Replies to post #183 on Earning Plays

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Supervalu Cuts Annual Profit Forecast on Slowdown (Update3)

By Josh Fineman

Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Supervalu Inc., the second-largest U.S. supermarket chain, lowered its annual profit and sales forecasts as consumers trimmed spending because of higher gasoline and food costs. The shares fell the most in two years.

The announcement came as Supervalu today reported third- quarter net income climbed 25 percent to $141 million, or 66 cents a share, on fewer costs. The chain cut its profit forecast for the year through February to $2.71 to $2.77 a share. The average analyst estimate is $2.77.

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Shares of aluminum producer Alcoa Inc. fell Tuesday ahead of its quarterly report, recording the day's largest decline on the Dow Jones industrial average.

The 30-stock index fell 238.42 points to 12,589.07.

Alcoa, which reports results on Wednesday, slipped $2.11, or 6.4 percent, to $31. Citi analyst John H. Hill forecast "soft" results because of lower aluminum prices, among other factors.

Hewlett-Packard Co. declined $2.16, or 4.8 percent, to $43.19. On Tuesday, the company said it will reduce the energy consumption of its desktop and notebook computers by 25 percent by 2010.

AT&T Inc. lost $1.87, or 4.6 percent, to $39.16. Chairman and Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said the telecom carrier is experiencing softness in its consumer business segments.

On the rising side, cigarette maker Altria Group Inc. added $1.09 to $78.32, and reached an all-time high of $79.43.

Pfizer Inc. advanced 24 cents to $23.47.

Coca-Cola Co. rose 26 cents to $63.57.

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20080108&id=7284931

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KB Home Posts Wider 4Q Loss, Shares Fall
KB Home, one of the nation's largest homebuilders, said Tuesday its fourth-quarter loss swelled as ongoing housing market woes led to fewer home sales and lower revenue, prompting the company to book charges to write down unsold inventory and for a tax allowance.

Its shares tumbled more than 9 percent.