Colgate quarterly profit rises; forecast unchanged

(Reuters) - CHICAGO, July 25 - Colgate-Palmolive Co. posted a better-than-expected rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday, driven by improvements from its ongoing restructuring plan and strong sales growth.



The company, known for its namesake toothpaste, also said it still expects double-digit percentage growth in earnings per share this year.


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Palm Oil Gains in Malaysia as Export Decline Slows on Improved Demand

(Bloomberg) -- Palm oil futures in Malaysia, the
benchmark for the commodity, gained after reports showing the
decline in the country's exports slowed as the price of the
vegetable oil dropped from its June record.

Palm oil for October delivery on the Malaysia Derivatives
Exchange rose as much as 28 ringgit, or 1.1 percent, to 2,513
ringgit ($734) a ton. It traded at 2,486 ringgit a ton at the
end of the morning trading session.


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Palm Oil Price Drops in Malaysia as Canada Farmers Sow Record Canola Crop

(Bloomberg) -- Palm oil prices in Malaysia fell the
most in five days after a report that Canadian farmers planted a
record canola crop, increasing supplies of alternative oils.

Canadian farmers planted 14.5 million acres of canola, 17
percent more than in 2006, beating the previous record set in
1994 of 14.2 million acres, Statistics Canada said on its
website yesterday. They planted less acreage for flaxseed, lured
by better prices for canola, the report said. Canada is the
third largest canola producer after China and EU countries.


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Malaysian Palm Oil May Average 54 Percent Higher This Year, OSK Forecasts

(Bloomberg) -- Palm oil futures in Malaysia, trader
of the benchmark contract, may average 54 percent higher this
year because of demand led by China for the world's most
consumed vegetable oil, according to OSK Research Sdn.

The futures may average 2,400 ringgit ($694) a ton this
year, Alvin Tai, an analyst at OSK, said today. This compares
with an average of 1,559 ringgit last year. He raised his
forecast by 12 percent from an earlier estimate of 2,150 ringgit.


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US STOCKS-Futures little changed ahead of PPI data

(Reuters) - Stocks to watch include investment banks, with Goldman
Sachs Group and Bear Stearns due to report
quarterly results before the bell.




Shares of Colgate-Palmolive Co. were down 0.3
percent in Europe after the company said counterfeit Colgate
toothpaste that may contain a toxic chemical had been found in
discount stores in four U.S. states. For details see
[nN14419213].


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Malaysia Palm Oil Drops Most in More Than Three Years on Demand Concerns

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysia palm oil prices had their
biggest drop in more than three years as rising global interest
rates fueled concern that economic growth may slow and reduce
demand for vegetable oils and other commodities.

Equities markets around the world slumped and U.S. Treasury
yields soared to the highest in almost a year on expectations
central banks will raise rates. Palm oil has fallen 11 percent
since reaching a record 2,764 ringgit ($795) a ton on June 6 amid
expectations of rising demand for food and industrial purposes.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News