CombiMatrix Corp. of Mukilteo and Clarient Inc. have established a partnership to market and sell a genomics-based cancer test. The test, called HemeScan, can aid in the diagnosis and care of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, among other cancers, CombiMatrix said. It will be marketed to oncologists, pathologists and patients.
More slow signs for national economy
Buffeted by soaring fuel prices and tighter credit, consumers increased their spending at the weakest pace in six months. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that consumer spending edged up just 0.2 percent in December, the year’s peak shopping season. Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported the number of laid-off workers filing unemployment applications increased by 69,000 to 375,000 last week.
Starbucks to stop selling sandwiches
The scent of ham, eggs, cheese and bacon will soon stop competing with the aroma of coffee in Starbucks stores as hot breakfast sandwiches become the first casualty of the company’s battle to win back customers. The sandwiches, which will disappear by this fall, boost a typical store’s annual revenue by $35,000, so pulling them off the menu will cost at first.
Nike set to take over British firm
Umbro PLC shareholders approved a $566 million takeover by Nike Inc. Umbro said that it expects the deal to be completed in early March, pending court hearings and regulatory approval due in late February. Based in Cheadle, northwest England, Umbro designs and markets soccer-related apparel, footwear and equipment sold in more than 90 countries.
Google’s profit run starts to weaken
Google Inc.’s earnings and revenue growth decelerated more than analysts anticipated during the fourth quarter, magnifying worries that the Internet search leader’s moneymaking machine is bogging down. Google earned $1.21 billion, or $3.79 per share, during the final three months of 2007. That’s up 17 percent, but it’s the first time Google’s quarterly profit has climbed by less than 25 percent since it went public three years ago.
Whopper helps lift Burger King sales
Burger King Holdings Inc. said its second-quarter profit jumped 29 percent as the stalwart Whopper, the new Homestyle Melt and promotions with TV tie-ins fired up sales. The chief executive of the world’s No. 2 hamburger chain said net income for the quarter rose to $49 million, or 36 cents per share, from $38 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 10 percent to $613 million.
Beer maker lifted by rebounding sales
A resurgence in beer sales helped lift Anheuser-Busch’s profit 12 percent in the fourth quarter, but the brewer warned that rising costs could eat into earnings this year. The maker of Budweiser and Bud Light said it earned $214 million, or 29 cents per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31, up from $191 million in the year-ago period.
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