Earnings roundup: Heartland Payment misses expectations, Avista 4Q earnings climb 26 percent

Earnings roundup: Heartland Payment, Avista

Among the earnings stories for Thursday, Feb. 18, from AP Financial News:

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) — Heartland Payment Systems Inc. posted a fourth-quarter loss and missed Wall Street expectations as it booked charges to settle claims over a data breach.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Power company Avista Corp. said its fourth-quarter earnings rose 26 percent, driven by higher rates for customers of the company’s utility operations in Washington and Idaho.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Natural gas transportation company Williams Pipeline Partners LP said its 2009 profit slipped 2 percent as higher operating expenses and interest charges led to a decline in results at Northwest Pipeline GP, in which it holds a 35 percent equity interest.

PLYMOUTH, Minn. (AP) — Medical device company ev3 Inc. reported it moved to a profit in the fourth quarter, compared with a year-ago loss that included heavy impairment costs.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — The Toro Co., which makes lawnmowers and other outdoor maintenance gear, said its first-quarter profit rose on cost-cutting efforts, and it offered a better-than-expected outlook for the full year.