SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are Comcast Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and Dominion Resources Inc.
Advance Auto Parts Inc. (AAP) is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 55 cents a share.
Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BDX) is seen posting a per-share profit of 70 cents a share in its fourth quarter.
Clorox Co.'s (CLX) third quarter is expected to show a profit of 70 cents a share.
Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), (CMCSK) is expected to report a profit of 14 cents a share in its third quarter.
DirecTV Group Inc.'s (DTV) third quarter results are expected to show per-share earnings of 5 cents a share.
Dominion Resources Inc. (D) is seen posting a third-quarter profit of $1.18 a share.
Harrah's Entertainment Inc.'s (HET) third quarter is expected to show a per-share profit of 99 cents.
MCI Inc. (MCIP) is expected to post earnings of 5 cents a share in its third quarter.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (RRGB) is seen posting third-quarter earnings of 40 cents a share.
Sara Lee Corp.'s (SLE) third quarter is seen showing a per-share profit of 27 cents.
After Wednesday's closing bell, Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) reported that quarterly profit rose 37% late Wednesday and boosted its sales outlook due to demand for its mobile-phone chip technology.
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Activision Inc. (ATVI) said it swung to a fiscal second quarter loss, yet the video game publisher topped its prior revenue forecast, as well as analysts' estimates.
BMC Software Inc. (BMC) said its quarterly profit more than tripled as expenses declined and revenue rose. The company also raised its financial outlook.
Dominion Resources Inc. (D) reported third-quarter net earnings of $15 million, or 4 cents a share, vs. $337 million, or $1.02 a share, during the same period a year ago. The Richmond, Va.-based utility company posted operating revenue of $4.56 billion vs. $3.29 billion.
DTE Energy Co. (DTE) reported a 95% decline in third-quarter earnings, attributing the drop-off to how it accounted for energy trading contracts and synthetic fuel revenue.
Federated Department Stores Inc. (FD) closing bell said same-store sales fell 0.7% in October, but rose 0.6% in the third quarter compared with last year.
Guess Inc. (GES) said third-quarter earnings soared 75% amid robust sales in North America and Europe. The contemporary apparel designer and retailer said it made $20.7 million, or 46 cents a share, compared to $11.8 million, or 27 cents a share a year ago. Total sales surged 34% to $265.6 million from $197.8 million.
GlobalSantaFe Corp. (GSF) reported third-quarter net income of $108 million, or 44 cents a share, up from $59 million, or 25 cents, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter rose to $597 million from $463 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had expected the Houston-based company to report earnings of 48 cents a share on $610 million of revenue.
LMI Aerospace Inc. (LMIA) said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with its largest customer, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., to provide wing and fuselage components and kits for the Gulfstream G450, G500 and G550. LMI said it expects the contract to be finalized by Dec. 31, and to be valued at $170 million over a five-year period.
Men's Wearhouse (MW) said that sales at U.S. stores open at least one year increased 6.7% in October. Net sales of all stores for the month totaled $132 million, up 9.2%. Additionally, the retailer said it expects third-quarter earnings to match or surpass the company's previous forecast of 35 cents a share.
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (MRH) reported a third-quarter net loss of $875.1 million, or $12.16 per share, late Wednesday after the Bermuda-based reinsurer was hit hard by hurricanes in the period. A year ago, the company lost $78.2 million, or $1.26 a share. Hurricanes and other catastrophes in the period cost the company a net $972 million
Napster Inc. (NAPS) reported a second-quarter net loss of $13.6 million, or 32 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $15.3 million, or 44 cents a share, last year. Revenue at the Los Angeles-based music subscription service rose to $23.4 million from $9.3 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated a loss of 47 cents a share.
Nationwide Financial (NFS) that third-quarter net income climbed 22% on the back of a favorable federal tax benefit. Net income was $166.7 million, or $1.08 per share, vs. $136.4 million, or 89 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2004, the life insurance and annuity company reported. Operating earnings came in at $174 million, or $1.13 per share. The company was expected to earn 88 cents a share in the period, according to the average forecast of 21 analysts in a Thomson First Call survey.
Novell Inc. (NOVL) said it plans to cut some 600 jobs, or more than 10% of its worldwide workforce, by the end of its first fiscal quarter under a restructuring to focus of key growth areas.
Priceline.com Inc (PCLN) reported higher third-quarter earnings as gross travel bookings surged 40%. The company said it made $19.3 million, or 47 cents a share in the third quarter, compared with $11.3 million, or 28 cents a year earlier, excluding items.
Prudential Financial (PRU) said that third-quarter profit more than doubled as the company sold more annuities and generated strong growth overseas. Net income jumped to $1.32 billion, or $2.59 per share, from $548 million, or $1.08 a share, a year earlier, the company reported. Operating earnings came in at $737 million, or $1.46 per share. The leading life insurer was forecast to make $1.16 per share in the period, according to a survey of 18 analysts by Thomson First Call.
Sunoco Inc. (SUN) reported that its third-quarter net earnings jumped threefold to $329 million, or $2.39 a share, from $104 million, or 69 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter rose to $9.3 billion from $6.56 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had predicted the Philadelphia-based petroleum refiner would hand in per-share earnings of $2.72 on $11.58 billion of revenue.
Symbol Technologies Inc. (SBL) reported a third-quarter profit that slipped by 6% from a year ago, but the company saw revenue rise.
Navision Communications Inc. (UVN) posted net third-quarter earnings of $79.2 million, or 25 cents a share, vs. $73.4 million, or 23 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $498 million vs. $477 million. Adjusting for one-time items, the Spanish-language broadcasting company said it would have made 23 cents a share; on that basis it was expected to earn 22 cents a share on revenue of $491 million, according to a Thomson First Call survey.
Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI) reported third-quarter net income of $39.6 million, or 36 cents a share, compared with $14.6 million, or 13 cents a share reported a year ago. In the 2004 quarter, earnings were impaired by a charge of 24 cents a share due to an asset impairment charge. The Corona, Calif.-based drug maker said revenue was $410.3 million, vs. $408 million a year ago. Watson's earnings were two cents ahead of the 34-cent forecast from analysts polled by Thomson First Call, but sales were a bit below the $413.9 million projected.
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