H.J. Heinz Co., like many food makers, has struggled during the recession with increased competition from lower-priced store brands.

U.S. food makers H.J. Heinz and Hormel Foods Corp said they expect sales to rise in the coming months as consumers stick to more frugal habits such as eating meals at home instead of going out.

By Jessica Wohl

CHICAGO (Reuters) - H.J. Heinz Co <HNZ.N> posted a lower quarterly profit on Tuesday, hurt by sales declines in North America and Europe, but said it is optimistic about its sales momentum heading into the second half of its fiscal year and raised its full-year profit forecast.

H.J. Heinz Co.'s says its business is thriving in emerging markets but the recession continued to drag down its U.S. and European sales during the second quarter as shoppers limited spending or chose lower-priced products.

What follows is a roundup of corporate earnings reports for Tuesday, Nov. 24.

H.J. Heinz Co. is scheduled to report earnings for its fiscal second quarter on Tuesday before the market opens. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

Stocks held onto gains Thursday after an encouraging report on manufacturing. Bank of America and JPMorgan led the Dow.

Stocks held onto gains Thursday after an encouraging report on manufacturing. Bank of America and JPMorgan led the Dow.

Stocks held onto gains Thursday after an encouraging report on manufacturing. Bank of America and JPMorgan led the Dow.

Wall Street was posed for a higher open Thursday as global markets rallied and the bulls continue to stave off any appetite for a correction.

Stocks ended higher Thursday as crude prices climbed after an inventory pare-down and the results of the Treasury bond auction eased concerns about government debt.

Stocks rebounded Thursday as crude prices climbed after inventories were pared more than expected. Stocks had gotten off to a wobbly start as investors juggled a bleak report on new-home sales with any optimism from the unexpected drop in jobless claims and GM's deal with bondholders.

Stocks retreated Thursday, after a higher open, as bleak report on new-home sales overshadowed any optimism from the unexpected drop in jobless claims and GM's deal with bondholders.

Stocks opened higher Thursday after an unexpected drop in initial jobless claims.