Gold declined in European trading. In London the precious metal closed at $463.90 per troy ounce, down $3.10. In Hong Kong gold lost $7.70 to close at $465.05. Silver closed at $7.25, down from $7.35.

The U.S. dollar advanced against the other major currencies in European trading. The euro was quoted at $1.2076, down from $1.2146. The dollar changed hands at 112.05 yen, up from 111.65. The British pound was trading at $1.7784, down from $1.7891.

EARNINGS NEWS

3Com Corp., (COMS: chart) converged networking solutions provider, posted 3Q loss of 11 cents a share, down from 9 cents a share in the year-ago period on revenue growth, missing analyst estimate of a loss of 8 cents a share. Apart from restructuring and other charges, which equaled 2 cents a share, 3Com would have lost 9 cents a share.

Tibco Software Inc. (TIBX: chart), integration and process management software company, posted 3Q net earnings of 6 cents a share, up from 4 cents a share in the year-earlier period on a slight revenue growth, beating analyst estimate of 4 cents a share. On a pro forma basis, the company announced income of $10.2 million, or 5 cents a share.

Finish Line Inc., (FINL: chart) athletic apparel and accessories retailer, posted 2Q net earnings of 38 cents a share, compared with restated earnings of 42 cents a share in the same time last year. Revenue was $341.6 million vs. restated revenue of $312.2 million last year. Same-store sales for the period dropped 2%, down from a rise of 6% in the year-earlier period.

Scientific Industries, (ESIO: chart) chip and electronic equipment manufacturer, posted 1Q net earnings of 5 cents a share, down from 36 cents a share in the year-ago period on 39% sales decline. The company announced that its results included a $4.1 million charge resulting from the redemption of its 4.25% convertible notes, which eliminated its long-term debt.

Darden Restaurants Inc., (DRI: chart) restaurant chain, posted 1Q net earnings of 53 cents a share, up vs. 44 cents a share in the same period a year earlier on revenue growth, beating analyst estimate by a penny. The company announced that same-store sales for its Olive Garden chain rose 7% to 8% in August and advanced 7.4% in 1Q. The company approved a semi-annual dividend of 20 cents, up from 4 cents a share.

Oracle Corp., (ORCL: chart) software company, reported that 1Q net profit advanced to $519 million from $509 million a year earlier and remained the same as last year’s at 10 cents a share, missing analysts’ forecast of 14 cents a share. Excluding one-time items, the company would have gained 14 cents a share, up from 10 cents a share on the same basis a year ago. Revenue for the period soared 25% to $2.77 billion, up from $2.22 billion a year earlier.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The central bank of Mexico reduced its benchmark lending rate for a second time to help support a slowing economy, taking advantage of slowing inflation. The interest rate has been lowered to 9.25% from 9.50%.