Connie Maneaty

Kimberly-Clark Raises Full-Year Profit Forecast

Kimberly-Clark Corp. jumped the most in more than three years after the maker of Kleenex tissues and Huggies diapers boosted its annual earnings forecast amid sales growth in its North American tissues unit.

Post-Chavez Venezuela as Chilly for Cos. From P&G to Coke

In his last year as president, Hugo Chavez ordered Coca-Cola Femsa SAB and other beverage makers to cut prices, seized a local steel company’s assets and tightened currency controls that may cost Procter & Gamble Co. $275 million. Doing business in Venezuela isn’t likely to get easier under his successor.

Avon Rises Most in Almost Four Decades on Silpada, Profit

Avon Products Inc. rose the most in almost four decades after fourth-quarter adjusted profit topped analysts’ estimates and the company said it would evaluate alternatives for the Silpada jewelry unit.

Chavez Risks Backlash After Venezuela Devalues Bolivar 32%

Venezuela devalued its currency for the fifth time in nine years, a move that may undermine support for ailing President Hugo Chavez and his allies ahead of possible elections later this year.

Colgate, Avon Decline as Venezuela Devalues Its Currency

Colgate-Palmolive Co., Avon Products Inc. and other U.S. makers of household products with operations in Venezuela fell after the country devalued its currency for the fifth time in nine years.

Jung’s Outside Successor May Shake ‘Entrenched’ Avon Culture

Replacing Avon Products Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer Andrea Jung with an outsider may inject fresh energy into a company where the leader and much of her board have served for more than a decade.

Avon to Cut 1,500 Jobs; Exit South Korea, Vietnam

Avon Products Inc., the world’s largest door-to-door cosmetics seller, will cut about 1,500 jobs globally and exit South Korea and Vietnam as part of plan to save $400 million by the end of 2015.

P&G Said to Seek Advisers to Help on Ackman Amid Pressure

Procter & Gamble Co. has spoken to financial and communications advisers to help manage an activist investor as demands grow to jettison executives or assets, said people familiar with the matter.

Icahn Stake Loses Value as Clorox Success Returns Cash: Real M&A

Billionaire Carl Icahn’s investment in Clorox Co. gives him a stake in a company that is already squeezing more profit from sales and generating more cash than any U.S. household products maker. That may make it harder for the activist to push for a sale or breakup.

Kimberly-Clark Profit Tops Estimates on Higher Pricing

Kimberly-Clark Corp., the maker of Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues, reported first-quarter profit that topped analysts’ estimates, helped by price increases and international sales growth.

"The first-quarter results reflect the benefit of the stronger flu season, healthy cost savings, and very modest inflation."

- Connie Maneaty on Apr 19, 2013

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Ali Dibadj

Rally Matches 1990s Web-Fed Gains With Valuations 28% Lower

Japan Shares Rise, Bonds Fall on G-7 Tolerance as Gold Declines

Europe Tries to Boost Economy After Pressure From U.S.

Gold Bears Pull $20.8 Billion as BlackRock Says Buy: Commodities

Bond Sales to Fall 1st Time Since 2010 as U.S. Revenue Soars