SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Thursday's session are Hewlett-Packard Co., Walt Disney Co., Applied Materials Inc. and Gap Inc.
Autodesk Inc. (ADSK) is expected to report a third-quarter profit of 30 cents a share, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
Barnes & Noble Inc.'s (BKS) third quarter is seen showing a 2-cent loss.
Gap Inc. (GPS) is expected to post earnings of 24 cents a share in its third quarter.
H&R Block Inc. (HRB) is seen posting a fiscal second-quarter loss of 16 cents a share.
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s (HPQ) fiscal fourth quarter is expected to show per-share earnings of 46 cents.
J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM) is expected to post a profit of 81 cents a share in its fiscal second quarter.
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (MRVL) is seen posting a third-quarter profit of 33 cents a share.
Starbucks Corp.'s (SBUX) fiscal fourth quarter earnings are expected to come in at 15 cents a share.
Walt Disney Co. (DIS) is expected to report a per-share profit of 18 cents in its fiscal fourth quarter.
Williams-Sonoma Inc. (WSM) is seen reporting third-quarter earnings of 30 cents a share.
After Wednesday's closing bell, Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) reported its fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell 46% as demand for chip equipment used to make computers and consumer electronics slumped.
Watch list
Brady Corp. (BRC) reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $30.2 million, or 60 cents a share, up 48% from $20.4 million, or 41 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue at the Milwaukee-based company rose 16%, to $232.6 million from $200.4 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated revenue of $215 million.
Bombay Co. (BBA) reported a third-quarter net loss of $4.13 million, or 11 cents a share, vs. a restated net loss of $7.33 million, or 20 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue at the Fort Worth, Texas-based retailer rose slightly, to $128.1 million from a restated $126.7 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated a loss of 13 cents a share on revenue of $129 million.
Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (BRCDE) said it expects fourth-quarter earnings of breakeven to a penny a share on revenue of $144 million to $146 million. The earnings are expected to include about 6 cents a share in various charges, including, in part, taxes and fees related to the repatriation of foreign earnings and stock-based compensation expenses. Brocade had previously forecast pro forma earnings of 3 cents to 4 cents a share on revenue of $140 million to $145 million. Gross margins are now expected to be in the range of 55% to 56%, compared previous forecast of 55% to 57%. Brocade attributed its better-than-expected outlook to strong demand, particularly for directors and embedded switches for blade servers.
Gymboree Corp. (GYMB) reported third-quarter net earnings of $12.6 million, or 39 cents a share, vs. $4.17 million, or 13 cents a share, during the same period a year ago. The San Francisco-based retailer posted revenue of $174.5 million vs. $152.8 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had estimated third-quarter revenue of $176 million.
Hillenbrand Industries Inc. (HB) said it's restating financial results for 2004 and delaying the release of its 2005 results release to Nov. 28. The release was previously scheduled for Thursday. The Batesville, Ind.-based company said the restatement will add $15.3 million, or 24 cents per share, to earnings, and only impacts discontinued operations. The company also reaffirmed its pro forma 2005 earnings per share forecast of $2.90 to $2.95.
Hot Topic Inc. (HOTT) said third-quarter earnings declined 54% to $5.9 million, or 13 cents a share, compared with last year's profit of $12.9 million, or 26 cents a share. The results included a charge of $1.5 million, or 2 cents a share, linked to potential liabilities associated with two related wage-and-hour lawsuits in California. Total sales climbed 7% to $192.7 million from $180.8 million a year ago. Sales at stores open longer than a year declined 6.2% in the quarter following a 4.2% drop in the same period a year ago.
Intuit Inc. (INTU) said its quarterly loss narrowed as revenue jumped 20% thanks to strong demand for its QuickBooks accounting software. The company also lifted its financial outlook and said its board approved a new $500 million stock buyback plan.
Medtronic Inc. (MDT) said its second-quarter net income jumped by 52%, thanks to across-the-board growth in its various product lines.
Men's Wearhouse Inc. (MW) reported third-quarter net earnings of $24.1 million, or 44 cents a share, up 87% from $12.9 million, or 23 cents a share, last year. Revenue at the Dallas-based retailer rose to $392.7 million from $357.8 million, and U.S. same-store sales rose 6.6%. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had estimated revenue of $392 million.
Network Appliance Inc. (NTAP) reported a second-quarter profit that grew 28% from a year ago, highlighted by strong market acceptance of its newest midrange product line.
PetSmart Inc. (PETM) said third quarter profit was little changed from last year, though revenue rose almost 10% on the increased sales of pet services.
Salesforce.com Inc. (CRM) said its quarterly profit jumped, helped by a one-time tax benefit, as revenue surged 78%.
St. Paul Travelers Cos. Inc. (STA) said that Hurricane Wilma will cost it about $220 million, after taxes and reinsurance.
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