Earnings roundup: Kenneth Cole 4Q loss more than quadruples, Ferro loss narrows on lower costs

Earnings roundup: Kenneth Cole, Ferro

Among the earnings stories for Tuesday, March 2, from AP Financial News:

NEW YORK (AP) — Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. said that its fourth-quarter loss more than quadrupled as a series of accounting charges dragged down results and its sales fell.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.’s profit jumped 77 percent in the fourth quarter on higher sales and lower interest payments.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Industrial materials maker Ferro Corp. said its fourth-quarter loss narrowed on lower costs and a boost in sales.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. says it swung to a profit in its fiscal first quarter, as the homebuilder benefited from a hefty tax gain.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Revamped pizza and a frank advertising campaign helped Domino’s Pizza Inc. more than double its fourth-quarter profit as curious customers tried out its new recipe, the delivery chain said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Staples Inc., the largest U.S. office supply retailer, said sales to both consumers and small businesses improved in the fourth quarter but gave a 2010 outlook that disappointed investors.

NEW YORK (AP) — Deer Consumer Products Inc., a Chinese maker of home appliances, said that its 2009 profit nearly tripled. But the company’s sales outlook fell short, and shares fell more than 9 percent.

NEW YORK (AP) — Medical device maker Mindray Medical International Ltd. said its profit grew 18 percent in the fourth quarter due to greater sales in China.