stock market news, financial, business, earnings & dividend reports

Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW), a global leader in avocado marketing and an expanding provider of other perishable items and prepared foods, reported that fiscal 2010 third quarter net income advanced 141 percent on an eight percent increase in revenues. Eclipsing the previous all-time highs set last quarter, the record results reflect higher fresh and prepared avocado product sales, as well as growth in diversified perishable produce.

Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE: OXM) announced financial results for its fiscal 2010 second quarter, which ended July 31, 2010.  Consolidated net sales were $186.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to $192.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.  Last year's sales included $13.4 million of sales from businesses the Company has exited.  Diluted net earnings per share were $0.44, exceeding both the Company's previously issued guidance of $0.30-$0.35 and a loss of $0.01 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced results for its fiscal third quarter, which ended July 31, 2010.

Michael J. Gasser, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased with our strong third quarter results, which were driven by improved sales volumes across all our businesses and geographic regions compared to the same quarter last year.  Operating profit margin increased by more than 1 percentage point due to higher sales volumes, cost controls and productivity improvements.  In addition, the quarterly results benefited from permanent cost savings that were achieved during fiscal 2009 and further savings realized this year."

Brown-Forman (NYSE: BFB) (NYSE: BFA) confirms its guidance for fiscal 2011 following its first quarter performance. Improving upon its full year fiscal 2010 performance, the company grew underlying net sales 3% and reported net sales 1%, to $745 million during the quarter. Paul Varga, the company’s chief executive officer stated, “In what remains a sluggish environment, we performed within our expectations for our first quarter. Continuing our trends of the prior two quarters, we posted good underlying growth in sales and gross profit. This growth was driven by a strong net sales performance internationally.”

Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYG), a worldwide leader in high-productivity mining solutions, reported third quarter fiscal year 2010 results. New orders increased 51 percent as compared to the third quarter of 2009. Net sales for the quarter were $850 million compared to $956 million in the third quarter of last year. Operating income was $172 million, or 20 percent of net sales, in the current quarter versus $195 million, or 20 percent of net sales, in the prior year. Net income in the current quarter was $119 million, or $1.13 per fully diluted share, compared to $124 million, or $1.21 per fully diluted share, in the prior year third quarter.

American Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSWA)  reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, delivering a 39% increase in first quarter operating earnings when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2010, achieving 38 consecutive quarters of profitability and completing 28 consecutive quarters of dividend distributions to shareholders.

Applied Signal Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: APSG) announced operating results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010, ended July 30, 2010. Revenues for the third quarter increased 14% to $56,410,000 compared to the year-ago period’s revenues of $49,500,000. This increase resulted from growth in revenues generated by the Company’s network intelligence division, offset somewhat by lower product sales.

H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ) reported solid growth in first-quarter sales, operating income and earnings per share, driven by accelerating double-digit sales growth in Emerging Markets and strong growth in North American Consumer Products.

ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE: ABM)  announced revenues for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 of $869.0 million compared to third quarter of fiscal year 2009 revenues of $870.6 million. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 was $21.0 million, a 70.8% increase from $12.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009. Net income per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 increased 66.7% to $0.40 compared to net income per diluted share of $0.24 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 included a $2.2 million ($0.04 per diluted share) after-tax benefit from one less day of labor expense compared to the year-ago quarter. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 included $3.1 million ($0.06 per diluted share) after-tax expense for corporate initiatives and a $2.1 million ($0.04 per diluted share) after-tax insurance expense related to prior years, partially offset by a tax credit of $1.8 million ($0.04 per diluted share).

As its fiscal year draws to a close, Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) confirmed the drivers of its fourth-quarter operating plan have tracked well with management expectations, positioning the company to conclude the fiscal year within its previous guidance ranges for ongoing earnings per share (EPS) and free cash flow.