Procter & Gamble's (PG) management is committed to a growth strategy based on driving volume through product innovation and increasing penetration into developing markets and expanding profitability by focusing on higher margin categories. The plan is meeting with success in terms of topline expansion, volume growth, and higher earnings. Though the Gillette acquisition was accretive to earnings in fiscal 2008, the gross margin was negatively impacted by increased commodity and energy costs. The Hold recommendation is maintained. Despite two periods of restructuring, Procter & Gamble has traded in a solid P/E multiple range of 17 to 25 over the last 15 years, reflecting the company's higher-than-average growth profile. We do not expect Procter & Gamble stock to outperform until the current impediments to margin improvement[More...]

WITH RESPECT TO THE US’ GDP GROWTH, THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH SEES A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN ECONOMIC ACTITIVY SPREAD ACROSS THE ECONOMY, WHICH WILL LAST MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS - WSJ - According to Robert Hall, economist at Stanford University, US economic data that has been reported provide (...) [More...]

Major indices closed mixed the week here the details:
Nasdaq -0,8%
Dow Jones 0,8%
S&P 500 unchanged%

Here The Weekly Movers:

GAINERS
Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs Company (HRH)
The Talbots, Inc. (TLB)
Asta Funding, Inc. (ASFI)
Sequenom, Inc. (SQNM)
Houston American Energy Corporation (HUSA)
LaBranche & Co., Inc. (LAB)
LOSERS
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (ADR) (ERIC)
National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI)
Chindex International, Inc. (CHDX)
CompuCredit Corporation (CCRT)
CMGI, Inc. (CMGI)
TOP Ships Inc. (TOPS)

A Virginia employee benefits firm with a major presence in Central Ohio on Monday announced a buyout deal with global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Ltd. (WSH). Richmond, Va.-based Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co. (HRH) said it will be acquired by London-based Willis Group in a deal valued at $2.1 billion. Willis will buy all [...]

In a 13D filing on Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co. (NYSE: HRH ), 9.7% holder Southeastern Asset Management noted they changed their filing status from 13G 'passive' to 13D 'active' noting they changed their status in order be be more active in corporate governance and management matters, and to have the ability to enter into discussions with third parties concerning proposed corporate transactions of a significant nature.