Category Archives: financial results

GM Posts Record $9.1 Billion Profit in 2011 – $7.6B on Common

GM’s latest results will no doubt add more fodder as the elite political ruling class continues a contentious debate about the proper roll of government in the weak U.S. economy in general, with the $80 billion auto bailout one of the focal points. One wag suggested that Democrats should run on “Bin Laden is Dead, GM is Alive.” Continue reading

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Energy Conversion Devices Files Chapter 11, Sells Ovonic Battery. Common Stock to Be Worthless Under Reorganization

OBC was the inventor and worldwide licensor of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery technology, but the cancellation of GM’s EV1, which used the batteries, and the building of a NiMH battery factory in Ohio, which was never used, severely hurt the company, which had a record of obtaining research grants and licensing patents, but was ultimately never able to profitably commercialize its advanced technologies. Continue reading

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Aftershocks – Toyota Revenues Drop 10%, Profits Down 57.5%

Major factors contributing to the decrease include the negative effects of marketing activities and incentives of ¥120 billion, as well as currency fluctuations of ¥200 billion, both breathtaking demonstrations of leverage effects in the automobile business. Continue reading

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Chrysler Group Posts a Modest 2011 Profit of $183 Million

Chrysler Group earned a profit of $183 million for the full year 2011, up from a net loss of $652 million a year ago. The positive, if small, result came as the Italian owned company paid back a $551 million in debt to taxpayers. Chrysler’s net revenue for the year was $55.0 billion, up 31% from a year ago. Fourth quarter net revenue increased 41% to $15.1 billion, the best quarter since it emerged from a controversial taxpayer financed bankruptcy in 2009. Continue reading

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PBGC Says American Airlines Workers Should Worry About Pensions and Medical Care – So Should Taxpayers

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has called out what it says is misleading statements to American Airlines employees by its management about their pension plans under a bankruptcy reorganization. “American Airlines is telling their workers and retirees not to worry, … Continue reading

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Ford Motor Company Posts 2011 Profit of $8.8 Billion

As a result of Ford’s 2011 financial performance, profit sharing payments will go to 41,600 eligible U.S. hourly employees. Under the UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement, Ford’s North American pre-tax profits of $6.2 billion will generate approximately $6,200 on a full year basis. Based on first-half 2011 results, about $3,750 was paid per employee, which was distributed in December 2011. For the second half of 2011, about $2,450 per employee will be paid in March. Continue reading

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U.S. Treasury Says China Continues to Undervalue its Currency

In what will undoubtedly become a Presidential campaign issue next year, as a result of the undervalued renminbi, China continues to increase its global export market share, and it remains heavily dependent on exports. Continue reading

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Saab Files for Bankruptcy. It’s All Over Except for Mourning

The end of Saab was practically assured last Saturday when General Motors reiterated a long-standing position against Saab transferring GM intellectual property to the Chinese and having Chinese companies build a rebadged Cadillac SRX as a Saab in China. GM is the largest automaker in China, albeit with communist government dictated partners. Continue reading

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Toyota Cuts 2012 Forecast as Yen and Thailand Floods Hurt

Toyota Motor Corporation today drastically cut its fiscal year 2012 forecast based on the ongoing negative effects of the strong Yen and the production disruptions caused by the Thailand floods. As a result, Toyota has revised down its 2012 full year profit forecast by -¥250 billion to ¥200 billion. Continue reading

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Ford Family and Other Shareholders to Receive Dividends

Ford still remains heavily in debt – at $12.7 billion. However, Ford decreased automotive debt by $1.3 billion in the third quarter of this year, including payment of the remaining $1.8 billion balance of secured Term Loan debt, which was offset partially by an increase in controversial taxpayer-subsidized low-cost loans from the Department of Energy to support advanced technology under the guise of retooling existing plants. Continue reading

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General Motors Revises Opel Supervisory Board. European Reorganization, Layoffs and Plant Closures Imminent?

The Opel Board, as well as GM’s Board of Directors, has the task of returning GM’s European Operations to sustainable profitability, after years of stopgap measures by previous GM management teams that did not accomplish this. Further cost cutting is needed, which likely means politically contentious plant closures. On a Q3 earnings phone call with reporters earlier this month, CFO Amman said that nothing would be ruled out to return Opel to profitability. Continue reading

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GM Q3 Earnings of $1.7 Billion, Most from North America

Virtually all of the Q3 earnings came from North America – $2.2 billion, where Japanese competitors were largely out of the market during the period because of the Japan earthquake, which allowed GM to increase prices. GM Europe lost money; GM South America broke even; and International Operations – home of the booming China market – made $400 million. Continue reading

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GM Moves Canadian Healthcare off Balance Sheet to Trust

This means that GM Canada is free from any obligations associated with the cost of providing retiree healthcare benefits for eligible CAW represented retirees, surviving spouses and dependents. In exchange, GM Canada will transfer C$0.8 billion in cash and issue C$1.1 billion of notes to the HCT.

In its Q2 earnings GM had obligations of $4.7 billion in debt, $5.5 billion in preferred stock (U.S. government owns 26.5% of GM), $10.8 billion in unfunded pensions, and $10 billion in other post-retirement employee benefits. It’s not clear how GM is going to fund these. It looks like issuing more common stock is not feasible given current share price of ~$24, far below the IPO price of $33 and its high of $39.48. GM will report Q3 earnings tomorrow. Continue reading

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Toyota Loses ¥33 Billion in First Half FY 2012. Scraps Forecast

In North America – Toyota’s second largest market – vehicle sales totaled 689,000 thousand units, a decrease of 352,000 units compared to the same period last fiscal year. Operating income decreased by ¥84.4 billion to ¥61.5 billion, including ¥15.6 billion of valuation gains/losses on interest rate swaps. Operating income, excluding the impact of valuation gains/losses on interest rate swaps, decreased by ¥109.8 billion to ¥45.9 billion. Continue reading

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Saab Saved from Liquidation by Two Chinese Companies?

This latest episode in the ongoing Saab story (NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: SWAN) is likely not the final one in a long running thriller over the future of the former General Motors subsidiary. The proposed Chinese ownership agreement is subject to a final share purchase agreement between Swan, Pang Da and Youngman. In a statement, Swan said it will contain “certain conditions including the approval of the relevant authorities, Swan’s shareholders and certain other parties.”

Furthermore, the €100 million will be paid in installments. An important consideration for Swan to enter into the transaction is the commitment of Pang Da and Youngman to provide long term funding to Saab Automobile. Continue reading

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