Company News for January 19, 2010 - Corporate Summary

• After months of wrangling over price, Kraft (NYSE:KFT) raised its bid to $19.5 billion and Cadbury’s (NYSE:CBY) board recommended its acceptance

• Tyco (NYSE:TYC) plans to buy Brink's Home Security (NYSE:CFL) for $2 billion, with Tyco paying $42.50 in cash and stock

• Tyco (NYSE:TYC) yesterday noted its business performance better-than-anticipated during the recent quarter, and now expects earnings of 61-63 cents, or 63-65 cents ex-items. Although order flow remains "relatively flat," the company issued preliminary revenue guidance of $4.25 billion, better than expected

• Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has scheduled a special event for January 27, at which it is expected to unveil its new tablet computer

• HarperCollins is reportedly negotiating with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) to make e-books for the new device

• Goodyear Tire (NYSE:GT) said it sees a charge of about $150 million during the first quarter, resulting from Venezuela's currency devaluation earlier this month

• According to the WSJ, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B) is considering a 50-to-1 share split of its Class B shares, which would lower the price to about $65 each from about $3,247. An announcement is expected on Wednesday

• Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) upgraded shares of US Steel (NYSE:X) to "buy" from "hold," with a $77 price target. Meanwhile the firm downgraded shares of AK Steel (NYSE:AKS) from "buy" to "hold," with a $24 price target

• Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) upgraded shares of McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) to "outperform," with a price target of $71 up from $69

• Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH) reported fiscal second quarter earnings of 64 cents a share, well above analysts' estimates of 35 cents on revenues $2.4 billion, versus estimates of $2.25 billion. The company also lifted guidance to a range of $2.40-$2.80

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