Company News Briefs: Apollo Group, H&R Block Beat Expectations

* H&R Block (HRB) announced fourth quarter earnings of $2.09 a share, versus $1.66 a year ago, and ahead of estimates of $2.06 a share, as revenues declined to $2.47 billion from $2.54 billion.  The firm said it expects 2010 earnings of $1.60 to $1.80 a share

* Apollo Group (APOL) also bettered expectations with third-quarter earnings of $1.26 per share, beating estimates of $1.12 on revenues of $1.05 billion, up from $835.2 million a year ago and estimates of $1.04 billion

* Dell (DELL) is said to be developing a pocket-sized product for accessing the internet on Google’s (GOOG) Android software

* General Mills (GIS) said it increased its quarterly dividend 4 cents to 47 cents a share

* Societe Generale raised its rating on Barclays Capital (BCS) to “hold” from “sell” citing its improved capital position from the sale of its fund business to BlackRock, also noting estimates of profitability in 2009 and 2011. Its analysts expect Barclays to post losses in 2010

* Broadcom (BRCM) announced that its has raised its hostile takeover bid 19% to $912 million for Emulex (ELX)

* A federal jury announced a $1.67 billion verdict against Abbott Labs (ABT) in a Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) patent infringement suit

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