Coventry Health Care Inc. on Tuesday revealed that soaring membership, rates hikes and lower costs have nudged the company's profit by 24% during the fourth quarter, exceeding profit expectations, as overall membership rose while medical costs fell.

Rejecting proposals from American's U. S. rival Delta Air Lines Inc., Japan Airlines Corp. on Tuesday have indicated its willingness for continuing its already existing alliance with AMR Corp.'s American Airlines.

Swedbank AB still swims in the troubling waters facing high risks in Latvia and Ukraine despite economic improvements there, and credit losses in Sweden may rise from current low levels as interest rates rise and stimulus measures are withdrawn over the next year, the bank's chief risk officer revealed Tuesday.

Expecting an outstanding business this year, Swatch Group AG the world's largest watchmaker reported a 10% unexpected rise in net profit for the second half of 2009 on Tuesday. The group stated that they intended to make the business best in the year 2010, after a strong pick-up in sales this January and February.

French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis on Tuesday announced to have completed its tender offer for shares of Chattem Inc., which makes Gold Bond skin products, Icy Hot pain relief packs, and Selsun Blue dandruff shampoo.

Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third largest car-maker on Tuesday reported a homecoming to profitability in the October-December quarter. This profit has come up following the cost-cutting and sales growth in China. A net profit of Y45.00 billion in the three months ended Dec. 31 was posted.

The Redwood City, Calif., based publisher of popular videogame titles, like "The Sims" and "Madden NFL", Electronics Arts, on Monday extended a disappointment among investors, revealing that its earnings in its current quarter would likely be half of what analysts estimated.

Following weak US dollar and oil, and a healthy buying interest due to the bargaining sought by investors, the oil price increased above $72 a barrel on Tuesday. Recently high 8-1/2 month against the euro, the U. S. dollar fell on market assumption that for struggling Greece, the bailout would organized soon.

Ford extends its pride of its role in a new star-filled movie as it sponsored the splashy Hollywood premiere. All the celebrities were photographed in front of the Ford logo promoting its "Warriors in Pink" campaign against breast cancer.

In view of the losses reported in 2009, SAS, the Scandinavian airline group has decided to issue new shares to raise its capital and cut 700 jobs.

SAS lost 1.3 billion kronor, in the fourth quarter, last year.