Steris Corp., (STE: chart), medical equipment maker, reported Q3 net income advanced 14.8% to 41 cents a share on 5%. revenue growth. Earnings from continuing operations were steady at 34 cents, in line with analyst forecasts. The group is planning to take a 27 cent Q4 charge connected with its previously announced relocation of a plant. The company expects earnings of 16 cents to 18 cents in Q4. Revenue should rise 5% to 6%.

Knight Ridder Inc., (KRI: chart), newspaper publisher, reported that net income fell 22.2% to $1.24 a share as operating revenue went up 3.1% at $820 million, beating analyst estimate of $1.22 a share