Business Briefs: Computer Sciences, Center Financial, Jakks, Southern California Gas

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– Computer Sciences Corp.

received a $243 million contract from the Defense Department’s Missile Defense Agency to continue working on its missile defense program. The system is designed to intercept and destroy enemy ballistic missiles. The contract, which has a 15-month base period and two six-month options, is worth $243 million if all options are exercised. The new agreement follows a three-year contract under which CSC provided similar services.



– Center Financial Corp.

disclosed that it will restate three years of financial statements to reflect a change in the accounting treatment of interest-rate swaps, and that accounting for the derivatives constituted a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting.


In a 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Los Angeles-based Korean-American bank holding company said that management determined that the company’s prime-rate indexed interest rate swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.


The bank’s audit committee determined that its financial results had to be restated to reflect the elimination of hedge accounting treatment dating back to 2001, when the swaps were first employed. The restatement will reduce reported net income by $790,000 in 2004, $140,000 in 2003 and $1.1 million in 2003.



– Jakks Pacific Inc.

has continued with the expansion of its new pet division, JPI Pets, signing a worldwide licensing agreement with dry cat-food maker The Meow Mix Co. to produce branded products including toys, grooming accessories, apparel, treats and playpens for cats and kittens. Malibu-based Jakks expects to begin shipping the new Meow Mix pet products in 2006 to retail locations nationwide.


On Thursday, Jakks signed a licensing agreement with the Cat Fanciers’ Association to develop pet products based on the Manasquan, N.J.-based cat registry’s brand. The line of products is expected to ship to retailers in 2006 as well.



– Southern California Gas Co.

, a unit of Sempra Energy, closed a public offering of $250 million of 30-year first-mortgage bonds. The bonds have an interest rate of 5.75 percent, with a stated maturity date of Nov. 15, 2035. The proceeds of the bonds will be used to finance The Gas Co.’s capital-investment program. The managers for the bonds are ABN AMRO and Wachovia.

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