subject: Stocks In Focus For Friday [print this page] Agilent Technologies IncAgilent Technologies Inc. is forecast to post earnings of 23 cents a share in the fiscal fourth quarter, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.
After Thursday's closing bell, Walt Disney Co. said its fourth fiscal-quarter profit rose 18% on improved results at cable network ESPN and syndication sales of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives." The Burbank, Calif.-based entertainment conglomerate said it earned $895 million, or 47 cents a share, compared with a profit of $760 million, or 40 cents a share, in the prior year's fourth quarter. Excluding an item, the company said it would've earned 46 cents a share in the latest three months. Revenue rose 4% to $9.87 billion from $9.44 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected to see a profit of 41 cents a share on sales of $9.31 billion.
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Blockbuster Inc. said its third-quarter loss widened to $114.1 million latex Hoodsfrom $20.6 million a year ago. After the payment of preferred stock dividends, Blockbuster reported a loss of 60 cents a share in the latest quarter, compared with 11 cents in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, the company would have reported a loss of 20 cents a share in the latest quarter. Revenue fell to $910.5 million from $1.16 billion last year. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research estimated a quarterly loss of 11 cents a share on revenue of $1.01 billion.
British Airways and Iberia said they have signed a binding memorandum of understanding where both airlines will combine operation. British Airways will have a 55% stake in the new holding company that will own both airlines. A combined airline would have 419 aircraft and fly to 205 destinations and annual revenue about 15 billion euros based on 2010 figures. The airlines expect to complete the merger in late 2010.
Nordstrom Inc. reported fiscal third-quarter net income rose to $83 million, or 38 cents a share, from $71 million, or 33 cents, a year ago. Net sales for the three months ended Oct. 31 rose 3.5% to $1.87 billion as shoppers hit by the recession gradually returned to stores. Same-store sales for the quarter slipped 1.2% from a year ago. The results matched what analysts polled by FactSet Research had expected. Nordstrom, citing continued improvement through the third quarter, raised its full-year earnings outlook to $1.83 to $1.88 a share from $1.50 to $1.65 previously.
