Financial News

SAN FRANCISCO — McKesson reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year results, thanks to gains across several of the company's business segments.

Revenues for the fourth quarter ended March 31 were up 10% to $31.7 billion, compared with the year-ago period, while earnings per diluted share were $2.09, up from $1.62 in the same period last year. For fiscal year 2012, McKesson had revenues of $122.7 billion, up nearly 9.5% from fiscal year 2011. Full-year earnings per diluted share from continuing operations totaled $5.59, up 30% from the prior year.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing has boosted its portfolio by acquiring a mobile commerce solutions provider.

The company said the integration of Modiv Media into its business will give brands and retailers the ability to engage shoppers, influence their behavior and boost loyalty with a unique mobile experience that saves shoppers time and money.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Thursday announced it will invest $125 million in its 2012 growth program, a 25% increase compared with 2011.

"Our budget includes two new stores and 18 major remodels," Weis Markets vice chairman Jonathan Weis said. "In addition, we expect to soon complete the purchase of three Genuardi's units near Philadelphia which we hope to reopen later this summer."

CHICAGO — Groupon on Friday named Kal Raman to the role of SVP Americas.

Raman will oversee the company’s operations across 10 countries in North, Latin and South Americas and will be based in Groupon’s corporate headquarters in Chicago.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands on Thursday reiterated its rebuke of a buyout offer from Mexican healthcare supplier Genomma Lab Internacional following Genomma's release of a proposal presentation.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble on Friday announced a decrease in third-quarter profit, as sales rose 2%.

Net sales during the quarter rose 2% to $20.2 billion. Organic sales rose 3%.

Net earnings totaled $2.41 billion, or 82 cents per diluted share, compared with $2.87 billion, or 96 cents per diluted share, in the year-ago period.

In the company’s beauty segment, net sales rose 1% to $4.8 billion on unit volume growth of 1%. Organic sales grew 2%. Net earnings rose 3% to $523 million.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Recent events, which have driven Wall Street analysts to speculate that Safeway is a buyout target, are not interrelated, Safeway chairman and CEO Steve Burd assured analysts Thursday morning during the grocer's first-quarter conference call.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson has announced its intention to acquire Actavis, the company said.

Following news reports Tuesday that the U.S.-based generic drug maker would acquire Switzerland-based Actavis, Watson announced Wednesday that it would buy the latter for $5.6 billion. News media had reported that the deal would be worth $5.9 billion, while there had been estimates in March that Watson would pay up to $7.3 billion.