Biz people

Ford may start getting salary

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

US retailer rings up healthy Q4 earnings

Department store operator Macy's Inc posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit on Tuesday (local time) as gross margin improved, sending its shares up 6 percent.

Gucci is 'world's most wanted brand'

The Gucci fashion label is the most coveted designer brand in the world, according to a survey by market research firm The Nielsen Company.

Luxury firm's profit jumps 35%

PPR SA, the owner of Gucci Group, said 2007 profit rose 35 percent on increased sales of Bottega Veneta handbags and the acquisition of a controlling stake in the sportswear maker Puma AG.

Samsung in 'final stages' of JV talks

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is in the final stages of talks with Sony Corp to jointly build a new LCD panel production line and the two may cooperate on another, bigger line, a Samsung source said yesterday.

Holcim income falls to $523m

Holcim Ltd, the world's second- biggest cement maker, reported a less-than-expected decline in fourth-quarter profit after it sold a South African unit to focus on expansion in Asia.

ABB chairman likely to pursue more acquisitions

Swiss engineering firm ABB's Chairman Hubertus von Gruenberg looks poised to pursue takeovers at the group as acquisition prices tumble and he assumes a more hands-on role, investors and analysts said.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Visa unveils plans for massive IPO

Visa Inc, the world's largest credit card network, said it may raise up to $18.8 billion in the largest US initial public offering, despite unsteady financial markets and a global credit crunch that could eat into transaction volumes.