Altria; Allstate; UPS; Boeing; Canon; Seiko Epson; Ricoh; Yahoo

Where theres smoke... Altria Group, the world's largest tobacco company,

reported that Q4 profit fell 9.1%; and spin off its overseas unit Philip Morris International.

The two companies will repurchase a combined $20.5 billion in stock over two years.

On winter storms and California wildfire losses... Allstate, the largest publicly traded U.S. home and auto insurer,

said Q4 profits fell 37%, as revenues fell 1%; shares down 18% in the last year.

On pension plan costs... United Parcel Service, the world's largest package-delivery company,

reported a $2.58 billion Q4 loss. Excluding a one time $6 billion pension expense, earnings met per share average estimates.

International package segment sales including China, jumped 17%; U.S. package volume rose only 1.4% CEO Scott Davis:

"Economic uncertainty in the U.S. will make 2008 a challenging year.

Just-in-time, direct-to-consumer purchasing are not going away, and that's going to benefit small package
."

On schedule delays... Boeing, worlds largest plane maker by sales, #2 Pentagon supplier,

said Q4 profit rose a greater-than-expected 4%, but it cut its full-year revenue forecast by $500 million, due to first deliveries of the 787 being pushed into 2009.

Sales were essentially flat at $17.5 billion as higher commercial plane sales were offset by lower revenue from its defense unit,Since July shares down 25%.

Due to slowing consumer spending in the U.S... Canon, the world's largest digital camera maker,

said group operating profit declined 1.2% and warned that earnings this year will miss market expectations.

On the back of slowing North American sales... Seiko Epson stuck to existing projections despite operating profit jumping 32%;

Ricoh managed to post a 1.6% rise in quarterly operating profit, but it cut its operating profit forecast for the year by 3.6%,

Facing an economic slump and slower spending by online advertisers... Yahoo, #2 search engine,

reported a drop in quarterly profit and forecast 2008 revenue below Wall Street's expectations.

From a year earlier, net income -23%; on rising sales +14%; plans to cut 7% or 1,000 jobs; shares were down 10%

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