OIL, METALS, CURRENCIES

Crude oil prices dropped over $1 after the U.S. Department of Energy lowered its global oil demand estimates and concerns about possible disruptions to the oil supply from Iran eased. Light sweet crude for March delivery fell $1.51 to $63.60 a barrel. Heating oil lost 5 cents to $1.7580 a gallon, while gasoline declined 4 cents to $1.6050. Natural gas dropped 25 cents to $7.75 per 1,000 cubic feet.

European gold prices dropped to a year-low after a slide in oil prices eased concerns of accelerating inflation. In London gold fell to $555.90 bid per troy ounce, down from $572.80. In Zurich the precious metal traded at $556.50, down from $573.10. In Hong Kong gold fell 40 cents to close at $569.60. Silver closed at $9.45, down from $9.83.

The U.S. dollar gained strength against most other major currencies. The euro was quoted at $1.1957, down from $1.1964. The dollar bought 118.04 yen, down from $118.97. The British pound stood at $1.7419, down from $1.7474.

EARNINGS NEWS

The Walt Disney Co, (DIS: chart), media conglomerate, reported Q1 net income of 37 cents per share, up from 33 cents per share in the same period last year despite a plunge in profits from its studio division. Disney announced that revenue advanced slightly to $8.854 billion from $8.666 billion in the same quarter last year. The current quarter includes a one-time gain of 2 cents per share, related to the sale of assets.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp, (RL: chart), clothing and accessories company, reported that Q3 profit advanced to 84 cents a share, from 72 cents in the year-ago period on revenue growth, topping analyst estimate of 76 cents a share.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals, (ARIA: chart), pharmaceutical company, reported a Q4 loss of 23 cents a share, down from the year-ago loss of 20 cents a share on higher research and development expenses, beating analyst expectations of a loss of 25 cents a share.

Fortune Brands, (FO: chart), alcohol producer, reported Q4 net income of $1.17 a share, down 30% from $1.68 a share in the year-earlier period. Before charges and gains earnings came to $1.22 a share, topping analyst forecasts of $1.20 a share. Revenue advanced 24%.

Hillenbrand Industries Inc, (HB: chart), health care industry manufacturer reported Q1 net income from continuing operations of 79 cents a share, up from 69 cents a share in the year-earlier period, beating analyst forecasts of 65 cents a share. Adjusted net income came to 79 cents a share, up vs. 71 cents a share. Revenue inched up 0.6% to $477.5 million.

Benchmark Electronics Inc, (BHE: chart), outsourced manufacturing services to the electronics industry provider, reported that Q4 net income advanced 22% to 57 cents a share, while sales grew 19.3%. Analysts were expecting earnings of 51 cents a share.

Performance Food Group Co, (PFGC: chart), food and non-food products producer and distributor, posted earnings of 44 cents a share, nearly three times the year-ago profit of 18 cents a share, beating analyst estimate of 31 cents a share. Consolidated net sales from continuing operations in the fourth quarter advanced 7%, while Q4 inflation was approximately 1%.

MeriStar Hospitality Corp, (MHX: chart), real estate investment fund, reported a Q4 loss of $1.30 a share, down from a year-ago loss of 20 cents a share. On an adjusted basis, the company reported funds from operations of 17 cents a share, beating on that basis analyst predictions of 15 cents a share. Revenue grew to $183.4 million from $159.4 million in the same time a year earlier.