Pathmark Stores, Inc. (PTMK: chart) reported before market open Thursday that it swung to a quarterly loss from a year-earlier profit, blaming weaker sales, higher promotion costs and increased medical expenses. The Carteret, New Jersey-based supermarket chain announced a net loss of $1.8 million, or 6 cents a share, for the fiscal first quarter of 2004, in contrast to a profit of $900,000, or 3 cents a share, for the comparable period a year ago. Excluding special items, Pathmark said it had a loss of $2.5 million, or 8 cents per share, in the quarter ended May 1, compared with a profit of $3.0 million, or 10 cents per share, in the prior-year quarter. Analysts had been expecting a loss before items of 9 cents per share, on average. Sales for the first quarter eased 1.5% to $990.1 million from $1 billion, last year. Same-store sales slipped 1.4%. The company said that steep inflation in certain categories also hurt the results.

Looking ahead, Pathmark confirmed its previous outlook for 2004 earnings in the range of 28 cents to 47 cents a share. The current mean estimate of analysts is for a profit of 32 cents a share in 2004.

Pathmark shares dropped 5 cents on Thursday to $6.75.

Ultimate Electronics, Inc. (ULTE: chart) of Thornton, Colorado, announced before the bell Thursday a deeper quarterly loss, hurt by sales shortfall and rising administrative expenses. The electronics retailer said that its fiscal first-quarter net loss rose to $8.4 million, or 57 cents a share, from a net loss of $1.4 million, or 10 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Results were below analysts’ projections for a first-quarter loss of 31 cents a share. For the full year, Ultimate said that it expects to break even.

The stock rocketed up 17.39% to $4.05 at market close Thursday.

Quanex Corporation (NX: chart) on Thursday turned in net income of $11.5 million, or 69 cents a share, for its fiscal second quarter, up from net income of $9.4 million, or 58 cents a share, in the 2003 corresponding period. The Houston, Texas-based maker of steel bars and aluminum flat-rolled products cited two acquisitions, strong demand and cost cuts as main factors for the profit rise. The company delivered record quarterly sales of $406.0 million, a 60% increase year-over-year.

Quanex shares dipped 2.75% to close Thursday at $43.85.

Canadian Western Bank ((CWB.TO)) posted Thursday net earnings of C$9.8 million ($7.2 million), or 74 Canadian cents a share, for its second quarter, an 11% improvement from net earnings of C$8.9 million, or 70 Canadian cents a share, last year. The Edmonton, Canada-based bank recorded revenue of C$34.3 million in the quarter, up 9% from a year ago. The company attributed the results to strong loan spreads and increased retail banking activity.

Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (RDEN: chart) of Miami Lakes, Florida, said Thursday that its quarterly net loss widened, dragged by charges. The cosmetics maker announced a net loss of $16.6 million, or 95 cents a share, for its first quarter, against a loss of $15.7 million, or 93 cents a share, a year ago. Excluding unusual items, the loss narrowed to $13.7 million, or 56 cents a share, matching analysts’ forecasts, due to increased sales of higher margin brands and lower distribution costs.

Company shares slid 2.46% on Thursday to $21.41. The stock shed 41 cents to $21.00 in after-hours trading.

Mandalay Resort Group (MBG: chart) posted Thursday fiscal first-quarter earnings that nearly doubled from a year ago, driven by strong revenue growth. The Las Vegas-based hotel-casino operator rolled out first-quarter net income of $87.3 million, or $1.30 per share, compared with net income of $44.0 million, or 69 cents per share, for the same quarter of the previous year. Earnings powered past Wall Street’s expectations for a profit of $1.12 per share in the first quarter. Revenue for the quarter surged to $729.4 million from $616.5 million.

The stock dropped 86 cents to close Thursday at $54.62. Mandalay shares rose 3.28% to $56.41 in after-market trade.

Kellwood Company (KWD: chart) of St. Louis, Missouri, reported Thursday that its first-quarter net profit rose to $25 million, or 90 cents per share, from a net profit of $20.8 million, or 78 cents per share, last year. Results of the apparel maker beat the consensus estimate of analysts by 2 cents a share. Quarterly sales advanced to $686 million from $672 million, for the first quarter of 2003. Kellwood said its acquisition of Phat Fashions helped boost its earnings.

Kellwood shares closed Thursday down 62 cents, or 1.53%, at $40.03.

Network Associates, Inc. (NET: chart) said Thursday that it expects its 2004 earnings to beat analysts’ forecasts due to gains from planned business sales. The Santa Clara, California-based provider of security software projected a profit of 47 cents per share in 2004, which would top analysts’ estimates by 2 cents per share. Network Associates said it sees 2004 revenue of $740 million, while analysts call for $827 million.

The stock soared 4.60% to $17.52 at market close Thursday.

Furniture Brands International, Inc. (FBN: chart) of St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday reduced its earnings target for the second quarter, on weak demand for its products. The U.S. top maker of residential furniture said that it now sees second-quarter net earnings in the range of 37 cents to 39 cents per share, down from its earlier guidance of 44 cents to 48 cents per share. Analysts were looking for a second-quarter profit of 48 cents per share.

Company shares lost 40 cents on Thursday to $25.35. The stock plunged 5.84% to $23.87 in the extended trading.

Sempra Energy (SRE: chart) lifted Thursday its 2004 profit outlook to between $2.90 and $3.10 per share, from a prior forecast of $2.70 to $2.90 per share. The San Diego, California-based energy services company said its revised outlook was due to strong first-quarter results. Analysts currently project earnings of $2.86 a share in 2004.

The stock closed Thursday at $33.42, down 3 cents, or 0.09%. Sempra shares dropped a penny to $33.41 in the extended session.