Replies to post #51 on Earning Plays

[3xBuBu]

Monday, Nov. 5
Anadarko Petroleum profit falls on lower gas prices (7:40 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (APC: news, chart, profile) reported late Monday third-quarter net income of $503 million, or $1.07 a share, down from $1.39 billion, or $2.99 a share, a year ago. The latest results include $343 million in net gains on asset sales compared with $3 million a year ago. Revenue for the three months ended Sept. 30 fell 13% to $3.03 billion from $3.51 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted the company would turn in earnings from continuing operations of 38 cents a share. The company predicted 5% to 9% production growth in 2008. Shares of the Houston-based gas and oil producer rose 22 cents to close at $57.83 ahead of the report.
Warnaco profit slips amid restructuring; lifts forecast(4:51 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Warnaco Group Inc. (WRNC: news, chart, profile) , a maker of clothing apparel, said late Monday its third quarter profit slipped amid a restructuring of its swimwear business. The company also boosted its full-year profit and revenue forecast. Warnaco reported net income of $4.4 million, or 10 cents a share, compared with net income of $14.5 million, or 31 cents a share, in last year's period. Sales rose 13% to $474.8 million. New York-based Warnaco is the maker of Calvin Klein clothing apparel, Speedo swimsuits and other clothing brands. The company is in the midst of selling some of its swimsuits brands, including Catalina and Anne Cole. It's also tapped Goldman Sachs to explore strategic alternatives for its Lejaby unit, a French brand of intimate apparel and swimwear. Warnaco shares are up 47% this year.
Activision swings to profit for second fiscal quarter(4:11 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (Marketwatch) - Activision Inc. swung to a profit for its second fiscal quarter amid a strong jump in revenue. The video game publisher (ATVI: news, chart, profile) reported net income of $698,000, or break-even on a per-share basis, for the second fiscal quarter compared to a loss of $24.3 million, or 9 cents a share, for the same period last year. Excluding charges related to stock options, the company said it would have reported earnings of $4.9 million, or 2 cents a share. Revenue jumped 69% to $317.7 million. Analysts were expecting a loss of 1 cent a share on revenue of $267.2 million for the quarter, according to consensus forecasts from Thomson Financial.
Sun Micro swings to profit of $89 million(4:06 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Sun Microsystems Inc. (JAVA: news, chart, profile) on Monday reported a first-quarter profit of $89 million, or 3 cents a share, on revenue of $3.22 billion. The computer server and software developer turned around from a year-ago loss of $56 million, or 2 cents a share, on revenue of $3.19 billion. The company also said its results included a restructuring charge equal to 3 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had forecast Sun to earn 3 cents a share on $3.27 billion.
Energy shares fall along with oil, broader market(9:39 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Energy stocks fell along with the price of oil on Monday amid continued jitters over the economy and the credit business. Oil futures fell $1.92 to $94.01 in recent action. The Amex Oil Index (XOI: news, chart, profile) fell 1.2% to 1,453. The Amex Natural Gas Index (XNG: news, chart, profile) dipped 0.8%. Exxon Mobil (XOM: news, chart, profile) shed 1.4% to $86.70. PetroChina (PTR: news, chart, profile) fell 11% to $226.50 after its initial public offering rallied in Shanghai. EnCana Corp. (ECA: news, chart, profile) fell 1.3% to $71.55 after it said it would pay $2.55 billion for the Deep Bossier natural gas and land interests of privately owned Leor Energy.
Mentor Graphics Corp. issues earnings warning(9:08 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Mentor Graphics Corp. (MENT: news, chart, profile) said early Monday that its third-quarter fiscal earnings results will come in below the financial forecast it issued on Aug. 23. The company will issue its report after market close on Nov. 19. Mentor said it now anticipates posting a loss for the quarter, with revenue of $185 million and adjusted earnings at just slightly above break-even. Mentor had forecasted adjusted earnings of about 10 cents a share, on revenue of $200 million. "Revenue was short of guidance because unique circumstances on several large bookings caused revenue to lag bookings by a quarter," said Mentor Chief Executive Officer Walden Rhines. "Because we see this revenue deferred by only a quarter, Mentor reaffirms its fiscal 2008 and 2009 outlook," Rhines added. For the full fiscal year 2008, Mentor has forecasted revenue of about $860 million, and earnings of 55 cents a share, with adjusted earnings of around $1.02. For fiscal 2009, Mentor sees of $920 million, earnings per share of about 78 cents and adjusted earnings of approximately $1.22 a share.
Comverse reports unlikely to be current by fiscal year-end(8:59 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Comverse Technology Inc. (CMVT: news, chart, profile) said Monday that it will not likely become current in its financial reports by the end of the fiscal year. The company cited an evaluation of revenue recognition for the delay, but said that any restatements will not affect its aggregate revenue. It added that previously issued financial statements and the revenue and selected consolidated financial items disclosed in press releases on March 22, June 11 and Sept. 10 of this year should no longer be relied upon.
AK Steel boosting prices by 6%(8:48 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- AK Steel (AKS: news, chart, profile) said Thursday it'll increase by about 6% transaction prices for all hot-rolled and cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, strip, tubular quality and continuous mill plate products, effective with shipments on Nov. 12. The transaction price increases will be accomplished through a two percentage point reduction in the functional discount rate, which equates to approximately $70 per ton. AK Steel will also charge a $245 a ton surcharge to invoices for electrical steel products shipped in December.
Citigroup says it has no plans to cut dividend(8:37 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Citigroup Inc. (C: news, chart, profile) in a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission said contrary to speculation, it has no current plans to cut its quarterly dividend. Citigroup said "while significant uncertainty continues to prevail in financial markets, it expects, taking into account maintaining its current dividend level, that its capital ratios will return within the range of targeted levels by the end of the second quarter of 2008." As a result, the company "has no plans to reduce its current dividend level."
Citigroup reports $134.8 billion in 'level 3' assets(8:28 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Citigroup Inc. (C: news, chart, profile) in a quarterly regulatory filing Monday said its so-called level 3 assets as of Sept. 30 were $134.84 billion. Level 3 assets are holdings that are so illiquid, or trade so infrequently, that they have no reliable price, so their valuations are based on management's best guess. The investment bank said its total liabilities related to level 3 assets at quarter-end were $40.36 billion, according to the Form 10-Q. Citigroup said it often hedges its level 3 positions.
Griffon profit drops 51% as garage door revenue falls(8:28 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Griffon Corp. (GFF: news, chart, profile) said fiscal fourth-quarter net income dropped 51% to $8.96 million, or 29 cents a share, with sales down 18% to $396.2 million. The company said the wind down of a contract with Syracuse Research Corporation and a weak residential housing market which hurt garage door and installation services revenue led to the profit fall. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 24 cents a share.
Citigroup's restatement lowers profit by $166 mln(8:12 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Citigroup Inc. (C: news, chart, profile) in a Form 10-Q Filing Monday said it has revised its financial results for the third quarter to write down the valuation of its collateralized debt obligations, which will result in a $270 million reduction in principal transactions revenue and a $166 million, or 3 cents a share, reduction to net income. Citigroup shares were down more than 3% in premarket trading Monday. The Wall Street giant's chief executive, Charles Prince, stepped down this weekend after the company suffered losses as a result of the subprime-mortgage debacle.
Burger King posts rise in first-quarter income(7:57 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC: news, chart, profile) Monday reported that fiscal first-quarter net income rose to $49 million, or 35 cents a share, from $40 million, or 30 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue for the first quarter ended Sept. 30 increased to $602 million from $546 million a year earlier. Worldwide comparable sales were up 5.9%, the company said. Evolving menu architecture and the worldwide strength of marketing alliances drove significant revenue increases, said John Chidsey, chief executive. Chidsey said in its U.S. and Canada segment, the company anticipates net restaurant growth in fiscal 2008 -- the first time in six years. Shares of the Miami fast-food chain closed Friday at $27.73, up $1.63.
Cardinal Health 1st-quarter net up 11%, revenue up 5%(7:56 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Cardinal Health Inc., (CAH: news, chart, profile) the Dublin, Ohio, provider of health-care products and services, reported that fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 11% on strength in its clinical and medical-products businesses plus efficiency measures. The company in a Monday statement affirmed its earnings outlook for the year. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Cardinal earned $301.8 million, or 82 cents a share, compared with $270.7 million, or 66 cents, in the year-earlier period. The latest adjusted earnings were 86 cents. Shares outstanding fell 10% to 370.2 million. Revenue rose 5% to $21.97 billion from $20.94 billion. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced consensus estimates of 86 cents of profit on $22.51 billion of revenue. Cardinal said it is "disappointed with the performance in our health-care supply-chain-services-pharmaceutical segment." Mark Parrish, who led the division, is leaving Cardinal Health. He'll be succeeded on an interim basis by Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Henderson.
Sysco Corp. net income climbs 16%(7:16 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Sysco Corp. (SYY: news, chart, profile) on Monday said its first-quarter net income rose to $267 million, or 43 cents a share, from $230 million, or 37 cents a share in the year-ago period. Sales at the Houston-based supplier to the food equipment industry rose to $9.4 billion from $8.7 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 41 cents a share and revenue of $9.4 billion, on average.
Marvel Entertainment net nearly triples, tops forecast(7:04 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Marvel Entertainment (MVL: news, chart, profile) said third-quarter net income nearly tripled to $36.3 million, or 45 cents a share, from $13.2 million, or 16 cents a share, on Spider-Man 3 consumer merchandise licensing. Net sales rose 34% to $123.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 28 cents a share on revenue of $91 million. It's upping its 2007 earnings and sales view, now seeing earnings between $1.60 and $1.65 a share on revenue between $455 million and $475 million, against earlier forecasts of $1.30 to $1.55 a share on revenue between $375 million and $435 million. It sees 2008 earnings between $1.30 and $1.50 a share on revenue between $360 million and $400 million, excluding the revenue and expenses from self-produced films.
Caraustar Industries' quarterly loss widens(6:44 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Caraustar Industries, Inc. (CSAR: news, chart, profile) said its third-quarter loss widened to $6.5 million, or 23 cents a share, from $5.1 million, or 18 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales fell 11% to $210 million, hurt by the cessation of production at four paper mills. Income from continuing operations came in at 4 cents a share compared with a loss of 13 cents a share a year earlier.
Entergy profit up 19%, to spin off non-utility nuclear arm(6:23 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Entergy Corp. (ETR: news, chart, profile) reported a 19% rise in third-quarter profit and said it will spin off its non-utility nuclear business in the third quarter of 2008. Earnings rose to $461.2 million, or $2.30 a share, from $388.9 million, or $1.83 a share, helped by recent regulatory actions, higher wholesale revenue and the newly-acquired Palisades nuclear plant. Revenue rose 1% to $3.29 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $2.18 a share on revenue of $3.42 billion. It still sees 2007 earnings between $5.40 and $5.70 a share and forecast 2008 earnings between $6.50 and $6.90 a share, excluding the costs of the spin-off. The new firm will consist of non-utility nuclear assets, including the Pilgrim Nuclear Station in Plymouth, Mass., the James A. FitzPatrick and Indian Point Energy Center plants in Oswego and Buchanan, N.Y., respectively, the Palisades plant in Covert, Mich., and the Vermont Yankee plant in Vernon, Vt., and a power marketing operation.
Newpark Resources posts profit on 4% revenue rise(6:15 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Newpark Resources (NR: news, chart, profile) said it swung to a third-quarter profit of $7.38 million, or 8 cents a share, with revenue up 4% to $153.8 million. Newpark, which in October agreed to sell its U.S. environmental services arm and shut down much of its Canadian environmental services arm, said income from continuing operations fell to 8 cents a share from 11 cents after year-ago insurance recoveries. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected the company to earn 11 cents a share. Revenue rose but margins fell in both its fluid systems and mats and integrated services arms.
Orbotech 3rd-quarter net off 97%; revenue down 23%(6:11 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Orbotech Ltd., (ORBK: news, chart, profile) the Yavneh, Israel, producer of optical inspection equipment for printed-circuit boards and flat-panel displays, reported that third-quarter net inocome fell 97% on 23% lower revenue. Profit fell to $419,000, or a penny a share, from $16.2 million, or 49 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue fell to $82.3 million from $106.9 million. "Based on customers' expansion plans, the company expects a stronger fourth quarter" from the printed-circuit-board business, Orbotech said in a statement on Monday. Orbotech said the downturn in the flat-panel-display industry has "reached its low point" and it expects "strong" fourth-quarter bookings in this division.
Ness 3rd-quarter net off; year-estimate range narrowed(5:58 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Ness Technologies Ltd., (NSTC: news, chart, profile) the Hackensack, N.J., provider of information-technology services and solutions, reported third-quarter earnings fell 7.9% on 18% higher revenue. Earnings fell to $7.3 million, or 19 cents a share, from $7.9 million, or 22 cents, in the year-earlier period. Adjusted earnings were 22 cents against 24 cents. Revenue reached $140.7 million from $119.1 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced consensus estiamtes of 18 cents of profit on $141 million of revenue. Ness now sees full-year earnings of 71 cents to 74 cents, compared with a previous estimate of 70 cents to 75 cents. Ness raised the lower end of its full-year revenue estimate by $5 million, and new expects revenue of $547 million to $550 million. Thomson's survey is looking for 77 cents on revenue of $552 million.
NYSE Euronext trading volumes rise in October(4:21 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Stock exchange operator NYSE Euronext (NYX: news, chart, profile) (FR:NYX: news, chart, profile) said Monday that October was the second-busiest month ever for its European cash markets, with volumes up 61.5% to 30.4 million transactions. In U.S. cash markets, the average number of shares handled per day rose 5.9% to 2.7 billion. In derivatives, the group's European Liffe division saw volume rising 34.5% to an all-time high of 74 million contracts. The NYSE Arca unit also reported record trading of 1.66 million equity options contracts executed daily, more than double the volume from a year ago.
EADS to take up to $2 bln in charges on A400M delays(2:40 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- EADS (FR:005730: news, chart, profile) said it's going to have to take between 1.2 billion and 1.4 billion euros ($2 billion) in charges during the third quarter on delivery delays to the A400M military transdport plane. The estimate is consistent with delays of six months. EADS is withdrawing its operating profit forecast for 2007, and will give a new estimate on Thursday when it reports third-quarter earnings. The estimate does not include new potential issues which could arise from flight testing, engine development and military systems.
Spirent sees further cost savings(2:35 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Spirent Communications (UK:SPT: news, chart, profile) said Monday that it has identified a further 7.3 million pounds ($15.2 million) of cost savings, principally for 2008, bringing the total savings from its strategic review to 28.3 million pounds. The group said the additional cost savings will not come with any increase in exceptional costs.
Ryanair 2nd-quarter net up; lifts forecast for year(2:30 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Ryanair Holdings Plc, (RYAAY: news, chart, profile) (UK:RYA: news, chart, profile) the Dublin discount carrier, reported fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 26% on 25% higher revenue, and it raised its earnings outlook for the year while sounding a note of caution. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, earnings reached 268.7 million euros, or 17.55 euro cents a share, from 213.4 million, or 13.73, in the year-earlier period. For the first half, net income and revenue rose 24%. Earnings reached 407.6 million euros ($590 million), or 26.34 euro cents a share, from 329.1 million, or 21.19, a year earlier. The airline said it has "very little visibility beyond the next two months." Third-quarter yields probably will decline, prompting a drop in net income. The year-earlier third quarter also included a one-time settlement arising from an early contract termination by a hotel partner. But winter yields are seen better than forecast, and with the carrier's cost-control efforts, net for the year should rise 17.5% to 470 million euros, rather than the 440 million Ryanair previously estimated, the carrier said.
LogicaCMG revenue climbs 4% after growth in France(2:23 am ET)
LONDON (marketWatch) -- IT services group LogicaCMG (UK:LOG: news, chart, profile) said Monday that its third-quarter revenue rose 4% to 710.5 million pounds ($1.48 billion). The company said growth was driven by its French unit, which continued to win new cross-selling orders, while its U.K. division saw revenue fall 7.5% due to the loss of a contract and lower financial services revenue. For the year as a whole, LogicaCMG said it expects revenue to grow around 3% at constant currency due to a strong fourth quarter in the previous year. It added it is "cautiously optimistic" that the growth in demand for IT services in Europe in 2008 will remain broadly unchanged from 2007.
Friday, Nov. 2
Berkshire quarterly net jumps on big investment gains(5:24 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA: news, chart, profile) (BRKB: news, chart, profile) said late Friday that third-quarter net income came in at $4.55 billion, or $2,942 per class A share, up 64% from a year earlier when the the insurance-focused conglomerate run by Warren Buffett made $2.77 billion, or $1,797 a share. Investment and derivative gains of $1.99 billion, or $1,287 per class A share, accounted for all the gains in the period. Operating income, which excludes net realized investment gains and losses, was $2.56 billion, or $1,655 per class A share, down slightly from a year earlier when Berkshire made an operating profit of $2.6 billion, or $1,684 a share, the company said.
NameMedia Inc. files $173 mln IPO(1:04 pm ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- NameMedia Inc. on Friday filed to raise up to $173 million in an initial public offering with Jefferies Inc. (JEF: news, chart, profile) . The Waltham, Mass. company specializes in targeted online media and is a leading online marketplace for domain names. It'll trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol NAME. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, the company rang up net income of $160,000 on revenue of $58.3 million, compared to $2.2 million in net income and revenue of $42 milllion in the year-ago period. Shareholders include Highland Capital Partners and Summit Partners.
Energy stocks boosted by gains in overall market(9:42 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Energy stocks recovered from a sell-off in the previous session amid gains in the overall market on better-than-expected jobs data. Chevron (CVX: news, chart, profile) fell 1.3% to $87.80 after its profit missed Wall Street's target. Marathon Oil (MRO: news, chart, profile) rose after Credit Suisse upgraded the company to outperform from neutral. Exxon Mobil (XOM: news, chart, profile) fell 7 cents to $88.43. The Amex Oil Index (XOI: news, chart, profile) rose 0.7% to 1,463. The Amex Natural Gas Index (XNG: news, chart, profile) rose 0.4% to 566. National Oilwell Varco (NOV: news, chart, profile) added 1.4% to $71.30. Oil futures gained 76 cents to $94.15 in recent action.
SuccessFactors IPO sets price range in $97 mln deal(9:02 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- SuccessFactors Inc. on Friday set an estimated price range of $8-$10 a share in its upcoming initial public of 10.79 million shares. Based on the midpoint of the range, the comapany plans to raise $97 million in the IPO. The San Mateo, Calif. provider of on-demand performance and talent management software plans to trade under the symbol SFX on the New York Stock Exchange. Morgan Stanley (MS: news, chart, profile) and Goldman Sachs (GS: news, chart, profile) are underwriting the deal.

[3xBuBu]

Tuesday, Nov. 6
Chesapeake Energy profit falls 34% on lower gas prices(4:26 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK: news, chart, profile) reported late Tuesday third-quarter net income fell to $346 million, or 72 cents a share, from $523 million, or $1.13 a share, a year ago. Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings totaled $330 million, or 69 cents a share, compared with 83 cents a year ago. Revenue for the July-September period rose nearly 5.2% to $2.03 billion from $1.93 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had predicted the Oklahoma City, Okla.-based company would report earnings of 60 cents a share on $1.65 billion in revenue. Chesapeake shares rose 2.6% to close at $40.67 ahead of the report.
BMC Software reports 34% rise in quarterly earnings(4:19 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- BMC Software Inc. (BMC: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday reported a second-quarter profit of $78 million, or 39 cents a share, on revenue of $420.7 million. During the same period a year ago, the business software maker earned $58 million, or 28 cents a share, on $386.7 million. Excluding charges and one-time items, BMC would have earned $96 million, or 48 cents a share, to top the estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who forecast BMC to earn 42 cents a share on $405 million in revenue. The company also said that for its third quarter it expects to earn between 46 cents and 51 cents a share, excluding items, on revenue in a range of $430 million to $445 million.
CV Therapeutics posts smaller loss on higher drug sales(4:17 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- CV Therapeutics Inc. (CVTX: news, chart, profile) late Tuesday reported a smaller loss on increased sales of its Ranexa drug and lower expenses. CV Therapeutics reported a net loss of $34.2 million, or 58 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $62.7 million, or $1.23 a share, for the same quarter last year. For the three months ended Sept. 30, the Palo Alto, Calif. biopharmaceutical firm posted revenue of $19.8 million vs. $12.2 million.
AES swings to third-quarter profit(9:49 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- AES Corp. (AES: news, chart, profile) swung to a third-quarter profit of $103 million, or 15 cents a share, from a year-earlier loss of $327 million, or 50 cents a share. Income from continuing operations swung to $91 million from a year-earlier loss of $368 million. The Arlington, Va., energy company said revenue for the period rose 17% to $3.47 billion from $2.95 billion a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 28 cents a share.
Performance Food's third-quarter net rises(9:32 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Performance Food Group Co.'s (PFGC: news, chart, profile) third-quarter net income rose 33% to $16 million, or 46 cents a share, from $12 million, or 35 cents a share, a year earlier. Results from the latest quarter include a gain of 7 cents a share, consisting of a tax benefit of $1.1 million for insurance recoveries associated with Hurricane Katrina, and a $1.1 million reduction in income tax expense. Sales increased 10% to $1.58 billion from $1.43 billion. On average, analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 38 cents a share on revenue of $1.55 billion. For 2007, the Richmond-based food distributor expects earnings from continuing operations of $1.42 to $1.46 a share.
U.S. Cellular income rises(9:29 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. Cellular Corp.'s (USM: news, chart, profile) net income rose 77% to $63.6 million, or 72 cents a share, from $35.9 million, or 41 cents a share, a year earlier. The Chicago cellular phone systems company said revenue for the period rose 14% to $1.02 billion from $888.5 million a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 82 cents a share. U.S. Cellular said its total number of customers increased 5.9% to 6.07 million, with retail customers up 7.3% to 5.5 million. U.S. Cellular expects to add between 375,000 and 425,000 net retail customers during the year to Dec. 31. The company expects full-year service revenue between $3.6 billion and $3.7 billion and full-year operating income between $410 million and $460 million.
HRPT Properties nails FFO expectations(9:27 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- HRPT Properties Trust (HRP: news, chart, profile) Tuesday said third-quarter funds from operations, a key profitability measure for real estate investment trusts, totaled $62.9 million, or 29 cents a share, compared with $62 million, or 30 cents a share, the prior year. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been looking for FFO of 29 cents a share, on average. The REIT said net income available to common shareholders was $16.7 million versus $22.1 million a year earlier.
Magellan Midstream earnings rise at Holdings and LP units(9:26 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Magellan Midstream Holdings L.P. (MGG: news, chart, profile) said Tuesday that its third-quarter operating profit rose to $67.5 million from $40.2 million in the year-earlier period, while net income also increased from $14.1 million vs. $915,000. Basic and diluted net income per limited partner unit was 26 cents, up 1 cent. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 23 cents a share, on average. Magellan Midstream Holdings owns the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. (MMP: news, chart, profile) , which reported earnings of 65 cents per limited partner unit, up from 43 cents a year ago. The Wall Street target was 61 cents. Magellan Midstream Partners said it expects 2007 net income per unit of about $2.57, with a fourth-quarter 2007 estimate of 71 cents.
Peabody Energy's quarterly net falls(9:07 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Peabody Energy (BTU: news, chart, profile) Tuesday said its third-quarter profit fell to $32.3 million, or 12 cents a share, from $142 million, or 53 cents, in the year-ago quarter. Revenue rose to a record $1.49 billion from $1.32 billion, the company said. Peabody completed the spin-off of Patriot Coal on Oct. 31. Peabody reiterated its full-year targets, excluding discontinued operations related to the Patriot Coal spin-off. It sees produced volumes from continuing operations between 215 million and 220 million tons with sales of 235 million to 245 million tons. Peabody forecast EBITDA from continuing operations of $900 million to $1 billion with earnings of $1.50 to $1.75 a share.
Metal Management quarterly profit falls 39%(9:00 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Scrap-metal recycler Metal Management Inc. (MM: news, chart, profile) said Tuesday its fiscal second-quarter net income fell 39% to $17.8 million, or 69 cents a share, from $29.1 million, or $1.09 a share in the year-ago period. Sales for the Chicago-based company climbed 22% to $715.2 million from $584.7 million last year. The company said it faced market challenges in the quarter including aggressive competition and lower prices. Excluding one-time expenses associated with the Sims Group Ltd. merger, the Metal said it would have earned 81 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings, on average, of $1.06 a share. Metal shares closed Monday at $48.31, down 4%.
Delphi narrows third-quarter loss(8:52 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Delphi Corp. (DPHIQ: news, chart, profile) narrowed its third-quarter loss to $1.2 billion, or $2.08 a share, from a year-earlier loss of $2 billion, or $3.51 a share. The loss from the most recent quarter included an accrual of $369 million for interest expense on certain prepetition claims as contemplated in Delphi's plan of reorganization, $244 million in charges for U.S. employee workforce transition programs, $124 million for charges for warranty matters and $112 million of employee termination benefits and other exit costs. Revenue rose to $6.2 billion from $6 billion, while non-General Motors Corp. (GM: news, chart, profile) revenue was $3.6 billion, or 58% of the total.
Molson Coors profit slips on costs, volume decline (8:46 am ET)
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Higher costs and lower volume cut into Molson Coors bottom line in the third quarter, as the brewer reported Tuesday that its profit dipped slightly on the period. Molson Coors said it earned $134.7 million, or 74 cents a share, down from $135.8 million, or 78 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. Excluding various items, the company would have earned $173.2 million, or 95 cents a share, compared with $143.2 million, or 73 cents a share. Molson Coors' (TAP: news, chart, profile) net sales were up 6.9% to $1.69 billion although volume slipped 0.2% to 11.2 million barrels, a drop it blamed on a "weather-related decline in sales in [its] U.K. business." The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been for the company to earn 92 cents a share on revenue of $1.64 billion.
Guess boosts profit forecast for year(8:44 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Guess Inc. (GES: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday raised its profit forecast for the current fiscal year to a range of $1.85 to $1.90 a share, up from its previous target range of $1.79 to $1.84 a share. The Los Angeles-based clothing and accessories company said revenue for the second half of the fiscal year has thus far exceeded expectations, with overall company revenue growing by well over 30% in the third fiscal quarter. In the company's North American Retail segment, third quarter same-store sales increased double-digits and accelerated in October, the last month of the quarter, the company said. Analysts, on average, expect the company to earn $1.97 a share for the year, according to Thomson Financial.
AbitibiBowater launches 30-day review of all businesses (8:30 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- AbitibiBowater Inc. (ABH: news, chart, profile) will undertake a 30-day review of all of its operations and has also set specific priorities. The Montreal forest-products company said its priorities include realizing more than US$250 million in annualized synergies by the end of the first quarter of 2009 and debt reduction of US$1 billion over the next three years. Abitibi-Consolidated, one of the predecessor companies of AbitibiBowater, swung to net income from a loss in the third quarter, due to some big gains. The company said net income was C$54 million or 12 Canadian cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of C$48 million or 11 Canadian cents. Excluding items, the company had a loss of C$126 million or 28 Canadian cents. Sales of C$999 million were down from C$1.18 billion. Abitibi-Consolidated and Bowater Inc. officially merged in late October.
Archer Daniels Midland first-quarter income rises(8:25 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s (ADM: news, chart, profile) fiscal first-quarter net income rose 9.4% to $441 million, or 68 cents a share, from $403 million, or 61 cents a share, a year earlier. Archer Daniels attributed the earnings increase to a $149 million increase in unit operating profits, partially offset by higher corporate charges. The Decatur, Ill., agricultural-processing company said sales for the quarter ended Sept. 30 climbed 36% to $12.8 billion from $9.45 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 59 cents a share on revenue of $10.6 billion.
Shire says study did not meet primary endpoint(8:20 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Shire Plc (SHPGY: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday said a Phase II study of its drug Fosrenol drug did not meet its primary endpoint, to control serum phosphate within normal levels. The company said as a secondary endpoint, patients taking Fosrenol were found to have statistically significant reductions in serum phosphate levels after eight weeks of treatment compared with patients taking a placebo. Shares slipped 1% in premarket trading.
St. Joe swings to third-quarter loss(7:58 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- St. Joe Co. (JOE: news, chart, profile) Tuesday said it swung to a net loss of $6.8 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with net income of 6$ million, or 8 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The company, which in early October announced plans to eliminate its quarterly dividend, said its latest quarterly results included pretax impairment losses of $20.4 million. About $13 million of the charge was related to writing down the value of residential homes and land. St. Joe paid a $5 million termination fee to sever a relationship with a third-party management company during the third quarter. The Jacksonville, Fla.-based real estate development firm said it is trying to shore up its capital position through negotiating amendments to its bank credit facility and senior notes, capital-market transactions and land sales. The company said its debt at quarter-end was $540.6 million, compared with $627.1 million at the beginning of the calendar year, while St. Joe had about $387.2 million of available capacity under its $500 million revolving credit facility. "Florida resort and residential markets remain weak and inventory levels remain a concern," said Chief Executive Peter Rummell in a statement. "At this time, there is little visibility for when the market will start moving toward equilibrium."
Global Crossing loss widens on interest, debt conversion(7:59 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Corporate telecom Global Crossing (GLBC: news, chart, profile) said its third-quarter loss widened to $89 million from $51 million in the year-ago quarter, increased interest costs and a charge related to the early conversion of debt owed to Global Crossing's controlling shareholder into equity. Adjusted cash operating profit rose to $74 million from $6 million, with revenue up 27% to $594 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected a loss of $74 million on revenue of $593 million. For the year, the company expects adjusted operating profit between $165 million and $195 million on revenue between $2.17 billion and $2.25 billion.
ISE profit rises 32.7% (7:49 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- International Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. (ISE: news, chart, profile) said Tuesday that its third quarter profit rose 32.7% to $18.5 million, or 46 cents a share, compared to $14 million, or 35 cents a share a year ago. The latest quarter's results include $11.4 million, or 16 cents a share of direct costs and associated accelerated stock-based compensation charges related to the firm's pending merger with Eurex. Total consolidated revenues for the quarter increased 70.8% to $85.6 million from $50.1 million in the prior year.
Revlon's net loss narrows(7:47 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Cosmetics company Revlon Inc. (REV: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday said its third-quarter net loss narrowed to $10.4 million, or 2 cents a share, from a year-ago loss of $100.5 million, or 24 cents a share. Net sales rose to $339.7 million from $305.9 million. Analysts, on average, expect it to lose 8 cents a share on revenue of $314 million, according to Thomson Financial. Revlon's brands include Almay, Mitchum, Flex, Charlie as well as its namesake Revlon brand.
Holly third-quarter income falls on lower margins(7:46 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Holly Corp. (HOC: news, chart, profile) said Tuesday that its third-quarter earnings fell to $58.1 million, or $1.04 a share, from $79.0 million, or $1.37 a share, a year earlier. The company cited lower refined product margins for the decline. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of $1.17 a share, on average. Revenue grew 3% to $1.21 billion from last year's $1.17 billion. The petroleum refiner's stock closed Monday down 30 cents at $63.75.
IndyMac Bancorp swings to 3rd-quarter loss(7:25 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- IndyMac Bancorp Inc., (IMB: news, chart, profile) the Pasadena, Calif., parent of IndyMac Bank and a major mortgage lender, swung to a third-quarter net loss from a year-earlier profit. The loss reflects credit costs, wider spreads in the secondary mortgage market, and severance costs, offset in part by hedging efforts and the sale and leaseback of a property, IndyMac said. The loss was $202.7 million, or $2.77 a share, compared with net income of $86.2 million, or $1.19, in the year-earlier period.
Watson Pharma net income and revenue rise(7:16 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. (WPI: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday said third-quarter net income rose to $34.6 million, or 31 cents a share, from $34.4 million, or 31 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding special items, the drug maker earned 33 cents a share. Net revenue rose to $594.7 million from $440.5 million. Analysts, on average, expected it to earn 31 cents a share on revenue of $613 million, according to Thomson Financial. Watson estimates total net revenue for the year of about $2.5 billion. Research and development investment for 2007 is expected to be about 6% of total revenue. Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2007 are expected to be about 17% of total revenue. Adjusted earnings per share for the year are expected to be between $1.30 and $1.33. Excluding special items as detailed in the EBITDA reconciliation table below, adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $536 and $541 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect it to earn $1.31 a share for the year on revenue of $2.48 billion, on average.
Pipeline operator El Paso reports 15% profit rise(7:14 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- El Paso Corp. (EP: news, chart, profile) said third-quarter net income rose 15% to $155 million, or 20 cents a share, with revenue up 24% to $1.17 billion. On an adjusted basis, the natural gas pipeline system operator would've earned 22 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 23 cents a share.
Quicksilver Resources 3rd-period net up 26%, revenue up 60%(7:08 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Quicksilver Resources Inc, (KWK: news, chart, profile) the Fort Worth, Texas, producer of natural gas from unconventional sources, reported third-quarter net income rose 26% on 60% higher revenue. Earnings reached $28.7 million, or 35 cents a share, from $22.9 million, or 28 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose to $159.2 million from $9.2 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced consensus estimates of 36 cents of profit on $139 million of revenue. Quicksilver derives gas from coal-bed methane, shale, and sands.
GTx loss narrows, agrees deal with Merck(6:39 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- GTx Inc. (GTXI: news, chart, profile) said Tuesday that its third-quarter net loss narrowed to $10.2 million, or 29 cents a share, from $10.9 million, or 35 cents a share, as it also announced a collaboration with Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK: news, chart, profile) . Under the deal, which covers drugs to treat age-related muscle loss, GTx will receive an upfront payment of $40 million plus $15 million in research reimbursements over three years. Merck will make an equity investment of $30 million in GTx and the company will also be eligible for milestone payments of as much as $422 million if multiple indications receive regulatory approval. For the latest quarter, GTx said revenue rose 61% to $1.7 million.
EMC Insurance cuts outlook, net falls 39%(6:40 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- EMC Insurance (EMCI: news, chart, profile) cut its earnings outlook for the year, citing an anticipated increase in overall case loss reserves. Third-quarter net income dropped 39% to $6.73 million, or 49 cents a share, with premiums earned up 1.8% during the quarter. Its operating income was 50 cents a share. The Des Moines insurer now sees fiscal year operating earnings between $2.70 and $2.90 a share, compared to a previous view of $2.95 to $3.15 a share.
K-Tron 3rd-quarter net up 80% on 38% higher revenue(6:21 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- K-Tron International Inc., (KTII: news, chart, profile) the Pitman, N.J., producer of materials-handling equipment, reported third-quarter net income rose 80% on 38% higher revenue. Earnings reached $4.9 million, or $1.72 a share, from $2.7 million, or 97 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose to $48.2 million from $34.9 million. The process group in Europe, the Middle East and Asia and the Gundlach operation have been leading the stronger results, K-Tron said in a statement.
Armstrong World Industries adjusted profit up 5%(6:19 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Armstrong World Industries Inc. (AWI: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday reported a third-quarter net profit of $48.1 million, or 85 cents a share. A year earlier the company had reported a net profit of $1.29 billion as it completed its asbestos-linked bankruptcy proceedings. The furniture and flooring maker said adjusted operating income from continuing operations rose 5% to $83.8 million and sales rose 1% to $913.3 million. The group said the results reflect a moderation of the growth seen in the first half of the year due to the weakening housing market. The company reaffirmed its target for 2007 growth in adjusted operating income of 10% to 15%. It added U.S. and European markets are expected to report flat to modest growth for the remainder of the year, with sustained growth in the Pacific Rim region.
Hovnanian 4th-quarter deliveries off 19%, contracts off 10%(5:41 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., (HOV: news, chart, profile) the Red Bank, N.J., homebuilder, reported that for the fourth quarter ended Oct. 31, it delivered 3,969 homes, 19% fewer than in the year-earlier period. In the quarter, Hovnanian signed contracts on 2,781 homes, down 10% from a year earlier. Tighter mortgage-0underwriting standards led to an increase in the quarter's cancellation rate to 40% from 35%. Contract backlog at Oct. 31 was 5,938 homes, down 30% from a year earlier. The company said that it reduced the debt on its balance sheet by $390 million in the period.

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Wednesday, Nov. 7
Netease.com's third-quarter profit, sales slip (6:28 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Netease.com Inc. said Wednesday its third-quarter profit and sales fell compared to the same period a year earlier. Beijing-based Internet portal and gaming company Netease (NTES: news, chart, profile) said net profit for the period ended in September fell to RMB260.2 million [$34.7 million], or 27 cents per American depositary share, from RMB314.8 million [$42 million], or 30 cents a depositary share in the period a year earlier. Meanwhile total revenue fell to RMB571.1 million [$76.2 million] from RMB571.9 million [$76.3 million]. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been estimating Netease would post a profit of 29 cents a share, on $72 million in revenue.
AIG quarterly net falls 27%; subprime crisis dents results(5:23 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- American International Group (AIG: news, chart, profile) said late Wednesday that third-quarter net income came in at $3.09 billion, or $1.19 a share, down 27% from a year earlier when the insurance giant made $4.22 billion or $1.61 a share. Adjusted net income, which excludes net realized investment gains and losses and other items, was $3.49 billion, or $1.35 a share, the company reported. AIG was expected to make $1.62 a share, according to the average estimate of 19 analysts in a Thomson Financial survey. AIG's mortgage guaranty business reported an operating loss in the quarter amid continued deterioration in the U.S. housing market. The company's derivatives unit, AIG Financial Products, also reported an operating loss in the quarter due mainly to unrealized market valuation losses in its credit default swap portfolio. U.S. accounting rules require AIG to recognize such short-term changes in the value of these derivatives, but the insurer said it's "highly unlikely" that it will have to pay out on the contracts.
First Solar net income rises about 10x(4:24 pm ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- First Solar Inc. (FSLR: news, chart, profile) on Wednesday said net income for the three months ended Sept. 30 rose about ten times to $46 million, or 58 cents a share, from adjusted year-ago profit of $4.3 million, or 6 cents a share in the year-ago period. The year-ago figure was adjusted to reflect stock offerings by the Phoenix company. Revenue climbed to $159 million from $77.2 million. "We successfully completed the ramp of our German production facility well ahead of schedule, which afforded us with highly leveraged growth during the quarter and provided our customers with additional production volumes in a continued robust demand environment," said Mike Ahearn, chief executive officer and chairman of First Solar. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 19 cents a share and revenue of $120 million, on average.
McDermott Intl. profit rises 37% (4:21 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Energy industry engineer and construction company McDermott International Inc. (MDR: news, chart, profile) reported late Wednesday third-quarter net income rose to $140.4 million, or 61 cents a share, from $102.7 million, or 45 cents, a year ago. The company pinned the gains primarily on strong demand for its services in the offshore oil and gas sector. Revenue for the July-September period rose 18% to $1.32 billion from $1.12 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had forecast the Houston-based company would earn 54 cents a share on $1.4 billion in revenue. McDermott shares fell 3.8% ahead of the report to close at $56.90.
Cisco reports 37% jump in net profit(4:15 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO: news, chart, profile) reported a 37% jump in first-quarter profit. The networking equipment-maker posted net income of $2.2 billion, or 35 cents a share, on sales of $9.55 billion for the quarter ended Oct. 27., compared to profit of $1.6 billion, or 26 cents a share, on revenue of $8.18 billion for the same period last year. On a non-GAAP basis, the company reported earnings per share of 40 cents. Based on a consensus survey, analysts expected the company to report earnings per share of 36 cents on revenue of $9.54 billion, according to Thomson Financial.
News Corp. first-quarter earnings drop; revenue up(4:08 pm ET)
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) - News Corp. (NWS: news, chart, profile) on Wednesday reported first-quarter net income of $732 million, or 23 cents a share, compared with $843 million, or 27 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. Revenue was $7.07 billion vs. last year's $5.91 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected the media giant to report earnings of 22 cents a share on revenue of $6.5 billion. Shares of News Corp. ended Wednesday trading down 67 cents, or 3%, to $21.96. The company has forged a deal to take over Dow Jones & Co. (DJ: news, chart, profile) , parent of MarketWatch, publisher of this report.
NuStar Energy posts higher earnings, buys asphalt assets(9:00 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Nustar Energy LP (NS: news, chart, profile) , an independent terminal and petroleum pipeline operator, said Wednesday that third-quarter net income rose 24% to $51.2 million, or 97 cents a share, from $41.2 million, or 79 cents, a year earlier. Excluding items, Nustar Energy's adjusted third-quarter results were $38 million, or 81 cents a share. Revenue for the period rose 36% to $394.5 million from $291 million a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 77 cents a share and revenue of $374 million. Nustar Energy expects fourth-quarter earnings between 50 cents and 60 cents a share. The company also signed a definitive agreement to buy Citgo Asphalt Refining Co.'s asphalt operations and assets for $450 million, plus about $100 million in working capital at closing. NuStar Energy expects the transaction to close about year-end.
Harrah's Entertainment third-quarter net rises 38% (8:55 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc.'s (HET: news, chart, profile) third-quarter net income climbed 38% to $244.4 million, or $1.28 a share, from $177.2 million, or 95 cents a share, a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations were $1.16 a share, up from 96 cents a share in the year-earlier period. Excluding items, the Las Vegas casino operator's earnings from continuing operations rose to $1 a share from 94 cents a share a year earlier. Revenue increased 13% to $2.84 billion from $2.51 billion, as same-store sales grew 4%. On average, analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.01 a share on revenue of $2.69 billion. Las Vegas revenue rose 11% to $900.4 million from $812.4 million, and Atlantic City revenue grew 20% to $671.5 million from $560.2 million. International revenue jumped to $165.1 million from $59.6 million.
WaMu sees more credit losses in first quarter(8:39 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Washington Mutual Inc. (WM: news, chart, profile) Wednesday forecast first-quarter credit provisioning in line with losses from the fourth quarter. The Seattle-based lender in materials accompanying its annual investor day said it expects 2007 credit losses in the range of $2.7 billion to $2.9 billion. For 2008, Washington Mutual expects net interest margin in the range of 2.90% to 3.05%, and average assets to grow between zero and 5%. It sees noninterest expense of $8.5 billion at the high end for 2008.
Fluor's third-quarter net income more than doubles(8:37 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Fluor Corp. (FLR: news, chart, profile) on Wednesday reported third-quarter net income of $93.7 million, or $1.02 a share, more than double its net income of $27.3 million, or 31 cents a share, for the third quarter of 2006. The Irving, Texas-based engineering and construction company said total revenue was about $4.12 billion for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, up 22% from $3.36 billion in the year-ago period, according to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shares of Fluor closed Tuesday at $153.82 each.
Playboy 3rd-quarter net doubled on flat revenue(8:17 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Playboy Enterprises Inc., (PLA: news, chart, profile) the Chicago media company, reported that third-quarter net income more than doubled on flat revenue. Earnings reached $2.6 million, or 8 cents a share, from $1.1 million, or 3 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue was $82.8 million against $82.3 million. A survey of four analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of 6 cents a share of profit. By segment, entertainment group profit rose 23% to $5.8 million, licensing group profit rose 37% to $6.3 million, and the publishing group posted a loss of $1.4 million against a year-earlier loss of $800,000. Playboy magazine revenue declined due to lower newsstand and subscription circulation, Playboy said. The magazine's fourth-quarter ad revenue should drop 3% from a year earlier, though combined online and print ad sales should be higher.
Allied Capital swings to a loss (7:45 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Allied Capital (ALD: news, chart, profile) said Wednesday it los $96.5 million, or 62 cents a share in the third quarter, compared to a profit of $77.9 million, or 53 cents a share a year ago. Net investment income was $18.3 million or 12 cents a share compared to net investment income of $48.7 million or 33 cents a share a year ago.
Dollar Thrifty 3rd-quarter net rose 92%; year outlook cut(7:41 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, (DTG: news, chart, profile) the Tulsa, Okla., rental-car company, reported that third-quarter earnings rose 92% on 7.7% higher revenue and it cut its outlook for the year. Net income reached $11.3 million, or 48 cents a share, from $5.9 million, or 24 cents, in the year-earlier period. Adjusted earnings rose to $1.01 from 83 cents. Shares outstanding fell 5.3% to 23.7 million. Revenue rose to $522 million from $484.7 million. The latest earnings reflected charges of 8 cents a share to write off obsolete software and 7 cents for severance costs. The year-ago number included 7 cents a share of outsourcing costs and 3 cents of severance costs. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced consensus estimates of $1.14 of profit on $535 million of revenue. Dollar Thrifty now sees full-year earnings of $1.75 to $1.85, against the previous estimate of $2 to $2.40. Fourth-quarter revenue will grow more slowly than the company had forecast.
Foster Wheeler 3rd-quarter net up 70%; 2-for-1 split set(7:02 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Foster Wheeler Ltd., (FWLT: news, chart, profile) the Clinton, N.J., engineering, construction and energy group, reported third-quarter net income rose 70% and declared a 2-for-1 stock split. Earnings reached $129.1 million, or $1.78 a share, from $75.8 million, or $1.07, in the year-earlier period. Adjusted to exclude special items, earnings were $1.66 a share versus 77 cents. Revenue rose 43% to $1.13 billion from $910.6 million. The split is conditioned on holders approving a doubling of FWLT's authorized shares. A vote on the matter has been set for Jan. 8.
Gray Television swings to quarterly loss(6:24 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Broadcaster Gray Television, Inc. (GTN: news, chart, profile) said it swung to a third-quarter loss of $4.2 million, or 9 cents a share, compared to a profit of $519,000, or 1 cent a share, a year earlier. Revenue declined 9% to $73.6 million, due to decreased political advertising revenue.
American Tower profit up 10%; revenue estimate increased(6:25 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- American Tower Corp., (AMT: news, chart, profile) the Boston developer of broadcast and wireless-communications sites, reported on Wednesday that third-quarter earnings jumped on 10% higher revenue. Earnings reached $59.6 million, or 14 cents a share, from $3.5 million, or 1 cent, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose to $367.6 million from $333.5 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of 7 cents of profit on $363 million of revenue. Demand for tower space continues "robust," Chief Executive Jim Taiclet said in a statement. AMT increased its estimate for total revenue in 2007, now pegging the figure at around $1.42 billion. Thomson's survey is looking for $1.44 billion. The company has $477 millon remaining on its stock-buyback plan and expects to complete the plan by the end of February.
GOL Linhas profit drops 76% after Brazil accident(6:21 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes (GOL: news, chart, profile) , the Brazilian airline, said third-quarter net income fell 76% to R$45.5 million ($25.9 million), or 12 cents per U.S.-listed share, while revenue rose 20% to R$1.3 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 11 cents per U.S. share. Average passenger yields decreased 11.7% and average load factor decreased 17.6 percentage points to 61.2%, it said. Air traffic was limited in the country after the accident at Congonhas airport in July, the company noted.
W&T Offshore profit down 46% after derivatives loss(6:15 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Oil and gas group W&T Offshore Inc. (WTI: news, chart, profile) said Wednesday that its third-quarter net income fell 46% to $36.3 million, or 48 cents a share, from $66.7 million, or 91 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue for the period rose 20% to $255.2 million. Excluding the impact of an unrealized derivatives loss, earnings would have been 53 cents a share, W&T said. Production in the quarter rose 10% to 314 million cubic feet equivalent per day. Prices were mixed, with the average oil selling price rising to $72.72 a barrel from $62.08 a barrel, while natural gas prices fell to $6.45 per thousand cubic feet from $6.58.
Providence Service net higher; revenue outlook increased(5:33 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Providence Service Corp., (PRSC: news, chart, profile) the Tucson, Ariz., provider of services to governments in fields including welfare, corrections and Medicaid, reported late on Tuesday that third-quarter earnings rose 16% on 35% higher revenue. Earnings reached $3.2 million, or 27 cents a share, from $2.7 million, or 22 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose to $63.7 million from $47.1 million. Providence, which provides services directly to homes and community settings, said its direct clients more than doubled at Sept. 30 to 46,000 from 22,000 a year earlier. The company affirmed its estimates that it would earn 33 cents to 34 cents a share in the fourth quarter and $1.17 to $1.19 for the year. It raised its revenue forecasts. Providence now pegs the quarter's revenue at $70 million compared with its previous estimate of $68 million to $69 million. The year's revenue is seen at $256 million, up from the previous estimate of $251 million to $253 million.
Virgin Media shrinks net loss, swings to operating profit(4:32 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Virgin Media Inc., (VMED: news, chart, profile) the London provider of cable-TV and mobile-phone services, narrowed its third-quarter loss on 1.8% lower revenue. The loss was 61 million pounds ($127 million), or 19 pence a share, compared with 96.1 million, or 0.3 pence, in the year-earlier period. On an operating basis, Virgin Media swung to a profit of 46.7 million pounds from a loss of 9.6 million. Revenue fell to 1.01 billion pounds from 1.02 billion. Total revenue-generating units for the quarter rose 1.6% to 15.5 million from 15.3 million. Revenue from the mobile and content segments rose while cable revenue fell.
Total adjusted profit down 3%(3:03 am ET)
LONDOn (MarketWatch) -- French oil and gas giant Total [t: tot] (FR:012027: news, chart, profile) said Wednesday that its third-quarter net income rose 29% to 3.12 billion euros as sales for the period rose 3% to 39.43 billion euros. Adjusted net income slipped 3% to 3 billion euros. Total said the environment in the third quarter was mixed compared to a year ago, with a roughly 7% rise in oil prices balanced by a similar fall in the dollar against the euro. The average natural gas price was also weaker in the quarter, it noted. The company benefited from a return to production growth during the quarter. The group confirmed its production growth target of 4% a year through 2010.
Next sales edge up 0.4%(2:57 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K. retailer Next (UK:NXT: news, chart, profile) said Wednesday that the combined sales of its stores and directory business rose 0.4% in the fourteen weeks to Nov. 3. Mainline same-store sales in the 301 stores unaffected by new openings fell 2.9%. The group said retail sales were level with last year and directory sales were up 1.2%. Markdowns in the last 14 weeks have been marginally less than a year ago. The group noted sales in the last eight weeks have shown a significant improvement over the six weeks before that, though trading patterns remain extremely volatile.
Swisscom quarterly profit up 47%, helped by one-time gain(2:53 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Swisscom AG (SCM: news, chart, profile) , Switzerland's largest telecommunications company, on Wednesday said third-quarter profit rose 47% to SFr691 million ($608 million) from SFr471 million a year earlier, boosted by a SFR157 million one-time gain from the sale of a Hungarian unit. Sales rose 23% to SFr2.99 billion, bolstered by the acquisition of FastWeb. Excluding FastWeb, sales dipped 0.9%. The average forecast of nine analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires was for profit of SFr429 million on sales of SFR2.95 billion. Swisscom confirmed it still expects fiscal 2007 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of SFr4.4 billion to SFr4.5 billion.
ING profit climbs 47%, names new supervisory board chairman(2:43 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Banking and insurance group ING (ING: news, chart, profile) said Wednesday that its third-quarter net profit rose 46.8% to 2.31 billion euros. Underlying net profit for the quarter was up 19.2% at 1.95 billion euros after stripping out divestment gains and restructuring expenses. "The third quarter was marked by turmoil in financial markets as concerns about U.S. subprime lending triggered a liquidity crisis and a repricing of risk. Risk management protected us against the direct impact of this turmoil," said chairman Michel Tilmant. "The commercial performance of the business remained robust," he added. Separately ING announced that Cor Herkstroeter, chairman of its supervisory board, will retire on Jan. 1 and will be succeeded by Jan Hommen.
Easyjet October load factor narrows to 82.5% vs 83.2%(2:27 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Easyjet, (EJETF: news, chart, profile) (UK:EZJ: news, chart, profile) the discount carrier, reported that for October, its load factor -- the percentage of seats filled with paying passengers -- narrowed to 82.5% from 83.2% in the year-earlier month. Passengers totaled 3.3 million, up 14%.
Toyota H1 net income jumps 21%, ups annual forecast(2:05 am ET)
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Toyota Motor Corp. (JP:7203: news, chart, profile) (TM: news, chart, profile) Wednesday said its net income rose 21% from a year ago during the fiscal first half on higher sales in Asia, outside Japan, as well as a weakened yen. Total vehicle sales during the period increased by 156,000 units to 4.301 million, with higher sales in Indonesia and China driving growth in Asia, outside Japan. The company raised its sales forecast for the year ending March 31 to 8.93 million units from 8.89 million previously and raised net income forecast to 1.7 trillion yen ($14.9 billion) from 1.65 trillion earlier. Toyota's shares gained 0.8% in Tokyo trading before the results were declared.
Lenox Group 3rd-quarter net down 23% on 11% lower sales(1:54 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Lenox Group Inc., (LNX: news, chart, profile) the Eden Prairie, Minn., producer of giftware and collectibles, reported third-quarter net income fell 23% on 11% lower sales. Net fell to $4.1 million, or 29 cents a share, from $5.4 million, or 39 cents, in the year-earlier period. Adjusted earnings were 41 cents against 39 cents. Revenue fell to $137.8 million from $154.3 million. The "quarter was not as strong as we planned, with the largest revenue shortfall versus plan in the direct and retail segments," interim Chief Executive Marc Pfefferle said in a statement. The company has focused on cutting costs, improving efficiency and reducing inventory, as well as product-development design and speed, he said.
Orleans Homebuilders swings to 1st-quarter loss(1:40 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Orleans Homebuilders Inc., (OHB: news, chart, profile) Bensalem, Pa., late on Tuesday reported a fiscal first-quarter loss compared with a year-earlier profit on 26% lower revenue. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, the loss totaled $2.1 million, or 11 cents a share, compared with net income of $3.9 million, or 21 cents, in the year-earlier period. The adjusted loss was 8 cents against earnings of 37 cents. The quarter reflects inventory impairments, write-offs of abandoned projects, and other matters. Revenue fell to $122.9 million from $165.1 million. First-quarter new orders rose 22% to 303 homes from 249 a year earlier, as the value rose 13% to $132.6 million from $117.8 million. The backlog at Sept. 30 rose 8% to 649 homes from 601 a year earlier, as the value rose 14% to $331.1 million. The quarter's cancellation rate fell to 21% from 36% a year ago.
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Chesapeake Energy profit falls 34% on lower gas prices(4:26 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK: news, chart, profile) reported late Tuesday third-quarter net income fell to $346 million, or 72 cents a share, from $523 million, or $1.13 a share, a year ago. Excluding one-time items, adjusted earnings totaled $330 million, or 69 cents a share, compared with 83 cents a year ago. Revenue for the July-September period rose nearly 5.2% to $2.03 billion from $1.93 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had predicted the Oklahoma City, Okla.-based company would report earnings of 60 cents a share on $1.65 billion in revenue. Chesapeake shares rose 2.6% to close at $40.67 ahead of the report.
BMC Software reports 34% rise in quarterly earnings(4:19 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- BMC Software Inc. (BMC: news, chart, profile) on Tuesday reported a second-quarter profit of $78 million, or 39 cents a share, on revenue of $420.7 million. During the same period a year ago, the business software maker earned $58 million, or 28 cents a share, on $386.7 million. Excluding charges and one-time items, BMC would have earned $96 million, or 48 cents a share, to top the estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who forecast BMC to earn 42 cents a share on $405 million in revenue. The company also said that for its third quarter it expects to earn between 46 cents and 51 cents a share, excluding items, on revenue in a range of $430 million to $445 million.

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Thursday, Nov. 8
DTE Energy profit rises 5%(5:19 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Detroit-based utility DTE Energy (DTE: news, chart, profile) on Thursday posted a third-quarter profit of $197 million, or $1.19 a share, up from $188 million, or $1.06 a share, a year earlier. Operating earnings, excluding one-time items, came to $1.09 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected earnings, on average, of 89 cents a share. For the full year, the company said it is confident it will post a profit of $2.50 to $2.65 a share. Wall Street previously forecast earnings of $2.76 a share.
Cephalon swings to loss(5:06 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Cephalon Inc. (CEPH: news, chart, profile) late Thursday said it swung to a third-quarter net loss of $306.7 million, or $4.58 a share. In the same period last year, the drug maker posted a profit of $95.7 million, or $1.43 a share. For the three months ended Sept. 30, sales fell to $438.4 million from $482.3 million. Cephalon said it expects to pay $425 million as part of a comprehensive settlement with federal regulators regarding Federal and related state Medicaid claims. Looking ahead, the company reiterated its 2007 sales forecast of $1.675 billion to $1.725 billion.
Nvidia earnings more than double in third quarter(4:45 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Nvidia Corp. (NVDA: news, chart, profile) reported net income of $235.7 million, or 38 cents per share, on revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter ended Oct. 28, compared to income of $106.5 million, or 18 cents per share, on revenue of $820.57 million for the year-ago quarter. Minus one-time charges, the company said earnings per share would have been 44 cents. Analysts were expecting the company to report earnings per share of 37 cents on revenue of $1 billion.
Disney earnings rise on across-the-board strength(4:12 pm ET)
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Walt Disney Co. (DIS: news, chart, profile) on Thursday said net income was $877 million, or 44 cents a share, compared with $782 million, or 36 cents a share from a year ago. Reporting after the close, the Burbank, Calif.-based entertainment conglomerate said sales were $8.93 billion vs. last year's $8.65 billion. Excluding tax adjustments, the company's earnings came in at 42 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected the company to post earnings of 41 cents a share on sales of $8.98 billion. Disney shares had ended trading Thursday up 13 cents to $33.63. The company said in press release that it saw growth across the board, contributing to the gains.
Qualcomm earnings surge 84% for fourth quarter(4:08 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Qualcomm Inc. saw earnings surge 84% for the September quarter amid strong demand for the company's chipsets that power wireless phones. For the fourth fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30, the wireless technology company (QCOM: news, chart, profile) reported earnings of $1.13 billion, or 67 cents a share, compared to earnings of $614 million, or 36 cents a share, for the same period last year. The company said pro-forma earnings totaled $911 million, or 54 cents a share. Revenue grew 15% to $2.31 billion for the period from $2 billion last year. Analysts were expecting earnings of 53 cents a share on revenue of $2.26 billion, according to consensus estimates from Thomson Financial.
Cisco downgraded by Raymond James to market perform(9:48 am ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO: news, chart, profile) was downgraded to a market perform rating Thursday morning by Raymond James. In a note to clients, analyst Todd Koffman said the company's first fiscal quarter results, which were reported late Wednesday, shows that Cisco's revenue growth trends "may be moderating." Cisco's results for the quarter came in above Wall Street's estimates, but the company's forecast for the current period was below analysts' expectations. "As such, multiple expansion has likely run its course and we would expect some multiple contraction as growth rates moderate," Koffman wrote.
Kohl's October comparable-store sales fell 3.8% (9:47 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Kohl's Corp.'s (KSS: news, chart, profile) October same-store sales fell 3.8%, hurt by "significant declines" in weather-sensitive businesses such as outerwear, fleece and sweaters. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted an October same-store sales increase of 0.5%. The Wisconsin department store chain's total sales for the four-week period ended Nov. 3 rose 1.6% to $1.27 billion over the four-week period ended Oct. 28, 2006. Based on October's results, Kohl's expects third-quarter earnings in the range of 59 cents to 60 cents a share.
Fred's October same-store sales increase 0.6% (9:43 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Fred's Inc. (FRED: news, chart, profile) said October same-store sales rose 0.6%, missing its forecast of 1% to 3%, due to warm weather. As a result, the Memphis-based general merchandise retailer expects third-quarter earnings to fall a penny short of its forecast of 15 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected same-store sales growth of 1.6%. The Memphis-based general merchandise retailer said total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 increased 4% to $129.5 million from $124.9 million. Third-quarter sales rose 3% to $419.9 million from $407.9 million, as same-store sales rose 1.1%.
Spectrum Brands reports narrowed quarterly loss(9:32 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Spectrum Brands (SPC: news, chart, profile) reported a narrowed fourth-quarter loss early Thursday. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Spectrum reported a net loss of $333 million, or $6.60 a share, compared with a loss of $439 million, or $8.88 a share, for the same quarter last year. Both years' quarters included hefty charges related to discontinued operations, tax adjustments and restructuring. Excluding various charges, Spectrum would have posted adjusted earnings of 23 cents a share, versus 17 cents last year. Sales rose to $548 million, up 13% from the 2006 period.
Rockwell Automation fourth-quarter income slips(9:30 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Rockwell Automation Inc.'s (ROK: news, chart, profile) fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell slightly to $165.2 million, or $1.08 a share, from $165.8 million or 94 cents a share, a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations were $1.07 a share. The Milwaukee automation services company said revenue for the period rose 15% to $1.37 billion from $1.19 billion a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.07 a share and revenue of $1.37 billion. The company expects 2008 revenue growth between 10% and 12% and earnings for the fiscal year between $4.25 and $4.45 a share.
Petrohawk 3rd-quarter net fell 49% on 8.6% higher revenue(9:31 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Petrohawk Energy Corp., (HK: news, chart, profile) the Houston oil and natural-gas producer, reported that third-quarter net income fell 49% on 8.6% higher revenue. Earnings fell to $26.8 million, or 16 cents a share, from $52.7 million, or 33 cents, in the year-earlier period. Shares outstanding rose 7.9% to 172.3 million. Revenue reached $213.3 million from $196.4 million. On Oct. 30, Petrohawk registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission an initial public offering of units in a new master limited partnership, HK Energy Partners LP. The partnership will hold certain long-lived low-maintenance properties from PetroHawk's Permian Basin portfolio.
TJX October same-store sales up 3%; affirms year profit view(9:21 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- TJX Cos., (TJX: news, chart, profile) the Framingham, Mass., retailer, reported that for October, comparable-store sales rose 3% while total sales were $1.54 billion, up 6% over the $1.46 billion of the year-earlier month. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales up 2.6%. The same-store sales were "slightly below" plan, but "the unseasonably warm weather in many U.S. and Canadian markets dramatically impacted all of our cold-weather apparel categories," President and Chief Executive Carol Meyrowitz said in a statement. TJX affirmed its estimate that third quarter earnings per share from continuing operations will range 53 cents to 55 cents a share.
Target sees higher November same-store sales(9:14 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Discount retailer Target Corp. (TGT: news, chart, profile) on Thursday said its reported November same-store sales would rise in the low double digits. On an adjusted basis, the same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, would rise 2% to 4%. For December, reported same-store sales are expected to decline in the low single digits, Target said, while adjusted same-store sales for the period would rise 3% to 5%. Target said its reported results for November and December reflect a one-week shift in the fiscal calendar. This year, there are seven additional post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping days in November, and six fewer pre-Christmas shopping days in fiscal December. In 2006, November same-store sales rose 5.9%, and December same-store sales rose 4.1%.
Dollar Tree Stores sales rise in third quarter(9:09 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Dollar Tree Stores Inc. (DLTR: news, chart, profile) said Thursday its third-quarter sales at stores open at least one year rose 1.9%. Total third-quarter sales increased 9.6% to $997.8 million. The discount retailer also said it expects third-quarter earnings of 35 to 38 cents a share, within its previous guidance range. Analysts, on average, expect third-quarter earnings of 37 cents a share, according to Thomson Financial.
Vonage posts sharply higher loss on legal costs(9:05 am ET)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Vonage Holding Corp. on Thursday reported a wider third-quarter loss after the Internet-phone company absorbed heavy legal costs to settle several patent lawsuits. Holmdel, N.J.-based Vonage (VG: news, chart, profile) said its net loss jumped to $161.8 million, or $1.04 a share, from a loss of $62.2 million, or 40 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue climbed 30% to $211 million from $162 million, as the company added a net 78,000 customers to end the quarter with more than 2.5 million lines in service. Excluding litigation costs and other onetime items, Vonage said its loss would have fallen to 10 cents a share from a loss of 40 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. On an adjusted basis, Vonage was expected to lose 13 cents a share on revenue of $210 million, according to the consensus of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial. In other news, Vonage said it's reached an agreement in principle to settle a patent dispute with AT&T Inc. (T: news, chart, profile) , which could results in a payment of as much as $39 million over five years. Vonage settled patent disputes with Verizon Communications Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. in the third quarter.
Ross Stores same-store sales up 1% in October (8:56 am ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Ross Stores (ROST: news, chart, profile) on Thursday said October same-store sales fell 1%. Sales rose 6% to $470 million. The company forecast third-quarter earnings of 35 to 36 cents a share compared to the estimate of 36 cents a share in a survey of analysts by Thomson Financial. "As we enter the important holiday season, we remain cautious in our outlook and defensively postured with lower inventories and tight expense controls," the company said.
Target October same-store sales rose 4.1%(8:51 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Target Corp.'s (TGT: news, chart, profile) October same-store sales rose 4.1%, aided in part by strength in its electronics and healthcare business. A Thomson Financial survey, on average, expected same-store sales to rise 2.5%. The Minneapolis retailer said sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 grew 9.7% to $4.45 billion from $4.05 billion. For November, the company expects same-store sales to increase in the low-double digits. When results are adjusted for the extra selling week in 2006, the company pegs November same-store sales up 2% to 4%. In addition, Target sees December same-store sales down in the low single-digits. On an adjusted basis, Target is forecasting December same-store sales to be up 3% to 5%.
Charter reports widened third-quarter loss(8:43 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Charter Communications (CHTR: news, chart, profile) reported a third-quarter net loss of $407 million, or $1.10 a share, compared with $133 million, or 41 cents a share, for the same quarter last year. Last year's quarter included gains of $128 million on a debt exchange and $200 million for the sale of discontinued operations. Revenue for the quarter jumped 9.9% to $1.53 billion, up from $1.39 billion in 2006.
Saks' October same-store sales rise 10.6%(8:41 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Saks Inc. (SKS: news, chart, profile) said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year rose 10.6%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 5.4%, according to Thomson Financial. Owned sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose 15.9% to $269.1 million. As the retailer previously noted, it expects same-store sales growth to be "outsized" in November and below average in December, citing the retail calendar shift and promotional adjustments.
Hospira 3rd-quarter net up 6.1% on 30% higher revenue(8:34 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Hospira Inc., (HSP: news, chart, profile) the Lake Forest, Ill., hospital-product provider, reported third-quarter net income rose 6.1% on 30% higher revenue. Earnings reached $59.4 million, or 37 cents a share, from $55.9 million, or 35 cents, in the year-earlier period. Adjusted earnings were 49 cents against 45 cents. Sales rose to $838 million from $646.6 million. The company affirmed that for 2007, it should earn an adjusted $2.11 to $2.16 a share.
Invesco posts rise in third-quarter profit(8:29 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Anglo-U.S. fund manager Invesco PLC (IVZ: news, chart, profile) Thursday posted a 67% rise in third-quarter net profit and said it had record assets under management. The company also confirmed it was on track to relist on the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 4. Net profit, or profit attributable to equity holders of the parent, was $170.6 million, up from $102 million in the same quarter last year. Assets under management were $507.2 billion, compared with $491.6 billion in the second quarter.
WCI swings to $70 mln loss(8:22 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Residential builder WCI Communities Inc. (WCI: news, chart, profile) before Thursday's opening bell reported a third-quarter loss of $69.7 million, or $1.66 a share, compared with net income of $10.7 million, or 25 cents a share, the previous year. Quarterly revenue dropped 61% to $166 million, the Bonita Springs, Fla.-based company said. ``Demand continues to be unpredictable from week to week and we saw an increase in defaults and cancellations during the third quarter,'' said Jerry Starkey, WCI's chief executive, in the earnings release. The company's latest quarter included pretax real estate inventory impairment charges and write-offs of $35.9 million.
SkyWest 3rd-quarter net rose 5.5% on 11% higher revenue(7:53 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- SkyWest Inc., (SKYW: news, chart, profile) the St. George, Utah, carrier, reported third-quarter net income rose 5.5% on 11% higher revenue. Earnings reached $42.9 million, or 68 cents a share, from $40.7 million, or 63 cents, in the year-earlier period. Revenue reached $875.6 million from $791.8 million. SkyWest also said it intends to buy back another 5 million shares.
Stein Mart October same-store sales fall(7:51 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Stein Mart Inc. (SMRT: news, chart, profile) said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 3.8%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to fall 6%, according to Thomson Financial. Total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose 1.4% to $113.7 million. For the third quarter, same-store sales fell 6.3%. The company now expects to post a third-quarter loss of 6 cents to 8 cents a share, which includes approximately 3 cents a share for costs related to the transition of the president/chief executive position during the period.
Barr Pharmaceuticals' net slides(7:47 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BRL: news, chart, profile) Thursday said third-quarter net income fell to $38.9 million, or 36 cents a share, from $52.8 million, or 49 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Total revenue rose to $601.4 million from $332.4 million a year earlier. The company said it anticipates adjusted earnings in the fourth quarter of 73 cents to 83 cents a share, and between $3.10 and $3.20 for the full year. The stock closed Wednesday down 2.1% to $56.68.
Wet Seal October same-store sales fall, cuts forecast(7:37 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Wet Seal Inc. (WTSLA: news, chart, profile) said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 5.4%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to fall 2.1%, according to Thomson Financial. Net sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose to $41.5 million from $39.8 million. The company is also lowering its fiscal third quarter earnings guidance to a net loss of between 4 cents and 5 cents a share as compared to a previous estimate of between breakeven and profit of 2 cents a share. The revised guidance includes estimated asset impairment charges of approximately 2 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect it to earn 1 cent a share in the third quarter.
Chico's FAS October sales fall(7:28 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Chico's FAS Inc. (CHS: news, chart, profile) said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 10.6%. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to fall 5.9%, according to Thomson Financial. Total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 fell 4.1% to $121.2 million. The company said it forecast third-quarter earnings of 10 to 13 cents a share, including a 2-cent gain. Analysts, on average, were looking for 17 cents a share, according to Thomson Financial.
Pacific Sunwear October sales slip; raises forecast(7:26 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (PSUN: news, chart, profile) said Thursday its October sales at stores open at least one year fell 0.8%. Analysts, on average, had expected the same-store sales to rise 2.8%, according to Thomson Financial. Total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 rose 0.5% to $85.3 million. The Anaheim, Calif.-based retailer raised its third-quarter earnings outlook to 14 cents to 15 cents a share from its previous target of 10 cents to 13 cents a share. This earnings estimate excludes the impact of store asset impairment charges of about 41 cents a share, and inventory and other reserve charges of about 4 cents a share, associated with the company's previously announced decision to seek strategic alternatives for its demo stores and to close its One Thousand Steps stores. Including the charges, Pacific Sunwear expects to report a third quarter loss of approximately 30 cents to 31 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson expected it to earn 13 cents a share for the third quarter, on average.
Windstream 3rd-quarter net down 40% after year-ago gain(7:20 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Windstream Corp., (WIN: news, chart, profile) the Little Rock, Ark., provider of voice, broadband and entertainment services, reported third-quarter net income fell 40% on 7% higher revenue. Earnings dropped to $117.7 million, or 25 cents a share, from $196.1 million, or 43 cents, in the year-earlier period. The year-ago figure includes a gain of $100 million from an accountng adjustment. Revenue reached $822.6 million from $771.4 million. Average revenue per customer per month was $81.61, an 8% percent increase.
H&E Equipment says results show across-the-board strength(7:18 am ET)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- H&E Equipment Services Inc. (HEES: news, chart, profile) reported third-quarter net income of $20.2 million, or 53 cents a share, reversing a year-earlier loss of $11.5 million, or 30 cents a share. The Baton Rouge, La.-based company's quarterly revenue jumped to $270.6 million from $204.1 million. Analysts, on average, had been looking for earnings of 45 cents a share on revenue of $244.2 million, according to estimates compiled by Thomson Financial. The year-earlier loss reflected a one-time charge taken on early extinguishment of debt. H&E Equipment also increased its full-year projections, with earnings now pegged in a range of $1.70 to $1.75 a share and revenue forecast at $995 million to nearly $1.01 billion. Analysts' averages stand at $1.64 a share and $994.2 million, respectively.

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Friday, Nov. 9
Bank of America: CDO dislocations may knock Q4 results(3:13 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Bank of America Corp. (BAC: news, chart, profile) said on Friday that dislocations in the market for collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) will knock the bank's fourth-quarter results. "It may take more time for the markets to return to a more normal environment with tighter credit spreads and greater liquidity," the bank said in its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bank of America disclosed that it provided more than $15 billion of liquidity support for commercial paper sold by CDOs. A net $9.8 billion of that is mainly backed by subprime residential mortgage securities, it added. The bank also has more than $3 billion of exposure to CDOs through its structuring, warehousing and trading activities, it said in the filing.
JP Morgan: CDO, subprime positions could be hit in Q4(2:49 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM: news, chart, profile) said on Friday that some of its subprime-related positions could be hit by turbulent conditions in credit markets in the fourth quarter. "The firm's CDO and subprime mortgage warehouse and trading positions could also be negatively affected by market conditions during the fourth quarter of 2007," the bank said in its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the third quarter, J.P. Morgan noted that it took a $339 million write-down (net of risk management results) on $6.8 billion of collateralized debt obligation (CDO) warehouse and unsold positions.
Comstock Homebuilding's shares fall on loss(12:20 pm ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Shares of Comstock Homebuilding Cos. (CHCI: news, chart, profile) were off more than 5% in afternoon trading Friday after the company reported a quarterly loss of $42.5 million on a slumping housing market. Chief Executive Christopher Clemente in a statement said housing remains weak and that the company does not see conditions improving in the near term. In the latest quarter, Comstock booked impairment charges of $61.4 million and write-offs of $7.6 million related to land options. The company said it has received waivers from its lenders for violating tangible net-worth covenants as a result of the impairment charges.
Fannie Mae's shares slump at opening after earnings report(9:39 am ET)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Fannie Mae's (FNM: news, chart, profile) shares fell 5% just after the opening bell, to $47.30, following the company's reporting of earnings for the first, second and third quarters of 2007. Earnings for that period fell by 57% compared to the same period a year ago. Fannie reported net income of $1.5 billion for the first three quarters of 2007 versus $3.5 billion for the same period in 2006. The company said worsening housing market conditions and credit-market volatility were behind the weaker results.
DUSA Pharmaceuticals' third-quarter loss narrows(9:31 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- DUSA Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (DUSA: news, chart, profile) third-quarter loss narrowed to $1.9 million, or 10 cents a share, from $3.8 million, or 19 cents, a year ago. Excluding items, the Wilmington, Mass., company had a loss of $1.4 million, or 7 cents a share, in the latest period. Total product revenue fell to $5.8 million from $6.1 million a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected a loss of 16 cents a share on revenue of $6 million.
CIBC to take $463 mln write-down on mortgage assets(9:15 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CA:CM: news, chart, profile) Friday said it expects to report write-downs of $463 million, net of hedges, in the fourth quarter to mark down collateralized debt obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities related to the U.S. residential mortgage market. Separately, CIBC said it expects to report a $456 million pretax gain in the fourth quarter from the completion of the restructuring of Visa Inc. CIBC is scheduled to release fourth-quarter results on Dec. 6.
Triarc profit rises; deal exploration costs mount(9:06 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Triarc Companies (TRY: news, chart, profile) on Friday said third-quarter net income rose to $3.7 million, or 4 cents a share, from $687,000, or 1 cent a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $324.2 million from $311.7 million. Systemwide same-store sales were relatively flat in the third quarter. The company, which operates Arby's restaurants, expects systemwide same-store sales to be positive for the fourth quarter. The company said it is currently incurring significant costs to evaluate a potential material acquisition of another company in the restaurant industry. There can be no assurance, however, that this acquisition will occur. The company has expressed interest in acquiring Wendy's International Inc. (WEN: news, chart, profile) and signed a confidentiality pact, giving it access to the hamburger chain's books.
Goldcorp's third-quarter earnings rise(8:55 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- GoldCorp. Inc.'s (GG: news, chart, profile) third-quarter net earnings rose to $75.8 million, or 11 cents a share, from $59.5 million, or 14 cents, a year ago, helped in part by an increase in production and sales. The mining company said revenue rose to $524 million from $404.3 million a year ago.
Ameren's third-quarter income falls(8:53 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Ameren Corp. (AEE: news, chart, profile) on Friday reported third-quarter net income of $244 million, or $1.18 a share, down from $293 million, or $1.42 a share, in the year-ago period. The St. Louis-based electric and gas utility said that excluding items, earnings were $282 million, or $1.36 a share, compared to the year-earlier $312 million, or $1.52 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting, on average, a per-share profit of $1.56.
Sotheby's Q3 net loss 33 cents per share vs 50 cent loss(8:30 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Sotheby's (BID: news, chart, profile) said Friday its third-quarter net loss totaled $20.9 million, or 33 cents per share, from a loss of $30.4 million, or 50 cents per share, in the same quarter a year before. Revenue for the recent quarter was $85.1 million compared with $57.4 million in the year-ago period. A poll of analysts by Thomson Financial had yielded an average forecast of a 30 cent loss per share for the quarter on revenue of $79.2 million. The New York-based auction firm said the third quarter has "historically been a loss period for the company," and added that results for the quarter included a $14.6 million loss on auction guarantees.
JA Solar Holdings third-quarter income rises(8:00 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd.'s (JASO: news, chart, profile) third-quarter net income rose to $22.1 million, or 47 cents a share, from $5.3 million, or 2 cents a share, a year ago, helped in part by announcements of supply deals and the strengthened customer partnership, the company said. The Hebei, China, maker of monocrystalline solar cells said revenue rose to $113.4 million from $33.1 million a year ago. The company raised its 2007 revenue estimate to $320 million to $310 million from the previously stated $280 million to $290 million.
Merck approves $4.85 billion Vioxx settlement(7:51 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Merck & Co. (MRK: news, chart, profile) said Friday it agreed to settle the majority of product liability lawsuits related to its Vioxx painkiller for about $4.85 billion. The Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based drugmaker said if certain conditions under the agreement are met, Merck will pay a fixed amount of $4.85 billion into a settlement fund for qualifying claims that enter into the resolution process. This is not a class-action settlement, Merck said, and claims will be evaluated on an individual basis. The company expects to record a fourth-quarter 2007 pre-tax charge in the amount of $4.85 billion to cover the cost of the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck does not admit fault or causation. The company said it will continue to defend all claims that are not included in the resolution process. Shares rose more than 2% in premarket trading.
Warner Chilcott swings to third-quarter profit(7:37 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Warner Chilcott Ltd. (WCRX: news, chart, profile) said Friday that it swung to a third-quarter profit, boosted by sales of its Loestrin 24 FE and Taclonex products. The Bermuda-based specialty pharmaceutical company reported third-quarter earnings of $5.8 million, or 2 cents a share, compared with a loss of $81.0 million, or 95 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding a $9 million expense relating to the tentative settlement of a lawsuit, the company had adjusted cash net income of $69.3 million. Warner Chilcott said total revenue for the quarter rose 16% to $226.5 million from $194.7 million a year ago. In addition, Warner Chilcott said it now expects earnings for 2007 of $12 million to $17 million, or adjusted cash net income of $1.03 to $1.05 a share.
Station Casinos net income falls, revenue rises(7:30 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Station Casinos Inc. on Friday said third-quarter net income fell to $3.7 million, or 7 cents a share, from $19.2 million, or 34 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Results in the most recent third quarter include $2.3 million in costs to develop new gaming opportunities, primarily related to Native American gaming, $2.2 million related to costs associated with the acquisition of the company, $900,000 of preopening expenses and $2.5 million of other non-recurring costs. Gross revenue rose to $380.9 million from $371.5 million. Net revenue rose to $354.1, up 2%.
DRS Technologies posts rise in second-quarter earnings(7:25 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- DRS Technologies Inc. (DRS: news, chart, profile) on Friday reported second-quarter earnings of $43.0 million, or $1.04 a share, up from a year-ago profit of $25.2 million, or 62 cents a share. On an adjusted basis, excluding certain items, the company said it earned 79 cents a share in the latest quarter. Revenue rose 10% in the latest three months to $783.8 million from $711.5 million a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 98 cents a share. Looking ahead, the Parsippany, N.J.-based supplier of military products said it sees earnings of $3.12 to $3.22 a share in fiscal 2008 on revenue of $3.10 billion to $3.15 billion. The stock closed Thursday at $57.78, up 0.9%.
Brooks Automation swings to quarterly loss; bookings fall(6:46 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Brooks Automation (BRKS: news, chart, profile) , a provider of business, marketing and technology consulting services, said it swung to a fourth-quarter net loss of $1.3 million, or 2 cents a share, compared to net profit of $16 million, or 22 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue slipped 11% to $166.5 million. Bookings for the quarter fell 10.5% to $153 million. The company said it expects first-quarter revenue of $155 million to $165 million. It forecast results ranging from a loss of 4 cents a share to earnings of 4 cents a share in the quarter.
Clearwire, Sprint Nextel scrap WiMax network agreement(6:36 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Clearwire Corp. (CLWR: news, chart, profile) , a provider of wireless high-speed Internet services, and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S: news, chart, profile) on Friday said they scrapped their agreement to jointly build a nationwide high-speed WiMax network, citing the complexity it would have added to their businesses. The companies said they are continuing discussions on how to reach the benefits that were expected under the original agreement. Sprint said in a separate statement that it would review its WiMax business plan and outlook in light of the announcement and plans to make further comments on the topic early next year. Clearwire also reported that its third-quarter net loss widened to $329 million, or $2.01 a share, from $60 million, or 61 cents a share, a year earlier, because of a one-time charge of $159 million. Revenue jumped to $41 million from $27 million.
FormFactor sees $22.2 mln profit, to restate prior earnings(5:26 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- FormFactor Inc. (FORM: news, chart, profile) said Friday that it expects to report third-quarter net income of $22.2 million, or 45 cents a share and that it will restate its earnings for 2006 and the first half of 2007 after its internal review found the company hadn't correctly followed inventory accounting policies. For 2006 FormFactor said it expects to revise earnings per share down to $1.21 from the $1.29 previously reported. For the first quarter of 2007 earnings are expected to be 31 cents vs the 30 cents previously reported and for the second quarter earnings are seen at 43 cents vs 38 cents previously reported. The company said the accounting failure was limited to a small number of employees and senior management were not aware of the non-compliance.
Inmarsat profit more than doubles (2:36 am ET)
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Satellite communications group Inmarsat (UK:ISAT: news, chart, profile) said Friday that its third-quarter profit more than doubled to $23.7 million from $11.1 million as revenue rose 8% to $139.6 million. The group said the strongest growth was in its aeronautical business, where revenue rose 45%. "The strong growth trends in our core business have maintained our momentum through the third quarter. This performance places us well on track to deliver on our previously upgraded expectations for revenue and cash flow for the full year," said CEO Andrew Sukawaty.
Thursday, Nov. 8
DTE Energy profit rises 5%(5:19 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Detroit-based utility DTE Energy (DTE: news, chart, profile) on Thursday posted a third-quarter profit of $197 million, or $1.19 a share, up from $188 million, or $1.06 a share, a year earlier. Operating earnings, excluding one-time items, came to $1.09 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected earnings, on average, of 89 cents a share. For the full year, the company said it is confident it will post a profit of $2.50 to $2.65 a share. Wall Street previously forecast earnings of $2.76 a share.
Cephalon swings to loss(5:06 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Cephalon Inc. (CEPH: news, chart, profile) late Thursday said it swung to a third-quarter net loss of $306.7 million, or $4.58 a share. In the same period last year, the drug maker posted a profit of $95.7 million, or $1.43 a share. For the three months ended Sept. 30, sales fell to $438.4 million from $482.3 million. Cephalon said it expects to pay $425 million as part of a comprehensive settlement with federal regulators regarding Federal and related state Medicaid claims. Looking ahead, the company reiterated its 2007 sales forecast of $1.675 billion to $1.725 billion.
Nvidia earnings more than double in third quarter(4:45 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Nvidia Corp. (NVDA: news, chart, profile) reported net income of $235.7 million, or 38 cents per share, on revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter ended Oct. 28, compared to income of $106.5 million, or 18 cents per share, on revenue of $820.57 million for the year-ago quarter. Minus one-time charges, the company said earnings per share would have been 44 cents. Analysts were expecting the company to report earnings per share of 37 cents on revenue of $1 billion.
Disney earnings rise on across-the-board strength(4:12 pm ET)
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Walt Disney Co. (DIS: news, chart, profile) on Thursday said net income was $877 million, or 44 cents a share, compared with $782 million, or 36 cents a share from a year ago. Reporting after the close, the Burbank, Calif.-based entertainment conglomerate said sales were $8.93 billion vs. last year's $8.65 billion. Excluding tax adjustments, the company's earnings came in at 42 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected the company to post earnings of 41 cents a share on sales of $8.98 billion. Disney shares had ended trading Thursday up 13 cents to $33.63. The company said in press release that it saw growth across the board, contributing to the gains.
Qualcomm earnings surge 84% for fourth quarter(4:08 pm ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Qualcomm Inc. saw earnings surge 84% for the September quarter amid strong demand for the company's chipsets that power wireless phones. For the fourth fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30, the wireless technology company (QCOM: news, chart, profile) reported earnings of $1.13 billion, or 67 cents a share, compared to earnings of $614 million, or 36 cents a share, for the same period last year. The company said pro-forma earnings totaled $911 million, or 54 cents a share. Revenue grew 15% to $2.31 billion for the period from $2 billion last year. Analysts were expecting earnings of 53 cents a share on revenue of $2.26 billion, according to consensus estimates from Thomson Financial.
Cisco downgraded by Raymond James to market perform(9:48 am ET)
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO: news, chart, profile) was downgraded to a market perform rating Thursday morning by Raymond James. In a note to clients, analyst Todd Koffman said the company's first fiscal quarter results, which were reported late Wednesday, shows that Cisco's revenue growth trends "may be moderating." Cisco's results for the quarter came in above Wall Street's estimates, but the company's forecast for the current period was below analysts' expectations. "As such, multiple expansion has likely run its course and we would expect some multiple contraction as growth rates moderate," Koffman wrote.
Kohl's October comparable-store sales fell 3.8% (9:47 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Kohl's Corp.'s (KSS: news, chart, profile) October same-store sales fell 3.8%, hurt by "significant declines" in weather-sensitive businesses such as outerwear, fleece and sweaters. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted an October same-store sales increase of 0.5%. The Wisconsin department store chain's total sales for the four-week period ended Nov. 3 rose 1.6% to $1.27 billion over the four-week period ended Oct. 28, 2006. Based on October's results, Kohl's expects third-quarter earnings in the range of 59 cents to 60 cents a share.
Fred's October same-store sales increase 0.6% (9:43 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Fred's Inc. (FRED: news, chart, profile) said October same-store sales rose 0.6%, missing its forecast of 1% to 3%, due to warm weather. As a result, the Memphis-based general merchandise retailer expects third-quarter earnings to fall a penny short of its forecast of 15 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected same-store sales growth of 1.6%. The Memphis-based general merchandise retailer said total sales for the four weeks ended Nov. 3 increased 4% to $129.5 million from $124.9 million. Third-quarter sales rose 3% to $419.9 million from $407.9 million, as same-store sales rose 1.1%.
Spectrum Brands reports narrowed quarterly loss(9:32 am ET)
BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Spectrum Brands (SPC: news, chart, profile) reported a narrowed fourth-quarter loss early Thursday. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, Spectrum reported a net loss of $333 million, or $6.60 a share, compared with a loss of $439 million, or $8.88 a share, for the same quarter last year. Both years' quarters included hefty charges related to discontinued operations, tax adjustments and restructuring. Excluding various charges, Spectrum would have posted adjusted earnings of 23 cents a share, versus 17 cents last year. Sales rose to $548 million, up 13% from the 2006 period.
Rockwell Automation fourth-quarter income slips(9:30 am ET)
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Rockwell Automation Inc.'s (ROK: news, chart, profile) fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell slightly to $165.2 million, or $1.08 a share, from $165.8 million or 94 cents a share, a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations were $1.07 a share. The Milwaukee automation services company said revenue for the period rose 15% to $1.37 billion from $1.19 billion a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.07 a share and revenue of $1.37 billion. The company expects 2008 revenue growth between 10% and 12% and earnings for the fiscal year between $4.25 and $4.45 a share.
Petrohawk 3rd-quarter net fell 49% on 8.6% higher revenue(9:31 am ET)
TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Petrohawk Energy Corp., (HK: news, chart, profile) the Houston oil and natural-gas producer, reported that third-quarter net income fell 49% on 8.6% higher revenue. Earnings fell to $26.8 million, or 16 cents a share, from $52.7 million, or 33 cents, in the year-earlier period. Shares outstanding rose 7.9% to 172.3 million. Revenue reached $213.3 million from $196.4 million. On Oct. 30, Petrohawk registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission an initial public offering of units in a new master limited partnership, HK Energy Partners LP. The partnership will hold certain long-lived low-maintenance properties from PetroHawk's Permian Basin portfolio.

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