Month: September 2011

HSBC Holdings Plc ( HBC ) has finally announced the sale of its Canadian retail brokerage business to National Bank Financial, a unit of National Bank of Canada ( NA ) for C$206 million ($208 million). As per the terms of the deal, HSBC would refer clients with non-discretionary full service investment advisory needs to National Bank and both the banks will work together in offering services to mutual fund clients. […]

On Tuesday , Fifth Third Bancorp ( FITB ) increased its quarterly common stock dividend by 33% to 8 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on October 20 to shareholders of record as of September 30. The strength of Fifth Third’s business model reflects the company’s commitment towards returning value to shareholders with its strong cash generation capabilities. […]

Montpelier Re U.S. Holdings Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. ( MRH ) has ag reed to divest Montpelier U.S […]

Arrow Electronics, Inc. ( ARW ) recently announced that it has successfully completed an all-cash tender offer to acquire Japan-based Chip One Stop. On August 16, Arrow announced that it will launch a tender offer to acquire all of the common stock of Chip One Stop for ¥220,000 per share ($2,857 per share). […]

Leading healthcare products maker Covidien plc ( COV ) reported impressive results from a clinical study comparing its first powered surgical stapling system with a competing mechanical stapling device. The study directly compared the iDrive powered handled stapler and Right Angle Linear Cutter (“RALC”) to Johnson & Johnson ’s ( JNJ ) CONTOUR curved cutter stapler, a commonly used mechanical stapling device. […]

Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc. ( MAA ), an apartment-only real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently completed the acquisition of 'Legends at Lowe's Farm' – a 456-unit upscale apartment community in Mansfield, Texas, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction was funded with the proceeds from its at-the-market stock issuance program and credit facility. […]

Medical devices giant St. Jude Medical ( STJ ) has commenced the European roll-out of its “Unify Quadra” cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (“CRT-D”). The small quadripolar pacing system enables physicians to more effectively manage the pacing needs of patients with heart failure (inability of the heart to pump enough blood) […]

Kilroy Realty Corp. ( KRC ), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently acquired an office property in the South of Market district of San Francisco, as part of its long-term strategy to own high-quality assets at below-replacement cost prices in areas that provide strong near-term cash flows and attractive long-term appreciation potential. The company further intends to make certain renovations to the acquired property over time to enhance its value. […]

Consecutively, for the second time in September, Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy Corporation ( DUK ), announced plans for a wind farm. Per the most recent project, the company plans to build, own and operate the Los Vientos II Windpower Project in Texas. […]

Tyco International Ltd. ( TYC ) announced its plans to break out into three separate companies. The plan has received the unanimous approval of Tyco’s Board of Directors. […]

The Boeing Company ( BA ) forecasts the Asia Pacific region will require hundreds of thousands of new commercial airline pilots and technicians over the next 20 years to support airline fleet modernization and the rapid growth of air travel. Boeing expects to capture a large chunk of the market for new commercial airplanes based on its unique position as the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world in terms of revenues, orders and deliveries. Boeing in its 2011 Pilot & Technician Outlook forecasts the need for 182,300 new pilots and 247,400 new technicians in the Asia Pacific region through 2030 […]