Business News

United amends loan application

Sprint announces wireless upgrade

Passenger traffic increases at airport

Stock exchange seat goes for $1.46 million

Blockbuster chief brings in $7.2 million

Earnings roundup

“ Kroger Co.‘s first-quarter earnings tumbled 25 percent, depressed largely by the impact of a 4 1/2 -month California supermarket strike. Kroger said it earned $262.8 million, or 35 cents per share, for the three months ended May 22, down from $351.5 million, or 46 cents per share, a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call projected earnings of 34 cents per share. “ Morgan Stanley said profit for its latest quarter more than doubled from a year ago, helped by strong results in its institutional securities operation. The New York-based securities firm said net income for the second quarter ended May 31 improved to $1.22 billion, or $1.10 a share, from $599 million, or 55 cents a share, a year ago. “ Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reported a 71 percent increase in profits for the second quarter as revenues increased across the board in its primary financial services divisions. The New York-based investment firm earned $1.19 billion, or $2.31 per share, in the three months ended May 28, up from $695 million, or $1.36 per share in the same period last year. “ 3Com Corp., the maker of networking gear, posted a narrower loss for its latest quarter. In the fiscal fourth quarter ended May 28, the company posted a loss of $18.7 million, or 4 cents a share, on revenue of $183 million. In the same period last year, it lost $38 million, or 11 cents a share, on revenue of $175 million.