ENERGY, METALS, CURRENCIES

Crude oil further slipped on oil inventory report, showing another increase in oil and gasoline supplies. Light sweet crude December contract fell 35 cents to $59.50 a barrel on the Nymex. Heating oil fell 1 cent to $1.7926 a gallon. Gasoline declined 2 cents to $1.582.

Gold futures closed higher in Europe. In London gold was traded at $461.75 per troy ounce, up from $459.60. In Zurich it finished at $462.80, up from $459.40. In Hong Kong the precious metal lost $4.70 to close at $461.25. Silver closed at $7.49, down from $7.82.

In European trading the U.S. dollar was mixed against its major counterparts. The euro traded at $1.2034, up from $1.2014. The dollar changed hands at 116.85 yen, up from 116.63. The British pound was trading at $1.7702, up from $1.7656.

EARNINGS NEWS

Time Warner Inc. (TWX: chart), media and entertainment company, announced that Q3 net income advanced 80% to 19 cents a share, up from 11 cents a share in the year-ago period on 6% higher revenue, beating analyst estimate of 17 cents a share. The company lifted its buyback plan by $7.5 billion. Adjusted operating profit before depreciation and amortization rose 9%, in view of the increases of 21% at networks and cable, 6.9% at the AOL Internet unit and 9.1% in publishing. Filmed entertainment dropped 30% due to difficult prior-year comparisons.

Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK: chart), defense contractor announced that Q2 profit advanced 34% to $1.01 a share from the year-earlier period. Sales increased 15% on strong demand for ammunition, rocket motors and precision munitions. The company envisages fiscal-year earnings in the range of $4.48 to $4.58 a share on revenue of $3.1 billion.

Citizen Communications (CZN: chart), telecom operator, reported that it reversed to a Q3 profit of 11 cents a share, up vs. a loss of 4 cents a share in the same period last year despite a revenue decline.

Beazer Homes USA (BZH: chart), homebuilder, reported fiscal Q4 earnings of $3.61 a share, up from $1.82 a share in the year-ago period on revenue growth, topping analyst estimate of $3.11 a share. Home closings advanced 24%, new orders increased 16% and the sales value rose 25%. For fiscal 2006, the company anticipates earnings of $10.50 a share, vs. analyst expectations of $10.44.

Dean Foods (DF: chart), dairy products produce, posted Q3 net income of 67 cents a share, up from 25 cents a share in the year-earlier period, beating analyst estimate of 51 cents a share. Earnings from continuing operations amounted to 43 cents a share, up vs. 24 cents. Sales advanced to $2.65 billion from $2.58 billion. The company estimated earnings of 52-55 cents a share for Q4 and added that higher fuel costs will be in the range of $35-$40 million.

Huntsman Corp (HUN: chart), chemicals maker, posted a Q3 loss of 14 cents a share, down from a profit of 10 cents a share in the year-ago period despite revenue growth, missing analyst forecasts of a profit of 28 cents a share. On a continuing operations basis, the company gained 35 cents a share, up slightly from a profit of 33 cents a share a year-ago.

Playboy Enterprises (PLA: chart), magazine publisher, posted Q3 earnings of 10 cents a share, up from a profit of 6 cents a share in the same period last year on revenue growth and a significant decline in interest expense following the refinancing of its debt. The company missed analysts’ forecasts for a profit of 11 cents a share.

Devon Energy Corp, (DVN: chart), an oil and gas producer, reported Q3 net income of $1.63 a share, up from $1.06 a share in the year-ago period, missing the analyst estimate of $1.80 a share.The company stated that its net income incorporates special items, which reduced earnings by 24 cents a share. If not for the items, Devon would have gained $1.87 a share.

Omnicare Inc, (OCR: chart), pharmaceutical producer, posted Q3 net income of 54 cents a share, up from 52 cents a share in the year-earlier period on revenue growth, missing analyst expectations of 64 cents a share. Adjusted earnings amounted to 64 cents, up from 57 cents in the prior year period.

Inverness Medical Innovations Inc, (IMA: chart), maker of diagnostic products, announced that its Q3 loss widened to 25 cents a share, from 14 cents in the same period last year despite revenue growth. On an adjusted basis, the company reported a loss of 11 cents, down vs. a loss of 6 cents.