Ashland Inc. Board Announces $400 Million Stock Repurchase Program, Intends to Increase Annual Dividend

Ashland Inc. announced today that its board of directors approved a $400 million stock repurchase program. Under the program, the company’s common shares will be purchased through a combination of a 10b5-1 automatic trading plan and discretionary purchases on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any... 

Wall Street up on energy shares after Japan quake

Stocks rose on Friday, led by gains in energy shares after Japan’s biggest earthquake on record hurt the country’s oil refining capacity, but trade was choppy as investors tried to weigh the quake’s economic impact. The 8.9 magnitude quake that struck the northeast coast of Japan, the world’s third largest economy, triggered... 

Vitol, Helios and Shell Reach Agreement on African Downstream Businesses

Vitol today announced that, in partnership with Helios Investment Partners, it has agreed to purchase the majority of Shell’s shareholding in most of their downstream businesses in Africa for a total consideration of some $1 billion. Under the agreements, two new joint venture companies will assure continued availability of Shell fuels and lubricants... 

Viridian Energy Brings Affordable Clean Energy to the Big Apple

Viridian Energy, a leading provider of affordable, green retail energy, today announced the launch of its services in New York City and the surrounding area. Viridian’s NYC launch is the most recent expansion in the company’s rapid growth and development, which includes ten markets in five states in just 17 months. Entrance into the nation’s single... 

Progress Energy CEO Johnson Urges Flexibility and Customer Protection in Implementing EPA Rules

The U.S. electric utility industry faces an “unprecedented convergence of new federal environmental rules – unprecedented in scope of change and compression of deadlines,” Progress Energy Chairman, President and CEO Bill Johnson told utility regulators Monday in Washington. And the “current fragmented approach, coupled with rapid-compliance... 

Universal Lubricants Expands to Meet Growing Demand for Cleaner, Greener Re-Refined Oil

One of the country’s oldest lubricant manufacturing and distribution companies, Wichita’s Universal Lubricants (UL) established in 1929, is poised for double-digit growth for the foreseeable future thanks to a technologically advanced and highly capable re-refinery, and efficiencies gained through its environmentally-friendly closed-loop... 

New and Existing Shell $aver Card Holders Can Now Save Even More!

Now, all motorists can save even more on fuel with two Shell $aver Card(SM) offers. New cardholders will be rewarded for activating now with savings of 10 cents per gallon through April 30, 2011. Meanwhile, all cardholders will have a chance to save 22 cents per gallon throughout the year as part of a special racing promotion — “WINsdays... 

Kirby Corporation Announces 2010 Fourth Quarter and Year Results

Kirby Corporation today announced net earnings attributable to Kirby for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 of $31.6 million, or $.59 per share, compared with $29.2 million, or $.54 per share, for the 2009 fourth quarter. The 2009 fourth quarter results included a $4.8 million before taxes, or $.05 per share, charge for shore staff reductions,... 

Honeywell and Haier Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Global Strategic Cooperation

Honeywell and Haier Group today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for global strategic cooperation to collaborate on the development and promotion of low-emission, high energy-efficiency products and solutions. The MOU was signed during the U.S.- China Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, contributing to the bilateral economic... 

Enterprise Announces 26th Consecutive Quarterly Distribution Rate Increase

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. announced today that the board of directors of its general partner declared an increase in the quarterly cash distribution rate paid to partners to $0.59 per common unit, or $2.36 per unit on an annualized basis. The quarterly distribution will be paid on Monday, February 7, 2011, to unitholders of record as of the...