In the dough!
Dunkin’ Brands posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as operating costs fell and sales at established Dunkin’ Donuts cafes in the US came in above analysts’ estimates.
Black-leery
Shares of BlackBerry, Research in Motion’s new corporate name, fell almost 6 percent yesterday, after a 12 percent decline the previous day. Shares closed at $12.98 on the Nasdaq.
Puffin’ away
Altria Group, the largest seller of tobacco in the US, said fourth-quarter profit rose 32 percent as it boosted Marlboro cigarette prices. Shares finished the day little changed at $33.68.
Jittery claims
Claims for unemployment benefits jumped 38,000 to 368,000, nearly erasing a slide in the prior two weeks and reflecting the difficulty of adjusting the figures.
Perfume plop
Elizabeth Arden fell 7.4 percent, the most in four years, after the maker of perfumes and cosmetics cut its 2013 profit forecast, citing slower fragrance sales during the holidays. Shares closed at $38.41.