Motorola report is better than expected

CHICAGO (AP) -- Motorola Inc. issued better-than-expected third-quarter results and an upbeat forecast Monday, rushing out its earnings report early to counter a Moody's downgrade of its debt and concern about its future.
The company announced a $116 million profit and cited a boom in orders for new cell phones as evidence its stuttering recovery remains on track despite a pending leadership change and Wall Street's skepticism.
Sales rose 5 percent instead of falling as many industry experts had predicted.
Even its money-losing semiconductor business, which the company said last week it intends to spin off, picked up more orders in a modest recovery that could stir up more interest among prospective buyers.