Kellogg

What are your expectations for my shares of Kellogg Co.? It is a longtime holding. - C.M., via the Internet The world's largest cereal-maker has powerful brands and a knack for introducing successful products. Special K, Pop Tarts, Eggo, Keebler cookies and crackers, Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes and Fruit Loops are among its famous products. It also regularly serves up new items, such as Special K with Red Berries. Second-quarter profits increased 13 percent on North American and European gains, with sales rising 9 percent.

General Mills, Kellogg, Toys "R" Us and other big American companies are increasing their scrutiny of thousands of everyday products they receive from Chinese suppliers, as widening recalls of items such as toys and toothpaste force them to focus on potential hazards that were overlooked in the past. These corporations are stepping up their analysis of imported goods that they sell, making more unannounced visits to Chinese factories for inspections and, in one case, pulling merchandise from American shelves at the first hint of a problem.

While growing up in Lexington, Ky., in the 1930s, William Ray listened to Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson on the radio. He sang in his church, enjoying the compliments and attention. Despite his obvious talent and interest in opera music, his family and friends had an easier time picturing him as a doctor than a singer. After all, at least they knew of other black doctors. "My dream didn't seem very realistic," said Ray, who has made his home in Odenton for 25 years. "I'm sure everyone was thinking, `Poor thing, how can he possibly think that he could be an opera singer?

MINNEAPOLIS -- General Mills Inc., the maker of Cheerios and Wheaties, passed Kellogg Co. for the first time as the largest U.S. cereal maker based on revenue.General Mills held 32.5 percent of the U.S. market based on dollars spent for the 12-week period that ended Dec. 6, according to Goldman, Sachs & Co. analyst Nomi Ghez, citing sales data collected by Information Resources Inc. That beats the 31.6 percent share notched by Kellogg.General Mills is succeeding by developing variations of its best-known brands such as Chex and new products including Cinnamon Toast Crunch that aren't readily copied by makers of discount and generic cereals.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- Kellogg Co., the world's biggest cereal maker, said yesterday that it had agreed to sell its troubled Lender's Bagels business to Aurora Foods Inc. for $275 million -- 41 percent less than it paid for the brand in 1996.Kellogg said it will take a charge of $110 million, or 27 cents a share, in the third quarter related to the sale. Kellogg bought Lender's for $466 million in 1996 from Philip Morris Cos.' Kraft unit, and sales have fallen annually by double-digit percentages.

MINNEAPOLIS -- General Mills Inc., the maker of Cheerios and Wheaties, passed Kellogg Co. for the first time as the largest U.S. cereal maker based on revenue.General Mills held 32.5 percent of the U.S. market based on dollars spent for the 12-week period that ended Dec. 6, according to Goldman, Sachs & Co. analyst Nomi Ghez, citing sales data collected by Information Resources Inc. That beats the 31.6 percent share notched by Kellogg.General Mills is succeeding by developing variations of its best-known brands such as Chex and new products including Cinnamon Toast Crunch that aren't readily copied by makers of discount and generic cereals.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- Kellogg Co. said second-quarter earnings fell 17 percent and warned of further declines, as the world's largest cereal maker lost sales to cheaper supermarket brands.The maker of Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies said net income fell to $143.2 million, or 35 cents a diluted share, from $171.6 million, or 41 cents, before a charge a year ago. That missed the 37 cents expected by analysts surveyed by First Call Corp.Revenue fell slightly, to $1.71 billion from $1.72 billion.

If an entire entertainment empire could be built around a mouse with a squeaky voice, why not one dedicated to breakfast cereal?Besides, just as the realm of Walt Disney's Mickey is more than a celebration of mousedom, Kellogg's Cereal City USA, which opened this month in downtown Battle Creek, Mich., promises to be more than a $22-million monument to snap, crackle and pop.It's been 100 years since W.K. Kellogg devised a way of making airy little flakes out of corn and revolutionized the American breakfast and life in Battle Creek.

Mercedes Mott of Albuquerque, N.M., wrote to us awhile back: "Years ago, in the 1950s, I had an apple crisp made with corn flakes and it was the best I have ever had. Would anyone have such a recipe?"Mary Ellen Lippy of Lutherville shared her recipe, which she said was sent to her from the Kellogg Co. "They checked their files and sent it to me. Hope it helps," she said.Apple CrispMakes 9 servings3/4 cup Kellogg's Corn Flake Crumbs1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar1/3 cup chopped nuts1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened1 can (1 pound, 4 ounces)

COLLEGE PARK -- You apparently don't have to spend much time around this year's Maryland men's basketball team before you start speaking the "L" word.Not that "L" word, but "like." ESPN analyst Clark Kellogg worked Wednesday's Maryland-Clemson game here, and even though the 11th-ranked Terps dropped a 67-63 decision to the Tigers, Kellogg still, well, likes them and their chances."This team likes each other, and you can very easily see that. That makes them a better team than they otherwise might be. I like [Keith]

Rough night for B-Rob Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, who was 11-for-22 with four walks in the homestand, went hitless in five at-bats, ending his six-game hitting streak. The key at-bat came in the fifth, when he struck out with the bases loaded and two out. He did pick up an RBI with a bases-loaded groundout in the ninth. In the field, he botched a potential double-play ball that ignited the Mets' four-run rally in the fourth. punchout with a fist In the second inning, Melvin Mora attempted to swing at a pitch from Mike Pelfrey, but the ball hit him in the right hand.

Dunsmuir, Calif. - One of the more intriguing chapters in labor history involves a decision by the Kellogg Company in 1930 to cut workers' hours from a 40- to a 30-hour week. We could learn a thing or two from this example. At the outset of the Depression, the company figured this would create 300 more jobs. Company President Lewis Brown also hoped it would give workers more time to spend with their families and to participate in their communities, and that it would lead to "higher standards" in school and civic life.

Terrell Vinson heard lots of opinions during the recruiting process but kept his own counsel. "With recruiting, everybody's got something to say," the St. Frances senior said. "You just try to keep a low profile and think about what's the best thing for yourself." Vinson decided Monday night the best thing for him would be continuing his basketball career at Massachusetts. The 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward committed to UMass coach Derek Kellogg during an in-home visit. Vinson, a Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection who averaged 23 points and eight rebounds as a senior, had committed to Loyola Marymount in the fall before reopening his recruitment after coach Bill Bayno left the school.

Serving up another week of sports media notes while trying to recover from being an hour late for everything for several days before realizing daylight saving time had kicked in: * Are you sort of the college basketball version of Punxsutawney Phil, just popping up each March for the NCAA tournament? If so, here's a heads-up about Sunday's tournament selection show on CBS (6 p.m., chs. 13, 9): Billy Packer is gone. Clark Kellogg replaced him as the network's No. 1 game analyst. That guy sitting in Kellogg's old studio seat?

Michael Phelps' life has calmed down somewhat in the past few days. He isn't waking up to people shouting outside his apartment, and the paparazzi, for the most part, have stopped tailing him. But Phelps still isn't ready to commit to swimming in the 2012 Olympics. The Rodgers Forge native, 23, says it's something he continues to mull. "It will take a few months," Phelps said. "I'll give it 30 or 60 days. I think it will be better. I'm already happier now than I was, just having some part of my life back to normal, being able to swim again, having fun, joking around."

USA Swimming said late last night that it has decided to suspend Michael Phelps from competition for the next three months as punishment for a photo that was published in a British tabloid over the weekend that appeared to show him smoking marijuana. The organization's board of directors voted on the decision, saying the intent was to send Phelps a "strong message" that it did not approve of his behavior. USA Swimming also said it is withdrawing financial support from Phelps during the suspension, a mostly symbolic punishment.

What is your opinion of Kellogg Co.? - D.R., via the Internet The largest producer of breakfast cereals and leading producer of other convenience foods recorded a 12 percent increase in net income in its third quarter. Its positives include a strategy of launching new products that are often variations of successful existing products, innovative marketing campaigns and logical cost-cutting initiatives. There is currency risk from the strengthening U.S. dollar because foreign sales represent nearly one-third of its business.

A one-of-a-kind California Gold Rush coin, preserved for years by one of Baltimore's most prominent families, will return here next month for the first time in nearly 30 years. The 154-year-old $20 gold piece known as the Kellogg Twenty - now worth $3 million - will be displayed during the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in the Baltimore Convention Center from July 30 to Aug. 2. Once owned by Baltimore resident and diplomat John Work Garrett, the coin is considered by collectors to be one of the finest American coins from the mid-19th century.

What are your expectations for my shares of Kellogg Co.? It is a longtime holding. - C.M., via the Internet The world's largest cereal-maker has powerful brands and a knack for introducing successful products. Special K, Pop Tarts, Eggo, Keebler cookies and crackers, Frosted Flakes, Corn Flakes and Fruit Loops are among its famous products. It also regularly serves up new items, such as Special K with Red Berries. Second-quarter profits increased 13 percent on North American and European gains, with sales rising 9 percent.

General Mills, Kellogg, Toys "R" Us and other big American companies are increasing their scrutiny of thousands of everyday products they receive from Chinese suppliers, as widening recalls of items such as toys and toothpaste force them to focus on potential hazards that were overlooked in the past. These corporations are stepping up their analysis of imported goods that they sell, making more unannounced visits to Chinese factories for inspections and, in one case, pulling merchandise from American shelves at the first hint of a problem.