TAIPEI -(MarketWatch)- Chunghwa Telecom Co. , Taiwan’s largest telecommunications operator by subscribers, plans to expand its workforce by around 8% this year to tap into new business opportunities brought on by the closer economic ties between Taiwan and China, the company’s Chief Executive Shyue-ching Lu said Saturday. Lu said the company plans to add 2,000 staff this year to boost its... 

Brown-Forman Corp. (BFA, BFB) increased its quarterly dividend 9.4%, marking the 28th consecutive year it has increased its annualized payout. Many companies have been looking for ways to attract shareholders recently, including higher dividends and stock repurchases. Brown-Forman, whose brands include Jack Daniel’s whisky and Finlandia vodka, is in the process of buying back up to $250 million... 

Ameren Corp.’s AEE +2.57% board authorized a quarterly dividend increase of 3.9%, joining a growing list of companies returning cash to their shareholders. The Midwest power company’s shares were up 2.1% at $30.55 in recent trading, more than the broader market advance. The quarterly dividend was increased by 1.5 cents a share to 40 cents, raising the company’s quarterly payout by... 

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (MarketWatch) — Carpet manufacturer Cavalier Corp. (CAV.NZ) said Wednesday that its sales volumes were sharply down in the first quarter of its financial year due to the crisis in Europe and the high cost of wool. Cavalier said sales volumes of broadloom carpet and carpet tiles for the first quarter to Sept. 30 were down 20% compared with the previous year as “concerns... 

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.’s WYN +8.49% board augmented its share-repurchase program by $500 million, representing about 10% of its current market value. The popularity of share buybacks has increased alongside dividend in recent years as companies seek ways to appeal to investors and put cash they have accumulated to use. Chairman and Chief Executive Stephen P. Holmes said Wyndham’s increase... 

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -— Exxon Mobil Corp. is expected to weigh in with a profit gain of $2 billion in its fourth quarter next week, as the oil major caps off a period of higher petroleum prices, but it remains to be seen if the company sparks any big moves in its shares. When the world’s largest corporation reports earnings Monday, its results will follow a nearly 8% rally in its stock price... 

Southridge Enterprises Inc. (PINK:SRGE) stays with a 150% premium to its share price from last Friday as the company continues posting new developments and getting support from various paid promoters. Southridge announced that its subsidiary Southridge Minerals, Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Cinco Minas and Gran Cabrera Gold properties in Mexico. The total purchase price for both properties... 

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanoscience energy saving solutions, announced today that the Company’s patented nanotechnology based Nansulate® thermal insulation and protective coating is being used by a Florida County to coat the metal handrails at municipal facilities to protect its citizens from contact burn injury caused by touching these metal... 

 LAS VEGAS, Jun 29, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) — MetaPower International, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MTPR) is pleased to announce that the Company has posted its unaudited Financial Report for the first quarter of 2010 on Pinksheets.com.  MetaPower International’s revenues for the quarter ending March 31, 2010 were $2,559,110, an increase of 18% over Q1 2009 which were $2,160,701. This result...