Industrials

The diversified manufacturer posted net income from continuing operations of $392 million, or 83 cents a share, compared with $273 million, or 55 cents a share, in the same quarter last year.

Caterpillar plans to open a new manufacturing facility in North America and hire more than 1,000 workers, as it shifts production from Japan and moves closer to core tractor and excavator customers.

General Motors said Tuesday it has elected Thomas Schoewe, a former executive vice president and chief financial officer of Wal-Mart, to the car company’s board of directors.

Strong demand for farm equipment boosted Deere & Co.'s fourth-quarter profits and the company said it expects 'substantial growth' in 2012.

Hormel Foods just beat Wall Street expectations despite higher fees and lower volumes. 

The world's largest soup maker reduced marketing expenses during the first quarter, leading to a slightly higher profit despite weaker sales. 

Tyson Foods suffered a steeper-than-expected 54% slump in fiscal fourth-quarter profits as the largest U.S. meat processor continues to grapple with higher prices.

Illinois Tool Works revealed on Friday a 14% rise in revenue over the prior three months, prompting the diversified manufacturer to stand by its fourth-quarter earnings outlook despite slower demand in Europe and Asia.

The maker of Heinz ketchup will close three more factories on top of previously announced closings and offer new products priced around $1 to appeal to cash-strapped consumers.

The investment in India adds to a growing list of investments Caterpillar has made globally as part of its 2015 corporate strategy, including several in China and Japan, as it seeks to grow closer to its customers in international markets.

The U.S. Congress and State Department have agreed to let Raytheon supply Saudi Arabia’s Patriot Air, helping to upgrade its Missile Defense System, the company said on Wednesday.

The world's largest hamburger chain said sales at restaurants open at least 13 months climbed 5.5% globally, topping analysts' estimates of 4.1%.

Honeywell said it would pay $338 million to buy King's Safetywear, a manufacturer of shoes for workers in factories and mines.

PepsiCo, the world’s second biggest food and beverage company, currently operates its China drinks business through 24 company-owned and joint venture bottling operations. 

SABMiller is set to launch its formal takeover for Foster's Group within days after an Australian regulator rejected the company's claim that Foster's had made misleading statements as part of a hostile $10.1 billion bid skirmish.

By Dhanya Skariachan

Shares of Jabil Circuit leaped more than 9% Wednesday morning as Wall Street applauds the electronics contractor’s 95% surge in fiscal fourth-quarter profits and bullish projections for the current quarter.

By Mariko Katsumura and Natalia Konstantinovskaya

Criticizing the U.S. political environment and tax structure, Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent said he believes China, Russia and Brazil are better places to invest these days.

(Reuters) - Warren Buffett's conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway said on Monday it will launch a share buyback program, an extremely rare move from Buffett that comes after months of investor complaints the stock was undervalued.