STERLING, Va. (AP) -- NeuStar Inc., a provider of clearinghouse services for communications companies, said Wednesday it expects to earn at least $1.29 per share during 2008, short of analyst expectations.

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- packaging products maker Sonoco Products Co. on Wednesday forecast first-quarter earnings below Wall Street expectations.

Bradley County Churches Get Extra Protection Due To Thefts

Sheriff Tim Gobble has placed rural Bradley County churches on "extra patrol" after recent thefts of outside heating/air conditioning units in the area.

The order means patrol deputies will make regular checks of those located in the patrol zone they are covering.

In recent weeks there have been thefts from at least six churches in Bradley and surrounding counties. Inside the units the thieves are able to extract copper tubing they can sell as scrap metal. Each theft brings a loss of at least $1,000, and in some cases the value of the unit is in the thousands of dollars.

Sheriff Gobble is asking the public to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to not hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you see something out of the ordinary, especially on days and at times when services are not held.

Trane Reports 2007 Record Results, Provides 2008 Outlook

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trane Inc. (NYSE: TT) today announced fourth-quarter income from continuing operations (Trane Air Conditioning Systems and Services) of 32 cents per diluted share, down from 36 cents a year ago. Fourth-quarter 2006 results included a benefit of 10 cents related primarily to the sale of some operations in Australia and tax items. Adjusted income from continuing operations was 33 cents per diluted share, up 27 percent from 26 cents a year ago. Adjusted income excluded various costs and benefits that are detailed in the financial charts that follow this text. Sales from continuing operations were $1.82 billion, up 14.2 percent (up 11.9 percent in local currencies). Both the company's former Vehicle Control Systems (WABCO) and Bath and Kitchen segments are classified as discontinued operations.

Voltas chases the overseas chill

Mumbai, Feb 5: Voltas Ltd, the Mumbai-based Rs 3,000-crore air-conditioning and engineering services company, is likely to bag a large overseas order that could be worth Rs 600-800 crore. The order from West Asia would be in the electro-mechanical segment and come before the end of the current fiscal, a source close to the development said. It is also learnt that the Tata group company is readying itself for bigger bets into special economic zone space for long-term contracts. M M Miyajiwala, executive vice president-finance, Voltas, said, "Bidding and bagging orders is a continuous process for us and I don't want comment anything on fresh orders at this stage."

He said that Voltas order book size has swelled to Rs3,500 crore, of which Rs2,700 crore are from overseas and Rs 800 crore from the domestic market.

Stocks to buy: Blue Star, Ruchi Soya, Simplex Infra, Kalyani Steels

Kotak Securities has a ‘buy' rating on the central air-conditioning systems major Blue Star, as it feels it will report handsome earnings growth over the next two years (CAGR of 78% between FY07 and FY09). The company being in a position to offer the best requirement for central as well as commercial refrigeration equipment enabling it to maintain a leading market position in this segment, remains one of the key reasons for its bullishness.

The brokerage also feels that the stock is a play on structural themes like IT/ITeS and retail. However, the brokerage warns that appreciation in the rupee and slowdown in IT/ITeS services remain key concerns. Kotak calculates that at the current price, BSL is trading at 25.1x and 19.3 times FY08 and FY09 earnings, respectively, and on a forward EV/EBITDA basis, the stock is trading 12.6 times.

Watsco, Incorporated Earnings Conference Call (Q4 2007)

Watsco, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, distributes air conditioning, heating, refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States. Its products primarily comprise residential central air conditioners; light commercial air conditioners; gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment and systems; and other specialized equipment. The company also offers various parts, including replacement compressors, evaporator coils, motors, and other component parts; and supplies consisting of thermostats, insulation material, refrigerants, ductwork, grills, registers, sheet metal, tools, copper tubing, concrete pads, tape, adhesives, and other ancillary supplies. Watsco operates through approximately 380 locations in 32 states. It distributes its products to contractors and dealers who service the replacement and new construction markets.