Earnings highlights: UPS, Kraft, Mattel, Avon, Northrop Grumman and others

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) reported a huge Q4 loss on a charge and the economic slowdown.
Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) fell short of Q4 expectations but announced a dividend increase.
Carlisle Companies Inc. (NYSE: CSL) Q4 numbers resulted in an analyst's upgrade.
Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) warned that its earnings would fall well below expectations.
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) posted a bigger-than-expected loss and outlined cost cutting plans.
Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS) shares took a hit ahead of its earnings report due to rival Mattel's Q4 results.

Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) reported that Q4 earnings dropped and offered soft guidance.
Mattel Inc. (NYSE: MAT) said that Q4 earnings sank due to weak holiday sales and the stronger dollar.
Monster Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: MWW) posted lower Q4 earnings due to the economic downturn.
Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC) reported a Q4 net loss due to a large writedown.
SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) posted a Q4 loss due to a one-time charge and slow consumer spending.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) surprised analysts with a Q3 loss and declined to offer Q4 guidance.
United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) missed Q4 earnings estimates and announced cost cutting efforts.
Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) solid Q4 and full-year results had little impact on the share price.

Also, Jim Cramer says recent earnings suggest the worst is yet to come. Sam Collins suggests that with 40% of the S&P already having reported earnings, things may begin looking up. Jim Cramer also looks to China to drive future growth.

Tags: Alcatel Lucent, ALU, Avon, AVP, Carlisle, China, COST, Costco, CSL, earnings, Electronic Arts, ERTS, HAS, Hasbro, Jim Cramer, KFT, Kraft Foods, MAT, Mattel, Monster, MWW, NOC, Northrop Grumman, Sam Collins, SanDisk, SNDK, THQ, THQI, United Parcel Service, UPS, YUM, Yum Brands

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