Burberry boosted by trench coats

Burberry Group Plc, the British luxury-goods maker whose founder created gabardine fabric, said first-half profit rose 32 percent on higher sales of trench coats and the introduction of metal-studded Knight handbags.

Peltz makes offer to buy Wendy's

Nelson Peltz's Triarc Cos made an offer for Wendy's International Inc that was less than the $3.2 billion the billionaire investor said he might pay in July.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Vodafone raises forecasts on growth

Vodafone Group Plc, the world's biggest provider of mobile-phone services, raised its sales and profit forecasts on accelerating growth in India and Turkey, as well as higher revenue from wireless Internet access in Europe.

BHP, Rio seek to win over investors

BHP Billiton Ltd, the largest mining company, will begin talks "imminently" to win over shareholders to its offer for Rio Tinto Group after failing to gain a meeting with the London-based company's board.

Firms strive to get closer

Nippon Steel Corp, the world's second-largest steelmaker, and South Korea's Posco are considering ways to expand their alliance as mills seek to cut soaring raw material and shipping costs.

Porsche shows there's a middle way on splits

Porsche AG, the maker of the 911 sports car, shows there's a middle ground between the typical company's approach to stock splits and the no-split-ever policy that Berkshire Hathaway Inc follows at Warren Buffett's behest.

Icahn hedge funds post first loss since inception

Billionaire Carl Icahn's activist hedge funds posted their first quarterly decline since they opened three years ago because of volatile markets and losses on stocks including WCI Communities Inc and Lear Corp.

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Business International

Wal-Mart likely to feel pinch on cuts

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's biggest retailer, may report its smallest profit increase in five quarters after Chief Executive Officer H. Lee Scott lowered prices to lure shoppers squeezed by rising gasoline costs and mortgage payments.