Industrials

In an attempt to control costs, 3M said it is offering early retirement incentives to 4,900 employees and expects about 15% to participate in the program.

In a bid to expand its presence in the Middle East, Coca-Cola acquired about half of the equity in the beverage business of Aujan Industries for $980 million.

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin inked a multiyear deal on Wednesday worth as much as $2 billion to operate the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Quiznos CEO Greg MacDonald says the latest wave of gas station eateries has less to do with the economy and more to do with Americans' increasing lack of time.

Icahn, who runs investment firm Icahn Enterprises, says he does not wish to remain a minority holder in Commercial Metals if it continues to run under the current board.

Cal-Maine Foods beat the Street on Tuesday by posting a 53% leap in fiscal second-quarter profits.

Vulcan's chief executive, Donald James, said the offer “does not come close” to appropriately compensating shareholders and is actually disadvantageous to stockholders since it takes advantage of cyclical lows.

Equipment rental company United Rentals revealed plans on Friday to scoop up rival RSC Holdings in a $1.87 billion cash-and-stock deal that is aimed at combining forces and creating synergies.

The world's largest hamburger chain posted a 7.4% rise in global sales at established restaurants, topping estimates.

Encouraged by bullish results from its Latin American segment, seed giant Monsanto raised its fiscal first-quarter guidance on Wednesday above Wall Street’s expectations and reaffirmed its full-year forecast.

The St. Paul, Minn.-based diversified manufacturer said it expects to earn $5.85 to $5.95 a share in fiscal 2011, which is in-line with average analyst estimates of $5.91, according to a Thomson Reuters poll.

A day after Commercial Metals rejected his offer, billionaire investor Carl Icahn went hostile with his bid to buy the metals recycler.

The diversified manufacturer said Monday it will deliver eight Velaro RUS high-speed trains, which can travel up to 155 miles per hour, to Russia’s railway operator RZD starting in 2014.

Eight million people got e-mails from the New York Times offering a special discount to keep their subscription to the paper. The only trouble is the message was only meant for 300 subscribers. 

Navistar reported a fourth-quarter profit that widely beat expectations on Monday.

Profits at General Mills shrank by a steeper-than-expected 28% in its fiscal second quarter as the food company grappled with rising prices.

ConAgra said that its second-quarter profit surpass estimates on strong commercial food sales.

The operator of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America and Princess Cruises said that in the last few weeks, 2012 bookings have kept rising but are fetching lower prices than before.

General Electric said it is raising its quarterly dividend by 2 cents a share, marking the fourth time the conglomerate has boosted the payout since July 2010.

DuPont cut its full-year earnings outlook on Friday, citing weakness in several key economic sectors.