Bankers for Italy's Prada fashion house have contacted Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA about the Swiss company taking a stake in it.

Colgate-Palmolive Co said second-quarter revenue declined more than expected, sending shares down more than 5 percent though its quarterly profit topped estimates.

AngloGold Ashanti, the world's No. 3 and Africa's top gold producer, reported an 11 percent jump in earnings for the second quarter due to higher output, beating market forecasts.

L'Oreal sees business improving during the rest of the year after posting a 2.1 percent drop in comparable second-quarter sales, the French beauty products giant said.

Germany's Puma posted a 6.6 percent drop in first-half recurring operating income and lower comparable sales due to a lack of major sporting events, parent company PPR said.

Surfing-inspired apparel maker Volcom Inc posted a surprise quarterly profit, helped by tighter cost controls, but it forecast third-quarter profit below Wall Street estimates due to persistent weakness in consumer spending.

Italy's Bulgari more than halved its quarterly net loss and said sales at its own stores picked up pace in July despite the global crisis still hurting demand for jewellery, watches, perfumes and accessories.

Shoe maker Steven Madden Ltd posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, helped by strong performance in its core Steve Madden Women's and Madden Girl wholesale divisions.

Sally Beauty Holdings Inc's higher quarterly profit met expectations as the company opened more stores that sell beauty products and saw sales increase at its existing stores.

Cosmetics maker Revlon Inc erased almost all of its second-quarter profit, weighed down by restructuring charges and unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations.

Avon Products Inc, the world's largest direct seller of cosmetics, posted a lower quarterly profit, as the stronger dollar cut into sales overseas and the company spent money to cut costs.

South Africa's Solidarity union said Anglo American Plc plans to shed further jobs in South Africa, and accused the company of adopting a short-term survival strategy.

Children's Place Retail Stores Inc said it agreed to buy back half the shares its former chairman and chief executive officer owns in the company, and he agreed to withdraw his slate of nominees to the board.

Lower spending on extravagant suits and dresses led to a wider second-quarter operating loss at Hugo Boss but the German fashion house kept its outlook in place.

Underwear maker Hanesbrands Inc reported a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street estimates as cost-reduction efforts helped offset a sales decline, and forecast third-quarter operating margins similar to second-quarter levels.