prior-year

Motorola Mobility reported a loss of $81 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with a prior-year loss of $212 million.

Motorola Mobility Posts Narrower Loss Matt Jarzemsky 2011

The prior-year earnings included a 52-cent charge related to the transition to hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela.

Procter & Gamble Profit Jumps 11% on Broad-Based Sales Growth Matt Jarzemsky 2011

That compares with 39% growth in the second quarter, which was helped by most companies 'dismal prior-year results.

Signs Point to Swing and Miss on Earnings Kelly Evans 2010

Separately, Colgate-Palmolive Co.'s first-quarter earnings jumped 61% as the consumer-products maker increased revenue and benefited from the removal of a prior-year charge in Venezuela.

Procter & Gamble Profit Jumps 11% on Broad-Based Sales Growth Matt Jarzemsky 2011

*** Metals and mining Alcoa swung to a first-quarter profit of $308 million, compared with a prior-year loss of $201 million, as the aluminum producer again posted higher aluminum prices and increased production.

Business Watch 2011

Excluding prior-year charges related to the U.S. health-care overhaul, prior-year earnings were $1.58 a share.

Deere's Earnings Rise 65% Bob Tita 2011

Northrop said Tuesday that its profit dropped 27% as the absence of a prior-year tax benefit offset stronger core earnings driven by cost-cutting.

Defense Contractors Feel Pressure of Military Cuts Nathan Hodge 2011

Excluding writedowns and lease termination charges related to underperforming stores and a prior-year litigation gain, earnings jumped to $1.08 from 86 cents.

Williams-Sonoma Net Rises 28%, Gives Upbeat View Matt Jarzemsky 2011

Excluding a prior-year tax benefit and other items, earnings from continuing operations were $1.59, up from $1.46 a share.

Defense Contractors Feel Pressure of Military Cuts Nathan Hodge 2011

Meritage, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., said its loss was $6.7 million, or 21 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with a prior-year profit of $2.7 million, or eight cents a share.

Three Top Builders Post Bigger Losses Robbie Whelan 2011