Delta Air Lines Inc.: The nation’s third-largest carrier reported Wednesday a wider second-quarter loss of $2.21 billion even as higher ticket prices and fuller planes drove up revenue. But excluding huge reorganization items, the airline said it turned its first adjusted profit in nearly six years. For the three months ended June 30, Atlanta-based Delta said its net loss amounted to $11.18 a share, compared with a loss of $388 million, or $2.64 a share, in the same three- month period a year ago. The prior-year loss included $6 million in dividends that accrued for preferred shareholders.
Walt Disney Co.: The second- largest U.S. media company said third-quarter profit jumped 39 percent to a record on surging DVD sales and higher revenue from theme parks and the ESPN cable channel. Net income topped $1 billion for the first time in a quarter, rising to $1.13 billion, or 53 cents a share, from $811 million, or 39 cents, a year ago. Sales rose 12 percent to $8.62 billion, Burbank, Calif.-based Disney said Wednesday.
Viacom Inc.: The media conglomerate that owns MTV, VH1 and the Paramount movie studio reported a big jump in earnings Wednesday on a tax gain, better results in movies and cable, and adding the DreamWorks studio. Viacom earned $437.3 million, or 61 cents per share, in the three months ending June 30, up from $353.9 million, or 47 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.
Century Casinos: The Colorado Springs-based casino operator said Wednesday its second-quarter profit more than doubled on strong casino results and higher interest income. Earnings surged to $1.3 million, or 6 cents per share, from $509,000, or 3 cents per share, during the same period last year. Excluding preopening costs of $442,000 related to casino openings in Central City and Edmonton, Alberta, net income totaled $1.8 million, or 7 cents per share, in the latest period.
Bill Barrett Corp.: The Denver-based energy company on Tuesday posted net income for the second quarter of $8.2 million, or 19 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $15.9 million, or 37 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2005. Revenues increased to $82.6 million from $54.4 million last year. Bill Barrett reported a 42 percent increase in production for the quarter.
Delta Petroleum Corp.: The Denver-based independent exploration and development company reported second-quarter net income of $4.2 million, or 8 cents per diluted share, compared with income of $1.4 million, or 3 cents per share, in the comparable period last year. Revenue increased to $45.8 million from $25.9 million last year.
Apex Silver Mines Ltd.: The Denver-based mining company, which is developing a silver mine in Bolivia, said its second-quarter loss widened to $63.4 million, partly because of a wrong-way bet on metal prices. The per-share loss was $1.10, Apex Silver said Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A year earlier, the loss was $2.82 million, or 6 cents a share.
