposal will comment reuter 
acq	wall street stocks american express axp american express stock fell sharply reflecting part investors disappointment that company not make announcement plans for brokerage unit shearson lehman brothers traders company studying options for shearson unit traders investors anticipated announcement this weekend that spin shearson lehman flurry arbitrage related sell programs that pounded general market today accelerated selloff american express component dow industrial average american express fell part programs and part that anticipation announcement spinoff shearson this weekend and that announcement never happened trader last minutes trading friday another trader stock jumped close largely anticipation that company make weekend announcement reuter 
crude	amoco south china sea exploratory flows barrels oil daily 
orange	traders usda lower orange crop estimate department agriculture will decrease estimate florida orange crop today low mln boxes mln boxes analysts and industry sources department scheduled release estimate hrs est gmt today analysts market anticipating downward revision and bullish impact discounted estimate usda left unchanged since october affected this time recent evidence shortfall early and midseason crop that harvests complete analysts based earlier usda projections harvests mln boxes larger cut estimate bob tate fcoj broker dean witter reynolds miami question whether will admit thing this estimate tate usda will lower estimate lesser amount perhaps mln boxes and continue drop estimate subsequent reports crop picture clarifies late season harvest consisting valencia oranges not started noted temper judy weissman fcoj analyst shearson lehman bros main drop will come july expects today estimate will mln boxes reuter 
acq	uaw back chrysler amc amo merger united auto workers uaw union supports chrysler corp proposal buy american motors corp creating good match that potentially points secure future for workers companies members interests can served chrysler family and committed making that happen uaw president owen bieber and vice president marc stepp statement chrysler purchase logical and sound step for concerned union uaw negotiating amc carmaker demand for economic concessions covering workers wisconsin operations amc cease vehicle production kenosha wisconsin assembly plant reuter 
acq	twa twa declines comment usair transworld airlines inc official airline comment usair group inc planned buyout piedmont aviation inc twa pursued application department transportation for takeover usair mark buckstein twa general counsel and vice president twa filed revised application today dot rejection friday incomplete application filed last week earlier usair agreed buy piedmont for dlrs cash per share 
acq	moody downgrade piedmont aviation pie moody investors service inc downgrade mln dlrs debt piedmont aviation inc airline agreement acquired usair group inc rating agency review focus effect acquisition piedmont financial leverage and debt service requirements moody examining potential use airline borrowing capacity finance merger piedmont carries baa preferred stock and prime commercial paper reuter 
rubber	rubber producers consumers start pact talks chairman conference international natural rubber agreement inra manaspas xuto thailand imperative settle main outstanding issues this week inra renegotiation conference resumed today auspices united nations conference trade and development unctad scheduled last march xuto told delegates this session conference presented promising opportunity conclude pact had last current accord expires october xuto consultations representatives major exporting and importing countries last months found constructive attitude and willingness flexible part concerned imperative that settle major outstanding issues this week since considerable amount technical drafting work will remain completed will immediately start consultations producers and consumers last october negotiations collapsed disagreement buffer stock operations consumer demands for tighter buffer stock controls aimed preventing inra collapse international tin agreement ita rejected producers argued for unchanged inra terms tin pact failed buffer stock manager ran funds support prices previous rounds talks rubber producers and consumers for year pact ended agreement inra originally due expire october extended october facilitate renegotiation wong kum choon head malaysian delegation cautiously optimistic that together save inra and prevent scuttled inra added prices natural rubber become volatile calling delegates show sense purpose and reality reason not put differences and come successor agreement reuter 
acq	usair and unit remain moody review moody investors service inc mln dlrs debt usair group inc and usair inc unit remain review for downgrade rating agency cited usair group proposed acquisition piedmont aviation inc pie trans world airlines inc twa proposed cash merger usair status twa bid for usair group uncertain transportation department rejected twa application acquire usair deficiency grounds twa will file revised application moody noted moody review for downgrade usair group baa senior debt and baa subordinated debentures usair unit senior debt and baa subordinated debentures moody examine effects proposed mergers usair group financial measurements potential damage company financial flexibility probability increased debt service requirements reuter 
money-fx	fed sets billion dlr customer repurchase fed 
earn	bally bly mln dlr qtr charge bally manufacturing corp expects charge earnings quarter this year mln dlrs result deal buy back mln common shares real estate developer donald trump filing securities and exchange commission chicago based hotel casino gambling and amusement concern anticipated charge quarter earnings will not deductible for federal income tax purposes february deal bally agreed buy mln mln shares held trump dlrs share mln dlrs trump agreed not seek control bally agreement calls for bally pay trump another mln dlrs for agreements claims and expenses related purchase bally common stock bally trump agreed not buy bally stock seek control company for years bear stearns and inc signed similar standstill agreement bally for years bally can deal bally stock broker deal obligates bally buy trump remaining stake company for dlrs share stock price not reach that level february reuter 
crude	shell canada raised crude prices canadian cts barrel today 
zinc	hudson bay mining cuts canada zinc prices hudson bay mining and smelting cut prices for grades zinc sold north america cent pound and canadian cent pound effective immediately price for high grade zinc cents and canadian cents pound company special high grade prime western and continuous galvanizing grade controlled lead costs cents and canadian cents pound price for continuous galvanizing grade alloyed controlled lead and aluminum additions cents and canadian cents pound reuter 
acq	court rejects buitoni appeal iri food unit appeal buitoni spa court ruling that accord acquire italian state food firm sme societa meridionale finanziaria not contractually binding rejected court officials appeal court rejected buitoni claim that billion lire accord state industrial company iri istituto per ricostruzione industriale binding contract decision upholds court ruling last july buitoni controlled cir compagnie industriali riunite investment company controlled ing olivetti spa oliv chairman carlo benedetti reuter 
acq	allegheny aims divest businesses allegheny international inc consumer products concern that today announced merger agreement boston corp fbc affiliate deal worth mln dlrs intends divest units increase profits reduce size consistent financial resources chairman oliver travers made conscious strategic choice become smaller financially sound consumer products company operates predominantly stable political and economic environment north america 
acq	advanced tobacco atpi merger talks end advanced tobacco products inc ended talks acquired sterling drug inc sty resumed acquisition talks parties company had previously announced that major based company that not identify evaluating nicotine technology advanced sterling board decided not enter nicotine product market received dlr payment deal exclusively sterling march six advanced had suspended merger talks parties result exclusivity agreement reuter 
acq	fitness rfit buys livingwell unit fitness inc agreed buy livingwell inc manufacturing unit powercise international inc for mln fitness shares valued mln dlrs this acquisition includes livingwell rights recently announced powercise fitness equipment separate transaction livingwell inc operator health clubs six mln dlrs order powercise international install powercise equipment clubs reuter 
heat	exxon xon raises heating oil price traders oil traders york area exxon corp exxon increased price charges contract barge customers for heating oil york harbor cts gallon effective saturday march increase brought exxon contract barge price cts gallon traders price hike higher spot and futures market prices for heating oil reuter 
zinc	hudson bay mining cuts canada zinc prices hudson bay mining and smelting cut prices for grades zinc sold north america pound and canadian pound effective immediately price for high grade zinc cts and canadian cts pound company special high grade prime western and continuous galvanizing grade controlled lead costs cts and canadian cts pound price for continuous galvanizing grade alloyed controlled lead and aluminum additions cts and canadian cts pound reuter 
acq	bankamerica bac completes mortgage unit sale bankamerica corp bank america unit completed previously announced sale bankamerica finance bank ireland for expected pre tax gain mln dlrs bankamerica finance residential mortgages south east england total assets end mln dlrs reuter 
acq	supermarkets general gets unsolicited bid for dlrs shr cash 
coffee	brazil treasury release coffee buying funds treasury department due release funds for brazilian coffee institute ibc pay for coffee purchased local producers ibc statement ibc production director oripes gomes statement that payment made official guarantee prices statement ibc sending document national monetary council asking government set budget for purchase institute mln bags coffee june gomes statement problems concession funds treasury for payment coffee delivered ibc warehouses producers producers delivered mln bags mln bags paid for future agreement signed treasury institute will longer seek approval treasury seek release additional funds buy coffee statement reuter 
crude	shell canada shc raised crude oil postings shell canada wholly owned subsidiary royal dutch shell group that raised crude oil prices canadian cts barrel today increase riased posted price for light sweet crude oil dlrs barrel march level light sour crudes raised dlrs barrel company reuter 
cocoa	ghana cocoa purchases tonnes latest week cumulative tonnes official 
interest	world bank bring borrowing forward this year world bank intends bring borrowing forward into half expects global interest rates rise year end world bank vice president and treasurer eugene rotberg told news conference that rates japan west germany and switzerland lows weight opinion that year higher probability will pct higher pct lower interest rates world bank had not issued floating rate notes this year expectation higher interest rates policy world bank maintain liquidity level that gave bank flexibility decide and borrow rotberg cash hand pct years anticipated net requirement and comprised pct outstanding debt and pct debt maturing years world bank had pioneered swap market not intend launch financial instruments for sake innovation rotberg total billion dlrs debt outstanding billion had swapped into another currency recent innovations unfair investors unfair borrowers world bank confident that this not case not adopt instruments world bank raise pct funds needed year methods used rotberg for pct requirements bank instruments such bonds warrants world bank had publicly offered bonds germany since issue launched 
earn	servicemaster svm sets quarter distribution servicemaster approved second quarter cash distribution cts payable april record march previously servicemaster pay cash distribution dlrs share including cts share paid april action company set date annual shareholders meeting reuter 
acq	wall street stocks chrysler amc amo proposed mln dlr deal chrysler corp acquire american motors corp described analysts reasonable deal for companies ronald glantz montgomery securities amc common stock fairly valued dlrs share brought tax reform and that chrysler offer pay dlrs share chrysler stock amc holders renault good price for chrysler amc common shares opened dlrs this morning renault chrysler announcement chrysler shares lost amc issued statement that studying proposed buyout and had comment glantz regarded proposal deal can make bid reasonable deal for sides analyst told reuters chrysler gets jeep franchise and amc bramalea ontario plant and renault premier mid sized car and amc sales will buyers will confidence that manufacturer will service products glantz analyst thomas grady chrysler getting manufacturing capacity including brand plant canada for bargain price and renault getting return prolonged loss making investment amc reuter 
trade	koreans buy billion dlrs goods south korean foreign trade minister rah woon bae country firms agreed buy billion dlrs worth goods two week buying trip united states rah purchases represented shifts japanese firms firms part south korea effort reduce billion dlr trade surplus united states south korea billion dlr trade deficit japan reuter 
crude	fitzwater reagan strongly tax hike white house spokesman marlin fitzwater president reagan record opposing tax hikes long and strong and not change opposed tax increases will fight tax increases will deal politically forum fitzwater questioned whether change administration position fitzwater reagan strong feelings tax hike included opposition oil import fee president position that opposed reuter 
acq	supermarkets general sgl gets unsolicited bid supermarkets general corp received unsolicited proposal party acquire company dlrs per share cash supermarkets retained shearson lehman brothers inc advise board directors proposal supermarkets general mln shares outstanding stock trading york stock exchange woodbridge supermarket operator supermarkets and specialty retail stores convenience food stores and drug stores for months ended november supermarkets reported net income mln dlrs reuter 
zinc	abms zinc stocks higher february total slab zinc stocks held smelters rose short tons end february short tons end january american bureau metal statistics reported zinc production increased short tons february short tons january shipments smelters plants declined short tons february short tons january reuter 
nat-gas	diamond shamrock offshore dsp find diamond shamrock offshore partners started development drilling west cameron block louisiana gulf mexico significant natural gas find block discovery encountered feet net natural gas pay flow tests conducted diamond shamrock offshore pct interest block phillips petroleum pct and santa energy partners sfp pct diamond shamrock corp dia owns pct diamond shamrock offshore reuter 
lead	lead inventories rise february abms lead stocks held refiners rose short tons end february short tons revised higher end january american bureau metal statistics reported production lead decreased short tons february short tons january shipments plants increased short tons february short tons revised lower january abms reuter 
acq	sharon steel corp extends exchange offer sharon steel corp extended march six march expiration date for debt exchange offer time complete sale mueller brass unit and meet conditions offer exchange offer covers sharon outstanding pct subordinated sinking fund debentures due and pct subordinated sinking fund debentures due sharon that march six pct pct notes and pct pct notes tendered mueller sale conditioned receipt pct notes reuter 
ship	ferry disaster claims top mln stg insurers face mln stg insurance claims zeebrugge ferry disaster spokesman for lloyds london weeks extent compensation claims for passengers crew and cargo and ship salvaged david larner lloyds hull and machinery herald free enterprise valued mln stg and insured townsend thoresen parent company peninsular and oriental steam navigation plc porl vessel turn reinsured london market lloyds and companies larner passengers crew and cargo insured standard steamship protection and indemnity association shipowners mutual insurance funds worldwide underwritten lloyds and companies larner claims passengers expected total mln stg number deaths and normal level liability set athens convention stg and case death shipping sources that claims soar court found negligence design faults involved larner estimates compensation claims pure guess work this time ship not salvaged claims total mln stg shares insurances london stock exchange fell across board generally weak market general accident fell royal insurance dropped and prudential fell and shares stood late lower day reuter 
interest	citibank follows base rate cut pct citibank cut british base lending rate pct pct effect tomorrow this move follows similar cuts major british clearing banks led national westminster bank plc nwbl lower rates signalled bank england this morning attempt curb recent upward pressure pound market sources reuter 
money-fx	bank zambia pays foreign currency arrears bank zambia paid foreign exchange arrears auctions conducted last year bank spokesman cleared auctions and left worth mln dlrs spokesman amount paid bank had not paid foreign exchange private firms since suspended weekly auctions january auctions suspended planned introduce modified system talks world bank and international monetary fund president kenneth kaunda announced last month that auction retained for allocating foreign exchange approved private sector bidders not used determine kwacha exchange rate last week auction had run into trouble shortage foreign exchange government fixed exchange rate kwacha per dollar effectively revaluing kwacha pct reuter 
acq	investors pct datarex systems drx small investor group led melvyn gelch providence surgeon told securities and exchange commission acquired shares datarex systems inc pct total outstanding common stock gelch group bought stake for dlrs for investment purposes reuter 
cocoa	ghana cocoa purchases fall cumulative ghana cocoa board purchased tonnes cocoa week ended february main crop season compared tonnes previous week and tonnes week ended march six season board cumulative purchases this season stand tonnes tonnes purchased week last season board reuter 
sugar	sugar import levies import levies for white and raw sugar effective tomorrow european currency units ecu per kilos white sugar denatured and denatured versus previously raw sugar denatured and denatured versus previously rate for raws based pct yield reuter 
acq	investor technology development tdcx stake leon greenblatt chicago investor told securities and exchange commission acquired shares technology development corp pct total outstanding common stock greenblatt bought stock for dlrs soley investment and intention seeking control company reuter 
acq	analyst dart group likely bidder for supermarkets general 
acq	harris cuts cyclops cyl stake pct harris associates chicago investment advisory firm cut stake cyclops corp shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission harris sold cyclops common shares jan and march prices ranging dlrs share harris dealings cyclops common stock made behalf advisory clients reuter 
acq	chrysler values amc amo mln dlrs chrysler corp valued proposed buyout american motors corp mln dlrs not counting effect contingent payment that reach mln dlrs based amc future profits chrysler spokesman told reuters that letter intent signed renault amc controlling shareholder pct direct stake includes provision for renault paid mln dlrs cash for amc finance subsidiary and mln dlrs form pct note not maturity note reuter 
earn	advo system inc advo sees break even qtr advo system inc report break even second quarter ending march compared loss mln dlrs cts share fiscal second quarter ended march advo previously announced report net loss for quarter reuter 
earn	canadian pacific qtr oper net cts cts 
bop	dutch current account surplus falls dutch current account surplus fell billion guilders last year provisional billion guilders finance ministry statement surplus expected fall statement gave details earlier today official planning agency cpb expected surplus fall six billion guilders visible goods surplus excluding energy fell billion guilders billion due declining terms exchange goods imported consumer spending and investment increased energy trade balance surplus rose billion guilders billion this gain caused temporary improvements terms exchange and aided delay fall oil and gas prices current account showed billion guilder deficit invisibles compared balance finance ministry noting surplus transport services reduced substantially due lower dollar and oil price falls fourth quarter current account showed deficit for time since mln guilders reuter 
acq	grandview acquires control ticket group consolidated grandview inc acquired pct stake ticket group plc london for undisclosed terms seller undisclosed ticket special events travel company exclusive european rights ual inc ual united airlines apollo system booking united airlines flights britain and europe ticket and subsidiaries will sponsor events this year including british open golf tournament and rowing henley regatta revenues totaled mln canadian dlrs reuter 
acq	united cities ucit makes acquisition united cities gas acquired lyle propane gas cairo propane gas distributor for undisclosed terms lyle sales mln gallons annually and serves customers counties southwest georgia and north florida reuter 
interest	bill auctions pct treasury weekly auction expected produce average rate pct for month bills and pct for six month bills dealers shortly auction time bills rate outstanding month bills unchanged pct bid rate six month bills basis point higher pct bid reuter 
earn	medical properties mpp sets monthly dividend board medical properties inc declared initial monthly cash dividend cts share and adopted monthly dividend policy initial dividend will payable april shareholders record march reuter 
ship	london grain freights wheat ria luna norrkoping and djuron mexico dlrs option loading uddevalla cents continental reference york grain freights march brokers charterer saturn gulf japan reported nordstrom and thulin antigone reported arranged tilbury black sea soviet charterers reuter 
earn	immucor blud splits stock immucor inc board directors declared for stock split form pct stock dividend payable april shareholders record march reuter 
ship	bermuda star line bsl make acquisition bermuda star line inc agreed principle acquire passenger liberte barnstead shipping for use york montreal northeast passages cruises starting this summer company working conclude lease financing financing for purchase ton vessel delivered early april and renamed canada star terms not disclosed reuter 
acq	talking point caesars world caw mts acquisition corp dlr per share offering price for caesars world inc thought low and likely attract suitors for hotel casino company industry analysts will come mts will raise bid marvin roffman analyst janney montgomery scott inc mts company formed martin sosnoff caesars world largest shareholder today began tender offer valued mln dlrs for shares sosnoff doesn offer low points roffman described caesars world operator finest casinos world sosnoff york investor owns pct caesars world mln shares news tender offer caesars world shares trading caesars world spokesman company declining comment sosnoff move for moment caesars issue public statement studied offer roffman caesars world considerable growth potential and forecasting fiscal earnings two dlrs per share caesars world owns casino hotels nevada and honeymoon resorts pennsylvania pocono mountains controls caesars jersey inc cjn owns atlantic city casino hotel for fiscal year ended july caesars world reported net income mln dlrs dlrs per primary share company reported second quarter net income mln dlrs cts per share compared income mln dlrs cts per share year earlier daniel lee analyst drexel burnham lambert inc that sosnoff relatively low bid attract suitors willing pay higher price for caesars likelihood that competing bid start battle for company 
acq	allegheny officers run company allegheny international inc chairman and chief operating officer will remain positions merger company affiliate boston corp expected that oliver travers will continue chairman president and chief executive officer and thomas albani will continue chief operating officer allegheny spokesman allegheny today agreed buyout boston dlrs per share transaction valued mln dlrs stock rose active trading reuter 
acq	gas makes recommendation tractebel offer imperial continental gas association icgs gas board not making recommendation partial tender offfer per share announced tractebel and groupe bruxelles lambert time board not recommend general offer for shares price statement added shareholders wondering whether tender tractebel consortium rival per share partial offer shv holdings consult professional advisers reuter 
acq	nat healthcare nhci sell hospitals national heathcare inc signed agreement sell rural hospitals private corporation for mln dlrs including assumption six mln dlrs debt company plans complete sales subject regulatory approvals end july national healthcare expects material gain loss sales and that substantially proceeds will used reduce debt reuter 
earn	canadian pacific confirms earnings canadian pacific fourth quarter operating profit rose mln dlrs cts share mln dlrs cts share year ago statement confirmed released preliminary earnings figures company released february mln dlr gain sale cominco interest helped raise final fourth quarter profit mln dlrs cts share company drop full year operating profit mln dlrs restated mln dlrs due lower world oil prices company rail division reported net income mln dlrs compared mln dlrs grain traffic recovered drought affected levels year ago offset weakness traffic areas and increased expenses net loss soo line increased mln dlrs loss mln dlrs loss due restructuring charges canadian pacific favorable developments year included reduced bulk shipping losses result recovery tanker markets and turnaround forest products sector reuter 
earn	ford shares rise higher earning estimate ford motor stock rose analyst maryann keller furman selz mager dietz and birney raised earnings estimates company traders keller that expects company earnings rise dlrs share compared dlrs share earned last year ford good market share expected remain favorable and earnings overseas expected improve addition keller company selling expensive model cars profitable automotive operations including ford motor credit expected post improved earnings this year keller expects company split stock and raise dividend dlrs share this year noted that chrysler corp announcement merger proposal for american motors corp amo short term effect ford cut into ford share truck market long term reuter 
earn	dutch retailer ahold sees unchanged profit dutch food retailer ahold ahln expects unchanged profits will advantage lower dollar expand turnover will grow net profits expected remain level mln guilders due higher dutch taxes and year expansion plan ahold chairman albert heijn told news conference profit forecast for dollar rate current levels guilders turnover and net profit hit dollar fell average guilders reuter 
earn	pitt des moines pdm gets qualified audit pitt des moines inc will receive qualified opinion auditors and financial statements qualification related inability determine effects final resolution suit filed washington public power supply system suit dismissed lower court action ultimate outcome matter uncertain since washington public power appealed court appeals reuter 
acq	reading rdgc sell philadelphia properties reading agreed principle convey properties owns and philadelphia convention center site city philadelphia and philadelphia convention center authority exchange will receive mln dlrs cash rights acquire acres adjacent philadelphia international airport and option acquire development rights gallery shopping mall market street downtown philadelphia reading will responsible for demolition and cleanup properties for portion cash proceeds will escrowed company will continue and operate reading terminal market philadelphia land giving amounts acrease and includes part reading terminal train shed reuter 
acq	montedison acquires arco research unit montedison spa moni acquired pct stake plant cell research institute pcri california atlantic richfield arc for tens millions dollars senior montedison executive renato ugo member montedison management committee told reporters that stanford research institute international menlo park california had acted partner purchase acquiring stake pcri pct pcri based dublin california biotechnology research laboratory ugo price paid included outlays for laboratory technology and staff negotiations biotechnology companies health care and diagnostics sectors montedison health care subsidiary erbamont gave details hope will concluded year end montedison invests billion lire year biotechnology research and expects increase this figure billion lire years reuter 
ship	europe shipping exports africa pct volume european exports south africa carried container line vessels declined pct last two years british shipping executive antony butterwick butterwick told reporters that despite drop and low freight rates shipping conference heads will increase frequency sailings south africa strong act faith and confidence country future chairman europe south and south east african conference lines and joint managing director and containers statement issued conference frequency southern africa europe container service sailings increased days this positive development shipping front south africa and main trading partners europe for years service last operated weekly reuter 
acq	mathematical applications sets operations sale mathematical applications group inc signed letter intent sell operating business and will propose plan liquidation sale company unsuccessful obtaining approvals needed for sale and liquidation company required initiate reorganization proceedings federal bankruptcy law facilitie distribution assets mathematical applications tentatively agreed sell direct marketing business pagex inc for dlrs amount equal working capital business closing mln dlr note payable installments six years mathematical applications business working capital estimated dlrs pagex formed paul goldner owner pagex systems inc engaged direct marketing computer service business mathematical applications tentative agreement calls for pagex buy substantially assets and liabilities related direct marketing business and continue use mathematical applications name sale subject renegotiation real estate lease and approval definitive agreement company board stock holders and debenture holders company obtained waivers holders six mln dlrs principal amount debentures due march defer interest payments aggregating dlrs march company will seek waivers defer interest payments and due march for time enable company accomplish proposed sale operations mathematical applications talking debenture holders landlord lessor equipment marketing operation and holders liabilities not assumed pagex arrange distribution assets proposed sale adding that assets will significantly liabilities company obtained waivers holders six mln dlrs principal amount debentures due march defer interest payments aggregating dlrs march company will seek waivers defer payments and due march for time accomplish proposed sale operations mathematical applications talking debenture holders landlord lessor equipment marketing operation and holders liabilities pages not assuming arrange distribution assets proposed sale adding assets will significantly liabilities part distribution assets company expects shareholders receive amount based bid price company stock march reuter 
acq	financial corp fin unit completes purchase financial corp america american savings and loan association completed previously announced purchase retail savings branches great western financial corp gwf great western savings american savings purchases boost deposits mln dlrs not affect asset base reuter 
acq	johnson products jpc sells two subsidiaries johnson products inc completed sale debbie school beauty culture inc and assets ultra precise beauty boutique inc management sale price dlrs consisted dlrs cash secured promissory note for dlrs and forgiveness debt dlrs owed johnson products debbie school reuter 
acq	usair seeks two billion loan for takeovers usair group inc seeking two billion dlrs bank debt complete takeover piedmont aviation inc pie and pending acquisition group inc pacific southwest airlines filing securities and exchange commission that details proposed dlr share cash tender offer for piedmont usair manufacturers hanover trust mhc willingness march letter provide mln dlrs financing manufacturers hanover act agent for bank group raise rest financing usair usair manufacturers hanover affiliate agent for mln dlrs revelving credit facility replaced proposed two billion dlr financing usair put total cost completing tender offer billion dlrs pacific southwest takeover received federal approval and due come for shareholder approval this month for dlrs share mln dlrs total usair bought mln piedmont common shares pct total outstanding norfolk southern corp nsc for mln dlrs tender offer made usair subsidiary usag acquisition corp not valid usair left half piedmont total outstanding common stock april expiration negotiations terms and interest rates bank loans not complete usair expects form billion dlr two year term loan and billion dlr year revolving credit facility company expects repay two year loan equity preferred and debt offerings and possibly internal funds and sale and leaseback aircraft reuter 
acq	jannock acquires pct intercon security jannock acquired pct interest intercon security for mln dlrs and intercon founders brian legge and richard grange will hold remaining pct and will continue manage company intercon security employing people full range security equipment and services jannock reuter 
crude	canadian oil companies raise crude prices petro canada state owned oil company raised contract price will pay for crude oil canadian cts barrel effective march six petro canada posted price for benchmark light sweet grade edmonton swann hills api gravity stands canadian dlrs bbl light sour grade posted canadian dlrs bbl earlier today shell canada shc raised crude postings canadian cts bbl bringing edmonton light sweet canadian dlrs bbl and light sour crude canadian dlrs bbl imperial oil imo pct owned subsidiary exxon corp that effective march raised light sweet crude posting canadian dlrs bbl reuter 
acq	dart group offers buy supermarkets general dlrs shr 
acq	bci holdings sell bottled water division bci holdings corp beatrice food corp retained shearson lehman brothers inc assist sale national bottled water business products subsidiary based monterey park calif sold arrowhead brand name california and arizona ozarka name texas and great bear name northeastern states reuter 
grain	usda estimates ussr grain imports mln tonnes feb 
grain	usda estimates soviet grain crop mln tonnes feb year ago 
acq	dart darta makes offer for supermarkets sgl dart group corp offered buy supermarkets general corp for dlrs per share cash earlier supermarkets general unsolicited party had made offer analysts estimated billion dlrs based mln shares outstanding kidder peabody and inc told dart that kidder affiliate will prepared advance mln dlrs subordinated basis 
orange	usda orange juice yield estimate agriculture department projected average yield gallons frozen concentrated orange juice per box degree brix equivalent florida crop that compares gallons per box previously and gallons per box crop crop reporting board estimates for season based maturity and yields tests march reuter 
potato	usda winter spring potato estimates agriculture department estimated winter potato production based march conditions cwts lbs cwts last month and cwts last year department estimated winter potato area for harvest acres acres last month and acres yield per harvested acre for winter potatoes estimated cwts per acre cwts last year department projected spring potato crop area planted cwts cwts last year and area for harvest acres acres harvested last year reuter 
acq	caesars world caw bid valued mln dlrs mts acquisition corp will mln dlrs acquire caesars world inc shares not owned owner martin sosnoff estimate mts acquisition proxy statement caesars world shareholders describing offer dlrs share for stock announced this morning that announcement mts acquisition bank and investor bankers felt provide financing totaling mln dlrs for offer sosnoff caesars world largest shareholders company shares that pct outstanding stock fully diluted basis proxy sole owner mts acquisition sosnoff owns pct atalanta sosnoff capital corp atl stock and chairman that investment management and brokerage firm reuter 
gold	carolin mines gold assay results carolin mines recent assays tailings hope british columbia mine ranged ounces gold per ton trace amounts platinum and palladium company carolin results sharply disagreed earlier assay performed intergold inc showed ounce gold per ton and ounce platinum per ton carolin expects receive results tests and assays tailings two weeks reuter 
gold	carolin mines crlnf assay results carolin mines recent assays tailings hope british columbia mine that ounces gold per ton ranged trace amounts platinum and palladium company carolin results sharply disagreed earlier assay performed intergold inc showed ounce gold per ton and ounce platinum per ton carolin expects receive results tests and assays tailings two weeks reuter 
ship	seaman strike continues marines unload ships brazilian marines today working unloading ships local port national strike seamen entered day signs agreement halt national strike seamen years started february and union leaders not return work received pct pay rise shipowners offered pct raise seamen rejected television reported that port operating full speed that not true striking seaman told reuters marines don manpower experience control situation such quick period port officials national halt had caused losses estimated mln dlrs despite presence marines reports incidents reuter 
crude	ecuador quake cut oil revenues mln dlrs people feared dead and people left homeless thursday earthquake will cost ecuador close mln dlrs lost petroleum revenues authorities estimated cost repairing damaged oil pipeline mln dlrs magnitude damages caused earthquake gigantic president leon febres cordero inspecting damages napo hardest hit jungle province miles quake damaged oil pipeline forcing this opec nation suspend crude exports for months president febres cordero statement issued today presidential press office country lose estimated mln dlrs crude exports pipeline repaired president cost mln dlrs repair pipelline carries oil jungle oil fields andes balao pacific ocean port crude traditionally accounts for two thirds ecuador exports quake triggered landslides swelling aguarico river burst banks carrying homes and huts napo province health minister jorge brancho told reuters fear that people died napo knowing exact figure people disappeared estimates ranged high dead corpses recovered bracho information minister marco lara told reporters number dead and injured not not people lived homes hit landslides bracho left homeless cayambe district reuter 
acq	business editor theodore cross offers dlrs share for harper and row 
acq	business editor offers dlrs for harper hpr theodore cross editor business and society review business publication investor group heads offered buy harper and row publishers inc for dlrs share cash filing securities and exchange commission cross proposed takeover board york publishing house today cross investor group includes wife mary hold harper and row common shares pct total outstanding common stock spent mln dlrs stake cross proposed letter harper and row that company merged into company cross forming suggesting that total cost completing merger mln dlrs cross use mln dlrs money for deal and mln dlrs borrowed national bank boston revolving credit facility bank agreed provide 
livestock	ccc accepts export bonus dairy cattle morocco commodity credit corporation ccc accepted bonus offer exporter sale head dairy cattle morocco agriculture department department bonus awarded dlrs per head and made brown swiss enterprises inc will paid form commodities ccc inventories cattle for delivery march september department purchase completes export enhancement program initiative for dairy cattle morocco announced april reuter 
livestock	ccc export bonus dairy cattle for canary islands commodity credit corporation ccc accepted bonus offer exporter sale head dairy cattle canary islands agriculture department department bonus awarded dlrs per head and made international inc will paid form commodities inventory ccc stocks cattle for delivery march june additional head dairy cattle canary islands export enahcnement program initiative announced july reuter 
instal-debt	consumer credit rose million dlrs jan million dec gain 
crude	usx unit raises crude postings marathon petroleum company subsidiary usx corp raised contract price pays for grades crude oil effective march illinois sweet and indiana sweet raised cts barrel dlrs bbl and southern michigan grade raised cts bbl dlrs bbl west texas intermediate grade unchanged reuter 
earn	united brands inc qtr shr profit six cts loss cts 
earn	national fuel gas nfg sets split higher payout national fuel gas board approved two for stock split and will increased cash dividend june meeting company management will recommend june board meeting increase cts per share current annual dividend rate dlrs share raising dlrs per share dlrs share split national fuel gas split will paid holders record spokeswoman distribution date for split not determined company split subject approval securities and exchange commission public utility holding act company shares outstanding reuter 
acq	sensormatic snsr ups checkrobot ckrb stake sensormatic electronics corp upped investment checkrobot inc form mln dlrs convertible preferred stock raising stake checkrobot pct pct fully diluted basis reuter 
ship	union shippers agree cut port costs york shipping association and international longshoremen association agreed cut cargo assessments port york and jersey pct labor intensive cargos charges cargo handled union workers will reduced dlrs ton dlrs ton effective april agreement union and shippers assessments used fund workers benefits lowering price bulk cargo flowing spokesman for york shipping association 
money-supply	treasury balances fed rose march treasury balances federal reserve rose march billion dlrs billion dlrs previous business day treasury latest budget statement balances tax and loan note accounts fell billion drls billion dlrs respective days treasury operating cash balance totaled billion dlrs march compared billion dlrs march reuter 
ship	csx csx unit sets improved shipping service csx corp sea land corp unit will offer improved containership services puerto rico and east coast and gulf coast united states beginning march carrier will provide shorter door door transit times convenient cargo availability and rail connections for traffic moving puerto rico and north america reuter 
gnp	world bank report criticises peru economic plan confidential world bank report peruvian economy government strategy not offer good prospects for medium and long term growth and likely quickly lead inflation report published today economic monthly peru report success president alan garcia government stimulating output last year achieve pct gross domestic product growth represents gains short term expense long government officials had comment report advised reduction size public investment programme and greater emphasis preservation peru export potential report that government had succeeded cutting inflation pct year half pct stabilisation and reactivation programme encountering increasing difficulties early renewal inflationary pressures linked monetary expansion exchange rate devaluation and easing price controls appears not improbable added 
gnp	ministers feel forecasts pessimistic european community finance ministers discussed economic outlook for nation bloc and recent gloomy forecast commission pessimistic commission executive authority two weeks ago cut forecast for economic growth community per cent for this year per cent predicted last autumn economic prospects had promising past months sharp fall dollar and slowing world trade factors restrain community exports diplomats member states led west germany britain and france felt forecast gloomy since drafted recent agreement leading western economic powers stabilise currencies current levels delegations feel commission report pessimistic belgian finance minister mark eyskens chaired meeting commission slashed growth forecast for west germany two per cent per cent made clear feels bonn room introduce additional measures stimulate economy that benefit rest europe two top german officials state secretaries otto schlecht and hans tietmeyer told reporters bonn moment for action bolster biggest economy diplomats backed britain and france italy greece and denmark supported commission view that bonn bring measures aid growth 
instal-debt	consumer credit rose mln dlrs jan consumer instalment credit rose seasonally adjusted mln dlrs january revised rise mln dlrs december federal reserve board annual rate growth january pct pct december previously fed consumer credit rose mln dlrs december credit categories auto credit fell january billion dlrs billion dlrs december fed revolving credit january fell mln dlrs rising mln dlrs december mobile home credit mln dlrs falling mln dlrs december category referred covering bank and credit union loans fell mln dlrs january declining billion dlrs december fed seasonal adjustment consumer credit outstanding totaled billion dlrs end january compared billion dlrs end january reuter 
crude	conoco raises crude oil prices dlr barrel wti dlrs 
acq	viacom nat amusements seek fast merger chiefs viacom international inc and national amusements inc met and agreed work together complete previously announced merger two companies expeditiously spokeswoman for viacom declined executives had set timetable for closing deal viacom last week agreed acquired national amusements for combination cash and stock estimated dlrs share total billion dlrs 
earn	general cinema corp qtr oper shr cts cts 
interest	bank board mortgage rates february federal home loan bank board interest rates fixed rate and adjustable rate home mortgage loans substantially early february bank board average effective commitment rate for fixed mortgages maturity years for home purchases dropped pct early february basis point decline early january commitment rate adjustable rate mortgages declined basis points period bringing average rate pct bank board average effective interest rate loans closed major lenders declined basis points early january pct early february lowest rate since march bank board average effective rate for fixed mortgages pct basis points early january level average effective rate for adjustable rate mortgages declined basis points pct bank board reuter 
acq	noranda spin forest interests into separate company 
crude	api president sees options avert oil crisis american petroleum institute president charles dibona options rejected combat growing dependence foreign oil action ruled import fees quotas floor prices tax incentives alternatives national dialogue issue continues dibona paper institute conference york today dibona unanimity industry stimulate energy production consensus removing government policies that hinder investments prospects dibona windfall profit tax abolished immediately and current proposals for increased environmental regulations acid rain and waste disposal not adopted suggested that arctic national wildlife refuge alaska opened for leasing oil companies dibona this battle industry cannot afford lose nation continue benefit alaskan oil dibona since oil production fallen consumption rose and that raised dependence imported oil opec dibona reuter 
interest	sells bills pct stop pct pct stop pct 
acq	national distillers closes almaden sale national distillers and chemical corp completed sale almaden vineyards inc heublein inc for mln dlrs heublein subsidiary rjr nabisco inc rjr recently acquired grand metropolitan plc almaden based san jose calif makes and sells table wines champagnes and brandies premium wines charles lefranc cellars label reuter 
acq	ceasars world studying unsolicited dlr per shr offer martin sosnoff 
interest	bill auction rates average pct treasury weekly auction month bills produced average rate pct pct rate six month bills rates compared averages pct for and pct for six month bills sold last week bond equivalent yield month bills pct accepted bids ranges pct pct and pct bids high stopout rate for six months yield pct and bids ranges pct pct pct bids accepted treasury received billion dlrs bids for month bills including billion dlrs competitive bids public accepted billion dlrs bids including billion dlrs federal reserve and mln dlrs foreign and international monetary authorities billion dlrs bids for six month bills received including mln dlrs competitives treasury accepted billion dlrs including billion dlrs fed and mln dlrs foreign and international authorities average price for month bills and prices ranged average price for six months bills and prices ranged average yield month bills highest since pct feb average yield six month bills highest since pct feb reuter 
acq	canada mulling selling petro canada mulroney prime minister brian mulroney government selling petro canada and sale proceed national interest mulroney told house commons assets huge oil company examined decision made state run companies studied sold ottawa privatization program government examine assets this nature ascertain continue play role public policy and will make determination cases mulroney told daily question period asked opposition members clairify finance minister michael wilson statement friday that petro canada longer pubilic policy role mulroney government long promised sell companies that run private sector house energy minister marcel masse petro canada worth and billion dlrs and size difficult sell prefer canadians participating privatization not give details timing sale reuter 
acq	news corp nws completes purchase newspaper news corp south china morning post hong kong become wholly owned subsidiary march previously announced reuter 
acq	richmond hill rich riverhead end merger talks richmond hill savings bank and riverhead savings bank fsb terminated previously announced merger negotiations banks gave reason for ending talks began january reuter 
earn	general cinema gcn poor season lowers net general cinema corp lower attendence theatres last year record christmas season lowered fiscal quarter operating earnings pct mln dlrs not good start fiscal business picked last weeks chairman richard smith that company expected net pricing higher and unit volume improve remaining quarters fiscal year company added that operating earnings theatre unit will higher fiscal important summer season film releases perform addition key business general cinema beverages expected achieve record operating results for full year smith company superstar video business rents video cassettes supermarkets continues operate expected loss company added general cinema financing costs associated purchase mln carter hawley hale stores inc chh shares for mln dlrs and mln sterling investment cadbury schweppes plc lowered quarter net loss offset mln dlr gain sale common shares sea land corp unit csx corp csx reuter 
acq	ceasars world caw studying sosnoff offer ceasars wold inc board studying unsolicited and conditional tender offer for common shares dlrs per share martin sosnoff company spokesman board expects make recommendation shortly not time period ceasars world chairman henry gluck statement urged shareholders not action respect offer prior board recommendation sosnoff made offer directly shareholders newspaper advertisement company formed called mts acquisition corp expires april reuter 
earn	americus trust byu byp initial qtrly div americus trust for bristol myers shares announced initial dividend cts payable for shareholders record april reuter 
acq	united security unse buy robert brown unit united security financial corp illinois signed letter intent buy robert brown and inc rcbi magic insurance group unit robert brown and receive newly issued united security stock united security anticipated that such stock represent substantial majority shares outstanding merger united security principal subsidiary united security life insurance illinois magic group owns pilgrim life insurance america and middle atlantic life insurance reuter 
acq	warrington sells shoe divisions warrington inc sold shoe divisions montreal based taurus footwear inc for undisclosed terms divisions manufacture and distribute greb hush puppies kodiak and santana brand shoes and had revenues mln dlrs last year warrington sale shoe divisions and previous sale ski boot businesses will result unspecified net gain warrington plans concentrate canstar sports group inc skate and athletic footwear division largest ice skate manufacturer and distributor western world warrington decided rationalize balance ski businesses expected result divestment loss outweigh net gains sales shoe and ski boot divisions taurus acquisition expected increase annual sales mln dlrs and make canada largest footwear manufacturer reuter 
crude	dupont unit raises crude oil prices conoco inc subsidiary dupont corp increasing contract prices for crude oil cts and dlr barrel effective today conoco increase brings price for benchmark crude west texas intermediate dlrs barrel dlr south louisiana sweet dlr dlrs west texas sour cts dlrs barrel conoco last company raise prices series increases initiated last week sun sun reversed posted price cuts made end february reuter 
grain	cbt discusses major for renovation chicago board trade cbt agricultural and financial futures markets for period major upheaval this year exchange ahead planned renovation cbt spokesman told reuters exchange number options identify cost effective and efficient proceed including involve moving entire grains floor building and into nearby midamerica commodity exchange cbt chairman karsten mahlmann agenda items proceed renovation financial futures room spokesman another cbt official executive vice president george sladoje issue discussed this friday special meeting exchange floor number presentations made regard renovating financial futures room sladoje looked six alternatives involving such things flip flopping trading rooms added conceivable that couple plans use midamerica exchange temporarily for cbt markets sladoje move floor construction period will year adding that issue likely membership vote and drawing board for months year cbt spokesman stressed that discussions preliminary this stage and nothing likely begin this summer earliest order renovate crowded financial futures pits exchange officials discussed providing temporary home door present grains dominated area this involve moving cbt markets treasury bond futures treasury notes muni bonds and options bonds and notes adjoining corridor utilizing midamerica floor for such cbt futures contracts corn wheat soybeans soybean products and agricultural options such moves meet opposition cbt members senior floor trader financial futures room badly renovating talk grains floor will shift midam and financials will move grains area cbt spokesman another option discussed renovate financial floor quadrants quarter time step deciding effective proceed architectural and engineering drawings added that difficult present determine exact time frame for moves this major undertaking and process that spread year floor traders midamerica commodity exchange merged cbt year ago preparing vacate floor end this month space recently cleared for cbt moving major market index pit into area once reserved for lightly traded cbt gold and silver futures share trading area midam specializes mini contracts grains livestock metals financials and foreign currencies options contracts rumor that cbt grains coming bonds crowded midam trader another source midam this change place july august reuter 
acq	group seeks prime medical pmsi holder list group investment firms led hills investor natalie koether seeking information shareholders prime medical services inc seeking control filing securities and exchange commission group includes shamrock associates included march letter prime asks for complete list shareholders and addresses group information can contact shareholders issues including election opposition slate directors board and proxy contests koether group letter company days respond request response prime medical group demand refused and proper steps information group holds prime medical shares pct total legal action force company set annual meeting and require directors stand for election previous sec filing group decided seek control prime medical tender offer exchange offer proxy contest ways reuter 
acq	grand metropolitan plc unit sell business grand metropolitan plc grandmet usa inc unit decided sell physical fitness and exercise equipment business company morgan stanely and inc advising sale business reuter 
acq	chrysler amc buyout valued billion chrysler corp proposed acquisition american motors corp valued billion dlrs including cost acquisition and mln dlrs american motor debt that chrysler will assume analysts chrysler cost acquisition valued mln dlrs paid cash notes and chrysler shares analysts told reuters that york briefing chrysler treasurer fred zuckerman outlined company agreement renault assume amc debt mln dlrs unfunded pension liabilities not included valuing transaction analysts generally positive chrysler proposed purchase smaller rival expected transaction carry short term dilution chrysler earnings chrysler financial source speaking anonymously told reuters that proposed purchase price smaller had deal struck last year impact tax law removes chrysler ability assume amc large reserve tax loss carryforwards accumulated losses since discussions last fall didn pull source reference assassination november renault chairman georges besse bad tax benefits fell floor and renault price end last year addition amc debt and pension liabilities source chrysler assume liability lawsuits safety jeeps called overhang company analysts quoted chrysler officials told that deal includes payment renault mln dlrs principal form year note pct interest mln dlrs cash for renault equity amc finance subsidiary mln dlrs cash for transaction fees connection acquisition and mln dlrs worth chrysler stock paid amc shareholders big number mln dlrs debt assumption analyst jack kirnan kidder peabody and told reuters moody investors service inc downgrade billion dlrs chrysler corp and unit debt due deal chrysler source that assuming amc liabilities company will refinance lower rate amc debt that carried market rates difficulties negotiating previous renault management acquisition committed group business plan amc integral part management didn that problem amc wasn baby reuter 
acq	washington nat wnt buys united presidential washington national corp washington national insurance bought remaining pct united presidential corp upco outstanding shares dlrs share cash acquisition shares part plan exchange approved united presidential shareholders special meeting march purchase remaining united presidential stake follows washington national buying pct united presidential dlrs share tender offer terminated december reuter 
acq	conagra cag completes merger trident conagra inc completed merger sea alaska products unit and trident seafoods corp conagra company holds pct stake will called trident seafoods corp charles bundrant president trident merger named president company conagra conagra completed previously announced acquisition bristol monarch corp and that trident completed purchase remaining pct stake san juan seafoods inc reuter 
earn	atco sees gain sale atco atco development unit agreed sell canadian utilities center edmonton alberta and canadian western center calgary sales together previously announced sale atco australian operations will gross mln dlrs and result tax gain mln dlrs will reflected atco fiscal year results fiscal year ends march company addition sales will produce mln dlrs cash debt reduction mln dlrs atco reuter 
acq	lindner tells sec had talks taft seeking control company 
acq	bancroft bcv files suit zico bancroft convertible fund inc filed lawsuit federal court newark seeking block hostile dlr share takeover offer zico investment holdings inc bancroft suit names michael javett principal officer zico and fidelity bancorp ffb fidelity bank unit depositary for zico offer bancroft suit names georgeson and inc zico information agent and luthie intercontinentale inc panamanian corporation bancroft complaint alleges that zico tender offer materials include false and misleading information and that offer violates investment company act company stockholders approved proposals that will insure that remains independent reuter 
acq	lindner discussed control taft tfb financier carl lindner holds pct stake taft broadcasting told securities and exchange commission discussed company possibility seeking control lindner cincinnati ohio investor controls american financial corp talks taft managers and directors aimed achieving increased ownership position company lindner increase ownership made making offer acquire control taft taking part group acquire company lindner holds taft stake american financial and subsidiaries buying taft stock open market private deals not whether talks taft officials led agreements understandings lindner intends review investment taft and involved talks steps future control and direction taft lindner investor group recently raised taft stake shares pct shares pct buying shares for total mln dlrs recently received clearance federal trade commission raise stake company pct lindner previous sec filings stressed that interest taft for investment and not not seeking control company investor group headed members wealthy bass family fort worth texas holds pct taft common stock reuter 
acq	investors set deadline for japan fund jpn investor group that includes boone pickens iii set deadline est march for offer acquire japan fund inc group includes sterling grace capital management inc and anglo american security fund willing deposit escrow japan fund shares worth two mln dlrs insure ability obtain financing japan fund approves offer group japan fund not responded offer worth mln dlrs current market prices reuter 
acq	investor firms pct symbion symb group affiliated firms led warburg pincus capital york venture capital and investment partnership acquired shares symbion inc pct total outstanding filing securities and exchange commission warburg pincus group bought stake for investment purposes group buying shares symbion plans seek control company reuter 
acq	offshore investor pct hauserman hasr kindness bahamas based firm owned investor and bahamas resident john templeton acquired shares hausereman inc pct total outstanding common stock filing securities and exchange commission templeton bought shares for investment purposes and intention seeking control company reuter 
acq	investment firms stake mcgill mftg mgll group affiliated investment firms led bermuda based fidelity international and boston based fmr corp told securities and exchange commission raised stake mcgill manufacturing inc group raised stake shares pct total outstanding common stock buying mcgill common shares jan and march prices ranging dlrs share reuter 
earn	cts cts increases loss cts corp increased loss continuing operations mln dlrs previously announced mln dlrs loss figure increased include expenses involved settlement dispute dynamics corp america dya settlement involved takeover bid for cts dynamics corp had offered buy shares cts that not cts made profit mln dlrs continuing operations cts charged additional mln dlrs special expenses operations result dynamics corp settlement additional expenses include obligation reimburse dynamics corp subject approval cts shareholders total mln dlrs for dynamics corp expenses and costs relating cts reuter 
acq	investment firm raises certron crtn stake louart corp los angeles investment firm raised stake certron corp shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission louart bought certron shares sept and march total dlrs share dealings certron for investment increase stake plans seek control company reuter 
acq	hogan systems hogn acquisition hogan systems inc acquired systems inc durango colo for mln dlrs hogan systems integrated applications software and processing services community banks systems revenues mln dlrs year hogan reuter 
crude	pickens sees continued slump working rigs boone pickens texas oilman and financier believes heady days oil service industry had early oil rigs once reported operating will not return lifetime pickens told reuters expects rig count drop below recovering added that oil prices will eventually rise dlrs dlrs oil rigs operating sharply oil prices slipped dlrs late dlrs prices dlrs highest number working rigs december rigs won back work price oil gets dlrs adding that expects dlr barrel oil not expect rigs operating lifetime pickens pickens touring country promoting autobiography boone not impose oil import fee order stimulate domestic oil industry reuter 
money-fx	miyazawa paris accord helping stabilise rates finance minister kiichi miyazawa paris currency accord contributed stability exchange rates miyazawa told press conference agreement reached last month paris six major industrial nations cooperate bringing currency stability prevented speculative concerns active money centres decision paris understood market yen dollar exchange rate moving narrow range since finance ministers britain canada france japan and west germany reached accord reuter 
money-fx	australian reserve bank buying intervention reserve bank local time offering buy short dated government securities short term money market bank action purchase short dated government stock and six day repurchase agreements earlier session money market traders move aimed easing cash market interest rates had risen demand for funds meet paye tax and treasury note settlement commitments reuter 
rubber	rubber leaf disease affecting supply prices leaf disease corenes pora affected rubber trees sri lanka and indonesia likely force cut supply and push depressed prices malaysian rubber disease researcher trees leaves hit fungus disease cannot saved and felled chee kheng hoy head crop protection and microbiology division rubber research institute malaysia rrim told reuters commenting reuter report corenes pora had hit pct sri lanka plantations and output drop below target tonnes report sri lankan rubber research institute estates remove trees affected disease and added that estates affected belong state plantations corp and janatha estates development board chee corenes pora disease affects rubber clones sri lanka and indonesia and that use such clones discontinued clones not resistant disease rubber research institute sri lanka clone indonesia ppn and and malaysia rrim chee corenes pora affected trees rrim clone planted malaysia years ago had curbed use such clones discontinued fungicide used curb disease affects leaves species plants experience proven that uneconomical and expensive added disease extremely difficult control not curbed two affected countries rubber output drop and prices can rise added that rrim aware disease outbreak sri lanka and monitoring situation reuter 
ship	search for british ferry toxic cargo continues search continued for cargo poisonous chemical substances loaded herald free enterprise ferry capsized zeebrugge harbour friday total drums toxic materials loaded trucks ship hold recovered belgian authorities warned essential recover containers cyanide based solution net thrown gaping loading doors front ship prevent drums floating salvage workers moved cranes into place alongside wreck ton roll roll ferry lies partly submerged sandbank harbour ferry owner european ferries plc majority owned peninsular and oriental steam navigation plc porl operation vessel began yesterday divers abandoned search for bodies experts months refloat ship and free bodies estimated trapped amid debris problem that waters you can expect working day daan kaakebeen dutch salvage experts smit tak international rotterdam estimated job require working days reinforced cables salvage experts intend raise ship and set into trench dug alongside salvage work pinpoint exact loss ferry sister vessels plying cross channel routes england continental europe suspicion present focused ferry main vehicle loading doors set close water level london transport secretary john moore told parliament yesterday that ship keeled water gushed bow doors major government inquiry into disaster will held similar ferries sailing britain will inspected and owners will asked fit lights give warning bow doors not properly closed experts carrying tank and computer tests determine accident occurred will focus attention ship doors ballast system and crew procedures added two investigations into disaster begun belgian and ferry owners reuter 
trade	soviet economist sees gains trade chance soviet exports united states will rise moscow current trade reforms result trade manufactured goods future soviet economist sergey frolov chief economist amtorg trading corp agent for soviet trade organisations and industries told ussr business meeting soviet union produces items that western nations want reforms including upgrading quality goods and allowing joint ventures foreign firms will encourage modest export gains future frolov soviet union exported mln dlrs worth goods united states and imported billion dlrs worth gave trade forecast for that even obstacles removed total trade two countries remain two and billion dlrs year post detente embargoes taught ussr limit trading reuter 
money-fx	china nationwide foreign exchange saving people china can open foreign exchange accounts bank china official shenzhen economic zone daily previously residents guangdong and fujian provinces this paper minimum for opening fixed deposit account had cut yuan equivalent yuan minimum for current account yuan equivalent paper depositors withdraw part account subject branch reserves fixed amount previously paper deposits opened french francs dollar hong kong dollar sterling yen and marks bank china branches hainan island accept deposits singapore dollars and wenzhou zhejiang province accept deposits dutch guilders paper gave details reuter 
trade	economic spotlight japan pushes chipmakers japanese microchip makers strong armed into compliance japan pact semiconductors halting predatory pricing and opening japan market foreign chips industry analysts doubts remain whether ministry international trade and industry miti pressuring firms can successfully battle market forces and whether industry geared advantage breathing space threats scrap agreement signed last september pushed miti harder recalcitrant japanese chipmakers abide pact analysts miti moving hot and heavy industry things bache securities japan associate vice president peter wolffe last month miti told chipmakers cut production for january march period pct dry inexpensive chips that escaped japan grey markets not subject pact price controls ministry asked electronics firms provide distributors certificates designating authorised exporters effort close loopholes grey marketeers sneak chips japan market analysts trade negotiators last week pact jeopardy continued dumping american markets and sign increased foreign sales japan major japanese firms agreed production cuts analysts last week nec corp cut production line miti request nec aggressive resisting miti demands david keller analyst james capel and once nec cuts production means pressures remain production high japanese firms high output cut unit prices for sales that commerce department assigns pact lower cost produce salomon brothers asia analyst carole ryavec preparations for upturn demand spur higher production quarter merrill lynch analyst matt aizawa grey marketeers outfox restrictions industry officials tax avoidance schemes steve donovan head mmi japan you close route another opens miti pressure annoyed makers had earlier shrugged miti guidance getting communism analysts output cuts making easier increase prices planned april and forcing firms stop extending market share selling loss start running businesses businesses bache wolffe miti conducting highly public campaign urging chip users buy foreign made chips industry officials response mixed change not across board spokesman companies varying degree urgency ultimate impact efforts miti troubled industry remains doubt analysts added pressure cut production kilobit dram dynamic random access memory chips speed transition megabit chips japan leads analysts whether firms stage comeback memory chips interested remains unclear analysts watching interest fate consortium hopes challenge japan developing advanced technology for microchip manufacturing even thorny area access depends commitment japanese openness sia semiconductor industry association doesn even office source close industry you question committed addition industry analysts question effectiveness bilateral agreement that leaves country chipmakers such south korea south korea gaining market share analyst real winners agreement reuter 
interest	sumita room for bank japan ease credit policy 
interest	sumita room for bank ease policy bank japan governor satoshi sumita room left for central bank ease credit policy interest rates levels approaching lower limit government seek ways making use fiscal policy told press conference remarks concerned comprehensive economic stimulative package government plans adopt coming days recent talks six major industrialised nations paris japan promised work comprehensive economic package boost domestic demand turn increase imports and reduce trade surplus sumita economy will show gradual upturn second half year yen remains stable caution foreign exchange market rise yen and mark and this explains recent stability currency markets conflicting economic indicators dampening market activity added reuter 
crude	iranian oil minister uae talks iranian oil minister gholamreza aqazadeh united arab emirates uae discuss oil prices and general market situation iranian officials accompanying will meet uae president sheikh zaid bin sultan nahayan and oil minister mana oteiba aqazadeh arrived last night stopover riyadh met saudi arabia oil minister hisham nazir official saudi press agency quoted talks riyadh nazir had constructive and good aqazadeh organisation petroleum exporting countries opec members agreed holding production stable and reiterated importance maintaining oil prices opec members agreed december limit production mln barrels per day for half this year and benchmark price dlrs barrel february aqazadeh visted opec members gabon algeria and libya iranian news agency irna quoted leaving tripoli that opec make oil prices permanently stable reuter 
crude	saudi arabia king fahd stable oil prices king fahd today saudi arabia oil price stability and called opec producers avoid harmful competition nation group plea interview reuters and television news agency visnews ahead state visit will make britain this month king fahd asked whether saudi arabia prepared reduce oil output below opec quota mln barrels per day bpd defend dlr benchmark price agreed opec last december king replied saudi arabia doesn decide prices desires price stability opec countries framework common interest that type competition prove harmful asked dlr per barrel benchmark step higher world oil prices king fahd not for saudi arabia for opec countries determine such issues iran and algeria called for higher benchmark recent weeks dlr level come pressure due partly quota violations opec members king fahd saudi arabia world largest oil exporter adhering decisions made opec december conference set mln bpd output ceiling for half major opec producer britain resisted group pleas curb north sea oil output king urged world community palestinians return homeland and called for peaceful end iran iraq war year war not resolved battlefield reuter 
earn	hillsdown holdings plc hldn year shr div making adjusted for for capitalisation pre tax profit mln stg mln turnover billion billion tax mln mlnprofit attributable mln mln cost sales billion mln gross profit mln mln distribution costs mln mln adminstrative expenses mln mln operating income mln nil interest payable mln mln minority interests mln mln extraordinary credit sale share and berisford plc mln nil operating profit includes poultry eggs and animal feed mln mln food processing and distribution mln mln furniture and timber distribution mln mln fresh meat and bacon mln mln reuter 
acq	kaufhof taking stake hapag lloyd west german retail group kaufhof kfhg taking stake shipping and transport group hapag lloyd hplg reach final decision spokesman response queries press reports kaufhof wanted stake pct hapag lloyd kaufhof spokesman noted decision purchasing shares shipping group approved supervisory board due hold meeting tomorrow late last year gevaert group belgium and west germany veba vebg had each acquired pct stake hapag lloyd deutsche bank dbkg and dresdner bank drsd industry sources estimate deutsche and dresdner hapag lloyd majority shareholders held pct hapag lloyd share capital selling portions gevaert and veba two banks eventually wanted reduce stake shipping group pct each reuter 
strategic-metal	japan and thailand jointly extract rare metals japan agency natural resources and energy will begin experiments thailand end march start commercial production rare metals joint project agency official will set mln yen pilot plant bangkok will extract high quality rare metals such titanium and niobium sand left tin production processes thailand plant wilq use tonne sand per day unclear rare metal will extracted official reuter 
money-fx	hungary devalue forint western units hungary devalue forint average pct western currencies official news agency mti mti not devaluation become effective expected rates announced today hungary devalued forint similar amount last september western bankers forint realistically valued currencies hungary comecon allies reuter 
earn	hillsdown early results encouraging hillsdown holdings plc hldn early results for encouraging and combination investment and acquisition strategies enabled forward confidently for excellent result for year company commenting results showed pre tax profit rising mln stg mln previously turnover that lifted billion billion figures initially boosted share price last night eased back gmt hillsdown capital expenditure rose mln stg mln and continue this high level placing mln shares last year raised mln stg and enabled shareholders funds double mln year end net borrowings pct shareholder funds and group had listed investments mln company had bought total companies year for total price mln stg had made minor contribution profits real benefits come and reuter 
earn	nippon oil sees sharply lower sales and profits nippon oil npol predicted parent company net profit billion yen year ending march pct year earlier president yasuoki takeuchi told press conference current profit for year estimated billion yen pct year earlier takeuchi sales expected fall pct billion yen for consecutive year year drop this year fall due lower selling prices for end users offset yen appreciation company will retain six yen dividend for reuter 
earn	bejam group plc bjam weeks january shr div pre tax profit mln mln tax mln mln turnover mln mln note company second half profits will show rate increase had great confidence prospects for future growth reuter 
iron-steel	nippon steel inland discussing joint venture nippon steel corp nstc and inland steel negotiating set joint steel venture indiana nippon steel spokesman declining give details local newspapers reported joint venture capitalised mln dlrs owned pct inland and pct nippon steel and annual production capacity mln tonnes steel supply car makers reuter 
jobs	japan jobless rising pct yen rise dollar expected boost japan unemployment rate average pct fiscal year beginning april january record pct private nomura research institute official estimate pct research arm nomura securities forecast unemployment exceed two mln mid fiscal estimated mln for current year nomura urged government pump priming measures redress trade imbalances and boost employment employment manufacturing fiscal predicted fall current year due higher job losses steel shipbuilding and heavy electrical machinery sectors nomura employment manufacturing sector will continue increase institute giving figures reuter 
ship	work chittagong port halted strike cargo handling remains halted bangladesh chittagong port since workers walked monday pay dispute port workers association today fourteen ships stranded port port officials meet association leaders today resolve dispute reuter 
earn	creditanstalt bankverein cabv year cons banking net profit mln schillings mln cons banking balance sheet total year end billion schillings billion parent bank net profit mln mln parent bank balance sheet total billion billion parent bank dividend pct pct parent bank div payout mln schillings mln reuter 
earn	ultramar net loss mln stg mln profit 
acq	tesco associate buys pct hillards tesco plc tsco that county had yesterday bought behalf mln shares pct hillards plc for and share tesco yesterday launched mln stg bid for north england supermarket chain hillards promptly rejected hillards shares last quoted compared last night close reuter 
earn	ultramar plc umar year shr loss earnings div making net loss mln stg mln profit operating profit tax mln mln turnover billion billion cost sales billion billion gross profit mln mln distribution costs and administrative expenses mln mln share profits associates mln mln operating income mln mln financing charges mln mln tax mln mln exceptional items mln debit mln debit net results discontinued operations mln debit mln debit loss ordinary activities minority interest mln mln profit minority interest mln mln extraordinary debits mln nil reuter 
earn	gkn pretax profit mln stg mln 
money-fx	money market shortage forecast mln stg bank england forecast liquidity shortage mln stg market today main factors bank bills maturing official hands and treasury bill drain mln stg system below target bankers balances and rise note circulation mln and mln stg partially offsetting exchequer transactions add mln stg bank added reuter 
money-fx	belgian central bank buys currency repay debt belgian national bank bought foreign currencies francs open market week ended march bank spokesman line central bank policy declined give details amount bought foreign currency purchased used treasury repay foreign debt and not affect bank foreign exchange reserves slipped mln francs billion due sales dollars for special drawing rights spokesman reuter 
earn	gkn plc gknl year shr final div making pre tax profit mln stg mln net profit befire minorities mln mln sales billion stg billion extraordinary debit mln mln trading surplus depreciation mln stg mln investment and interest income mln mln interest payable mln mln profits related companies losses mln mln tax mln mln profit attributable shareholders interests mln mln note extraordinary debit included charge for restructuring auto parts distribution france and loss mln stg sale steel stock business trading surplus comprised automotive components and products mln stg mln industrial services and supplies mln mln wholesale and industrial distribution mln mln steels and forgings mln mln region britain contributed mln stg mln continental europe mln mln mln mln rest world mln mln reuter 
bop	economic spotlight china foreign debt china foreign debt reached billion dlrs end despite exposure short term credits and yen borrowing china remains creditworthy improved export outlook foreign bankers and chinese officials told reuters foreign bankers china total debt rose sharply estimated billion dlrs end cover increased import commitments debt equity ratio remains low and pct china remains cautious and popular borrower zhang haoruo vice minister foreign economic relations and trade last friday that china signed foreign loan agreements for billion dlrs last year pct actual loans amounting billion pct officials china borrow billion dlrs year plan period foreign bankers estimate foreign loans billion western banker china portfolio contains short term debt and denominated yen result aggressive lending japanese banks and attractive low interest rates japanese market strong yen appreciation cost china dearly and likely make reduce yen borrowings banker chinese trade official estimated yen component country total debt pct peking representative japanese securities house rapid yen rise had caught china and firm unawares interest rates japan historical low china will remain active borrower this year likely for capital currency spread western banker excess short term loans part result china inexperience foreign capital markets entered early officials not china department firm loans that entered into not full backing people republic china dilemma for china foreign borrowing areas balance central control giving reasonable autonomy firms searching for mechanisms exercise indirect controls banker officials stressed repeatedly past six weeks that china foreign borrowing will not affected drive bourgeois liberalism phrase meaning western political ideas dismissal communist party chief yaobang january banker evidence that china foreign exchange reserves fallen below officially stated figure billion dlrs bank china buyer and seller market quickly buying heavily advance announcement reserves banker such buying not things normal trade deficits such china had last year and normal for country stage development customs figures show china had trade deficit billion dlrs billion ministry foreign economic relations and trade official this year outlook for exports account for pct foreign exchange earnings healthier year ago renminbi matched dollar fall quoted today changed year ago official china measures improve export performance including incentive offers exporters and establishment export production bases expect higher prices for oil exports this year added official estimates put china export losses drop world oil prices billion dlrs western diplomat china foreign debt careful management debt service ratio remains low six pct base assessment not china foreign exchange reserves export performance you assess company performance not bank account china performed export field last year and remains creditworthy country will difficulties increasing borrowing reuter 
earn	ultramar fourth quarter showed improvements ultramar plc umar that fourth quarter had improved operational point view special charges adversely affected results year had not good upstream operations dramatically hit fall crude oil prices and downstream operations affected half large losses inventories margins improved second half and refining and marketing eastern canada showed good recovery company commenting results that showed net loss for year mln stg mln profit fourth quarter charges included mln stg provision retroactive price agreement recently initialled pertamina and japanese buyers company liquid natural gas and mln for early months ownership gulf canada marketing assets ultramar had included estimated cost reorganisation programme partly offset withdrawal surplus funds pension schemes and mln stg provision for estimated cost selling flag shipping operation outlook for crude oil prices uncertain sizeable increase term ultramar optimistic prices strengthen longer term substantial reserves crude oil and natural gas put good position benefit price recovery meantime ultramar objectives improve profitability selling restructuring weak operations strengthening core businesses and developing sound operational and financial base proven probable and reserves end totalled mln barrels net oil equivalent basis ultramar shares firmed announcement last night close reuter 
acq	queensland press board recommends murdoch offer queensland press qpl board unanimously recommended billion dlr takeover bid cruden investments pty family company news corp ncpa chief executive rupert murdoch dlrs share cash offer double market price news announced completed bid for herald and weekly times hwta early december and offer likely statement independent adviser wardley australia had concluded offer fair and reasonable added qpl owned pct hwt reuter 
sugar	commission declines comment sugar offer european community commission declined give official reaction reports that group european operators plan offer mln tonnes sugar into intervention protest commission export policies spokesman for commission confirmed offers had made intervention agencies member states and weeks for agencies concerned complete documentation spokesman that current regulations accept offers technical problems spokesman commission reimburse member state for cost buying sugar product sold intervention stores date that present virtually sugar held intervention stores last year tonnes sold into intervention and campaign tonnes reuter 
interest	belgium cuts discount rate pct official 
earn	preussag payment dividend not spokesman for preussag prsg not whether company pay dividend results commenting preussag statement results lower preussag frequently results pressure difficult year managing board chairman guenther sassmannshausen december board prefer stick policy not dipping into reserves pay dividends spokesman noted final dividend decision rests supervisory board preussag statement results fell compared declines earnings metals oil and shipping not compensated positive trends group divisions spokesman not clear whether domestic group show net profit adding this depend partly level provisions preussag cut dividend marks marks results parent company net profit dropped mln marks mln year preussag world group made net loss mln marks net profit mln year domestic group net profit fell mln mln statement results affected unsatisfactory selling prices for metals and oil poor use capacity supply ship sector reduction natural gas prices fourth quarter reflect earlier falls oil prices additional factor drop results preussag rationalization measures introduced not begin full effect this year preussag domestic group turnover rose billion marks billion helped time consolidation mln marks turnover majority owned oil and gas subsidiary deilmann domestic group turnover fourth quarter alone billion marks giving comparison figures preussag domestic crude oil production fell pct tonnes foreign oil production rose tonnes tonnes preussag amalgamated metal corporation plc amc subsidiary results included world group accounts made unspecified profit fourth quarter last year amc large losses caused principally international tin crisis reason world group losses that year reuter 
crude	oil firms cut indonesian exploration spending foreign oil companies will spend exploration indonesia this year last budgeting billion dlrs for calendar spending billion dlrs state oil company pertamina actual spending last year fell short budgeted figure billion dlrs oil companies slashed expenditure crash world oil prices jumardi jukardi head pertamina coordinating board for foreign contractors foreign companies will drill exploration wells and development wells this year and last year reuter 
crude	indonesia oil contract negotiations end this month negotiations indonesia state oil company pertamina and foreign oil contractors extension standard year production sharing contract will concluded end this month pertamina official jumardi jukardi head pertamina foreign contractors coordinating board gave details outcome talks pertamina president abdul rachman ramly priority will extending contracts for companies exploration and production contracts expire years jukardi speaking indonesian reporters negotiations determine whether production sharing split favour pertamina adhered altered cases oil companies asking for hardjoko seputro spokesman for mines and energy ministry that president suharto agreed principle extension standard year production sharing contract reflect current depressed conditions international oil market reuter 
sugar	trade sugar tender hard forecast traders and paris results today white sugar tender hard forecast plans group french west german dutch and belgian operators sell mln tonnes sugar into intervention london traders bids for licences reported and ecus per kilos and licences granted likely lower end that range possibly ecus traders paris expect maximum rebates and ecus commission releasing sugar for export likely tonnage expected small london traders french sources declined estimate volume view psychological impact planned sales into intervention protest export policies last week licences for tonnes awarded maximum rebate ecus reuter 
money-fx	german call money eases liquidity injection call money eased pct yesterday net injection billion marks rate pct fresh funds this week securities repurchase agreement dealers rates expected rise end week major tax payment period banks behalf customers payments for federal railways loan stock and repayments mark liabilities incurred foreign central banks bundesbank framework european monetary system ems likely significantly burden system banks built minimum reserves today ahead expected outflow bundesbank credited banks gross billion marks billion left system time earlier securities repurchase pact matured dealers estimated ems related outflow high six billion marks bundesbank declined comment spokesman yesterday funds due allowed roll possibility that central banks choose redeem meant net infusion needed dealers forecast tax payments and billion marks expected burden system week banks minimum reserve holdings bundesbank totalled billion marks monday averaging billion days march dealers figure expected requirement billion marks expected outflow funds large that banks find difficult meet requirement end march securities repurchase agreement expiring week dealers bundesbank offer fresh liquidity conditions significantly tighten bundesbank rates pct dealer reuter 
earn	btr plc btrx year shr div making pretax profit mln stg mln turnover billion billion tax mln mln operating profit mln mln operating profit includes income mln mln financial costs mln mln minorities mln mln earnings mln mln extraordinary credit mln mln debit reuter 
jobs	japan jobless rising pct yen rise dollar expected boost japan unemployment rate average pct fiscal year beginning april january record pct private nomura research institute official estimate pct research arm nomura securities forecast unemployment exceed two mln mid fiscal estimated mln for current year nomura urged government pump priming measures redress trade imbalances and boost employment employment manufacturing fiscal predicted fall current year due higher job losses steel shipbuilding and heavy electrical machinery sectors nomura employment manufacturing sector will continue increase institute giving figures reuter 
money-fx	hungary devalue forint western units hungary devalue forint average pct western currencies official news agency mti mti not devaluation become effective expected rates announced today hungary devalued forint similar amount last september western bankers forint realistically valued currencies hungary comecon allies reuter 
interest	sumita room for bank ease policy bank japan governor satoshi sumita room left for central bank ease credit policy interest rates levels approaching lower limit government seek ways making use fiscal policy told press conference remarks concerned comprehensive economic stimulative package government plans adopt coming days recent talks six major industrialised nations paris japan promised work comprehensive economic package boost domestic demand turn increase imports and reduce trade surplus sumita economy will show gradual upturn second half year yen remains stable caution foreign exchange market rise yen and mark and this explains recent stability currency markets conflicting economic indicators dampening market activity added reuter 
lei	australia leading index continues rise december westpac banking corp and melbourne university institute applied economic and social research leading index australian economic activity rose for ninth successive month december index rose base november and year earlier westpac institute report annualised rose pct december pct november and pct year earlier based ratio latest index average previous months report index points pct trough march westpac chief economist bob graham consistent upward trend leading index emphasised for tough mini budget untoward increase consumption spending balance payments improves disastrous consequences coincident index rose annualised pct december movement november and pct rise year earlier westpac and institute this index continued show current recession shallow and likely involve slowing real growth absolute fall economic activity reuter 
money-fx	bank england not intervene money market bank england not operate money market morning initially bank forecast liqudity shortage mln stg for market today overnight interbank sterling traded pct level for morning period rates eased strength sterling dealers gmt sterling trade weighted index reuter 
interest	urges banks weigh philippine debt plan urging reluctant commercial banks accepting philippine proposal for paying interest bill and believes innovation fully consistent world debt strategy reagan administration official official comments suggest that debtors pleas for interest rate concessions treated commercial banks cases developing nations carrying genuine economic reforms addition signaled that banks want reconsider idea megabank world debt pooled and suggested administration support such plan even not formally proposing time official expressed reservations that such scheme ground philippine proposal together argentine suggestions that exit bonds issued end troublesome role small banks debt strategy underpin flagging role private banks plan official interview reuters things fit definition initiative asked and and unique approach such considered official asked not named october washington outlined debt crisis strategy commercial banks and multilateral institutions such world bank and international monetary fund imf urged step lending major debtors nations return america called debtor countries enact economic reforms promoting inflation free economic growth multilaterals performing debtors performing official admitted that largest world debtor brazil exception official played key role developing debt strategy and administration economic policymaker ideas commercial banks improve role resolving world debt crisis called beginning for bank syndications find procedures processes operate effectively official ideas official suggestions that commercial banks create megabank swap world debt paper for called exit bonds for banks regional american european institutions such bonds theory rid banks lend money debtors time money package assembled and suggested argentina current negotiations for loan billion dlrs emphasised that megabank not administration plan people suggested officials japanese commercial banks examining creation consortium bank assume world debt this plan actively consideration differ slightly official described official expressed deep misgivings that such plan work united states banks thought that that suitable fine don will pointed that banks swap world loans for capital megabank and reluctant provide money debtors institution meanwhile official praised philippine plan make interest payments debt cash pct libor philippine proposal interesting quite unique and don that categorically rejected hand official banks found this level unacceptably low offered alternative libor payments cash and margin that pct form philippine investment notes tradeable dollar denominated notes six year life and banks swapped for cash maturity country guarantee payment point libor bankers criticised spreads low talks second week aimed stretching repayments billion dlrs debt and granting easier terms billion rescheduled debt country enjoyed strong political support washington since corazon aquino power early last year owes billion dlrs debt official denied plan amounts interest rate capitalisation development unacceptable banks interest rate capitalisation you write spread libor existed official comments suggesting granted rate concessions seek people argue that cutting spread debt forgiveness narrowing spread money added debt strategy sufficiently broad initiative include plans philippines reuter 
earn	world pictures gain sale pct taft broadcasting 
interest	jamaica agrees draft bank debt rescheduling jamaica agreed principle bank advisory committee rescheduling mln dlrs foreign commercial bank debt falling due and jamaican information service repayments debt will stretched years years grace percentage points london interbank offered rate libor margin previously restructured debt will cut point package save jamaica mln dlrs year prime minister edward seaga led jamaican delegation called terms favourable country agreement principle bank advisory committee led bank nova scotia bno comes days jamaica successfully concluded mln dlr rescheduling accord paris club creditor nations that pact turn international monetary fund imf approval march mln special drawing rights standby arrangement and mln sdr drawing compensatory financing facility jamaica foreign debt billion dlrs pct owed commercial banks and seaga yesterday reaffirmed government policy not seeking bank loans reuter 
bop	portuguese trade deficit narrows portugal trade deficit narrowed billion escudos billion provisional national statistics institute figures imports totalled billion escudos and exports billion compared billion and billion expressed terms dollars imports rose pct and exports pct and trade deficit increased pct year member european community portugal recorded deficit billion escudos trade community states compared deficit billion escudos imports totalled billion escudos exports community billion compared billion and billion previous year portugal deficit spain billion escudos billion italy billion billion and west germany billion billion reuter 
interest	brazil gros meet banks trade line issue brazil central bank governor francisco gros will meet senior commercial bankers today attempt defuse anger generated country unilateral suspension interest payments billion dlrs foreign commercial bank debt bankers gros will meet representatives citibank head brazil bank advisory committee and heads morgan guaranty trust and lloyds bank plc high agenda will banks complaints brazil accompanying freeze billion dlrs short term trade and interbank lines bankers brazil hundred creditor banks worldwide agreed last march extend credit lines march part billion dlr financing package bankers looming expiry this commitment coupled brazil freeze raised spate technical and legal questions that banks want discuss gros face problems freeze requirement that payment due made brazilian bank trade facility deposited central bank this means foreign bankers cannot easily switch credit lines borrower another requirement deposit central bank meant brazilian banks negotiate lower interest rate spreads foreign banks accept reduced margin money deposited central bank caused lot ill will banking community banker gros expected banks results day tour europe and japan that and finance minister dilson funaro completed seek official support for brazil debt stance reuter 
earn	service resources corp src qtr net oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss sales mln mln avg shrs year oper shr profit cts loss dlrs oper net profit loss sales mln mln note net excludes losses discontinued operations dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs mln dlrs year net excludes extraordinary loss dlrs quarter and gain dlrs year year net includes gain mln dlrs sale building and gain dlrs termination pension plan reuter 
earn	telephone and data systems inc tds qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note net excludes discontinued operations gain dlrs loss dlrs quarter and gain dlrs loss dlrs year net periods includes charge dlrs repal investment tax credits reuter 
acq	world pictures nwp sells taft tfb stake world pictures sold shares pct taft broadcasting common stock for gain mln dlrs company statement that acquired stock late gave details and company officials not immediately for comment friday taft vice chairman dudley taft and narragansett capital inc narr offered acquire taft for dlrs per share dudley taft and family owned pct company investment group leds robert bass bass brothers fort worth texas reported owning pct taft stock and american financial corp chairman carl lindner reported pct bass and linder acquired taft shares recent months reuter 
trade	soviet economist sees gains trade chance soviet exports united states will rise moscow current trade reforms result trade manufactured goods future soviet economist sergey frolov chief economist amtorg trading corp agent for soviet trade organisations and industries told ussr business meeting soviet union produces items that western nations want reforms including upgrading quality goods and allowing joint ventures foreign firms will encourage modest export gains future frolov soviet union exported mln dlrs worth goods united states and imported billion dlrs worth gave trade forecast for that even obstacles removed total trade two countries remain two and billion dlrs year post detente embargoes taught ussr limit trading reuter 
money-fx	swiss sight deposits fall billion francs sight deposits commercial banks swiss national bank fell billion swiss francs days march billion national bank foreign exchange reserves rose billion francs billion sight deposits major indicator money market liquidity switzerland national bank banks paid back billion francs central bank credit end february for end month liquidity requirement this drain offset part currency swaps had effect increasing national bank foreign exchange holdings bank notes circulation fell mln francs billion and deposits call basically government funds rose billion billion reuter 
crude	ecuador crude oil exports stopped for months ecuador mln dlrs repair damage oil export pipeline caused last week earthquake will stop crude exports for months energy and mines minister javier espinosa teran espinosa yesterday pipeline carries crude jungle fields pacific ocean coast balao repaired texaco inc and mexican and argentine firm president leon febres cordero two days ago that ecuador opec member suspend crude exports for months due quake oil traditionally accounts for two thirds ecuador total exports and pct government revenues deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite ecuador import six mln barrels crude oil meet line repaired ecuadorean minister presidency patricio quevedo told reporters that venezuela will lend ecuador mln barrels crude repaid kind day period added caracas based andean development corp had granted loan mln dlrs repairing pipeline had damaged quake quito foreign minister rafael garcia velasco yesterday summoned ambassadors countries issued appeal for emergency aid for country countries colombia and venezuela had offered assistance reuter 
earn	southlife holding slhc qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note net excludes realized gains investments dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year reuter 
coffee	algeria regulates use coffee additives algerian authorities regulated addition chickpeas and barley used make imported coffee official aps news agency reported taking advantage scarcity private roasters selling ground coffee mixtures pct coffee since beginning march coffee market strictly regulated state food marketing monopoly enapal imported coffee will sold pure beans and two thirds ground mixture choice pct chickpeas pct barley march private dealers will handle tonnes pure coffee and enapal tonnes mixtures reuter 
crude	talking point oil services turnaround oil services industry verge recovery rising crude prices oil industry analysts analysts issued buy recommendations stocks recovery oil services begin second half drilling activity bottoms half and continue into decade people cannot afford wait for drilling start buying sandi haber sweeney senior research analyst sanford bernstein and inc recommended buys schlumberger slb halliburton hal dresser industries baker international bko and mcdermott international inc mdr target takeover harold simmons dallas based investor analysts major oil companies increasing exploration and development overseas expect pickup oil services will begin activity depressed move faster vishnu sharp goldman sachs number active oil drilling rigs last week compared rigs year ago huges tool figures show average number working rigs for projected versus ike kerridge vice president stockholder relations hughes tool significant pickup drilling activity will occur second half kerridge overseas drilling activity expected follow similar pattern kerridge halliburton jeffrey freedman vice president smith barney harris and upham inc adding company controls greatest amount liquidity common stock market diversifed oil field businesess and lowest multiple stock price operating cash flow including debt schlumberger freedman second favorite oil service stock schlumberger expected continue dominant technical leader industry freedman schlumberger management shift asset restructuring including pending merger fairchild semiconductor and considerable cash horde sets stage for company maximize significant industry advantage and capitalize project upturn exploration and development activity report george gaspar vice president robert baird and inc gaspar estimates earnings per share for schlumberger cts for and dlrs compared cts excluding fourth quarter special charge billion dlrs bernstein sandi sweeney recommending group oil service companies and choosing difficult favorite baker international involved merger hughes tool dresser industries will benefit recovery possibly not companies not pure service company sweeney dresser expected improve profitability owing cost reductions and streamlined operations including sale and leaseback headquarters swarup reuter 
earn	creditanstalt sees higher dividend creditanstalt bankverein cabv likely raise dividend payment pct share capital deputy general director guido schmidt chiari dividend pct unchanged previous year and schmidt chiari noted that parent bank share capital had risen billion schillings end billion year earlier schmidt chiari made forecast news conference bank announced consolidated banking group net profit mln schillings for mln schmidt chiari not elaborate dividend forecast banking group consolidated balance sheet total rose billion schillings year end billion general director hannes androsch higher investment lead continuing growth profits future last year profits had resulted improvements services provided bank and profits schilling lending schilling lending had grown last year and interest rate margins had improved remained unsatisfactory compared countries increased provisions for bad debts home and abroad latin america had lowered profits androsch declined give exact figure schmidt chiari that foreign lending business had fallen significantly due exchange rate fluctuations removing billion schillings balance sheet total attempt generate foreign business representative offices opened this year tokyo hong kong moscow and prague androsch welcomed government plans abolish legal controls foreigners buying voting shares and drawing dividends preference shares state controlled creditanstalt rose schillings vienna bourse today brokers improved results had widely expected investors androsch industrial holdings had performed previous years giving return investment pct compared pct creditanstalt austria largest bank holds majority interests medium sized and large austrian companies forecast biggest industrial subsidiary steyr daimler puch sdpv return result similar expected operating loss mln schillings reuter 
acq	cpc cpc sell unit port hipt cpc international inc agreed principle sell peterson puritain inc subsidiary port industries inc cpc sale not expected significant impact earnings and subject approval boards companies terms not disclosed peterson purittan contract packager personal care and household products reuter 
earn	pulitzer publishing pltzc qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note interest expense dlrs dlrs quarter and dlrs dlrs year year net reflects undisclosed amount expenses for defense takeover effort reuter 
acq	hughes tool approves revised terms for merger baker international 
crude	opec reaffirms commitment fixed prices ceiling opec reaffirmed commitment fixed crude oil prices dlrs barrel and output ceiling mln barrels per day bpd defend prices president rilwanu lukman told news conference due consultation colleagues opec hereby emphasize that nigeria and member countries opec remain determined uphold december agreement adhering strictly quotas and official selling prices lukman added extraordinary opec conference planned position confirm that despite misleading news foreign media contrary opec member countries produced below agreed quota month february lukman nigerian oil minister lukman put opec output shortfall february bpd and this result firm determination defend official selling prices dlrs agreed last december geneva december agreement set output ceiling for opec mln bpd for half and restored fixed prices february reference point dlrs oil prices rallied immediately geneva accord fell last month reports that opec producing agreed level idea suggest that opec agreement not hold and this caused customers hold back purchases opec oil and resort destocking meet lukman bpd shortfall last february based verified figure for opec members adding that nigeria alone had shortfall production bpd iraq disassociated december agreement production figures ecuador and united arab emirates needed verified lukman that price pay make agreement succeed ready opec not changing price level dlrs group president opec price differentials committee meeting postponed april had put indefinitely extraordinary meeting conference moment contemplated since agreements reached december adhered asked committee not meet narrow gaps prices opec crudes fixed relation dlr benchmark lukman replied defence prices crucial differentials lukman opec aware that consumers had heavily drawn stocks crude oil and refined products levels below this time last year and return market search crude don that difficulty maintaining dlr price rest year lukman opec president praised opec oil producers had contributed group efforts stabilise prices criticised britain for maintaining long held view not market quite confident that long term two thirds world reserves opec hands future ours will use that advantage responsibly lukman described disruption ecuador output earthquake tragic refused south american country allowed higher output quota recovered disaster reuter 
ship	dutch port union meet parliamentarians today dutch port and transport union fnv presenting case planned redundancies rotterdam general cargo sector parliament standing committee social affairs today union spokesman strong workforce strike union will committee government duty solve dispute that disrupting general cargo sector for weeks spokesman added union will case redundancies planned for this year court amsterdam tomorrow added reuter 
acq	qintex extends princeville pvdc offer qintex america extending offer dlrs share for mln princeville development corp shares today yesterday midnight yesterday princeville shares had tendered shares hours earlier qintex extending offer princeville comply federal law restricting ownership airlines citizens and finalize terms and conditions letter credit bank guarantee required previously announced acquisition agreement reuter 
earn	novell novl sets two for stock split novell inc board declared two for stock split payable holders record close business march shareholders annual meeting approved doubling authorized common shares mln mln and limitation directors liability reuter 
sugar	agency review johnson johnson jnj sweetner johnson and johnson food and drug administration notified company food additive petition for high intensity sweetener formally accepted and will reviewed agency company product generic name sucralose made sugar and tastes sugar times sweeter yields calories and not promote tooth decay reuter 
earn	heart federal hfed sets two for split heart federal savings and loan association board declared two for stock split payable april holders record april company split subject shareholder approval april annual meeting increase authorized common shares mln mln reuter 
earn	novo industri nvo year pre tax income mln danish crowns mln sales billion crowns billion income tax mln crowns mln earnings per crown share crowns dividend pct unchanged reuter 
earn	overmyer corp omco regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable march record march reuter 
earn	uniforce temporary personnel inc unfr qtr shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs year shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs note share data adjusted reflect for two stock split effective june reuter 
money-fx	money market mln stg assistance bank england gave money market assistance worth mln stg this afternoon buying bank bills rates established monday bank bought mln stg band bills pct and mln stg band two paper pct this time that intervened today bank revised estimate liquidity shortage market mln stg mln initially reuter 
earn	pic save corp picn qtr net shr cts cts net mln mln sales mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales mln mln note share adjusted for for two split june reuter 
acq	goodyear tire receive mln dlrs for goodyear aerospace loral corp 
acq	hughes tool board approves merger hughes tool board voted special meeting last night approve agreement regulators that company complete proposed merger baker international corp bko agreement approved department justice yesterday will give merged company baker hughes six months sell assets pact month extension warranted and limits obligation company give financial support businesses divested pending sale company board recommended that shareholders approve merger oilfield service companies previously adjourned meeting hughes tool stockholders will resumed this afternoon hughes will work baker and justice department negotiating final form consent decree and filing company statement closing merger occur immediately filing assets sold consent decree consist baker domestic oilfield drilling bit business and domestic submersible electric pump business baker agreement sell pump business trico industries inc tro financial terms merger unchanged hughes spokesman terms each baker common share and hughes common share converted into share and share baker hughes inc formed holding company reuter 
sugar	agency review johnson and johnson sweetener johnson and johnson food and drug administration notified company food additive petition for high intensity sweetener formally accepted and will reviewed agency company product generic name sucralose made sugar and tastes sugar times sweeter yields calories and not promote tooth decay johnson and johnson sweetner jointly developed tate and lyle plc tatl tate and lyle seeking approval canada united kingdom and european countries johnson and johnson company noted petition covering product and safety evaluation submitted fda last month awaiting fda approval company proceeding plans for commercialization mcneil specialty products subsidiary johnson and johnson operating licensing agreement tate and lyle collaborative research scientists queen elizabeth college london led discovery sucralose patents and licensing agreements control use sucralose year johnson and johnson sucralose chlorinated derivative ordinary sugar carbon chloride bonds sucralose stable and not broken digestion metabolism sucralose essentially not metabollized body chlorine content enhances sweetness providing calories reuter 
acq	hanson trust plc unit sell kaiser cement terminal and plant for mln dlrs 
crude	triton energy oil affiliate canadian find triton energy corp pct owned canadian worldwide energy affiliate lasmo tableland saskatchewan flowed barrels degree gravity oil inch choke depths feet and barrels oil per day inch choke depths feet triton status deep exploratory production qualifies for year royalty holiday saskatchewan drilling incentive products initial production expected restricted allowable level barrels day capable sustaining higher rates company london and scottish marine oil plc owns pct interest and spacing unit canadian worldwide pct saskatchewan oil and gas corp pct interprovincial pipeline home oil pct and scurry rainbow oil srb pct triton royal dutch shell group shell canada shc affiliate retains convertible overriding interest reuter 
crude	ecuador deputy minister seeks oil aid venezuela ecuador deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite arrived last night for talks venezuelan assistance country oil industry last week earthquake officials ecuador obliged suspend crude oil exports for expected months result damage miles pipeline linking jungle oil fields pacific port balao oil accounts for pct exports fellow opec member venezuela agreed lend ecuador mln barrels crude repaid kind days meet domestic consumption officials confirm deny reports that venezuela will temporarily produce ecuador entire opec quota set barrels per day for half options open this moment context cooperation oil production venezuelan energy and mines ministry source discussions arrive formula compensate ecuador for loss oil export revenue pipeline repaired officials santos alvite last night met venezuelan energy and mines minister arturo hernandez grisanti and will today hold talks technical level officials industry sources that options for venezuela produce ecuador entire quota for venezuela and opec mexico share and for supply ecuador eastern clients ministry source that decision reached matter and that announcement made due santos alvite earlier quito that ecuador import six mln barrels crude oil meet line repaired ecuador energy and mines minister javier espinosa teran last night country mln dlrs repair damage export pipeline caused earthquake reuter 
acq	goodyear receive mln dlrs for unit goodyear tire and rubber will receive mln dlrs cash loral corp lor for business goodyear aerospace corp goodyear previously announced acquisition loral expected completed march loral announced transaction january company paying mln dlrs for goodyear aerospace goodyear price will receive adjustments for such items pension and benefits provision allocation liabilities and asset valuations last year goodyear aerospace had revenues mln dlrs reuter 
earn	veba raab karcher raises operating profit raab karcher trading subsidiary veba vebg increased operating profit despite sharp decline turnover and added good chances this profit level held operating profit rose mln marks mln group party sales fell sharply billion marks billion year largely due lower prices for energy products oil and coal managing board chairman klaus giesel told news conference reuter 
earn	hovnanian enterprises hov splits stock hovnanian enterprises inc board directors declared two for split outstanding common stock company shareholders will receive additional share for each share held close business march and additional shares will distributed april reuter 
acq	british aerospace raises system designers stake british aerospace plc bael increased stake systems designers plc pct mln ordinary shares purchase mln ordinary shares british aerospace pension fund holds mln ordinary shares systems representing stake pct spokesman for british aerospace present future intention making full bid for systems designers system designers shares pence higher prior share stake announcement and showed movement since reuter 
earn	esselte business systems inc esb ups payout qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
earn	katy industries inc qtr net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales mln mln year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales mln mln note earnings exclude losses discontinued consolidated operations dlrs cts share dlrs cts share quarter and dlrs dlrs share dlrs dlrs share for year earnings exclude loss sale discontinued consolidated operations dlrs cts share quarter and loss dlrs cts share gain dlrs cts share for year note earnings exclude losses discontinued unconsolidated operations dlrs cts share each period earnings exclude gain termination defined benefit pension plan dlrs cts share quarter and dlrs cts share for year reuter 
earn	pmi fund inc sets monthly dividends pmi fund inc board declared monthly dividends six cts for april cts for cts for june cts for july and six cts for august fund customarily omits dividends march and september last paid six cts february dividends declared today payable april six june july and august six holders record march april june and july reuter 
earn	merry round enterprises inc mgre qtr jan end shr cts cts net sales mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	tenera tlpzv sets initial quarterly tenera will make initial quarterly distribution cts per unit april holders record march partnership dividend greater had expectd pay and warranted fourth quarter results and anticipated results for this year quarter tenera expects comparable distribution for second quarter cts per share quarter amount will taxable income reuter 
acq	hanson han unit sell kaiser terminal plant hanson industries arm hanson trust plc han proposed sell separate transactions kaiser cement northwest terminals and montana city plant lone star industries inc lce and ash grove cement west inc for total mln dlrs hanson deals subject normal conditions closing hanson industries completed purchase kaiser cement march for mln dlrs hanson kaiser cement indirect wholly owned unit hanson trust and forms part building products group sales continuation asset redeployment program kaiser cement and will kaiser concentrate efforts california marketplace largest cement producer and holds premiere market position hanson industries chairman gordon white reuter 
crude	ecuador official seeks oil aid venezuela ecuador deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite arrived last night for talks venezuelan assistance country oil industry last week earthquake officials ecuador obliged suspend crude oil exports for expected months result damage miles pipeline linking jungle oil fields pacific port balao oil accounts for pct exports fellow opec member venezuela agreed lend ecuador mln barrels crude repaid kind days meet domestic consumption reuter 
sugar	traders sold tonnes white sugar tender 
money-fx	money market late mln stg bank england provided money market unspecified late assistance mln stg this brings total assistance day mln stg compared liquidity shortfall estimated revised mln stg overnight interbank sterling offered pct shortly bank announcement reuter 
sugar	intervention sets white sugar tender rebate ecus 
earn	bayer usa bayry affiliates increased sales bayer usa inc sales affiliated operating cmpanies based increased pct previous year combined sales billion dlrs billion dlrs company company net income mln dlrs pct below bayer operating companies include mobay corp miles laboratories inc agfa gevaert inc compugraphic corp haarmann and reimer corp deerfield urethane inc and helena chemical bayer mobay primary chemicals company reported net income mln dlrs pct miles pharmaceutical and healthcare company recorded net income mln dlrs pct increase reuter 
earn	deb shops inc debs sets stock split deb shops inc board declared pct stock dividend and will increase quarterly dividend cts cts adjustm ent for split company split payable april holders record march dividend increase will effective april payment reuter 
lei	canada leading indicator pct december pct november gain official 
acq	continental health cthl purchases marketech continental health affiliates inc that acquired marketech inc pct partner diatronics nutrition services continental diantronics nutrition services joint venture physicians providing patient ready home infusion therapy products and services outpatients northern jersery hospitals representing inpatient beds continental terms deal not disclosed reuter 
earn	visual graphics sets dividends visual graphics corp vgca vgcb board declared quarterly dividend cts per share class common stock and cts per share class common stock payable april shareholders record march company set two classes common stock february previously company had paid cent per share quarterly dividend class common stock reuter 
earn	deb shops inc debs qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales mln mln year shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln sales mln mln reuter 
gold	sigma mines details gold ore reserves sigma mines quebec pct owned dome mines sigma mine had proven and probable reserves end tons average grade ounces gold ton sigma reserves equivalent years future production current milling rates reserves comprise tons proven reserves grading average ounces gold ton and tons probable reserves grading average ounces gold ton sigma changed reserve reporting method dome mines previously reported move adopt general industry practice reporting proven and probable ore reserves prior sigma conservatively reported proven reserves that mined future development costs proven reserves december tons grading average ounces gold ton equivalent two years future production reuter 
earn	regency cruises inc ship qtr net shr profit cts loss two cts net profit loss revs avg shrs mln mln year shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln avg shrs mln mln note company began operations nov reuter 
earn	seaman furniture inc seam qtr jan shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln sales mln mln reuter 
earn	novo industri earnings fall despite increased sales danish based insulin and enzymes producer novo industri nvo pre tax earnings fell almost pct sales rose two pct pre tax figure fell mln crowns mln sales increased billion billion giving net earnings mln crowns mln earnings per crown share crowns crowns company proposed unchanged pct dividend foreign exchange fluctuations significant factor developments result and tax novo statement not dollar currencies essential novo fell relation danish crown statement added november novo purchased pct shares ferrosan heads group specialising research and development cns central nervous treatment treatments and sale pharmaceuticals and vitamins scandinavia mln crowns paid goodwill had limited effect result novo statement reuter 
earn	scs compute inc scom qtr jan loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs mln mln mths shr loss dlr loss dlrs net loss loss revs avg shrs mln mln reuter 
acq	securities dealer leaseway ltc stake alpine associates cresskill securities dealer told securities and exchange commission acquired shares leaseway transport corp pct total outstanding common stock alpine limited partnership bought stock for mln dlrs investment ordinary business securities dealer left open possibility that buy leaseway stock sell current stake plans seek control company reuter 
earn	empire carolina inc emp year net shr dlrs cts net revs mln mln avg shrs note results restated include deltona corp dlt investment equity method reuter 
earn	vhc vhcl qtr oper net oper shr profit cts loss oper net profit loss revs year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln avg shrs note excludes gains dlrs cts and dlrs cts current qtr and year benefit tax loss carryforwards year ago excludes losses dlrs cts qtr and dlrs cts year discontinued operations restated reuter 
earn	transtech industries inc trti year net oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note net excludes dlr loss discontinued operations reuter 
sugar	thai sugar production increases thai sugar production totalled tonnes january increase pct january figures received international sugar organization november and december production figures exceeded last year totals result that output months season showed pct increase production november january period totalled mln tonnes thai exports december and january january exports fell tonnes domestic consumption increased pct tonnes for month period this not sufficient prevent significant rise stocks climbed mln tonnes end january compared mln year earlier thai agricultural ministry officials previously forecast decline raws output mln tonnes mln reuter 
lei	canada december leading indicator pct canada leading composite indicator advanced pct december gaining pct two previous months statistics canada unfiltered index rose pct month turnaround pct decline november federal agency manufacturing groups continued post advances goods production rose pct increase last months advances offset deceleration household demand reuter 
earn	anova ventures sets dividend duevel shares anova ventures corp board declared dividend payable form registered shares stock duvel corp blind public pool anova describes publishing and financial services firm specializing arranging revers acquisitions and mergers blind pools shells and private companies anova created duvel act blind pool and will seek operating private company merger duvel duvel sold common shares private investor group finance expenses registration and shares will paid anova stockholders dividend added reuter 
acq	chrysler deal leaves uncertainty for amc workers chrysler corp billion dlr bid takeover american motors corp amo bolster small automaker sales leaves future employees doubt industry analysts business usual yesterday american motors headquarters day proposed merger unveiled chrysler and amc french parent renault company spokesman edd snyder amc future discussed board meeting today radically chrysler subsidiary had continued state run french car group controlling shareholder industry analysts future amc car assembly plant kenosha wis and toledo ohio jeep plant doubt overcapacity predicted north american auto industry early comes pass plants state art for car manufacturing sites and amc history poor labor relations each chrysler doesn that plants michael luckey automotive analyst for wall street firm shearson lehman brothers will close toledo plant and move jeep production canada ronald glantz montgomery securities that owner toledo plant wring concessions united automobile workers union local representing jeep workers uaw won hold for ransom amc year chrysler will underutilized facilities transfer production analysts foresaw major complications that abort combination historians auto industry biggest merger since american motors formed amc financial savior losses mln dlrs since and pressures france for renault cut backing company had not forecast consistent profitability earliest announcing takeover agreement chrysler chairman lee iacocca cited amc jeep division mln dlr assembly plant bramalea ontario and network dealers major attractions analysts reasoned that chrysler feel moved eventually sell close older plants cut overhead costs view debts and liabilities incur amc buyout reuter 
earn	nucor corp nue raises quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record march reuter 
earn	kelsey hayes canada year net shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln note shr restated reflect january stock split pct owned kelsey hayes reuter 
earn	riggs national corp rigs sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	pacer systems make acquisition pacer systems agreed principle acquire assets sea data corp maker low powered electronic systems including undersea intelligent recording sensors and high density digital data recorders for mln dlrs reuter 
reserves	spain qualifies reserve requirements statement bank spain spokesman qualified bank statement announcing extension reserve requirements convertible peseta funds held banks move applied future rises current balances pct reserve requirement will applied increases bank convertible peseta funds spokesman convertible peseta funds previously exempt reserve requirements spokesman measure intended curb influx short term foreign speculative capital threatened government money supply growth target reuter 
money-supply	spain money supply growth doubles february spain broad based money supply rose annualised rate pct february pct january and pct february last year bank spain figures show broad based money supply measured liquid assets public hands quasi monetary assets money supply growth pct last year government reduce rate pct this year reuter 
earn	telephone support systems inc tssi qtr nov end shr cts cts net sales year shr cts six cts net sales reuter 
earn	network video inc nvid qtr feb net shr cts net revs avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs avg shrs reuter 
earn	comtech inc cmtl qtr jan net oper shr profit profit two cts oper net profit profit sales half oper shr profit two cts loss cts oper net profit loss sales backlog mln mln note current year net excludes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs half reuter 
earn	baltek corp btek qtr net oper shr cts cts oper net revs year oper shr dlrs cts oper net revs mln mln notel net excludes tax credit dlrs reversal credit dlrs quarter and credits dlrs dlrs year reuter 
acq	sahlen and associates salnu completes purchase sahlen and associates inc completed purchase gleason securities service inc york and gleason plant security inc connecticut sahlen deal terms not disclosed added that acquired companies had combined annual revenues mln dlrs sahlen private invetigation company gleason companies provide security guard services corporations tri state area reuter 
earn	mem inc mem declares qtly div qtly div cts cts prior pay record march reuter 
earn	insituform north america inc insua qtr shr cts cts net revs avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln avg shrs note year net includes dlr tax credit reuter 
earn	major realty corp majr qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs reuter 
earn	nutmeg industries inc nutm year jan net shr cts net sales mln note share adjusted for for stock split january backlog mln dlrs dlrs company began operating january reuter 
acq	henry ansbacher pct adams and porter inc henry ansbacher holdings plc acquired pct interest retail and general corporate insurance broker adams and porter inc move step building international insurance broking group appointment management team for seascope insurance holdings unit ansbacher and exciting growth potential east coast and annual revenue mln dlrs ansbacher shares helped announcement earlier today pretax profit rise mln stg mln reuter 
earn	natwest rabo unit reports pct profit growth dutch bank van lanschot bankiers owned national westminster plc nwbl and rabobank rabn net profit rose pct mln guilders pct higher balance sheet total billion van lanschot bankiers subsidiary van lanschot beleggingscompagnie britain national westminster bank plc and dutch cooperative bank rabobank nederland each pct stake commercial union dutch insurance unit delta lloyd verzekeringsgroep pct stake van lanschot lowered risk provisions mln guilders 
money-fx	fed expected add reserves federal reserve expected intervene government securities market add temporary reserves customer system repurchase agreements economists economists fed will inject reserves indirectly customer repurchases added that fed opt for direct injection reserves overnight system repurchases federal funds opened pct and eased pct early trading funds averaged pct yesterday reuter 
earn	ben and jerry homemade inc bjic qtr net shr cts two cts net sales avg shrs year shr cts cts net sales mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	bonneville pacific corp bpco qtr jan shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	penney jcp smith barney opinion penney stock rose sharply analyst william smith smith barney recommended stock based company strong earnings momentum and possibility stock buyback dividend hike stock split traders impressed strong basic earnings story analyst smith noting that company fine tuned buying and inventories and admirably controlled costs time that needed stock jumped smith company ended strong cash position mln dlrs compared mln dlrs year this implies possibility share buyback significant dividend increase stock split addition company gradually adjusting merchandise mix and gross margins improving smith expects company earn dlrs share compared dlrs share earned last year last year results include cent charge for buyback debt reuter 
sugar	german sugar offers put tonnes west german intervention board tonnes sugar offered into intervention spokesman speaking frankfurt told reuters offers increased recently contracts not concluded european commission spokesman brussels earlier confirmed that mln tonnes sugar had offered intervention boards member states intervention board spokesman frankfurt million tonnes awful lot and community coffers almost empty this turn into political problem west german trade sources believed mln tonne offer sugar industry into intervention neutral market impact reuter 
interest	bankers trust raises broker loan rate bankers trust raised broker loan rate pct pct effective immediately trust quotes broker loan rate publicly posting pct rate reuter 
gold	sigma mines details gold ore reserves sigma mines quebec pct owned dome mines sigma mine had proven and probable reserves end tons average grade ounces gold ton sigma reserves equivalent years future production current milling rates reserves comprise tons proven reserves grading average ounces gold ton and tons probable reserves grading average ounces gold ton sigma changed reserve reporting method dome mines previously reported move adopt general industry practice reporting proven and probable ore reserves prior sigma conservatively reported proven reserves that mined future development costs proven reserves december tons grading average ounces gold ton equivalent two years future production reuter 
acq	moore mccormack mmc sell globe unit moore mccormack resources inc agreed principle sell globe metallurgical inc unit cyprus minerals cypm for undisclosed terms sale expected close mid april subject conditions including board approval companies globe produces silicon metals and magnesium ferrosilicon products used chemical aluminum iron rubber and semiconductor industries reuter 
housing	hosuing completions fell pct january completions homes fell pct january seasonally adjusted rate mln units mln december commerce department january fall strong pct rise november rate mln units and brought completions pct january level mln units january completions single family units rose pct seasonally adjusted mln units mln units december multi family units fell pct units january department reuter 
acq	justice department reviews icahn usair filing department justice doj reviewing whether trans world airlines inc twa and chairman carl icahn violated federal antitrust law failing seek advance clearance doj federal trade commission for extensive open market purchases usair group inc stock doj official told senate panel this matter that looked into charles rule acting assistant attorney general antitrust told senate judiciary committee antitrust subcommittee rule declined comment review continuing rule responding panel chairman howard metzenbaum ohio had asked department not acting appears clear violation law metzenbaum icahn had failed file pre merger notification form ftc prior purchasing mln dlrs worth usair stock rule that for airline companies purchaser exempt requirement had filed merger application department transportation icahn filed such application dot filing thrown dot friday dot threw application late friday grounds lacked data for government review proposed usair takeover bid icahn refiled complete application form monday rule pledged act icahn and twa violation found reuter 
earn	cell sciences inc tcel qtr jan loss shr loss loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs mths shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs reuter 
jobs	dutch adjusted unemployment unchanged february dutch seasonally adjusted unemployment totalled people february unchanged january february social affairs ministry spokesman unadjusted figure stood end last month decline january total and comparing end february last year reuter 
housing	housing completions fell pct jan completions homes fell pct january seasonally adjusted rate mln units mln december commerce department january fall strong pct rise november rate mln units and brought completions pct january level mln units january completions single family units rose pct seasonally adjusted mln units mln units december multi family units fell pct units january department reuter 
earn	mitchell energy and development corp mnd net qtr jan shr cts cts net mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year shr cts dlrs net mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln reuter 
housing	housing completions fell pct january completions homes fell pct january seasonally adjusted rate mln units mln december commerce department january fall strong pct rise november rate mln units and brought completions pct january level mln units january completions single family units rose pct seasonally adjusted mln units mln units december multi family units fell pct units january department reuter 
money-fx	fed sets two billion dlr customer repurchase fed 
earn	groundwater technology inc gwti qtr jan shr cts cts net sales avg shrs mths shr cts cts net sales mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	oaks international inc qpon payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
money-fx	fed adds reserves customer repurchases federal reserve entered government securities market arrange two billion dlrs customer repurchase agreements fed spokesman dealers federal funds trading pct fed began temporary and indirect supply reserves banking system reuter 
earn	property trust america ptras year net ope shr cts cts oper net revs mln avg shrs note net excludes gains sale investments dlrs dlrs reuter 
earn	chi chi inc chic qtr jan loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss mln profit revs mln mln mths shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit mln revs mln mln note current year net periods includes mln dlr pretax charge for disposition underperforming company owned restaurants current year net includes tax credits dlrs quarter and dlrs year reuter 
acq	chemlawn corp talking suitors acquired 
earn	chi chi chic takes mln dlr charge chi chi inc mln dlr pretax charge earnings for quarter ended january cover cost disposing underperforming company owned restaurants company agreed repurchase mln common shares open market company mln shares outstanding chi chi today reported loss for quarter ended january pretax charge and dlr tax credit mln dlrs compared year earlier profit dlrs chi chi believes disposition restaurants potential increasing pretax earnings two mln dlrs fiscal year company will use existing cash resources for share repurchases reuter 
earn	dupont recommendations shares pont rose today accumulating recommendations shearson lehman brothers and boston traders pont opened two point gain stood boston analyst not for comment analyst theodore semegran shearson raised earnings estimates for company dlrs share and dlrs share company earned dlrs share good domestic demand higher operating earnings and strng export business benefitting lower dollar and effects reduced imports chemicals will continue aid pont noted that energy earnings quarter expected rise crude prices semegran expects quarter earnings dlrs share dlrs last year expects company raise annual dividend cts share current dividend dlrs share and stock split low probablility reuter 
acq	chemlawn chem talks acquired chemlawn corp started talks sale company parties that not identify company talks began considred and rejected waste management inc wmx dlr per share tender offer for sharesd chemlawn gave details talks reuter 
acq	shv withdraws gas offer shv holdings withdrawing bid for imperial continental gas association icgs failing gain minimum number pledges sought gas shareholders shv statement had sought gain gas shares offer for gas ordinary stock informed that level not reached deadline expired tender offer void shv offered pence for stg nominal gas loan stock bid made shv united kingdom holding reuter 
rubber	progress rubber pact talks reported slow negotiators united nations conference natural rubber making slow progress reaching agreement delegates conference began monday widely final effort adopt international natural rubber agreement inra current expires october producing and consuming countries taking part two week meeting this fourth such conference two years delegates sides appeared divided key issue price adjustment mechanism consumers want frequent price reviews month intervals months present proposal rejected producers and consumers press for price adjustment automatic producers resisted reducing role international rubber organization council price adjustment procedure conference chairman manaspas xuto thailand imperative settle outstanding issues this week that technical drafting work can week reuter 
earn	lord abbett and declares mutual fund divs lord abbett appreciation fund annual div cts cts prior long term capital gain cts prior short term capital gain cts cts prior pay april record march lord abbett government securities fund daily div cts cts prior pay april record april lord abbett tax free income national series daily cts prior pay april record april lord abbett tax free income fund series daily cts cts prior pay april record april lord abbett tax free income fund texas series daily cts cts prior pay april record april lord abbett california tax free income fund daily cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	associates corp north america qtr net qtr ended jan net mln dlrs mln dlrs revs mln mln note revs include investment and income mln dlrs mln dlrs company wholly owned gulf and western corp reuter 
earn	newport pharmaceuticals nwph qtr loss period ended january shr loss six cts profit net loss profit revs avg shrs mths shre loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs note full name newport pharmaceuticals international inc reuter 
earn	raymond corp raym declares qtly div qtly div cts cts prior pay march record march reuter 
nat-gas	mitchell energy mnd cuts capital outlays mitchell energy and development corp plans hold capital spending fiscal ending january mln dlrs mln dlrs spent and mln dlrs company natural gas revenues this year reduced lower contract customer purchases due mild weather and soft economic conditions contracts call for lower takes made year mitchell energy meanwhile will sell additional quantities gas spot market mitchell energy additional spot sales will tend lower average price realized for gas early part fiscal average for full year not expected significantly lower dlrs per thousand cubic feet averaged fiscal reuter 
acq	investor control river oaks roi river oaks industries inc agreed principle give control company benson seizer york investor return for mln dlrs capital company maker mobile homes terminated merger discussions nursing centers america river oaks will place mln dlr convertible note seizer turn will name six additional members company member board directors will chairman and chief executive officer river oaks river oaks note will convertible into two mln shares common stock dlr share company mln shares outstanding company will grant seizer option buy additional mln shares years dlrs share year and dlrs share thereafter company money raised seizer will strengthen balance sheet and enhance ability seek selective expansion opportunities seizer experienced turnaround situations and expected direct involvement river oaks management charles degroot will remain director company giving post chairman seizer board nominees don manning will cede post chief executive will remain president company reuter 
earn	gevaert gevn year consolidated group net profit billion francs billion net financial and operating profit billion mln extraordinary earnings mln mln net dividend francs reuter 
interest	national savings move points lower rates interest rates set move lower even monday half point cut bank base rates pct analysts citing evidence suspension british national savings issue yesterday department national savings effectively treasury department unit yesterday suspended issue launched october and paying high tax free pct year private investments and stg spokesman suspension reaction yields national savings bonds line rest market move surprise sell minutes today bank england billion stg tap issue second such issue weeks analysts noted instant sale entire gilts issue for bank england had required high pct downpayment clear evidence that market thought rates had drop sooner sale tranche pct treasury bonds due occurred active bullish gilts market downward pressure money market rates remained intact bellwether month interbank rate point pct coincided another strong sterling rally pushed pound year highs dollar that government stock disappeared quickly stephen lewis head economic research stockbrokers phillips and drew indication that market believes rates fall half point immediately budget march and people hope for stockbrokers james capel comment move national savings department considerable significance real message that decks quickly cleared facilitate speedy decision building societies cut rates inevitable cut bank base rates pct materialises building societies drop bank base rates exceed half point give rise reduction mortgage lending rates lewis phillips and drew believed national savings issue suspension reflect treasury policy point building societies mortgage rate cut national savings competing effectively building societies late building society income depressed recent months and analysts chancellor exchequer nigel lawson keen mortgage rates fall lid inflation underlying upward pressure prices stronger britain western economies inflation rising pct this year and pct last year pct emphasising impact mortgage rates consumer prices lewis point cut building society rates reduce inflation britain pct lewis and noted that building societies had complaining government intense competition national savings argued reduced scope for early mortgage rate cuts chancellor not worried losing psbr funding national savings taking building societies criticism heart national savings move reflects this senior dealer savings department spokesman refused comment this interpretation suspension issue reaction recent fall interest rates had pushed yields national savings bonds line rest market not politically motivated funding expensive and don that money told reuters adding department had suspended issues twice past offered interest rates below market rates demand for issue had risen sharply late money market rates continued steady decline and income threatening overshoot unofficial billion stg target set for fiscal ending march months fiscal national saving contribution government funding totalled billion stg compared billion stg period previous year official figures show figures for february monday expected show increase and mln stg pushing total for months target government officials reuter 
earn	nicor inc gas regular dividend set qtly div cts cts previously pay record march reuter 
earn	handleman hdl sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	perini corp pcr sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay june record reuter 
acq	jones and vining vulcan corp offers dlrs share for jones 
earn	international banknote inc ibk qtr loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs mln mln year oper shr profit cts profit two cts oper net profit revs mln mln note net excludes extraordinary tax charges dlrs dlrs quarter and credits dlrs dlrs year year net includes pretax gain dlrs termination pension plan net includes pretax charge dlrs quarter and gain dlrs year restructuring and consolidation quarter net includes dlr tax credit year net includes pretax gain mln dlrs sale foreign subsidiary reuter 
trade	concerned textile import moves european community expressed disquiet protectionist moves united states limit imports textiles and retaliate immediately exports hit spokeswoman for commission external trade commissioner willy clercq had written counterpart special trade representative clayton yeutter outlining concerns nation community draft legislation consideration congress impose permanent quotas products entering and seek limit increase growth trade reuter 
earn	speed print business sbm qtr net shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs note results include operations radio stations wjye for full year and wnnr for last six months speed print business machines corp full name company reuter 
earn	asbestec industries asbs sets stock split asbestec industries inc board declared for two stock split payable april record april reuter 
earn	quaker oats oat regular dividend qtly div cts cts previously pay april record march reuter 
acq	jones and vining jnsv gets vulcan vul bid jones and vining inc vulcan corp main competitors production shoe lasts offered acquire jones and vining for dlrs share jones and vining management effort company private will ahead dlrs per share form buyout not determined and buyout subject nunber conditions jones and vining board believes that transaction vulcan difficult complete asked vulcan for information explore bid january jones and vining board had recommended that shareholders aprove management buyout dlrs share february six vulcan initially offered acquire jones and vining for dlrs share jones and vining dismissed offer frivolous and substance and bid failed comply provisions securities act reuter 
earn	ppg industries ppg sees growth ppg industries inc will continue show earnings growth despite difficult economic climate company annual report mailed shareholders today for company earnings rose pct mln dlrs revenues that increased pct billion dlrs earnings per share dlrs compared dlrs company added that return equity reached pct pct and close goal pct reuter 
acq	belgian minister unveils privatisation plan belgian budget minister guy verhofstadt proposed plan sell shares state owned enterprises including national airline sabena and postal and telecommunications authority government sources plan raise billion francs revenue years verhofstadt projections helping government reduce huge budget deficit targetted this year billion francs scheme had received guarded reception social christian parties belgium centre coalition verhofstadt unveiled cabinet meeting yesterday discussion plan likely long and difficult sources verhofstadt proposes beginning selloffs last quarter sale pct state investment company sni expects sale raise billion francs added pct share sabena sold mid for billion francs pct postal and telecommunications authority sold two stages mid and early raising billion francs verhofstadt list maritime transport authority leading gas distributor distrigaz cger savings bank cger and credit institutions soir daily quoted cger vice president paul henrion expressing strong opposition privatisation bank public company and public company stay henrion told paper reuter 
earn	science dynamics corp sidy year net shr cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	foodarama supermarkets inc fsm qtr jan shr cts cts net sales mln mln notel prior year net includes pretax charge dlrs for reopening stores reuter 
earn	engineering measurements emco qtr net qtr ends jan shr cts cts net revs mths shr cts cts net revs note excludes discontinued operations gain dlrs quarter fiscal and loss dlrs months fiscal reuter 
earn	boothe financial corp bcmp qtr net shr cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note restated reflect tax loss carryforwards reuter 
earn	consolidated natural gas cng payout qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	sandusky plastics inc spi sets quarterly qtly div six cts six cts prior pay march record march reuter 
acq	rexnord rex sell railway equipment unit rexnord signed definitive agreement sell railway maintenance equipment subsidiary banner industries inc terms withheld railway maintenance had sales mln dlrs and employs people rexnord sale part major program divest businesses representing mln dlrs net assets divested process machinery division sales mln dlrs and mathews conveyer sales mln dlrs reuter 
sugar	licht sees stagnant european beet area area devoted sugar beet europe forecast remain stagnant this year mln hectares compared mln west german statistician licht feared that recent steep rise sugar prices marked effect planting intentions this year licht judging this estimate effect minimal total beet area european community forecast fall two pct mln mln total western europe area put mln mln eastern europe area forecast mln mln individual west europe country estimates hectares figures brackets belgium luxembourg denmark france greece ireland italy netherlands portugal spain west germany austria finland sweden switzerland turkey yugoslavia eastern europe plantings forecast follows ussr albania bulgaria czechoslovakia east germany hungary poland romania basis average yields this year licht area forecasts pointed total european beet sugar crop mln tonnes raw mln tonnes licht sugar yields fairly high last season favourable weather and this increases chances significant reduction production based average yields beet sugar production fall pct this year mln tonnes mln total western europe production mln tonnes mln eastern europe production mln tonnes mln reuter 
gold	britain mint britannia gold coin britain will autumn mint and market bullion coin called britannia containing ounce carat gold together bullion coins smaller denominations treasury official investment coin sold worldwide will fluctuate price international price gold smaller coins will denominations half ounce quarter ounce and tenth ounce reuter 
acq	meese sees chrysler amc merger attorney general edwin meese benefit proposed purchase american motors amo chrysler corp that return smallest auto manufacturers american hands meese told house appropriations subcommittee that consideration part justice department review proposed merger agency not received formal notice merger start review process chrysler made billion dlr bid buy amc french parent renault things that recognized that merger that appears that good portion ownership american motors overseas hands will put back american hands meese told subcommittee that factors that weighed judgment added renault holds pct amc reuter 
ship	dutch parliament offers port row dutch members parliament resolve dispute redundancies rotterdam port general cargo sector and urged union and employers sort differences sides gave evidence party standing committee social affairs today committee members chance parliamentary intervention dispute began january protest employers plans for redundancies strong workforce starting this year port and transport union fnv challenge redundancies amsterdam court tomorrow reuter 
acq	sosnoff caesars caw offered stock buyback martin sosnoff offered buy caesars world inc for dlrs share senior officials company offered buy back caesars stake holds pct total outstanding filing securities and exchange commission sosnoff york investor and money manager offers buy back stock occurred occasions past year offers made caesars world representatives including chairman henry gluck sosnoff rejected proposals caesars world official suggested forms payment for sosnoff stake including securities company and cash sosnoff not detail proposed compensation suggested deal involving put and call option sosnoff caesars world holdings proposed deals included standstill agreement restricted sosnoff buy caesars world stock action adverse incumbent management sosnoff report offers received for caesars world shares amended official offer purchase company reported sec sosnoff holds mln caesars world shares pct company mln shares outstanding sosnoff offer buy shares company not hold valued mln dlrs reuter 
gnp	austrian growth and pct meeting leading politicians bankers and economists forecast austrian real gross domestic product growth for this year and pct government spokesman this compared two pct growth forecast made semi official institute for economic research wifo last december helmut kramer spokesman for chancellor franz vranitzky told reuters that forecast had made meeting attended vranitzky finance minister ferdinand lacina national bank president stefan koren and wifo representative economists cutting growth forecasts recently due expectations poor export performance this year notably eastern europe and oil exporting states hannes androsch general director creditanstalt bankverein cabv today put gdp growth and pct kramer meeting had heard that unemployment for year pct forecast six pct reuter 
earn	for living inc qtr net shr profit primary cts loss cts shr profit diluted cts loss cts net profit loss sales mln mln year shr profit profit dlrs profit cts shr profit diluted dlrs profit cts net profit profit sales mln mln note prior qtr and year figures include gains disposal discontinued operations dlrs and dlrs reuter 
earn	newport electronics inc newe qtr net oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss sales year oper shr profit cts profit cts oper net profit profit sales mln mln avg shrs note current qtr and year figures exclude operating loss carryforward gain dlrs gain dlrs prior year periods reuter 
earn	transco exploration partners exp payout qtly div cts cts prior pay june record reuter 
earn	transco energy sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay june record reuter 
earn	total erickson resources tlexf year net shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs note net includes mln dlr shr writedown pct stake trans canada resources results reflect six mths mining operations due merger erickson gold mines and total eastcan exploration june reuter 
acq	versar vsr buy marietta unit versar inc agreed principle acquire martin marietta corp martin marietta environmental systems unit for dlrs versar use working capital and established life credit find purchase subject approval boards and expected completed april marietta environmental had revenues mln dlrs versar acquisition moderately favorable effect earnings this year reuter 
interest	banks offer fixed rate mortgages pct two major clearing banks announced will offer total mln stg mortgages fixed interest rate pct for years below current bank base lending rates pct midland bank plc mdbl initially allocated mln stg for home loans this rate lloyds bank plc lloy will offer mln stg earlier this week midland cut standard rate mortgage payment pct april half percentage point reduction leading banks base lending rates pct building society and bank mortgage rates largely base rate level last year lloyds offered fixed rate pct home loans midland spokesman bank calculated that current level billion stg existing mortgage book accounts for pct total british home loan market lloyds billion stg outstanding mortgage loans had not estimated total market share major clearing banks barclays plc bcs and national westminister bank plc nwbl had plans announce similar fixed rate schemes reuter 
acq	jim walter jwc busy owens corning ocf plant jim walter corp completed acquisition owens corning fiberglas corp mineral ceiling and fiberboard plant meridian miss terms not disclosed plant operations will complement existing ceiling materials production jim walter building material group last year generated income mln dlrs sales mln dlrs reuter 
ship	american president aps lease ships american president cos american president lines shipping subsidiary obtained final approval and japanese authorities lease ships lykes bros move will will enable boost service pacific pct american president company will lease ships for years and hold two additional year options american president lines operating capacity pacific and ships will arrive time for normal demand surge spring and summer seasons reuter 
earn	bowne and inc bne sets stock split bowne and inc board declared two for stock split payable holders record april reuter 
acq	investment firm boosts amerford amrf stake louart corp los angeles investment firm raised stake amerford international corp shares pct total outstanding shares pct filing securities and exchange commission louart bought amerford common shares march and jan prices ranging dlrs share bought shares for investment purposes and increase stake future reuter 
gnp	corrected austria growth forecast revised austrian gross domestic product growth for this year likely and pct helmut kramer head semi official institute for economic research wifo this compared two pct growth forecast made wifo last december kramer made forecast meeting today austria economic outlook attended chancellor franz vranitzky finance minister ferdinand lacina and national bank president stefan koren reuter 
acq	boston fbc swiss affiliate boosts stake boston swiss affiliate boston inc raised stake company shares pct total shares pct filing securities and exchange commission financiere credit suisse bought boston common shares feb and prices ranging dlrs share mln dlrs total bought shares part agreement raise minority stake boston pct stake level boston holds financiere credit suisse reuter 
earn	numac oil and gas nmc year net oper shr cts cts oper net mln revs mln mln note cash flow mln dlrs cts shr mln dlrs dlrs shr net excludes shr loss discontinued operations gross proven and probable reserves crude oil and natural gas liquiids mln barrels pct year reuter 
earn	farah fra omits quarterly dividend farah inc omitted quarterly common stock dividend for second consecutive quarter company last paid quarterly common dividend cts share december will future dividend payments basis improved profitability and cash flow farah expects turn profit for balance for quarter ended january farah lost dlrs cts share sales mln dlrs addition farah received shareholder approval change name farah inc farah manufacturing reuter 
crude	jordan petrocanada agree oil exploration project two year project search for oil and gas jordan agreed amman jordan natural resources authority nra and canadian company petrocanada international assistance corporation pciac mln dlr assistance agreement signed jordan minister energy hisham khatib and pciac chairman peter towe pciac canadian government corporation providing assistance countries jordan reduce dependence oil imports towe reuter 
earn	numac oil nmc sees results improving numac oil and gas expects significant improvement operating performance company today reported earnings continuing operations dlrs mln dlrs yuear earlier due lower prices for crude oil and pipeline capacity constraints numac introduced federal and provincial governments results reuter 
earn	heinz qtr shr cts cts 
earn	heinz raises quarterly cts cts 
earn	ranchmen resources year loss shr loss cts loss dlrs net profit loss revs mln mln note current shr preferred dividends mln dlrs prior shr and net includes mln dlr writedown oil properties reuter 
acq	oak industries oak buy rexnord rex unit oak industries signed definitive agreement buy stock rexnord inc railway maintenance equipment unit for undisclosed sum company railway maintenance had revenues mln dlrs oak acquisition part two tier strategy buying releated and unrelated businesses oak had tax loss carryforward mln dlrs end reuter 
earn	sumitomo bank sumi declares stock dividend sumitomo bank california declared pct stock dividend addition regular quarterly cash dividend cts per share dividends payable april shareholders record march company reuter 
earn	lsb bancshares inc lxbk raises payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	heinz hnz qtr jan net shr cts cts qtly div cts cts prior net mln mln revs billion billion mths shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs billion billion note dividend payable april shareholders record march reuter 
acq	wall street stocks tenneco inc tgt tenneco inc company that long rumored takeover candidate rose sharply today speculation surfaced that investor boone pickens targeting company for acquisition traders and analysts tenneco spokesman joseph macrum comment make whatsoever pickens not for comment traders noted that activity stock increased today published report linked pickens tenneco tenneco rose two points paul feretti analyst orleans based howard weil labouisse friedrichs inc not surprised market rumors that tenneco target takeover attempt pure market speculation that boone pickens and group interested feretti tenneco challenge run sheer size and diversity pickens man likes challenge pickens made unsuccessful attempt dallas based diamond shamrock corp dia last winter made secret plans acquire additional natural gas reserves belief that gas prices will stabilize sooner oil prices tenneco holds natural gas reserves estimated excess trillion cubic feet analysts feretti conservatively estimated tenneco breakup dlrs share and company generated cash flow dlrs share attractive pickens analysts estimate breakup into dlr share range strongly doubt that hostile takeover drexel burnham lambert inc houston based analyst john olson putting credence rumors tenneco gargantuan enterprise billion dlrs long term debt and preferred stock outstanding buyer deal intractable problems tenneco faces farm equipment unit and energy businesses analysts suggested that tenneco use number defensive strategies fend unwanted buyer such spin energy businesses directly shareholders buy back shares create limited partnership natural gas pipeline interests analyst asked remain unidentified discouraged pickens rumor pickens plateful holdings burlington northern and amerada hess don willing tenneco problems case farm equipment unit losing mln dlrs annually and worth billion dlrs market today reuter 
earn	software saga sees weak results software systems inc expects report earnings for quarter substantially weaker earnings prior periods due unexpected shortfall domestic license revenues for second quarter ended november software earned dlrs dlrs year last year quarter software earned dlrs reuter 
earn	miles laboratories inc qtr net net sales mln mln year net sales billion billion note company subsidiary bayer west germany figures exclude miles bayvet animal health business sold jan mobay corp another bayer affiliate reuter 
earn	intelligent systems mlp inp qtr dec net shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit rev mln mln avg shares months shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss rev mln mln note qtr net includes gain discontinued operations mln dlrs cts share two cts share fiscal qtr months net includes gain discontinued operations mln dlrs cts share dlrs cts share months fiscal 
earn	shadowfax resources shfxf year loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs note year includes dlr writedown utah oil and gas properties reuter 
acq	paralax vido agrees acquire american video paralax video enterprises inc agreeed acquire american video group inc exchange for paralax restricted common shares and year warrants buy restricted shares six dlrs share paralax holders american video convertible debentures elected exchange for paralax restricted common market dlrs that determined days american video closely held company operating video rental concessions post and base exchanges army air force navy and coast guard installations recent year company had revenues mln dlrs paralax acquisition scheduled close march company mln shares outstanding reuter 
earn	kurzweil music systems inc kurm qtr loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs avg shrs year shr loss cts loss dlrs net loss loss revs avg shrs reuter 
earn	morgan and inc jpm sets quarterly dividend cts cts previously pay april record march reuter 
acq	bayly bayl buys majority chutes bayly corp acquired pct chutes corp maker denim oriented sportswear headquartered seattle wash terms not disclosed reuter 
earn	intelligent systems mlp inp makes cash payout intelligent systems master limited partnership will make cash distribution cts unit early april unitholders record march company continued strength results prompted move intelligent systems added that current plans sell assets previously announced successful make distributions estimated cts cts unit earlier company reported fiscal quarter ended december net income mln dlrs cts share fiscal quarter results dlrs cts share addition reported fiscal months net income mln dlrs cts share versus loss mln dlrs cts share fiscal quarters reuter 
earn	kurzweil kurm reduced work force kurzweil music systems inc steps this year reduce costs including pct reduction work force spokesman company employees reductions include use professional services administrative costs manufacturing overhead and essential development services adding cuts expected significant impact beginning second quarter earlier today kurzweil reported loss cts share compared loss dlrs share reuter 
earn	heinz hnz higher net despite higher costs heinz net income for quarter rose pct despite pct increase marketing expenses meanwhile company raised quarterly dividend cts share cts share part expectation that tax rate tax law will result greater cash flow for quarter ended january heinz earned mln dlrs cts share earnings mln dlrs cts share for year ago quarter for months company posted profit mln dlrs dlrs share compared profit mln dlrs dlrs share for year ago period based company performance for months expect achieve consecutive year growth records anthony reilly heinz newly elected chairman reuter 
orange	brazilian fcoj official welcomes duty cut mario branco peres president brazilian association citrus juice industries abrassuco welcomed decision commerce department sharply cutting duties imported frozen concentrated orange juice fcoj brazil speaking telephone sao paulo peres decision government recognised honesty brazilian exporters never intention practising dumping final ruling yesterday government eliminated duties shipped sucocitrico cutrale and cut pct duty citrosuco duties pct had set last october peres brazil had orange juice meet major clients not stock orange juice supply buyers peres declining estimate amount current stock secret part strategy added peres price policy orange juice based market conditions nothing free trade policy cutrale and citrosuco officials not immediately for comment reuter 
earn	wall street stocks ich corp ich ich corp stock continued pressure lower earnings expectations wall street analysts stock today and since thursday ich announced reporting lower expected fourth quarter net income company report full year net income dlrs per share compared dlrs per share analysts had estimated net dlrs and for dlr dlr range ich officials unavailable for comment reuter 
earn	invacare corp ivcr qtr net shr profit cts profit cts net profit dlrs profit dlrs rev mln dlrs mln dlrs mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit dlrs loss dlrs revs mln dlrs mln dlrs reuter 
earn	renaissance energy year net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
housing	quebec february housing starts fall quebec housing starts fell february pct drop last year growth quebec housing starts highest canada canada mortgage and housing corp february rate seasonally adjusted stands january government agency reuter 
earn	invacare ivcr expects higher sales invacare corp chairman president and chief executive officer malachi mixon iii expects home healthcare equipment company post sales increases pct range mixon increases come internal growth potential acquisitions invacare aggressively seeking acquisitions complement company existing product lines mixon earlier company reported fourth quarter net mln dlrs cts share mln dlrs cts share fourth quarter invacare reported net income mln dlrs cts share loss mln dlrs cts share reuter 
earn	lamson and sessions lms qtr loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln year oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln note excludes discontinued operations loss dlrs share versus loss cts quarter and loss dlrs share versus loss cts year excludes extraordinary loss six cts share fourth quarter and gain dlrs share full year excludes full year gain cts per share accounting change reuter 
trade	south korea trade surplus years south korean trade minister rha woong bae nation maintain trading surplus for years cut foreign debt interview reuter that years likely south korea drop barriers foreign goods and move balanced trade position present trade surplus vital nation reduce billion dlr foreign debt rha that year south korea had trade surplus billion dlrs deficit mln dlrs rha made remarks end two week trade mission team led agreed buy products valued billion dlrs mln dlrs purchases goods type south korea bought japan rha leaves today for ottawa for trade talks canadian officials and businessmen asked south korea retaliate goods congress closed markets products this moment thought retaliation south korea major exporter textiles and apparel and electronic goods such television sets video cassette records and personal computers purchases united states include electronic testing equipment grains and cotton reuter 
earn	resturant associates industries inc raa qtr shr cts cts shr diluted cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs year shr cts cts shr diluted cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs note results for and week periods ended january and week periods ended december net periods includes gain dlrs tax loss carryforward spokeswoman average shares outstanding diluted basis not reuter 
earn	southern england telecom sng declares div qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march note company full name southern england telecommunications corp reuter 
earn	empire carolina inc emp qtr net shr cts cts net dlrs dlrs revs mln dlrs mln dlrs mths shr dlrs cts net dlrs dlrs revs mln dlrs mln dlrs note empire investment deltona corp reported equity method beginning fourth qtr amounts for and qtrs restated reflect retroactive application pct debentures and dlrs preferred stock redeemed converted resulting common shares outstanding december compared common shares outstanding december reuter 
earn	enseco inc ncco qtr loss oper shr loss six cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs avg shrs mln mln year oper shr loss six cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln note excludes extraordinary credit cts share fourth quarter and cts year reuter 
acq	corrected rexnord rex sell railway unit rexnord inc signed definitive agreement sell railway maintenance equipment subsidiary oak industries inc terms withheld participating agreement banner industries inc previously agreed acquire rexnord railway maintenance had sales mln dlrs rexnord sale part major program divest businesses representing mln dlrs net assets divested process machinery division sales mln dlrs and mathews conveyer sales mln dlrs corrects mame purchaser reuter 
acq	wall street stocks supermarkets general sgl dart group corp darta acquire supermarkets general corp for billion dlrs not likely give fight target seeks another buyer arbitrageurs speculation that dart offer dlrs per share beginning bidding contest helped supermarkets shares gain mln shares rumor had federated department stores inc fds taking supermarkets general policy that not comment rumors speculation this nature federated spokeswoman arbitrageur noted that dart controlled chairman herbert haft and son robert last year raised initial bid for safeway stores approximately pct safeway resisted that company sold buyout group that topped hafts history repeats hafts raise bid dlrs rebuffed supermarkets general arbitrageur another arbitrageur hafts present bid quite fair offer amounts times tax cash flow fully priced reuter 
acq	american motors amo weighs takeover proposal american motors corp directors met wednesday review takeover proposal corporation received monday chrysler corp amc board retained independent investment and legal advisers and expects meet periodically weeks proposal reuter 
earn	bangor hydro electric bang sets dividend qtly div cts cts pay april record march reuter 
acq	kansas city southern ksu merger response kansas city southern industries inc attempt santa southern pacific sfx reopen proposed merger atchison topeka and santa railway and southern pacific transportation offers nothing letter shippers kansas city chairman landon rowland stated this proposed merger plainly anti competitive found icc and urged department justice nothing changed landon kansas city southern continuing efforts acquire transportation operation santa railway reuter 
acq	coke affiliate sell delaurentiis deg stake laurentiis entertainment group inc embassy communications californai general partnership affiliated coca cola plans sell pct stake company filing securities and exchange commission for secondary offering laurentiis embassy will offer entire stake company shares common stock public sale laurentiis mln shares outstanding painewebber inc will underwrite offering reuter 
earn	herley microwave hrly qtr jan net shr cts cts net rev mln mln six months shr cts cts net rev mln mln note company full name herley microwave systems inc reuter 
acq	williams cos wmb completes sale unit williams cos completed sale agrico chemical unit freeport mcmoran resource partners frp for initial mln dlrs cash company will receive additional mln dlrs years based operating performance unit cash proceeds will used lower debt costs reuter 
sugar	commission rejects sugar threats sources european community commission told member states that not prepared discuss sugar prices sugar traders threaten make huge sale into intervention stocks protest policies commission sources position that not willing discuss problems market prices time traders making threats source sources commission view made clear meeting sugar management committee today french west german and dutch officials had informed committee that traders countries intended sell tonnes sugar into intervention stocks commission riposted signalling that sell sugar sold into intervention back market tender move that push prices sources french traders planned sell tonnes into intervention stocks west german traders tonnes and dutch traders reuter 
money-supply	treasury balances fed fell march treasury balances federal reserve fell march billion dlrs billion dlrs previous business day treasury latest budget statement balances tax and loan note accounts fell billion dlrs billion dlrs respective days treasury operating cash balance totaled billion dlrs march compared billion dlrs march reuter 
trade	south korea maintain trade surplus years south korean trade minister rha woong bae nation maintain trading surplus for years cut foreign debt interview reuters that years likely south korea drop barriers foreign goods and move balanced trade position present trade surplus vital nation reduce billion dlr foreign debt rha that year south korea had trade surplus billion dlrs deficit mln dlrs asked south korea drop trade barriers once foreign debt substantially reduced rha made remarks end two week trade mission team led agreed buy products valued billion dlrs mln dlrs purchases goods type south korea bought japan rha leave today for ottawa for trade talks canadian officials and businessmen interview purchases reduce country billion dlr surplus united states and cut billion dlr shortfall japan rha due shift exchange rates dollar and yen that made cheaper buy goods japanese goods south korea heavily relied foreign trade and hoped leaders major trading nations find resolve growing trend protectionist legislation rha hope leaders can together find solution making mutually satisfactory concessions added leaders hesitant make concessions domestic political reasons speaking country made lot concessions cited regulations permitting foreign investment industrial firms allowing increased foreign banking activity and cracking piracy intellectual property strengthening protection copyrights and patents rha south korea had lowered tariffs asked south korea retaliate goods congress closed markets products this moment thought retaliation south korea major exporter united states textiles and apparel and electronic goods such television sets video cassette records and personal computers puchases united states include electronic testing equipment and grains and cotton trade mission purchases included boeing passenger planes for mln dlrs mcdonnell douglas planes for mln dlrs and machinery worth mln dlrs reuter 
acq	hong kong firm ups calmat czm stake pct industrial equity pacific hong kong investment firm raised stake calmat shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission industrial equity principally owned brierley investments publicly held zealand firm bought calmat common shares feb and march for mln dlrs bought stock for investment purposes raise stake pct reuter 
acq	paralax video vido buy american video paralax video enterprises inc signed definitive agreement buy american video group inc for stock merger proposal american video shareholders will receive restricted paralax shares and warrants buy another restricted shares six dlrs share warrants run for years addition holders american video convertible debentures agreed exchange holdings for dlrs worth paralax stock american video operates stores military bases reuter 
earn	lamson sessions lms drops rail parts operations lamson and sessions decided discontinue operations youngstown steel door maker components and equipment for railroad freight cars company unit sold this year included discontinued operations results announced earlier today company reported loss continuing operations mln dlrs for year profit mln dlrs for discontinued operations reported loss mln dlrs compared year earlier loss dlrs reuter 
acq	rochester telephone rtc buy canton phone rochester telephone corp agreed buy canton telephone for undisclosed terms canton serves customers northeastern penn had operating revenues mln dlrs company reuter 
earn	wallace computer services inc wcs dividend qtly div cts cts previously pay june record june reuter 
earn	iroquois brands ibl qtr loss oper shr loss cts loss cts oper net loss loss revs mln mln mths oper shr loss dlrs loss dlrs oper net loss loss revs mln mln note excludes gain dlrs share versus gain cts quarter and gain dlrs share versus gain dlrs year discontinued and disposed operations reuter 
acq	alabama investor ups penobscot shoe pso stake donaldson bramham lee investor birmingham alabama raised stake penobscot shoe shares pct total outstanding common stock shares pct filing securities and exchange commission lee bought penobscot common shares feb and march prices ranging dlrs share lee bought penobscot stock for investment purposes and plans seek control company buy stock reuter 
earn	aero services aeroe sees aero services international inc expects achieve improvements operations year ending september earlier aero reported year end net loss mln dlrs compared profit dlrs company loss attributable costs associated acquisition costs and operating losses beckett aviation fixed base operations purchased august and discontinued weather service and flight simulator segments reuter 
earn	aero services international inc aeroe year shr loss cts profit cts net loss mln profit revs mln mln note net loss includes loss mln dlrs cts share discontinued operations revenues include revenues for last months beckett aviation acquired september year ended september reuter 
earn	vista resources inc vist qtr net shr dlrs dlr net revs mln mln mths shr dlrs dlrs net revs mln mln reuter 
alum	alcoa declines specific comment options trade alcoa officials acknowledged possibility that position exchange aluminum options market declined specific comment trade speculation that company holding large outstanding position alcoa aluminum company america source involved terminal trading for company use means manage business possibility trading options won into specifics you dealing alloyed ingot commodity business lot tools for hedging and alcoa tools posti alcoa manager corporate news trade sources alcoa long call options equal tonnes aluminum due mature april and york based aluminium traders size alcoa position exaggerated possibility that alcoa long call options factor indicating that supply tightness worsen second quarter traders decide exercise buy mean squeezing market york trader noting that aluminum stocks london metal exchange tonnes end last week reuter 
earn	brae corp brae qtr dec loss shr loss dlrs profit two cts net loss profit revs mln mln mths shr loss dlrs loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln note includes losses discontinued operations dlrs loss dlrs qtr and dlrs loss dlrs loss mths reuter 
crude	marathon raise crude prices cts bbl tomorrow wti dlrs 
acq	general electric sell datel unit general electric semiconductor business agreed sell datel unit group led unit president nicolas tagaris terms not disclosed tagaris founded company produces precision data acquisition conversion and control components and subsystems sold reuter 
acq	trico tro sets date for acquisition vote trico industries inc set march date for special shareholders meeting for vote proposed acquisition company paccar inc pcar january two companies announced agreement covering proposed acquisition paccar trico approximately mln shares outstanding for dlrs per share cash reuter 
acq	hughes tool shareholders approve merger baker international 
earn	canadian gypsum year net shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln revs mln mln reuter 
acq	crew union sets pact pacific southwest psg pacific southwest airlines reached agreement southwest crew controllers association needed satisfy conditions usair group proposed acquisition psa psa this unions agreement needed for usair acquisition consummated agreement psa crew controllers received assurances will provided labor protective provisions and seniority integration process reuter 
earn	southernnet inc sout qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
ship	senator lugar calls for cargo preference repeal senior republican senate agriculture committee richard lugar indiana called for repeal cargo preference law that aids american shipping industry hurts farmers cargo preference costly special interest operated expense american farmers and dockworkers lugar signing sponsor cargo preference repeal legislation law requires shipment goods american ships foreign vessels costly reuter 
crude	eia distillate stocks mln gasoline crude mln 
earn	sylvan learning corp slvn months dec shr loss cts profit cts net loss mln profit revs mln mln note net includes negative effect accounting change cts share reuter 
crude	eia distillate gas stocks week distillate fuel stocks held primary storage fell mln barrels week ended march six mln barrels energy information administration eia weekly petroleum status report department energy agency gasoline stocks barrels week mln barrels and refinery crude oil stocks fell mln barrels mln eia residual fuel stocks fell mln barrels mln barrels and crude oil stocks strategic petroleum reserve spr rose barrels mln total crude refined product and spr stocks fell mln barrels reuter 
interest	philippine debt talks delayed for consultations today debt rescheduling talks philippines government and bank advisory committee postponed thursday give banks time manila proposal for paying part interest bill notes cash bankers committee banks met briefly earlier today and decided that needed time news report quoted reagan administration official urging that proposal consideration banks felt that this information and that consultation called for banker despatch yesterday washington reuters quoted official manila plan pay interest notes that converted into equity investments philippines fully consistent reagan administration strategy for handling developing country debt philippine proposal interesting quite unique and don that categorically rejected hand official key role plays debt crisis foreign banks wanted time analyze significance policymaker comments bankers reuter 
acq	harper and row gets bid harcourt brace jovanovich for dlrs shr 
acq	hughes approves merger baker bko overwhelming majority hughes tool shareholders approved merger agreement baker international corp based revised terms that companies additional time sell drilling bit business required justice department hughes chairman william kistler revised terms proposed consent decree set mln dlr cap funding newly combined companies will spend disputed drilling bit business sold earlier proposed consent decree not establish funding limit baker hughes merger create billion dlr oilfield services company almost fell earlier this month hughes balked terms proposed justice department consent decree that companies months find buyer for reed business baker today withdraw billion dlr lawsuit had filed force hughes follow merger hughes kistler speaking reporters pct hughes shareholders approved merger revised terms agreement give companies six months find buyer for reed drilling bit business previous agreement had proposed month period kistler government had granting additional month extension complete sale people domestic drilling bit business companies kistler decided voluntarily sell reed plant singapore kistler estimated that merger completed two weeks will result annual cost savings mln dlrs expects substantial cutbacks member workforce baker hughes inc name merged company will kistler cost savings and greater efficiencies put company profitable that fourth quarter merger close breakeven fourth quarter hughes earned mln dlrs sales mln dlrs baker fiscal quarter ended december lost mln dlrs revenues mln dlrs reuter 
crude	usx unit raise crude postings usx subsidiary marathon petroleum will raise contract prices for eleven grades crude oil cts barrel effective tomorrow increase brings marathon posted price for west texas intermediate and west texas sour grades dlrs barrel light louisiana grade raised cts dlrs barrel reuter 
earn	dollar general corp dolr qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr cts cts net mln revs mln mln reuter 
acq	broad acquires vogt and conant unit broad corp acquired construction activities vogt and conant cleveland combined companies called broad vogt and conant inc will largest structural steel erection company combined sales two operations mln dlrs reuter 
acq	harper hpr gets bid harcourt hbj harper and row publishers inc received acquisition offer harcourt brace jovanovich inc acquire harper and row shares dlrs share cash harper will proposal including such concerns anti trust and legal considerations monday harper and row received surprise dlr share bid investor theodore cross owner six pct shares for stock not harcourt made clear offer that will step harper directors and shareholders reject bid harper harper board previously expressed strong determination remain independent publishing enterprise harper that world pictures shareholder requested copy harper shareholder list used soliciting proxies world shares total mln shares harper and row stock closed rising points yesterday shareholders due vote april shareholders rights plan designed thwart hostile takeovers ivan obolensky analyst investment banking for sterling grace and harper and row remaining independent publishers back list authors stretching back years long company maintains copyrights estates deceased authors controls motion picture and television rights stories and printing technologies make editions profitable business harcourt brace back list that nature and willing pay for obolensky harper and row plenty beef warrant dlr bid reuter 
acq	goldman sells pennsylvania fpa stock goldman sachs and told securities and exchange commission sold entire stake pennsylvania corp shares pct total outstanding common stock goldman sachs pennsylvania common shares remaining february company redeemed convertible debentures common stock once increased goldman stock holding and total outstanding goldman sachs originally bought stake part arbitrage business marine midland banks agreement principal acquire pennsylvania reuter 
earn	lionel corp lio qtr jan oper net oper shr dlr cts oper net mln revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs mln note prior year qtr and year oper net excludes mln dlrs and mln dlrs for income discontinued operations prior year qtr and year oper net excludes mln dlrs and mln dlrs for operating loss carryforwards and reogranization items prior year qtr and year ended january reuter 
earn	montreal city district savings bank qtr shr cts cts net mln mln loans not deposits not assets billion not note full name montreal city and district savings bank period ended january reuter 
gold	franco nevada stock rise due drilling franco nevada mining corp gain stock price today related deep drilling conducted american barrick resources corp goldstrike claims carlin camp northern nevada franco nevada stock two dlrs per share toronto stock exchange franco nevada american barrick announced march that drilling number significant intersections sulfide gold mineralization below depth feet vertical drill hole intersected gold continuously feet feet averaging ounces per short ton announcement reuter 
acq	businessman pct del webb dwp john cotton arizona businessman told securities and exchange commission acquired equivalent shares class common shares del webb investment properties pct total cotton president finalco group inc paradise valley ariz data processing equipment maker bought stake includes warrants buy shares for dlrs warrants exerciseable dlrs share cotton bought stock for investment purposes reuter 
earn	astec industries inc aste qtr dec shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln year shr profit cts profit cts net profit mln profit revs mln mln note net includes loss cts mln dlrs qtr and loss cts dlrs year discontinued operations reuter 
earn	bank british columbia qtr jan net oper shr loss two cts profit cts oper net profit dlrs profit year period ended october oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit assets billion billion note qtr net excludes extraordinary loss mln dlrs six cts shr net excludes extraordinary loss mln dlrs dlrs shr involving mln dlrs costs sale bank assets hongkong bank canada mln dlrs for contingent liabilities respect litigation and potential tax reassessment govt and mln dlrs deferred tax debits bank assets sold hongkong bank canada unit hong kong and shanghai banking corp nov shr preferred divs reuter 
earn	restaurant associates inc qtr jan shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln year shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln note qtr includes loss carryforward shares restated give effect stock split form pct class dividend august reuter 
earn	michigan general corp mgl qtr shr loss dlrs dlr net loss mln mln revs mln mln year shr loss dlrs loss dlrs net loss mln mln revs mln mln note qtr year loss includes mln dlrs mln dlrs discontinued qtr and year include loss mln mln dlr reuter 
earn	bank revises share payout estimate bank british columbia revised estimate shareholder distributions last november sale bank assets hongkong bank canada cts and dlrs share cts dlrs share bank estimate rise dlrs and dlrs share full pension surplus obtained not distributions made earlier reported that operating profit for quarter ended january fell dlrs mln dlrs previous year for full year ended october bank posted operating loss mln dlrs year earlier profit mln dlrs bank posted mln dlr extraordinary loss fiscal bank british columbia sold assets last november hongkong bank canada unit hongkong and shanghai banking corp hong kong for mln dlrs efforts wind bank affairs proceeding quickly bank expected report positive earnings future periods barring unforeseen circumstances loan losses bank previously figured move sell assets rose mln dlrs fiscal year earlier mln dlrs bank mln dlrs total represented downward adjustments portfolio syndicated sovereign risk loans required sale hongkong bank since november bank confined activities winding affairs bank british columbia reuter 
earn	kiena gold mines qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr dlrs cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	kiena plans two for stock split kiena gold mines planned two for common stock split pending shareholder approval april approval require pct votes cast kiena pct owner campbell red lake mines crk expected vote favor split reuter 
earn	rowe furniture corp rowe sets qtly dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
trade	house panel takes trade bill votes house trade lawmakers votes measures designed toughen trade laws held tomorrow difficult votes controversial plans protect american industries meeting closed session house ways and means trade subcommittee failed resolve sensitive issues bill whether will force major foreign trading partners severely cut trade surpluses united states subcommittee toned version democratic sponsored trade legislation that aims open foreign markets drops last year effort force president reagan retaliate quotas tariffs congressional aides asked not identified lawmakers intend wrap proposals tomorrow and will proposal mandate retaliation setting specific trade penalties legislation faces another hurdle full ways and means committee week full house votes rep richard gephardt missouri democrat seeking party presidential nomination offer amendment call for reductions trade surpluses countries barriers imports goods this moderated version earlier plan force mandatory ten per cent annual cut trade surplus united states japan south korea taiwan west germany and countries largest trade imbalances criteria for good amendment sets standard for getting trade deficit told reporters trade law become part major congressional and administration effort turn record trade deficit billion dlrs last year opening foreign markets and making products competitive house speaker james wright texas democrat today expects full house will approve trade bill and that reagan will accept final congressional bill expect reported ways and means committee will pass will good bill and effective bill told reporters comprehensive trade bill will include work committees ease export controls high technology aid workers displaced foreign competition stimulate research and development remove foreign trade barriers and improve education and worker training lawmakers agreed that for time industry charge foreign producers unfair competition deny basic worker rights such collective bargaining safety rules and payment minimum wage country economic development transferred trade representative clayton yeutter powers held reagan decide whether retaliate foreign violations fair trade rules and whether injured industry deserves import relief agreed make easier for company temporary relief import competition agreed industry provide plan become competitive administration not announced support yeutter yesterday cautiously optimistic that democratic led house will come acceptable bill reuter 
trade	soviet minister trade boost french soviet deputy prime minister vsevolod murakhovsky end visit country wanted boost joint business france that reduction france trade deficit soviet union depended french murakhovsky chairman state agro industrial committee gosagroprom told news conference had discussed variety deals french companies rhone poulenc pechiney and imec declining put figures contracts had discussed plant protection and processing highly sulphuric gas rhone poulenc packaging technology for agricultural products pechiney and fruit and vegetable juice processing imec official for pechiney agreement intent packaging signed not give details two companies not immediately for comment asked whether foresaw reduction this year france trade shortfall billion francs months billion for murakhovsky told reuters depends france meeting paris last january french and soviet foreign trade ministers committed increased efforts reduce deficit estimates time showed french mln franc surplus for december murakhovsky soviet union prepared talk interesting proposals offering latest technology and assuring mutual advantage soviet union had tasks ahead and deal rapidly proposals considered interesting encouraged companies advantage laws guaranteeing interests foreign partners joint ventures agreements had finalised joint venture laws concrete deals had not finalised result billion dollar accord signed moscow last month french businessman jean baptiste doumeng doumeng interagra company preparing proposals for examination soviet union doumeng last month agreement exchange billion dollars worth goods murakhovsky agreement intent and designed primarily renew and increase soviet union food production capacity reuter 
crude	venezuela lend oil ecuador for export venezuela will supply ecuador undetermined amount crude oil meet export commitments affected last week earthquake energy and mines minister arturo hernandez grisanti gave details deal crude oil loan agreement will made state oil companies petroleos venezuela pdvsa and ecuador cepe ecuador forced suspend oil exports for expected months earthquake damaged pipeline oil accounts for per cent export income hernandez speaking reporters miraflores palace results talks ecuador deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite arrived last night volume lent ecuador discounted opec quota and not affect venezuela august produce quota and sell additional amounts that ecuador repaying not elaborate quota arrangements ecuador notify opec telex that venezuela lending amount days venezuela opec output quota million barrels day and ecuador set bpd reuter 
earn	eagle clothes inc egl qtr jan shr profit cts profit cts net profit mln profit revs mln mln six months shr profit cts loss cts net profit mln loss revs mln mln note six months includes increase provision for doubtful accounts mln dlrs shares give effect issuance mln shares exchange for outstanding series preferred shares reuter 
trade	britain calls japan increase imports britain today called japan increase foreign imports risk rise protectionism and harm bring and trading nations british trade and industry secretary paul channon japan heed report issued japanese government advisory body december calling for faster domestic demand cut trade surplus and restructure economy recognise that strong yen brought problems japan domestic economy told group japanese businessmen london short term difficulties not allowed deflect japan fundamental reforms not domestic issue for japan import propensity not expand real risk protectionist lobbies japan massive surplus succeed securing action governments highly injurious trading nations japan and channon had substantial growth volume trade japan and britain amounting billion sterling billion dlrs last year added regrettably direction japanese selling billion sterling billion dlrs sold reuter 
acq	taft broadcasting rejects dlr per share buyout offer theta corp 
acq	taft tfb rejects dlr shr offer taft braodacasting board directors unanimously decided not accept pending proposal theta corp investor group led dudley taft decision based things advise financial advisors goldman sachs and that offer dlrs per share inadequate taft board concluded that offer failed recognize fully future propsects company and directed management explore alternatives including financial restructuring reuter 
veg-oil	british minister criticises proposed oils tax british minister that proposed european community tax vegetable oils and fats raise price fish and chips and pledged government fight lord belstead junior agriculture minister told house lords tax raise price raw materials used processed foods pct revenue not raised taxing consumer and called proposal repugnant reuter 
jobs	australian unemployment eases february australia seasonally adjusted unemployment rate eased pct estimated workforce february pct january compared pct year earlier statistics bureau number unemployed declined january february unadjusted number jobless rose pct workforce pct january and pct year earlier reuter 
money-fx	treasury secretary baker declines comment treasury secretary james baker declined comment february paris accord six major industrial nations agreed foster exchange rate stability asked reporters speech national fitness foundation banquet currency intervention levels had set paris baker replied never talk intervention baker declined comment views foreign exchange markets reaction accord reuter 
crude	ecuador opec raise export quota ecuador will opec raise oil export quota barrels per day compensate for lost output due last week earthquake deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite santos alvite arrived caracas last night discuss aid plan for ecuador not organisation petroleum exporting countries opec approached additional output related plans discussion for venezuela and mexico lend ecuador crude repairs pipeline damaged quake earlier venezuelan energy and mines minister aturo hernandez grisanti country supply unspecified part ecuador export commitments santos alvite told reporters hoped cargo barrels leave maracaibo this weekend supply refineries guayaquil added ecuador wanted make for bpd shipped caribbean destinations mexico supply ecuador south korean market ecuador unable export oil for months due extensive damage mile stretch pipeline linking jungle oilfields pacific port balao reuter 
crude	china closes second round offshore oil bids china closed second round bidding foreign firms for offshore oil exploration rights china daily reported quoted spokesman for china national offshore oil corp cnooc china signed contracts foreign firms for blocks pearl river mouth and south yellow sea covering total area second round bidding began end and produced results lufeng south east shenzhen output barrels day drilled group japanese companies spokesman added cnooc ready enter into contracts for offshore blocks round bidding began not this added contracts not bound restrictions imposed second round china signed oil contracts and agreements companies countries since offshore exploration open foreigners eleven contracts terminated oil discovered foreign firms invested billion dlrs offshore china since reuter 
acq	amc imposes hiring freeze due takeover bid american motors corp amo management ordered hiring freeze view chrysler corp billion dlr takeover bid spokesman for amc analysts merger virtually ahead american motors directors met for hours wednesday review takeover proposal board expects meeting periodically weeks chrysler proposal amc formal statement since acknowledged chrysler proposal monday chrysler number automaker merger motivated principally desire acquire amc profitable jeep business and dealers modern car assembly plant bramalea ontario that means guaranteed future for amc leaves question fate employees industry analysts amc toledo ohio jeep plant hourly workers indefinite layoff kenosha wisconsin car plant another layoff reuter 
bop	foreign investment australia jumps last qtr net inflow foreign investment into australia jumped billion dlrs fourth quarter billion quarter and billion year earlier statistics bureau bureau attributed increase turnaround billion dlrs official sector transactions and billion turnaround direct investment turnaround official transactions billion inflow mln outflow quarter mln inflow year earlier largely account government foreign currency borrowings direct investment recorded turnaround billion dlr inflow fourth quarter mln withdrawal quarter mln inflow fourth quarter bureau major part turnaround reflected injection funds estimated mln dlrs associated previously reported restructuring australian operations general motors corp used funds pay australian liabilities local unit general motors holden net borrowings remained major part total inflow accounting for billion dlrs fourth quarter billion quarter and billion year earlier bureau net official borrowings comprised billion dlrs net outflow mln quarter and mln inflow year earlier total private and semi public authority net borrowings rose billion dlrs billion quarter and billion year earlier reuter 
trade	taiwan relaxes foreign goods import curbs taiwan relax import controls foreign items including stationery and books effort trading partners greater access markets taiwan announced easing import curbs farm and industrial products last month council for economic planning and development spokesman told reuters move intended balance trade taiwan and trading partners island trade surplus reached record billion dlrs last year billion january taiwan cut import tariffs foreign products and allowed imports wine beer and cigarettes hope measures will reduce trade surplus this year that spokesman washington pressing taiwan open markets wider cutting trade deficit island rose billion dlrs two months billion year earlier period reuter 
ship	bangladesh port workers end strike cargo handling resumed bangladesh chittagong port today workers ended day walk triggered pay dispute port officials loading and unloading ships stranded strike started this morning and will completed quickly strikers returned work agreement reached last night port authorities and port workers association giving details reuter 
acq	leigh pemberton opposes takeover protection rules bank england not favour introduction rules shield companies hostile takeover attempts governor robin leigh pemberton merchant banks advising bidding companies show restraint and responsibility avoid excesses that marred recent takeovers told yorkshire and humberside regional confederation british industries annual dinner leigh pemberton called companies improve ties institutional investors suggesting representatives institutions granted seats boards directors companies invest boards cannot expect protection unwelcome predators for that short step that protected shareholders proprietors company leigh pemberton added takeovers and mergers had important role play furthering economies scale integration and efficient market penetration degree success failure takeover not experience depended whether not takeover contested leigh pemberton noted had excesses takeover activity recent past aim pressurise company management into action dedicated solely favourable impact share price short term partly even primarily expense future such bids depend for success creating highly charged and artificial situation share market and give rise temptations sides battle engage aggressive even manipulative tactics that immensely damaging interest shareholders clear reference recent events city act for companies individuals suggest ready accept full measure responsibility even entails opprobrium for transactions that result exercise careful judgment outset respect clients for act and activities contenplated sow wind cannot expect whirlwind visit added reuter 
pet-chem	tonen sekiyu and exxon unit studying resin project tonen sekiyukagaku and exxon chemical petrochemical division exxon corp xon agreed accelerate study set equally owned joint venture make waterwhite resin japan details venture based exxon chemical technology will set companies waterwhite resins widely used adhesive applications for baby nappies medical tapes and bonding agents tonen wholly owned subsidiary toa nenryo kogyo tnen owned pct exxon corp reuter 
acq	japanese purchase high tech firm opposed commerce secretary malcolm baldrige asked white house blocking planned japanese acquisition major computer and semiconductor maker officials yesterday officials told reporters baldrige had concerns national security grounds sale schlumberger slb unit fairchild semiconductor inc fujitsu itsu officials sale leave united states overly dependent foreign company for equipment used advanced missiles aircraft electronics and intelligence gathering officials added sale worsen strained relations two countries stemming huge japanese trade surplus white house economic policy council sale coming weeks defence secretary caspar weinberger position not past opposed transfer high technology foreign governments companies computers made manufacturers widely used world tokyo told negotiators recently prefers local manufacturers and not buy supercomputers reuter 
cotton	korea buy cotton cotton south korea plans import tonnes cotton this year compared tonnes trade ministry officials quarters total tonnes will come united states that will pct increase imports totalled tonnes official increase due partly competitiveness american cotton and partly efforts seoul reduce trade surplus washington south korea second largest importer cotton japan reuter 
ship	striking brazil seamen threaten mass resignation striking seamen offer collective resignation end day national strike management terms seamen spurred decision marines occupied ship docemarte santos harbour tuesday night seamen vessel forced work duress president jose sarney government despatched troops brazil ports and oil installations tuesday seamen santos brazil main port defiant mood leaders orlando dos santos told reuters that seamen port offered resignations wednesday national strike headquarters rio janeiro seamen offering resign country main ports strike seamen comes brazil faces debt crisis brought sharp deterioration trade balance country foreign exchange can and shipowners quick denounce seamen for harm strike exports advertisement newspapers shipowners association read seamen strike illegal irrational and unpatriotic seamen respond that cannot live present salaries officical pay lists union office basic pay for ordinary seamen cruzados month allowances can bring total pay cruzados month end scale captains earn cruzados month basic pay brought cruzados allowances brazil seamen second worst paid world ghana dos santos seamen had not received pay increase since february and prices doubled since collapse government cruzado plan price freeze talks rio janeiro wednesday involving labour minister almir pazzionotto seamen and employers failed resolve dispute seamen demanding pay raises pct offered half that reuter 
reserves	german net currency reserves rise mln marks billion bundesbank 
coffee	indonesian coffee production fall this year indonesia coffee production ending september fall slightly last year level tonnes dharyono kertosastro chairman association indonesian coffee exporters told reuters shade trees had damaged pests and this affected crop remains indonesia main crop harvested month gave figure for expected output stocks normal tonnes kertosastro predicted that exports rise last year level tonnes expect exports will bit tonnes not that exports valued mln dlrs fall pct this year low prices added dharyono production year plan target tonnes for current year indonesia boost output introduction higher yielding seeds training for farmers and increased use fertilizers reuter 
acq	renouf sells pct nzi stake brierley renouf corp sold pct stake nzi corp brierley investments bil for mln dlrs renouf managing director mike cashin statement had renouf intention build long term strategic position nzi clear that interests nzi and ourselves for brierley investments acquire holding renouf built nzi holding past six months sale comprised mln shares dlrs share and warrants dlrs each warrants attached mln swiss franc note issue each bond francs carries detachable warrant entitling bearer nzi shares annual report bil reported that held pct stake nzi nzi mln ordinary shares issue total capital including shares attached warrants mln shares cashin sale will result significant profit and places renouf good position consolidate recent transactions and pursue opportunities nzi shares dlrs bil and renouf close trading bil executives unavailable for comment reuter 
earn	boliden blds results group loss financial income and expenses billion loss mln crowns sales billion crowns billion proposed dividend crowns note company this year consolidated wholesale and investment conglomerate ahlsell reuter 
gold	britain mint britannia gold coin britain will autumn mint and market bullion coin called britannia containing ounce carat gold together bullion coins smaller denominations treasury official investment coin sold worldwide will fluctuate price international price gold smaller coins will denominations half ounce quarter ounce and tenth ounce reuter 
earn	saudi banks face lean period saudi arabia commercial banks reporting decline profits for increasing provisions set cover burden performing loans bankers saudi capital build reserves for bad and doubtful debts start decline this year kingdom sluggish economy and legal problems hampering traditional lending operations mean earnings will remain vulnerable senior bank credit officer work largely terms identifying bad loans and making provisions banks face difficulties earning money sudden decline saudi arabia corporate sector culminating number debt reschedulings heavy toll bank profits results appearing for showing fourth successive year broad decline cumulative net earnings kingdom banks had sunk mln riyals billion world oil prices tumbled kingdom joint venture banks operate gregorian calendar year reported and revealed profits decline net loss for expense increased provisions newest and smallest joint ventures united saudi commercial bank uscb reported net loss mln riyals marginally shortfall mln profits provisions sharply higher part reflecting pct staff cut last year bank trebled amount set bad and doubtful loans mln riyals mln results released show saudi american bank samba reporting pct fall net profit mln riyals bank saudi fransi saudi french slid pct mln riyals saudi american owned pct citicorp cci citibank and saudi french pct owned banque indosuez increased provisions sharply arab national bank net profit fell pct mln riyals and provisions doubled mln riyals bankers signs that number performing loans stopped growing decline saudi economy bottoms willing predict sharp upturn economic activity banker top pct saudi banks close international levels provisions kingdom largest bank national commercial bank ncb stashed billion riyals provisions pct total loans and advances private sector bankers calculated and riyad bank ncb rival second biggest two saudi shareholding banks had covered pct loans and advances banks operate islamic year that not coincide saudi arabian monetary agency sama tightening supervision standardised rule for declaring loans performing bankers this makes comparison profit figures difficult banks book accruing interest revenue follow conservative practices force major world financial centres bankers generally ncb riyad bank and joint ventures samba saudi french and arab national bank rank strongest earners banks such saudi british bank pct owned british bank middle east disadvantaged relatively low deposit base saudi british slashed profit pct mln riyals and accounts due expected show another low figure bank traditionally conservative making provisions bankers sama proved not prepared saudi bank and not supported saudi cairo bank troubled accounts light made cheap deposits saudi investment bank and uscb banks can lend generate profit generally banks awash liquidity since unwilling risk incurring fresh performing loans and banks liberal financial markets can attempt diversify traditional lending conservatism saudi banking made difficult generate fee income investment banking products banker operating earnings kingdom not good reflecting caution lending amount advances showing declining trend days banks had ample funds interest free current accounts invest disappearing saudi customers seek return money ratio interest bearing accounts current accounts pct today pct customer funds held current account reuter 
acq	guinness challenges mln stg payment lawyer guinness plc guin brewing group challenged mln stg payment lawyer organised controversial takeover scotch whisky maker distillers plc attorneys for lawyer thomas ward member guinness board told court yesterday channel island jersey that ward payment reward for services last year billion stg takeover britain department trade and industry investigating takeover guinness chairman ernest saunders and ward breached fiduciary duty authorising payment ward jersey based company marketing and acquisitions consultants and jersey court recover mac defence documents that ward main negotiator battle for distillers rival bidder argyll ayll group plc bid not successful for services ward mac attorneys documents submitted court payment circumstances reasonable proper and fully earned reuter 
coffee	indonesia pressing for compromise coffee indonesian coffee exporters preparing for period depressed prices urging government lobby for resolution deadlocked issue export quotas chairman association indonesian coffee exporters aice told reuters dharyono kertosastro interview that indonesia world largest producer trimming costs and improving marketing seeking compromise quotas long brazil sticks hardline position can never bridge gap dharyono indonesia group producing countries costa rica dominican republic ecuador honduras india papua guinea and peru proposed quota system last month failed international coffee organistion ico talks london brazil had quota reduced group scheme blocked proposal aice officials hoping colombia can use contacts brazil suggest compromise edward muda aice official attended ico negotiations latin american members group contact colombia world second largest producer gave details colombia shown interest will gain compromise will suffer present market stays muda indonesia contact consumers such japan netherlands west germany and canada ahead ico executive board meeting scheduled for april dharyono aice will send delegations and japan indonesian embassy officials and press present indonesia case firmly urged indonesian government country coffee traders ico negotiations muda group had common ground big consumers agreed for basing quotas termed realistic criteria breakaway group believes quota system brazil pct share quota exports not reflect date supply and demand trends brazil stuck rigidly insistence that system applied export quotas suspended february market prices surged failure brazilian crop prices long since come point export controls reintroduced producers and consumers member ico not agree guidelines brazil and largest consumer refusing alter positions dharyono quotas not agreed believed indonesia survive low prices indonesian farmers trimming production costs and aice improving marketing system dharyono indonesia coffee output ending september expected stagnate fall slightly last year level tonnes stocks tonnes average for time year reuter 
earn	japanese corporate earnings recovery predicted japanese corporate earnings will rise pct fiscal for year year increase years partly yen stable exchange rate nomura research institute sales industries predicted rise pct year starts april research arm nomura securities statement recurrent profits estimated fall pct current fiscal year sales forecast drop pct forecast assumes average rate yen dollar compared yen current year corporate efforts cope yen appreciation such cutting production costs expected bear fruit fiscal year institute economy benefit pump priming expected government and halt rising prices manufactured goods recurrent profits manufacturing industries projected rise pct fiscal year estimated pct fall current year manufacturing sector profits will decline pct estimated pct rise current year reuter 
earn	boliden results burdened loss writeoff swedish mining and metals group boliden blds forecast return profitability recording billion crown loss burdened massive write company consolidated swedish wholesale and investment conglomerate ahlsell this year result included restructuring costs and write offs mln crowns costs arisen results change direction for group burdened annual accounts company statement boliden company liquid assets billion crowns year end together investment portfolio billion made liquid swedish companies result losses board proposed cancelling dividend for year predicted return profitability statement added swedish tyres process equipment and components firm trelleborg majority stake boliden since beginning this year trelleborg had plans for consolidating boliden reuter 
gnp	malaysia optimistic economic outlook for malaysia central bank bank negara economic outlook for good view marked improvement commodity and oil prices months last year latest quarterly review that real gross domestic product averaged annual growth pct months last year compared decline pct period growth generated manufacturing sector added reuter 
earn	rowntree reports pretax profit mln stg rowntree mackintosh plc rwnt announced made pretax profit mln stg weeks ending january compared mln stg previous year turnover billion stg billion final dividend proposed final last year earnings per share rose results broadly line market expectations leaving shares early trading pence yesterday close slightly pre announcement opening levels profit ordinary activities tax mln stg previous year mln remained rowntree largest centre for trading profits accounting for mln stg mln profit second largest geographical area north america slipped mln stg mln north american profits affected fall dollar operations continental europe made mln stg trading profit mln mln stg made australasia mln and mln stg rest world mln previous year extraordinary items amounted mln debit mln debit previously company spokesman this represented additional provisions for cost rationalisation plans announced earlier years rowntree expects north american operations will this year ahead company expectations order and rest europe combined statement spokesman specific figures had forecast acquisitions will continue sought worldwide including moves speciality retailing business rowntree entered statement rising profit europe this year forecast chairman kenneth dixon statement added performance businesses bought last year encouraging confectionery side gained market share and increased trading margins sun pat british grocery concern increased profit and rowntree small health food business holgates raised earnings fold statement offsetting factors included currency movements cost company mln stg sales tax hurt canadian profits confectionery operations and company faced strong competition snack and mid east export markets reuter 
trade	china trade deficit falls january china trade deficit january fell mln dlrs mln january china daily business weekly quoting customs figures paper exports fell billion dlrs billion and imports fell billion billion reuter 
earn	jacobs suchard jacz year net mln swiss francs mln turnover billion billion dividend per bearer francs francs per registered francs francs per participation certificate francs cash flow mln mln note confirms forecast results issued january operating profit mln mln depreciation mln pct capital spending mln pct reuter 
earn	british telecom quarter pre tax profit mln stg mln 
money-fx	bank england offers early money market bank england had invited discount houses make early round bill offers offset large liquidity shortage money market estimated shortage billion stg adverse factor unwinding sale and repurchase agreement market buy back bills worth mln stg bank bills maturing official hands and treasury bill drain mln stg wile exchequer transactions and note circulation rise mln and mln target bankers balances add mln reuter 
earn	british telecom qtr ended dec shr making for months pre tax profit mln stg mln making billion stg billion net profit minorities mln mln making mln mln note company full name british telecommunications plc bty quarter turnover billion stg billion making billion billion for months operating profit mln mln making billion billion net interest payable mln mln making mln mln tax mln mln making mln mln minorities nil nil making two mln nil reuter 
jobs	danish unemployment rises pct january denmark seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose pct workforce january pct december unchanged january national statistics office total unemployed january december and january reuter 
earn	rowntree mackintosh plc rwnt year end january shr div final div pretax profit mln stg mln net tax mln mln turnover mln mln trading profit mln stg mln consisting mln europe mln mln north america mln mln australasia mln mln rest world mln mln reuter 
earn	glynwed international plc glyn year shr net basis div making pretax profit mln stg mln net tax mln mln extraordinary items debit mln debit mln interest payable mln mln net borrowings mln mln turnover mln mln reuter 
sugar	dutch sugar trade deny involvement offer dutch sugar traders deny involvement plan offer tonnes sugar intervention protest export policy and prices traders told reuters tonnes sugar offered intervention netherlands dutch producers and traders this sugar belgian and offered belgian industry sympathise actions french west german and belgian traders and producers not party spokesman commission sources yesterday french traders planned sell tonnes into intervention stocks west german traders tonnes and dutch traders dutch trade sources gave figure for france estimated tonnes offered german traders and producers dutch spokesman added weekly export tender policy and prices squeezing european sugar industry and this can register protest desperate actions that this offered sugar will withdrawn week breathing space allowed reuter 
earn	glynwed sees progress glynwed international plc glyn statement accompanying results that present indications that started and confident that year will progress company added that results poor and deterioration south african economy left falkirk industries unit loss mln stg continuing improvement core businesses extraordinary items debit mln stg arose closure and disposal businesses reuter 
earn	british telecom sees satisfactory results british telecommunications plc bty expects announce satisfactory results for financial year ending march chairman sir george jefferson quarter statement full year results will published june financial year pre tax profit rose billion stg billion previous period jefferson good progress made latest months customers maintain normal level calls recent strike company engineers statement positive cash flow mln stg for months will diminish final quarter due corporation tax and dividend payments earlier company reported quarter pre tax profit for period ended december mln stg compared mln year earlier month pre tax billion stg billion british telecom shares last quoted level late yesterday wake results line market expectations dealers reuter 
sugar	india buys white sugar london traders india yesterday bought two cargoes white sugar london traders for april shipment and granted trade houses option sell additional two cargoes price for june shipment firms involved and man and woodhouse drake and carey sold single cargoes dlrs tonne cif for april and granted options sell extra cargo each price for june indian buying tender for cargoes whites held yesterday tender had called for single cargo prompt and two cargoes april reuter 
earn	plc nexl months end january shr div pretax profit mln stg mln net interest payable mln stg net tax mln turnover excluding vat mln mln note company intends issue second interim statement for six months july and pay related dividend early reuter 
cotton	india cotton export quota bales india raw cotton export quota raised bales bales ending august below quota mln bales minister state for textiles mirdha state and private agencies contracted export mln bales told journalists bales shipped that year rest delivered bales contracts shipped february government will export bales long and extra long staple cotton years reuter 
earn	ste lyonnaise des eaux lyoe year ended dec consolidated attributable net profit mln francs mln parent company net profit mln mln reuter 
earn	lyonnaise des eaux forecasts profit rise consolidated attributable net profit ste lyonnaise des eaux lyoe likely rise pct this year mln francs reported for chairman jerome monod told news conference group turnover rise pct mln reported for this year group investments total billion francs somewhat billion annual average past years added investments will aimed developing group leisure industry health and communications activities monod leisure sector group planned joint development club mediterranee cmi club med hectare pleasure park puisaye yonne department eastern central france wholly owned subsidiary lyonnaise developpement touristique carry construction work and financial planning development leased club med operator complex gave financial details leisure sector investments total mln francs years investments communications industry develop group cable television activities and pct owned metropole television affiliate metropole recently won concession operate sixth television channel france financing requirement metropole mln francs years lyonaise des eaux provide mln monod monod metropole aimed win pct audience share and capture pct national television advertising market total investment group communications sector including cable activities mln and mln francs years concentrated coming year investment cable operations total mln and mln years aim widening audience subscribers and boosting turnover mln francs year mln reuter 
acq	gus makes mln stg agreed offer for pantherella great universal stores plc gus made agreed offer for pantherella plc valuing company mln stg and each pantherella ordinary share pence offer based voting ordinary shares gus stg for ordinary pantherella gus shares will not receive pence per share interim dividend respect year ending march statement gus received irrevocable undertakings accept offer respect pct pantherella shares company directors and families pantherella board estimates company manufactures socks will show pretax profit stg reuter 
earn	bond corp international mos dec shr loss cents comparison dividend nil comparison net loss mln dlrs notes net excluded extraordinary losses mln dlrs property valuation reserve surplus mln dlrs results reflected trading subsidiary humphreys estate group excluded influence bulk properties firm bought late last year hongkong land hkld for billion dlrs company controlled bond corp holdings australia reuter 
reserves	german public authority bundesbank holdings fall net position federal states worsened march week cutting public authority net holdings bundesbank mln marks central bank states cash deposits central bank fell mln and drew billion marks book credit mln marks prior week contrast federal government reduce credit drawdown central bank mln marks mln despite stronger states net week cash position and market dependent influences balanced outflow liquidity money market increase cash circulation bundesbank cash circulation rose billion marks week billion liquidity maturing short term treasury bills bought bundesbank prior week gross currency reserves rose week mln marks billion foreign liabilities bundesbank largely unchanged billion marks giving rise net currency reserves mln billion bundesbank balance sheet total fell billion week billion reuter 
trade	canada january trade surplus mln dlrs december mln dlrs surplus 
trade	canada january trade surplus mln dlrs canada had trade surplus mln dlrs january compared upward revised mln dlrs surplus december statistics canada december surplus originally reported mln dlrs january surplus last year billion dlrs january exports seasonally adjusted billion dlrs billion december and billion january january imports billion dlrs billion december and billion january reuter 
sugar	hungarian sugar beet area changed hungary grow sugar beet hectares land this year compared official mti news agency diplomats this reflected hungary policy keeping sugar beet area stable current year plan and producing cover domestic demand despite recent rise world prices month highs drought cut harvest mln tonnes mln record yield kilos per tonne beet production tonnes extra refined yugoslavia hungarian beet output reuter 
earn	kidston higher net reflects gold sale rise kidston gold mines attributed rise net profit higher prices and increase gold sales ounces ounces placer development offshoot operates australia largest gold mine north queensland earlier reported net profit rose mln dlrs mln period months start production sales silver rose ounces kidston statement will spend mln dlrs upgrade mill grinding circuit mill ball mill crushing circuit boost output pct end reuter 
tin	bulletin tin price rise ringgit tin price likely rise ringgit kilo this year producers accord export quotas and reluctance brokers and banks sell metal lower prices malaysian government bulletin malaysian tin bulletin producers interest quotas limit total exports tonnes and gradually deplete tonnes overhang consumption industrialised countries stay tonnes and that international tin council creditors and brokers not likely dump stocks excessively large and abrupt price jump continued depreciation dollar push price tin bulletin depreciation dollar means depreciation ringgit closely pegged making price tin cheaper sterling terms added even absence economic rationale tin market psychological optimism alone sufficient secure price recovery ringgit per kilo bulletin reuter 
earn	kidston gold mines year shr cents div cents net mln dlrs mln turnover mln mln income mln shrs mln note company paid total cents previously declared quarterly divs net tax dlrs interest mln mln and depreciation mln mln reuter 
crude	china closes second round offshore oil bids china closed second round bidding foreign firms for offshore oil exploration rights china daily reported quoted spokesman for china national offshore oil corp cnooc china signed contracts foreign firms for blocks pearl river mouth and south yellow sea covering total area second round bidding began end and produced results lufeng south east shenzhen output barrels day drilled group japanese companies spokesman added cnooc ready enter into contracts for offshore blocks round bidding began not this added contracts not bound restrictions imposed second round china signed oil contracts and agreements companies countries since offshore exploration open foreigners eleven contracts terminated oil discovered foreign firms invested billion dlrs offshore china since reuter 
acq	leigh pemberton opposes takeover protection rules bank england not favour introduction rules shield companies hostile takeover attempts governor robin leigh pemberton merchant banks advising bidding companies show restraint and responsibility avoid excesses that marred recent takeovers told yorkshire and humberside regional confederation british industries annual dinner leigh pemberton called companies improve ties institutional investors suggesting representatives institutions granted seats boards directors companies invest boards cannot expect protection unwelcome predators for that short step that protected shareholders proprietors company leigh pemberton added takeovers and mergers had important role play furthering economies scale integration and efficient market penetration degree success failure takeover not experience depended whether not takeover contested leigh pemberton noted had excesses takeover activity recent past aim pressurise company management into action dedicated solely favourable impact share price short term partly even primarily expense future such bids depend for success creating highly charged and artificial situation share market and give rise temptations sides battle engage aggressive even manipulative tactics that immensely damaging interest shareholders clear reference recent events city act for companies individuals suggest ready accept full measure responsibility even entails opprobrium for transactions that result exercise careful judgment outset respect clients for act and activities contenplated sow wind cannot expect whirlwind visit added reuter 
crude	ecuador opec raise export quota ecuador will opec raise oil export quota barrels per day compensate for lost output due last week earthquake deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite santos alvite arrived caracas last night discuss aid plan for ecuador not organisation petroleum exporting countries opec approached additional output related plans discussion for venezuela and mexico lend ecuador crude repairs pipeline damaged quake earlier venezuelan energy and mines minister aturo hernandez grisanti country supply unspecified part ecuador export commitments santos alvite told reporters hoped cargo barrels leave maracaibo this weekend supply refineries guayaquil added ecuador wanted make for bpd shipped caribbean destinations mexico supply ecuador south korean market ecuador unable export oil for months due extensive damage mile stretch pipeline linking jungle oilfields pacific port balao reuter 
earn	jacobs suchard expects another excellent year jacobs suchard jacz hopes for another excellent year pct increase net profit results months show heading direction company president klaus jacobs group reported net profit mln swiss francs compared mln and raised dividend per bearer share francs francs jacobs increase profit exceeded company target pct real annual growth had made restructuring measures introduced january had made major acquisitions last year hermann pohl general director charge economic affairs pct decline group turnover billion francs due currency factors pct negative currency influence partially offset growth operations and structural group turnover coffee business fell billion francs billion turnover chocolate sector rose billion francs billion tonnage sold sectors declined due higher prices and lower consumer demand france and west germany jacobs suchard increased market share west germany pct pct largely result acquisitions market share france changed pct pct pohl group average tax rate rose pct pct higher profits and despite write offs losses acquisitions increase tax levels expected future taxes jumped pct mln francs mln previous year reuter 
acq	taft tfb rejects dlr shr offer taft broadacasting board directors unanimously decided not accept pending buyout proposal theta corp investor group led dudley taft decision based things advice financial advisors goldman sachs and that offer dlrs per share inadequate taft board concluded that offer failed recognize fully future propsects company and directed management explore alternatives including financial restructuring reuter 
money-fx	treasury secretary baker declines comment treasury secretary james baker declined comment february paris accord six major industrial nations agreed foster exchange rate stability asked reporters speech national fitness foundation banquet currency intervention levels had set paris baker replied never talk intervention baker declined comment views foreign exchange markets reaction accord reuter 
earn	bel fuse inc belf qtr net shr cts cts net sales year shr cts cts net sales mln mln reuter 
earn	southwest realty swl year loss shr loss cts profit dlrs net loss profit note cash flow dlrs cts shr dlrs cts shr reuter 
earn	southwest realty swl liquidity problems southwest realty believes make scheduled montly debt service payments for despite falloff rental operations making payments severely impair liquidity and restrict ability maintain quality properties company today reported loss dlrs compared profit dlrs southwest addition monthly scheduyled debt service payments dlr loan houston properties due mature april southwest commitment reduce interest rate and extend houston loan for year accepted talks underway lenders houston properties obtain partial debt service moratoriums granted cut cash deficits levels loan renegotiations involve bankruptcy litigation connected specific properties involved and involve suspension interest and principal payments lenders southwest attempts restructure debt not succeed lose properties southwest houston properties made pct current equity december dlrs per share dlrs year company depending success talks and operating results for two properties become subject similar negotiations two additional properties comprised pct current equity year end southwest reuter 
earn	holmes hlme sets payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	pope evans per repurchases shares pope evans and robbins inc repurchased common shares putnam mills corp principals sidney and peter kaplan for dlrs per share purchase price will applied dlrs putnam mills owes pope evans for merchandise pope evans mln shares outstanding company agreed principle acquire privately held pat fashions industries inc for mln dlrs cash and notes financing come partly bank borrowings subject approval pope evans board and pat shareholders pat fashions imports apparel east and makes apparel domestically year ended november pat earned dlrs pretax sales mln dlrs reuter 
acq	baird batm gets temporary restraining order baird corp massachusetts state court for suffolk county granted temporary restraining order prohibiting mark industries inc purchases baird stock mark complies massachusetts anti takeover statute company mark owns pct baird stock and that attempt acquire baird baird district court boston denied mark application for temporary restraining order prevent enforcement massachusetts takeover law reuter 
acq	dudley taft and narragansett capital pursue taft broadcasting bid 
earn	general mining union corp genm year net shr cts final div cts making pre tax mln rand mln net mln mln tax mln mln attrib shareholders mln mln reuter 
retail	retail sales rose pct feb auto sales rose pct 
retail	retail sales rise pct february retail sales rose billion dlrs pct february seasonally adjusted billion dlrs commerce department increase revised pct drop january sales level billion dlrs department previously reported january retail sales fell pct excluding autos retail sales february pct falling revised pct january department spokesmen major for revision downward january sales weaker january auto dealer sales figure originally estimated auto dealer sales billion dlrs february pct rise january levels january sales dropped pct december levels billion dlrs pct fall originally reported expiration sales tax deduction tax laws january main reason for drop january sales department spokesmen sales durable goods rose february pct billion dlrs dropping pct january building materials rose pct february falling pct january durable goods sales rose pct billion dlrs february falling pct january department general merchandise stores rose pct increasing sales pct january and department stores two pct february rising pct january food store sales increased pct declining pct january grocery store sales increased pct february falling pct january gasoline service station sales rose pct february pct january increase apparel store sales pct last month falling pct january sales eating and drinking places increased pct rising pct january february retail sales pct year ago level billion dlrs department reuter 
acq	dudley taft pursue taft broadcast tfb bid taft broadcasting vice chairman dudley taft and narragansett capital inc narr intend pursue effort acquire taft broadcasting despite rejection yesterday dlr per share offer taft broadcasting board dudley taft and narragansett joint statement intend explore alternatives achieve acquisition including talks taft broadcasting confident that taft broadcasting board will conclude that resolution company current unstable situation quickly interests parties taft board not conclude that offer not fair taft shareholders taft broadcasting yesterday financial advisor goldman sachs and found offer inadequate reuter 
earn	harper group harg qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln mln avg shrs note year net excludes dlr loss discontinued operations share adjusted for for two stock split reuter 
trade	canada leaders fail set pact free trade prime minister brian mulroney held frank discussions canadian province premiers pace free trade talks united states longstanding issue provincial ratification remains settled speaking reporters hours meetings premiers mulroney discussions held june and september discuss role provinces approving trade deal maintained progress made sweeping talks unites states that two years ago appears reasonable progress made talks mulroney alberta premier don getty agreed things running pretty quickly talks launched mulroney progressive conservative government concerns protectionist sentiment aimed reducing remaining barriers world largest trading partnership provinces expected play major role trading arrangement and provincial leaders complained lack progress reaching ratification formula view that thinking things questions substance agreement commented ontario premier david peterson highly critical talks past newfoundland premier brian peckford agreement likely emerge consensus and for hard and fast formula peckford appears canada prepared make concessions united states financial services order make inroads bargaining areas such agriculture canadian published reports quoting government sources two countries close reaching trade deal and will involve eliminating border tariffs and tariff barriers years rough draft accord expected presented premiers june meeting finished document hoped presented congress october tight time frame ontario peterson last night this moment tough will transpire reuter 
earn	healthsouth rehabilitation corp hsrc qtr shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs year shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln reuter 
acq	union func acquisition advances union corp shareholders north port bancorp northport fla approved merger into union for dlrs per share dlrs company acquisition subject regulatory approvals and expected completed second quarter reuter 
earn	sand technology sndcf mulling reverse split sand technology systems inc reverse stock split for and expects report second quarter profit compared loss last year stock consolidation discussing not definite sand technology president jerry shattner told reuters interview private placement recently brought number outstanding shares mln mln shares july fiscal yearend company had aura penny stock shattner adding that sand plans time apply for listing montreal stock exchange shattner company expects report profit pct dlrs sales mln dlrs for second quarter ended january results for quarter second added last year sand lost dlrs revenues dlrs second quarter disastrous quarter sand hopes break even current fiscal year shattner company scaled back sales forecast mln dlrs mln dlrs projected december rapid appreciation japanese yen and canadian dollars last year led sand loss mln dlrs two cts per share sales mln dlrs fiscal quarter this year company lost dlrs per share sales dlrs shattner believes company will post results this year due factors last year biggest problems buying products japanese yen buy products hitachi dollars and results starting show second quarter sand technology sells trademark computer accessories such disk drives solid state memory enhancement devices and printers manufactured hitachi hit japan shattner sand affiliate detroit systems inc developing software that lets large maniframe computers handle large databases and share applications distributing product called sapiens artificial intelligence computer language for use major corporations company reduced costs staff cutting and switch profit sharing plans for sales staff straight commissions shattner and sand plans market laser printer fourth fiscal quarter shattner reuter 
acq	concorde ventures inc merger agreement concorde ventures inc signed letter intent acquire englewood colo homebuilder winley inc for mln common shares investment company merger combined company will mln shares outstanding for year ended january winley earned dlrs pretax revenues mln dlrs reuter 
acq	borg warner sell industrial products business for mln dlrs 
gnp	japan economy bottom economists worst for japan battered economy economists not expect vigorous recovery anytime japanese bank economists polled reuters economy month slowdown likely end half this year helped rising exports stepped government spending and falling prices economy will bottom middle year sumitomo bank chief economist masahiko koido industrial bank japan senior economist susumu taketomi agreed bottom offing added that recovery will slow growth fiscal year beginning month will pick pct two pct current year signs that economy weathered worst increasing volume exports two months year rose slightly year year basis declining end last year this due extraordinary factors such sharp rise car exports rebuild depleted european stocks economists mark beginning recovery industrial production fell pct january smaller expected and forecast government rise pct february and pct march bank japan survey released last week showed that decline japanese corporate earnings nearing end and paris currency accord last month fostered hopes rapid yen rise come end six nations canada france japan and west germany pledged paris last month stabilise currencies current levels yen pct climb dollar last two years hit export driven economy hard forcing companies raise prices and lose sales market important thing exchange rate taketomi stabilises firms will grow confident and raise investment plant and equipment signs that economists stable yen exporters regain competitive edge economy starting recover economists domestically economy boost loosening government tight fiscal policy haruo muto manager national economics bank tokyo reading economy health come early week release gnp figures for last quarter private economists expect rise pct previous quarter quarter gnp rose pct senior government official fourth quarter figures surprise showing rise point quarter quarter added that statistical aberration and not significant shift economic activity maintain year year growth pct economy had rise pct fourth quarter final quarter strong rise fourth quarter statistical anomaly that repeated final months official economists fourth quarter figures distorted government sale gold coins second half coins classified legal tender purchase not show statistics consumer expenditure consumer spending tailed december bad weather and smaller normal end year bonuses government had buy back coins retailers unsold government contribution economy fourth quarter boosted economists taketomi received boost government buying farm products domestic crop last year good senior government official fourth quarter performance domestic sector worse generally expected that external sector reuter 
acq	qintex extends princeville pvdc offer qintex america extending offer dlrs share for mln princeville development corp shares today yesterday reported yesterday qintex mln princeville shares had tendered response offer qintex extending offer princeville comply federal law restricting ownership airlines citizens and finalize terms and conditions letter credit bank guarantee required previously announced acquisition agreement reuter 
earn	corrected network video inc nvid qtr feb end shr cts net revs avg shrs mths shr cts cts net revs avg shrs note corrects reversed figures march item reuter 
money-fx	bankers oppose strict taiwan currency controls taiwan imposed currency controls today bankers called desperate move prevent speculation taiwan dollar appreciated currency strict controls will require proof that large remittances taiwan connected commercial transactions currency speculation bankers attacked controls ineffective panic reaction pressure washington for faster appreciation taiwan currency dollar slow exports united states remittances exceeding mln dlrs earned exports shipping insurance bank lending will government approval remittances dlrs source reuter 
trade	taiwan relax import curbs goods taiwan will relax import controls foreign goods government spokesman today move greater access taiwan markets overseas trading partners united states official council for economic planning and development told reuters import curbs foreign goods including stationery and books relaxed taiwan announced ease curbs farming and industrial products last month official moves intended balance trade taiwan and united states and trading partners taiwan trade surplus reached record billion dlrs last year billion reuter 
retail	retailers growth consumer spending retailers expect consumer spending accelerate march disappointing increase february monthly survey confederation british industry cbi fifty pct retailers questioned for latest distributive trades survey expected sales higher march march six pct expecting lower sales chairman distributive trades survey panel nigel whittaker favourable budget week sales summer figures released earlier this week showed retail sales january fell pct due exceptionally cold weather sales not recover february retailers had expected and for business march today survey reported clothing stores optimistic pct expecting sales march higher year ago wholesalers expected stronger sales march retailers and wholesalers reported slower growth import penetration reuter 
crude	japan firms not renewing iran term contracts japanese companies decided not renew term contracts lift iranian crude oil spot prices remain considerably lower opec official levels industry sources cargo mideast benchmark crude dubai traded yesterday dlrs barrel compared official price dlrs japanese company renewed term contract for iranian crude oil for second quarter sources sources japanese companies had lifting total barrels per day bpd iranian crude term contracts firm agreed lift second quarter lifting bpd this move inspire iran offer discounts cargoes loading april likelihood discounts depended largely levels spot prices spot price dubai dlrs buy iranian crude official price japanese refiner don intend put pressure added buyers incentive renew contracts lift oil official opec prices spot prices grades considerably lower oil traders spot prices move higher will problem finding opec crude purchase official prices qatar chartered floating storage for crude oil finding buyers official prices march problem likely recur april adding that country surplus traders added that iraq had dissociated opec december production agreement agreeing fixed prices oil analysts opec group output close half ceiling mln bpd supply and demand balanced end second quarter opec holds official price structure based reference price dlrs spot price fluctuations limited dlrs range for dubai and dlrs range for north sea brent blend japanese refiner moment lot pressure opec qatar hold will problem and beginning trust ability nigerian oil minister and opec president rilwanu lukman told news conference lagos yesterday nigeria and member countries opec remain determined uphold december agreement adhering strictly quotas and official selling prices opec believed consumers had drawn heavily stocks crude oil and refined products reducing levels below this time last year consumers return market search crude japanese refiner european and markets beginning opec quite lucky 
earn	possis poss votes pct stock dividend possis corp board approved pct stock dividend payable record march company annual meeting wednesday possis shareholders approved proposal increase authorized common shares mln mln company mln shares outstanding reuter 
earn	seal inc sinc qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales reuter 
earn	dow chemical dow regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	telco telc delays defensive rights offering telco systems inc plan distribute dividend common stock purchase rights shareholders record march delayed pending completion regulatory approvals reuter 
acq	clayton and dubilier joint unit buy firm clayton and dubilier inc and senior management unit borg warner corp bor will form company buy borg warner industrial products group for mln dlrs borg warner industrial products sales mln dlrs divisions provide advanced technology fluid transfer and control equipment systems and services worldwide clayton company will employees and headquartered long beach calif company peter valli vice president borg warner corp and president industrial products division will become president and chief executive officer company clayton clayton private investment firm this mangement buyout divestiture completed since december reuter 
earn	health inc ushi qtr jan net shr cts cts net revs mln mln half shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	mart corp qtr shr dlrs cts 
earn	environmental systems esc qtr jan shr cts cts net revs mln mln note share preferred dividends reuter 
earn	general mining genm cautions profits general mining union corp chairman derek keys cautioned that profits not rise this year rand stays current level cents repeat last year results rand stays depressed keys level dividend not affected added discussing outlook general mining earlier reported that per share earnings rose pct cts reuter 
earn	colgate palmolive sets payout qtrly div cts cts pay record april reuter 
earn	isco inc isko qtr ends jan net shr cts cts net revs six mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
veg-oil	ccc reallocates credit guarantees salvador commodity credit corporation ccc reallocated two mln dlrs credit gurantees previously earmarked for sales protein meals cover sales vegetable oil and tallow salvador agriculture department action reduces coverage for sales protein meals mln dlrs mln dlrs and creates lines mln dlrs for tallow and greases and mln dlrs for vegetable oils department sales credit guarantee lines registered and exported sepember guarantee rates include charge provide for yearly interest rate coverage pct guaranteed department reuter 
acq	borg warner bor sell unit for mln dlrs borg warner corp agreed sell industrial products group clayton and dubilier inc and senior management group for mln dlrs clayton and dubilier york based private investment firm completed two management led buyout transactions since december borg warner industrial products group based long beach california sales mln dlrs and employs staff businesses include standard and custom engineered centrifugal pumps and mechanical seals for petroleum industry and advanced controls for aerospace and defense industries sale part borg warner planned restructuring proposed sale subject approval borg warner directors reuter 
acq	guardian morton shulman agrees takeover bid guardian morton shulman precious metals inc morton shulman and guardman investment management services inc agreed principle for andrew sarlos make takeover bid for special shares and series warrants guardian morton subject regulatory approval and completion definitive documentation guardman investment current manager and owner common shares guardian morton agreed sell common and management agreement company controlled sarlos takeover bid successful guardian morton price offered for guardian morton special shares takeover bid will pct net asset special shares time bid and two dlrs for each series warrant company guardian morton takeover bid will conditional sarlos acquiring pct special shares and pct series warrants combined number special shares and warrants owned offeror time bid investment companies managed sarlos slightly pct guardian morton special shares reuter 
earn	mart corp qtr jan net shr dlrs cts net revs billion billion avg shrs year shr dlrs dlrs net revs billion billion avg shrs note latest year earnings include loss each period mln dlrs cts share for premium paid early call mln dlr pct year debenture earnings include gain discontinued operations mln dlrs cts share loss mln dlrs dlrs share quarter and gain mln dlrs cts share gain mln dlrs dlrs share for year reuter 
earn	dorchester hugoton dhulz raises payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	international american home sets acquisition international american homes inc contracted acquire diversified shelter group for dlrs paid pct cash and pct international american common stock valued day trading average prior closing price based diversified estimated mln dlrs pro forma pre tax earnings for adjustment for continuing expenses diversified developer single family housing atlanta market had revenues mln dlrs acquisition subject international american arranging financing reuter 
iron-steel	commission open attitude steel quotas commission adopting open attitude whether system production quotas remain for indefinite future heavy steel products account for pct steel goods statement commission reiterated view that industry lose and mln tonnes capacity had previously quota system started wound completely end year industry argued for maintenance existing quotas cover almost pct output almost steelmakers losing money due depressed market reuter 
earn	precision aerotech inc par qtr jan net oper shr cts two cts oper net sales avg shrs mths oper shr cts cts oper net sales mln mln avg shrs note current year net periods excludes dlr gain retirement notes backlog mln mln start fiscal year reuter 
earn	guardian national insurance garj year shr cts cts final div cts making cts pre tax mln rand mln net mln mln tax mln mln gross premiums mln mln net premiums written mln mln underwriting loss mln loss mln div pay april register march note period year december reuter 
earn	datametrics corp dmcz qtr jan net shr diluted cts cts net revs avg shrs diluted note net includes tax credits dlrs dlrs reuter 
earn	wiener enterprises inc wpb year jan net shr cts cts qtly div cts cts prior net sales mln mln note dividend pay april record april reuter 
earn	mart record net turning point mart corp record fiscal net earnings mln dlrs rise mln dlrs year ago marked major turning point for world second biggest retailer mart earnings rise for fourth quarter ended january mln dlrs mln dlrs resulted merchandising refurbishing and expense control year ago mart charge mln dlrs for discontinued operations earnings continuing retail operations quarter totalled mln dlrs dlrs share compared mln dlrs dlrs year ago mart chairman bernard fauber success programs illustrated strong pct increase income continuing operations income taxes billion dlrs time mart corp reached this milestone sales for fiscal year reached record billion dlrs pct rise billion dlrs prior year mart restated account for discontinued operations comparable store sales rose pct fauber sales growth greater consumer acceptance mart apparel merchandise marked increase hardline merchandise sales and growing contribution specialty retailing operations mart fourth quarter pre tax income continuing operations mln dlrs pct gain mln dlrs last year sales period grew pct billion dlrs restated billion dlrs comparable store sales pct mart effective tax rate rose pct pct selling general and administrative expense eased pct sales pct performance marks major turning point for mart fauber statement years immediately prior focused changing stores and structure company mart committed billion dollars for store remodeling and installing centralized point sale system upgraded merchandise mix acquired large specialty retailers divested underperforming businesses and restructured long term debt forced pay temporary price form slower earnings growth and lower rating investment community beginning fourth quarter improved performance proof that approach correct for long term mart chairman reuter 
acq	dainippon ink invest quixote quix quixote corp dainippon ink and chemicals inc japan will buy shares quixote common stock pct stake for mln dlrs dlrs share two companies agreed share results research and development activities optical disc technology dainippon inc optical disc technology focuses development direct read write optical disc and advanced erasable optical disc quixote wholly owned subsidiary laservideo inc making advancements art mastering and manufacturing compact discs roms and laser read videodiscs quixote agreement dainippon annual sales two billion dlrs for dainippon representative sit laservideo board directors reuter 
earn	circuit city stores inc sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
acq	knoll buy american savings aaa shares american savings and loan association florida knoll international holdings inc offered purchase shares american savings for mln dlrs and board accepted knoll offer knoll owns shares pct american savings american savings purchase will resolve previously announced disagreement american savings and federal home loan bank atlanta replacement capital american savings used repurchase common shares january chairman marvin warner completion transaction give knoll pct ownership american savings american savings knoll had talks chairman executive committee shepard broad and chairman morris broad purchase american savings shares dlrs each agreement reached american savings company knoll offer buy shares not conditioned purchase common stock person entity previously announced engagement salomon inc evaluate alternatives enhance shareholder values including sale american savings actively pursued reuter 
cotton	igene biotechnology igne finds crop loss aid igene biotechnology inc research teams auburn and hebrew universities found patented pesticide highly effective combating disease reponsible for approximately billion dlrs annual crop losses company learned clandosan controls nematodes deadly plant pathogens controlled banned synthetic chemicals varieties deadly disease attack major cash crops such cotton vegetables orchard trees citrus fruits and garden plants company reuter 
acq	merrill lynch mer canada mulls buying broker merrill lynch canada inc wholly owned merrill lynch and acquiring another canadian securities company result federal and provincial government moves lift investment dealer ownership restrictions june published report talking number people merrill lynch canada deputy chairman duff scott told toronto star whether don merrill lynch canada spokesman declined comment newspaper report queried scott not disclose investment dealers merrill lynch canada acquiring toronto star quoted unidentified industry sources discussions held burns fry burns fry chairman jack lawrence told newspaper investment dealer not made final decision examining alternatives discussions brokers mergers expected pending industry deregulation investment industry source asked not named told reuters silly not making merger acquisition you businessman you industry source federal and provincial government regulations expected place june banks trust companies and foreign companies will allowed acquire existing investment dealers establish securities subsidiaries reuter 
acq	american aggregates amag stock acquired consolidated gold fields plc arc america corp subsidiary acquired american aggregates corp shares pct outstanding result tender offer expired february practicable arc america will acquire american aggregates converting company remaining shares into receive dlrs share reuter 
acq	biotech capital bitc buy magazine biotech capital corp agreed buy high technology magazine goldhirsh group boston terms not disclosed magazine publishes information emerging technologies and impact business circulation and largest kind world company reuter 
trade	pakistan trade deficit narrows february pakistan trade deficit narrowed billion rupees provisional february billion final january and compared billion february federal bureau statistics figures show exports fell billion rupees provisional february billion final january and compared billion february imports fell billion rupees provisional february billion final january and compared billion february reuter 
earn	corrected insituform north america inc insua qtr shr cts cts net revs avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln avg shrs note year net excludes dlr tax credit corrects march item exclude tax credit reuter 
earn	colgate palmolive sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	operative bancorp cobk raises quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	wilcox and gibbs inc sets payout semi div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
crude	saudi output year low opec saudi arabian oil output fallen lowest level year giving fresh evidence kingdom determination oil prices dlrs barrel agreed opec last december oil industry sources saudi output days march averaged mln barrels per day bpd including oil neutral zone shared kuwait compared february average mln bpd saudi arabia selling oil crude oil stocks tankers world opec counted member production quota saudi arabia quota mln bpd lower production levels saudi arabia world largest oil exporter insisting getting opec official prices even cost lower production sources king fahd reiterated yesterday interview reuters and television news agency visnews saudi commitment opec december pact boost oil prices average dlrs saudi arabia completely sticking opec decisions sources kingdom exports gulf ports averaged mln bpd days ending last sunday february average mln bpd saudi arabia allowing production fluctuate lifting nominations and not maintain artificially high levels putting oil into storage kingdom main buyers oil firms past stakes national oil company aramco mobil exxon texaco and chevron enjoy considerable flexibility timing and volume liftings bound pay official prices sources spot market prices firmed past two weeks remain below opec levels and major buyers delayed liftings hope improve sources expected low early march output pick end month buyers sought fulfill contractual obligations reuter 
acq	leader ldco buys petrosurance stake leader development corp purchased shares convertible preferred stock petrosurance inc for dlrs cash and real estate petrosurance specializes property and casualty insurance for oil industry leader stock convertible into petrosurance common leader owns pct petrorusrance and conversion give pct company petrosurance will use sale proceeds support growth and improve structure reinsurance treaties retain larger part premiums written reuter 
earn	federal realty investment trust frt payout qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
retail	white house welcomes retail sales figures white house welcomed february retail sales figures showing pct rise slow performance january spokesman marlin fitzwater told reporters february sales growth broad based and good news for economy commerce department figures showed larger expected rise depressed levels sales and factory orders january reuter 
earn	beauticontrol cosmetics inc buti qtr net qtr ends feb shr cts cts net revs reuter 
earn	dominion systems inc odsi qtr jan shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs reuter 
trade	sweden sets october deadline for africa boycott sweden announced promised program unilateral economic sanctions south africa and gave firms october deadline cut trading links foreign trade minister anita gradin trade boycott south africa and neighbouring namibia effect july month period grace give companies time wind operations october direct trade allowed direction exceptions covering medical supplies and printed matter gradin told news conference exceptions granted cases swedish trade boycott benefit south african firms and disadvantage south africa black ruled neighbours front line states gradin cautioned that legislation boycott based not impossible round parliamentary committee investigate ways closing bigger loopholes including indirect trade south africa swedish subsidiaries countries reuter 
earn	fidelity national financial inc fnf qtr jan end shr profit cts loss not net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
earn	british telecom cautious earnings prospects british telecommunications plc bty profit growth prospects for coming years will reduced increasing competition and continued costs for replacing telephone systems deputy chairman graeme odgers speaking news conference quarter results released earlier today odgers company faced heavy costs for installing digital telephone systems britain for years mercury communications cable and wireless plc cawl subsidiary significant competitor odgers mercury seeking make inroads into british telecom profitable areas company official privately estimated that british telecom had pct share telecommunications market feared that this slip pct recent two and half week engineering strike lead disruption service encouraged clients mercury system odgers forecast that last quarter results not adversely affected walkout calculated salary savings result strike mln stg and loss income telephone calls limited revenue dropped peripheral activities balance odgers that group financial strength economies scale and fact that operates growth industry will produce annual profit increases for forseeable future british telecom will seek expand into manufacturing adding that research and development expenditure will rise terms and compared current proportion two pct turnover analysts company downbeat forecasts helped shares dip mid afternoon yesterday close and early high philip augar stockbrokers wood mackenzie and market expects slower profit growth forecast pct rise earnings per share and pretax profit two years financial year pre tax profit rose billion stg billion augar noted that government imposed formula linking charges inflation meant that company scope for raising prices limited long inflation remains low reuter 
coffee	term brazil coffee moves expected brazilian coffee institute ibc disclose future export policy end week earliest trade sources ibc president jorio dauster meeting government ministers producers exporters and market analysts assess brazil position light failure talks london earlier this month set international coffee organization ico export quotas failure talks means brazil rethink position completely santos exporter meeting national coffee policy council set for thursday march and dauster will almost explain plan members announcing measures dauster told reporters return london last week that decisions made exports had held talks sectors industry exporters dauster not great pressure start marketing coffee immediately world prices recovering lows collapse ico talks and brazil sold reasonable mln bags kilos for export months this year exporters key factor eventual opening and june export registrations will amount contribution quota set expectation sales incentive mechanisms such discounts bonuses and price fall guarantees introduced level quota will decisive determining competitiveness brazilian coffee world markets noted that february eve planned increase quota april registrations opened and closed mln bags registered for export record amount for single day june registrations opened similar conditions brazil difficulty selling mln bags per month problem limit sales exporter brazil present foreign trade and payments problems mean pressures government boost exports maximise foreign exchange earnings sources expect ibc adopt marketing strategy aimed regaining brazil dominant position exporter causing price war general opinion exporters that brazil plan export and mln bags this year and mln members ico mln mln bags sold members figure brazil had offered ship ico quotas reintroduced dauster this offer expired breakdown talks prospects crop mln bags this year brazil capacity export mln bags meeting local consumption mln sources added sources brazil even exporting such quantities this almost inevitably lead fall world prices brazil encroach producers markets maximum export earnings achieved orderly marketing traditional amounts establishing brazil market share last year unusually low exports mln bags enabling rebuild stocks and maintaining cordial relations producer group backed brazil stance ico talks added reuter 
earn	tenney engineering inc tny qtr net shr two cts cts net revs mths shr cts cts net revs mln mln reuter 
earn	modern controls inc mocon qtr net shr cts cts net sales mln mln year shr cts cts net sales mln mln reuter 
acq	instinet inet sets meeting merger instinet corp board scheduled special shareholders meeting for vote proposed merger into reuters holdings plc rtrsy shareholders record april will eligible vote meeting instinet meeting date subject adjustment based length time needed for securities and exchange commission complete review filing merger proxy materials instinet expects make end march instinet filing preliminary merger proxy materials tied finalization audited financial statements instinet and reuters for merger agreement entered into november reuters tendered for mln instinet common shares pct not owned reuters result tender reuters owns pct instinet shares merger holders remaining instinet shares will receive dlrs reuters american depositary shares for each instinet share ads will valued average closing prices trading days effective date merger instinet expects merger become effective shareholder approval special meeting reuter 
earn	dayton hudson corp qtr oper shr dlrs dlrs 
acq	union pacific will sign pact caracas march for sale half corpus christi refinery 
acq	cyacq offers raise cyclops buyout dlrs shr dlrs 
acq	waste management waiting period ends chemlawn bid 
earn	petrie stores corp pst regular payout qtrly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	unilever fragrance unit lower earnings flavours and fragrances firm naarden international acquired anglo dutch food and detergents group unilever plc last year net profits for fell pct mln guilders naarden earnings hit fall dollar and sterling noting figure line prior expectations net profit mln guilders earnings per share fell guilders turnover mln mln naarden set cash dividend guilders unchanged last year last year share option for payment reuter 
earn	eagle pitcher industries inc epi qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln reuter 
retail	retail sales rise masks weak trend analysts retail sales rose sharply february economists underlying consumer spending trend remains weak february retail sales jumped pct pct rise financial markets had anticipated january sales revised pct drop previously reported pct decline trend continued spending sluggish pace don maude midland montagu capital markets inc maude averaged wide swings retail sales data past months show that pace consumer spending slowing combining latest data pct drop november and pct gain december average retail sales gain months pct compared pct rise for year year sales february you can pattern developing maude wouldn surprised fall march since sales won boosted auto sales february despite weak underlying trend economists impressed robust pct gain total sales excluding autos february this compared revised pct decline january previously reported pct decline increase auto sales broadbased gains durable goods durables noted ward mccarthy merrill lynch capital markets inc pretty healthy report noted that building materials rose pct february falling pct january general merchandise store sales gained pct pct rise january signs life economy mccarthy jumping conclusions extrapolate this report into future pct increase disposable personal income january linked tax laws helped boost spending february lot people inadvertently withholding taxes paychecks people this country increase disposable income inclination and spend economists tomorrow release auto sales for days march will important indicator this sector will add quarter spending auto sales accounted for lion share total february sales rising pct this pct drop january previously reported pct fall due largely expiration sales tax deduction tax laws january commerce department noted economists argued that gain total sales excluding autos decline january strength february report impressive strength february data that compared low sales levels january beth reiners dean witter reynolds inc don precursor continued strength durable goods sales rose pct february falling pct january february durable goods sales gained pct declining pct january gasoline service station sales rose two pct february pct gain january economists higher oil prices increased volume gas sales accounted for gains reiners emphasized that trend consumer spending weakening total retail sales average billion dlrs fourth quarter january fell seasonally adjusted bilion dlrs and february rose billion dlrs average total mln dlrs quartrer don this indication that economy barrelling number not that problematic for constructive bond market agreed elliot platt donaldsen lufkin and jenrette securities corp platt not foresee potential for tighter monetary policy basis latest retail sales report fed hold data confusing gain february farm payroll employment looked for discount rate cut march fed officials will wait for quarter real gross national product data april sort things reuter 
earn	rpt insituform north america inc insua net qtr shr cts cts net revs avg shrs year oper shr cts cts oper net revs mln avg shrs note year net excludes dlr tax credit reuter 
money-fx	fed sets two billion dlrs customer repurchase agreements 
gnp	german banks uncertainty economy growing uncertainty growing prospects for economy orders for industry fall and companies scale back investment plans german savings banks and giro association exporters expect foreign demand remain weak industry optimistic association report last month agreement six leading western industrialized countries currencies present levels expected stabilizing influence for exporters added banking association possibility monetary policy stimulate economy not overestimated another small drop low interest rates not expected significant rise purchases consumer capital goods bundesbank half point cuts discount and lombard rates january largely exhausted scope for monetary moves association added tuesday federal statistics office gross national product stagnated real seasonally and calendar adjusted terms fourth quarter compared quarter economics ministry commenting figures gnp quarter expected relatively weak bank economists forecast economy will stagnate contract slightly quarter official quarter figures due early june reuter 
acq	waiting period ends waste management wmx bid waste management inc received notice early termination hart scott rodino waiting period for mln dlr takeover bid for chemlawn corp chem waiting period terminated march waste management chemlawn rejected waste management dlrs share bid talking parties selling business reuter 
earn	asa asa qtr feb net shr dlrs dlrs net mln mln note net asset per share dlrs dlrs reuter 
acq	investors raise cyclops cyl tender price cyacq corp investor group bidding for cyclops corp raise outstanding tender offer price for cyclops common dlrs share dlrs conditions met increased offer exceed dlrs share price offered dixons group plc tender offer for cyclops that part definitive agreement acquire pittsburgh based maker carbon tool and specialty steel products cyacq includes audio video affiliates inc and citicorp capital investors and investors cyclops mln shares outstanding for tender price raised cyclops provide cyacq public information provided dixons group and cyacq satisfied financial projections made offering material dixons based information cyacq additionally dixon group rights buy cyclops common and rights fees expenses dixon cyclop merger agreement broken rescinded cyacq cyacq financial projections developed for cyclops materially lower financial projections provided cyclops dixons group cyclops spokeswoman company had details cyacq proposal and not comment nothing hand addition making specialty metal products cyclops operates specialty stores that sell consumer electronics products stores located states concentrated northeast northwest and southwest cyclops employs people pennsylvania ohio and states interests residential construction cyclops earned mln dlrs dlrs share sales billion dlrs compared earnings mln dlrs dlrs sales billion spokeswoman agreement dixons group calls for cyclops steel and construction businesses sold unit alleghany corp for mln dlrs once merger completed cyacq spokesman conditional tender price cash had comment whether cyacq plans withdraw current offer scheduled expire midnight march six dixon group offer extends march reuter 
earn	dayton hudson corp qtr jan oper net oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net revs billion billion year oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net revs billion billion note period ended february note results exclude earnings discontinued operations mln dlrs cts share mln dlrs cts share quarter and mln dlrs two cts share mln dlrs cts share for year earnings exclude gain sale dalton bookseller mln dlrs cts share each period earnings exclude extraordinary charge purchase and redemption debt mln dlrs cts share quarter and mln dlrs cts share for year reuter 
jobs	spanish unemployment rises february number spanish registered unemployed rose mln pct workforce january sixth consecutive monthly increase labour ministry registered unemployed totalled mln pct workforce february reuter 
earn	vse corp vsec qtr net shr cts cts net revs mln mln year shr dlr dlr net revs mln mln note qtr and year net includes income loss metcap subsidiary dlrs and dlrs cts per share qtr and year net includes loss metcap unit dlrs and dlrs cts per share reuter 
acq	security pacific spc buys orbanco orbn security pacific corp completed previously announced acquisition orbanco financial services corp receiving federal approval deal security pacific federal reserve board approved wednesday purchase portland ore based bank holding company and financial services concern purchase orbanco for mln dlrs cash and common stock will effective days security pacific spokeswoman terms call for each share orbanco common stock exchanged for dlrs security pacific common stock dlrs cash each share orbanco dlr par preferred stock will exchanged for dlrs cash accrued dividends orbanco billion dlrs assests holding company for oregon bank orbanco real estate service american data service inc and orbanco securities corp security pacific major regional bank purchases california completed pending security pacific bought arizona bank assets billion dlrs fourth quarter pending approval purchase rainier bancorporation rban assets billion dlrs anticipation legislative that effect security pacific negotiated future purchase nevada bank assets mln dlrs security pacific sixth largest bank holding company assets billion dlrs reuter 
earn	dranetz technologies inc dran year dec net shr cts cts qtly div six cts six cts prior net revs mln mln note net includes time charge dlrs cts share discontinuation boat sentry and lakontek products qtly div payable april shareholders record march reuter 
earn	lands end inc leys year jan net shr dlrs dlrs net sales mln mln avg shrs note earnings pro forma including increase common shares that place last october company public initial offering mln shares avg shrs assume shares sold public and employees outstanding entire period reuter 
acq	bancroft bcf sues zico zico investment holdings inc that bancroft convertible fund inc filed suit seeking enjoin zico dlr share tender offer for bancroft shares complaint bancroft tender offer materials and letters shareholders false and misleading and that tender offer violates investment company act zico suit totally merit and vigorously intends contest motion scheduled heard march reuter 
earn	seaboard corp seb week year net shr dlrs net mln revs mln note company changed reporting period dec prior year comparisons not applicable reuter 
ship	turkish ship headed for florida explosion turkish ore bulk oil vessel obo engin tonnes dwt had explosion boiler yesterday lloyds shipping intelligence service reported vessel retained power and yesterday evening position lat long diverting jacksonville florida cargo tons coal vessel bound for iskenderun turkey lake charles reuter 
earn	reuter inc reut qtr shr cts six cts net mln revs mln mln year shr cts cts net mln revs mln mln note net includes mln dlrs tax loss carryback reuter inc spindle maker not connected reuters holdings plc reuter 
earn	centel corp cnt regular payout set qtly div cts cts previously pay april record april reuter 
crude	mobil mob restructure exploration unit mobil oil corp will restructure dallas based mobil exploration and producing services inc operations april provide stronger technological support and overseas operations mobil operation will consist two units technical services and application technology existing drilling and exploration ventures groups mills president and general manager exploration and producing southeast inc named vice president and general manager operation reporting hoenmans president exploration and producing division reuter 
earn	equity oil eqty qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs year shr loss six cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note per share figures reflect pct stock dividend paid december reuter 
earn	results hit strikes dollar fabrique nationale herstal fnhb suffered net loss billion francs last year hit strikes falling dollar and declining oil prices statement loss compared mln franc profit previous year included considerable charges for restructuring and net loss billion francs added that restructuring plan firm return long term profitability once had approved local authorities banks and workforce reuter 
acq	millipore mili acquires equity protein protein databases inc millipore corp venture capital subsidiary millicorp acquired equity position company protein and millipore intend establish interactive relationship details disclosed amount millipore investment protein reuter 
crude	wildlife unit proposes alaska refuge oil study national wildlife federation rejected interior department draft plan open wilderness lands northern alaska oil and gas exploration federation nation largest conservation group study needed assess damage that development wildlife area coastal plain arctic national wildlife refuge jay hair federation executive vice president called interior research into effects development fundamentally flawed that basis make public policy decision hair called department proposal reflection largely political decision adding confidence interior represent broad public interest this area interior open million acre coastal plain oil and gas exploration tough safeguards protect area caribou and musk oxen preliminary survey showed region hold billions barrels oil and gas and that potential energy resource never exploration interior oil coastal plain match billion barrels found prudhoe bay west plain existing law congress agree oil and gas exploration and not act land will remain wildlife refuge protected commercial development hair interior report failed stress probability that finding recoverable oil pct interior study failed weigh oil gas fish and wildlife information state alaska had gathered had department consulted environmental protection agency effects exploration federation letters congressmen proposed that member commission set study aspects issue and report back congress two years hair federation not opposed exploration oil that interior study inadquate make sound judgement congressional observers that present sentiment congress open wildlife area for commercial exploitation dispite increasing concern that united states overly dependent foreign oil reuter 
earn	gemini food corp six mths january net shr profit loss net profit loss revs mln mln reuter 
acq	merrill lynch mer fires vaskevitch merrill lynch and inc fired head mergers department london office today had unable provide satisfactory explanation response insider trading charges filed yesterday securities and exchange commission merrill had suspended official nahum vaskevitch yesterday time disappointed and angry sec charges true merrill lynch statement midday today firm will continue cooperatie fully authoriteis and london investigating vaskevitch activities reuter 
earn	lincoln national corp lnc votes dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr pay record april reuter 
ship	lawrence seaway open schedule lawrence seaway and welland canal linking lakes erie and ontario expected open scheduled march and april lawrence seaway official entire seaway free ice due mild winter and open for navigation today doesn demand shipping companies warrant early opening canadian official repairs continuing stepped pace welland canal and completed april start date added reuter 
earn	lvi group inc lvi qtr net oper shr profit two cts loss cts oper net profit loss mln revs mln mln mths oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit mln loss mln revs mln mln note and last two months include results nico inc acquired oct prior year excludes discontinued operations loss cts per share quarter and loss cts share year excludes extraordinary gain two cts per share quarter and cts per share year reuter 
earn	protocomdevices prcm sees profit erosion protocomdevices inc erosion general financial condition since december and actively engaged negotiations secure additional financing undergone restructuring management and instituting staff reductions ramon morales relinquished role president and chief operating officer and assumed position executive vice president charge international sales rafael collado assumed positions president and chief operating officer addition role chief executive officer for year ended january company had net loss dlrs cts share revenues mln dlrs reuter 
coffee	ico board meeting delayed day international coffee organization ico executive board meeting scheduled for end this month delayed day and will run march april and not march april ico officials march ico hoc working group will meet management consultants ernst whinney report ico secretariat this report commissioned late last year report administrative structure ico reuter 
earn	paradise fruit inc parf year net shr cts cts net sales mln mln note year net penalized cts shr loss investment tax credits reuter 
earn	samson energy limited partnership sam year net loss loss revs mln mln notes loss includes write mln dlrs carrying oil and gas properties quarter cash flow operationswas dlrs dlrs per unit dlrs dlrs per unit reuter 
earn	acceleration corp acle qtr shr cts cts net mln year shr cts cts net mln mln note net includes tax loss carryforward gain dlrs reuter 
earn	energy optics inc qtr jan net shr profit nil loss cts net profit loss revs half shr profit loss cts net profit loss revs reuter 
acq	blue gass breeders blgr completes acquisition blue grass breeders inc completed acquisition equine enterprises inc for mln common shares obligated deliver another shares attainment level shareholders equity fiscal quarter months closing contingent shares issued blue grass owners equine will pct interest blue grass equine mexico quarter horse breeding and racing company reuter 
earn	digimed corp qtr dec loss shr loss two cts loss cts net loss loss sales avg shrs six mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss sales avg shrs reuter 
earn	flight international group inc flti qtr periods ended january shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln note year ago revenues include dlrs quarter and dlrs months operations subsidiary sold april reuter 
earn	nord est plans mln franc bond issue financial and industrial holding company nord est plans make convertible bond issue for total mln francs president gustave rambaud told news conference nord est expected receive approval bourse supervisory body cob two week terms set market conditions issue meant boost capital ahead investments rambaud company pay dividend francs unchanged parent company net profit last year rose mln francs mln provisional consolidated profits lower mln francs compared mln mln mln attributable group lower profit due losses made steel tube maker vallourec nord est pct stake rambaud forecast parent company net profit provisions mln francs reuter 
crude	solv solv shell canada shc pact complete solv corp successfully completed oil sands pilot testing program agreement shell canada limited shc and received dlr bonus payment that shell canada exercised option solv pct working interest construction oil facility relieving obligation raise mln canadian dlrs for plant construction pct that loan guaranteed government alberta exchange for shell participation solv shell obligated pay front royalty and running royalty based operating profits oil sands facility shell canada barrel per day oil sands project will built shell oil sand lease miles north fort mcmurray athabasca region northern alberta solv project will cost mln canadian dlrs that final feasibility study plant open early oil prices expected exceed dlrs per barrel reuter 
bop	spain mln dlr january payments surplus spain had mln dlr current account balance payments surplus january compared mln deficit december and mln surplus january last year bank spain figures show trade deficit rose mln dlrs january mln january reuter 
acq	purolator pcc director quits buyout purolator courier corp director resigned company board plans steps make find offer that tops mln dlr buyout deal accepted purolator board company director doresy gardner resigned march letter purolator board included filing made company securities and exchange commission gardner noted that terms merger agreement company bought group managers and hutton lbo inc bar directors taking action solicit initiate encourage acquisition proposals shareholder solicit initiate encourage such offer indication interest and that resign director corporation gardner letter accordingly hereby resign director purolator courier corp effective immediately gardner believes shareholders deal buyout offer company agree sold entity sell part courier division march another purolator shareholder rodney shields filed class action suit behalf company shareholders charging company and board breaching fiduciary duty failing steps ensure that shareholders highest price buyout deal give shareholders dlrs share cash pct purolator mln shares tendered tendered receive dlrs cash and six dlrs debentures and warrant buy stock company exchange for each share reuter 
earn	unr industries inc unriq qtr net shr profit cts profit cts net profit profit sales mln mln year shr profit dlrs loss dlrs net profit loss sales mln mln reuter 
acq	century telephone ctl sell properties century telephone enterprises inc accepted offer sell cable television properties michigan tennessee florida arkansas and louisiana for substantial gain company details not disclosed reuter 
earn	volt information sciences inc volt qtr shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg mln mln note net includes mln dlr pretax gain settlement dlrs gain securities sale interest expense net investment income mln dlrs and dlrs fiscal change european operations method resulted pre tax translation losses mln dlrs period ended january reuter 
earn	paradise fruit parf sets lower dividend paradise fruit inc board declared dividend cts per share payable march holders record march company last paid cts per share january and that paid cts january paradise commercial bank lending agreements entered into june include retained earnings requirements that limit amount earnings for distribution shareholders reuter 
earn	canada malting year net oper shr dlrs dlrs oper net mln mln sales mln mln note excludes extraordinary loss mln dlrs dlrs per share reuter 
earn	north american holding corp nahl qtr net dec end shr profit nil loss cts net profit loss revs avg shrs mln mln mths shr profit six cts loss cts net profit loss revs mln avg shrs mln mln reuter 
earn	general host corp sets quarterly qtly div six cts six cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	grow group inc gro sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	digimed corp qtr dec loss shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss sales six mths shr profit cts loss cts net profit loss sales reuter 
crude	powerine refinery resume operations powerine oil refinery will resume operation today initial crude oil runs barrels per day powerine privately held company expects refinery become fully operational crude oil throughput bpd initial oil products deliveries scheduled for monday powerine refinery had closed due change ownership company reuter 
earn	trinity industries inc trn sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
earn	coastal bancorp csbk sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	idaho power ida sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	united stationers inc ustr sets dividend qtly dividend six cts six cts pay april record march reuter 
earn	lincoln national corp lnc sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
earn	petrie stores corp pst sets quarterly qtly div cts cts prior pay april record april reuter 
acq	desoto dso sells industrial chemical assets desoto inc sold plant inventory and assets industrial chemical operations plastic specialities and technologies inc privately held company headquartered parsippany jersey terms not disclosed desoto industrial chemical operations based fort worth texas and annual sales mln dlrs reuter 
earn	safeguard health sfgd qtr loss shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln year shr loss cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mln note full name safeguard health enterprises inc current qtr and year figures include mln dlr reserve for estimated loss proposed divestment existing offices reuter 
rubber	rubber talks chairman cites slight progress slight progress reaching rubber pact chairman united nations conference international natural rubber agreeement inra manaspas xuto thailand slight progress not end road conference began monday last effort adopt accord replace current expires october producing and consuming countries taking part two week meeting xuto key outstanding issues not resolved tomorrow hold weekend meetings beginning conference fourth such meeting two years xuto imperative settle issues this week that technical drafting work can week conference sources highly that producers will accept pact that will provide for downward adjustment floor price proposed consumers circumstances sources this means that adjustment centre reference price and buy sell and buy sell levels changing lower indicative price floor price malaysian singapore cents kilo present pact present day average indicator price malaysian singapore cents consumers seeking adjustment reference price set current accord malaysian singapore cents kilo and lower indicative price buffer stock tonnes rises tonnes consumers want price reviews month intervals present and price revision mechanism respond automatically market trends present market price below reference price for six months reference price revised pct amount decided international natural rubber organisation council consumers that circumstances adjustment automatic pct producers resisted reducing role council price adjustment procedure and expressed concern that proposed consumers weaken present pact reuter 
gold	britannia coin sell premium british ounce gold coin britannia will priced basis gold price day purchase competitive premium treasury officials added tax will levied purchases members public case foreign coins transactions members london gold market and exports coins will rated decision face coins number gold coins canadian maple issued attempt place south african krugerrand british government feels that gap market for british ounce gold coin british gold coin present sovereign contains ounces gold gold south africa soviet union will not used coin officials adding that bullion bought world gold market analysts difficult ascertain origins such purchases details coins will issued gold will bought traders that amounts involved move gold price enquiries britannia coin dealers today added tax prove major factor success coin pct tax likely put investors traders that britannia had come late canadian maple leaf american eagle and gold coins established reuter 
acq	cytrx cytr unit buys swedish company cytrx corp pct owned cytrx biopool subsidiary acquired biopool umea sweden for undisclosed terms shareholders biopool remaining pct cytrx biopool biopool develops cardiovascular and fibrinolytic products for diagnostic applications company cytrx biopool studying combination cytrx corp rheothrx drug reduce platelet aggregation and viscosity blood biopool drug for dissolving blood clots reuter 
interest	canada day bills average pct making bank rate pct 
earn	north american nahl sees record fourth qtr north american holding corp expects record fourth quarter earnings and for sales exceed mln dlrs for fourth quarter ended march company reported net income dlrs sales mln dlrs expects revenues for year exceed mln dlrs for fiscal north american reported net loss dlrs sales mln dlrs reuter 
acq	investors intermedics itm stake pct group investment firms told securities and exchange commission raised stake intermedics inc shares pct total outstanding shares pct bessemer securities corp york investment firm cilluffo associates york investment partnership and related entities bought intermedics common shares february and march for mln dlrs reuter 
earn	wal mart stores inc wmt raises quarterly qtly div six cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	optrotech optkf year net shr cts cts net revs mln mln note net includes gain dlr gain quantity discount rebates purchases materials prior years reuter 
earn	north atlantic technologies natt qtr shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs note full name north atlantic technologies inc reuter 
crude	montedison refineries shut for work selm societa energia montedison close priolo crude refining units march march for maintenance company spokesman throughput refinery estimated bpd total capacity nearer bpd mediterranean refineries shutdown for maintenance scheduled months ago industry sources that shutdowns rearranged avoid running negative netback crude tighter availabilities products result shutdowns med helping products markets bullish for march deliveries oil traders garrone refinery san quirico capacity bpd due shutdown march for weeks and jointly owned isab garrone refinery mellili capacity bpd due start march closure for maintenance month ago company spokesman esso italiana refineries augusta and siracusa will not closing this spring spokesman for company france distillation unit societe francaise lavera refinery closed for maintenance since march and due restart early april total capacity bpd operating pct capacity company spokesman shell francaise berre etang refinery will shut early april mid june company spokesman capacity bpd compagnie francaise raffinage cfr will close visbreaker mede refinery early april not affect crude throughput refinery company spokesman current capacity bbl day despite current bullish sentiment med traders noted that crude netbacks beginning attractive and maintenance shutdowns finished two weeks result oil industry sources suggest that situation ease mid april reuter 
crude	attacks affect colombia oil outlook ecopetrol continuous rebel raids oil pipelines and foreign exploration camps endanger colombia present oil bonanza franciso chona manager state run oil company ecopetrol subversion end oil bonanza told reporters speaking meeting defense minister rafael samudio military chiefs and mines and energy minister guillermo perry review security situation light recent upsurge leftist guerrilla attacks oil rich arauca region bordering venezuela ecopetrol chief security retired general carlos narvaez security measures stricter and that armed forces closely collaborating gave details samudio plans had designed and hoped effective samudio stressed that despite recent attacks cost mln dlrs damage situation had improved compared last december initial measures combat wave attacks repeated bombings vital pipeline cano limon oilfield caribbean led loss barrels crude reuter 
copper	peru centromin copper force majeure peru biggest state mining firm centromin today force majeure possibility copper shipments guerrillas blew railway line interrupting train traffic cobriza copper mine pacific coast centromin spokesman managers mine cobriza ship mineral road coast for export train line continued interrupted cobriza produced equivalent fine tonnes copper last year maoist guerrillas dynamite interrupted train traffic two days ago blew railway tracks and derailed train laden minerals miles east lima chacapalca coast and cobriza official minero peru comercial minpeco peru state minerals marketing firm confirmed had declaration force majeure shipments cobriza officials national train company enafer headquarters lima peruvian capital declined comment train traffic restored cobriza enafer official reached telephone central andean city huancayo chacapalca traffic restored saturday reuter 
earn	parker drilling suspends quarterly dividend 
acq	granite bancorp inc agrees acquired magna group inc for stock 
veg-oil	argentine vegetable oils shipments jan nov argentine vegetable oils shipments january november totalled tonnes tonnes period argentine grain board breakdown cotton sunflower linseed groundnutseed soybean tung olive maize rapeseed nil nil grape nil nil board added shipments november amounted tonnes tonnes month breakdwon tonnes cotton nil nil sunflower linseed groundnutseed soybean tung nil olive maize nil rapeseed nil nil grape nil nil board ten principal destinations january november comparative figures for period brackets tonnes holland iran soviet union egypt algeria brazil south africa cuba united states nil india board added reuter 
earn	parker drilling pkd suspends payout parker drilling board directors voted suspend payment dividends shareholders parker drilling paying quarterly dividend share common stock company expects save mln dlrs year dividend suspension reuter 
earn	eqk realty investors ekr qtr net shr cts cts net revs avg shrs mln mths shr cts net revs mln note mth figures not for since company started operations march reuter 
earn	masco corp mas regular dividend set qtly div cts cts previously pay record april reuter 
earn	eqk realty investors ekr sets payout qtrly div cts cts prior pay july record june 
crude	sun raises crude postings cts effective today wti dlrs bbl 
earn	ipco corp ihs sets regular payout qtrly div cts cts prior pay record april reuter 
acq	granite fgbi agrees acquired granite bancorp inc agreed principle become wholly owned subsidiary magna group inc magi terms agreement granite shareholders will receive shares magna for each granite share held granite shareholders will asked approve tranaction late summer granite shares outstanding dec had assets mln dlrs owns granite city national bank and colonial bank granite city ill magna groups dec had assets billion dlrs owns banks data services company mortgage company and trust company serving louis springfield centralia and decatur ill reuter 
interest	canadian imperial bank commerce cuts prime rate pct tomorrow 
earn	thermwood corp thm qtr jan net shr cts cts net sales six mths shr cts cts net sales avg shrs reuter 
earn	perini investment properties pnv raises payout qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable june record reuter 
crude	sun sun raises crude postings cts sun raised contract price will pay for crude oil cts barrel effective today increase brings sun posted price for west texas intermediate and west texas sour grades dlrs bbl light louisiana sweet grade raised cts dlrs bbl sun last changed crude postings march reuter 
earn	petroleum and resources corp peo dividend interim income dividend cts last paid dlrs february including capital gains cts pyable april record april reuter 
interest	royal bank canada lowers prime rate pct 
earn	line cinema corp nln qtr net shr cts cts net revs year shr cts cts net revs mln mln avg shrs reuter 
interest	ottawa seeks explanation credit card rates minister state for finance tom hockin asked canadian bankers association industry lobby group for explanation level credit card interest rates hockin hopes association response important issue hockin responding questions house commons credit card rates run high pct per year remain high rates falling today canadian bank rate fell pct pct last week and canadian imperial bank commerce cut prime rate effective tomorrow pct pct reuter 
earn	ipco corp ihs regular dividend qtly div cts cts prior qtr payable record apreil reuter 
earn	asamera inc year oper shr loss cts profit cts 
crude	diamond shamrock raised crude cts bbl today wti dlrs 
acq	alleghney international faces added count alleghney international inc plaintiffs existing lawsuits opposing sale requested amendment complaint include class action count alleghney suit filed district court for western district pennsylvania aimed blocking sale alleghney affiliate boston inc allegheney additional count sought plaintiffs alleges price offered for common stock dlrs grossly unfair and purposes proposed sale absolve individual defendants liability lawsuit additional count forms relief requests injunction defendants taking steps accomplish proposed sale alleghney reuter 
crude	phillips raises crude postings cts effective today wti dlrs bbl 
earn	bull and bear equity income fund bulax div york march qtly div cts cts prior payable march record march reuter 
cocoa	pessimism mounts bahian temporao cocoa crop pessimism effects prolonged dry spell coming bahian temporao cocoa crop rising trade forecasts generally mln mln bag range mln mln fortnight ago trade sources told reuters state capital salvador that despite scattered rains since mid february broke six week drought plantations not picked hoped and cocoa expected gathered months september crop sources arrivals july reach bags normal years figure mln mln bags expected arrivals start pick sharply pods current flowering gathered sources noted late temporao susceptible pod rot flourishes conditions turn cold and humid and likely late july this year crop doubly susceptible poor prices mean farmers not encouraged invest fertilisers and insecticides and treat pod rot severe attack pod rot can loss bags short period source increased exposure pod rot damage estimates final outcome temporao extremely vulnerable and production easily drop below mln bag mark disease hits flowering good start rains pod setting not expectations possibly drought had caused drop insect population pollinates flowers sources reports farms moisture levels generally back normal levels and that current flowering and pod setting good result mature fruit august september sources expect break harvesting beans end temporao and beginning main crop officially starts october cut date completely artificial things heavy harvesting break august november even december predictions mln bag temporao prove accurate this below mln bag average for past years last poor temporao prolonged drought and pod rot cut production mln bags lowest since good growing conditions year produced temporao mln bags below mln bag record last year output suffered drought damage mln bags figures for coming temporao distorted upwards inclusion undeclared current main crop beans sources large quantities beans believed undeclared this year record total harvest and unsure this unregistered end official crop year april recent official arrivals figures swollen inclusion beans had delivered previously port warehouses not declared high turnover beans this year significant amounts deteriorated stored long back warehouses expected held for mixing early temporao arrivals official arrivals figures for temporao and main crops totalling mln bags and weeks end year total outturn record mln bags production declared sources this compare previous record set last year mln telling current crop beans will declared start temporao and true size harvest never officially registered reuter 
earn	rose stores inc rsto qtr jan shr cts cts net mln mln revs mln mln year shr dlrs cts net mln mln revs billion billion reuter 
crude	phillips raises crude postings cts phillips petroleum raised contract price will for grades crude oil cts barrel effective today increase brings phillip posted price for west texas intermediate and west texas sour grades dlrs bbl phillips last changed crude oil postings march price increase follows similar moves usx subsidiary marathon oil and sun sun earlier today reuter 
earn	asamera inc asm year loss oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss mln profit mln revs mln mln note net excludes tax gain mln dlrs cts shr ago gain mln dlrs cts shr net includes mln dlr charge for reduction carrying refinery and related assets net includes mln dlr gain sale canadian natural gas property dlrs reuter 
earn	lvi group inc lvi qtr oper net oper shr profit two cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln note qtr and year oper net excludes gain dlrs and dlrs for carryforwards and loss dlrs and dlrs for early extinguishment debt qtr and year oper net excludes loss dlrs cts per share and loss dlrs cts per share for discontinued operations reuter 
acq	talking point purolator courier corp pcc purolator courier corp stock rose specualtion that disgruntled purolator director find suitor for company traders purolator agreed late february dlr share mln dlr offer hutton lbo inc and members purolator courier division management stock today hit today purolator revealed filing securities and exchange commission that director doresy gardner resigned board directors letter dated march letter gardner resigned board merger agreement hutton barred directors soliciting offers and believes shareholders deal gardner believes offer found company agree sold entity sell part courier division basically courier division company that mln dlrs revenues large company and sold for mln dlrs gardner telephone interview reuters gardner official kelso management firm associated fidelity international group fidelity companies owns pct purolator and gardner personally owns shares purolator official company comment letter gardner arbitragers speculated another overnight messenger service emerge likely bidder for purolator transaction hutton lbo announced analysts had speculated another courier company likely suitor arbitrager acknowledged fact bidders possibility pushed stock into play shortage possibilities question management willingness process continue arbitrager arbitragers buyer found hutton lbo risk transaction hutton begun tender for pct purolator dlrs cash per share balance purolator stock will bought for securities and warrants company holding courier operations arbitragers tender offer documents show that hutton not use cash transaction and will emerge giant majority equity interest purolator can public documents deal that table hutton basically putting likes situation that you can this deal risk world that higher arbitrager firm supplying temporary financing and sources close transaction disputed claim that firm will not end paying for equity position scenario mentioned tender offer document note that hutton group subsidiary not cash transaction sources risk firm variety contingencies and restricted cash and sorts things that make speculative sources adding severance payments employees hutton group subsidiary supplying mln dlrs called bridge financing for transaction bridge financing temporary loan hutton financing replaced permanent financing expected come banks time replace financing source resulting substantial expense firm gardner hutton stands gain fees mln dlrs transaction sources close transaction fees low end scale complex transaction basically happens ostensibly put money fees recapture investment once merger takes place gardner reuter 
trade	volcker sees clearcut evidence that trade deterioration reversed 
crude	diamond shamrock dia raises crude postings diamond shamrock raised contract price will pay for crude oil cts barrel effective today increase brings company posted price for benchmark grade west texas intermediate dlrs bbl diamond shamrock last changed postings march reuter 
interest	toronto dominion bank cuts prime rate pct pct tomorrow 
interest	bank montreal cuts prime rate pct pct effective friday 
cpi	volcker fed remains concerned possibility renewed inflation 
money-supply	assets money market mutual funds fell mln dlrs latest week billion 
acq	weinberger opposes fujitsu buying firm defense secretary caspar weinberger will join commerce secretary malcolm baldrige fighting fujitsu itsu plan buy pct fairchild semiconductor corp pentagon officials weinberger opposes not interests country micro electronics business leaving united states pentagon officials asked not identified told reuters commerce department officials told reuters yesterday that baldrige opposed planned sale and that white house economic policy council will matter weeks commerce and defense officials baldrige and weinberger feared military leaning heavily foreign electronic support defense department today that weinberger and baldrige differed proposed sale computer equipment iran commerce department advised pentagon recently that defense objections two proposed sales iranian power company and islamic republic iran news agency not valid and sales small and medium computers evidence presented reuter 
acq	safeguard scientific sfe equity deal safeguard scientifics inc made mln dlr equity investment sanchez computer associates inc private computer software firm based malvern safeguard investment major ownership position sanchez specializes software products for financial institutions reuter 
earn	core industries inc cri qtr feb net shr cts cts net sales mln mln six mths shr cts cts net sales mln mln note results include gain sale land dlrs six cts share results include loss discontinued operations dlrs cts share quarter and dlrs six cts share six months reuter 
earn	financial ffmc stock split financial management corp board declared for two stock split common stock split will effected pct stock dividend for shareholders record march distributed april six reuter 
interest	bank nova scotia cuts prime rate pct pct effective tomorrow 
earn	circon corp ccon qtr shr loss two cts profit cts net loss profit revs mln mths shr profit two cts profit cts net revs mln reuter 
earn	brown transport btcu declares payout brown transport inc board declared initial quarterly dividend cts share payable april stockholders record march reuter 
gas	wright gas tax option cut deficit house speaker jim wright gasoline tax option finding reduce deficit told reporters response question will not dictate solution debt problem wright made suggestions for raising taxes billion dlrs part budget plan reduce deficit tax proposals consideration members house budget committee details tax increase made tax writing house ways and means committee reuter 
trade	key house trade subcommittee approves bill toughen trade laws 
acq	summit petroleum corp sells shares summit petroleum corp sold mln shares pct common stock halbert and associates inc company shares previously held consolidated energy corp and harken oil and gas inc hogi addition david halbert president and chief executive officer halbert abilene investment firm named chairman and chief executive summit company halbert charles bruce and james burke named directors expanding board summit added company burke president and chief executive allied comprehensive health inc abilene bruce partner washington law firm butler and binion summit intends actively seek acquisitions increase asset base reuter 
trade	clear evidence trade gap reversed volcker federal reserve board chairman paul volcker current data not give clear sign that deterioration trade balance reversed data hand not provide clearcut evidence that deterioration trade balance reversed volcker remarks prepared for delivery luncheon for community leaders volcker encouraging signs rising volume exports past year achieved despite relatively slow growth abroad volcker warned not sustainable economic perspective pile foreign debt failing make investment needed generate growth and earn money service debt process restoring external balance economy requires dealing budget deficit needed economic adjustment will require relative shift financial and real resources into internationally competitive industry growth will reflected net exports and business investment and consumption volcker reuter 
money-supply	business loans fall mln dlrs march week fed 
money-supply	york bank discount window borrowings nil march week 
earn	tony loma inc tlam qtr shr profit nil loss cts net profit loss revs mln mln year shr loss cts loss cts net loss loss revs mln mln note net includes extraordinary gain dlrs cts per share reuter 
acq	allied lyons sees change hiram walker stake allied lyons plc alld and canada reichmann brothers working together partners and not plan change joint ownership distiller hiram walker gooderham and worts allied lyons chairman derrick holden brown allied lyons pct control hiram walker gooderham last year for mln dlrs reichmanns gulf canada corp acquired pct court pact hostile battle for wine and spirits division hiram walker resources getting partners hope won change holden brown told reporters speech toronto allied lyons two year call option that force gulf canada sell pct stake allied lyons and gulf canada two year put option that obligate allied lyons buy pct and gulf hope will occasion for put call exercised holden brown answer reporter question holden brown for gulf canada sell part pct public offering allied lyons consent don objection added allied lyons maintains control hiram walker gooderham board directors and total responsibility for management cannot contemplate giving control holden brown not disclose big profit contribution distiller will make allied lyons financial results will substantial not give profit forecasts holden brown allied lyons finance hiram walker gooderham acquisition cash and borrowings and current plans for stock issue company not negotiating acquisitions canada team officials evaluating purchases wines spirits soft drinks food concerns don brewery scene highly concentrated added holden brown allied lyons plans list shares canadian stock exchanges possibly this year reuter 
money-supply	york business loans fall mln dlrs commercial and industrial loans books major york banks excluding acceptances fell mln dlrs billion week ended march federal reserve bank york including acceptances loans fell mln dlrs billion commercial paper outstanding nationally dropped mln dlrs billion national business loan data scheduled released friday reuter 
earn	eaton vance corp eavn qtr jan net shr cts cts net avg shrs reuter 
earn	adams express adx sets regular payout div cts cts pay april record april note company pays dividend cts times annually bulk payment end fiscal year equal annual dividend cts reuter 
grain	cargill official defends certificate programs use generic kind commodity certificates helped ease storage problems and part export promotion programs senior executive for world largest grain company testifying house agriculture subcommittee wheat soybeans and feedgrains robbin johnson vice president cargill inc disputed claims that grain companies made huge profits certificate trading certs program not windfall trade johnson that cargill dealing two pct spread certificate transactions and that this normal grain marketing levels johnson recognized current concern cost certificates compared cash that critics closely savings caused certs noting for example that widespread use certs pik and roll marketing technique last summer helped ease storage costs certificates important part export promotion program you ways expand export markets you ways expand certs put grain into market meet demand subcommittee chairman dan glickman kans committee certificate program this year and studying general accounting office report certificate costs reuter 
crude	house speaker backs oil import forecast plan house speaker jim wright endorsed proposal require president action reduce oil imports threaten top pct consumption wright told reporters plan sen lloyd bentsen fellow texas democrat positive and oil imports peaked pct short pct last year and this year pct bentsen bentsen proposal supported senators require president issue annual year oil import forecasts year threatened top pct ordered propose quotas solution reuter 
money-supply	bank discount borrowings average mln dlrs day march week fed 
money-supply	bank net free reserves mln dlrs two weeks march fed 
money-supply	falls mln dlrs march week feb billion billion 
acq	princeville pvdc sell air operation princeville development corp and aloha inc parent aloha airlines inc jointly agreed terms for sale princeville airways inc aloha terms agreement not disclosed proposed sale companies aloha acquire entire princeville airways commuter operation and access princeville airport island kauai princeville airways expected operate subsidiary aloha inc and will continue use princeville aiways name reuter 
acq	hampshire savings nhsb buy bank hampshire savings bank corp agreed buy seashore bankshares inc exchange stock terms deal seashore shares will exchanged for mln dlrs hampshire savings stock seashore bankshares assets mln dlrs reuter 
orange	fcoj movement gallons last week florida citrus processors association frozen concentrate orange juice movement into trade channels week ended march totalled gallons versus gallons week ended february and gallons year ago period gallons foreign imports last week versus gallons week domestic imports last week retail movement versus year ago bulk movement year earlier current season cumulative movement gallons versus last year cumulative net pack for season versus year ago inventory versus year ago reuter 
money-supply	money supply falls mln dlrs money supply fell mln dlrs seasonally adjusted billion dlrs march week federal reserve previous week level revised billion dlrs billion week moving average rose billion dlrs billion commenting february growth broader monetary aggregates fed that fell billion dlrs rose billion economists polled reuters had projected mln dlr fall billion dlr drop and change reuter 
earn	amvestors financial avfc sets stock dividend amvestors financial corp declared pct stock dividend payable june holders record june subject increase authorized shares shareholders will vote april annual meeting increase authorized shares mln mln company plans pay initial quarterly dividend cts share shares reuter 
trade	house panel approves trade bill house ways and means trade subcommittee unanimously approved toned version legislation designed toughen trade laws and wedge open foreign markets goods measure full house ways and means committee week major not expected congressional sources this product toughening trade policy and manner that opens markets this frightening word protectionism ways and means chairman dan rostenkowski illinois democrat trade subcommittee backed mandating specific retaliation foreign countries for unfair foreign trade practices house had approved trade bill last year held for full ways and means committee debate controversial plan rep richard gephardt mandate reduction trade surpluses countries such japan south korea and taiwan gephardt missouri democrat not decided exact form amendment aide last year house approved idea force annual ten pct trade surplus cut countries trade bill will wrapped legislation committees dealing relaxation export controls incentives for research expanded worker training and education and efforts increase competitiveness comprehensive trade bill considered full house late april and will considered senate committees requires president reagan retaliate foreign unfair trade practices not mandate quotas tariffs and exemption economic security harmed actions countries bill make easier for industries win relief surges imports competitive products extends january administration authority negotiate trade agreements part round multilateral talks general agreements tariffs and trade and includes provisions tighten trade rules copyrights patents and telecommunications goods reuter 
earn	standard logic inc stdl qtr loss qtr ends jan oper shr loss cts profit cts oper net loss profit revs note oper net excludes loss discontinued operations loss for prior qtr excludes tax carryforward for prior qtr reuter 
cpi	inflation concern volcker federal reserve board chairman paul volcker fed and financial markets remain concerned possibility renewed inflation possibility renewed inflation remains concern markets and federal reserve remarks prepared for delivery group business leaders potential channel for renewed inflationary pressures excessive fall dollar exchange markets push import prices sharply participants financial markets and business remain skeptical prospects for lasting price stability skepticism ability resist inflation reinforced bad policy consequences for interest rates for exchange rates and for economy generally undesirable recognition that danger neccesarily weigh heavily formation monetary policy fed chairman volcker attempts drive dollar lower undermine hard won gains inflation and risk dissipating flow foreign capital reuter 
crude	unocal raises crude prices cts today wti dlrs 
earn	shawmut corp shas sets regulary dividend qtly div cts cts prior pay april record march reuter 
earn	anglo american aivj year dec shr cts final div making pre tax mln rand mln net mln mln tax mln mln att shareholders mln mln pref div mln turnover billion billion div pay register march note full name anglo american industrial corp reuter 
earn	anglo american aivj year dec shr cts final div making pre tax mln rand mln net mln mln tax mln mln att shareholders mln mln pref div mln turnover billion billion div pay register march note full name anglo american industrial corp reuter 
crude	unocal ucl raises crude oil postings unocal corp raised contract price will pay for grades crude oil cts barrel effective today increase brings unocal posted price for benchmark grade west texas intermediate dlrs barrel brought price for west texas sour dlrs bbl light louisiana sweet raised cts dlrs bbl unocal last changed crude postings march and brings price line major companies raising prices steadily recent weeks increase represents latest series increases that began usx corp marathon petroleum corp notification yesterday evening that effective today raised crude postings cts barrel bringing contract price for wti dlrs barrel earlier today sun sun phillips petroleum and diamond shamrock dia raised crude postings cts barrel bringing wti contract price dlrs barrel contract prices risen response higher spot market prices oil traders reuter 
crude	citgo raises crude postings cts today wti dlrs bbl 
acq	court lifts restraining order mark baird corp batm massachusetts state court for suffolk county lifted temporary restraining order prohibiting mark industries inc purchases baird stock filings securities and exchange commission mark owns pct baird stock and attempt acquire baird baird baird court issued order enjoining baird enforcing massachusetts anti takeover statute mark industries reuter 
earn	cji industires inc cjiia qtr net oper shr profit cts loss cts oper net profit loss revs mln mln avg shrs mln mln year oper shr loss dlrs loss cts oper net profit profit revs mln mln note per share figures come preferred dividends excludes fourth quarter and full year extraordinary gains cts and cts per share reuter 
earn	counsel corp sets for two stock split counsel corp plans for two stock split pending shareholder approval april annual meeting company recently reported profit mln dlrs dlrs share extraordinary items compared mln dlrs cts reuter 
crude	southland slc unit raises crude postings southland corp citgo petroleum corp raised contract price will pay for crude oil cts barrel effective today increase bring citgo posted price for west texas intermediate and west texas sour grades dlrs barrel light louisiana sweet south onshore grade raised cts dlrs barrel and light louisiana sweet north increased dlrs barrel citgo last changed postings march reuter 
earn	cannon can audit show significant loss cannon group inc financial statements will show substantial losses for fiscal and significant downward adjustments previously reported stockholders equity company audit conducted arthur young and will cover year ended january month period ended september previously announced anticipates results audit will mid late april reuter 
acq	eager technology acquires nuclad eager technology inc signed letter intent acquire nuclad inc private colorado corporation and subsidiaries terms acquisition not disclosed reuter 
acq	interconnect offers buy gates learjet glj interconnect capital corp letter board gates learjet corp offering buy company for dlrs share gates corp owns pct gates learjet agreed earlier this week sell shares partnership formed privately held cobey corp and unit bear stearns cos inc bsc for dlrs share mln dlrs proposal subject approval gates learjet board spokesman for privately held interconnect made proposal gates learjet board not had held talks parent company board reuter 
acq	seal sinc acquires ademco seal inc acquired ademco united kingdom company distributes mounting and laminating equipment and supplies for combination cash and stock valued mln dlrs based current exchange rates seal will pay additional mln dlrs contingent market price seal common december and earnings targets acquired business reuter 
crude	brazil cancels oil purchase saudi arabia brazil state oil company petrobras cancelled mln dlr crude oil purchase saudi arabia saudis refused accept credit guarantees bank brazil petrobras official export director carlos santana told press conference saudis suppliers oil impose such conditions brazil decision halt interest payment commercial debts last month shipment mln barrels represents two days oil consumption brazil santana saudis change minds and decide respect terms contract petrobras will lift order cancel shipment santana saudis not accept brazil terms monday petrobras will negotiate petrobras saudi arabia traditional client since not accept conditions will for market prices buying iraq and china advantage iraq and china barter deals brazil importing brazilian goods exchange for oil saudis buy nothing brazil santana despite strike threat oil industry workers and two week stoppage brazilian seamen petrobras oil stocks balanced saudi arabia brazil second biggest oil supplier average bpd iraq main supplier bpd china comes bpd saudis stop trade relationship fine that will getting dozens offers santana added reuter 
trade	house panel approves trade bill house ways and means trade subcommittee unanimously approved toned version legislation designed toughen trade laws and wedge open foreign markets goods measure full house ways and means committee week major not expected congressional sources this product toughening trade policy and manner that opens markets this frightening word protectionism ways and means chairman dan rostenkowski illinois democrat trade subcommittee backed mandating specific retaliation foreign countries for unfair foreign trade practices house had approved trade bill last year held for full ways and means committee debate controversial plan rep richard gephardt mandate reduction trade surpluses countries such japan south korea and taiwan gephardt missouri democrat not decided exact form amendment aide last year house approved idea force annual pct trade surplus cut countries reuter 
crude	india gets mln dlr world bank loan world bank approved mln dlr loan for india lessen that country dependence imported oil and spur development petroleum resources bank loan will used boost production injecting gas partially depleted assam oil fields and assist exploration areas including drilling exploratory wells bank recipient year loan will oil india oil smaller two public indian petroleum exploration and production companies reuter 
coffee	colombia coffee marketing flexible colombia intends improve marketing coffee accent flexibility setting export registration prices finance minister cesar gaviria speaking reporters announcing lower export registration price reintegro dlr per dock york gaviria export mechanisms agile stage decided not lower reintegro adopt flexible policy reintegro that will private exporters participate actively colombia coffee export policy traders this means export registration price will change truer reflection market trends gaviria measures responded market factors since return system international coffee organisation ico export quotas not occur short term ico talks last month london failed break deadlock introduction export quotas suspended february gaviria stressed that colombia will not necessarily suffer depressed prices can compensate lower prices increased volume colombia will continue export traditional amount coffee and mln bags kilos and will agreement producers ruled higher volume exports mln bags mentioned market circles idea precisely not disrupt market colombia exported record mln bags coffee year ended last september echoing gaviria words jorge cardenas manager national coffee growers federation colombia sought adapt coffee marketing policy circumstances great expectation world for policies that brazil and colombia will adopt ours beginning emerge and agreement producers foreseeable future told journalists trade sources rio today brazil future export policy revealed end week cardenas ico meeting place problems that hindered agreement recent london talks resolved asked comment reuter report jakarta indonesia hoped colombia use contacts brazil suggest compromise quota issue cardenas brazilian stand quite clear brazil current quota reflects reality market for orderly supply and satisfies demand added clarity needed assess criteria that determined cardenas lows registered immediately failure london talks triggered widespread fear dealers imminent price war and belief that producers and sell coffee quickly not happen reuter 
crude	india gets mln dlr world bank loan world bank approved mln dlr loan for india lessen that country dependence imported oil and spur development petroleum resources bank loan will used boost production injecting gas partially depleted assam oil fields and assist exploration areas including drilling exploratory wells bank recipient year loan will oil india oil smaller two public indian petroleum exploration and production companies reuter 
acq	cannon can sells library weintraub weintraub entertainment group inc agreed acquire cannon group screen entertainment film library library purchased part cannon acquisition screen entertainment bond corp holdings library theatrical motion pictures terms call for price established appraisal process beginning immediately and not exceed mln dlrs below mln dlrs reuter 
acq	gerber grb buys gerber systems gsti shares gerber scientific inc gst acquisition corp purchased shares pct owned gerber systems technology pursuant january tender offer purchase gerber made capital contribution gst shares owned resulting pct ownership gst reuter 
crude	venezuela lend ecuador bpd crude venezuela will lend ecuador barrels per day crude oil months meet export commitments energy and mines minister arturo hernandez grisanti today that terms this loan agreed visit this week ecuador deputy energy minister fernando santos alvite ecuador will begin repaying loan august hernandez grisanti loan will part offsetting loss ecuador exports caused earthquake damage miles pipeline last week ecuador forced suspend exports pipeline connecting jungle oil fields pacific port balao put action venezuela output quota bpd ecuador bpd santos alvite ecuador will opec produce bpd quota pipeline repaired offset present production losses hernandez grisanti barrels shipment venezuelan crude oil will leave for ecuador this weekend meet domestic consumption oil part mln additional crude oil loan venezuela will processed guayaquil refineries had not supplied oil ecuador life this country ground halt reuter 
earn	adelaide steamship adsa half half ended december shr cents int div cents net mln dlrs mln turnover mln mln revenue mln mln for rights issue dlrs share for bonus issue capital enlarged rights issue shrs mln mln note shr applies total net mln dlrs mln extraordinaries loss pre extraordinaries net shr cents div pay april div and rights issu