UPDATE 2-UST profit up, beats estimates

(Reuters) - NEW YORK, July 26 - UST Inc. posted
higher second-quarter profit on Thursday, beating analysts'
estimates, on increased sales of wine and smokeless tobacco,
and raised its full-year earnings forecast.




Net income climbed to $139.9 million, or 87 cents per
share, from $134.6 million, or 83 cents per share, a year
earlier.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

UPDATE 2-National Oilwell 2nd-qtr profit soars, tops view

(Reuters) - HOUSTON, July 25 - National Oilwell Varco Inc.
said on Wednesday its second-quarter profit more than
doubled, well surpassing Wall Street estimates, as high energy
prices sparked strong demand for its oil and natural gas
drilling equipment.




Shares of the Houston-based company were up 5 percent, or
$5.66, to $117.99 in early trade on the New York Stock
Exchange.


Read more at Reuters.com Market News

Saudi Basic Industries, Saudi Electric, Qatar Islamic: Islamic Bond Alert

(Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of pending
Islamic bond sales. The securities comply with the religion's ban
on paying interest and on investing in companies that have
businesses in alcohol, tobacco or gaming.

SAUDI BASIC INDUSTRIES CORP., the world's biggest chemical
maker by market value, won approval from Saudi Arabia's Capital
Markets Authority to sell as much as 5 billion riyals ($1.3
billion) of Islamic bonds. Saudi Basic will sell 20-year bonds in
six Gulf Arab states, including Kuwait and the United Arab
Emirates, said Alan Lowe, head of corporate finance at Riyad Bank,
which is arranging the sale with HSBC Holdings Plc.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

How much do shares really cost?

When buying shares you don't just pay the price of those shares there are lots of hidden costs.For example, if you bought a 1 000 Standard Bank shares at R70 each with Standard Bank online, you would pay either 0,7% of the value of the shares, or R89, whichever is the greater. On top of that you would pay UST (Uncertificated Securities Tax) and a Strate (share transaction totally electronic) fee


Read full article at Moneyweb.co.za