Market Trends

Unilever announced today that the sale of the Bestfoods Baking Company to George Weston Limited for $1.765 billion in cash has been completed.

VoiceFlash Networks Inc. announced today that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with VeriFone Inc., to explore the viability of cooperating in the development of retail mobile commerce products.

Fleming today announced the company has been selected by L&L Food Centers to serve its 10 Lansing, Michigan area stores and Rochester Hills location. The supply arrangement is for all grocery, frozen, dairy, and general merchandise products. L&L F

Blue Book Services/Produce Reporter Co., provider of credit and marketing information to businesses involved in the wholesale fresh fruit and vegetable industry, on Tuesday announced the launch of its new Web Service interface.

Nash Finch Company and U Save Foods, Inc. today confirmed that they are in discussions for Nash Finch to acquire U Save Foods through a purchase of U Save's stock.

A diverse group of antitrust experts, national consumer organizations and major farm groups have joined forces to announce their opposition to Nestle's $10.1 billion merger with Ralston Purina.

(AP) - Concerns about beef safety in Europe sent McDonald's Corp.'s [NYSE:MCD - news] profits lower for a third straight quarter.

(Reuters) - Chiquita Brands International Inc., the No. 1 banana producer, on Tuesday reported a second-quarter loss due to weak European currencies, higher production costs and lower canned vegetable prices.

(Reuters) - Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., the world's largest chewing gum maker, said on Tuesday that second-quarter earnings rose 8.6 percent, as growth in shipments and better margins offset higher marketing costs and pressure from weak European currencies.

(Reuters) - Ralston Purina Co., the largest U.S. pet food maker, said on Monday that fiscal third-quarter net earnings rose nearly 27 percent, driven by firm sales volumes in all segments of its business and lower interest expenses.

(PRNewswire) - PepsiCo Inc. said today it completed its previously announced plan to acquire Tasali Snack Foods, the leader of the Saudi Arabian salty snack market, from Savola Snack Foods.

(Reuters) - Consumer products maker Colgate-Palmolive Co. said today that its second-quarter net income rose 9.6 percent as higher margins offset the effects of weak foreign currencies that led to flat sales.