LONGBOAT KEY -- Plans have been proposed to tear down the Publix on Longboat Key and replace it with an upgraded store.
Shannon Patten, spokesperson for Publix’s southwest Florida region, said Tuesday if the plan receives all needed approvals, the turnaround would take eight to 10 months. The Longboat Key store is at 525 Bay Isles Parkway.
Mosaic reports strong 4th quarter
PLYMOUTH, Minn. -- The Mosaic Co. today reported fourth quarter net sales of $2.9 billion, a 54 percent increase from the same period last year.
The company’s earnings of $649 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, were reported for the quarter which ended May 31.
The results compare to net earnings of $396 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter a year ago.
“Our fourth quarter results were very strong as global demand for Mosaic’s crop nutrient products remained robust,” said Jim Prokopanko, president and chief executive officer of Mosaic. “Fiscal 2011 was an exceptional year for Mosaic. We generated strong earnings and cash flow due to higher shipments, increased prices and strong operating performance, especially in our phosphates segment in the face of an often challenging environment. In addition, we completed the complex split-off from Cargill which gives us increased strategic and financial flexibility.”
Urgent Care Center grand opening Aug. 13
SARASOTA -- There will be a Aug. 13 grand opening at Sarasota Memorial’s Urgent Care Center at Stickney Point, 6331 S. Tamiami Trail.
Physicians, family-friendly activities and a teddy bear clinic will be part of the 9 a.m. to noon event along with a bounce house, music, games, characters, clowns, and more.
The first 50 children will receive a free SMH teddy bear. For more information, call (941) 917-7777 for information.
Photo contest fundraiser sponsored
MANATEE -- Backyard Getaway & Team Legal Eagles are presenting Take the Picture!, an online photo contest fundraiser during the months of August, September and October.
Each month’s category focuses on a different theme. In August, there will be a nature contest; in September, an animal contest and in October, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a pink contest.
Photographers, professional or novice can submit one photo in each of the three contests. The entry fees are $10 per photo or three photos for $25. If you enter your photo in one or all three categories before July 31, the entry fee will be waived. The photo submission deadlines are today for August, Aug. 20 for September and Sept. 20 for October.
Photos entered in all three contests will be posted online at www.TakethePicture.org.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Majical Miniatures, an animal sanctuary, will split the funds raised from the admission and voting fees equally.
Submit photos by e-mail to submissions@takethepicture.org. For more information about the contest, details on how to enter, and photo submission rules and guidelines, visit www.TakethePicture.org.
J&J 2Q profit drops 20%, still beats estimates
Product recalls, flat U.S. sales and litigation and restructuring costs slashed Johnson & Johnson’s second-quarter profit by 20 percent, and that’s after a big currency exchange benefit buoyed results.
J&J executives said Tuesday that they’re making progress on their manufacturing problems and have numerous new drugs, medical devices and toiletries hitting the market or coming soon. But J&J shares fell by 1.4 percent before recovering somewhat, a big drop for the health care giant, which makes everything from Band-Aids and Listerine to biologic medicines and surgical devices.
J&J said its second-quarter profit fell nearly 20 percent due to the one-time costs and higher spending on product launches, manufacturing upgrades and research.
Yahoo 2Q earnings rise, net revenue sinks 5%
SAN FRANCISCO -- Yahoo Inc. had another sluggish performance in the second quarter.
The disappointing results, released Tuesday, may intensify pressure on Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz, who has spent the past two and a half years trying to turn around the Internet company.
Yahoo earned $237 million, or 18 cents per share, during the three months ending in June. That’s an 11 percent increase from $213 million, or 15 cents per share, at the same time last year.
-- Herald staff, wires
The earnings, bolstered by cost cutting undertaken since Bartz’s January 2009 hiring, matched the projections of analysts surveyed by FactSet.
Yahoo’s revenue sank at a time when advertisers are pouring more money into the Internet.
-- Herald staff, wire reports
