The Halliburton Company posted a third-quarter loss of $21 million, or 2 cents a share. Earnings excluding one-time items exceeded analysts’ estimates.

HOUSTON (AP) — Engineering and construction services provider KBR says its second-quarter profit fell sharply from a year-ago period boosted by asset sale gains, and also says results were hurt by hefty project charges and a jury award on a 2003 subcontract.

The three-way division of the largest Pentagon contract in Iraq ends the monopoly held by KBR, which has been accused of mismanagement and exploiting its political ties to Vice President Dick Cheney.

A group of private equity firms increased their offer for Expro International Group to more than 1.71 billion pounds, or $3.4 billion, entering into a bidding war against Halliburton.

Halliburton offered 1.71 billion pounds, or $3.4 billion, for the Expro International Group, which makes deep water well equipment, beating an earlier bid by a group of private equity firms.

Increasing its global presence is paying off for the oil field services provider Halliburton, whose first-quarter income rose nearly 6 percent.