US EARNINGS WRAP: Farmer Mac, Lions Gate Income Rise

   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

Below is a synopsis of major quarterly releases from Monday night and Tuesday morning:

Farmer Mac Profit Up 18% On Investment Gains

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. (AGM), better known as Farmer Mac, reported its second-quarter earnings climbed 18% on sharply higher net investment gains. Shares jumped 8.9% to $9.89. The stock, while nearly tripling this year, is still down 69% from a year earlier.

Lions Gate Smashes Estimates As Earnings Surge

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.'s (LGF) fiscal first-quarter profit soared on stronger TV and film revenue and the acquisition of the TV Guide business. Shares rose 11% to $7.16 as the studio's results far exceeded Wall Street's expectations.

Fossil Earnings Down 34%; 3Q View

Fossil Inc.'s (FOSL) second-quarter profit fell 34% on lower revenue and margins as earnings beat the company's forecast. But the stock fell 5.9% to $26.09 as the watch and fashion accessories retailer gave a weak earnings target for the current period.

Petroleum Development Loss Narrows; Stock Sale Planned

Petroleum Development Corp.'s (PETD) loss narrowed on a smaller hedging loss, and the company said it would sell stock in a offering which would boost the current share count some 25%. Shares slid 19% to $13.90 as the oil and gas producer's results fell far short of estimates.

Fluor Income Down 19% On Prior-Year Gain

Fluor Corp.'s (FLR) earnings fell 19% as revenue fell and a year-ago gain made for difficult comparisons, but the bottom line topped Wall Street expectations. Still, stock in the engineering firm fell 3.6% to $55.44, giving back some gains from the past month.

McDermott Profit Slides 48% Amid Demand Woes

McDermott International Inc.'s (MDR) profit fell 48%, hurt by declines in two key segments. The energy-infrastructure company reported earnings slightly above analysts' expectations and shares were little changed.

Quest Software Earnings Double On Surging Margins

Quest Software Inc.'s (QSFT) earnings more than doubled as operating margins surged. Although total revenue fell, adjusted income topped Wall Street expectations. Shares rose 5.6% to $15.77.

Zoltek Posts Loss On Slumping Sales, Margins

Shares of Zoltek Cos. (ZOLT) slumped a day after the carbon-fiber maker reported it swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss on falling sales and plunging margins related to its increased capacity. The stock was down shares 21% at $8.18.