Lowe''s Cos (LOW: chart), home improvement products retailer, posted Q3 earnings of 81 cents a share, up from a profit 65 cents a share in the year-ago period, beating analyst estimate of 77 cents a share. Sales rose 16.9% in Q3 and same-store sales with 6.2%. The company said it recorded positive same-store sales in all 20 of its product categories, and 19 of its 21 geographic regions during the quarter.

Tyson Foods Inc (TSN: chart), chicken, beef and pork producer, posted Q4 net income of 28 cents a share, up from 19 cents a share in the same period last year, missing analysts’ forecasts of 30 cents a share. Q4 sales amounted to $6.5 billion, down from $7.1 billion. Operating income was $190 million, compared to $178 million.

Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (OUTD: chart), television network operator, reversed to a Q3 net profit of one penny a share, up from a net loss of $1.75 a share in the same period last year on 4.2% revenue growth. Subscriber fees climbed 11.5% from the year-ago period on an greater number of paying subscribers.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT: chart), retailer, announced that Q3 earnings increased 3.8% to 57 cents a share, from 54 cents in the year-ago period on 10% higher revenue, in line with analyst forecasts of 57 cents a share. Same-store sales for the quarter advanced 3.8%, reflecting rises of 2.9% at Wal-Mart outlets and 8.1% at Sam''s Club.

Rockwood Holdings Inc. (ROC: chart), producer of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, reported a Q3 loss of 25 cents a share, narrower than last-year’s loss of $1.50 a share in the comparable period, missing analyst estimate of 18 cents a share. Q3 earnings included $31.8 million in after-tax charges related mainly to its initial public offering. Sales jumped 44.6%, buoyed by a strong performance in its advanced ceramics and specialty chemicals businesses.

EPlus Inc (PLUS: chart), information technology company, reported that its Q3 net income shed a penny to 21 cents a share, from 22 cents a share in the same period last year despite revenue growth compared with the year-ago period.

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (EAGLE: chart), a dry-bulk tanker shipper, posted net income of 27 cents a share and revenue of $21.1 million. The company announced it expects to pay a Q4 dividend of 57 cents a share to stockholders in February 2006.

Five Star Quality Care, (FVE: chart), operator of senior living centers, posted a Q3 loss of $5.64 a share, down from profit of 10 cents a share in the same period last year. Excluding charges, Five Star would have gained 11 cents a share. During the quarter, Five Star terminated 12 management agreements with Sunrise Senior Living.