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NATCO Group (NYSE:NTG - News) shares fell after the company said it now sees earnings of $2.30 to $2.50 a share in fiscal 2007 on revenue of between $560 million and $580 million. Wall Street's consensus view is for a profit of $2.55 a share for the year.
NCI Building Systems (NYSE:NCI - News) shares fell after the Houston-based maker of metal products for the nonresidential building industry reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $10.5 million, or 49 cents a share, down from $12.9 million, 62 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $359.3 million from $293.3 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 53 cents on revenue of $347.6 million. The company forecast fiscal second-quarter net earnings of 50 cents to 55 cents a share, and 2007 earnings of $4.55 to $4.80 a share. Analysts are looking for a second-quarter per-share profit of 89 cents and a 2007 per-share profit of $4.56.
Northwest Airlines Corp.'s (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News)loss for December 2006 was $30 million, on revenue of $967 million in the month, the airline operator said in a monthly statement with the bankruptcy court. For January, Northwest's loss grew to $349 million, mostly from a $307 payment for a claim to Pinnacle Airlines (NasdaqGM:PNCL - News). In January, the Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest said revenue fell to $892 million. Northwest, which filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in September 2005, is awaiting a March 26 hearing for court approval of its bankruptcy-exit plan.
Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT - News) said it would delay the filing of its 2006 annual report, and that it will need to restate results for 2004, 2005 and the first nine months of 2006. The Toronto telecommunications equipment company said it had found errors through discussions with its pension actuaries, and through its efforts to correct internal control deficiencies. The company expects the restatement to increase earnings for the first nine months of 2006 by $15 million and revenue by $24 million. Net losses should increase by $87 million for 2005 and by $42 million for 2004.
Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NasdaqGM:PEIX - News) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $3.1 million, or 11 cents a share, narrower than the prior year's loss of $5.1 million, or 18 cents a share. The Sacramento, Calif.-based marketer and producer of ethanol generated quarterly revenue of nearly $80.6 million, up from $36.1 million in the final three months of 2005. The company paid preferred stock dividends of nearly $1.1 million in the latest quarter; no such dividends were paid in the year-ago period. There were some 37% more weighted average shares outstanding in the 2006 fourth quarter than a year earlier. Pacific Ethanol said gross profit jumped to about $11.7 million in the latest quarter, up from $1.3 million a year earlier, as gross margin widened to 14.6% from 3.7%. The company also said its Boardman, Ore., plant is on schedule for completion by the end of the second quarter.
PetSmart Inc. (NasdaqGS:PETM - News) said that fourth-quarter net earnings climbed to $76.9 million, or 56 cents a share, compared with $70.9 million, or 50 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. Sales were $1.17 billion vs. last year's $1.05 billion, the company said in a press release after the close.
PICO Holdings (NasdaqGM:PICO - News) said it's agreed to sell about 2.823 million new common shares for $37 each. The La Jolla, Calif., company anticipates net proceeds of about $100.2 million from the offering.
Plug Power (NasdaqGM:PLUG - News) posted a fourth-quarter loss of $13.3 million, or 15 cents a share, narrower than a year-ago loss of $16.5 million, or 19 cents a share.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $68.9 million, or 40 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $40.6 million, or 24 cents a share. The latest results include expenses of 8 cents a share related to the early termination of certain relationships with rigs in Brazil, a charge of 2 cents a share from an ongoing investigation by the company's audit committee, and a charge of a penny per share related to the impairment of certain rigs. Revenue rose 21% in the three months ended Dec. 31 to $669.2 million from $551 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 48 cents a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the Houston-based drilling contractor said it expects earnings of 57 to 60 cents a share in the first quarter. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of 64 cents a share in the March period. Pride said the outlook reflects current softness in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico market.
Restore Medical (NasdaqGM:REST - News) shares dropped after the company posted sales of $1.1 million for the fourth quarter, down from $1.6 million in the same period a year earlier. RBC Capital Markets lowered its rating on the stock to sector perform from outperform, citing the sales decline. The firm also cut its price target on shares of the St. Paul, Minn., maker of a sleep apnea treatment to $5 from $7.
Sears Holding Corp. (NasdaqGS:SHLD - News) reported a jump in fourth quarter profit Thursday as higher margins helped offset sagging same-store sales and flat overall revenue. Sears earned $820 million, or $5.33 a share, on the period - up from $648 million, or $4.03 a share in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Revenue came in at $16.3 billion, up from $16.1 billion, with the help of an extra week in the most recent quarter. Domestic same-store sales -- those at stores open more than a year -- declined 3.1% with Sears down 4.9% and Kmart off 0.9%. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been for the company to earn $5.18 a share on revenue of $15.95 billion.
Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD - News) said fiscal third-quarter net income slipped to $60.4 million, or 54 cents a share, from $71 million, or 63 cents a share. The pork and beef producer attributed 4 cents a share of this year's third quarter net income to a lower estimate of its annualized income tax rate. Last year's results include an after-tax loss from discontinued operations of 4 cents a share. Sales rose to $3.28 billion from $2.93 billion. Analysts, on average, expected it to earn 51 cents a share on revenue of $3.15 billion, according to Thomson Financial. The Smithfield, Va.-based company said the rise in corn and other grain prices will have a "significant" impact on the business.
Sonus Networks Inc. (NasdaqGS:SONS - News) said fourth-quarter revenue was $79 million. The Chelmsford, Mass., maker of voice and data communications hardware and software didn't report earnings because it hasn't completed its restatement of certain financial reports. Sonus said the audit committee completed its investigation of the company's stock option practices and accounting, and found no improper conduct or violation of company policies by any member of management.
Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE:SWN - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $33.8 million, or 20 cents a share, down from $48.9 million, or 29 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 slipped to $214 million from $220 million a year ago.
Staples Inc. (NasdaqGS:SPLS - News) reported net income of $336.5 million, or 46 cents a share, for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 3, up from $276.7 million, or 37 cents, earned in the same period a year earlier. Quarterly sales reached $5.29 billion from $4.46 billion for the office-products retailer, which said it generated $370 million in sales during an extra week in the latest quarter. Analysts, on average, had been looking for Staples to earn 45 cents a share on revenue of $5.19 billion for the latest quarter, according to estimates compiled by Thomson Financial. As for the current year, Staples is forecasting profit growth of 15% to 20% on an adjusted basis, equating to a range of $1.43 to $1.49 a share; analysts' average view stands at $1.49 a share.
Steven Madden Ltd.'s (NasdaqGS:SHOO - News) fourth-quarter net income rose to $10 million, or 45 cents a share, from $7.44 million, or 34 cents a share, a year ago. A Thomson Financial survey of analysts, on average, predicted earnings of 44 cents a share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates usually exclude items. The Long Island City, N.Y., fashion footwear maker's net sales rose 25% to $114.1 million from $91.4 million a year ago. Steven Madden expects first-quarter earnings of 40 cents to 43 cents a share on sales that are flat with the same period last year, due in part to weaker-than-anticipated performance in boots in both wholesale and retail and sports fusion product in Steve Madden Men's, and Betsey Johnson handbags in Daniel M.
St. Mary Land & Exploration Co. (NYSE:SM - News) said President Tony Best was named to additional position of chief executive, effective Feb. 23.
Take-Two Interactive Software (NasdaqGS:TTWO - News) reported a net loss for the 2006 fiscal year on Wednesday afternoon. For the year ended Oct. 31, the video game publisher said net loss came in at $184.9 million, or $2.60 per share, compared with earnings of $35.3 million, or 50 cents a share, for the previous year. Revenue for the year was $1.04 billion compared to $1.2 billion the previous year.
Universal Health Services Inc.'s (NYSE:UHS - News) fourth-quarter net income more than doubled to $34.2 million, or 63 cents a share, from $12.3 million, or 23 cents a share, a year earlier. The King of Prussia, Pa., hospital operator's revenue grew to $1.07 billion from $967.2 million.
Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA - News) fourth-quarter earnings more than tripled to $480.8 million, or 69 cents a share, from $129.5 million, or 17 cents a share, a year earlier, as filmed entertainment revenue doubled to $1.57 billion. The company had adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 65 cents a share, compared with 37 cents a share a year earlier. The New York media company said Thursday that total revenue rose 32% to $3.59 billion from $2.72 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected earnings of 58 cents a share on revenue of $3.15 billion.
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Labels: NCI, NT, NTG, PDE, PEIX, PETM, PICO, PLUG, PNCL, REST, SFD, SHLD, SHOO, SM, SONS, SPLS, SWN

Frontier Oil Corp. (NYSE:FTO - News) said fourth-quarter earnings fell to $52.4 million, or 47 cents a share, from $63 million, or 55 cents a share, a year earlier. The Houston oil refiner said earnings fell primarily because the gasoline and diesel crack spreads following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 was not repeated in 2006. The results for the quarter ending Dec. 31 include an inventory loss of 22 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 55 cents a share, on average. Revenue declined 5.5% to $1.09 billion from last year's $1.15 billion.
Guitar Center Inc. (NasdaqGS:GTRC - News) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $1.36 a share, including a charge of $2.49 a share to write down goodwill associated with the music and arts division.
Halliburton Co. (NYSE:HAL - News) plans to dispose of its remaining interest in KBR Inc. (NYSE:KBR - News) through a split-off exchange offer to Halliburton shareholders..
Healthcare Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:HR - News)intends to sell its senior-living-assets portfolio, expecting a total consideration of about $400 million and a net gain of about $57 million.
Health Care REIT Inc.'s (NYSE:HCN - News) fourth-quarter net income fell 34% as revenue increased 15% to $87.8 million.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ - News) said it would acquire closely held PolyServe Inc. to expand the company's offerings of storage-software applications.
Hansen Natural Corp. (NasdaqCM:HANS - News) said that fourth-quarter gross sales rose 51% to $171.5 million, while net sales increased 54.2% to $151.1 million. Gross profit rose to $80.2 million, from $51.9 million a year ago. The sales increase reflected continued strong sales of energy drinks.
Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE:HOG - News) has taken down its targets for motorcycle shipments and earnings growth as the result of a recently ended three-week strike at its York, Pa., manufacturing plant, the company said Tuesday. While full production is expected to resume over the next week, the strike will eventually result in a loss of approximately one month's production. "A disruption of this magnitude has a significant impact on our business, as well as our suppliers, dealers, employees and our retail customers," said Tom Bergmann, Harley's chief financial officer, in a written release. The company expects to ship 64,000 to 66,000 units in the first quarter, down from a previous goal of 82,000 to 84,000 units, although it hopes to make up 4,000 to 5,000 during the remainder of the year. For the full year, Harley said it now expects "moderate" revenue growth, along with lower margins, and earnings per share growth in the range of 4% to 6%. But it forecast a return to 11% to 17% EPS growth in 2008 and 2009.
Hovnanian (NYSE:HOV - News) expects a first-quarter loss. It delivered 3,266 homes in the first quarter while net contracts declined 23% to 2,570.
Magna International (NYSE:MGA - News) said fourth-quarter net income fell 65% to $29 million, or 26 cents a share, from $83 million, or 75 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, the company would have earned 99 cents a share. The average forecast of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for earnings of $1.17. The company said the difficult automotive environment, particularly in North America, is taking its toll. Sales rose 9% to 6.34 billion, helped by an increase in the company's European and rest of the world production sales. The company declared a quarterly dividend of 19 cents a share. For 2007, Magna expects consolidated sales of $22.9 billion to $24.2 billion. It sees spending for fixed assets in the range of $800 million to $850 million.
NetEase.com's (NasdaqGS:NTES - News) fourth-quarter profit grew 19% as the Beijing Internet company's revenue grew nearly 15% to $69.2 million.
Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE:JWN - News) fourth-quarter earnings climbed to 89 cents a share from 69 cents as sales rose 15% to $2.63 billion. Same-store sales increased 8.3%.
NYSE Group Inc. (NYSE:NYX - News) named Duncan Niederauer president and co-chief operating officer, effective April 9. Niederauer is currently managing director of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS - News).
Oneok Inc. (NYSE:OKE - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 66 cents a share, down from $2.30 a share in the year ago-period. The year-ago quarter included a gain of $1.57 a share from the sale of Texas gathering and processing assets
Oneok Partners L.P. (NYSE:OKS - News) fourth-quarter earnings were 82 cents per unit, up from 72 cents in the year-ago period. There were 82.9 million units outstanding during the latest quarter vs. 46.4 million units a year earlier.
Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NasdaqGM:PNCL - News) said its fourth-quarter net income more than tripled to $36.8 million, or $1.67 a share, from $10 million, or 45 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The 2006 fourth quarter included a benefit of $26.1 million, or $1.18 per share, associated with a settlement with Northwest Airlines Corp. . The Memphis, Tenn., regional airline said revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 fell 4% to $204.5 million from $213 million. Three analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast earnings, on average, of 57 cents a share.
Sanderson Farms Inc. (NasdaqGS:SAFM - News) narrowed its fiscal first quarter loss, but the poultry producer said Tuesday it remained firmly in the red on high feed costs and soft, though slowly rising, pricing. Sanderson said it lost $2.8 million, or 14 cents a share for the quarter, compared to a loss of $8.6 million, or 43 cents a share in the year-ago period. Revenue came in at $292.7 million, up from $236.2 million. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been for the company to lose 11 cents a share on sales of $277 million. Looking out to the rest of the fiscal year, Sanderson said trends in chicken prices are currently "favorable" but it expects feed costs will continue to rise.
Shuffle Master Inc. (NasdaqGS:SHFL - News) shares tumbled after the company said it expects fiscal first-quarter net income and earnings per share to be "significantly lower" than the year-ago quarter. The Las Vegas-based gambling supply company said it's still in the process of finalizing its financial results, and forecast revenue of $35 million to $38 million.
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Labels: FTO, GS, GTRC, HAL, HANS, HCN, HOG, HOV, HPQ, HR, JWN, KBR, MGA, NTES, NYX, OKE, OKS, PNCL, SAFM, SHFL

Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS - News) said that it is planning to offer $15 million of its stock in a public offering. The offer proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Applica Inc. (NYSE:APN - News) shares rose after Nacco Industries Inc. (NYSE:NC - News) said it has increased its tender offer price for Applica to $7 from $6.50 a share. In October, Applica, a Miramar, Fla.-based home appliance maker, agreed to be acquired by affiliates of Harbinger for $6.50 a share.
Bally Technologies said that it sold around 9,000 gaming devices in the first half of fiscal 2007, up from 6,500 at the same point a year ago. Gross margins are expected to improve in 2007 compared to fiscal 2006. Richard Haddrill, chief executive officer of the technology solutions company, said: "In the first half of our fiscal 2007, we are beginning to see the benefits of our efforts." The company also said that it has filed its form Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended September 30 and December 31, 2005. It expects to file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and for the year ended June 30, 2006 before March 15, 2007. It anticipates reporting a net loss per share of between 66 cents and 76 cents for the year to June 30, 2006.
Cabot Corp. (NYSE:CBT - News) shares rose after the chemical company was upgraded to neutral from underweight by J.P. Morgan, which cited improving earnings growth as raw materials costs fall. J.P. Morgan said it expects net gains due to falling raw materials costs and selling price increases to be around $26 million, or 27 cents a share in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
Cheniere Energy Inc. (AMEX:LNG - News) shares rose after its subsidiary Cheniere Energy Partners L.P. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $301.9 million in its initial public offering.
El Paso Corp. (NYSE:EP - News) said it sold ANR Pipeline Co., its Michigan storage assets and its 50% interest in Great Lakes Gas Transmission to TransCanada Corporation and TC PipeLines LP for $4.14 billion, including $744 million of debt. El Paso said the deal would be neutral to slightly positive for earnings and would result in after-tax proceeds of $3.3 billion.
Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL - News) said that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of its XL880 drug in patients with gastric cancer. As previously announced, a Phase II trial of XL880 in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma was initiated in June 2006. XL880 is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor.
Hutchison Telecom International (NYSE:HTX - News) said it's received approaches from multiple parties for its 67% stake in Hutchison Essar, an Indian mobile operator. Vodafone Group (NYSE:VOD - News) said it's interested in buying a controlling stake in the Indian operator.
IMS Health (NYSE:RX - News) said it has approved a buyback of up to 10 million shares under a new stock repurchase program.
Memory chip maker Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News) tripled its profit on 16% sales growth.
Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ:ONCY - News) said it has begun patient enrolment in its U.K. Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of Reolysin in combination with low-dose radiation in patients with advanced cancers.
Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ:PNCL - News) shares shot up after it announced a deal to fly for Northwest Airlines Corp. (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News) through 2017 and analyst upgrades of hte regional carrier. The Amex Airlines Index gained 0.3% to 57.37 points, with Mesa Air Group climbing on a plan to form a regional airline in China with Shenzen Airlines.
Software maker Red Hat (NYSE:RHT - News) reported a stronger-than-forecast 45% sales growth.
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM - News) reported a 47% profit rise on 49% sales growth.
Resources Connection Inc. (NASDAQ:RECN - News) reported second-quarter net earnings of $14.7 million, or 29 cents a share, compared with $16 million, or 31 cents a share, in the same period last year. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, among other items, the Costa Mesa, Calif. -based provider of professional services posted per-share earnings of 36 cents. Revenue rose 16% to $182.8 million from $158.1 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected per-share earnings of 27 cents, on revenue of $177 million.
SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SCLN - News) and Sigma-Tau said that a large phase 2 trial treating patients with stage IV malignant melanoma, showed positive interim survival data. Data from the first four arms of this ongoing five-arm trial showed that the addition of 3.2 mg of ZADAXIN to standard dacarbazine chemotherapy increased the median survival to 10.2 months, the companies said.
Shuffle Master (NASDAQ:SHFL - News) reported fiscal fourth-quarter net earnings of $4.9 million, or 14 cents share, down from $8.2 million and 23 cents a year ago. Revenue rose 39% to $46.1 million. The per-share profit figure includes 7 cents of charges and 3 cents for stock-option expensing; the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been for Shuffle Master to earn 19 cents a share on revenue of $44 million. Shares ended the day down slightly at $26.22 but jumped more than 5% in after-hours action.
Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM - News) said it expects 2007 world-wide sales will rise 6% to 9.3 million autos. The company expects world-wide sales of its Toyota brand autos to rise 6% to 8.4 million units. Toyota forecast combined overseas sales for its Toyota, Daihatsu and Hino brands will grow 8% to 6.9 million autos, and combined sales in Japan to rise 1% to 2.4 million units.
Walgreen Co. (NYSE:WAG - News) said first-quarter income rose 25% to $432 million, or 43 cents a share, from $346 million, or 34 cents, a year ago. Sales for the three months ended Nov. 30 gained 17% to $12.71 billion from $10.9 billion, while same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose 9.7%. Analysts, on average, forecast earnings of 41 cents a share on sales of $12.55 billion.
Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA - News) said a secondary offering of 16 million Class A common shares was priced $6 each. The Foothill Ranch, Calif., specialty retailer said the shares are being sold by affiliates of Prentice Capital Management LP, Capital Associates LLC and GMM Capital LLC. The offering's underwriters received an over-allotment option to buy up to 2.4 million shares.
-MarketWatch

Labels: APN, ASYS, CBT, EP, EXEL, HTX, KAR, LNG, MU, NC, PNCL, RHT, RIMM, SCLN, SHFL, TM, VOD, WAG

Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS - News) said that it is planning to offer $15 million of its stock in a public offering. The offer proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Applica Inc. (NYSE:APN - News) shares rose after Nacco Industries Inc. (NYSE:NC - News) said it has increased its tender offer price for Applica to $7 from $6.50 a share. In October, Applica, a Miramar, Fla.-based home appliance maker, agreed to be acquired by affiliates of Harbinger for $6.50 a share.
Bally Technologies said that it sold around 9,000 gaming devices in the first half of fiscal 2007, up from 6,500 at the same point a year ago. Gross margins are expected to improve in 2007 compared to fiscal 2006. Richard Haddrill, chief executive officer of the technology solutions company, said: "In the first half of our fiscal 2007, we are beginning to see the benefits of our efforts." The company also said that it has filed its form Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended September 30 and December 31, 2005. It expects to file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and for the year ended June 30, 2006 before March 15, 2007. It anticipates reporting a net loss per share of between 66 cents and 76 cents for the year to June 30, 2006.
Cabot Corp. (NYSE:CBT - News) shares rose after the chemical company was upgraded to neutral from underweight by J.P. Morgan, which cited improving earnings growth as raw materials costs fall. J.P. Morgan said it expects net gains due to falling raw materials costs and selling price increases to be around $26 million, or 27 cents a share in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
Cheniere Energy Inc. (AMEX:LNG - News) shares rose after its subsidiary Cheniere Energy Partners L.P. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $301.9 million in its initial public offering.
El Paso Corp. (NYSE:EP - News) said it sold ANR Pipeline Co., its Michigan storage assets and its 50% interest in Great Lakes Gas Transmission to TransCanada Corporation and TC PipeLines LP for $4.14 billion, including $744 million of debt. El Paso said the deal would be neutral to slightly positive for earnings and would result in after-tax proceeds of $3.3 billion.
Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL - News) said that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of its XL880 drug in patients with gastric cancer. As previously announced, a Phase II trial of XL880 in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma was initiated in June 2006. XL880 is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor.
Hutchison Telecom International (NYSE:HTX - News) said it's received approaches from multiple parties for its 67% stake in Hutchison Essar, an Indian mobile operator. Vodafone Group (NYSE:VOD - News) said it's interested in buying a controlling stake in the Indian operator.
IMS Health (NYSE:RX - News) said it has approved a buyback of up to 10 million shares under a new stock repurchase program.
Memory chip maker Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News) tripled its profit on 16% sales growth.
Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ:ONCY - News) said it has begun patient enrolment in its U.K. Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of Reolysin in combination with low-dose radiation in patients with advanced cancers.
Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ:PNCL - News) shares shot up after it announced a deal to fly for Northwest Airlines Corp. (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News) through 2017 and analyst upgrades of hte regional carrier. The Amex Airlines Index gained 0.3% to 57.37 points, with Mesa Air Group climbing on a plan to form a regional airline in China with Shenzen Airlines.
Software maker Red Hat (NYSE:RHT - News) reported a stronger-than-forecast 45% sales growth.
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM - News) reported a 47% profit rise on 49% sales growth.
Resources Connection Inc. (NASDAQ:RECN - News) reported second-quarter net earnings of $14.7 million, or 29 cents a share, compared with $16 million, or 31 cents a share, in the same period last year. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, among other items, the Costa Mesa, Calif. -based provider of professional services posted per-share earnings of 36 cents. Revenue rose 16% to $182.8 million from $158.1 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected per-share earnings of 27 cents, on revenue of $177 million.
SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SCLN - News) and Sigma-Tau said that a large phase 2 trial treating patients with stage IV malignant melanoma, showed positive interim survival data. Data from the first four arms of this ongoing five-arm trial showed that the addition of 3.2 mg of ZADAXIN to standard dacarbazine chemotherapy increased the median survival to 10.2 months, the companies said.
Shuffle Master (NASDAQ:SHFL - News) reported fiscal fourth-quarter net earnings of $4.9 million, or 14 cents share, down from $8.2 million and 23 cents a year ago. Revenue rose 39% to $46.1 million. The per-share profit figure includes 7 cents of charges and 3 cents for stock-option expensing; the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been for Shuffle Master to earn 19 cents a share on revenue of $44 million. Shares ended the day down slightly at $26.22 but jumped more than 5% in after-hours action.
Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM - News) said it expects 2007 world-wide sales will rise 6% to 9.3 million autos. The company expects world-wide sales of its Toyota brand autos to rise 6% to 8.4 million units. Toyota forecast combined overseas sales for its Toyota, Daihatsu and Hino brands will grow 8% to 6.9 million autos, and combined sales in Japan to rise 1% to 2.4 million units.
Walgreen Co. (NYSE:WAG - News) said first-quarter income rose 25% to $432 million, or 43 cents a share, from $346 million, or 34 cents, a year ago. Sales for the three months ended Nov. 30 gained 17% to $12.71 billion from $10.9 billion, while same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose 9.7%. Analysts, on average, forecast earnings of 41 cents a share on sales of $12.55 billion.
Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA - News) said a secondary offering of 16 million Class A common shares was priced $6 each. The Foothill Ranch, Calif., specialty retailer said the shares are being sold by affiliates of Prentice Capital Management LP, Capital Associates LLC and GMM Capital LLC. The offering's underwriters received an over-allotment option to buy up to 2.4 million shares.
-MarketWatch

Labels: APN, ASYS, CBT, EP, EXEL, HTX, KAR, LNG, MU, NC, PNCL, RHT, RIMM, SCLN, SHFL, TM, VOD, WAG

Pinnacle Airlines Corp., a regional airline that provides short flights for Northwest Airlines Inc., saw its shares add $7.10, or 66.4 percent, to $17.80 after the company late Thursday said it reached an amended agreement with Northwest.
Under the agreement, which is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court overseeing Northwest's bankruptcy proceedings, Pinnacle will receive about $377.5 million to settle claims against Northwest regarding past agreements with the carrier, which is operating under bankruptcy protection. Pinnacle will also continue as Northwest's partner through at least 2017, under terms of the deal.
Shares of Pinnacle closed at $10.70 Thursday on the Nasdaq.

Labels: Pinnacle Airlines Corp., PNCL