FOX Translator
No data currently available.
No data currently available.
Even if you don't think you do, you already know plenty about commodities. Want us to prove it? No problem.
What makes oil produced in Saudi Arabia different from oil exported from Nigeria? It's the same thing that makes the corn you ate at last summer¿s barbecue different from the corn used to produce ethanol. Stumped? Well, don't feel bad, it's a trick question. The answer? Absolutely nothing. Corn is corn no matter where it comes from -- just as wheat is wheat and natural gas is -- right! -- natural gas. (Though the quality may differ, the make-up is uniform.)
So, in less elaborate terms, corn and oil (and all other commodities) are homogenous goods that can be processed, resold and more often than not, used as an input to the production of other goods or services. These goods are traded on a commodity exchange, thus setting the price-per-barrel (or other metric unit) used to value them.
Now pay attention, here's a question that indeed does have an answer: What is the difference between a commodity and a stock? While a stock can tank and become worthless, a commodity cannot have its value be wiped to zero. One other difference: Most commodities are traded in futures, meaning traders buy and sell where they think the price of a product will be at a certain point in the future. Stocks trade based on the value of the underlying company at that point in time.
Home / Markets / Industries / Health Care
Friday, August 01, 2008
UCB reports financials in line with expectations, integration completed, R&D milestones achieved and stronger focus on core business
Comtex
Aug 01, 2008 (Hugin via COMTEX) ----* Financial performance in the first half of 2008 in-line with expectations: Revenue as expected down by 11% to EUR 1.7 billion; underlying profitability (recurring EBITDA) reached EUR 358 million (-26%), reported net profit EUR 108 million (-37%). * Integration of Schwarz Pharma completed ahead of schedule: Synergies in the first six months reached EUR 305 million; synergies of 2008 will reach EUR 350 million; targeted synergies of EUR 380 million to be reached almost two years ahead of schedule. * Multiple regulatory milestones and approvals: In the first half of 2008, UCB achieved two approvals (Cimzia(R), Crohn's disease and Xyzal(R) oral solution) in the U.S. and two positive opinions (Neupro(R), RLS and Vimpat(R), epilepsy) for Europe. * New "SHAPE" initiative: Major global effort to improve competitiveness and profitability by re-allocating EUR 300 million within the next three years. The initiative includes increased focus, re-deployment of UCB's resources, advance of R&D and simplifying the organisation while successfully delivering UCB's new medicines to patients. * Outlook 2008: Revenue is expected to exceed EUR 3.3 billion; underlying profitability (recurring EBITDA) 2008 is confirmed to reach approximately EUR 650 million. Net result might be significantly impacted by UCB's initiative "SHAPE".
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - August 1st 2008 - 7:00 am CET - press release, regulated information - UCB today announced its consolidated interim financial results.
"The financial performance in the first six months is well in-line with expectations," says Roch Doliveux, CEO of UCB. "With one of the most exciting late stage pipelines in the industry and following recent approvals, like Cimzia(R) for Crohn's disease in the U.S., and positive opinions for Neupro(R) for RLS and Vimpat(R) for epilepsy in Europe, the time is now to further shape UCB and become a specialist company focused on successfully delivering our new medicines to patients."
The full press release can be downloaded from the following link:
SOURCE: UCB
Copyright (c) 2008, HUGIN AS. All rights reserved.
Market Snapshot
| Symbol | Last Price | Netchange | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
| -- | -- | -- | -- |
FOX Business Tools
Sponsored By
