Companies Report Mixed Results in Second Quarter

McDonald's has announced a second round of price cuts on hamburgers in Japan, while Rockwell Electronic Commerce has secured a pact with RSL Com, an international telecom carrier. First Health Group Corp. has reported a higher profit in the second quarter, with revenue jumping 84% to $126.7 million.

Key Takeaways:

• First Health Group Corp. reported a second-quarter profit of $23.3 million, an 8% increase from $21.4 million in the same period last year.
• The group health-plan administrator's revenue jumped 84% to $126.7 million from $68.8 million in 1997.
• Rockwell Electronic Commerce has secured a pact with RSL Com, an international telecom carrier, to provide its call-center system for RSL Com's Sydney-based customer service operations.
• McDonald's Corp. has announced a second round of price cuts on hamburgers in Japan, following a successful sale in Tokyo and eastern Japan in July.
• McDonald's Co., the Japanese 50-50 joint venture, has about 2,600 restaurants in Japan.
• The price cut in western Japan, including Osaka, was made 10 days ahead of schedule.
• Ericsson is the seller of Rockwell products in Australia and New Zealand.
• RSL Com has more than 15,000 customers in the Pacific region.
• Rockwell Electronic Commerce sells call-center technology for phone and Internet service.

Statistics:

• $23.3 million: First Health Group Corp.'s second-quarter profit
• 36 cents per share: First Health Group Corp.'s second-quarter earnings per share
• 32 cents per share: First Health Group Corp.'s earnings per share in the same period last year
• 84%: Increase in revenue for First Health Group Corp. from $68.8 million to $126.7 million
• 2,600: Number of McDonald's restaurants in Japan
• 15,000: Number of customers of RSL Com in the Pacific region

Sources:

• Bloomberg News
• First Health Group Corp.
• Rockwell Electronic Commerce
• Ericsson Australia Pty Ltd.
• McDonald's Corp.