Most people probably think of a white talking duck when they hear the name Aflac. () But investors who’ve been tracking the insurance provider also may think of a track record of steady profit growth. The Columbus, Ga.-based company has increased its annual earnings for at least the past eight years. It has a five-year earnings per share growth rate of 14% and the kind of low EPS Stability Rating that long-term investors covet: 2. Last week Aflac reported Q1 profit of 98 cents a...

The firm said the value of its property at Docklands fell 4.3% between the end of June and New Year’s Eve, from 7.47bn to 7.27bn. Over 12months, it was up 4.8%.

The 200m writedown since summer was far better than many of its rivals with developments elsewhere in London and the UK, such as , which earlier this year took a 1.4bn hit.

Songbird said high occupancy levels and its control over much of Canary Wharf - it owns about 60% of the 14 million sq ft estate - meant it was less exposed to weakness in the property market. However, it was quick to warn it was not immune to the slowdown.

Reporting a fall in profits from 884.1m to 182m, chairman David Pritchard said: ‘Weakness in global financial markets has forced a slowdown in activity in the UK commercial property market which has been reflected in a softening of real estate values.

‘The group’s property portfolio has not been immune. The challenging market conditions experienced in the second half of 2007 have continued into the first three months of 2008.’

Songbird said it had abandoned all speculative projects - those where it builds before it has found a tenant - meaning its proposals for 25 Churchill Place and Riverside South will be prepared but not developed.

However, it insisted lettings by stricken investment bank Bear Stearns would be honoured by its buyer, JPMorgan Chase.

Pritchard reiterated his commitment to Crossrail, the key east-to-west rail link through London that will take thousands of workers to Canary Wharf every day. Analysts reckon the current Docklands workforce of 93,000 will expand to more than 150,000 in the next 10 years.

‘Crossrail will form an important part of London’s future infrastructure and future prosperity,’ he said.

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Shares of farm machinery stocks went south Tuesday after Agco Corp. () forecast full-year earnings below analyst views, citing the impact of rising materials costs on margins. The disappointing outlook marred an otherwise rosy first-quarter report for the No. 2 U.S. farm machinery maker. Earnings more than doubled from the prior year to 63 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters () expected 47 cents. Sales rose 34% to $1.79 billion, also above views. Bitter Harvest But Agco...