A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Diageo brands see sales fall in Ireland

International drinks group Diageo said sales of its brands in Ireland fell in the first quarter but that Guinness had increased its market share.

Brands such as Smithwicks, Harp, Budweiser and Carlsberg saw a drop in sales in Ireland, a company spokesman said. Guinness sales fell marginally but market share grew. He said Smithwicks, produced in Ireland, was now being sold in the US. The Guinness sold in the US also comes from Ireland and was "doing well".

In a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting, the group said it expected to see underlying sales rise 4 per cent and operating profits 7 per cent in its year to June 2006.

Jefferson Smurfit buy under review

The European Commission has extended its review of Jefferson Smurfit Group's purchase of rival Kappa Packaging by two weeks. It now expects to conclude it on November 10th.

Industry sources said yesterday that the delay was technical rather than a reflection of any difficulties in the process. The companies are hoping to conclude the deal by the end of this year or early next year.

J&J reconsidering Guidant purchase

Johnson and Johnson yesterday for the first time raised the possibility of amending its $25.4 billion (€21.24 billion) acquisition of Guidant, a US medical device maker, saying it was considering "alternatives".

Questions have mounted on whether J&J would renegotiate or change its deal after Guidant recalled up to 100,000 pacemakers and defibrillators because of malfunctions.

Between them, the companies employ more than 2,000 people in Ireland.

J&J's profits rose 12 per cent in the quarter to $2.6 billion, or 87 US cents per share. Sales increased 7 per cent to $12.3 billion in the quarter. - (Financial Times Service)

Shanahan joins Shannon board

Mr Patrick Shanahan has been appointed to the board of Shannon Development. He is chairman of Shannon Airport Authority and executive chairman of Mowlam Healthcare Ltd and a director of the Atlantic Technology Corridor, an industry-led alliance representing 272 technology companies in the west of Ireland.

IBM reports dip in quarterly profits

IBM yesterday reported a dip in quarterly net profit but beat market expectations as revenue from consulting grew for a second straight quarter.

Chief financial officer Mark Loughridge told investors on a conference call he expects the company to deliver double-digit earnings per share growth during the fourth quarter and into next year.

Consulting, the company's biggest revenue generator, slipped earlier this year, but has been rebounding after IBM won a €1.5 billion contract with ABN Amro. Third-quarter net income dipped 2.5 per cent to $1.52 billion (€1.27 billion), or 94 US cents per share, from a restated $1.55 billion - (Reuters)

Aminex to drill in Madagascar

Aminex said yesterday that it has been awarded a licence to explore in Madagascar, along with its partner, Mocoh Resources.

The companies have been awarded the rights to Block 3108, known as Manja, onshore the west coast of Madagascar. Wells drilled in the past on Manja have found shows of both oil and gas, the company said.