Sales Top Forecasts

Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG said its key new multiple sclerosis pill was exceeding its expectations as it posted forecast-beating first-quarter sales, thanks to robust demand for its newest drugs. Sales at the group, which has just wrapped up its buyout of U.S. eyecare firm Alcon, rose 14 percent in constant currencies to $14.03 billion, boosted by strong demand for recently launched drugs such as Gilenya, Lucentis, Afinitor and Tasigna. Chief Executive Joe Jimenez told reporters that Gilenya, the first pill to treat the debilitating disease of multiple sclerosis, was already bringing in "significant revenues". First-quarter sales of the drug were $59 million. At 0822 GMT, Novartis shares were trading 2.8 percent higher, outperforming at 0.6 percent rise in the European healthcare index. Analysts expect Novartis shares, which have lost over 11 percent of their value so far this year and have lagged the rest of the sector, to rise as the group resumes its share buyback and investors buy in to its strong pipeline. "With a good Gilenya number, Alcon synergy expectations edged up and the share buyback now able to restart, we anticipate the shares moving better," Jefferies analyst Jeff Holford said. FLU BLUES The solid performance of new products, highlighting the group's ability to get products to market, helped the drugmaker to weather a $1.1 billion absence of pandemic flu sales from a year ago. A number of Novartis's rivals are also facing a loss of sales from flu-related products and last week Roche reported a 47 percent slump in Tamiflu sales. Novartis said it still expects net sales to grow around the double-digit mark in 2011 and it aims to improve core operating income margin in constant currencies. But the group said it would have to absorb price cuts, generic competition and the loss of sales from the H1N1 pandemic flu vaccine. Novartis is bracing for the patent loss of blood pressure drug Diovan in more European countries this year, but Jimenez said the group had so far been able to defend sales volume a little better than expected. His comments come after Eli Lilly & Co's shares were knocked on Monday due to worries about looming generic competition for its biggest drugs. Pharmaceutical companies across the globe are grappling with with U.S. healthcare reforms and a push by cash-strapped governments in Europe to slash the prices of drugs, along with competition from cheaper generic drugs. The Basel-based group said it had seen a negative pricing impact of 2 percentage points in its pharma division, mainly due to healthcare cost-containment measures, while generics entries and product divestments also had a 2 percentage point negative impact. Jimenez said the healthcare reform in the United States should have a manageable impact on Novartis, which reported first-quarter core earnings per share of $1.41, in line with the average analyst forecast in a Reuters poll of $1.40. Investors will now eye results due later from Johnson & Johnson as well as from Abbott later this week, for more insight into the health of the industry. Novartis, which has just closed the $50.9 billion Alcon deal, is hoping the acquisition will help it diversify and give it protection against patent losses on big-selling medicines such as key cancer drug Femara. Alcon contributed $1.9 billion of net sales in the first quarter. Novartis now expects annual cost synergies to exceed $300 million and it is eyeing a reduction of head office and general and administration costs by up to 40 percent. Novartis said it had bought back Novartis and Alcon shares totaling $3.2 billion to reduce dilution due to its Alcon buy and further repurchases would help to further limit dilution.

A McWeddings In McDonalds

In the buzzing financial hub known for its fast living, young Hong Kong couples can now grab love on the run at the city's McDonald's outlets, which are offering a burgeoning new sideline: "McWeddings." On Valentine's Day at a downtown McDonald's close to the financial district, the fast food joint was decked out with pink balloons, a "cake" stacked from apple pies, as well as a pair of tiny souvenir crystal M rings, for a surprise engagement bash thrown by Kelvin, a young model, for his girlfriend, Ashley. The party is the first formal wedding event since the service was launched in January. McDonald's says the concept isn't tacky and fills a niche in Hong Kong, where its restaurants are popular dating venues and the prices for more typical weddings run high. "They date here, they grew their love here, so when they have this important day they want to come over here," said Shirley Chang, the managing director of Hong Kong's McDonald's outlets. The McDonald's "Warm and sweet wedding package," at HK$9999 ($1282) a pop, includes wedding gifts, pink invitation cards emblazoned with golden arches, decor featuring the likes of Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar, and classic golden arches fare worth up to $385. Additional items will cost extra, including a "white balloon" gown rental ($165), balloon corsage ($11), balloon wedding cake ($88), and a large pink McDonalds backdrop ($321). "You can see the world changing, especially the young generation," Chang told Reuters. "They're looking for out-of the-box thinking and ideas." With two wedding parties confirmed for this year and around 70 other couples in talks, the American fast food giant is hoping this sideline will take off at a time of economic uncertainty, particularly with traditional Chinese weddings and banquets often imposing a huge financial burden on young couples. "I think it's the best value for money," laughed Chang. "Definitely."

The Best Wishes For A little Boy

The steer wrestling will be a little different this weekend at the 32nd annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals. Jesse Peterson won't be bulldogging steers. And his famed mount "Gunner" won't be running them down. While Peterson, the former three-time Circuit champion from Dillon, hasn't competed in the steer wrestling here for a few years now, "Gunner" has been a frequent winner for more than a dozen years at Four Seasons Arena. The red roan with a skunk tail carried Luke Branquinho to the PRCA world championship in the steer wrestling six years ago. Indeed, 'Gunner' has been a familiar figure in Las Vegas as well as Great Falls. Cowboys like Branquinho have for years struck deals with Peterson to rent the former race horse with the explosive start and competitive nature. In recent Januarys, veteran MPRF qualifier Shawn Downing of Silver Star has hauled the star steed to town for the weekend. But not this year. "Luke offered to let 'Gunner' winter in California," Peterson said Tuesday on the telephone. "Shoot, I figured that was better than letting him stand up here on the ice. He had another good year. He's 18. Getting older for sure, but he seems to be doing good." Peterson said he misses traveling to Great Falls for the Circuit Finals. It was nine years ago on a memorable night at Four Seasons that the Helena Capital graduate won a go-round on 'Gunner,' then raced home to Dillon to be with his wife, Jenny, for the birth of their son. Justus, 9, is a young athlete with a seemingly bright future. His little brother, though, has had some health issues that have affected all in the Peterson family. Since he was born, little Jace Peterson has been afflicted with seizures. "It's been a huge change in our lives," Jesse said. "The first two years he had them weekly and they averaged two hours in length. Every one was life-threatening and every time it was a mad dash to the ER, followed by a life flight and four or five days in the hospital." Jace is now 4, and perhaps thanks to an experimental medicine that is manufactured in France and costs $1,000 per month, things are better.

Christmas Toys

If you're still searching for affordable popular Christmas toys, buy hot wheels. Hot Wheels toy cars have been zipping around now for forty years. First introduced in 1968, many of us played with Hot Wheels as kids and now we're watching our own kids play with them. Hot Wheels continue to be popular with adults too! They are among the most collectible of the toy car brands, with some of the rarer models selling for thousands of dollars.
A large part of the popularity of Hot Wheels is due to their rugged construction and attention to detail. Each Hot Wheels toy car is individually die cast for durability. Additionally, the Mattel Toy Company, the manufacturer of the Hot Wheels brand, enters into an exclusive license agreement with automobile manufacturers who make the real cars Hot Wheels are based on. This means that the Hot Wheels designers have access to the actual engineering drawings used to make the cars they are copying. This leads to an incredible level of detail and realism in every Hot Wheels toy car that's produced. Plus, Hot Wheels are just plain fun!
One of the newest developments in Hot Wheels land is the Hot Wheels Color Shifters Cars. These are Hot Wheels toy cars that actually change into different colors! One of best way to experience Hot Wheels Color Shifters fun is with the Hot Wheels Color Shifters Custom Color Shop. The Hot Wheels Custom Color Shifter Shop allows you to change the color of your Hot Wheels toy car and to apply detail colors to that car too!

First, you blast your Hot Wheels car up the ramp to the color changing station using the Turbo Launcher. Once your Hot Wheels car is up the ramp it splashes through the Color Changing waterfall. Next, you take your Hot Wheels car to the detailing area where you use the Color Shifter detail pen to apply detail colors to your car. Then, it's off to the Extreme Spinner to dry off your Hot Wheels car. Finally, pull into the pit area to fuel up your ride before hitting the road for some Hot Wheels style adventures. What could be more fun!
It's good to know that some of the most popular Christmas toys we played with as kids are still around and still going strong. The Hot Wheels Trick Tracks Triple Stunt Starter Set is a great way to introduce your kids to the world of Hot Wheels this holiday season. Buy hot wheels today and your kids will thank you tomorrow!