US EARNINGS WRAP:Liz Claiborne Misses; Applied Material Beats

   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

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

Liz Claiborne Loss Widens; Sales Keep Falling

Liz Claiborne Inc.'s (LIZ) second-quarter loss widened on falling revenue and flat margins as the seventh-straight quarterly loss for the apparel maker was wider than Wall Street expected. Shares fell 6% to $3.77.

Applied Materials Tops Views, Sees Improved Demand

Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) swung to a fiscal third-quarter loss but joined the ranks of technology companies reporting improved demand. Results topped analysts' expectations, helping send it stock up 4.4% to $13.80.

Bob Evans Posts Weak Sales; Shares Drop

Bob Evans Farms Inc.'s (BOBE) fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 17% despite disappointing same-store sales, as the restaurateur and sausage maker benefited from lower costs in the restaurant segment. Shares fell 75.7% to $26.62 amid the weak sales and as the company reiterated its fiscal-year outlook.

E-House 2Q Results Soar On Chinese Housing Demand

Chinese builder E-House Holdings Ltd. (EJ) reported a 65% surge in second-quarter earnings as the company's results handily topped analysts' expectations and the company continues to quickly develop new space. American depositary shares jumped 11.5% to $22.36 as the company projected third-quarter revenue well above estimates.

Macy's Earnings Slump 90% On Restructuring; View Raised

Macy's Inc.'s (M) fiscal second-quarter earnings plunged 90% on restructuring charges and lower revenue as earnings beat its expectations and the company boosted its fiscal-year forecast. Shares edged higher.

Cree Income Up 15%, Gives Upbeat Forecast

Cree Inc.'s (CREE) fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 15% on higher margins and sales for the semiconductor and LED lighting company. Its stock climbed 8% to $34.38 as the company projected results this quarter above analysts' expectations.

Clearwire Loss Narrows; Subscriber Growth Slows

Clearwire Corp.'s (CLWR) second-quarter loss narrowed slightly as the wireless Internet provider continued to roll out its WiMax wireless network into more cities. Shares fell 10.5% to $7.55 as subscribership growth continued to slow.

JA Solar Posts Loss On Demand, Hedging Impacts

JA Solar Holdings Co. (JASO) swung to the red amid weak demand and a hedging-related loss. American depositary shares were down 13% to $4.57; they have tripled in the past nine months.

Sara Lee Loss Narrows; Outlook Falls Short Of Estimates

Sara Lee Corp. (SLE) posted a narrower fiscal fourth-quarter loss on sharply lower write-downs while lower sales were offset by higher margins. The company also gave a downbeat forecast for its new year, sending its stock down 7.4% to $10.

Ethan Allen Posts Loss; Earnings Minus Charges Top Views

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (ETH) swung to a loss, reflecting the home-furnishings company's sales woes and costs of transferring of upholstery production to North Carolina. But earnings excluding items handily topped analysts' expectations, pushing shares up 5.2% to $14.88.

Warnaco Income Down 8.3% On Weaker Sales, Margins

Warnaco Group Inc.'s (WRC) second-quarter profit dropped 8.3% as the stronger dollar weighed on sales abroad and higher promotions led to slumping margins. Still, the clothing retailer boosted its full-year targets more in line with Wall Street's expectations. Shares fell 1% to $37.94.

WuXi PharmaTech Earnings Soar 72%; Forecast Raised

WuXi PharmaTech Inc.'s (WX) earnings jumped 72% and the research-and-development outsourcing company for pharmaceutical and biotechnology concerns also increased its full-year profit outlook. ADS rose 17% to $12.27.