EARNINGS AND CORPORATE NEWS

Regis, hair salons operator, posted 4Q same-store sales 0.9% higher than a year ago. The company projected 1Q earnings below analysts’ expectations between 51 and 56 cents a share.

Polo Ralph Lauren (RL: chart), fashion company, raised its 1Q outlook on boosted operating margin but didn’t provide earnings-per-share target. Analysts are looking for earnings of 25 cents a share.

Kyphon (KYPH: chart), medical device maker, lifted its 2Q earnings outlook to the range of 16 to 18 cents per share from a previous forecast of 12 to 13 cent a share due to better-than-expected sales and lower expenses.

Pro-Dex (PDEX: chart), drive system maker, forecast 4Q earnings in the range of 7 to 8 cents a share compared with 5 cents last year.

Somera Communications (SMRA: chart) projected 2Q net loss of 15 to 17 cents a share on charges and acquisition expenses.

Borland Software (BORL: chart) posted lower 2Q outlook as it sees wider earnings loss of 24 to 26 cents per share vs. previous forecast of a loss between 19 to 21 cents.

Alcoa (AA: chart), aluminum company reported 2Q net income of 52 cents per share vs. 46 cents a year ago beating expectations of 47 cents a share. The 14% rise is due to the sales of its shares in a Norwegian company and a tax benefit which offset high energy prices and restructuring costs.

Accenture (ACN: chart), consulting and technology services firm, posted 3Q increase in profit to 51 cents per share up from 37 cents last year on consulting recovery and reorganization benefits.

Electroglas (EGLS: chart), supplier of test handling solutions for the semiconductor industry, reported a net loss of 23 cents per share and 57 cents per share for the two and a five month transition periods respectively.

CalAmp (CAMP: chart), reported 1Q increased profit of 9 cents per share vs. 7 cents for the comparable period last year. The company forecast 2Q earnings ranging from 10 to 14 cents a share.

Innovo (INNO: chart), apparel company, swung to 2Q profit of a penny a share vs. a net loss of 21 cents a share a year ago boosted by strong sales.

Laidlaw (LI: chart), bus company & Greyhound lines operator, posted profit decline of 29 cents per share vs. 33 cents a year earlier on high fuel prices and other expenses. The results failed to meet expectations of 36 cents per share. The company declared a 15-cent quarterly dividend.

Shaw Group (SGR: chart), industrial comprehensive services provider, reported 3Q net loss of 30 cents per share vs. net income of 11 cents last year including special items. Analysts had expected a loss of 22 cents per share before charges.

UAP Holding (UAPH: chart), agricultural inputs distributor, reported 1Q 33% earnings rise of 91 cents per share on sales growth.

OTHER NEWS

The meeting of G-8 summit which was overshadowed by the terror attacks in London ended with a defiant talk and pledges to fight both poverty and climate change. The G-8 countries agreed on a $50 billion package aid for Africa, as well as on canceling the debt of 18 of the poorest countries with 14 of them African. They also approved a declaration to fight global warming as this topic will be further discussed at a meeting in November held by Britain.