Company News for October 8, 2009

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - Analyst Report) raised its quarterly dividend to 50 cents, and announced plans to sell $10 billion in assets over the next two years

• Anheuser Busch Inbev (NYSE:BUD - Snapshot Report) will sell Busch Entertainment to Blackstone (NYSE:BX - Snapshot Report) for $2.7 billion

• Lazard initiated coverage of King Pharma (NYSE:KG - Analyst Report) with a  "buy"

• KBW raised its profit expectations for Jefferies (NYSE:JEF - Snapshot Report) from 19 cents to 30 cents on stronger-than-expected fixed income results and commodities revenue, with 2009 estimates raised to $1.14 from 89 cents

• Marriott (NYSE:MAR - Analyst Report) reported third quarter results of 15 cents, topping estimates of 13 cents, and down from last year's 34 cents.  Revenue of $2.47 billion was inline with projections. The firm expects fourth quarter earnings of 20-23 cents

• PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP - Analyst Report) beat analysts' earnings and revenue projections with third quarter results of $1.09, ahead of $1.03 expected, and up from last year's $1.06