Superior Industries International Inc. (SUP) reported a net loss of $13.9 million or 52 cents per share (excluding non-recurring charges) in the second quarter, driven by a significant 52% decline in unit wheel shipments, the lowest in more than a decade. Reported losses were considerably higher than Zacks' consensus loss of 36 cents.

In addition to lower volumes, average selling prices declined 22%, which resulted in a 63% decline in revenue to $80.9 million in the second quarter of 2009 from $217.4 million reported in the same period last year.

During the quarter, the company’s two major customers -- Chrysler and General Motors -- had extended periods of shutdown and closed certain plants, which significantly hurt unit shipments. To address the industry-wide reduction in demand for aluminum wheels, Superior closed its manufacturing facilities in Pittsburg, Kansas in December 2008 and Van Nuys, California in June 2009. However, it

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As many of the readers of this space undoubtedly will have come to realize; yours truly is a bit of a demographics wonk which probably goes a long way to characterize him except for the obvious fact that he is also, above all, an econ wonk.

As part of my upcoming master's thesis I am naturally trying to combine these traits and it should come as no surprise that the focus is on demographics and international capital flows. That will not be the topic of this entry however. Rather, I thought that I would plug a recent paper on global ageing [1] by Wolfgang Lutz Warren C. Sanderson, and Sergei Scherbov published in the brand new journal, Journal of Population Ageing, edited by the team of demographers, Sarah Harper and George Leeson, at the Oxford institute of Ageing (Oxford University). Also, this would naturally be a nice occasion to ever

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With the Rally Nearly Over the Germans are Buying Gold.

The Dow fell another 107 points yesterday. Oil held steady at $70. The dollar fell to $1.38. And gold rose $4 to 932.

What if the rally is over? Could be… It began on 9 March. That makes it more than 3 months old. Most likely, it will continue through the summer. But who knows?

The important thing to remember is this: there can be no major, sustained bull market without one of two things happening.

Either… the mistakes of the Bubble Epoque must be cleared away… allowing for a new era of genuine growth and real prosperity. At best, this would take a few years to achieve. Just imagine how long it will take to restructure GM into a profit-making business again. Just imagine how long it will take consumers to pay down their debts so they can begin to spend again. Just

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H.J. Heinz Co.'s (HNZ) third-quarter profit topped the consensus as the leading ketchup maker raised prices and enjoyed increased sales of its key brands.

The Pittsburg-based company earned 69 cents a share, excluding items. Analysts had expected a profit of 64 cents for the quarter.

Meanwhile, a stronger dollar ate into the company's revenue, which was reduced by 7.5% to $2.41 billion. Free cash flow increased 25% to $233 million.

Heinz reaffirmed its full-year earnings growth guidance. For the fiscal year, the company forecasts earnings of $2.87 to $2.91 a share. Organic sales are expected to grow by about 6%.

As a result of the volatile foreign currency rates, consumer trends and commodity prices, Heinz did not provide earnings forecast for 2010.

HNZ is a Zacks #3 Rank ("Hold").

"HNZ" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research