EDUCATIONUCLA Business School Rises to 10th in...

EDUCATION

UCLA Business School Rises to 10th in Ranking

UCLA’s Anderson School of Management jumped into the top 10 in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of graduate business programs, moving into the 10th spot from a two-way tie for No. 11 last year.

USC’s Marshall School of Business placed 29th, down from 26th last year. The school’s dean, Yash Gupta, had resigned abruptly in February.

Stanford University came in second, unchanged from last year. UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business tied for seventh place with Columbia University. Last year Berkeley tied for sixth.

From a Times Staff Writer

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MEDICAL SERVICES

Northrop Aims to Boost Sales to Health Agencies

Northrop Grumman Corp., the top contractor to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aims to quadruple its sales of health technology for government agencies to about $2 billion within three years.

Century City-based Northrop is seeking to expand in the health market, which is growing faster than defense spending. The company’s sales of health-related computer networks and services to the federal government have doubled over the last three years to $500 million, while its total sales rose 17% to $30.7 billion in the same period.

From Bloomberg News

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EARNINGS

Restoration Hardware Cites Tax Charge in Loss

Restoration Hardware Inc. posted a net loss for its fiscal fourth quarter as results were weighed down by a $27.9-million tax charge.

The Corte Madera, Calif.-based retailer reported a net loss of $19.5 million, or 52 cents a share, contrasted with earnings of $10.6 million, or 28 cents, a year earlier. Sales climbed 2% to $191 million.

From the Associated Press

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PUBLISHING

Tribune to Discontinue Distinction Magazine

Tribune Co. said it would stop publishing Distinction, a bimonthly magazine aimed at wealthy Southern Californians.

Launched in September 2003, Distinction was mailed to 50,000 affluent households.

Tribune, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, discontinued the magazine to invest in other “high potential growth areas,” including online efforts, travel and entertainment. The May/June issue will be the last.

From a Times Staff Writer

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TOYS

Mattel’s Debt Rating Downgraded by S&P;

Mattel Inc. had its debt rating cut to the lowest level of investment grade by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services as sales of Barbie dolls continued to decline.

The El Segundo-based toy company’s credit rating was cut to BBB-minus from BBB, S&P; said.

From Bloomberg News

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Also

* Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Corona said it would sell or close a plant in Phoenix that makes injectable drugs and contract out production.

* Gardenburger Inc., an Irvine maker of meatless hamburgers and other vegetarian foods, exited bankruptcy protection as a closely held company with a new name: Wholesome & Hearty Foods Co.