Business Briefs: Countrywide, Northrop, Mattel, DirecTV, DaVita, AML Communications

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Countrywide Financial Corp.

, a Calabasas-based mortgage lender, said on Monday it would restate financial results for two quarters in 2003 after it changed the timing for booking a gain from the sale of certain securitizations. The company said in a regulatory filing that the changes would reduce earnings in its June 2003 quarter by 20 cents a share, and boost earnings in its September 2003 quarter by 20 cents a share.






Northrop Grumman Corp.

signed a $24 million sub-contract with European Aeronautic Defence and Space Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A. to build infrared countermeasure systems to protect the Royal Australian Air Force’s new Airbus refueling airplanes. Northrop Grumman’s Defensive Systems Division will design, develop and manufacture the system. Deliveries re expected to begin in January 2007.






Mattel Inc.

and rival Hasbro Inc each partnered with film studios to promote sales of movie-related toys. El Segundo-based Mattel is working with Time Warner Inc. to market toys based on the soon-to-be-released “Batman Begins.” Hasbro recently joined with Lucasfilm Ltd. to promote sales of toys based on “Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.” Toy industry executives are looking to boost sales with toys based on films and toys that incorporate videogame technology.






DirecTV Group Inc.

, said two of its units will take out a new $2 billion secured credit line and will sell nearly $500 million in unsecured bonds to pay off the units’ $1.26 billion credit line and to repay an $875 million promissory note owed to the parent company. The units, DirecTV Holdings LLC and DirecTV Financing Co., also will redeem $490 million in principal amount of their 8.375 percent senior notes due in 2013, the El Segundo-based parent said in a release.






Davita Inc.

, a kidney dialysis provider, said it plans to sell $1.35 billion in debt, including $500 million of senior notes maturing in 2013 and $850 million of aggregate senior subordinated notes due in 2015. El Segundo-based Davita said it would use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt.






AML Communications, Inc.

, a Camarillo-based designer and manufacturer of subsystems for the defense microwave industry, announced it is reviewing its strategic business alternatives. Due to recent across-the-board cutbacks in military spending and continuing industry consolidation, the company’s board of directors is mulling over several options, including capital requirements, acquisitions, and a merger or sale. AML has hired Philpott Ball & Werner to assist in the effort.

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