CEO Ray Irani

Filtration systems maker Donaldson Co. said Wednesday its profit fell 28 percent in the fiscal first quarter as sales dropped amid weaker demand. But the company beat a Wall Street forecast and raised its full-year profit estimate. Investors sent the shares sharply higher in after-hours trading. The company, based in Minneapolis, earned $34.6 million, or 44 cents per share, in the quarter that ended Oct. 31. That is down from the $48 million, or 60 cents per share, it earned a year earlier. Excluding a 1-cent restructuring charge, the company's adjusted profit of 45 cents per share beat a 34-cent-per-share consensus estimate of analysts ... Read Full Story

Neutral Tandem Inc., which provides services that connect phone networks between providers, said Wednesday its third-quarter profit jumped 80 percent, as the company expanded its reach and carried more minutes over its networks. The company also boosted its outlook for the year, sending shares up $1.61, or 7.4 percent, to $23.44 in midday trading. The stock has ranged from $11.80 to $34.56 over the past year. Earnings for the quarter rose to $11.1 million, or 32 cents per share, from $6.2 million, or 19 cents per share, in the same period last year. Revenue increased 44 percent to $44.7 million from $31.2 million. Analysts ... Read Full Story

Government contractor CACI International Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 22 percent as it signed new contracts to increase sales, prompting it to raise its 2010 profit guidance. The information technology provider, based in Arlington, Va., earned $23.9 million, or 78 cents per share, in the quarter that ended Sept. 30. That is up from the $19.6 million, or 64 cents per share, it earned a year earlier. The quarterly profit of 78 cents beat a 75-cent-per-share prediction of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. Revenue rose 13 percent to $739.5 million from $654.8 million, also topping analysts' $702 million forecast. CEO ... Read Full Story

Food maker Sara Lee says cost-cutting, increased market share and a decline in commodity costs drove its fiscal first-quarter profit up 23 percent. Solid sales of new products also contributed to Sara Lee raising its earnings outlook for 2010. More favorable exchange rates are also expected to help. The company reported Thursday earnings of $284 million, or 41 cents per share, up from $230 million, or 32 cents per share, it earned in the same quarter last year. Earnings per share from continuing operations were unchanged at 27 cents. Revenue declined 7 percent to $2.59 billion as it sold fewer products. Analysts polled by ... Read Full Story

The Clorox Co. said Monday profit rose 23 percent in its fiscal first quarter, as consumers paid higher prices and stocked up on disinfecting products because of worries about the flu. The maker of Brita water filters and Glad bags says profit rose to $157 million, or $1.11 per share, compared with $128 million, or 90 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue declined less than 1 percent to $1.37 billion because of unfavorable exchange rates and weak demand for Glad trash bags. It also stopped making store-brand food bags. The company also benefited from higher prices, especially overseas, which boosted gross margin. Analysts ... Read Full Story