Earnings roundup: Philip Morris, Hershey

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, July 23, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) _ Philip Morris International's earnings rose 23 percent in the second quarter, and the cigarette maker said Wednesday its growth has not been hurt by the inflationary pressures affecting many other consumer products companies.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) _ Raising prices and streamlining its production lines helped Hershey to dramatically higher second-quarter sales and profit, the nation's largest candy maker said Wednesday, even as it absorbs spiraling commodity costs and puts new emphasis on marketing muscle.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Shares of health care information technology company Cerner Corp. rose Wednesday after the company said its second-quarter profit grew 31 percent due to improved sales in its support, maintenance and system services business.

ST. LOUIS (AP) _ Coal miner Peabody Energy Corp. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit more than doubled, beating Wall Street's expectations as the miner benefited from higher shipments, soaring global prices and tighter coal supplies worldwide.

MILWAUKEE (AP) _ The nation's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., reported a 1.8 percent rise in second-quarter profit on Wednesday on higher sales of its main brands and the successful launch of Bud Light Lime.

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Silgan Holdings Inc., which makes plastic and metal packaging for consumer goods, said Wednesday its second-quarter profit jumped 24 percent, helped by cost controls and improved sales in all segments.

NEW YORK (AP) _ Property and casualty insurer The Travelers Cos. Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit declined 25 percent as it wrote fewer premiums, took higher catastrophe losses and recorded fewer investment gains.