Industrials

United Technologies’ board approved a buyback on Monday for up to 60 million shares worth about $5.4 billion and declared a dividend. 

United Technologies’ board approved a buyback on Monday for up to 60 million shares worth about $5.4 billion and declared a dividend. 

The meat producer posted first-quarter earnings on Friday that topped Wall Street expectations despite continued challenges in the market and slumped demand.

Ingersoll-Rand posted a 2.7% decline in earnings on weak demand for its heating and cooling systems and other industrial equipment.

Dow Chemical reported a lower-than-expected adjusted profit on Thursday, as demand for polyurethane and chlorine dwindled, especially in China and Europe.

Hit by slipping sales and pension expenses, defense contractor Northrop Grumman disclosed a 2.7% contraction in fourth-quarter profits but still managed to easily top Wall Street’s expectations.

Helped by acquisitions, Roper posted stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and said it sees robust growth in the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar shares dropped more than 1% Friday after the blue-chip industrial revealed a 1% decline in equipment sales in the three months ended Dec. 31.

Honeywell revealed it swung to a stronger-than-expected profit in the fourth quarter as the diversified manufacturer benefited from better margins and fewer pension expenses.

Honeywell revealed it swung to a stronger-than-expected profit in the fourth quarter as the diversified manufacturer benefited from better margins and fewer pension expenses.

Post-It maker 3M posted an in-line 3.9% increase in fourth-quarter profits as the blue-chip conglomerate delivered steady sales growth in North America.

Post-It maker 3M posted an in-line 3.9% increase in fourth-quarter profits as the blue-chip conglomerate delivered steady sales growth in North America.

United Technologies beat the Street with a 55% leap in fourth-quarter profits and reaffirmed its 2013 guidance, but the blue-chip conglomerate’s revenue trailed forecasts.

Multinational companies tapping natural resources in far-flung regions need to safeguard against security risks from terrorists, drug cartels and cash-hungry kidnappers.

DuPont disclosed a 70% plunge in fourth-quarter profits amid stalling revenue, but the chemical giant managed to surpass expectations and issued an upbeat guidance.

Agribusiness giant Cargill saw a quadrupling of its quarterly earnings, led by profits from trading operations amid the effects of the devastating drought that hit the U.S. last summer. 

Fueled by robust corn seed sales growth, seed giant Monsanto revealed surging fiscal first-quarter profits that blew away Wall Street’s expectations.

Commercial Metals posted disappointing first-quarter earnings amid slow segment profit growth.

Commercial Metals posted disappointing first-quarter earnings amid slow segment profit growth.

Eli Lilly reaffirmed its in-line fiscal 2012 guidance on Friday and unveiled an upbeat outlook for the following year.