EARNINGS UP: Swiss food and drinks giant Nestle SA posted an 8.9 percent rise in first-half profits Thursday, helped by strong demand from emerging markets, price increases and cost-cutting. Its revenue rose 7.5 percent.
THE OUTLOOK: The world's biggest food and beverage maker reaffirmed its outlook for the rest of the year despite what it called a "tough trading environment, especially in developed markets."
TROUBLE AHEAD?: The owner of brands such as Nescafe, Haagen Daz and Jenny Craig warned of a slowdown in its key U.S. market. It said consumer confidence remained weak there and competition has increased from supermarkets selling their own brands.