Business briefs

Gorman gets

James Gorman, who became Morgan Stan ley’s CEO at the start of this year, was awarded deferred stock grants valued at about $8.6 million for his perform ance last year, when the shares rose 85 per cent even as profit lagged peers.

McD earns

McDonald’s reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that topped analysts’ estimates, as global sales at established stores increased 2.3 per cent. Net income in the fourth quarter climbed 23 percent to $1.22 billion, or $1.11 a share, from $985.3 million, or 87 cents, a year earlier, the company said.

Down cycle

Harley-Davidson re ported its first quarterly deficit in 16 years, $218.7 million, or 94 cents a share, in the fourth quar ter. It contrasts with a profit of $77.8 million, or 34 cents per share, a year ago.

Barclays

Barclays Capital CEO John Varley and Presi dent Bob Diamond are among top officials at the U.K. bank planning on forgoing 2009 bonuses. Other top bankers at the firm which acquired Lehman Brothers North American assets could also received stock awards that are deferred up to three years.