Earnings roundup: Hovnanian Enterprises trims loss for Q4, Paychex 2Q profit falls 10 percent

Earnings roundup: Hovnanian, Paychex

Among the earnings stories for Wednesday, Dec. 16, from AP Financial News:

Top stories:

RED BANK, N.J. (AP) — Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. cut its loss in its latest quarter and saw orders for new homes rise for the fourth quarter in a row.

Other stories:

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Payroll and personnel services provider Paychex Inc. said its profit fell 10 percent in the second quarter as it processed a smaller number of paychecks due to the high level of unemployment.

COLUMBIA, Md. (AP) — Martek Biosciences Corp., which sells infant formula and dietary supplements, said its fiscal 2009 fourth-quarter profit rose 5 percent as better margins and a dip in expenses offset a sales decline.