Skillsoft Plc, (SKIL: chart), added that Q2 includes non-cash charges totaling $6.3 million and restatement expenses of $100,000 related to an ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. The year-earlier performance also includes a number of items, most notably a gain of $19.5 million from an insurance settlement. Looking ahead, the company raised its outlook for fiscal 2007 to 17 to 20 cents a share. Its previous view was for a profit of 16 to 20 cents a share.

Novelis Inc, (NVL: chart), the aluminum rolled products company, filed its 10-K for 2005 and said it would report a loss this year after being unable to hedge the metal price ceilings on can sheet sales. Novelis has managed to eliminate half of its metal price ceiling exposure beginning in 2007, it added. Through June 30, Novelis had incurred expenses of approximately $30 million related to the restatement and review process. For 2005, net income gained 64% and revenue rose 8% to $8.36 billion. It plans to submit results for Q1 of 2006 in mid-September.

Conn''s Inc, (CONN: chart), a specialty retailer, announced it expects earnings of 35 to 36 cents a share for Q2 on revenue of between $183. 1 million to $183.2 million. The results are preliminary as the company continues to conduct an internal review of the accounting for its interest in securitized assets. The company believes its assets may be understated by as much as $15 million, and it may be required to restate certain past results following completion of the review. The current analysts’ estimate is for earnings of 34 cents a share.