General Electric, (GE: chart), said the results reflect strong top and bottom-line growth at its commercial finance unit, demand for products and services at its infrastructure division and strong profitability at healthcare, consumer finance and industrial operations. It is expecting double-digit segment profit growth in five of its six businesses and EPS from continuing operations of 48 cents to 50 cents a share in the third quarter. It also added that it continues to anticipate a 13% to 17% rise in earnings per share from continuing operations in 2006 to $1.94 to $2.02.

Regions Financial Corp, (RF: chart), financial holding company, reported Q2 net income advanced to 75 cents a share, from 53 cents a share in the year-ago period, beating analysts expectations for earning of 64 cents a share. Net interest margin grew 4.24%.

Sensient Technologies Corp, (SXT: chart), synthesizer of flavors, fragrances and colors, reported that Q2 income advanced to 40 cents a share, from 34 cents a year ago on revenue growth. The company forecast fiscal 2006 earnings at $1.38 to $1.42 a share.

Popular Inc, (BPOP: chart), financial-services provider, reported that Q2 net income dropped 26% as net fell to 34 cents a share, from 48 cents in the year-earlier period. The return of the company on assets narrowed to 0.8% from 1.16% in the quarter while return on equity shrank to 10.72% from 17.06%. The net interest margin narrowed to 3.23% from 3.35%. The company said it must continue restructuring its mortgage business in the U.S. and increase deposits and new loans in all its markets.