USA and Canada

US-based high tech multinational United Technologies Corp has said it expects profits to rise by 6 to 10 percent in 2012.

During a meeting with investors and analysts Thursday, chairman & chief executive officer Louis Chênevert reaffirmed the company’s expectation for 2011 earnings per share of $5.47 on sales of approximately $58 billion.

For UTC’s base business, excluding the impact of the $16.5 billion acquisition of Goodrich Corp, Chênevert also projected 2012 earnings per share of $5.80 to $6.00, up 6 to 10 percent.

After completing the acquisition of Bucyrus earlier this year, Caterpillar is selling part of the former Bucyrus distribution business to the Industrial Division of Malaysian-based multinational Sime Darby Berhad.

The transaction, valued at approximately $360 million, involves the Sime Darby Industrial Cat dealerships operated by Hastings Deering in Queensland and the Northern Territory of Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.

US states are spending billions per year on corporate tax credits, grants and other economic development subsidies that often require little if any job creation, according to a study published today.

These are the key findings of Money for Something: Job Creation and Job Quality Standards in State Economic Development Subsidy Programs, a study published today by Good Jobs First, a non-profit research center based in Washington, DC.

Vulcan Materials Company, the largest producer of construction aggregates in the US, has confirmed that Raleigh, North Carolina-based Martin Marietta Materials has made an unsolicited offer for the company.

Birmingham, Alabama-based Vulcan said it would “carefully review the proposal and determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders”.

DTE Energy has awarded contracts worth more than $115 million to Michigan companies, as part of its Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative commitment.

In the last six months, DTE Energy's supply chain management team has closed deals with three metropolitan Detroit renewable energy companies to provide wind and solar services.

Boeing announced another major investment today in its Puget Sound site operations with the planned construction of a new, expanded Everett Delivery Center (EDC).

The EDC plays a critical role in Boeing's Everett site operations, serving as the hub for delivering 747, 767, 777 and 787 commercial airplanes.

Air Products and Dow Corning have entered a long-term supply agreement for electronic-grade silane, a material used for manufacturing flat panel displays, semiconductors and photovoltaic cells.

Dow Corning is a global leader in silicones and innovative silicon-based technology and the agreement will provide Air Products with access to significant silane volume to meet the present and future needs of its global customers, as well as the future growth of the electronics and solar industry.

The US Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act is to be introduced today in the House of Representatives.

The bill would ban federal grants or guaranteed loans to American companies that move call center jobs from the US overseas, and require the list of companies that offshore call center work to be made available to the public.

It also requires call center employees to disclose their location to US consumers, and requires that call centers transfer consumers to a call center in the US upon request.

Uranium Energy Corp has announced the completion of its acquisition of the Workman Creek uranium project, previously announced on 8 November, 2011, from Cooper Minerals, Inc.

"The Workman Creek Project represents the company's fourth project in pro-business and mining-friendly Arizona,” said President and CEO Amir Adnani. “This acquisition further demonstrates management's commitment to expanding and diversifying our project portfolio at a viable cost for long-term growth."

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrived yesterday in Beijing, marking its debut in mainland China.

The arrival of the all-new jet marks the start of a six-month worldwide ‘Dream Tour’.

The aircraft will be in China, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation and travel markets, until December 11, with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Haikou.

The tour will give Chinese customers, partners, government officials and media the opportunity to experience the new jet first-hand, Boeing said.