E.ON; Blockbuster; Credit Agricole; Natixis; Carrefour

Power up... E.ON Germanys largest utility,

posted a 23% decline in net income on higher power sales. Average German spot power prices in the period climbed 44% from a year earlier.

Cutting down the block... Blockbuster, reported Q4 profit more than tripled after cutting spending and boosting sales.

The worlds largest movie rental chain lost money in 10 of the past 11 years as people rented fewer videos at stores.

November was the first month in more than five years with positive same-store sales in the U.S.

The chain closed or sold 750 stores last year and cut advertising spending.

Revenue +3.6% as the slowing economy is helping boost income as clients stay in more to watch movies. CEO James Keyes:

"The more expensive gasoline costs get, the more expensive alternative forms of entertainment become,

the more attractive it is to rent a movie at Blockbuster and stay home
."

French Banks & Retailers Suffer... Natixis, France's 4th largest bank by market value,

reported a $1.4 billion loss in Q4 on writedowns. The loss compares with a profit of $475 million a year earlier.

For the full year, Natixis earned $1.65 billion, about half the $3.2 billion it made in 2006.

Credit Agricole SA, France's 2nd largest bank by assets, posted its 1st quarterly loss since going public in 2001.

The Q4 loss of $1.3 billion vs $1.1 billion profit a year earlier, came after a €3.3 billion markdown.

Carrefour, the worlds 2nd largest retailer, noted rising food prices in France, combined with pressure from competitors to keep prices low, eroded profitability.

2nd half profit was unchanged, and full-year operating profit in France fell 5.7%. Full-year profit gained 1.4% and net income from recurring operations rose 0.7%.

Hattip to Bloomberg.

Comments