NEW YORK-- An analyst said Friday that he's not surprised that Wal-Mart's first-quarter performance was weak, given conditions such as an increased payroll tax and unseasonably cool weather. Thursday Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported that its first-quarter profit edged up just slightly.
NEW YORK-- Shares of Autodesk Inc. sank Friday after the design software company posted disappointing first-quarter results and lowered its forecasts for the year. THE SPARK: Autodesk reported its results after the market closed on Thursday.
MINNEAPOLIS-- Donaldson, which makes filtration systems, posted a 2 percent decline in third-quarter net income as original equipment manufacturers trimmed production. For the three months ended April 30, Donaldson Co. earned $69.8 million, or 46 cents per share.
HOUSTON-- Stage Stores' first-quarter loss widened as it spent to consolidate some facilities and, like other retailers, struggled to get shoppers out of the house and through their doors in some nasty spring weather.
U.S. stock market index futures were higher Friday, with major averages looking to log their fourth-straight week higher, ahead of a key reading on consumer sentiment.
SINA Corp., which operates a popular Chinese Internet portal, said Thursday that it narrowed its first-quarter loss on improved revenue. Chairman and CEO Charles Chao said that SINA is making good progress in transitioning from a personal computer-focused business to a mobile-centric Internet company.
SAN JOSE, Calif.-- Brocade Communications Systems Inc., a maker of computer networking technology, said Thursday that fiscal second-quarter sales fell because of a slowdown in the storage market. Net income rose 20 percent, to $47 million, or 10 cents per share, in the February-April quarter, from $39.3 million, or 8 cents per share the year before.
May 16- Nordstrom Inc on Thursday reported lower-than-expected sales and profit for the first quarter, citing weak business in early winter, and lowered its full-year sales forecast, sending shares down 3.9 percent in after-hours trading.