Updating McCormick & Co., Buckeye Partners L.P., Quaker Chemical Corp., and Ameren Corp.

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MCCORMICK & CO., INC. $35 (New York symbol MKC) has acquired the 49% of European subsidiary Dessert Products International from its partner. The transaction will generate a gain of $0.20 a share. If you exclude one-time items, McCormick is likely to earn $1.65 a share in the fiscal year ending November 30, 2006, for a p/e of 21.2. Growth by acquisition has its risks. Hold. BUCKEYE PARTNERS L.P. $41 (New York symbol BPL) has raised its quarterly distribution for the eighth consecutive quarter, from $0.7375 a unit to $0.75. The new annual rate of $3.00 yields 7.3%. Best Buy. QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP. $18 (New York symbol KWR) needs oil to make its lubricants, which adds to its costs. But it is doing a good job passing along higher raw material costs to its customers, so its earnings should grow this year. Savings from a restructuring plan should also help it maintain its $0.86 dividend, which yields 4.8%. Buy. AMEREN CORP. $49 (New York…