Earnings Forecasts

* FTSEurofirst 300 down 0.6 pct, Euro STOXX 50 falls 0.5 pct * Some traders sell positions ahead of Bernanke speech * Traders expect any pullback to be relatively minor * Burberry fall knocks back luxury goods sector By Sudip Kar-Gupta LONDON, May 22...

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 weakened early on Wednesday after hitting 13-year highs the previous session, as investors took profits in outperforming sectors such as technology and luxury. By 6.20 a.m. ET, London's blue chip index was down 8....

(Reuters) - Lowe's Cos Inc reported a weaker-than-expected quarterly profit on Wednesday, hurt by colder-than-usual weather at the start of the spring selling season and strong competition from larger rival Home Depot Inc . The results contrasted sharply...

(Reuters) - Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers Inc reported stronger-than-expected results on higher average selling prices and booked its highest quarterly orders in seven years, sending its shares up 7 percent. Record-low interest rates and rising...

(Reuters) - Target Corp cut its full-year profit forecast on Wednesday while turning in a weak first quarter with disappointing sales, as a chilly start to spring kept shoppers from buying seasonal items like clothing. Target warned in April its first-...

Compiled for Reuters by Media Monitors. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW (www.afr.com) Tatts Group is evaluating the opportunity to bid for a 20-year lottery licence for...

Spring was waiting in the wings longer than expected, but the recuperating housing market was enough to boost Home Depot Inc.’s first-quarter earnings above Wall Street’s expectations. For the period ended May 5, the largest home-improvement...

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN is cutting its workforce, the latest Disney division to reduce staff. "We are implementing changes across the company to enhance our continued growth while smartly managing costs," the sports media giant said in a statement...

* Central bank cash fuels index gains despite weak data * Rally defies earning downgrades, nasty data surprises * Market tolerance seen unlikely to last past year-end By Simon Jessop LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) - Central bank cash may not be enough to...

May 21 (Reuters) - Medical device maker Medtronic Inc reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit driven by strong international sales. Net earnings were $969 million, or 95 cents per share, for the fourth quarter ended April 26, compared with...

* Home Depot raises outlook, shares jump * Carnival guides lower once more, shares tumble * JPMorgan shareholders to decide on Dimon's chairmanship * Futures: Dow up 4 pts, S&P off 2 pts, Nasdaq off 3 pts NEW YORK, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stock...

May 21 (Reuters) - TJX Cos Inc, owner of the low-price T.J. Maxx and Marshalls chains, reported a higher first-quarter profit, and forecast more sales growth in the current quarter. But the retailer, whose chains sells fashion and home goods at big...