Packaged food company Sara Lee said second-quarter net income rose 137% to $880 million, or $1.37 a share, from $371 million, or 53 cents a share, a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations were 24 cents in second quarter. Net sales fell 0.4% to $2.35 billion from $2.36 billion a year earlier. Sara Lee shares fell 0.2% to $16.88 in premarket trading Tuesday. On average, analysts were expecting earnings of 25 cents a share on revenue of $2.63 billion.Homebuilder Beazer Homes swung to a fiscal first-quarter loss as home closings fell 43.6% and new orders fell 23.9%. Shares of the company fell 4.4% to $5.21.
Utilities company Entergy reported that fourth-quarter earnings fell 27% to $228.3 million, or $1.26 a share, from $313.8 million, or $1.64 a share, a year earlier. On an operational basis, Entergy's fourth-quarter earnings were $1.30 a share. Total revenue rose 1% to $2.53 billion, from $2.50 billion a year earlier. On average, analysts were expecting earnings of $1.24 a share on revenue of $2.68 billion. Entergy fell 1.3% to $72.93 on Monday.
Beauty products maker Avon Products said its fourth-quarter income from continuing operations fell 18% to $220 million, or 50 cents a share, from $268 million, or 62 cents a share, a year ago. Adjusted income from continuing operations was 59 cents a share. Net sales rose 1% to $3.14 billion from $3.1 billion the year before. The Wall Street consensus called for earnings of 67 cents as share on sales of $3.28 billion. The stock fell 4.4% to $28.06 during premarket trading Tuesday.
NYSE Euronext said fourth-quarter net income fell 22% to $135 million, or 51 cents a share, from $172 million, or 66 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding items, earnings in the latest quarter were 46 cents a share. Net revenue fell 4% to $613 million from $640 million. Analysts, on average, were calling for earnings of 43 cents a share on revenue of $612 million. The stock fell 2.2% to $33.01 during premarket trading Tuesday.
UBS, the Swiss bank, posted its first annual profit since 2006 after fourth-quarter earnings rose. The stock was gaining 2.2% to $18.80 in premarket trading Tuesday.
Toyota said quarterly earnings fell 39% but the world' No. 1 automaker raised its full-year revenue and profit forecasts. The stock rose 2.2% to $87 in early trading.
Kindred Healthcare will acquire RehabCare for about $900 million. Kindred shares surged 16.1% to $22.61 in premarket trading. Premarket quotes weren't available for RehabCare. Shares rose 1.1% to $25.47 at the closing bell Monday.
ArcelorMittal posted a fourth-quarter loss, but foresees a better 2011. Shares of the steelmaker popped 4.8% to $38.53 in premarket trading.
Discount retailer Big Lots is exploring a possible sale after receiving interest from buyout firms, Bloomberg reports, citing two people with knowledge of the situation. Big Lots fell 1.1% to $38.77.
