DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

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

Home Depot Net Tops Estimates; Co Boosts Year View

Home Depot Inc.'s (HD) earnings fell a smaller-than-expected 7.2% as operating improvements helped offset weak sales. The world's largest home-improvement retailer by sales also raised its fiscal-year earnings outlook to reflect the year-to-date performance. Shares jumped 3% to $26.90.

Target Profit Falls Again; Cost Cuts Help Results Top Views

Target Corp.'s (TGT) profit fell 6.4%, the retailer's eighth consecutive quarterly profit decline, but the results were well above expectations as the discount retailer continued to cut costs and inventory. Shares climbed 5.3% to $43.39.

Cardinal Health Earnings Drop On Lower Sales, Sees Strong FY

Cardinal Health Inc.'s (CAH) income dropped 14% on weaker sales and profit in its medical-products segment, though earnings matched and revenue beat Wall Street's expectations. The company also raised its fiscal-year earnings view and gave a stronger-than-expected projection for revenue growth. Shares jumped 4.2% to $34.75.

CIT Posts $1.62B Loss; Credit Provisions Surge

CIT Group Inc. (CIT) posted a $1.62 billion quarterly loss from continuing operations as the struggling lender borrowed funds at a higher rate than it loaned out and squirreled away reserves to account for future losses. The results strike a blow to the very core of the company's small business lending operations, heightening concerns around its ability to survive. Shares are up 5.2% to $1.43.

Agilent Swings To Loss On Charges, Gives Strong View

Agilent Technologies Inc. (A) swung to a loss - its second in a row - on lower sales and restructuring and impairment charges. Shares rose 8.5% to $25.56 as the maker of testing and measurement equipment's results topped Wall Street's expectations and it gave a more optimistic fiscal fourth-quarter forecast than analysts' estimated.

TJX Earnings Rise With Sales, Margins But Guidance Disappoints

TJX Cos.'s (TJX) earnings rose 31% amid stronger sales and margins, but the retailer issued guidance - the lower range of which falls below Wall's Street's expectations. For the year, TJX, which buys fashion brands at prices below wholesale, then sells them at very steep discounts, projected earnings of $2.26 to $2.38, while analysts were looking for $2.36. Shares declined 3.7% to $34.08.

Saks Loss Widens Amid Markdowns; Margins Top Views

Saks Inc.'s (SKS) loss widened on lower margins as markdowns continued to take a toll, but the luxury retailer's loss was much better than expectations, aided by strong expense management, while sales slid. Chairman and Chief Executive Stephen Sadove said although the economy remains difficult, the company's gross margin exceeded expectations and inventories were down 18% per store on a year-over-year basis. Shares jumped 4.1% to $5.57.

Cargill Earnings Decline On More Fertilizer Weakness

Cargill Inc.'s earnings fell 69% amid further declines at its fertilizer and processing operations and a loss at its risk management and financial services unit. Chairman and Chief Executive Greg Page said the company expects the effects of the global downturn to "persist for some time" but noted that the company continued to open or expand major processing facilities and strengthen its supply chains.

Dillard's Loss Narrows On Cost-Cutting; Inventory Drops

Dillard's Inc.'s (DDS) loss narrowed despite a drop in sales, as the department-store operator's efforts to manage inventory and cut costs paid off. Gross margin grew to 29.9% from 29.7%, because of efforts to manage inventory and minimize markdowns. Inventory was lowered by 18% in comparable stores, and down 19% companywide. Shares climbed 4.3% to $10.42.

Higher Sales Propel Perrigo's Net; Co Sees Strong FY EPS

Perrigo Co.'s (PRGO) earnings edged up 0.4%, helped by higher sales and strength in its prescription drug business, prompting the company to issue a rosy fiscal 2010 earnings outlook. Shares rose 3.9% to $27.53.